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Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 3501 to 3525 of 3926 results

3501. The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

Matthew 15:21-28

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... only one (9:10–17), and John 6 (vv. 1–15) seems to combine the two. It has been suggested that Mark (followed by Matthew) found two accounts of the same feeding in his sources and copied them both. Lohmeyer (JBL, vol. 56, pp. 235ff.) supports the view that the duplication relates to the ethnic composition of the audience. The feeding of the five thousand is addressed to a Jewish population (the twelve baskets of Matt. 14:20 represent the twelve tribes of Israel), and the feeding of the four thousand ...

3502. Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

Matthew 15:29-39

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

3503. Blessings of Those Who Fear the Lord

Psalm 112:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... he does he need not fear? The parallel line and the next verse, in fact, imply the latter. His security and freedom from fear rest not in circumstances but in heartfelt trust: his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure (lit. “supported”). The repeated insistence that he will have no fear implies that he may, in fact, face circumstances that could give cause for fear. Likewise, the assurance that in the end he will look in triumph on his foes implies that “in the meantime” he ...

3504. Peters Confession to Christ

Matthew 16:13-20

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... in verses 17–19 as genuine. Beare is of the opinion that “this group of sayings does not commend itself as a genuine utterance of Jesus” but “originated in some debate with the Palestinian community” (pp. 353–54). The most common arguments supporting this contention are (a) elsewhere in the Gospels Jesus does not speak of founding a church (only here and in Matt. 18:17 is ekklēsia used); (b) the rest of the New Testament provides no indication that Peter enjoyed the administrative privileges ...

3505. The Healing of a Boy With a Demon

Matthew 17:14-23

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... healing. It was because you have so little faith, answers Jesus. If they had faith as small as a mustard seed (understood as the smallest of all seeds), they would be able to move a mountain. Ancient people thought of mountains as pillars that supported the sky, and thus mountains were natural symbols of stability (Gundry, p. 353). To move a mountain was a proverbial expression for overcoming a great difficulty (cf. Isa. 54:10; 1 Cor. 13:2). With faith, nothing is impossible. Tasker writes, “The meaning ...

3506. The Little Children and Jesus

Matthew 19:13-15

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... priorities. Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to the childlike. So first he gave them his blessing (i.e., placed his hands on them) and then he continued on his way. Verse 14 has often been used in support of child baptism (cf. Cullmann, Baptism in the New Testament, pp. 71–80), but the argument lacks force (cf. Tasker, p. 185).

3507. The Restored Exiles Sowing in Tears and Reaping with Joy

Psalm 126:1-6

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... found in the Qere reading of v. 4, noted below), which derives from the Hb. root šbh and thus means “captivity.” This is the reading taken in the main text of the NIV, though the phrase is best translated, “turn our captivity.” A few other MT manuscripts, supported by the LXX, read šebût (also found in the Kethib reading of v. 4, noted below), which probably derives from šûb. Thus the Hb. phrase šûb šebût in v. 1 would be rendered lit. as, “when the LORD turned the turning of Zion,” and ...

3508. The Lord, the Builder of the House(hold)

Psalm 127:1-5

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... . It may seem odd that children can be used as “weapons” or arrows to counter one’s enemies in the gate. The gate served as the town’s courtroom (Ruth 4:1, 10–11; Amos 5:12; Prov. 22:22). Sons born in one’s youth could offer one legal support in the face of a lawsuit. But the gate was also simply a gathering place (Prov. 31:31) or marketplace (2 Kgs. 7:1). Thus, in any case of rivalry, children could be presented as evidence that one has, in fact, been blessed by God. This psalm may provide us ...

3509. A Tale of Two Oaths: David’s for the Lord’s Dwelling and the Lord’s for David’s Dynasty in Zion

Psalm 132:1-18

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... made concerning her poor, whom Yahweh will satisfy with food. This text does not give free rein to these human powers; instead they are given responsibility to keep Yahweh’s covenant and statutes and so ensure the welfare of the poor. There is here no blind support of the status quo. Moreover, the oracle of verse 14 makes clear who is the supreme King: here “I will sit enthroned.” In this psalm we see Yahweh acting in response to human initiative. In response to David’s swearing an oath to the Lord ...

3510. Surrendering to God’s Inescapable, All-Searching Presence

Psalm 139:1-24

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... analogy between a dark, hidden place and the mother’s womb (v. 13). 139:18 When I awake (derived from Hb. qyṣ) is awkward at this point of the psalm. We should perhaps read, “were I at an end” (derived perhaps from Hb. qṣṣ, a denominative of qṣ), with the support of a few MT manuscripts.

3511. Paying Taxes to Caesar

Matthew 22:15-22

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... or trap”). They decide to send some of their disciples, along with the Herodians, to pose a controversial question about paying taxes to the Roman Emperor. Nothing is known of the Herodians apart from their mention here. Supposedly they were Jewish supporters of Herod Antipas and favored collaboration with their Roman overlords. Naturally, they would be quite unpopular with the masses. That the Pharisees would join forces with a group so distinct in their goals and orientation shows the extent to which ...

3512. Daniel’s Training in Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... might have the element Misha in it, which is another form of Mithras, a Persian deity (Collins, Daniel, p. 141). If so, this might indicate a Persian date for the first half of the book, or at least for chapter 1. 1:8 Smith-Christopher supports an idea that was suggested (though rejected) by J. E. Goldingay, that the royal food and wine symbolize feasting, whereas in the exile they should be mourning. Furthermore, this fare represents the food of the wealthy, whereas Daniel preferred the humble diet of the ...

3513. Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... watch and pray (present imperatives emphasizing continuing action) that they may be spared the coming trial (of fidelity). Their failure in the approaching crisis stemmed from their halfhearted commitment to prayer. Even at a time like this, when Jesus needed the support and human sympathy of his closest companions, he could offer an explanation for their thoughtless conduct: the spirit is willing, but the body is weak (v. 41). Human nature cannot always measure up to the noble aspirations of the spirit. In ...

3514. Jesus Arrested

Matthew 26:47-56

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... . The boldness of Jesus, in spite of his being in the hands of the mob, was more than his disciples could endure. In the moment of trial they deserted him and fled. Abandoned by his closest friends, he had to suffer the remaining hours of his earthly life without human support. Additional Notes 26:53 Angels: In the Qumran War Scroll angels are represented as joining with the righteous in the battle for deliverance (1QM 7.6).

3515. A Man with Leprosy

Mark 1:40-45

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... definition of this man’s problem. (See “Leprosy,” IDB, vol. 3, pp. 11–13.) 1:41 Filled with compassion: A few ancient manuscripts read here “moved with anger.” It is possible that this is the original reading, of course, but in view of its weak support among manuscripts and in view of the fact that it may have been introduced to make Jesus’ emotion here seem more compatible with his stern command in vv. 43–44, it is probably wiser to regard the reading accepted in the text here as the ...

3516. The Calling of Levi

Mark 2:13-17

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... ; vv. 15–16), and the connection between them is that they both show Jesus associating closely with people deemed unacceptable by the religious purists of his day. In the one case, a tax collector, an employee of the Roman-installed-and-supported government of Herod Antipas, is invited to become a personal disciple of Jesus. Such people were disliked by many as religiously impure or even as collaborators with the Romans (see note). By calling Levi (see note) to personal fellowship and service, Jesus ...

3517. Lord of the Sabbath

Mark 2:23-3:6

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... misunderstanding. 3:6 Very little is known of the group referred to as Herodians outside the Gospel references. Elsewhere they appear only in connection with the question about paying tribute to Caesar (12:13 and Matt. 22:16; also see note on Mark 8:15), and they appear to be supporters of the Herodian dynasty and/or members of court or civil servants of Herod Antipas. They do not seem to be a religious party but rather more a political group.

3518. Jesus' Mother and Brothers

Mark 3:31-35

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... ,” their intent here is no doubt the same—that is, this is not simply a friendly visit from relatives! This makes Jesus’ sharp rejection of them in favor of his followers a little easier to understand. There is other evidence that Jesus did not enjoy the support of his own family during his ministry (e.g., John 7:1–9). There is the mention of Jesus’ mother at the crucifixion in John 19:25–27, but little is said to indicate her own position among the disciples. Acts 1:14 mentions Mary, his mother ...

3519. A Prophet Without Honor

Mark 6:1-6

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... wood or in stone, according to ancient sources. In Matt. 13:55, Jesus is called the carpenter’s son, suggesting that Jesus took up his trade from Joseph, his father. Jesus did not begin his ministry, of course, until young adulthood, and so must have supported himself (and his relatives?) by his trade for some years before taking up his ministry. Mary’s son: It was very unusual to refer to someone as the son of their mother in ancient Jewish times. It has been suggested many times that this expression ...

3520. The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man

Mark 7:31-37

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... the whole passage by his allusions to it. Even though his first readers were likely gentile Christians, they would probably have been sufficiently familiar with the Greek OT to catch the allusion. Also, this story, together with the preceding one, seems to support Jesus’ rejection of the criticism of the Pharisees in 7:1–23 by contrasting their criticism of him with these incidents, exhibiting proof that Jesus is in fact the bearer of God’s salvation. A connection with the preceding story may be ...

3521. The Rich Young Man

Mark 10:17-31

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... get-rich scheme, of course. Instead, the abundance described probably refers to those who give up their settled existence to follow Jesus in mission who will have to be entertained by many brothers, sisters, mothers, children in many homes and supported from many fields, none of them really their own. The peculiarly Markan phrase, and with them, persecutions, makes plain the reality behind the language—that in this age no material profit is promised. The follower is, however, promised eternal life in ...

3522. Jesus Clears the Temple

Mark 11:12-19

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... temple tax (Exod. 30:13–16), would have turned the Court of the Gentiles into an oriental bazaar, making it impossible for any Gentile to use the area for prayer or serious devotion to God. In the original situation, Jesus’ action was probably supported by many others who found it offensive for the priests to have authorized the transacting of such business within the sacred precincts of the temple. The temple was frequently the site for disturbances having to do with religious issues. In the mind of ...

3523. Gethsemane

Mark 14:32-42

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... persecution. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak: The allusion is to Ps. 51:12, and the meaning has nothing to do with the human spirit versus human flesh. Rather, the contrast involves God’s Spirit, who is willing to supply strength to support human weakness. To make this clearer, the NIV translation should have capitalized spirit. 14:41 Into the hands of sinners. “Sinners” was a term used with reference to Jews who did not live according to the will of God and with reference to the Gentiles ...

3524. The Burial of Jesus

Mark 15:42-47

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... local council (see notes). Matthew 27:57 says he was rich and a disciple of Jesus, though John 19:38 describes him as a secret disciple on account of his fear of the Jewish authorities. Luke 23:50–51 calls him “a good and upright man,” and supports Mark’s description of him as waiting for the kingdom of God, which is simply to say that he (with many pious Jews of the time) held to the hope for the salvation of Israel and the appearance of the messianic age. Whatever his exact attitude toward Jesus ...

3525. The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:1-15

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... have been completely contrary to Jewish customs (see Tannehill, pp. 137–39). In this brief section Luke identifies by name three of the women who traveled through Galilee with the Twelve (see note below). He also notes that there were many others who were helping to support them out of their own means (v. 3). Luke probably had three reasons for mentioning these women: (1) to show that the women who witnessed the crucifixion (Luke 23:49) and the empty tomb (24:10, 22, 24) had been with Jesus from the time ...

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