Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: touch, feel, sense of touch, tactile sense, tactility, contact, using one's hands, sensation, sense, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, notion, inkling, hunch, fancy, apprehension, presentiment, premonition, foreboding, love, care, affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, warmness, emotion, sentiment, emotional state, compassion, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, understanding, concern, solicitude, solicitousness, tender-heartedness, brotherly love, sensibilities, sensitivities, self-esteem, ego, pride, opinion, belief, view, impression, intuition, instinct, estimation, guess, theory, hypothesis, thought, way of thinking, point of view, atmosphere, ambience, aura, air, mood, climate, character, overtone, undertone, tenor, spirit, quality, flavour, colour, aptitude, knack, flair, bent, talent, gift, skill, art, trick, faculty, ability, propensity, inclination, sensitive, warm, warm-hearted, tender, tender-hearted, caring, soft-hearted, sympathetic, compassionate, empathetic, responsive, receptive, intuitive, thoughtful

Antonyms: bad feeling, acrimony, animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, bitterness, detestation, disgust, dislike, disrelish, enmity, friction, grievances, grudges, hatred, hostility, loathing, malevolence, malice

Showing 4251 to 4275 of 4770 results

4251. Daniel’s Vision of a Man

Daniel 10:1--11:1

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... , he is forced to argue that this verse introduces a new heavenly being. In other words, the hand of a different creature touches Daniel. Miller is pressed into this position for two reasons: this individual is merely a messenger, and he is not all-powerful. In his view, God sends but is not sent, as the one in this section is (10:11). This understanding may be questioned, though, because in John’s gospel, Jesus is sent by the Father (e.g., John 3:34; 4:34; 5:23, 24, 30, 36–38). More important, this ...

4252. The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

Mark 1:9-13

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... scene often show the Spirit in the form of a dove alighting upon Jesus’ head, the comparison refers to the gentle way that the Spirit came upon Jesus, and no conclusion about the visible form of the Spirit is intended. 1:12 The desert: The area in view here is probably the barren area near the northern shore of the Dead Sea. In 1:4 we have been told that “John came … in the desert region,” and the fact that he was arrested by Herod (Antipas) probably means that John’s ministry was centered near ...

4253. A Lamp On a Stand

Mark 4:21-25

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... translation of 4:21 requires some comment (see note), but the basic idea is clear. In the same way that a lamp is not to be kept covered up, so the kingdom, difficult for many to see in Jesus’ ministry, will one day be brought fully to light. In view of this promise, the hearers are urged to perceive the truth of Jesus’ message now (4:23). The sayings in 4:24–25 have to do with recognizing and receiving the kingdom of God as it makes its appearance in Jesus’ ministry. Thus, 4:24 urges attention to ...

4254. The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Mark 4:30-34

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... work were centered around the conviction that the future time of divine salvation was already making its appearance in his activities, for those with eyes to see it. These parables have to be read with the excitement and urgency of this idea in view, or else, for modern readers, they can become only quaint little stories with unremarkable moral lessons. In 4:33–34, we have a summary statement on Jesus’ use of parables, which describes them as his characteristic form of teaching and which reaffirms the ...

4255. The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man

Mark 5:1-20

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... some detail. Clothed and in his right mind, the man is a powerful testimony of a momentous event (5:15). Then Mark mentions how the witnesses described the deliverance, and as an afterthought, Mark writes, and told about the pigs as well (5:16). In view of the wonderful deliverance of the man, the destruction of the pigs is incidental for Mark, except that it indicates the destructive power overcome by Jesus. But (and here Mark’s penchant for irony emerges again) the people seem to be more bothered by the ...

4256. Jesus Walks On the Water

Mark 6:45-56

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... as well as the crowd (6:46) here. Some have pointed to the parallel account in John 6:14–15, where the crowd (and the disciples?) are about to make Jesus lead a messianic revolt, this being avoided by Jesus leaving the crowd suddenly. On this view, Jesus goes to pray (Mark 6:46) to obtain fortitude to resist the temptation of giving in to the excitement of the crowd and the disciples caused by the miraculous provision of food in the wilderness. (See, e.g., Lane, pp. 234–35.) Bethsaida: The name ...

4257. The Healing of a Deaf and Mute Man

Mark 7:31-37

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... For discussion and background material, see, e.g., “Miracle Workers,” IDBSup, pp. 598–99, and the other references cited there. Scholars disagree as to whether Ephphatha is evidence of Jesus speaking Aramaic or Hebrew here, though the most widely shared view is that it is Aramaic. (The two languages are closely related and both were used by Jews in ancient Palestine.) It was a common feature among ancient magicians and exorcists to use incantations composed of foreign words or even nonsense syllables ...

4258. The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

Mark 8:14-21

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... miracles point. The third line of interpretation is similar to the previous one in that the feeding accounts are seen as revealing the truth of Jesus’ person, and the dullness of the disciples is seen as a failure to perceive this. Nevertheless, in this view the questioning about the numbers is understood as intended to indicate the meaning of the feeding miracles. That is, the numbers of the baskets of fragments at each feeding are seen as symbolic indications of who Jesus is. Our discussion of the two ...

4259. Peter's Confession of Christ

Mark 8:27-30

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... :14–15.) Already, Mark has given us examples of people wondering about how to label Jesus. There are the crowds of 1:27 and 2:12 who are amazed at his bold actions. There are the teachers of the law of 3:22 who say he is a sorcerer (a view not repeated in 6:14–15 or here in 8:28). There is the crowd at Nazareth who see in Jesus only a home-town boy (6:2–3). There are the disciples, also, who up to this point have shown wonder and bewilderment at Jesus (4:41; 6:52 ...

4260. Whoever Is Not Against Us Is For Us

Mark 9:38-41

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... implying that only genuine followers of Jesus can use his name effectually. It seems to be a good guess that the person mentioned in Mark is a follower of Jesus and not simply someone trying to use Jesus’ name in a magical spell, for elsewhere Mark rejects a magical view of Jesus’ power (see notes and comments on 5:25–33; 6:5–6; 7:34). Further, the issue is not the practice of exorcism but whether a person who is not identified with the Twelve can still be a true follower of Jesus with the right to ...

4261. The Little Children and Jesus

Mark 10:13-16

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... the passage on marriage may have been prompted by the fact that the two subjects naturally are linked in life. There were some in the ancient church who felt that marriage was evil because they saw sexual intercourse as a fleshly pollution (this point of view seems to be what Paul corrects in 1 Cor. 7:1–40 and was certainly held by some later heretics among those called Gnostics). These same people also believed that the procreation of children was evil, and it is possible that this incident of Jesus ...

4262. The Request of James and John

Mark 10:35-45

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

10:35–45 After each of the three predictions of Jesus’ death, there is a discussion between Jesus and his disciples in which he corrects their view of his work and of their role as disciples (cf. 8:32–9:1; 9:33–50); and this passage is the final example. Having just predicted in some detail the ignominious fate that awaits him in Jerusalem, Jesus is approached by two of the inner ring of disciples (see ...

4263. Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

Mark 10:46-52

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... found the term Son of David inadequate to describe Jesus’ true person, as 12:35–37 indicates (though the discussion of this passage shows that some other scholars interpret the passage in other ways). That is, the term Son of David, in Mark’s view, was both proper to apply to Jesus and yet incomplete in describing his full significance. In the present passage, therefore, it is probably correct to understand the cry of the blind man similarly. His acclamation of Jesus as Son of David reflects the fact ...

4264. Paying Taxes to Caesar

Mark 12:13-17

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... a group known as Zealots, a group not mentioned by name in the NT (but see the note on 3:16) that became more visible after Jesus’ time. But many other Jews were quietly resentful, and the Pharisees probably represent this latter point of view. The description of Pharisees and Herodians working together against Jesus (similar to 3:6) gives us therefore an extraordinary example of conspiracy. The opening words of the questioners (v. 14) are obviously insincere, as verses 13, 15 indicate (see note on v. 13 ...

4265. Marriage at the Resurrection

Mark 12:18-27

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... . Jesus’ definition of the resurrection as bestowing a life like that of the angels (v. 25) is significant for two reasons. First, there was a difference of opinion among ancient Jews as to the nature of resurrection life, with some holding a view like Jesus’ and some expecting that the resurrected dead would have their earthly relationships restored to them. Jesus’ saying in verse 25 does not mean that the resurrected dead will be spirits without some sort of body, but that in their resurrected ...

4266. The Day and Hour Unknown

Mark 13:32-37

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... future manifestation of God (e.g., Amos 8:3, 9, 13; 9:11; Mic. 4:6; 5:10; 7:12; Zeph. 1:9–10; 3:11, 16; Joel 3:18; Zech. 9:16). In those OT passages it is what is called the day of the Lord that is in view, a future time when God will work wonders to rescue his people and to bring righteousness upon the earth (e.g., Amos 5:18–20; Isa. 2:12–19; Zeph. 1:7, 14–16; 2:2–3; 3:8–11). Thus, the day of God’s victory is pictured, as ...

4267. Gethsemane

Mark 14:32-42

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... . 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, who were viewed collectively by Jews as sinful since they did not live by the OT law. Here the term probably refers to the priestly authorities who are pictured thus as disobedient to God and to the Roman ruler (Pilate) who will be responsible for Jesus’ death.

4268. The Burial of Jesus

Mark 15:42-47

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... to notice that the clothing of the young man anticipates the death attire of Jesus (see the discussion of 14:51). There, a “young man” dressed for death and burial escapes, leaving Jesus to face his death and burial alone and, in Mark’s view, on behalf of that young man and the others whom he represents. The description of Jesus’ burial place suggests that Jesus was buried with respect and by a man of some wealth (see notes) and may also indicate that Jesus’ burial site was known, preparing ...

4269. The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:26-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... ; 2 Sam. 7:9–16; Isa. 9:1–7; 11:1–3. Although there was no uniform concept of the Messiah, or Christ (see commentary on 2:11), with some believing that he would be a priest and therefore would be from the tribe of Levi, the most popular view was that the Messiah would be a “son of David” who would liberate Israel (e.g., Pss. Sol. 17:23–51). Unlike the question of Zechariah (v. 18) Mary’s question, How can this be? (v. 34) carries no connotation of unbelief. Since Mary is only engaged to Joseph ...

4270. Zechariah's Song

Luke 1:67-80

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. It should be noted that although there are promises of deliverance from our enemies (vv. 71, 74), this song contains no overt elements of the militant messianism that was part of the popular view. Rather, the emphasis is on personal piety (v. 75), forgiveness of sins (v. 77), illumination (vv. 78–79), and peace (v. 79). The reference to the oath he swore to Abraham (v. 73) complements the earlier reference to this patriarch in the Magnificat (v. 55 ...

4271. Jesus Questioned About Fasting

Luke 5:33-39

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... see Luke 18:12). Although Jesus had fasted during his time of testing in the desert (see Luke 4:2), he apparently did not himself fast frequently (or at least so that it could be noticed; see Matt. 6:16–18). Since fasting was viewed as a sign of serious religious commitment and was regarded as essential in preparing for Israel’s long-awaited deliverance, it seemed strange and inappropriate that Jesus’ disciples ate and drank regularly, especially in light of Jesus’ preaching that the “year of the ...

4272. The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:1-15

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... Luke took up their pens (see note below). Luke has retained part of the Marcan text, since it provides a link between the parable (vv. 4–8) and its interpretation (vv. 11–15). Probably because he did not fully understand (or fully share) Mark’s view of the purpose of the parables, Luke has shortened the last part (v. 10b), which consists of a paraphrase of Isa. 6:9. (In omitting the last part of the paraphrase Luke leaves out Isa. 6:10.) Moreover, the Marcan question “concerning the parables” (4 ...

4273. A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

Luke 8:40-56

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... woman with the hemorrhage are also derived from Mark (5:21–43). As often is the case, Luke has abbreviated his Marcan material. (Matthew’s version is the briefest; 9:18–25.) The emphasis of both of these episodes is the need to have faith in Jesus. In view of what Jesus has just accomplished on the lake (vv. 22–25) and among the Gerasene people (vv. 26–39), the need to have faith in him becomes all the more compelling. The two stories are linked by the reference to twelve years v. 42, 43), the age ...

4274. The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... Enoch 37:7; 51:5. The clothing of the saints also will shine; see Dan. 12:3; Rev. 4:4; 7:9; 1 Enoch 62:15; Ecclesiastes Rabbah 1.7. 9:30–31 Moses and Elijah … talking with Jesus … about his departure: This “departure” (or exodus) probably has in view Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension (see commentary and note on 9:51 below). Moses and Elijah are often paired up. The two witnesses of Rev. 11:3–12 could very well be Moses and Elijah (on Moses cf. v. 6 with Exod. 7:17, 19; on Elijah cf. vv ...

4275. Six Woes

Luke 11:37-54

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... prophets, from Abel (Gen. 4:8) to Zechariah (2 Chron. 24:20–21), future prophets and messengers (i.e., Christian apostles and evangelists) will be mistreated as well. Although the warning of judgment and punishment that were to come probably originally had in view the Last Day, it is quite possible that Christians in Luke’s time believed the warning to be fulfilled, perhaps only partially, at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70 (see note below). The diatribe concludes with the summary of ...

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