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Showing 2426 to 2450 of 5000 results

2426. Signs of the End of the Age

Mark 13:1-31

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

Destruction and Persecutions to Come (13:1-23) 13:1–2 Chapter 13 of Mark is one of the two large sections of teaching material uninterrupted by other things, the other block of material being the parables discourse in chapter 4. The present discourse begins with a prediction by Jesus that the temple of Jerusalem will be destroyed (13:1–2). This leads to a typical Markan scene in which the disciples ask Jesus privately for the meaning of his statement (13:3–4) and Jesus gives an extensive answer to their ...

2427. The Cost of Being a Disciple

Luke 14:25-35

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

This section consists of two parts: (1) a brief discourse on the cost of following Jesus (vv. 25–33) and (2) the saying on worthless salt (vv. 34–35). Part of the section on counting the cost has to do with the king who plans for war (vv. 31–32), which may provide a link with the preceding Parable of the Great Banquet (vv. 15–24), since Deuteronomy 20 apparently has conceptual and verbal parallels to these Lucan passages (so Evans, pp. 47–48; see commentary on 14:15–24 above). The main point of the section ...

2428. The Crucifixion

Luke 23:26-43

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

The crucifixion account consists of three parts: (1) the journey to the place of crucifixion (vv. 26–31), (2) the crucifixion (vv. 32–38), and (3) the story of the two crucified criminals (vv. 39–43). Although most of this material comes from Mark 15:21–32, much of it appears only in Luke (vv. 27–32, 33b, 39b–43); consequently, many commentators think that the evangelist had access to another account of the crucifixion story. 23:26–31 Verse 26 describes how Simon from Cyrene is made to carry Jesus’ cross. ...

2429. God's Righteous Judgment

Romans 2:1-16

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

The discussion of the guilt of humanity in 1:18ff. presupposes the Gentile world, that is, humanity without special revelation from God. The prominence given to homosexuality in 1:26–27 and the list of vices in 1:29–31 typify Jewish prejudice against “Gentile sinners,” as Paul once referred to them (Gal. 2:15). We noted how clearly 1:18–32 echoes the Jewish indictment of Gentiles from the Wisdom of Solomon (chs. 11–15). Gentiles could have known God from creation. “They live among his works,” says Wisdom ...

2430. Life Through the Spirit

Romans 8:1-17

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

In sublime contrast to the questions which have beset the argument since chapter 6 (6:1, 15; 7:1, 7, 13ff.), chapter 8 begins with a thunderous proclamation, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Especially in 7:7–25, Paul’s blow-by-blow account of indwelling sin reminded one of a ringside announcer reporting a losing struggle. But the long and doleful report is now interrupted with ecstatic news. The contest has been decisively reversed. Sin and law may have been the ...

2431. Future Glory

Romans 8:18-27

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

As we near the conclusion of the first half of the epistle Paul summarizes a number of vintage ideas. From the immediate context he continues the themes of liberation from slavery (vv. 2, 21), resurrection (vv. 11, 23), sonship and adoption (vv. 14–17, 19, 21, 23), and the role of the Spirit. From earlier portions of Romans he reintroduces the themes of creation (1:20, 25; 8:19, 21), futility (1:21; 8:20), and likeness (1:23; 8:29). The two dominant themes, however, are suffering and glory (see v. 17). ...

2432. Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-8

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

The person who is justified by faith shall live (1:17). That is the theme of the epistle. In chapters 5–8 Paul began to discuss the characteristics of the “new life” (6:4), but not until chapter 12 does he devote himself to the ethical and ecclesiastical shape of it. Justification by faith produces neither moral passivity nor permissiveness. Rather, the indicative of chapters 1–11 leads to the imperative of chapters 12–16. The faith which saves is a faith which can and must be lived, and only the faith ...

2433. Apostles of Christ

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

God as the Only Real Judge The thought and logic of this passage are clear, although in Greek much of Paul’s language is awkward. Any translation struggles to render Paul’s statements in a sensible and reliable way. These verses begin by informing the Corinthians how they are to regard Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and all other early Christian workers. They are merely servants and stewards who are called to serve Christ as agents of the proclamation of the mysteries of God’s grace. A single quality must ...

2434. Prologue

Revelation 1:1-3

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

The author’s prologue to Revelation intends to establish its content as a revelation (apokalypsis) of Jesus Christ. The book’s opening phrase has a twofold function. First, it situates the composition within a particular literary and theological tradition: apocalypticism. Within this tradition, the idea of revelation refers to a process whereby God makes known through visions the final days of salvation’s history. Such visions are not like dreams; they are revelatory acts of God, mediated typically through ...

2435. The Throne in Heaven

Revelation 4:1-11

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

A clear break in John’s book of visions is indicated by the events of 4:1. The seer sees an open door, and he hears the angel’s trumpetlike voice summoning him to enter through heaven’s portal. This passage into the visionary world will lead John to understand what will take place on earth. This is not to say that what follows in this chapter is unrelated to what precedes it; in fact, the various visions of this book are interrelated according to the seer’s own commission (cf. 1:19). In our view, it is ...

2436. The Rider on the White Horse

Revelation 19:11-21

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

Viewed in a macroscopic way, the main body of John’s book of visions narrates the three decisive moments of salvation’s history. Sharply put, John’s message to the seven churches is this: what has already transpired (5:1–11:19) together with what has not yet taken place (14:1–19:10; 19:11–22:6a) must inform the believing community’s response both to God and to its present tribulation (12:1–13:18). This section of Revelation, then, clarifies the community’s eschatological point of reference toward the ...

2437. Unlawful Sexual Relations

Leviticus 18:1-30

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

Sexual Relations: This second section of the Holiness Code concerns sexual relations and matters of kinship. The narrative setting in Leviticus is still the Israelite community at Sinai. They have been delivered from slavery in Egypt and look forward to entering the promised land of Canaan. Past and future illuminate this context. In its exhortation to keep Yahweh’s laws and in its first-person address from Yahweh, this chapter is characteristic of the concerns of the Holiness Code editors. The chapter ...

2438. Punishments for Sin

Leviticus 20:1-27

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

Penalties for Offenses: Chapter 20 constitutes a serious set of instructions about the death penalty, which Moses receives and passes on to the people. This is significant for the community since its members will become the executioners. Much of the legal material in the Holiness Code is “apodictic,” or universal law given on the basis of divine authority. This chapter employs a more casuistic form, case law related to various circumstances. It is comparable to Exodus 21:12–17, and the verb translated must ...

2439. The Census

Numbers 1:1-54

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

The First Census: The first major section of the book of Numbers stresses the right ordering of life for the people of God. The people are preparing to leave the Sinai area and move through the wilderness toward Canaan. The community needs to be organized and to arrange its leadership before it can consider specific logistics for departure. While the Priestly tradents drew on various earlier sources, the consensus of scholars is that Numbers 1–10 comes from the Priestly tradition. The Priestly tradents ...

2440. The Levites

Numbers 3:1-51

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

The first chapter of Numbers counted the people and then turned to the Levites; the second chapter organized the tribes. This third chapter returns to those with clerical tasks, first the priests and then the organization of the Levites. Chapter 3 contains a variety of materials and perspectives but still concentrates on the organization of this community according to Priestly principles. 3:1–4 Numbers has not yet attended to the question of the priesthood; it comes to that issue by way of the family of ...

2441. Setting Up the Lamps

Num 8:1-26

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Lamps and Levites: Emphasis on the tabernacle continues in this narrative flashback section (7:1–10:10). The community prepares to depart in a kind of promise and fulfillment motif. The concluding note of chapter 7 on the Most Holy Place leads to a comment on the lamps in the sanctuary. 8:1–4 Further revelation comes through Moses to Aaron concerning the lamps and lampstand. These verses refer to the instructions in Exodus 25:31–40 and 37:17–24. The seven lamps are to be set up so they will light the area ...

2442. The Silver Trumpets

Numbers 10:1-10

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

The Departure: Preparations for the journey from Sinai are almost complete. Chapter 10 concludes the first section of Numbers with final attention to the exact means of breaking camp and the departure. 10:1–7 This first part of the chapter deals with the human side of leading the journey. The signals of the silver trumpets complement the divine leadership of the tabernacle cloud. According to verse 2, the trumpets function both as a way to gather the community and as a signal to break camp. The whole ...

2443. Exploring Canaan

Numbers 13:1-25

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Of Spies and Rebellions: Numbers 13–14 constitutes one of the central narratives in the book, a kind of watershed that determines the course of a generation in Israel. The narrative is complicated and carefully constructed, taking a variety of turns along the way. Since the census in Numbers 1, readers have been prepared for some military encounter. As chapter 13 begins, the people in the Desert of Paran appear on the verge of the land they have been promised and are preparing to take possession of it. 13: ...

2444. Korah, Dathan and Abiram

Numbers 16:1-50

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

More Rebellions: While chapter 15 provides a brief respite from the narratives of rebellion in the wilderness, chapter 16 takes up that theme again with vigor. It also brings the Levites back into the picture. Like the story of the spies in chapters 13 and 14 (see note on 13:1–14:45), chapter 16 is a narrative with a complicated literary history. Within the book of Numbers, the narrative serves the broader purpose of recounting the people’s ongoing rebellion. The story takes several turns and requires ...

2445. The Budding of Aaron's Staff

Numbers 17:1-13

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

Aaron’s Rod: Despite the outcome of the rebellions in chapter 16 and the role of Aaron in staying the plague, chapter 17 addresses lingering opposition to Aaron and his sons in the established priesthood. Chapter 18, also, will attend to priesthood issues. 17:1–7 With the challenge of the censers in chapter 16, Moses proposed a test to see who would serve at the tabernacle. That test demonstrated the danger of holiness in the camp with the dramatic outbreak of fire, earthquake, plague, and death. Here ...

2446. Vows

Numbers 30:1-16

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

On Vows: After Numbers 29:39 mentions vows as one of the occasions for additional offerings, chapter 30 presents a broader consideration of vows, especially vows made by women. The place of women in the new generation that now constituted Israel was clearly an important issue, because questions on women arise in chapters 27, 30, and 36. Chapter 30 deals with fulfilling vows and release from vows. The concluding chapter of Leviticus also treats the matter of vows. 30:1–2 The chapter is in the form of an ...

2447. Saul Made King

1 Samuel 10:9-27

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

The Coronation and Confirmation of Saul: 10:9–16 The exact significance of the change in Saul’s heart is not clear. The mention of the fulfillment of the signs may indicate that he was now convinced about his commission, although verse 16 could cast doubt on this. Only the third of Samuel’s three signs is described in detail. Saul did meet the prophets and did temporarily join in their prophesying, an experience as unexpected to those who saw as it was to Saul. It gained proverbial significance as Saul ...

2448. Samuel's Farewell Speech

1 Samuel 12:1-25

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Samuel Addresses the People: Using speeches like this one of Samuel’s to indicate important staging points, such as the end of the age of the judges, is common in the so-called Deuteronomic History. There are particular parallels here with the way in which Moses hands over power to Joshua and with Joshua’s final speech (Deut. 31; Josh. 23). This speech is included because it makes points of which the reader is expected to take note. Whether it records Samuel’s words or is a later composition does not ...

2449. Jonathan Eats Honey

1 Samuel 14:24-48

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

A Foolish Curse: Although there is nothing contradictory between this section and the preceding verses, it does not follow smoothly. It may be that the writers gathered a range of stories concerning Saul and Jonathan to illustrate their contrasting characters and behavior, and then verses 47–52 may correct any imbalance in the earlier stories. The rest of chapter 14 to verse 46 describes two only partially interrelated accounts, a reflection on the sort of demands God makes and how God’s actions should be ...

2450. David at Nob

1 Samuel 21:1-9

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

David’s Flight – The Priests at Nob: 21:1–9 Having accepted that Saul’s enmity was fixed and that exile was the only option, David sought initial supplies from the priest at Nob. Ahimelech’s wariness on David’s arrival may have reflected an awareness of Saul’s antipathy toward David and a fear of getting involved in a power dispute. However, it is equally possible that Ahimelech’s expression of ignorance in 22:14–15 was the truth and his fear was that David would bring Philistine troops in his wake. David’ ...

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