Mark 1

Mar 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
Mar 1:2 as it has been written in the Prophets, “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You;
Mar 1:3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Mal. 3:1; Isa. 40:3
Mar 1:4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
Mar 1:5 And all the Judean country and those of Jerusalem went out to him, and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
Mar 1:6 And John was clothed in camel’s hair, and a leather girdle about his loin, and eating locusts and wild honey.
Mar 1:7 And he proclaimed, saying, He who comes after me is mightier than I, of whom I am not fit to stoop down to loosen the thong of His sandals.
Mar 1:8 I indeed baptized you in water, but He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
Mar 1:9 And it happened in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Mar 1:10 And going up from the water, immediately He saw the heavens being torn, and the Spirit coming down as a dove upon Him.
Mar 1:11 And there was a voice out of the heavens, You are My Son, the Beloved, in whom I have been delighting. Psa. 2:7; Gen. 22:2; Isa. 42:1
Mar 1:12 And the Spirit at once drove Him out into the wilderness.
Mar 1:13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts. And the angels ministered to Him.
Mar 1:14 And after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 and saying, The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draws near. Repent and believe in the gospel.
Mar 1:16 And walking along beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a small net in the sea; for they were fishers.
Mar 1:17 And Jesus said to them, Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
Mar 1:18 And leaving their nets, they immediately followed Him.
Mar 1:19 And going forward from there a little, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. And they were in the boat mending the nets.
Mar 1:20 And at once He called them. And leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, they went after Him.
Mar 1:21 And they passed along into Capernaum. And entering into the synagogue, at once He taught on the sabbaths.
Mar 1:22 And they were astounded at His doctrine, for He was teaching them as having authority, and not as the scribes.
Mar 1:23 And a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. And he cried out,
Mar 1:24 saying, What is to us and to You, Jesus, Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know You, who You are, the Holy One of God.
Mar 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be quiet, and come out of him.
Mar 1:26 And the unclean spirit convulsing him, and crying out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Mar 1:27 And all were astonished, so as to discuss to themselves, saying, What is this? What new teaching is this, that He commands even the unclean spirits with authority, and they obey Him?
Mar 1:28 And His fame went out at once into all the Galilean neighborhood.
Mar 1:29 And at once going out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Mar 1:30 And the mother-in-law of Simon was laid out, stricken by fever. And at once they spoke to Him about her.
Mar 1:31 And coming near, He raised her up, holding her hand. And the fever left her instantly, and she served them.
Mar 1:32 And evening coming, when the sun sank, they brought to Him all those having illness and those having been demon-possessed.
Mar 1:33 And the whole city was gathered at the door.
Mar 1:34 And He healed many who had illness of various diseases. And he cast out many demons, and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
Mar 1:35 And rising up quite early in the night, He went out and went away into a deserted place. And He was praying there.
Mar 1:36 And Simon and those with him searched for Him.
Mar 1:37 And finding Him, they said to Him, All are seeking You.
Mar 1:38 And He said to them, Let us go into the neighboring towns, that I may proclaim there also. For it was for this I came forth.
Mar 1:39 And He was proclaiming in their synagogues in all Galilee, and casting out the demons.
Mar 1:40 And a leper came to Him, begging Him, and falling on his knees to Him, and saying to Him, If You desire, You are able to make me clean.
Mar 1:41 And being moved with pity, reaching out the hand, Jesus touched him, and said to him, I am willing. Be made clean!
Mar 1:42 And He having spoken, instantly the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.
Mar 1:43 And strictly warning him, He at once put him out,
Mar 1:44 and said to him, See, tell no one a thing, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses directed concerning your cleansing, for a testimony to them.
Mar 1:45 But going out he began to proclaim much, and to spread about the matter, so that He no longer could openly enter into a city. But He was outside in deserted places. And they came to Him from every quarter.

Philippians

Summary:


Introduction to the Books of the Bible

The Book of Philippians

Author, Date and Place of Writing
The early church was unanimous in its testimony that Philippians was written by the apostle Paul (see 1:1). Internally the letter reveals the stamp of genuineness. The many personal references of the author fit what we know of Paul from other NT books.

It is evident that Paul wrote the letter from prison (see 1:13-14). Some have argued that this imprisonment took place in Ephesus, perhaps c. a.d. 53-55; others put it in Caesarea c. 57-59. Best evidence, however, favors Rome as the place of origin and the date as c. 61 (see chart, p. 2261). This fits well with the account of Paul’s house arrest in Ac 28:14-31. When he wrote Philippians, he was not in the Mamertine dungeon as he was when he wrote 2 Timothy. He was in his own rented house, where for two years he was free to impart the gospel to all who came to him.

Purpose
Paul’s primary purpose in writing this letter was to thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent him upon learning of his detention at Rome (1:5; 4:10-19). However, he makes use of this occasion to fulfill several other desires: (1) to report on his own circumstances (1:12-26; 4:10-19); (2) to encourage the Philippians to stand firm in the face of persecution and rejoice regardless of circumstances (1:27-30; 4:4); (3) to exhort them to humility and unity (2:1-11; 4:2-5); (4) to commend Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippian church (2:19-30); and (5) to warn the Philippians against the Judaizers (legalists) and antinomians (libertines) among them (ch. 3).

Recipients
The city of Philippi (see map, p. 2445) was named after King Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. It was a prosperous Roman colony, which meant that the citizens of Philippi were also citizens of the city of Rome itself. They prided themselves on being Romans (see Ac 16:21), dressed like Romans and often spoke Latin. No doubt this was the background for Paul’s reference to the believer’s heavenly citizenship (3:20-21). Many of the Philippians were retired military men who had been given land in the vicinity and who in turn served as a military presence in this frontier city. That Philippi was a Roman colony may explain why there were not enough Jews there to permit the establishment of a synagogue and why Paul does not quote the OT in the Philippian letter.

Characteristics
Philippians contains no OT quotations (but see note on Job 13:16).
It is a missionary thank-you letter in which the missionary reports on the progress of his work.
It manifests a particularly vigorous type of Christian living: (1) self-humbling (2:1-4); (2) pressing toward the goal (3:13-14); (3) lack of anxiety (4:6); (4) ability to do all things (4:13).

It is outstanding as the NT letter of joy; the word “joy” in its various forms occurs some 16 times.
It contains one of the most profound Christological passages in the NT (2:5-11). Yet, profound as it is, Paul includes it mainly for illustrative purposes.

Outline

Greetings (1:1-2)

Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Philippians (1:3-11)

Paul’s Personal Circumstances (1:12-26)

Exhortations (1:27- 2:18)

Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel (1:27-30)

Following the Servant Attitude of Christ (2:1-18)

Paul’s Associates in the Gospel (2:19-30)

Timothy (2:19-24)

Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

Warnings against Judaizers and Antinomians (3:1- 4:1)

Against Judaizers or Legalists (3:1-16)

Against Antinomians or Libertines (3:17- 4:1)

Final Exhortations, Thanks and Conclusion (4:2-23)

Exhortations concerning Various Aspects of the Christian Life (4:2-9)

Concluding Testimony and Repeated Thanks (4:10-20)

Final Greetings and Benediction (4:21-23)

2Samuel

Summary:


Introduction to the Books of the Bible

The Book of 2 Samuel

Title
1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book (see Introduction to 1 Samuel: Title).

Literary Features, Authorship and Date
See Introduction to 1 Samuel: Literary Features, Authorship and Date.

Contents and Theme: Kingship and Covenant
2 Samuel depicts David as a true (though imperfect) representative of the ideal theocratic king. David was initially acclaimed king at Hebron by the tribe of Judah (chs. 1-4), and subsequently was accepted by the remaining tribes after the murder of Ish-Bosheth, one of Saul’s surviving sons (5:1-5). David’s leadership was decisive and effective. He captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it his royal city and residence (5:6-13). Shortly afterward he brought the ark of the Lord from the house of Abinadab to Jerusalem, publicly acknowledging the Lord’s kingship and rule over himself and the nation (ch. 6; Ps 132:3-5).

Under David’s rule the Lord caused the nation to prosper, to defeat its enemies and, in fulfillment of his promise (see Ge 15:18), to extend its borders from Egypt to the Euphrates (ch. 8). David wanted to build a temple for the Lord- as his royal house, as a place for his throne (the ark) and as a place for Israel to worship him. But the prophet Nathan told David that he was not to build the Lord a house (temple); rather, the Lord would build David a house (dynasty). Ch. 7 announces the Lord’s promise that this Davidic dynasty would endure forever. This climactic chapter also describes the establishment of the Davidic covenant (see notes on 7:1-29,11,16; Ps 89:30-37). Later the prophets make clear that a descendant of David who sits on David’s throne will perfectly fulfill the role of the theocratic king. He will complete the redemption of God’s people (see Isa 9:6-7; 11:1-16; Jer 23:5-6; 30:8-9; 33:14-16; Eze 34:23-24; 37:24-25), thus enabling them to achieve the promised victory with him (Ro 16:20).

After the description of David’s rule in its glory and success, chs. 10-20 depict the darker side of his reign and describe David’s weaknesses and failures. Even though David remained a king after God’s own heart because he was willing to acknowledge his sin and repent (12:13), he nevertheless fell far short of the theocratic ideal and suffered the disciplinary results of his disobedience (12:10-12). His sin with Bathsheba (chs. 11-12) and his leniency both with the wickedness of his sons (13:12-39; 21; 14:1,33; 19:4-6) and with the insubordination of Joab (3:28-39; 20:10,23) led to intrigue, violence and bloodshed within his own family and the nation. It eventually drove him from Jerusalem at the time of Absalom’s rebellion. Nonetheless the Lord was gracious to David, and his reign became a standard by which the reigns of later kings were measured (see 2Ki 18:3; 22:2).

The book ends with David’s own words of praise to God, who had delivered him from all his enemies (22:31-51), and with words of expectation for the fulfillment of God’s promise that a king will come from the house of David and rule “over men in righteousness” (23:3-5). These songs echo many of the themes of Hannah’s song (1Sa 2:1-10), and together they frame (and interpret) the basic narrative.

Chronology
See Introduction to 1 Samuel: Chronology.

Outline
Below is an outline for 2 Samuel. For an outline of both 1 and 2 Samuel see Introduction to 1 Samuel:

The Consolidation of Kingship in Israel (2Sa 1-20)

David’s Lament over Saul and Jonathan (ch. 1)

David Becomes King over Judah (chs. 2-4)

David Becomes King over All Israel (5:1-5)

David Conquers Jerusalem (5:6-25)

David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem (ch. 6)

God Promises David an Everlasting Dynasty (ch. 7)

The Extension of David’s Kingdom (ch. 8)

David’s Faithfulness to His Covenant with Jonathan (ch. 9)

David Commits Adultery and Murder (chs. 10-12)

David Loses His Son Amnon (chs. 13-14)

David Loses His Son Absalom (chs. 15-20)

Final Reflections on David’s Reign (2Sa 21-24)

1Samuel

Summary:


Introduction to the Books of the Bible

The Book of 1 Samuel

Title
1 and 2 Samuel are named after the person God used to establish monarchy in Israel. Samuel not only anointed both Saul and David, Israel’s first two kings, but he also gave definition to the new order of God’s rule over Israel. Samuel’s role as God’s representative in this period of Israel’s history is close to that of Moses (see Ps 99:6; Jer 15:1) since he, more than any other person, provided for covenant continuity in the transition from the rule of the judges to that of the monarchy.

1 and 2 Samuel were originally one book. It was divided into two parts by the translators of the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translation of the OT)- a division subsequently followed by Jerome (in the Latin Vulgate, c. a.d. 400) and by modern versions. The title of the book has varied from time to time, having been designated “The First and Second Books of Kingdoms” (Septuagint), “First and Second Kings” (Vulgate) and “First and Second Samuel” (Hebrew tradition and most modern versions).

Literary Features, Authorship and Date
Many questions have arisen pertaining to the literary character, authorship and date of 1,2 Samuel. Certain features of the book suggest that it was compiled with the use of a number of originally independent sources, which the author may have incorporated into his own composition as much as possible in their original, unedited form.

Who the author was cannot be known since the book itself gives no indication of his identity. Whoever he was, he doubtless had access to records of the life and times of Samuel, Saul and David. Explicit reference in the book itself is made to only one such source (the Book of Jashar, 2Sa 1:18), but the writer of Chronicles refers to four others that pertain to this period (the book of the annals of King David, 1Ch 27:24; the records of Samuel the seer; the records of Nathan the prophet; the records of Gad the seer, 1Ch 29:29).

Contents and Theme: Kingship and Covenant
1 Samuel relates God’s establishment of a political system in Israel headed by a human king. Before the author describes this momentous change in the structure of the theocracy (God’s kingly rule over his people), he effectively depicts the complexity of its context. The following events provide both historical and theological background for the beginning of the monarchy:

1. The birth, youth and call of Samuel (chs. 1-3). In a book dealing for the most part with the reigns of Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David, it is significant that the author chose not to include a birth narrative of either of these men, but to describe the birth of their forerunner and anointer, the prophet Samuel. This in itself accentuates the importance the author attached to Samuel’s role in the events that follow. He seems to be saying in a subtle way that flesh and blood are to be subordinated to word and Spirit in the process of the establishment of kingship. For this reason chs. 1-3 should be viewed as integrally related to what follows, not as a more likely component of the book of Judges or as a loosely attached prefix to the rest of 1,2 Samuel. Kingship is given its birth and then nurtured by the prophetic word and work of the prophet Samuel. Moreover, the events of Samuel’s nativity thematically anticipate the story of God’s working that is narrated in the rest of the book.

2. The “ark narratives” (chs. 4-6). This section describes how the ark of God was captured by the Philistines and then, after God wreaked havoc on several Philistine cities, how it was returned to Israel. These narratives reveal the folly of Israel’s notion that possession of the ark automatically guaranteed victory over her enemies. They also display the awesome power of the Lord (Yahweh, the God of Israel) and his superiority over the Philistine god Dagon. The Philistines were forced to confess openly their helplessness against God’s power by their return of the ark to Israel. The entire ark episode performs a vital function in placing Israel’s subsequent sinful desire for a human king in proper perspective.

3. Samuel as a judge and deliverer (ch. 7). When Samuel called Israel to repentance and renewed dedication to the Lord, the Lord intervened mightily in Israel’s behalf and gave victory over the Philistines. This narrative reaffirms the authority of Samuel as a divinely ordained leader; at the same time it provides evidence of divine protection and blessing for God’s people when they place their confidence in the Lord and live in obedience to their covenant obligations.

All the material in chs. 1-7 serves as a necessary preface for the narratives of chs. 8-12, which describe the rise and establishment of kingship in Israel. The author has masterfully arranged the stories in chs. 8-12 in order to accentuate the serious theological conflict surrounding the historical events. In the study of these chapters, scholars have often noted the presence of a tension or ambivalence in the attitude toward the monarchy: On the one hand, Samuel is commanded by the Lord to give the people a king (8:7,9,22; 9:16-17; 10:24; 12:13); on the other hand, their request for a king is considered a sinful rejection of the Lord (8:7; 10:19; 12:12,17,19-20). These seemingly conflicting attitudes toward the monarchy must be understood in the context of Israel’s covenant relationship with the Lord.

Moses had anticipated Israel’s desire for a human king (Dt 17:14-20), but Israelite kingship was to be compatible with the continued rule of the Lord over his people as their Great King. Instead, when the elders asked Samuel to give them a king (8:5,19-20), they rejected the Lord’s kingship over them. Their desire was for a king such as the nations around them had- to lead them in battle and give them a sense of national security and unity. The request for a king constituted a denial of their covenant relationship to the Lord, who was their King. Moreover, the Lord not only had promised to be their protector but had also repeatedly demonstrated his power in their behalf, most recently in the ark narratives (chs. 4-6), as well as in the great victory won over the Philistines under the leadership of Samuel (ch. 7).

Nevertheless the Lord instructed Samuel to give the people a king. By divine appointment Saul was brought into contact with Samuel, and Samuel was directed to anoint him privately as king (9:1- 10:16). Subsequently, Samuel gathered the people at Mizpah, where, after again admonishing them concerning their sin in desiring a king (10:18-19), he presided over the selection of a king by lot. The lot fell on Saul and publicly designated him as the one whom God had chosen (10:24). Saul did not immediately assume his royal office, but returned home to work his fields (11:5,7). When the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead were threatened by Nahash the Ammonite, Saul rose to the challenge, gathered an army and led Israel to victory in battle. His success placed a final seal of divine approval on Saul’s selection to be king (cf. 10:24; 11:12-13) and occasioned the inauguration of his reign at Gilgal (11:14- 12:25).

The question that still needed resolution, then, was not so much whether Israel should have a king (it was clearly the Lord’s will to give them a king), but rather how they could maintain their covenant with God (i.e., preserve the theocracy) now that they had a human king. The problem was resolved when Samuel called the people to repentance and renewal of their allegiance to the Lord on the very occasion of the inauguration of Saul as king (see note on 10:25). By establishing kingship in the context of covenant renewal, Samuel placed the monarchy in Israel on a radically different footing from that in surrounding nations. The king in Israel was not to be autonomous in his authority and power; rather, he was to be subject to the law of the Lord and the word of the prophet (10:25; 12:23). This was to be true not only for Saul but also for all the kings who would occupy the throne in Israel in the future. The king was to be an instrument of the Lord’s rule over his people, and the people as well as the king were to continue to recognize the Lord as their ultimate Sovereign (12:14-15).

Saul soon demonstrated that he was unwilling to submit to the requirements of his theocratic office (chs. 13-15). When he disobeyed the instructions of the prophet Samuel in preparation for battle against the Philistines (13:13), and when he refused to totally destroy the Amalekites as he had been commanded to do by the word of the Lord through Samuel (ch. 15), he ceased to be an instrument of the Lord’s rule over his people. These abrogations of the requirements of his theocratic office led to his rejection as king (15:23).

The remainder of 1 Samuel (chs. 16-31) depicts the Lord’s choice of David to be Saul’s successor, and then describes the long road by which David is prepared for accession to the throne. Although Saul’s rule became increasingly antitheocratic in nature, David refused to usurp the throne by forceful means but left his accession to office in the Lord’s hands. Eventually Saul was wounded in a battle with the Philistines and, fearing capture, took his own life. Three of Saul’s sons, including David’s loyal friend Jonathan, were killed in the same battle (ch. 31).

Chronology
Even though the narratives of 1,2 Samuel contain some statements of chronological import (see, e.g., 1Sa 6:1; 7:2; 8:1,5; 13:1; 25:1; 2Sa 2:10-11; 5:4-5; 14:28; 15:7), the data are insufficient to establish a precise chronology for the major events of this period of Israel’s history. Except for the dates of David’s birth and the duration of his reign, which are quite firm (see 2Sa 5:4-5), most other dates can only be approximated. The textual problem with the chronological data on the age of Saul when he became king and the length of his reign (see NIV text notes on 1Sa 13:1) contributes to uncertainty concerning the precise time of his birth and the beginning of his reign. No information is given concerning the time of Samuel’s birth (1Sa 1:20) or death (25:1). His lifetime probably overlapped that of Samson and that of Obed, son of Ruth and Boaz and grandfather of David. It is indicated that he was well along in years when the elders of Israel asked him to give them a king (see 8:1,5). One other factor contributing to chronological uncertainty is that the author has not always arranged his material in strict chronological sequence. It seems clear, e.g., that 2Sa 7 is to be placed chronologically after David’s conquests described in 2Sa 8:1-14 (see notes on 2Sa 7:1; 8:1). The story of the famine sent by God on Israel during the reign of David because of Saul’s violation of a treaty with the Gibeonites is found in 2Sa 21:1-14, though chronologically it occurred prior to the time of Absalom’s rebellion recorded in 2Sa 15-18 (see further the notes on 2Sa 21:1-14). The following dates, however, provide an approximate chronological framework for the times of Samuel, Saul and David.

1105 b.c.
Birth of Samuel (1Sa 1:20)

1080
Birth of Saul

1050
Saul anointed to be king (1Sa 10:1)

1040
Birth of David

1025
David anointed to be Saul’s successor (1Sa 16:1-13)

1010
Death of Saul and beginning of David’s reign over Judah in Hebron
(1Sa 31:4-6; 2Sa 2:1,4,11)

1003
Beginning of David’s reign over all Israel and capture of Jerusalem (2Sa 5)

997-992
David’s wars (2Sa 8:1-14)

991
Birth of Solomon (2Sa 12:24)

980
David’s census (2Sa 24:1-9)

970
End of David’s reign (2Sa 5:4-5; 1Ki 2:10-11)

Outline

Historical Setting for the Beginning of Kingship in Israel (chs. 1-7)

Samuel’s Birth, Youth and Call to Be a Prophet (chs. 1-3)

Israel Defeated by the Philistines; the Ark of God Taken and Restored (chs. 4-7)

The Beginning of Kingship in Israel under the Guidance of Samuel (8:1- 16:13)

The Rise of Saul (chs. 8-12)

The people’s sinful request for a king (ch. 8)

Samuel anoints Saul privately (9:1- 10:16)

Saul chosen to be king publicly (10:17-27)

Saul’s choice as king confirmed (11:1-13)

Saul’s reign inaugurated at a covenant renewal ceremony (11:14- 12:25)

Saul’s Kingship a Failure (13:1- 16:13)

The Establishment of Kingship in Israel (16:14- 31:13)

The Rise of David (16:14- 27:12)

David enters Saul’s service (16:14- 17:58)

David becomes alienated from Saul (chs. 18-19)

Jonathan protects David from Saul (ch. 20)

David continues to elude Saul (21:1- 22:5)

Saul kills the priests at Nob (22:6-23)

David rescues the people of Keilah (23:1-6)

Saul continues to pursue David (23:7-29)

David spares Saul’s life (ch. 24)

David threatens Nabal’s life (ch. 25)

David spares Saul’s life again (ch. 26)

David enters Achish’s service (ch. 27)

The End of Saul’s Reign (chs. 28-31)

The Consolidation of Kingship in Israel (2Sa 1-20)

David’s Lament over Saul and Jonathan (ch. 1)

David Becomes King over Judah (chs. 2-4)

David Becomes King over All Israel (5:1-5)

David Conquers Jerusalem (5:6-25)

David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem (ch. 6)

God Promises David an Everlasting Dynasty (ch. 7)

The Extension of David’s Kingdom (ch. 8)

David’s Faithfulness to His Covenant with Jonathan (ch. 9)

David Commits Adultery and Murder (chs. 10-12)

David Loses His Son Amnon (chs. 13-14)

David Loses His Son Absalom (chs. 15-20)

Final Reflections on David’s Reign (2Sa 21-24)

Ephesians

Summary:


Introduction to the Books of the Bible

The Book of Ephesians

Author, Date and Place of Writing
The author identifies himself as Paul (1:1; 3:1; cf. 3:7,13; 4:1; 6:19-20). Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to Colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle Paul. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches in addition to the one in Ephesus (see notes on 1:1,15; 6:21-23). Paul may have written it about the same time as Colossians, c. a.d. 60, while he was in prison at Rome (see 3:1; 4:1; 6:20; see also chart, p. 2261).

The City of Ephesus
Ephesus was the most important city in western Asia Minor (now Turkey). It had a harbor that at that time opened into the Cayster River (see map, p. 2429), which in turn emptied into the Aegean Sea (see map, p. 2599). Because it was also at an intersection of major trade routes, Ephesus became a commercial center. It boasted a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana (Greek Artemis); cf. Ac 19:23-31. Paul made Ephesus a center for evangelism for about three years (see note on Ac 19:10), and the church there apparently flourished for some time, but later needed the warning of Rev 2:1-7.

Theological Message
Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.

The letter opens with a sequence of statements about God’s blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to God’s wisdom, forethought and purpose. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to God. The climax of God’s purpose, “when the times will have reached their fulfillment,” is to bring all things in the universe together under Christ (1:10). It is crucially important that Christians realize this, so in 1:15-23 Paul prays for their understanding (a second prayer occurs in 3:14-21).

Having explained God’s great goals for the church, Paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. First, God has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace (2:1-10). Second, God has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, Christ having broken down the barriers through his own death (2:11-22). But God has done something even beyond this: He has united these reconciled individuals in one body, the church. This is a “mystery” not fully known until it was revealed to Paul (3:1-6). Now Paul is able to state even more clearly what God has intended for the church, namely, that it be the means by which he displays his “manifold wisdom” to the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:7-13). It is clear through the repetition of “heavenly realms” (1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12) that Christian existence is not merely on an earthly plane. It receives its meaning and significance from heaven, where Christ is exalted at the right hand of God (1:20).

Nevertheless, that life is lived out on earth, where the practical daily life of the believer continues to work out the purposes of God. The ascended Lord gave “gifts” to the members of his church to enable them to minister to one another and so promote unity and maturity (4:1-16). The unity of the church under the headship of Christ foreshadows the uniting of “all things in heaven and on earth” under Christ (1:10). The new life of purity and mutual deference stands in contrast to the old way of life without Christ (4:17- 6:9). Those who are “strong in the Lord” have victory over the evil one in the great spiritual conflict, especially through the power of prayer (6:10-20; see note on 1:3).

Outline

Greetings (1:1-2)

The Divine Purpose: The Glory and Headship of Christ (1:3-14)

Prayer That Christians May Realize God’s Purpose and Power (1:15-23)

Steps Toward the Fulfillment of God’s Purpose (chs. 2-3)

Salvation of Individuals by Grace (2:1-10)

Reconciliation of Jew and Gentile through the Cross (2:11-18)

Uniting of Jew and Gentile in One Household (2:19-22)

Revelation of God’s Wisdom through the Church (3:1-13)

Prayer for Deeper Experience of God’s Fullness (3:14-21)

Practical Ways to Fulfill God’s Purpose in the Church (4:1- 6:20)

Unity (4:1-6)

Maturity (4:7-16)

Renewal of Personal Life (4:17- 5:20)

Deference in Personal Relationships (5:21- 6:9)

Principle (5:21)

Husbands and wives (5:22-33)

Children and parents (6:1-4)

Slaves and masters (6:5-9)

Strength in the Spiritual Conflict (6:10-20)

Conclusion, Final Greetings and Benediction (6:21-24)

Galatians

Summary:

Introduction to the Books of the Bible

The Book of Galatians

Author
The opening verse identifies the author of Galatians as the apostle Paul. Apart from a few 19th-century interpreters, no one has seriously questioned his authorship.

Date and Destination
The date of Galatians depends to a great extent on the destination of the letter. There are two main views:

The North Galatian theory. This older view holds that the letter was addressed to churches located in north-central Asia Minor (Pessinus, Ancyra and Tavium), where the Gauls had settled when they invaded the area in the third century b.c. It is held that Paul visited this area on his second missionary journey, though Acts contains no reference to such a visit. Galatians, it is maintained, was written between a.d. 53 and 57 from Ephesus or Macedonia.

The South Galatian theory. According to this view, Galatians was written to churches in the southern area of the Roman province of Galatia (Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe) that Paul had founded on his first missionary journey. Some believe that Galatians was written from Syrian Antioch in 48-49 after Paul’s first journey and before the Jerusalem council meeting (Ac 15). Others say that Galatians was written in Syrian Antioch or Corinth between 51 and 53 (see chart, pp. 2260-2261).

Occasion and Purpose
Judaizers were Jewish Christians who believed, among other things, that a number of the ceremonial practices of the OT were still binding on the NT church. Following Paul’s successful campaign in Galatia, they insisted that Gentile converts to Christianity abide by certain OT rites, especially circumcision. They may have been motivated by a desire to avoid the persecution of Zealot Jews who objected to their fraternizing with Gentiles (see 6:12). The Judaizers argued that Paul was not an authentic apostle and that out of a desire to make the message more appealing to Gentiles he had removed from the gospel certain legal requirements.

Paul responded by clearly establishing his apostolic authority and thereby substantiating the gospel he preached. By introducing additional requirements for justification (e.g., works of the law) his adversaries had perverted the gospel of grace and, unless prevented, would bring Paul’s converts into the bondage of legalism. It is by grace through faith alone that people are justified, and it is by faith alone that they are to live out their new life in the freedom of the Spirit.

Theological Teaching
Galatians stands as an eloquent and vigorous apologetic for the essential NT truth that people are justified by faith in Jesus Christ ?by nothing less and nothing more? and that they are sanctified not by legalistic works but by the obedience that comes from faith in God’s work for them, in them and through them by the grace and power of Christ and the Holy Spirit. It was the rediscovery of the basic message of Galatians (and Romans) that brought about the Protestant Reformation. Galatians is often referred to as Luther’s book, because Martin Luther relied so strongly on this letter in all his preaching, teaching and writing against the prevailing theology of his day. It is also referred to as the “Magna Carta of Christian Liberty.” A key verse is Gal 2:16 (see note there).

Outline

Introduction (1:1-10)

Greetings (1:1-5)

Denunciation (1:6-10)

Personal: Authentication of the Apostle of Liberty and Faith (1:11-2:21)

Paul’s Gospel Was Received by Special Revelation (1:11-12)

Paul’s Gospel Was Independent of the Jerusalem Apostles and the Judean Churches (1:13-2:21)

Evidenced by his early activities as a Christian (1:13-17)

Evidenced by his first post-Christian visit to Jerusalem (1:18-24)

Evidenced by his second post-Christian visit to Jerusalem (2:1-10)

Evidenced by his rebuke of Peter at Antioch (2:11-21)

Doctrinal: Justification of the Doctrine of Liberty and Faith (chs. 3-4)

The Galatians’ Experience of the Gospel (3:1-5)

The Experience of Abraham (3:6-9)

The Curse of the Law (3:10-14)

The Priority of the Promise (3:15-18)

The Purpose of the Law (3:19-25)

Sons, Not Slaves (3:26-4:7)

The Danger of Turning Back (4:8-11)

Appeal to Embrace the Freedom of God’s Children (4:12-20)

God’s Children Are Children of the Free Woman (4:21-31)

Practical: Practice of the Life of Liberty and Faith (5:1-6:10)

Exhortation to Freedom (5:1-12)

Life by the Spirit, Not by the Flesh (5:13-26)

Call for Mutual Help (6:1-10)

Conclusion and Benediction (6:11-18)

Passion

Summary:


G3958

pas’-kho, path’-o, pen’-tho
Apparently a primary verb (the third form used only in certain tenses for it); to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful): – feel, passion, suffer, vex.

Lust

Summary:


H5315
? ©?
nephesh
neh’-fesh
From H5314; properly a breathing creature, that is, animal or (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental): – any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead (-ly), desire, X [dis-] contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart (-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortality, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

H5314
? ©?
n?phash
naw-fash’
A primitive root; to breathe; passively, to be breathed upon, that is, (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a current of air): – (be) refresh selves (-ed).

H8378

ta’v?h
tah-av-aw’
From H183 (abbreviated); a longing; by implication a delight (subjectively satisfaction, objectively a charm): – dainty, desire, X exceedingly, X greedily, lust (ing), pleasant. See also H6914.

H183

‘?v?h
aw-vaw’
A primitive root; to wish for: – covet, (greatly) desire, be desirous, long, lust (after).

H6914
?§¨ 
qibrth hatta’v?h
kib-roth’ hat-tah-av-aw’
From the feminine plural of H6913 and H8378 with the article inteposed; graves of the longing; Kibroth hat Taavh, a place in the Desert: – Kibroth-hattaavah.

H6913
?§¨ ?§¨
qeber qibr?h
keh’-ber, kib-raw’
From H6912; a sepulchre: – burying place, grave, sepulchre.

H8378

ta’v?h
tah-av-aw’
From H183 (abbreviated); a longing; by implication a delight (subjectively satisfaction, objectively a charm): – dainty, desire, X exceedingly, X greedily, lust (ing), pleasant. See also H6914.

H2530

ch?mad
khaw-mad’
A primitive root; to delight in: – beauty, greatly beloved, covet, delectable thing, ( X great) delight, desire, goodly, lust, (be) pleasant (thing), precious (thing).

Crucified

Summary:


G4717
?±
stauro?
stow-ro’-o
From G4716; to impale on the cross; figuratively to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness: – crucify.

G4716
?±
stauros
stow-ros’
From the base of G2476; a stake or post (as set upright), that is, (specifically) a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively exposure to death, that is, self denial; by implication the atonement of Christ: – cross.

G2476
·
histmi
his’-tay-mee
A prolonged form of a primary word ?¬ sta? (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively): – abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare G5087.

G5087
·
tithmi
tith’-ay-mee
A prolonged form of a primary word ­ the? (which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while G2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate): – + advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.

G2749

keimai
ki’-mahee
Middle voice of a primary verb; to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively): – be (appointed, laid up, made, set), lay, lie. Compare G5087.

Self-control

Summary:


G1466
?³?¬±
egkrateia
eng-krat’-i-ah
From G1468; self control (especially continence): – temperance.

G1468
?³?±
egkrats
eng-krat-ace’
From G1722 and G2904; strong in a thing (masterful), that is, (figuratively and reflexively) self controlled (in appetite, etc.): – temperate.

G1722
?½
en
en
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); “in” , at, (up-) on, by, etc.: – about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.

G2904
?¬
kratos
krat’-os
Perhaps a primary word; vigor [“great” ], (literally or figuratively): – dominion, might [-ily], power, strength.

Meekness

Summary:


H6038
 
-n?v?h
an-aw-vaw’
From H6035; condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency): – gentleness, humility, meekness.

H6035
   
-?n?v -?n?yv
aw-nawv’, aw-nawv’
The second form is by intermixture with H6041; from H6031; depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly): – humble, lowly, meek, poor`. Compare H6041.

H6041
 
-?ny
aw-nee’
From H6031; depressed, in mind or circumstances (practically the same as H6035 subjectively and H6041 objectively): – afflicted, humble`, lowly`, needy, poor.

H6031
 
-?n?h
aw-naw’
A primitive root (possibly rather identical with H6030 through the idea of looking down or browbeating); to depress literally or figuratively, transitively or intransitively (in various applications). (sing is by mistake for H6030.): – abase self, afflict (-ion, self), answer [by mistake for H6030], chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing [by mistake for H6030], speak [by mistake for H6030], submit self, weaken, X in any wise.

H6030
 
-?n?h
aw-naw’
A primitive root; properly to eye or (generally) to heed, that is, pay attention; by implication to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce: – give account, afflict [by mistake for H6031], (cause to, give) answer, bring low [by mistake for H6031], cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, X scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042, H1043.

Mathew 28

Mat 28:1 But late in the sabbaths, at the dawning into the first of the sabbaths, Mary the Magdalene and the other Mary came to gaze upon the grave.
Mat 28:2 And, behold! A great earthquake occurred! For descending from Heaven and coming near, an angel of the Lord rolled away the stone from the door and was sitting on it.
Mat 28:3 And his face was as lightning and his clothing white as snow.
Mat 28:4 And those keeping guard were shaken from the fear of him, and they became as dead.
Mat 28:5 But answering, the angel said to the women, You must not fear, for I know that you seek Jesus who has been crucified.
Mat 28:6 He is not here, for He was raised, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.
Mat 28:7 And going quickly say to His disciples that He was raised from the dead. And behold! He goes before you into Galilee. You will see Him there. Behold! I told you.
Mat 28:8 And going away from the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, they ran to report to His disciples.
Mat 28:9 But as they were going to report to His disciples, behold, Jesus also met them, saying, Hail! And coming near, they seized His feet and worshiped Him.
Mat 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, Do not fear. Go tell your brothers that they may go into Galilee, and there they will see Me.
Mat 28:11 And they, having gone, behold, some of the guard coming into the city reported to the chief priests all things that occurred.
Mat 28:12 And being assembled with the elders, and taking counsel, they gave enough silver to the soldiers,
Mat 28:13 saying, Say that his disciples came and stole him by night, we being asleep.
Mat 28:14 And if this is heard by the governor, we will persuade him and will make you free from anxiety.
Mat 28:15 And taking the silver, they did as they were taught. And this report was spread by the Jews until today.
Mat 28:16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mount where Jesus appointed them.
Mat 28:17 And seeing Him, they worshiped Him. But they doubted.
Mat 28:18 And coming up Jesus talked with them, saying, All authority in Heaven and on earth was given to Me.
Mat 28:19 Then having gone, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the completion of the age. Amen.

Mathew 27

Mat 27:1 And early morning occurring, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel together against Jesus, so as to put Him to death.
Mat 27:2 And binding Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Mat 27:3 Then Judas, the one betraying Him, seeing that He was condemned, repenting, returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders,
Mat 27:4 saying, I sinned, betraying innocent blood. But they said, What is it to us? You see to it.
Mat 27:5 And tossing the silver pieces into the temple, he left. And going away he hanged himself.
Mat 27:6 And taking the pieces of silver, the chief priests said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.
Mat 27:7 And taking counsel, they bought of them the potter’s field, for burial for the strangers.
Mat 27:8 So that field was called Field of Blood until today.
Mat 27:9 Then was fulfilled that spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And I took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of Him who had been priced, on whom they of the sons of Israel set a price,
Mat 27:10 and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me. Zech. 11:12, 13
Mat 27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor. And the governor questioned Him, saying, Are You the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him, You say it.
Mat 27:12 And when He was accused by the chief priests and the elders, He answered nothing.
Mat 27:13 Then Pilate said to Him, Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?
Mat 27:14 And He did not answer him, not even to one word, so that the governor greatly marveled.
Mat 27:15 And at a feast, the governor customarily released one prisoner to the crowd, whom they wished.
Mat 27:16 And they had then a notable prisoner, Barabbas.
Mat 27:17 Then they, having been assembled, Pilate said to them, Whom do you wish I may release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus being called Christ?
Mat 27:18 For he knew they delivered Him up through envy.
Mat 27:19 But as he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Let nothing be to you and that just one. For I have suffered many things today by a dream because of Him.
Mat 27:20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds, that they should ask for Barabbas, and to destroy Jesus.
Mat 27:21 And answering, the governor said to them, From the two, which do you wish that I release to you? And they said, Barabbas.
Mat 27:22 Pilate said to them, What then should I do to Jesus being called Christ? They all say to him, Crucify Him!
Mat 27:23 But the governor said, For what badness did He do? But they the more cried out, saying, Crucify!
Mat 27:24 And seeing that nothing is gained, but rather an uproar occurs, taking water, Pilate washed his hands before the crowd, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous one; you will see.
Mat 27:25 And answering, all the people said, His blood be on us and on our children.
Mat 27:26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But having flogged Jesus, he delivered Him up that He might be crucified.
Mat 27:27 Then taking Jesus into the praetorium, the soldiers of the governor gathered all the cohort against Him.
Mat 27:28 And stripping Him, they put a scarlet cloak around Him.
Mat 27:29 And plaiting a crown of thorns, they placed it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And bowing the knee before Him, they mocked at Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews.
Mat 27:30 And spitting at Him, they took the reed and struck at His head.
Mat 27:31 And when they had mocked Him, they stripped off His cloak, and they put His garments on Him and led Him away to crucify Him.
Mat 27:32 And going out, they found a man, a Cyrenean, named Simon. They compelled this one, that he bear His cross.
Mat 27:33 And coming to a place called Golgotha, which is called, Place of a Skull,
Mat 27:34 they gave Him vinegar mingled with gall to drink. And having tasted, He would not drink.
Mat 27:35 And having crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting a lot, that might be fulfilled that spoken by the prophet, “They divided My garments to themselves, and they cast a lot over My clothing.” Psa. 22:18
Mat 27:36 And sitting down, they guarded Him there.
Mat 27:37 And they put up over His head His charge, it having been written: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Mat 27:38 Then two plunderers were crucified with Him, one off the right, and one off the left of Him.
Mat 27:39 But those passing by, blasphemed Him, shaking their heads,
Mat 27:40 and saying, You the one razing the temple and building it in three days, if You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Mat 27:41 And in the same way, the chief priests with the scribes and elders, mocking, said,
Mat 27:42 He saved others; He is not able to save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe Him.
Mat 27:43 He trusted on God. Let Him rescue Him now, if He desires Him. For He said, I am Son of God.
Mat 27:44 And also the plunderers crucified with Him defamed Him, saying the same.
Mat 27:45 And from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani; that is, “My God, My God, why did You forsake Me?” Psa. 22:1
Mat 27:47 And hearing, some of those standing there said, This one calls Elijah.
Mat 27:48 And at once, one of them running and taking a sponge, and filling it with “vinegar,” put it on a reed and “gave drink to Him.” Psa. 69:21
Mat 27:49 But the rest said, Let be; let us see if Elijah is coming to save Him.
Mat 27:50 And crying again with a loud voice, Jesus released His spirit.
Mat 27:51 And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn into two from above as far as below. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared!
Mat 27:52 And the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
Mat 27:53 And coming forth out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered into the holy city and were revealed to many.
Mat 27:54 But the centurion and those with him guarding Jesus, seeing the earthquake and the things taking place, they feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this One was Son of God.
Mat 27:55 And many women were there, watching from afar off, those who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him;
Mat 27:56 among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
Mat 27:57 And evening having come, a rich man from Arimathea (Joseph by name) who also himself was discipled to Jesus,
Mat 27:58 coming up to Pilate, this one asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given.
Mat 27:59 And taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen,
Mat 27:60 and laid it in his new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. And rolling a great stone to the door of the tomb, he departed.
Mat 27:61 And there was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, sitting across from the grave.
Mat 27:62 And on the morrow, which is after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were assembled to Pilate,
Mat 27:63 saying, Sir, we have recalled that that deceiver while living said, After three days I will rise.
Mat 27:64 Therefore, command that the grave be secured until the third day, that His disciples may not come by night and steal Him away, and may say to the people, He is raised from the dead. And the last deception will be worse than the first.
Mat 27:65 And Pilate said to them, You have a guard, go away, make it as secure as you know how.
Mat 27:66 And going along with the guard, they made the grave secure, sealing the stone.

Mathew 26

Mat 26:1 And it happened, when Jesus finished all these sayings, He said to His disciples,
Mat 26:2 You know that the Passover is coming after two days, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified.
Mat 26:3 Then the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people were assembled to the court of the high priest, the one named Caiaphas.
Mat 26:4 And they plotted together in order that they might seize Jesus by guile and kill Him.
Mat 26:5 But they said, Not during the Feast, that there be no turmoil among the people.
Mat 26:6 And Jesus being in Bethany, in Simon the leper’s house,
Mat 26:7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster vial of ointment, very precious. And she poured it on His head as He reclined.
Mat 26:8 But seeing, His disciples were indignant, saying, For what is this waste?
Mat 26:9 For this ointment could have been sold for much and be given to the poor.
Mat 26:10 But knowing, Jesus said to them, Why do you cause trouble to the woman? For she worked a good work toward Me.
Mat 26:11 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.
Mat 26:12 For in putting this ointment on My body, she did it in order to bury Me.
Mat 26:13 Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel is proclaimed in all the world, what she did will be spoken of for a memorial of her.
Mat 26:14 Then one of the twelve going to the chief priests, the one called Judas Iscariot,
Mat 26:15 said, What will you give to me, and I will deliver Him up to you? “And they weighed to him thirty silver pieces.” Zech. 11:12
Mat 26:16 And from then he sought opportunity that he might betray Him.
Mat 26:17 And on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, Where do you desire we should prepare for You to eat the Passover?
Mat 26:18 And He said, Go into the city to a certain one and say to him, The Teacher says, My time is near; toward you I will prepare the Passover with My disciples.
Mat 26:19 And the disciples did as Jesus ordered them, and prepared the Passover.
Mat 26:20 And evening having come, He reclined with the Twelve.
Mat 26:21 And as they were eating, He said, Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.
Mat 26:22 And grieving exceedingly, they began to say to Him, each of them, Lord, not at all I is it?
Mat 26:23 But answering, He said, The one dipping the hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.
Mat 26:24 Indeed, the Son of Man goes, as it has been written about Him. But woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It were good for him if that man was never born.
Mat 26:25 And answering, the one betraying Him, Judas, said, Not at all I is it, Rabbi? He said to him, You have said it.
Mat 26:26 And as they ate, taking the bread and blessing it, Jesus broke and gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body.
Mat 26:27 And taking the cup, and giving thanks, He gave to them, saying, Drink all of it.
Mat 26:28 For this is My blood of the New Covenant which concerning many is being poured out for remission of sins.
Mat 26:29 But I say to you, I will not at all drink of this fruit of the vine after this until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of My Father.
Mat 26:30 And singing a hymn, they went to the Mount of Olives.
Mat 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, You all will be offended in Me during this night. For it has been written, “I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” Zech. 13:7
Mat 26:32 But after My resurrection I will go before you into Galilee.
Mat 26:33 And answering, Peter said to Him, Even if all will be offended in You, I will never be offended.
Mat 26:34 Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, During this night, before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times.
Mat 26:35 Peter said to Him, Even if it were necessary for me to die with You, I will not deny You, never! And all the disciples said the same.
Mat 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to the disciples, Sit here, until going away, I shall pray there.
Mat 26:37 And taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to grieve and to be deeply troubled.
Mat 26:38 Then He said to them, My soul is deeply grieved, even unto death. Stay here and watch with Me.
Mat 26:39 And going forward a little, He fell on His face, praying, and saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.
Mat 26:40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, So! Were you not able to watch one hour with Me?
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that you do not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is eager, but the flesh is weak.
Mat 26:42 Again, going away a second time, He prayed, saying, My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to pass away except I drink it, let Your will be done.
Mat 26:43 And coming, He again found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
Mat 26:44 And leaving them, going away again, He prayed a third time, saying the same word.
Mat 26:45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, Sleep on, and rest for what time remains. Behold, the hour draws near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Mat 26:46 Rise up, let us go. Behold, the one betraying Me draws near.
Mat 26:47 And as He was yet speaking, behold, Judas came, one of the Twelve. And with him was a numerous crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
Mat 26:48 And the one betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, Whomever I may kiss, it is He; seize Him.
Mat 26:49 And coming up at once to Jesus, he said, Hail, Rabbi. And he ardently kissed Him.
Mat 26:50 But Jesus said to him, Friend, why are you here? Then coming up, they laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.
Mat 26:51 And, behold, one of those with Jesus, stretching out the hand, drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest and took off his ear.
Mat 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword shall perish by a sword.
Mat 26:53 Or do you think that I am not able now to call on My Father, and He will place beside Me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 How then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?
Mat 26:55 In that hour, Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out to take Me with swords and clubs, as against a plunderer? I sat with you daily teaching in the temple, and you did not lay hands on Me.
Mat 26:56 But all this is happening that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled. Then all the disciples ran away, forsaking Him.
Mat 26:57 And those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
Mat 26:58 And Peter followed Him from a distance, even to the court of the high priest. And going inside, he sat with the under-officers to see the end.
Mat 26:59 And the chief priests and the elders and the whole sanhedrin looked for false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death,
Mat 26:60 but did not find any, even though there were many false witnesses coming forward, they did not find any. But at last, coming up two false witnesses
Mat 26:61 said, This One said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and through three even days to build it.
Mat 26:62 And standing up, the high priest said to Him, Do you answer nothing? What do these witness against you?
Mat 26:63 But Jesus kept silent. And answering, the high priest said to Him, I put You on oath by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.
Mat 26:64 Jesus said to him, You said it. I tell you more. From this time you shall see the Son of Man sitting off the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of the heaven. Psa. 110:1; Dan. 7:13
Mat 26:65 Then the high priest tore his garments, saying, He blasphemed! Why do we have any more need of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard His blasphemy.
Mat 26:66 What does it seem to you? And answering, they said, He is liable to death.
Mat 26:67 Then they spat in His face, and beat Him with the fist, and some slapped Him,
Mat 26:68 saying, Prophesy to us, Christ. Who is the one striking You?
Mat 26:69 And Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And one girl came near to him, saying, And you were with Jesus the Galilean.
Mat 26:70 But he denied before all, saying, I do not know what you say.
Mat 26:71 And he, going out into the porch, another saw him and said to those there, And this one was with Jesus the Nazarene.
Mat 26:72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Mat 26:73 And after a little, coming near, those standing by said to Peter, Truly you also are of them, for even your speech makes you known.
Mat 26:74 Then he began to curse and to swear, I do not know the man. And immediately a cock crowed.
Mat 26:75 And Peter recalled the word of Jesus, saying to him, Before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times. And going out, he wept bitterly.

Mathew 25

Mat 25:1 Then the kingdom of Heaven shall be compared to ten virgins who taking their lamps, went out to a meeting of the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five foolish.
Mat 25:3 Those being foolish, taking their lamps, did not take oil with them.
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 But the bridegroom delaying, all nodded and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight, a cry occurred: Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins were aroused and prepared their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there not be enough for us and you. But rather, go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 But they going away to buy, the bridegroom came. And those ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 And afterwards, the rest of the virgins also came, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But answering, he said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
Mat 25:13 Therefore, watch, for you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes.
Mat 25:14 For it is as if a man going abroad called his own slaves and delivered his goods to them.
Mat 25:15 And to one indeed he gave five talents, and to another, two, and to another, one, to each according to his ability. And he went abroad at once.
Mat 25:16 And going, the one who received the five talents worked with them and made another five talents.
Mat 25:17 In the same way, the one with the two also did; he also gained another two.
Mat 25:18 But going away, the one who received the one dug in the earth and hid his lord’s silver.
Mat 25:19 And after much time, the lord of those slaves came and took account with them.
Mat 25:20 And coming up, the one who received five talents brought another five talents near, saying, Lord, you delivered five talents to me. Behold, I gained another five talents above them.
Mat 25:21 And his lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful over a few things; I will set you over many. Enter into the joy of your lord.
Mat 25:22 And the one who received two talents also coming up, he said, Lord, you delivered two talents to me. Behold, I have gained two other talents above them.
Mat 25:23 His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many. Enter into the joy of your lord.
Mat 25:24 And the one who received the one talent also coming up, he said, Lord, I knew you, that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter;
Mat 25:25 and being afraid, going away, I hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have yours.
Mat 25:26 And answering, his lord said to him, Evil and slothful slave! You knew that I reap where I did not sow, and I gather where I did not scatter.
Mat 25:27 Then you ought to have put my silver to the bankers, and coming I would have received my own with interest.
Mat 25:28 Therefore, take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For to each who has, more will be given, and he will abound. But from him who does not have, even that which he has will be taken from him.
Mat 25:30 And throw the worthless slave out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of the teeth.
Mat 25:31 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
Mat 25:32 And before Him shall be gathered all the nations; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Mat 25:33 And indeed He will set the sheep off His right, but the goats off the left hand.
Mat 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, the blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Mat 25:35 For I hungered, and you gave Me food to eat; I thirsted, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in;
Mat 25:36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.
Mat 25:37 Then the righteous will answer, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You; or thirsting, and gave You drink?
Mat 25:38 And when did we see You a stranger, and took You in; or naked, and clothed You?
Mat 25:39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You?
Mat 25:40 And answering, the King will say to them, Truly I say to you, In so far as you did it to one of these, the least of My brothers, you did it to Me.
Mat 25:41 Then He will also say to those on His left, Go away from Me, cursed ones, into the everlasting fire having been prepared for the Devil and his angels.
Mat 25:42 For I hungered, and you did not give Me a thing to eat. I thirsted and you did not give Me a thing to drink;
Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and you did not take Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.
Mat 25:44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungering, or thirsting, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?
Mat 25:45 Then He will answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, In so far as you did not do it to one of these, the least, neither did you do it to Me.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.

Next Mathew Chapter 26

Mathew 24

Mat 24:1 And going out, Jesus left the temple. And His disciples came to show Him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 But Jesus said to them, Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, There will not at all be left one stone on a stone which in no way will not be thrown down.
Mat 24:3 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? And, What is the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?
Mat 24:4 And answering, Jesus said to them, See that not any leads you astray.
Mat 24:5 For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ. And they will cause many to be led astray.
Mat 24:6 But you are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See, do not be terrified. For all things must take place, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation will be raised against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines and plagues and earthquakes against many places.
Mat 24:8 But all these are a beginning of throes.
Mat 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
Mat 24:10 And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another and will hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err.
Mat 24:12 And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.
Mat 24:13 But the one who endures to the end, that one will be kept safe.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.
Mat 24:15 Then when you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (the one reading, let him understand), Dan. 11:31; 12:11
Mat 24:16 then let those in Judea flee into the mountains;
Mat 24:17 the one on the housetop, let him not go down to take anything out of his house;
Mat 24:18 and the one in the field, let him not turn back to take his garment.
Mat 24:19 But woe to the ones having a child in womb, and to those suckling in those days!
Mat 24:20 And pray that your flight will not occur in winter nor in a sabbath.
Mat 24:21 For there will be great affliction, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days were shortened, not any flesh would be saved. But on account of the elect, those days will be shortened.
Mat 24:23 Then if anyone says to you, Behold, here is the Christ! Or, Here! Do not believe.
Mat 24:24 For false christs and false prophets will rise up. And they will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I tell you beforehand.
Mat 24:26 Then if they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness; do not go out. Behold, He is in the inner rooms; do not believe.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning comes forth from the east and shines as far as the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Mat 24:28 For wherever the dead body may be, there the eagles will be gathered.
Mat 24:29 And immediately after the affliction of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Mat 24:30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the land will wail. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory. Dan. 7:13
Mat 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens to their ends.
Mat 24:32 But learn the parable of the fig tree: When its branch becomes tender and it puts out leaves, you know that the summer is near;
Mat 24:33 so also you, when you see all these things, know that it is near at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Truly I say to you, In no way will this generation pass away until all these things have occurred.
Mat 24:35 The heaven and the earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away, never!
Mat 24:36 But as to that day and that hour, no one knows, neither the angels of Heaven, except My Father only.
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noah, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Mat 24:38 For as they were in the days before the flood: eating, and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah went into the ark.
Mat 24:39 And they did not know until the flood came and took all away. So also will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Mat 24:40 At that time two will be out in the field; the one is taken away, and the one is left;
Mat 24:41 two grinding at the mill; one is taken away, and one is left.
Mat 24:42 Watch, then, for you do not know in what hour your Lord comes.
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the housemaster had known in what watch the thief comes, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be dug through.
Mat 24:44 Because of this, you also be ready, for in that hour you think not, the Son of Man comes.
Mat 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his Lord has set over His household, to give to them the food in season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant whom his Lord shall find so doing when He comes.
Mat 24:47 Truly I say to you, He will set him over all His substance.
Mat 24:48 But if that wicked slave says in his heart, My Lord delays to come,
Mat 24:49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and to drink with the ones drinking,
Mat 24:50 the Lord of that slave will come in a day in which he does not expect and in an hour which he does not know,
Mat 24:51 and will cut him in two, and will appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There will be weeping and gnashing of the teeth.

Mathew 23

Mat 23:1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowd and to His disciples,
Mat 23:2 saying, The scribes and the Pharisees have sat down on Moses’ seat.
Mat 23:3 Then all things, whatever they tell you to keep, keep and do. But do not do according to their works, for they say, and do not do.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy and hard to bear burdens, and lay them on the shoulders of men, but they do not desire to move them with their finger.
Mat 23:5 And they do all their works to be seen by men. And they make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their robes.
Mat 23:6 And they love the first couch in the suppers, and the first seats in the synagogues,
Mat 23:7 and the greetings in the markets, and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Mat 23:8 But do not you be called Rabbi, for One is your Leader, the Christ, and you are all brothers.
Mat 23:9 And call no one your father on earth, for One is your Father, the One in Heaven.
Mat 23:10 Nor be called leaders, for One is your Leader, the Christ.
Mat 23:11 But the greater of you shall be your servant.
Mat 23:12 And whoever will exalt himself shall be humbled, and whoever will humble himself shall be exalted.
Mat 23:13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of Heaven before men; for you do not enter, nor do you allow those entering to go in.
Mat 23:14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour the houses of widows, and pray at length as a pretext. Because of this you will receive more abundant judgment.
Mat 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you go about the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte; and when he has become so, you make him twofold more a son of Hell than yourselves.
Mat 23:16 Woe to you, blind guides, who say, Whoever swears by the Holy Place, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the Holy Place is a debtor.
Mat 23:17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold, or the Holy Place that sanctifies the gold?
Mat 23:18 And you say, Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift on it, he is a debtor.
Mat 23:19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
Mat 23:20 Then the one swearing by the altar swears by it, and by all things on it.
Mat 23:21 And the one swearing by the Holy Place swears by it, and by the One dwelling in it.
Mat 23:22 And the one swearing by Heaven swears by the throne of God, and by the One sitting on it.
Mat 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and you have left aside the weightier matters of the Law: judgment, and mercy, and faith. It was right to do these, and not to have left those aside.
Mat 23:24 Blind guides, straining out the gnat, but swallowing the camel!
Mat 23:25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within they are full of robbery and excess.
Mat 23:26 Blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside of them may become clean also.
Mat 23:27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened graves which outwardly indeed appear beautiful, but within are full of bones of the dead, and of all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 So you also indeed outwardly appear righteous to men, but within are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Mat 23:29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the tombs of the righteous.
Mat 23:30 And you say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Mat 23:31 So you witness to yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.
Mat 23:32 And you fill up the measure of your fathers.
Mat 23:33 Serpents! Offspring of vipers! How shall you escape the judgment of Hell?
Mat 23:34 Because of this, behold, I send to you prophets and wise ones and scribes. And some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and will persecute from city to city;
Mat 23:35 so that should come on you all the righteous blood poured out on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah whom you murdered between the Holy Place and the altar.
Mat 23:36 Truly I say to you, All these things will come on this generation.
Mat 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one killing the prophets and stoning those sent to her. How often I desired to gather your children in the way a bird gathers her chicks under her wings! And you did not desire it.
Mat 23:38 Behold, “your house is left to you desolate.” Jer. 22:5
Mat 23:39 For I say to you, In no way shall you see Me from now on, until you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Psa. 118:26

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