Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 501 to 525 of 2157 results

Luke 4:14-30

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... 16) Isa. 61:1–2 is linked with Isa. 52:7. Judging by the paragraph indentations of the Great Isaiah Scroll of Qumran (=1QIsaiah), Isaiah 52:7 was thought to be the opening verse of the Suffering Servant Song (52:7–53:12). In the Aramaic version of the OT, known as the Targum, this Servant Song is unmistakably depicted as messianic (see 52:13; 53:10). In 11QMelch 16 the reference to “peace” (šālôm) in Isa. 52:7 is re-vocalized to mean “retribution” (šillûm), thus underscoring the aspect of ...

502. The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Luke 15:1-7

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... goat that an Arab goatherd discovered the first cave in the Dead Sea area, containing the now-famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Although the shepherd has ninety-nine, his concern for the one lost sheep impels him to search. 15:6–7 These verses reflect the greatest variation with the Matthean version. Whereas the Lucan context has the parable illustrate God’s joy over receiving a repentant sinner into his kingdom, the Matthean ...

503. A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

Luke 18:35-43

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... from Mark 10:46–52. In the Marcan account the blind man is named “Bartimaeus” (10:46; Bartimaeus=son of Timaeus). In the Matthean version of the story, however, reference is made to two blind men (Matt. 20:29–34; cf. also Matt. 9:27–31). (Matthew’s interest ... scribal tendency to harmonize the Synoptic Gospels, one may wonder why the name was not added to the Matthean and Lucan versions as well. It is more likely that, not seeing any relevance in the man’s name, both Luke and Matthew (who ...

504. The Rights of an Apostle

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... phimoō, a synonym that also means “muzzle.” The nuances of the verbs may be slightly different, but in context no interpreter has been able to offer a sensible suggestion for Paul’s alteration. Perhaps he was merely quoting from memory, or perhaps he knew a version of the LXX that was different from the one we possess; perhaps he had a purpose that escapes readers today. Moreover, the puzzle is compounded by the further citation of this verse of the LXX in 1 Tim. 5:18, where the words of the letter ...

505. The Levites

Numbers 3:1-51

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... separates the Most Holy Place from the sanctuary, as opposed to the curtain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting in v. 25. 3:39 Punctuation over the name Aaron in the Hb. text indicates that scribes saw some difficulty with the word. Several manuscripts and versions omit the word, especially in light of the fact that Aaron’s name does not occur in vv. 14, 16. 3:47 The sanctuary shekel was a measure of weight, approximately 11.5 grams of silver. Five shekels would have been about two ounces of silver and ...

506. Exploring Canaan

Numbers 13:1-25

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... of Eshcol is uncertain. Additional Notes 13:1–14:45 This is the first narrative that weaves earlier traditions with traditions preserved by the Priestly tradents. Scholars have made various attempts to distinguish the earlier and later versions of the stories. Apparently an early version of the tradition recounted an excursion of spies concentrating on the southern portion of Canaan. The Priestly tradition expands the story to a reconnoitering of the whole land and includes the report of the spies to ...

507. Balaam’s First Oracle

Numbers 23:1-12

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... . 23:10 The text of this verse is difficult. The NIV assumes two slight changes: mi sapar instead of mispar to correct a puzzling construction for Hb.: “Who can number?” The plural pronoun at the end of the verse follows the translations of the ancient versions. 23:14 The location of the field of Zophim is unknown. The term means “field of watchers.” 23:21 The translations of ‘awen and ‘amal as misfortune and misery have been debated. Some have suggested that the verse is about Israel’s moral ...

508. David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11:1-27

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... have been against his better judgment. The NIV follows the Hebrew MT at this point. The LXX has a longer version in which David reacts as Joab predicted, by getting angry and then being pacified by news of Uriah’s death. On occasions where accounts in ... the MT and the LXX differ in length, the longer version is usually seen as the original. In this instance the extra material reiterates what is known. It is difficult to be sure whether ...

509. The Lord’s Majesty and the Crowning of Humanity

Psalm 8:1-9

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... this closing refrain see the comments on verse 1. Additional Note 8:5 Than the heavenly beings: The MT reads mēʾelōhîm, which in most contexts should be translated, “from/than God,” as noted in the NIV margin. The LXX reads par’ aggelous, “than angels.” This is the version quoted in Heb. 2:7. The LXX need not reflect a paraphrase because an expression denoting angels in the Hb. Bible is “sons of ʾelōhîm” (Gen. 6:2, 4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7). In Ps. 82:1, 6, ʾelōhîm by itself appears to ...

510. The King’s Thanksgiving for Military Victories

Psalm 18:1-50

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... here) not echoed in the entry liturgies are found in the middle verse. “His judgments” (Hb. mišpāṭāyw, NIV his laws) and his decrees (Hb. ḥuqqōtāyw) find their closest parallel in 89:30–31, a royal psalm reciting the Davidic covenant. Although the version of the Davidic covenant in 2 Sam. 7 makes no such reference, these terms may point to “this law and these decrees” (Hb. ḥuqqîm) of Deut. 17:19. Verse 20 echoes the same notion observed here in Ps. 18, namely, that the king is to ...

511. Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... ros can be translated “evil” or the evil one. Since in Hebrew thought Satan is not designated as “the evil one,” many interpreters prefer the former meaning (i.e., those difficult circumstances that often plague our lives). Readers of most modern-speech versions will note the omission of any doxology at this point. (“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”) It is commonly recognized that this is a later liturgical addition. It is not found in any Greek manuscript ...

512. Cultivating Faithfulness Until the Flourishing Wicked Wither

Psalm 37:1-40

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... read, “And I passed by.” 37:37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright: Instead, we should probably read, “Keep integrity and shepherd uprightness.” In place of the MT’s adjectives, “a blameless one” and “an upright one,” the versions suggest that nouns form the correct reading: “integrity” and “uprightness” (their consonants are identical). For the MT’s wrʾh (“and see” or “observe”) we should perhaps follow the Syriac and read wrʿh (“and shepherd”), which is ...

513. The Faith of the Centurion

Matthew 8:5-13

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... Matthew’s second miracle story has as its main point the remarkable faith of a Gentile. It foreshadows the ultimate inclusion of non-Jews in the kingdom of heaven and warns the nonreceptive Jews that they may find themselves excluded. The account is found in a longer version in Luke (7:1–10) but not in Mark (a related story occurs in John 4:46–53). The major difference between the two is that in Matthew the centurion himself comes to Jesus, whereas in Luke he first sends a delegation of Jews from the ...

514.

Psalm 77:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... seventeen other uses of the Piel of ḥlh, it appears with the Hb. term for “face” (with the exception of Deut. 29:22) and means to “appease/entreat the face of.” Some of the ancient versions appear to have read this same Hb. verb form but derived it from ḥll, thus meaning “my wound.” Other ancient versions read the qal form (Hb. ḥalôtî) of ḥlh, thus “my sickness.” Another Hb. word is also problematic: šenôt can be translated years (as it must be understood in v. 5) or “changing ...

515. The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-31

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... MT); and 6:26 (6:27 MT) it means “decree” (BDB, p. 1094). In 6:13 (6:14 MT) it means (to pay) “attention.” 5:3 “Gold and silver goblets” are mentioned in v. 2. However, v. 3 in the MT has only gold goblets. Theodotion’s Greek version adds “silver” in v. 3 as well. The RSV and NRSV follow Theodotion; NIV follows the MT. In the phrase the temple of God in Jerusalem, the NIV omits “which is the house” between “temple” and “God.” That is, it should read, “the temple, which is the ...

516. The Rich Young Man

Mark 10:17-31

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... of the story contains interesting variations. For example, only Luke (18:18) describes the man as a “ruler,” and only Matthew (19:20) describes him as young. There are other individual features of the three accounts (see notes), and Mark has his share, but all versions of the story make the same point, that riches make it more difficult to be a disciple and that total sacrifice of one’s goods and position in society may be demanded. The teaching material following the meeting with the rich man (10:23 ...

517. Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

Mark 10:46-52

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... proper. He represents a positive response to Jesus’ ministry. Moreover, Mark says that the man began to follow Jesus like a disciple. Others try to silence the man (v. 48), but Jesus calls the man to blessing. With a touch peculiar to the Markan version of the story, the man is cheered (v. 49) by the people and dramatically throws off his old cloak (v. 50) to answer Jesus’ invitation. Whenever Mark furnishes his stories with these vivid details, it indicates that he wished to make the accounts prominent ...

518. Mary's Song

Luke 1:46-56

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... empty: Job 22:9. 1:54 He has helped his servant Israel: Isa. 41:8–9. remembering to be merciful: Ps. 98:3. 1:55 and his descendants forever: 2 Sam. 22:51. our fathers: Mic. 7:20. It is worth noting that in the Targum’s version of 1 Sam. 2:1–10, Hannah’s song of thanksgiving is transformed into an apocalypse foretelling the eventual triumph of Israel’s Messiah. One wonders if a messianic understanding of this passage was in circulation as early as the first century, perhaps in part accounting for ...

519. Love for Enemies

Luke 6:27-36

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... no equivalent sermon.) The sermon seems to be derived primarily from the sayings source utilized by Luke and Matthew. Thus, we may say that Luke 6:12–49 is based on material taken from Mark and from the sayings source. 6:27-36 Unlike Matthew’s version, the Lucan sermon is referring to those who suffer from real poverty and hunger, not to those who are “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3) or who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matt. 5:6). The Lucan form of the sermon reflects and contributes to ...

520. The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28-36

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... is likely meant to recall the chosen servant of Isa. 42:1 (see notes and commentary on 3:22 and 4:18 above). What are we to make of all of this? I would suggest that Luke has taken the raw materials that he found in the Marcan version of the transfiguration and has enriched the parallels in such a way as to enhance the presentation of Jesus as God’s Son (and Servant) whose authority and significance greatly surpass those of Moses and Elijah. Luke shows his readers that the two greatest OT figures appeared ...

521. The Parable of the Great Banquet

Luke 14:15-24

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... well off and apparently cursed may be included in the kingdom. The differentiation seems to be between the apparent blessed and the apparent lost, not between Jews and Gentiles. 14:16 a great banquet: Matt. 22:2 reads: “a marriage feast for his son.” This version would also be understood as an allusion to the great feast of the last days. 14:17 those who had been invited (see also 14:24): Herein lies a word-play that contributes significantly to the meaning of the parable. The word translated “invited ...

522. Jesus Again Predicts His Death

Luke 18:31-34

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... there were other utterances of pending trouble in the journey itself, see 12:50; 13:32–33; 17:25). In the Lucan version there is found a significant addition: everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. This ... this. And it is not because they are dull of understanding (which is the impression with which one is left in the Marcan version); it is because its meaning was hidden from them. This understanding would be imparted to them after the resurrection of Jesus. It is ...

523. Jesus At the Temple

Luke 19:45-48

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... would have been viewed sympathetically by most of the onlookers. Hence Jesus was not arrested on the spot by the Levitical temple police. Eppstein’s hypothesis is plausible, but it rests on much speculation. 19:45, 47 On the Synoptic and Johannine accounts as two versions of the same episode, see Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel according to John I–XII, AB 29 [Garden City: Doubleday, 1966], p. 118. The area of the temple which Jesus entered when he cleansed it and later when he began to teach is the outer ...

524. Jesus Before Pilate and Herod

Luke 22:66--23:25

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... in the following manner: “Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die” (Agapius, Book of the Title). Note that here there is no mention of the involvement of the Jewish religious leaders. According to Slavonic Josephus (an Old Russian version whose references to NT personages are largely regarded as later Christian interpolations, although not all its interpolations have a bearing on the NT and its origins), Pilate initially released Jesus, since he had healed the procurator’s wife. Nevertheless ...

525. Faith in the Son of God

1 John 5:1-12, 1 John 4:7-21

Understanding Series

Thomas F. Johnson

... is through the Spirit that the community of faith recognizes the truth (v. 6) about Jesus (John 14:26). The AV contains the following words which are not in any of the early MSS of the NT. They appeared first in some copies of the Old Latin version in the fourth century, probably as a marginal note which later found its way into the text. The added words, following testify (NIV; “bear record,” AV) are: “in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one. And there are three ...

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