Advanced Commentary

Texts -- John 1:2-51 (NET)

Context
1:2 The Word was with God in the beginning . 1:3 All things were created by him , and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created . 1:4 In him was life , and the life was the light of mankind . 1:5 And the light shines on in the darkness , but the darkness has not mastered it . 1:6 A man came , sent from God , whose name was John . 1:7 He came as a witness to testify about the light , so that everyone might believe through him . 1:8 He himself was not the light , but he came to testify about the light . 1:9 The true light , who gives light to everyone , everyone , was coming into the world . 1:10 He was in the world , and the world was created by him , but the world did not recognize him . 1:11 He came to what was his own , but his own people did not receive him . 1:12 But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children 1:13 –children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband’s decision , but by God . 1:14 Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us . We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only , full of grace and truth , who came from the Father . 1:15 John testified about him and shouted out , “This one was the one about whom I said , ‘He who comes after me is greater than I am, because he existed before me .’” 1:16 For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another . 1:17 For the law was given through Moses , but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ . 1:18 No one has ever seen God . The only one , himself God , who is in closest fellowship with the Father , has made God known .
The Testimony of John the Baptist
1:19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him , “Who are you ?” 1:20 He confessed – he did not deny but confessed – “I am not the Christ !” 1:21 So they asked him , “Then who are you? Are you Elijah ?” He said , “I am not !” “Are you the Prophet ?” He answered , “No !” 1:22 Then they said to him , “Who are you ? Tell us so that we can give an answer to those who sent us . What do you say about yourself ?” 1:23 John said , “I am the voice of one shouting in the wilderness , ‘Make straight the way for the Lord ,’ as Isaiah the prophet said .” 1:24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees .) 1:25 So they asked John , “Why then are you baptizing if you are not the Christ , nor Elijah , nor the Prophet ?” 1:26 John answered them , “I baptize with water . Among you stands one whom you do not recognize , 1:27 who is coming after me . I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal !” 1:28 These things happened in Bethany across the Jordan River where John was baptizing . 1:29 On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said , “Look , the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ! 1:30 This is the one about whom I said , ‘After me comes a man who is greater than I am, because he existed before me .’ 1:31 I did not recognize him , but I came baptizing with water so that he could be revealed to Israel .” 1:32 Then John testified , “I saw the Spirit descending like a dove from heaven , and it remained on him . 1:33 And I did not recognize him , but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me , ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining – this is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit .’ 1:34 I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God .” 1:35 Again the next day John was standing there with two of his disciples . 1:36 Gazing at Jesus as he walked by , he said , “Look , the Lamb of God !” 1:37 When John’s two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus . 1:38 Jesus turned around and saw them following and said to them , “What do you want ?” So they said to him , “Rabbi ” (which is translated Teacher ), “where are you staying ?” 1:39 Jesus answered , “Come and you will see .” So they came and saw where he was staying , and they stayed with him that day . Now it was about four o’clock in the afternoon .
Andrew’s Declaration
1:40 Andrew , the brother of Simon Peter , was one of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus . 1:41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him , “We have found the Messiah !” (which is translated Christ ). 1:42 Andrew brought Simon to Jesus . Jesus looked at him and said , “You are Simon , the son of John . You will be called Cephas ” (which is translated Peter ).
The Calling of More Disciples
1:43 On the next day Jesus wanted to set out for Galilee . He found Philip and said to him , “Follow me .” 1:44 (Now Philip was from Bethsaida , the town of Andrew and Peter .) 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and told him , “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law , and the prophets also wrote about– Jesus of Nazareth , the son of Joseph .” 1:46 Nathanael replied , “Can anything good come out of Nazareth ?” Philip replied , “Come and see .” 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and exclaimed , “Look , a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit !” 1:48 Nathanael asked him , “How do you know me ?” Jesus replied , “Before Philip called you , when you were under the fig tree , I saw you .” 1:49 Nathanael answered him , “Rabbi , you are the Son of God ; you are the king of Israel !” 1:50 Jesus said to him , “Because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree , do you believe ? You will see greater things than these .” 1:51 He continued , “I tell all of you the solemn truth – you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man .”

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • Jesus, The Christ

    [nave] JESUS, THE CHRIST. Index of Sub-topics History of; Miscellaneous Facts Concerning; Unclassified Scriptures Relating to; Ascension of; Atonement by; Attributes of; Compassion of; Confessing; Creator; Death of; Design of His...

  • JOHN, GOSPEL OF

    [ebd] The genuineness of this Gospel, i.e., the fact that the apostle John was its author, is beyond all reasonable doubt. In recent times, from about 1820, many attempts have been made to impugn its genuineness, but without succe...
    [isbe] JOHN, GOSPEL OF - || I. INTRODUCTORY 1. Scope of Gospel 2. State of Opinion as to Date of Appearance, etc. II. EXTERNAL EVIDENCE fOR THE FOURTH GOSPEL 1. At the End of 2nd Century 2. Irenaeus--Theophilus 3. Middle of 2nd Cen...
    [smith] This Gospel was probably written at Ephesus about A.D. 78. (Canon Cook places it toward the close of John?s life, A.D. 90-100. --ED.) The Gospel was obviously addressed primarily to Christians, not to heathen. There can be li...

  • John

    [ebd] (1.) One who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment on the apostles Peter and John (Acts 4:6). He was of the kindred of the high priest; otherwise unknown. (2.) The Hebrew name of Mark (q.v.). He is designated by this nam...
    [nave] JOHN 1. The Baptist: Prophecies concerning, Isa. 40:3; Mal. 4:5, 6; Luke 1:11-17. Miraculous birth of, Luke 1:11-20, 57-65. Dwells in the desert, Matt. 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 1:80; 3:2, 3. Mission of, Matt. 17:11; Mark 1:2-8...

  • Peter

    [ebd] originally called Simon (=Simeon ,i.e., "hearing"), a very common Jewish name in the New Testament. He was the son of Jona (Matt. 16:17). His mother is nowhere named in Scripture. He had a younger brother called Andrew, who ...
    [smith] (a rock or stone). The original name of this disciple was Simon, i.e. "hearer." He was the son of a man named Jonas, (Matthew 16:17; John 1:42; 21:16) and was brought up in his father?s occupation, that of a fisherman. He and...
    [nave] PETER Called also Simon Bar-jona and Cephas, Matt. 16:16-19; Mark 3:16; John 1:42. A fisherman, Matt. 4:18; Luke 5:1-7; John 21:3. Call of, Matt. 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18; Luke 5:1-11. His wife's mother healed, Matt. 8:14; M...

  • SACRIFICE, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, 1

    [isbe] SACRIFICE, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, 1 - IN THE NEW TESTAMENT I. TERMS OF SACRIFICE EPITOMIZED II. ATTITUDE OF JESUS AND NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS TO THE OLD TESTAMENT SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM 1. Jesus' Attitude 2. Paul's Attitude 3. Atti...

  • TEXT AND MANUSCRIPTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

    [isbe] TEXT AND MANUSCRIPTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT - || I. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE FOR THE TEXT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 1. Autographs of the New Testament Writers 2. Papyrus Fragments of the Greek New Testament 3. Greek Copies or Manuscript...

  • PAPYRUS

    [isbe] PAPYRUS - pa-pi'-rus (Cyperus papyrus; bublos, biblos, whence biblion, a roll, ta biblia, "the Books" = the Bible): 1. Papyrus Paper 2. Egyptian Papyri 3. Aramaic Papyri 4. Greek Papyri 5. Their Discovery. 6. Classical Papyr...

  • Andrew

    [ebd] manliness, a Greek name; one of the apostles of our Lord. He was of Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), and was the brother of Simon Peter (Matt. 4:18; 10:2). On one occasion John the Baptist, whose disciple he then was, point...
    [isbe] ANDREW - an'-droo (Andreas, i.e. "manly." The name has also been interpreted as "the mighty one, or conqueror"): Andrew was the first called of the Twelve Apostles. I. In New Testament. 1. Early History and First Call: Andre...
    [smith] (manly), one of the apostles of our Lord, (John 1:40; Matthew 4:18) brother of Simon Peter. He was of Bethsaida, and had been a disciple of John the Baptist, leaving him to follow our Lord. By his means his brother Simon was ...
    [nave] ANDREW An apostle. A fisherman, Matt. 4:18. Of Bethsaida, John 1:44. A disciple of John, John 1:40. Finds Peter, his brother, and brings him to Jesus, John 1:40-42. Call of, Matt. 4:18; Mark 1:16. His name appears in th...

  • JOHN THE BAPTIST

    [isbe] JOHN THE BAPTIST - (Ioanes): I. SOURCES II. PARENTAGE III. EARLY LIFE IV. MINISTRY 1. The Scene 2. His First Appearance 3. His Dress and Manner 4. His Message 5. His Severity V. BAPTISM 1. Significance (1) Lustrations Requir...

  • JAMES

    [isbe] JAMES - jamz (Iacobos): English form of Jacob, and the name of 3 New Testament men of note: (1) The Son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve Apostles (ho tou Zebedaiou): A) The Son of Zebedee: I. In the New Testament. 1. Family Rel...

  • PHILOSOPHY

    [isbe] PHILOSOPHY - fi-los'-o-fi (philosophia): 1. Definition and Scope (1) Intuitive Philosophy Is Universal (2) Speculative Philosophy Belongs Mainly to Western Thought 2. Greek Philosophy 3. Philosophy in Old Testament and Judai...

  • PROLOGUE

    [isbe] PROLOGUE - pro'-log, prol'-og (prologos, "foreword," "preface," "introduction"): The word occurs in the preface to Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), and is commonly applied to Jn 1:1-18. See ECCLESIASTICUS; JOHN, GOSPEL OF.

  • JESUS CHRIST, 4B

    [isbe] JESUS CHRIST, 4B - B. THE EARLY JUDAEAN MINISTRY I. The Testimonies of the Baptist. 1. The Synoptics and John: While the Synoptics pass immediately from the temptation of Jesus to the ministry in Galilee the imprisonment of ...

  • Word, The

    [ebd] (Gr. Logos), one of the titles of our Lord, found only in the writings of John (John 1:1-14; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13). As such, Christ is the revealer of God. His office is to make God known. "No man hath seen God at any time...

  • Son of God

    [ebd] The plural, "sons of God," is used (Gen. 6:2, 4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stan...

  • OSTRACA

    [isbe] OSTRACA - os'-tra-ka: The word ostracon ("potsherd," Hebrew cheres) occurs in Job 2:8 (Septuagint), kai elaben ostrakon, "and he took him a potsherd." Earthen vessels were in universal use in antiquity (they are twice mentio...

  • Light

    [ebd] the offspring of the divine command (Gen. 1:3). "All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews und...
    [isbe] LIGHT - lit ('or, ma'or; phos; many other words): 1. Origin of Light 2. A Comprehensive Term (1) Natural Light (2) Artificial Light (3) Miraculous Light (4) Mental, Moral, Spiritual Light 3. An Attribute of Holiness (1) God ...
    [nave] LIGHT Created, Gen. 1:3-5; Psa. 74:16; Isa. 45:7; 2 Cor. 4:6. Miraculous, Matt. 17:2; Acts 9:3. Figurative and Symbolical 1 Kin. 11:36; Psa. 27:1; Psa. 119:105,130; Prov. 6:23; Eccl. 2:13; Isa. 8:20; Isa. 49:6; Isa. 58:8;...

  • CHRIST, OFFICES OF

    [isbe] CHRIST, OFFICES OF - of'-is-is. General Titles of our Lord I. CHRIST'S MEDIATION EXPRESSED IN THE SPECIFIC OFFICES Historical Review of the Theory II. THE THREEFOLD OFFICE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT The Failure of the Offices to S...

  • Logos

    [isbe] LOGOS - log'-os (logos): I. GREEK SPECULATION 1. Heraclitus 2. Anaxagoras 3. Plato 4. Aristotle 5. Stoics II. HEBREW ANTICIPATION OF DOCTRINE 1. Word as Revelation of God 2. Suggestions of Personal Distinctions in Deity 3. T...
    [nave] LOGOS Jesus, the Word John 1:1, 14; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 John 1:1; Rev. 19:13

  • Philip

    [ebd] lover of horses. (1.) One of the twelve apostles; a native of Bethsaida, "the city of Andrew and Peter" (John 1:44). He readily responded to the call of Jesus when first addressed to him (43), and forthwith brought Nathanael...
    [smith] (lover of horses) the apostle was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, (John 1:44) and apparently was among the Galilean peasants of that district who flocked to hear the preaching of the Baptist. The manner in which S...
    [nave] PHILIP 1. Brother of Herod and husband of Herodias, Matt. 14:3; Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19. 2. Tetrarch of Iturea, Luke 3:1. 3. One of the seven deacons, Acts 6:5. Successfully preaches in Samaria, Acts 8:4-14. Expounds the sc...
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Arts

Hymns

(Note: In "active" or "on" condition, the hymns music will be played automatically when mouse hover on a hymns title)
  • AnakDomba Allah [KJ.312a]
  • AnakDomba Allah [KJ.312b]
  • BagiMu Tuhan, Nyanyianku [KJ.8]
  • Bangunlah! Dengar Suara [KJ.276]
  • Berlayar Baht'ra Rahmat [KJ.89]
  • Berlutut di PalunganMu [KJ.115]
  • Bernyanyilah Merdu [KJ.106] ( Good Christian Men, Rejoice / In dulci jubilo )
  • Bukan oleh Raja Roma [KJ.135]
  • Bumi dan Langit, Pujilah [KJ.286] ( Praise to the Holiest in the Height )
  • Dari Terbitnya Surya T'rang [KJ.137]
  • Gapuramu Lapangkanlah [KJ.87]
  • Gita Sorga Bergema [KJ.99] ( Hark! The Herald Angels Sing )
  • Hai Kota Mungil Betlehem [KJ.94] ( O Little Town of Bethlehem )
  • Hai Mari Berhimpun [KJ.109] ( Adeste fideles / O Come, All Ye Faithful )
  • Haleluya, Pujilah [KJ.1]
  • Insan, Tangisi Dosamu [KJ.157]
  • Jurus'lamat, Datanglah [KJ.82]
  • Kau yang Lama Dinantikan [KJ.76]
  • Kau, Yesus, Raja Mahakaya [KJ.297]
  • Kiranya Langit Terbelah [KJ.80]
  • Kusongsong Bagaimana [KJ.85]
  • Lahir Kristus di Dunia [KJ.125]
  • Lihat Anak domba Allah [KJ.143]
  • Lihat Salib di atas Bukit Golgota [KJ.182]
  • Lihatlah Kayu Salib [KJ.180]
  • Mahaterpuji Allahku [KJ.79]
  • Malam Kudus [KJ.92] ( Silent Night / Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht )
  • Mari, Lihatlah Semua [KJ.114]
  • O Anakdomba Allah [KJ.311a]
  • O Anakdomba Allah [KJ.311b]
  • O Yesus Kristus, T'rang Baka [KJ.140]
  • O, Datanglah, Imanuel [KJ.81]
  • PadaMu, Tuhan dan Allahku [KJ.367]
  • Pencipta Bintang Semesta [KJ.86]
  • Sang Anak domba yang Kudus [KJ.160]
  • Sebelum Semua Jadi [KJ.136]
  • Sekarang, Tuhanku [KJ.128]
  • Selama Bumi Didiami [KJ.298]
  • Siapa Tergantung di Salib di Sana [KJ.173]
  • Sinar Fajar Yang Baka [KJ.323]
  • T'rang Bintang Fajar Berseri [KJ.139]
  • Takhta Mulia di Tempat Baka [KJ.108] ( Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne )
  • Terbitlah Bintang Timur [KJ.83]
  • Terbitlah dalam Kegelapan [KJ.107]
  • Tersalib dan Sengsara [KJ.166]
  • Tumbuhlah Tunas Baru [KJ.93]
  • Ya Allahku, di Cah'yaMu [KJ.25]
  • Ya Anak Kecil [KJ.105]
  • Ya Tuhan, pada Saat Dibaptiskan [KJ.307]
  • Ya Yesus, Dikau Kurindukan [KJ.84]
  • Yang Dipuji Kaum Gembala [KJ.116]
  • Yesus T'lah Datang [KJ.138]
  • [Joh 1:2] Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word
  • [Joh 1:3] All That’s Good, And Great, And True
  • [Joh 1:3] God Of Creation, All-powerful
  • [Joh 1:3] Jesus Is God!
  • [Joh 1:3] O Give Thanks To Him Who Made
  • [Joh 1:3] See The Gold Upon The Hills
  • [Joh 1:3] There’s Not A Tint That Paints The Rose
  • [Joh 1:4] Jesus, Thou Joy Of Loving Hearts
  • [Joh 1:12] He Gives The Power
  • [Joh 1:12] O God, Thou Art The Father
  • [Joh 1:14] Awake, Awake The Sacred Song
  • [Joh 1:14] Come, Thou Redeemer Of The Earth
  • [Joh 1:14] Life Which God’s Incarnate Word, The
  • [Joh 1:14] O Come, Redeemer Of Mankind
  • [Joh 1:14] O Word Of God Incarnate
  • [Joh 1:14] Savior Of The Heathen, Known
  • [Joh 1:14] Son Forsook The Father’s Home, The
  • [Joh 1:14] When Came In Flesh The Incarnate Word
  • [Joh 1:16] Lord, Thou Hast Promised Grace For Grace
  • [Joh 1:23] Herald, In The Wilderness
  • [Joh 1:23] On Jordan’s Bank The Baptist’s Cry
  • [Joh 1:23] There’s A Voice In The Wilderness Crying
  • [Joh 1:29] Behold! Behold The Lamb Of God
  • [Joh 1:29] Behold Him Now On Yonder Tree
  • [Joh 1:29] Behold The Glories Of The Lamb
  • [Joh 1:29] Behold The Lamb Of God
  • [Joh 1:29] Holy Lamb, Who Thee Confess
  • [Joh 1:29] Jesus, Lamb Of God, For Me
  • [Joh 1:29] Just As I Am, Without One Plea
  • [Joh 1:29] Lamb Of God! Our Souls Adore Thee
  • [Joh 1:29] O Jesus, Lamb Of God, Thou Art
  • [Joh 1:29] O Lamb Of God Most Holy (olsson)
  • [Joh 1:29] O Lamb Of God Most Holy (russell)
  • [Joh 1:29] O Lord Jesus, Lamb Of God
  • [Joh 1:29] Look To The Lamb Of God
  • [Joh 1:32] Like The Murmur Of The Dove’s Song
  • [Joh 1:34] Jesus, Son Of God Most High
  • [Joh 1:36] Gentle Jesus, Meek And Mild
  • [Joh 1:39] Jesus! Dear Name, How Sweet It Sounds!
  • [Joh 1:43] Behold, The Master Passeth By
  • [Joh 1:43] I Love To Walk With Jesus
  • [Joh 1:43] Light Of God Is Falling, The
  • [Joh 1:41] I’ve Found Him
  • [Joh 1:49] O Jesus, King Most Wonderful
  • [Joh 1:50] Press On, Press On, Ye Workers

Questions

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Sermon Illustrations

Definitions; How Jesus Interacted With People; Who Is Jesus Christ?; Regeneration; Types in the Bible; Names of Jesus; Trinity Explained; Why Did Jesus Die?; Why Did Jesus Die?; OT Pictures; Situation / Interpretation; One; Amos 5:18-19; Matthew 11:28; Called…; The Invitations of Christ; The Invitations of Christ; Redemption Means…; Inspiration; Salvation Is the Deliverance from Sin; Basis of Assurance; Trials of a Missionary; Course of the World; World (Kosmos); The Trinity, Acting in Unity; Called From and To; Things to Pray for; Hebrews 11:1-6; Logos; In the Flesh; A Definition; To Lean Your Whole Weight Upon; Our Obligation to God

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • There are three major views concerning the relationship of 1:1 to the rest of the creation account.1. Verse 1 describes an original creation of the universe. God began fashioning the earth as we know it in verse 2 or verse 3....
  • 1:3 The world came into being by God's word (cf. Ps. 33:9; Heb. 11:3). Each of the six creative days began with God speaking.55Jesus Christ, the Word of God, was the Creator (John 1:3). The theme of God's word (spoken, writte...
  • In obedience to God's command Abraham took his promised heir to Moriah to sacrifice him to the Lord. Because Abraham was willing to slay his uniquely begotten son God restrained him from killing Isaac and promised to bless hi...
  • Yahweh appeared at the top of an angel-filled stairway restating the promise to Abraham and adding more promises of blessing and protection for Jacob. The patriarch acknowledged God's presence, memorialized the place with a m...
  • The great contribution of this book is the revelation that Yahweh is the sovereign God who provides deliverance for man from the slavery in which he finds himself.The major teaching of Exodus is primarily threefold.1. The sov...
  • 4:19-23 Moses did not return immediately to Egypt when he arrived back in Midian following his encounter with God at Horeb (v. 19). God spoke to him again in Midian and sent him back to Egypt assuring His servant that everyon...
  • The Jews called their first month Abib (v. 2). After the Babylonian captivity they renamed it Nisan (Neh. 2:1; Esth. 3:7). It corresponds to our March-April. Abib means "ear-month"referring to the month when the grain was in ...
  • "The great event in chapter 24 is the climax of the Book of Exodus."41324:1-8 The remaining verses in this section contain God's directions to Moses personally. He, Aaron, Aaron's two eldest sons, and 70 of the elders of Isra...
  • Moses stayed in the heights of the mountain 40 days and nights while God gave him the stone tablets of the law and all the details of the tabernacle and its worship. Thus Moses was completely dependent on God. Now that Israel...
  • Adams, Dwayne H. "The Building Program that Works (Exodus 25:4--36:7 [31:1-11])."Exegesis and Exposition1:1 (Fall 1986):82-92.Aharoni, Yohanan. "Kadesh-Barnea and Mount Sinai."In God's Wilderness: Discoveries in Sinai, pp. 11...
  • Moses wrote Numbers (cf. Num. 1:1; 33:2; Matt. 8:4; 19:7; Luke 24:44; John 1:45; et al.). He evidently did so late in his life on the plains of Moab.1Moses evidently died close to 1406 B.C. since the Exodus happened about 144...
  • The context of this section is significant as usual. Verses 1-8 deal with people who ministered to Yahweh in various ways for the people, and verses 15-22 concern the delivery of God's revelations to His people. Verses 9-14 c...
  • These verses show how David had captured the affection of many Israelites by his victory over Goliath. Successful military heroes still do so today. Notwithstanding David's popularity, not everyone was ready to join David's f...
  • Messiah would meet certain qualifications (vv. 2-3a) and would rule with absolute justice (vv. 3b-5) with the result that people would live in peace (vv. 6-9)11:1 The prophet had just described Assyria cut down like a forest ...
  • The first strophe of this poem (vv. 1-2) sets the tone for the rest of the chapter and for the rest of the book. It is an introduction to an introduction. In spite of affliction that lay ahead for the Judahites, God's ultimat...
  • How is it clear that Yahweh and not the idols directs world history? Yahweh alone can predict the future and then bring it to pass (41:21-29). Since Yahweh is the God of Israel, does He have any regard for the Gentile nations...
  • "The first [biographical Servant] Song was a word from the Lord to the world about his Servant: Your plight is known, my Servant will deal with it' [42:1-4]; but the second [autobiographical] Song is the Servant's testimony h...
  • Expositors have called this chapter the holy of holies of Isaiah. It is also the middle chapter in part two of the book (chs. 40-66). Most of the approximately 80 references to Isaiah in the New Testament come from this chapt...
  • Isaiah continued the sheep metaphor but applied it to the Servant to contrast sinful people and their innocent substitute. Here it is not the sheep's tendency to get lost but its nondefensive nature that is the characteristic...
  • This final stanza gives the explanation for the Servant's submissive suffering for sinners and so completes the song.53:10 The apparent miscarriage of justice just described (v. 9) would not be what it would appear to be. It ...
  • Light would dawn on Israel, and as a result the Gentiles would seek her out.60:1 God had called Israel to be a light to the nations (43:10), but presently she was darkness (56:9-57:13; 59:1-15a). The Lord had promised that He...
  • It seemed to Isaiah's audience that the promises in chapter 60 could hardly come to pass since the Babylonian exile was still ahead of them. The Lord assured them that He would surely fulfill these promises."Much of this chap...
  • "Having described the exaltation of Zion and her enlargement through the influx of the Gentiles, the prophet turns to describe the destruction of Zion's enemies."701"The oracle is most dramatic. The only OT passage that in an...
  • The composition and structure of Jeremiah, discussed below, have led many scholars to conclude that an editor or editors (redactors) probably put the book in its final form. Many conservatives, however, believe that Jeremiah ...
  • Having given a true prophecy about the future, Jeremiah proceeded to announce God's judgment on the false prophets who were misleading His people with false prophecies (cf. v. 1). This section consists of six different messag...
  • "The setting of the Mesopotamian dream-visions--which occurred in both the Assyrian period and the Babylonian period . . . --consisted of four elements: (1) the date, (2) the place of reception, (3) the recipient, and (4) the...
  • Instructions (statutes) designed to maintain holiness in the new temple follow. The Lord specified how His people were to construct the new altar to accommodate sacrifices (43:13-17) and how they were to dedicate it (43:18-27...
  • 7:13 Daniel again saw something happening in heaven. One like a son of man was brought before the Ancient of Days. The angelic attendants in heaven's court probably ushered Him forward. This description glorifies the Ancient ...
  • 2:10-11 The Israelites in Jerusalem and elsewhere were to rejoice because the Lord promised to intervene for them and to dwell among them. His return to Jerusalem would prompt the nations to come there and acknowledge Him as ...
  • That another oracle is in view is clear from the question and answer format that begins this pericope, as it does the others. Verse 17 contains the question and answer, and the discussion follows in 3:1-6. The Israelites' cha...
  • The final three verses of the book, which are also the final message in the Old Testament, are sufficiently different from what immediately precedes to indicate another message from Malachi. Essentially Malachi said, Be prepa...
  • The first sentence in this pericope (section) serves as a title for the section, as the sentence in verse 1 did for 1:1-17. Matthew recorded the supernatural birth of Jesus to demonstrate further His qualification as Israel's...
  • Matthew concluded his selective account of the events in Jesus' childhood that demonstrated His messiahship and illustrated various reactions to Him with Jesus' return to Israel.2:19-20 God's sovereign initiative is again the...
  • Jesus' baptism was the occasion at which His messiahship became obvious publicly. Matthew recorded this event as he did to convince his readers further of Jesus' messianic qualifications.3:13-14 John hesitated to baptize Jesu...
  • Comparison of John's Gospel and Matthew's shows that Jesus ministered for about a year before John the Baptist's arrest. John had criticized Herod Antipas for having an adulterous relationship with his brother Philip's wife (...
  • The calling of these four men shows Jesus' authority over people. The response of these disciples was appropriate in view of their summons by the King. They obeyed "immediately"(vv. 20, 22).4:18-20 The Hebrews referred to lak...
  • It was natural for Jesus to explain His view of the Old Testament since He would shortly proceed to interpret it to His hearers.5:17 Some of the Jews may have already concluded that Jesus was a radical who was discarding the ...
  • 14:1-2 "At that time"is again a loose connective not intended to communicate chronological sequence necessarily. Herod Antipas lived primarily at Tiberias on the west shore of Lake Galilee.579Word about Jesus' ministry reache...
  • 16:13 The district of Caesarea Philippi lay 25 miles north of Galilee. Its inhabitants were mainly Gentiles. Herod Philip II, the tetrarch of the region, had enlarged a smaller town on the site at the foot of Mt. Hermon.619He...
  • 16:18 "I say to you"(cf. 5:18, 20, 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44; 8:10) may imply that Jesus would continue the revelation the Father had begun. However the phrase occurs elsewhere where that contrast is not in view. Undoubtedly it ...
  • Matthew evidently included this instruction because the marriage relationships of His disciples were important factors in their effective ministries. Jesus clarified God's will for His disciples that was different from the co...
  • The three parables in this series are similar to three concentric circles in their scope. The scope of the parable of the two sons encompassed Israel's leaders (21:28-32). The parable of the wicked tenant farmers exposed the ...
  • Mark next recorded two events that immediately preceded the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, His baptism and His temptation. The first of these events signaled His appearing as Messiah and His induction into that office. ...
  • Mark omitted Jesus' year of early Judean ministry (John 1:15-4:42), as did the other Synoptic evangelists. He began his account of Jesus' ministry of service in Galilee, northern Israel (1:14-6:6a). Because of increasing oppo...
  • The account of the calling of these first disciples clarifies that to repent and believe the gospel (v. 15) should result in abandoning one's former life to follow Jesus from then on. This is the appropriate response that Mar...
  • Even though Mark had already reported that Jesus had exorcized many demons, this case was extraordinary.5:1 Mark and Luke called this area the country of the Gerasenes, but Matthew called it the country of the Gadarenes. Gerg...
  • The healing of the deaf man with the speech impediment resulted in a confession of Jesus' greatness that fell short of identifying Him as God (7:37). The healing of the blind man was the incident that God used to open the dis...
  • 3:1-2 Luke made detailed reference to the time when John commenced his ministry to document the reliability of his Gospel.116Only the reference to Tiberius is necessary to date the beginning of John's ministry that shortly pr...
  • Essentially John called his hearers to change their minds about their relationship to God and to demonstrate the genuineness of their repentance with righteous conduct (vv. 7-14). He also promoted Jesus (vv. 15-17). Only Luke...
  • Luke's account of this incident is the longest of the three. Luke stressed Peter and omitted any reference to Andrew, his brother (Matt. 4:18; Mark 1:16). He characteristically focussed on single individuals that Jesus' touch...
  • Luke omitted several incidents here that the other evangelists included (Matt. 14:22-16:12; Mark 6:45-8:26; John 6:16-66). By doing so, he tied the questions of Herod and the multitude about Jesus' identity with Peter's answe...
  • The writer of this Gospel did not identify himself as such in the text. This is true of all the Gospel evangelists. Nevertheless there is evidence within this Gospel as well as in the writings of the church fathers that the w...
  • John's presentation of Jesus in his Gospel has been a problem to many modern students of the New Testament. Some regard it as the greatest problem in current New Testament studies.15Compared to the Synoptics that present Jesu...
  • In one sense the Gospel of John is more profound than the Synoptics. It is the most difficult Gospel for most expositors to preach and to teach for reasons that will become evident as we study it. In another sense, however, t...
  • I. Prologue 1:1-18A. The preincarnate Word 1:1-5B. The witness of John the Baptist 1:6-8C. The appearance of the Light 1:9-13D. The incarnation of the Word 1:14-18II. Jesus' public ministry 1:19-12:50A. The prelude to Jesus' ...
  • Each of the four Gospels begins with an introduction to Jesus that places Him in the historical setting of His earthly ministry. Matthew connected Him with David and Abraham. Mark associated Him directly with John the Baptist...
  • John began his Gospel by locating Jesus before the beginning of His ministry, before His virgin birth, and even before Creation. He identified Jesus as co-existent with God the Father and the Father's agent in providing creat...
  • John the Apostle introduced John the Baptist because John the Baptist bore witness to the light, namely Jesus. John the Baptist was both a model evangelist pointing those in darkness to the light and a model witness providing...
  • The first section of the prologue (vv. 1-5) presents the preincarnate Word. The second section (vv. 6-8) identifies the forerunner of the Word's earthly ministry. This third section introduces the ministry of the Incarnate Wo...
  • John's return to the Word in verse 14 from verse 1 introduces new revelation about Him. Though still part of the prologue, the present section focuses on the Incarnation of the Word.1:14 The Word, who existed equal with God b...
  • The first part of the body of John's Gospel records Jesus' public ministry to the multitudes in Palestine who were primarily Jewish. Some writers have called this section of the Gospel "the book of signs"because it features s...
  • The writer recorded John the Baptist's witness to Jesus' identity as preparation for his narration of Jesus' public ministry. He was the first of the Apostle John's witnesses to the Incarnation.Previously the writer had menti...
  • John the Baptist continued his witness to Jesus' identity by identifying Him publicly as the Lamb of God. This witness is a crucial part of the writer's purpose of promoting faith in Jesus.1:29 The very next day John saw Jesu...
  • The writer now turned his attention from John the Baptist's witness to Jesus to record the reactions of some men to Jesus' witness. Two of John the Baptist's disciples left him to follow Jesus when they heard John's testimony...
  • The disciples of John were not the only men who began following Jesus. Andrew continued to bring other friends to Jesus. This incident preceded Jesus' formal appointment of the Twelve, but it shows Him preparing those who wou...
  • The first miracle that Jesus performed, in His public ministry and in John's Gospel, was semi-public. Apparently only Jesus' disciples, the servants present, and Jesus' mother understood what had happened.2:1 The third day ev...
  • The Synoptics record Jesus' cleansing of the temple after His triumphal entry (Matt. 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-16; Luke 19:45-46). Only John noted this cleansing of the temple at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The differences b...
  • John now presented evidence that Jesus knew people as no others did and that many believed in His name (2:23). This constitutes further witness that He is the Son of God. John summarized several conversations that Jesus had w...
  • The writer next noted the parallel ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus in Judea. John the Baptist readily confessed Jesus' superiority to him even though they were both doing the same things. This was further testimony t...
  • This pericope explains why Jesus must become greater. It also unites several themes that appear through chapter 3. John the Apostle or John the Baptist may be the speaker. This is not entirely clear.3:31-32 The incarnate Son ...
  • There are several connections between this section and the preceding ones that provide continuity. One is the continuation of water as a symbol (cf. 2:6; 3:5; 4:10-15). Another is the continuation of conversation in which Jes...
  • The response of the Samaritans to Jesus was considerably more positive than the response of the Jews had been (1:11; 2:23-25). This would prove true as Jesus' ministry continued to progress.4:39 Harvesting followed the arriva...
  • John again bridged the gap between important events in his narrative with a transitional explanation of how Jesus moved from one site to another (cf. 2:12; 4:1-3). John typically focused on clusters of events in Jesus' minist...
  • This incident completes a cycle in John's Gospel. Jesus performed His first sign in Cana (2:1), and now He returned and did another miracle there (v. 46). There is even a second reference to Capernaum (2:12; 4:46). John's acc...
  • "In chapters 1-4 the subject is described from the standpoint of a spectator, ab extra, and we are thus enabled to see something of the impression created on others by our Lord as He deals with individuals in Jerusalem, Samar...
  • The preceding controversy resulted in Jesus clarifying His relationship to His Father further. Jesus proceeded to reply to His enemies' charge that He was not equal with God the Father. This is the most thoroughgoing statemen...
  • Jesus now returned to develop a theme that He had introduced previously, namely the Father's testimony to the Son (vv. 19-20). Jesus proceeded to cite five witnesses to His identity, all of which came from the Father, since t...
  • The importance of this sign is clear in that all four Gospels contain an account of it. Apparently John was familiar with the other evangelists' versions of this miracle as well as being an eyewitness of the event. His story ...
  • Jesus proceeded to clarify His identity by teaching the crowds and His disciples. He did so by developing the figure of the Bread of Life, which He claimed to be. Jesus used the feeding of the 5,000 as a basis for explaining ...
  • This section of the text contains Jesus' enigmatic and attractive description of the Bread of Life. Jesus was whetting His hearers' appetites for it (cf. 4:10). The pericope ends with their asking Him to give them the Bread (...
  • Jesus' claim to be the Bread of Life that had come down from heaven was something His hearers found hard to accept. Consequently Jesus clarified what He meant further.6:41-42 Some of Jesus' hearers had known Him all His life....
  • "John 7 has three time divisions: before the feast (vv. 1-10), in the midst of the feast (vv. 11-36), and on the last day of the feast (vv. 37-52). The responses during each of those periods can be characterized by three word...
  • 7:10 Jesus proceeded to Jerusalem shortly after his half-brothers did because the Father led Him to go then. He did not herald His arrival with great publicity, as His brothers had recommended, but went without fanfare. If He...
  • 7:14 Toward the middle of the week Jesus began teaching publicly in the temple. This verse sets the scene for what follows immediately.7:15 It was quite common for Jewish males to read and write. The people do not appear to h...
  • 7:25-26 Though many of the Jewish pilgrims in the temple courtyard did not realize how antagonistic the religious leaders were to Jesus (v. 20), some of the locals did. They marvelled that Jesus was speaking out publicly and ...
  • The textual authenticity of this pericope is highly questionable. Most ancient Greek manuscripts dating before the sixth century do not contain it. However, over 900 ancient manuscripts do contain it including the important e...
  • Following Jesus' claim to be the water of life (7:37-38) official opposition against Him intensified considerably. The following sections of this Gospel trace this rising opposition. While some believed on Jesus, most of His ...
  • 8:12 The context of the events in this paragraph continues to be the temple during the feast of Tabernacles (v. 20, cf. 7:14). Jesus was speaking to the Jews who had assembled there some of whom were residents of Jerusalem an...
  • Jesus next addressed those in His audience who had expressed some faith Him (v. 30).8:31 The mark of a true disciple is continuation in the instructions of his or her teacher. A disciple is by definition a learner, not necess...
  • "John evidently wants us to see that the activity of Jesus as the Light of the world inevitably results in judgment on those whose natural habitat is darkness. They oppose the Light and they bring down condemnation on themsel...
  • The Pharisees, who considered themselves enlightened, now tried to badger the formerly blind man into denying that he saw the light.9:24 The Pharisees now questioned the healed man again. They had already decided that Jesus w...
  • "John is interested in the way the coming of Jesus divides people."3479:35 The healed man had responded positively and courageously to the light that he had so far, but he did not have much light. Therefore Jesus took the ini...
  • The difference between this teaching and Jesus' parables in the Synoptics now becomes clearer. Jesus proceeded to compare Himself to the pen gate as well as to the Shepherd. He also described Himself leading His sheep into th...
  • 10:31-33 Clearly the Jews understood Jesus to be claiming more than simple agreement with God in thought and purpose but equality with the Father as deity. They prepared to stone Him for blasphemy.370They believed Jesus was b...
  • 10:40 John presented Jesus' departure from Jerusalem as the result of official rejection of Him. The event had symbolic significance that the evangelist probably intended. Jesus withdrew the opportunity for salvation from the...
  • Jesus had presented Himself as the Water of Life, the Bread of Life, and the Light of Life. Now He revealed Himself as the resurrection and the life. This was the seventh and last of Jesus' miraculous signs that John recorded...
  • In this pericope John stressed Jesus' deliberate purpose in allowing Lazarus to die and the reality of his death.11:1-2 "Lazarus"probably is a variant of "Eleazar"meaning "God helps."379The Synoptic writers did not mention hi...
  • The scene now shifts from the region near Bethany of Perea (1:28; 10:40) to the Bethany in Judea. Both towns became sites where people believed on Jesus.11:17 There is some evidence that the later Jewish rabbis believed that ...
  • Jesus proceeded to vindicate His claim that He was the One who would raise the dead and provide life (v. 25).11:38 Jesus again felt the same angry emotion as He approached Lazarus' tomb (cf. v. 33). Tombs cut into the limesto...
  • In contrast to the hatred that the religious leaders manifested stands the love that Mary demonstrated toward the One she had come to believe in. Her act of sacrificial devotion is a model for all true disciples. This is the ...
  • The importance of this incident in Jesus' ministry is evident from the fact that all four Gospel evangelists recorded it. Matthew and Mark placed this event before Mary's anointing of Jesus in Simon's house (vv. 1-8). However...
  • 12:20 The New Testament writers frequently referred to any Gentiles who came from the Greek-speaking world as Greeks (cf. 7:35; et al.). We do not know where the Gentiles in this incident came from. They could have lived in o...
  • 12:37-38 The majority of the Jews did not believe on Jesus despite the many miracles that He performed that indicated His messiahship (cf. 1:11). John again attributed Israel's unbelief to God's will, though he balanced that ...
  • John added Jesus' words that follow as a climactic appeal to his readers to believe on Jesus. This exhortation summarizes and restates some of the major points that John recorded Jesus teaching earlier. These themes include f...
  • "In the Synoptic account of the events of this evening we read of a dispute among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. John does not record this, but he tells of an action of Jesus that rebuked their lack ...
  • Jesus had spoken only briefly about His betrayal until now (cf. 6:70; 13:10, 18). Now He gave the Twelve more specific information.13:21-22 The prospect of His imminent betrayal and death upset Jesus visibly (Gr. etarachthe, ...
  • 14:5 Thomas voiced the disciples' continuing confusion about Jesus' destination. Apparently the "Father's house"did not clearly identify heaven to them. Without a clear understanding of the final destination they could not be...
  • 14:8 The Eleven regarded Jesus very highly. Notwithstanding they did not yet realize that He was such an accurate and full revelation of God the Father that to see Jesus was to see the Father. Philip asked for a clear revelat...
  • At the end of His answer to Peter's question (13:36), Jesus moved the conversation back to the general theme of preparation for His departure (v. 4). He did the same thing after answering Philip's question (v. 8). Obedience t...
  • Jesus realized that the Eleven did not fully understand what He had just revealed. He therefore encouraged them with a promise that they would understand His words later.14:25-26 Jesus had made these revelations to His discip...
  • Jesus often used a grapevine to describe the nation of Israel (cf. Matt. 20:1-16; 21:23-41; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 13:6-9; 20:9-16). The vine as a symbol of Israel appears on coins of the Maccabees.474Here Jesus used the vine meta...
  • Jesus proceeded to expound further on some of the themes that He had introduced in His teaching on the vine and the branches (vv. 1-8). The subject moves generally from the believing disciple's relationship with God to his or...
  • 16:5 Jesus again pointed out that the revelation of His departure had made the disciples sad rather than happy. They had little interest in where He was going. What concerned them was the sorrow that His departure produced fo...
  • 16:25 "These things I have spoken unto you"(NASB) indicates another transition in the discourse (cf. 14:25; 16:1, 4, 33; 17:1). Jesus acknowledged that He had not been giving direct answers to His disciples' questions. He had...
  • 17:1 "These things Jesus spoke"(NASB, Gr. tauta elalesen Iesous) clearly connects what follows with what Jesus had just been saying (cf. 14:25; 16:1, 4, 25, 33). Lifting up the eyes to heaven indicated prayer, as did Jesus' w...
  • 17:11b The title "Holy Father"appears only here in the fourth Gospel and is a reminder of both aspects of God's nature. It balances ideas of ultimate purity with intimate paternity and so prepares for what lies ahead, namely ...
  • 17:17 "To sanctify"(Gr. hagiazo) means to set apart for God's service (cf. Exod. 28:41; Jer. 1:5). Jesus is the perfect example of a sanctified person. He devoted Himself completely and consistently to God's will for Him. San...
  • Having heard the Jews' charges, Pilate returned to the inside of his headquarters and began interrogating Jesus. His questioning centered on the issue of Jesus' kingship.18:33 The Jews' accusations motivated Pilate's question...
  • There is quite a bit of unique material in this pericope. This includes the details of the Roman soldiers' abuse of Jesus (vv. 1-5) and the situation that Pilate's learning that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God instigated (...
  • This pericope is unique to the fourth Gospel.19:31 The "day of preparation"was Friday, the day before the Sabbath (Saturday, cf. v. 14; Mark 15:42). The Jews considered sundown the beginning of a new day. In this case the new...
  • This is the first of four of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances that John included in his Gospel.Jesus' Post-resurrection Appearances627Easter morningto Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:10-18)to other women (Matt. 28:9...
  • This pericope contains another post-resurrection appearance of Jesus that bolstered the disciples' faith. It also contains John's account of the Great Commission.20:19 John moved his readers directly from the events of Easter...
  • 20:26 John located this post-resurrection appearance eight days after Easter Sunday, namely the following Sunday. His "eight days"(Gr. hemeras okto) evidently included both Sundays. Perhaps he identified the day because, by t...
  • This Gospel began with a theological prologue (1:1-18). It ends with a practical epilogue. John concluded his narrative designed to bring unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ in chapter 20. Chapter 21 contains instruction for...
  • 21:1 John recorded still another post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to His disciples. It undoubtedly occurred during the 32-day period between Thomas' confession (20:28) and Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:9). Exactly when is uni...
  • Jesus now proceeded to use the miracle that He had just performed as the background for important instruction. John presented Jesus doing this many times in this Gospel. The repetition of this pattern in the epilogue is an ev...
  • Some commentators refer to this ending as a colophon.690However, it is more similar to a postscript because it contains only hints of the writer's identity. Mainly it claims that this Gospel is a reliable though limited recor...
  • Allen, Ronald B. "Affirming Right-of-Way on Ancient Paths."Bibliotheca Sacra153:609 (January-March 1996):3-11.Ante-Nicene Christian Library: Translations of the Writings of the Fathers. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James D...
  • 2:14-15 Peter, again representing the apostles (cf. 1:15), addressed the assembled crowd. He probably gave this speech in the Temple outer courtyard (the court of the Gentiles). He probably spoke in the vernacular, Aramaic or...
  • 3:17-18 If Peter's charges against his hearers were harsh (vv. 13-15), his concession that they acted out of ignorance was tender. Peter undoubtedly hoped that his gentle approach would win a reversal of his hearers' attitude...
  • Stephen's understanding of Moses was as orthodox as his view of God, but his presentation of Moses' career made comparison with Jesus' career unmistakable. As in the previous pericope, there is a double emphasis in this one, ...
  • This is the first of two incidents taken from Paul's ministry in Ephesus that bracket Luke's description of his general ministry there.19:1-2 Two roads led into Ephesus from the east, and Paul travelled the northern, more dir...
  • 7:1 "Those who know law"--the article "the"before "law"is absent in the Greek text--were Paul's Roman readers. They lived in the capital of the empire where officials debated, enacted, and enforced laws. They of all people we...
  • The apostle developed the fact that God will not lose one whom He has foreknown in this climactic section, and he gloried in this great truth."Nowhere in the annals of sacred literature do we find anything to match the power ...
  • The reason for Israel's failure mentioned in 9:32-33, namely her rejection of Christ, led Paul to amplify that subject further in this section.10:1 This pericope opens with Paul returning to his feelings of compassionate conc...
  • The surface manifestation of this serious problem was the party spirit that had developed. Members of the church were appreciating their favorite leaders too much and not appreciating the others enough. This was really a mani...
  • Paul resumed his discussion of knowledge after digressing briefly in verses 2 and 3 to comment on the superiority of love over knowledge.8:4 In this verse Paul returned to the original subject of eating meals in idol temples ...
  • This salutation contains the three elements common in all of Paul's epistles and other correspondence of his day: the writer, the addressees, and a greeting."This salutation exhibits undoubted resemblances in form to secular ...
  • "If the keyword in vv. 7-11 is glory,' the keyword for vv. 12-18, of which vv. 12-15 form the first part, is veil'; veil'-related words occur six times in these verses."1283:12 The hope to which Paul referred was the confiden...
  • 4:1 Paul now returned to the theme of being a minister of the New Covenant (3:6). Since we have a ministry in which the Spirit opens people's eyes and transforms their characters we can feel encouraged. Our job is not simply ...
  • The apostle warned his readers not to think that they could satisfy the demands of the Mosaic Law by obeying only a few of its commands. Only complete compliance satisfies its demands.5:1 Paul's readers were in danger of retu...
  • This paragraph is the most important one in the epistle and the most difficult to interpret."By anyone's reckoning, 2:6-11 constitutes the single most significant block of material in Philippians."582:5 Paul introduced an ill...
  • Paul proceeded to deal with a significant group of antagonists that the Philippians faced.3:2 Jesus and other prophets used the term "dogs"to refer to opponents of God's truth (Matt. 7:6; cf. Deut. 23:18; 1 Sam. 17:43; 24:14;...
  • The concept of "image"involves three things: likeness (Christ is the exact likeness of God, a mirror image [cf. Heb. 1:3]), representation (Christ represents God to us), and manifestation (Christ makes God known to us [cf. Jo...
  • "First-born"(Gr. prototokos) may denote either priority in time or supremacy in rank (cf. v. 18; Exod. 4:22; Ps. 89:27; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 1:15). It may also denote both of these qualities. Both seem to be in view here...
  • Paul revealed what his readers enjoyed in Christ in this pericope to encourage them to remain faithful to the true revelation they had received and believed."The apostle now makes his most direct attack against the Colossian ...
  • Having revealed what believers have in Christ, Paul next pointed out the errors of the false teachers more specifically to help his readers identify and reject their instruction."Sad to say, there are many Christians who actu...
  • The writer began his epistle with an affirmation of Jesus Christ's greatness to introduce his readers to his subject. This section is one sentence in the Greek text. It contrasts God's old revelation with the new, specificall...
  • "The author steadily develops his argument that Jesus is supremely great. He is greater than the angels, the author of a great salvation, and great enough to become man to accomplish it. Now the author turns his attention to ...
  • James next introduced an objection to his thesis that faith is dead without works. He put it in the mouth of a hypothetical objector. This literary device of objection and response was a common one that Paul also used (Rom. 9...
  • Peter began this epistle in the manner that was customary in this day.9He introduced himself and his original readers, and he wished God's blessing on them to prepare them for what he had to say. He prepared them for dealing ...
  • "This writing begins without any of the formal features characteristic of a letter, such as we found in 2 John and 3 John. Since the conclusion also lacks any typical features of a letter, we must conclude that the writing is...
  • John began his explanation of what it means to live in the light by emphasizing that God is light.1:5 This verse provides a basis for what follows in verses 6-10. It gives the standard against which the three following Christ...
  • John continued a structural pattern that he established in the previous section (vv. 6-7) in which he used pairs of clauses to present a false assertion followed by his correction.1:8 This second claim (cf. v. 6) is more seri...
  • This section introduces John's recapitulation and expansion of his exposition of what is necessary for people to have fellowship with God. He changed his figure from God as light to God as the Father of the believer."John beg...
  • 4:7 Love, as well as faith (i.e., acknowledging the true doctrine of Christ, vv. 1-6), is a product of God's Spirit. The believer (one "born of God") who also "knows"God (i.e., has intimate fellowship with Him) loves (cf. 2:3...
  • 4:11 That demonstration of love by God is our model for showing love to others. As God manifested love in (among) us then by sending Jesus Christ, so He manifests His love among us now as we love one another (vv. 12-13).4:12 ...
  • Here John set out his fifth and final condition for living as children of God (cf. 2:18-29)."We canbelieve, and therefore we shouldmaintain the faith."162In the previous section (4:7-5:4) John wove together the themes of fait...
  • The first chapter contains a prologue to the book, which is similar to the one in John 1:1-18, the prologue to John's Gospel (cf. 1 John 1:1-4). It also relates a vision that God gave John that prepared him for what follows. ...
  • The Apostle John wrote these opening verses to introduce to his readers the main subject dealt with in this book and his purpose for writing it.1:1 "The revelation of Jesus Christ"is the subject of this book. "Revelation"mean...
  • The last of the seven cities (modern Eski-hisar, "the old fortress") lay about 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia and 90 miles east of Ephesus. It was a wealthy town that specialized in banking, producing black woolen cloth, ...
  • 5:6 As with our dreams, John's vision contained some unusual features. John saw the Messiah as a Lamb.229The Lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ at His first advent, meek and submissive to a sacrificial death as our substitute (...
  • This pericope furnishes the plot for the drama that unfolds in the rest of the chapter.12:1 John saw a "sign,"something that signified or represented something else (cf. v. 3; 13:13-14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:29). Usually John used ...
  • On the one hand, the return of Jesus Christ to the earth is the climax of all that has preceded. On the other, it is the first of seven final things that John saw and recorded. These things were Christ's return, Satan's captu...
  • 21:2 In the same vision, John next saw a city descending out of heaven from God (cf. v. 10; 3:12; Heb. 11:13-16). It was holy in contrast to the former Jerusalem (cf. 11:8; Isa. 52:1; Matt. 4:5; 27:53). As the old Jerusalem w...
  • 22:8 John resumed addressing the reader, which he had not done since 1:1, 4, and 9. He affirmed the angel's words that the prophecy was genuine. He himself had heard and had seen the things that he had recorded (cf. Dan. 8:15...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14. But John forbad Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? 15. And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so ...
  • Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, He departed into Galilee; 13. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14. That it m...
  • The call of the first four disciples is so told as to make prominent these points: the brotherhood of the two pairs; their occupation at the moment of their call; the brief, authoritative word of Christ; His investiture of th...
  • The introduction of Jesus is somewhat less abrupt than that of John; but if we remember whom Mark believed Him to be, the quiet words which tell of His first appearance are sufficiently remarkable. There is no mention of His ...
  • And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. 7. But Jesus withdrew Himself with His disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed H...
  • In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. 4. In Him was lif...
  • He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.'--John 1:8.He was a burning and a shining light; and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in His light.'--John 5:35.MY two texts both refer to John the Bap...
  • The Word dwelt among us.'--John 1:14.He that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them.'--Rev. 7:15.Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.' --Rev. 22:3.THE word rendered dwelt,' in these th...
  • And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.'--John 1:10.WHAT a remarkable claim that is which the Apostle here makes for his Master! On the one side he sets His solitary figure as the universal Giver; on the...
  • Consider, then, again, the many receivers from the one Source. Of His fulness have all we received.'Observe, we are not told definitely what it is that we receive. If we refer back to words in a previous verse, they may put u...
  • The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.' John 1:17.THERE are scarcely any traces, in the writings of the Apostle John, of that great controversy as to the relation of the Law and the Gospel which...
  • The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'--John 1:29.OUR Lord, on returning from His temptation in the wilderness, came straight to John the Bap...
  • And the two disciples heard Him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye! They said unto Him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where ...
  • One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 4...
  • The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow Me.'--John 1:43.THE day following', we have a diary in this chapter and the next, extending from the day when John the Baptis...
  • Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth. the son of Joseph. 46. And Nathanael said unto him. Can there any good thing come out ...
  • Jesus answered and said unto him. Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51. And He saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say onto you, Hereafter ye shal...
  • And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2. And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage. 3. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him,...
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