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 4951 to 4975 of 5000 results

4951. The Demand for a Sign

Matthew 16:1-4

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... , some have questioned whether or not they would stray so far from Jerusalem and the temple. One’s response to such conjectures is determined by the larger question of textual reliability. It seems perfectly reasonable to accept the text as it stands and understand the two groups together as a sort of official representation of Judaism. Most English translations note that verses 2b–3 are missing in a number of early manuscripts. Some scholars see the verses as a later addition from a source similar to ...

4952. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20:1-16

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... group he promises to pay “whatever is right” (v. 4), and there is no mention of pay to the others who start later. Once again the specific application of the verse is difficult because of the proverbial nature of the concluding statement. It is best to understand the parable and its application in the light of Jesus’ own setting and ministry. Additional Notes 20:2 Denarius: The dēnarion was a worker’s average daily wage. Cf. Pliny 33.3; Tacitus Ann. 1.17. 20:15 The “evil eye” (cf. AV) was a ...

4953. The Triumphal Entry

Matthew 21:1-11

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... wild with excitement” (NEB). They asked, Who is this? and the crowds answered that he was Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. Unless the multitude was intimidated by those in Jerusalem and decided to softpedal their messianic claims, it is best to understand the prophet as the eschatological prophet foretold Additional Notes 21:7 Codex Bezae and some others have auton (“it”) rather than autōn (them) as the last word in v. 7, undoubtedly due to the incongruity of seeing Jesus mounted on two ...

4954. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Matthew 22:1-14

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... regardless of our conduct. Additional Notes 22:6 Mistreated: Gk. hybrizō (cf. the English “hubris”) means “to treat in an arrogant manner calculated to publicly humiliate.” 22:7 Burned: Critics who interpret the parable as the work of the evangelist or the church understand the burning of the city to be a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 under Titus (however, see Gundry for the view that it is a dramatic figure drawn from Isaiah’s prediction of a past destruction, p. 437). 22 ...

4955. A Warning Against Hypocrisy

Matthew 23:1-39

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... . Tasker suggests that Matthew may have organized the material according to the pattern of Deuteronomy 32:1–40, in which Moses sang of Israel’s ingratitude and idolatry and then of the goodness of God (p. 216). Critics have questioned what they understand to be a “sustained note of fierceness” (Beare, p. 447) or “the extreme bitterness of this chapter” (Green, p. 187). Instead of being seen as reflecting the mind of the historical Jesus, the material is often held to reveal the antagonism that ...

4956. Judas Hangs Himself

Matthew 27:1-10

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... be placed in the temple treasury, because they were blood money. So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. This explains why the place has been called “Blood Acre” ever since. Matthew understands this as a fulfillment of a prophecy by Jeremiah, although it is primarily taken from Zechariah 11:12–13. Assigning a composite quotation to the more prominent individual appears to have been a regular practice (cf. Mark 1:2 where a quotation from Malachi ...

4957. Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit

Mark 1:21-28

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... note on v. 23), and Mark obviously intends this part of the episode as an illustration that Jesus was much more than simply another teacher, and that the authority claimed in his teaching represented a real authority, not simply an empty claim. We are to understand, then, that the news about Jesus spread so quickly (v. 28) particularly because of this kind of deed. The theme of Jesus’ expulsion of evil spirits, or demons, from people is certainly a major part of Mark’s story. We shall encounter numerous ...

4958. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Mark 6:7-13

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... in extension of Jesus’ own work. Here again (6:7) as before (3:15), the disciples are given authority over evil spirits; and by this term, so important in Mark’s description of Jesus (1:22, 27; 2:10; 11:27–33), we are to understand that the Twelve are actually given an extension of Jesus’ own power and ministry. This is another instance of the way that the disciples, so plainly described as failing in other places in the narrative, are also described in very positive terms as intimately associated ...

4959. The Faith of a Syrophoenician Woman

Mark 7:24-30

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... the table without disturbing the meal. In effect, the woman means, “You don’t need to interrupt the ‘meal’ plans; I ask only for a scrap from the table.” The tenacity and humility that assents to Jesus’ mission, though she does not understand it, wins her Jesus’ blessing. He could not become a mere itinerant wonder-worker, for his calling was to proclaim the fulfillment of Israel’s prophetic hopes; but he could respond to this particular need, for the woman believed that Jesus could cure ...

4960. The Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaida

Mark 8:22-26

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... , with the man squinting intently (8:25) and then suddenly seeing everything clearly. In the next two sections of this chapter we see how this story provides a fitting introduction to the account of the disciples’ limited perception and their need for a fuller understanding of the meaning of Jesus’ mission. Additional Notes 8:22 Bethsaida: On the location of this town, see the note on 6:45. In a few ancient manuscripts we read “Bethany” instead, but this is to be disregarded in view of the strong ...

4961. The Triumphal Entry

Mark 11:1-11

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... colt being found tied (v. 4). Genesis 49:8–12 was taken by many ancient Jews and Christians as a prophecy of the Messiah, and an allusion to this passage as well as to Zechariah 9:9 would be a hint to the reader as to how to understand what was going on in 11:1–11. Pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for such occasions as Passover customarily entered the city on foot, and Jesus’ entrance mounted on the donkey signals a special dignity for him. This is indicated also by the description of the crowd spreading ...

4962. The Greatest Commandment

Mark 12:28-34

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... a member of the “scribes,” a class of people trained to interpret the OT law for the life of the people. The question asked is discussed in ancient Jewish sources. Since it was commonly understood that the OT law included 613 commandments, it is understandable that there was a desire to try to organize this body of material around a basic commandment so as to give a fundamental premise on which to hang all the individual commands. For example, the great Jewish teacher Hillel, whose career is dated in ...

4963. Before the Sanhedrin

Mark 14:53-65

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... nature of the sources of information available to early Christians in constructing their accounts of the trials, since obviously no Christians were present. We cannot tackle fully these questions here, both because it is the primary aim of this commentary to understand the text of Mark as it stands rather than to try to reconstruct in detail the historical sequence of the events lying behind the text, and because there is not adequate space to discuss the historical questions surrounding the trials, which ...

4964. The Crucifixion

Mark 15:21-32

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... , this King of Israel, wording that both indicates that the two terms Christ and King of Israel are synonyms here and reflects the Jewish equivalent of the Roman derision that hung on Jesus’ cross, The King of the Jews (v. 26, and see notes). If we understand Mark’s use of irony here, we can see that he wants his readers to realize that Jesus truly is the king of Israel, the Messiah from God, even though the crucifixion seems to contradict every known form of Jewish expectation about what the path of ...

4965. The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Luke 1:5-25

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... a Nazarite prophet” (Lachs, p. 18). 1:17 The idea of the return of Elijah as the forerunner of the Messiah does not occur in Judaism outside of the NT. But because both Elijah and Messiah were related to the end times their association is understandable. John’s mission is to “turn the hearts of fathers to their children” (from Mal. 4:6, RSV). One of the themes in Jewish messianic expectation concerned family strife. In the Mishnah (Sotah 9.15), Mic. 7:6 is cited (“… daughter rise up against her ...

4966. The Birth of Jesus

Luke 2:1-7

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... possibly, if not probably, would have led to harsh criticisms and insults. (That such may have been the case in the years following his birth may be in view in the critical remarks found in John 8:41.) Whether Mary was married or still engaged, it is not difficult to understand why she, despite being near to giving birth, would have preferred to accompany Joseph. 2:7 She wrapped him in cloths: Compare Wisd. 7:4: “I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths” (RSV); see also Ezek. 16:4.

4967. The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

Luke 3:21-38

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... Jesus as king (see Acts 13:33 where Ps. 2:7 is actually quoted in reference to Jesus), the words may also allude to Isa. 42:1, one of the Servant Song passages of Isaiah. (On the significance of the Servant Songs for Luke’s understanding of Jesus see commentary and notes on Luke 4:14–30 below.) The voice provides heavenly confirmation of Jesus’ appointment as Messiah (see note below). Fitzmyer (p. 483) suggests that just as the voice at the baptism precedes the Galilean ministry, so the voice (which ...

4968. The Temptation of Jesus

Luke 4:1-13

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... is appropriate that the temptation scenes reach their climax there. The next question concerns the meaning of the temptation narrative. Here it is necessary to offer answers on two levels. First, the original meaning of this narrative must be determined. Second, Luke’s understanding and usage of the narrative must be determined. Let us first consider the original meaning. The setting in the desert (v. 1) and staying in it for forty days (v. 2), during which time Jesus ate nothing (v. 2), are probably an ...

4969. The Calling of the First Disciples

Luke 5:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... (4:14–15, 31–32, 43), has performed numerous healings and exorcisms (4:33–37, 40–41), and has healed Peter’s mother-in-law (4:38–39). The miraculous catch of fish provides a fitting climax, and it becomes easy for the reader to understand why Peter, James, and John would drop their nets and follow after Jesus (See Talbert, p. 59). Luke’s view of Peter calls for a brief discussion. In the Lucan Gospel, Peter (who is called “Simon” consistently until Jesus changes his name to “Peter” in ...

4970. The Man with Leprosy

Luke 5:12-16

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... has to do with a special theme in Mark usually referred to as the “Messianic Secret.” This theme manifests itself in Mark in terms of Jesus’ commands of silence given to demons and healed persons, and in terms of the disciples’ inability to understand Jesus and his teaching. Luke, in contrast, has no interest in this theme, but he does preserve a few pieces of it as he incorporates Marcan material into his Gospel. For Luke the prohibition not to tell anyone was probably understood in terms of ...

4971. Lord of the Sabbath

Luke 6:1-11

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... what could be called “working” (i.e., the rubbing of the heads of grain) on the Sabbath. If they were, then they were violating the commandment forbidding work on the Sabbath (see Exod. 20:8–11; 23:12; Deut. 5:12–15). The Pharisaic understanding of what constituted work, however, was quite narrow. Consequently, in their eyes Jesus and his disciples were doing what is unlawful on the sabbath (v. 2; see note below). Jesus, however, does not dispute about whether or not the rubbing of the heads of ...

4972. The Twelve Apostles

Luke 6:12-16

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... to “Andronicus and Junias … outstanding among the apostles and … in Christ before I was.” (Note that the name Junias could either be masculine or feminine.) Since it is accepted that there were more than twelve apostles, it would appear best to understand the number “twelve” as a general designation with a symbolic meaning. Because of the historic significance of this number, it is not difficult to imagine why this number was utilized by Jesus and retained as a tradition by the early church. A ...

4973. Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-two

Luke 10:1-24

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... . 10:1–12 The sending of the seventy-two others parallels the sending of the Twelve in Luke 9:1–6. Though the number seventy (or seventy-two, see note below) is rich with meaning (see discussion above), it is quite possible that Luke understands it symbolically, as he may have understood the number twelve. Whereas the Twelve may represent the reconstitution of the twelve tribes of Israel, the Seventy may represent the seventy Gentile nations of the world, founded by the sons of Noah after the flood ...

4974. The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... is required to inherit eternal life. In rabbinic style Jesus answers the question with a question of his own: “What is written in the Law?” and, “How do you read it?” The expert then cites Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18 (see note below). He understands the chief requirement of the law to be summarized in the commandments to love God and one’s neighbor. Jesus agrees with his answer (“You have answered correctly”), for it is the answer that he himself has given elsewhere (Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:29–31 ...

4975. Warnings and Encouragements

Luke 12:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... saying, the present context suggests that Luke sees it as referring to the rejection of the gospel. The gospel, as the Book of Acts attests, was proclaimed with great conviction through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). What we are to understand is that the rejection of Jesus himself during his earthly ministry can be forgiven, but for those who reject the proclamation of his resurrection, a proclamation inspired by the prompting of the Spirit of God (see v. 12 below), there can be no forgiveness ...

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