Synonyms: Levi, disciple, evangelist, tax collector, the 12, the twelve, apostle, sermon on the mount, jewish audience, beatitudes, lord's prayer, great commission, parables, olivet discourse, mount of olives, olivet, synoptic
Showing 2601 to 2625 of 2815 results
Understanding Series
Robert H. Mounce
... and 24:42 with 25:13). Chapter 20 also begins with the Greek conjunction gar, which emphasizes continuity. 20:29–34 In both Matthew and Mark this healing takes place just before the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Luke adds the story of Zacchaeus and the parable of the pounds, which took place as Jesus and the disciples went through Jericho. This may account for Matthew and Mark’s placing the healing after Jericho while Luke places it “as they drew near to Jericho” (Luke 18:35). Matthew tells of two ...
Understanding Series
William Nelson
... ’s story cannot be taken as a promise that everyone will always be healed, so Daniel 6 cannot be understood as a promise that no one will ever be martyred. Yet it does bear witness that God sometimes acts in history to save his people from harm. In the parable of the unjust judge, Jesus encourages his followers to cry out for justice in this life and to believe that God will quickly respond (Luke 18:1–8). Furthermore, we know from other passages that if we do not get justice in this life, we will in the ...
Understanding Series
Larry W. Hurtado
... of salvation. The material between 3:1–6 and the present episode in 6:1–6 describes various aspects of Jesus’ ministry: a general account (3:7–12), the selection of the Twelve (3:13–19), the conflict with critics and family (3:20–35), parables (4:1–34), and a series of miracles that also serve as revelations of his significance (4:35–5:43). In the face of this narrative the present rejection is to be seen as indefensible and tragic. This scene contains several themes already discovered in ...
Understanding Series
Larry W. Hurtado
... trial and humiliation now but will be exalted later. Mark wants us to realize that we have come into a new section of the narrative, for he signals this by the phrase in 8:32, He spoke plainly about this. That is, there is no more use of parable and coded speech; now Jesus declares himself plainly. But Jesus not only speaks openly of his coming rejection and death, he also promises vindication for himself and for his followers (8:38–9:1). For the first time in Mark, there is reference to the glory that ...
Understanding Series
Craig A. Evans
... repentance) and ask Jesus to cry (instead of celebrating the presence of the kingdom). (See Marshall, pp. 300–301.) The second interpretation enjoys the advantage of presenting its components in the proper sequence. Taken either way, the point of the parable is that the people of Israel (particularly the religious authorities) have not been satisfied either with John or with Jesus. In vv. 33–34 Jesus further clarifies his point by illustrating the obstinate nature of his contemporaries. In response to ...
2606. Do Not Worry
Luke 12:22-34
Understanding Series
Craig A. Evans
12:22–31 The applications of the Parable of the Rich Fool are now driven home. Jesus wants the lives of his disciples to be guided by interests other than worldly, material ones. The disciple is not to worry about food and clothes, which is not only a distraction, but betrays a lack of faith in God (see ...
Understanding Series
Craig A. Evans
... Luke has wandered a bit from the theme of riches. However, the prohibition against divorce would have its readiest application to the wealthy among whom divorce, adultery, and polygamy were more frequent. Thus, in a certain sense, we are not completely unprepared for the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus that follows (16:19–31; see also note below). Additional Notes 16:16 The Law and the Prophets: The phrase actually refers to the first two parts of the Old Testament, the Law (Torah or Pentateuch) and ...
Understanding Series
Craig A. Evans
... the Jews of Judah to the south and of Galilee to the north frequently quarreled and whom the Jews loathed (see note on 9:53 above). That is why it is so ironic in a Jewish context that from time to time the “hero” of an episode or parable is a Samaritan. See HBD, pp. 895–900. 17:12 a village: Lit. “a certain village.” As explained in the note above, Luke’s reference is intended to be general, in keeping with his vague geographical reference to Samaria and Galilee (see further in note on 17:16 ...
Understanding Series
Robert W. Wall
... it is for this reason that he describes both his composition and his imprisonment as ingredients of the same reality: the word of God and the testimony of Jesus (cf. 1:2). In this sense, John’s imprisonment for the Christian gospel is an “acted parable” of the message of Revelation that envisions the fundamental conflict between two kingdoms, one divine and the other demonic. 1:10a John’s vision took place on the Lord’s day, while he was celebrating the exaltation of Christ as Lord of the church ...
2610. The Two Witnesses
Revelation 11:1-14
Understanding Series
Robert W. Wall
... to be settled before coherent meanings of this passage can be advanced. In this regard, the more pressing need is to determine how to approach this text, whether literally or symbolically (cf. Morris, Revelation, p. 140), or perhaps as a “parable” of God’s faithfulness to the believing community during the difficult course of its “last days.” A brief survey of the text’s four constitutive elements, when taken symbolically and collectively, suggests a coherence that some commentators find lacking ...
2611. The Thousand Years
Revelation 20:1-7
Understanding Series
Robert W. Wall
... the transforming power from God that reverses death into life; they are those who have not met the conditions of Christian discipleship. What their destiny is in objective terms, however, we can only imagine, for John writes “with parables and symbols which point to ideas beyond their verbal expression” (Beasley-Murray, Revelation, p. 299). Additional Notes 20:2 The literature on the idea of a millennium is enormous and mostly conservative. Besides the standard commentaries and Bible dictionaries ...
2612. The People Rebel
Numbers 14:1-45
Understanding Series
W.H. Bellinger, Jr.
... this episode offered relevant proclamation for its initial audience. The hope that the chapter proclaims is one born of divine judgment, surely a perspective understood by people in exile. Similarly, in the NT resurrection comes out of crucifixion (Rom. 6:4). The parable of the great banquet in Luke 14:15–24 also provides an interesting parallel to Numbers 13–14. One generation rejects the divine provision; the next will enjoy it. Additional Notes 14:5 Moses and Aaron fell facedown to intercede for the ...
2613. Life Through the Son
John 5:16-30, John 5:1-15
Understanding Series
J. Ramsey Michaels
... nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing (v. 19). But Jesus is not backing down, for his words reiterate the claim of verse 17 that the works he performs are the very works of God (v. 19). His language is like that of a parable; he is like a son apprenticed to a human father, learning by example and imitation (v. 20). His authority is absolute, not in spite of the fact that he does nothing by himself, but because of it. His authority is a derived authority. In all that he does he is ...
Understanding Series
J. Ramsey Michaels
... were meant to apply to the contemporary church as well. But occasionally the bridges become visible—for example, in Mark 13:37 (“What I say to you I say to everyone: ‘Watch’!”) and Luke 12:41 (“Peter asked, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?’ ”). In the present instance, a visible bridge is appropriate because of the universal scope of verses 1–3; with the explicit notice of verse 20, Jesus is returning to horizons already set at the beginning of the chapter. The ...
2615. The Glory of the New Covenant
2 Corinthians 3:7-17; 4:1-6
Understanding Series
James M. Scott
... himself as the one who has blinded the minds of unbelievers, an idea supported by other Pauline passages (cf. 2 Cor. 3:14; Rom. 11:8). Such a notion, however, is as repugnant to the modern mind as the Markan explanation of Jesus’ use of parables (Mark 4:12, citing Isa. 6:9–10). Therefore, commentators usually prefer to interpret the expression as a reference to Satan, even though such a designation seems to have no parallels. In Paul’s writings, “this age” refers to the present evil age that is ...
2616. Faith in the Son of God
1 John 5:1-12, 1 John 4:7-21
Understanding Series
Thomas F. Johnson
... view of the opponents’ eschatology; Epistles, pp. 95–97, 130) but 1 John gives us little evidence for the opponents’ eschatological views. 4:18 The only other use of “punishment” (kolasis) in the NT is in Matt. 25:46, at the end of the parable of the sheep and the goats with reference to eternal or eschatological punishment. On the relationship between fear and punishment, “the point of the author is that fear arises out of anticipation of one’s destiny in the final judgment” (Kysar, I, II ...
Understanding Series
James K. Bruckner
... Some ignored the word of the LORD and abandoned their slaves and property in the fields. The Hebraism behind “those who ignored” is, literally, “the one who did not set his heart on” the word of the Lord. This division over the word of Yahweh functions as a warning parable for the reader and for the children of Israel. Who will fear the word of the Lord? Who will take it to heart? The one who fears God’s word will find shelter from the storm (Nah. 1:7; Ps. 27:1). The plague itself began when Moses ...
2618. The Ten Commandments
Deuteronomy 5:1-33
Understanding Series
Christopher J. H. Wright
... nature of the tenth commandment (i.e., the realization that it goes to the roots of human wickedness in so many other fields) is fully endorsed in the NT. Jesus warned his hearers about the dangers of covetous greed and reinforced his teaching with several parables (Luke 12:13–21). His challenge to the rich ruler who claimed to have kept the commandments probably intended to show that the man’s claim foundered on his failure to live up to the tenth commandment through his attachment to his wealth (Matt ...
2619. The Golden Calf
Deuteronomy 9:7-29
Understanding Series
Christopher J. H. Wright
... of a universal phenomenon in the behavior of human beings, governments, and nations. In its prophetic power to challenge a complacent people, it matches the uncompromising rhetoric of Amos. In its unwelcomeness to national leaders and myth-makers, it stands alongside the parables of Jesus and the speech of Stephen in Acts 7. In its relevance to modern claims and counterclaims to “right” in international conflicts, it still speaks today. 9:7–8 If part of the intention of verses 4–6 was to justify ...
Understanding Series
Iain W. Provan
... Both Gospels associate this teaching, in fact, with other teaching about “not storing up treasures on earth” but in heaven, lest the heart go astray (Matt. 6:19–21; Luke 12:32–34). Luke makes the issue doubly clear by associating the teaching also with the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13–21) and with the injunction to “sell your possessions and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33). The emphasis in these texts on God’s provision of the necessities of life and on the imperative to share wealth ...
2621. Solomon's Death
1 Kings 11:41-43
Understanding Series
Iain W. Provan
... Both Gospels associate this teaching, in fact, with other teaching about “not storing up treasures on earth” but in heaven, lest the heart go astray (Matt. 6:19–21; Luke 12:32–34). Luke makes the issue doubly clear by associating the teaching also with the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13–21) and with the injunction to “sell your possessions and give to the poor” (Luke 12:33). The emphasis in these texts on God’s provision of the necessities of life and on the imperative to share wealth ...
Understanding Series
Iain W. Provan
... 20:41–42. It seems to be taken for granted that a talent of silver is simply an impossible amount to raise—which it would have been, of course, for the ordinary soldier. Death is the only option that can realistically be considered. A similar scenario is painted in the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matt. 18:23–34. The servant is put in prison until he pays back what he owes; but he owes such a fabulous sum of money that it is inconceivable that he will ever be able to raise it.
Understanding Series
Iain W. Provan
... 20:41–42. It seems to be taken for granted that a talent of silver is simply an impossible amount to raise—which it would have been, of course, for the ordinary soldier. Death is the only option that can realistically be considered. A similar scenario is painted in the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matt. 18:23–34. The servant is put in prison until he pays back what he owes; but he owes such a fabulous sum of money that it is inconceivable that he will ever be able to raise it.
Understanding Series
Leslie C. Allen
... God to vindicate him by providentially punishing these Samarian officials and the local prophets, who had evidently played the same sort of game as their colleague Shemaiah. By this means justice would be done—such justice as the widow persistently pleaded for in the parable of Luke 18:1–8. 6:15–16 Nehemiah could now proudly announce the completion of the wall, presumably including the doors (v. 1; 7:1). It was a red-letter day, probably in early October 445. The extensive repair work, probably begun ...
Understanding Series
John Goldingay
... though in this case the location of the Valley of Vision becomes explicit (vv. 8–11). We have to accept that many of the poems in these chapters do not tell us their historical background, so that reading them is a little like reading a parable, or understanding a film when you arrive halfway through. While the prophet’s first hearers would probably have known more than we do and therefore would have understood his words in a more straightforward, and perhaps more nuanced, way, the written form of the ...
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