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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 3976 to 4000 of 4681 results

3976. Edom’s Judgment Pronounced and Reaffirmed

Obadiah 1:1-21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... own vomit, the nations will drink themselves into oblivion with the wine of God’s anger (Jer. 25:27, 32–33). Edom’s offense is all the more abominable because it participated in the destruction and desecration of Jerusalem, the city that bears God’s name. 17–18 · Zion delivered:The adversative conjunction “but” introducing these lines of the oracle alerts the reader to the upcoming comparison, as the prophet contrasts the judgment and destruction pending for Edom (vv. 1b–14) with the future ...

3977. Second Explanation

Habakkuk 2:2-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... testimony (e.g., Prov. 6:19; 14:5, 25; 19:5, 9). Regardless of how slowly the fulfillment of God’s word seems to move, it will truly come in God’s appointed time, and that with sudden finality. Therefore, the words that Habakkuk is to record will bear witness to God’s divine government truthfully: they “will not prove false.” It is God who has said it! That ought to be enough for the person of faith. God now discloses a great and hidden purpose in his ordered government (2:4–5). Behind the ebb ...

3978. Fifth Vision - Zerubbabel Empowered

Zechariah 4:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... and the temple. This fifth vision is given to show Zerubbabel that God gives divine enablement for the work that he has ordained. The vision contains two major objects. The first is a solid gold lampstand (4:2). The lampstand no doubt is intended to symbolize the bearing of witness or testimony. Isaiah 60:1–3 speaks of restored Israel as being a light to which the nations, in a world of darkness, will come. This will be possible because the light of God in the person of the Messiah has first come on ...

3979. The Return to Nazareth

Matthew 2:19-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... or set apart. More likely, Nazōraios plays on the Hebrew word netser, translated “branch.” This Hebrew word occurs in Isaiah 11:1, where netser refers to a son of Jesse (David’s father; cf. 1 Samuel 16): “from [Jesse’s] roots a Branch will bear fruit.” The term netser was used to evokemessianic hopes in other Jewish writings of Matthew’s day (e.g., Dead Sea Scrolls, Thanksgiving Hymns 7.19). Thus Matthew concludes the story of Jesus’s birth just as he began it (1:1), by emphasizing Jesus ...

3980. The Parable of the Sower & Weeds

Matthew 13:1-23, Matthew 13:24-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... In this parable, the spectrum includes, on one end, those who lack any understanding about the kingdom Jesus preaches and brings (13:19) and, on the other, those who hear and understand Jesus’s message and yield much fruit (cf. 3:10 for bearing-fruit motif). Understanding emerges as an important theme in this first parable of Matthew 13 as well as in the two explanations for why Jesus speaks in parables (13:10–17, 34–35), with Scripture cited in both explanations. To answer the disciples’ question ...

3981. Parables of Responsibility

Matthew 21:28-32, Matthew 21:33-46, Matthew 22:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... scene of the parable strikes closer to home. A man who is at the banquet is discovered without the proper wedding garments and thrown out. This scene warns those who have responded to the kingdom invitation (offered by Jesus) of judgment if they do not bear fruit (with “weeping and gnashing of teeth” being a common image for judgment in Matthew; cf. 8:12; 13:42, 50; 24:51; 25:30). Though the wedding garment is an ambiguous image, in context it seems best interpreted along an ethical line, since both ...

3982. The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ; with the trinitarian formula distinguishing this baptism from John’s baptism in Matthew 3). Disciples are to be taught “to obey everything [Jesus has] commanded,” continuing Matthew’s pervasive theme of obedience (cf. 5:20; 7:15–27; 19:17–19; bearing-fruit motif). The promise of Jesus’s presence with his disciples (28:20) grounds this commission to make disciples. Though they are authorized to go out in mission (see the authority promised at 16:19; 18:18–19), their authority is derivative ...

3983. Jesus Heals Many

Mark 1:29-34

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The Greek word for “immediately” (1:29; NIV “as soon as”)—which occurs eleven times in Mark 1—contributes to the sense of urgency in Mark’s narrative: the time is at hand (1:15) for the authority of God’s Son to bear witness to the gospel. Close to the synagogue is Peter’s house, where Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever (1:30–31). The Greek word for “wait on” (1:31) is diakoneō, from which “deacon” is derived. Mark’s use of this word to describe Peter’ ...

3984. The Parable of the Sower

Mark 4:1-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... , it is lost. The people who represent good soil, by contrast, attend to the gospel with earnest and ongoing engagement, which Mark signals by the present tense of the Greek verb for “hear.” The mark of a true disciple, an insider, is to “hear the word and accept it and bear fruit” (4:20 ESV, NASB). Those who genuinely hear and receive the mystery of the kingdom of God will, by the grace of its generative power, produce a harvest beyond belief.

3985. Jesus Walks on Water

Mark 6:45-56

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Two statements in 6:45–52 bear further witness to the potential of a messianic uprising during the wilderness banquet. Jesus quickly compels the disciples to sail to Bethsaida (the northeast shore of the lake, 6:45), ostensibly to prevent them from becoming swept up in the crowd’s messianic fervor. He then repairs to the hills ...

3986. “On the Way” to Jerusalem

Mark 9:33-37, Mark 9:38-41

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... are “on the way” from Caesarea Philippi to Jerusalem—a distance of two hundred miles as the crow flies—Mark includes four brief narratives on humility and suffering, each of which illustrates and reinforces Jesus’s call to self-denial and cross bearing (8:31–38). Passing through Galilee for the final time, “Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were” (9:30). The anonymous journey may have been advised by the continued opposition of Antipas and the Jewish authorities, but above all ...

3987. The Request of James and John

Mark 10:35-45

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... . James and John think of God’s kingdom in terms of benefits. Jesus, however, speaks of the costs of participating in it in terms of a “cup” and “baptism” (10:38), both metaphors of suffering. The brothers assure Jesus of their willingness to bear the costs of discipleship. Despite their assurance, Jesus declares that the rewards of glory are hidden in the eternal purpose of God (10:40). Disciples are not to follow Jesus because of future rewards but because they wish to be with Jesus—wherever ...

3988. Paying Taxes to Caesar

Mark 12:13-17

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... Jesus—indicates that the political question of the Pharisees and Herodians cannot be answered without answering the more fundamental theological question—namely, that government may not assert total claim over its citizens. Political and civil duties cannot be properly rendered until the ultimate claim of God is acknowledged. Humanity, which bears God’s image (Gen. 1:26), belongs to God.

3989. Before the Sanhedrin

Mark 14:53-65

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the midst of another, thereby making a third point by implication. The present sandwich consists of Peter’s denial (14:53–54; 14:66–72) divided by Jesus’s trial before the Sanhedrin (14:55–65). The theme of the sandwich is bearing witness under persecution—the Greek word “witness” is mentioned seven times in this unit—by contrasting Jesus’s faithful witness with Peter’s false witness. The sandwich begins with Peter following Jesus “at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high ...

3990. The Trial of Jesus

Mark 15:1-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 14)—Pilate decides that Jesus is unworthy of defending on principle or by a show of force. In the end, he stands down and consigns Jesus to crucifixion. Although the chief priests appear to have instigated events leading to the crucifixion, Pilate bears final responsibility for it, for crucifixion was a Roman punishment requiring the approval of a Roman governor. Jesus’s trial before Pilate, like John’s before Antipas (Mark 6:14–29), is profoundly ironic: Pilate first seeks amnesty for Jesus, then ...

3991. Jesus' Death

Mark 15:33-41

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the true and final Day of Atonement, allowing humanity access to the heart of God. The second portent at the crucifixion is the confession of the centurion, “Surely this man was the Son of God” (15:39). “Son of God” is Mark’s load-bearing christological title, which until this moment has been unconfessed by any human being. Heretofore in Mark, Jesus has commanded both demons and people to silence, for until the cross all declarations about Jesus are premature. The Son of God can be rightly known ...

3992. A Lamp on a Stand

Luke 8:16-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... 18: “Consider carefully how you listen.” In other words, this paragraph resembles the preceding one; Jesus stresses the need for faithful obedience to the preached word. The significance of putting one’s lamp on the stand (8:16) is probably that the hearers must bear fruit in their listening, for a day will come when what they hear will not be secret any longer; it will shine for all to see. The last part of verse 18 supports our interpretation of verse 10 above. Receptive and obedient listening will ...

3993. Repent or Perish

Luke 13:1-9

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... In the parable of the fig tree (13:6–9) the necessity of repentance before the crisis of the final judgment is underlined again. Executions and accidental deaths are not definitive signs of God’s judgment (13:1–5); but if an individual is not bearing fruit, then judgment is certain. God, however, patiently waits for fruit to appear, giving people every possible chance to produce fruit. Nevertheless, people cannot put off the day of judgment forever, idly thinking that it will never come (13:8–9).

3994. The Parable of the Ten Minas

Luke 19:11-27

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... servants. In the parable, each of the ten servants is given one mina, which probably equaled about three months’ wages. Each servant is expected to make a profit in the master’s absence. The message to the disciples is that they are expected to bear fruit in the interval of time between Jesus’s ascension and return. When the nobleman returns, he settles accounts. Seven of the ten servants fall out of the picture, and the master reckons with only three. The first two invest the money responsibly and ...

3995. The Parable of the Tenants

Luke 20:9-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... this is precisely what the Scriptures foretold (Ps. 118:22). The builders (the religious leaders) have rejected the stone (Jesus), which “has become the cornerstone” (20:17). This is not a decorative stone but a stone placed at the corner of the building to bear the stress and weight of the two walls. Thus, it is the crucial stone in the building. Verse 18 expresses two thoughts: (1) those who stumble (probably in unbelief) over that stone will themselves be broken; (2) if the stone falls in judgment on ...

3996. Jesus Heals the Official’s Son

John 4:39-42, John 4:43-54

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

The woman’s testimony bears fruit (4:39–42). And yet those who are invited to come out to see Jesus for themselves (as were Peter and Nathanael in 1:35–50) must obtain their own faith. Jesus remains in Samaria for two days, and many in the village believe (4:42). The miracle in ...

3997. Testimonies about Jesus

John 5:31-47

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... :42). Jesus is angered not because they refuse to glorify him (5:41) but because they refuse to glorify God (5:44). The desire for human praise, affirmation, and prestige has crippled them, and they cannot love God (5:44a). Human noteworthies are esteemed (5:43b), but the Son, who bears divine credentials, is rejected. The very Scripture used to condemn Jesus will soon bring the severest judgment on its possessors (5:45–47).

3998. The Validity of Jesus’ Testimony

John 8:12-30

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... The Greek form of the Hebrew name Yahweh (Exod. 3:14) is applied to Christ in an absolute way. Jesus is the great I AM. Again the crowd misunderstands. “Who are you?” (8:25). “I am” (8:24) usually requires a predicate. Still they fail to see. Jesus bears the full authority of God! But here at last Jesus indicates when they will perceive: at the cross (8:28). This is the second passion prediction in John (elsewhere 3:14 and 12:32–34; cf. the same triple prediction in the Synoptics: Mark 8:31; 9:31 ...

3999. The Children of Abraham of the Devil

John 8:31-41, John 8:42-47

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

Jesus discusses Abraham’s true descendants in 8:31–59. The implications of this radical teaching are clear, and controversy is sure to follow. Jesus is overturning the canons of Jewish religion in their entirety! Knowing him who bears this power and authority will bring true freedom (8:32). But again, the Jews understand this in earthly terms: they are free since they are not slaves (8:33). But Jesus is concerned with spiritual slavery (8:34–36), and this they cannot perceive. From here Jesus is ...

4000. Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

John 9:1-12

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the city filled by the Gihon Spring and was the source for the water ceremonies at the Feast of Tabernacles. But for John something deeper is at hand. We recall that Jesus replaced these Tabernacles waters in 7:37–39. Now the pool, which is their source, bears Christ’s name. Siloam means “sent” (9:7), and the Fourth Gospel regularly refers to Jesus as one who is “sent” (e.g., 5:36–38; 8:16, 18, 26). The blind man finds his healing in Jesus both in symbol and in reality. The judicial interest ...

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