Archive for the ‘Part 2’ Category
PART 2
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008Map of Decapolis
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
12. Coming of John the Baptist
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
2It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold I send my messenger before you, who shall prepare your way,
3the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for our God.’”
4And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesara—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee,b his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lasanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
1In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
4Now John wore a garment of camels’ hair, and a leather girdle around his waist;c and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
(Mk. 1:2–4; Lk. 3:1–2; Mt. 3:1–2, 4–6)
a “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar”—Augustus Caesar adopted Tiberius Caesar as his son and made him co-emperor in the provinces in the latter part of AD 11, two and one-half years before his (Augustus’) death in AD 14. Therefore the fifteenth year of Tiberius’ rule in the province of Palestine would have been AD 25–26. In this way we may date John’s ministry at AD 25–26.
b “Herod, tetrarch of Galilee”—Herod Antipas was made ruler of Galilee at his father’s (Herod the Great) death in the spring of 4 BC. (See also Ch. 9, fn. c)
c “Now John wore a garment of camels’ hair, and a leather girdle around his waist;”—Compare John’s mode of dress with the description of the legendary Elijah as found in 2 Kings 1:8: “He wore a garment of haircloth, with a girdle of leather about his loins.” John not only dressed like Elijah; he also adopted Elijah’s method of direct and blunt attack upon the sin and evil of his generation.
Elijah appears to have been John’s ideal of a prophet; and Jesus, in speaking of John, once referred to him as Elijah. (See also Ch. 15, fn. a; Ch. 65; and fns. b and c of Ch. 65.)
Mk. 1:2 Isaiah 40:3 • It / As it (RSV) • before you, who / before thy face, who (RSV) • prepare your way / prepare thy way (RSV)
Mk. 1:3 Isaiah 40:3 • ‘Make ready the / ‘Prepare the (RSV) • make straight a highway for our God’” (Is. 40:3) / make his paths straight’” (RSV)
Mk. 1:4 And so John (NIV) / John (RSV) • the Baptist appeared / the baptizer appeared (RSV)
Lk. 3:1 Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor / Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor (RSV) • Judea, Herod tetrarch / Judea, and Herod being tetrarch (RSV) • Galilee, his / Galilee and his (RSV)
Lk. 3:2 of Zacharias, in (KJV) / of Zechariah, in (RSV)
Mt. 3:1 Judea, saying, “Repent / Judea, “Repent (RSV) (135:6/1501–2)
17
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesara—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee,b his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lasanias tetrarch of Abilene— 2in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
1In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
4Now John wore a garment of camels’ hair, and a leather girdle around his waist;c and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
(Mk. 1:2–4; Lk. 3:1–2; Mt. 3:1–2, 4–6)
a “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar”—Augustus Caesar adopted Tiberius Caesar as his son and made him co-emperor in the provinces in the latter part of AD 11, two and one-half years before his (Augustus’) death in AD 14. Therefore the fifteenth year of Tiberius’ rule in the province of Palestine would have been AD 25–26. In this way we may date John’s ministry at AD 25–26.
b “Herod, tetrarch of Galilee”—Herod Antipas was made ruler of Galilee at his father’s (Herod the Great) death in the spring of 4 BC. (See also Ch. 9, fn. c)
c “Now John wore a garment of camels’ hair, and a leather girdle around his waist;”—Compare John’s mode of dress with the description of the legendary Elijah as found in 2 Kings 1:8: “He wore a garment of haircloth, with a girdle of leather about his loins.” John not only dressed like Elijah; he also adopted Elijah’s method of direct and blunt attack upon the sin and evil of his generation.
Elijah appears to have been John’s ideal of a prophet; and Jesus, in speaking of John, once referred to him as Elijah. (See also Ch. 15, fn. a; Ch. 65; and fns. b and c of Ch. 65.)
Mk. 1:2 Isaiah 40:3 • It / As it (RSV) • before you, who / before thy face, who (RSV) • prepare your way / prepare thy way (RSV)
Mk. 1:3 Isaiah 40:3 • ‘Make ready the / ‘Prepare the (RSV) • make straight a highway for our God’” (Is. 40:3) / make his paths straight’” (RSV)
Mk. 1:4 And so John (NIV) / John (RSV) • the Baptist appeared / the baptizer appeared (RSV)
Lk. 3:1 Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor / Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor (RSV) • Judea, Herod tetrarch / Judea, and Herod being tetrarch (RSV) • Galilee, his / Galilee and his (RSV)
Lk. 3:2 of Zacharias, in (KJV) / of Zechariah, in (RSV)
Mt. 3:1 Judea, saying, “Repent / Judea, “Repent (RSV) (135:6/1501–2)
13. John’s Teachings
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
19The Jews sent priests and Levitesa from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
22They said to him then, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for our God,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 28This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan where John was baptizing.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduceesb come for baptism, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth fruit that befits repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10And the multitudes asked him, “What then shall we do?”
11And he answered them, “He who has two coats let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
12Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
13And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”
14Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?”
And he said unto them: “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
(Jn. 1:19, 22, 23, 28; Mt. 3:7–10; Lk. 3:10–14) (continued)
a “Levites”—The descendants of Levi who maintained the temple and provided the temple music. They were also in charge of providing the money changing that took place in the temple courts.
b “Pharisees and Sadducees"—The scribes and rabbis taken together formed a religious party known as the Pharisees. Although they were sticklers for living according to the “law,” they were more progressive than the other Jewish religious groups. They held many beliefs not clearly taught in the Hebrew Scripture, such as belief in the resurrection of the dead—a doctrine only mentioned by the later prophet Daniel.
The Sadducees were composed of the priests and certain wealthy Jews. They were a Jewish religious party that dominated Judea’s highest ruling body—the Sanhedrin. It was principally the Sadducees who plotted and brought about the death of Jesus.
Jn. 1:19 The / And this is the testimony of John when the (RSV)
Jn. 1:23 Isaiah 40:3 • wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for our God,’ as (Is. 40:3) / wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as (RSV)
Mt. 3:8 Bring forth fruit (NAS) / Bear fruit (RSV) (135:6/1502–3)
18
23He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for our God,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 28This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan where John was baptizing.
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduceesb come for baptism, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth fruit that befits repentance. 9And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10And the multitudes asked him, “What then shall we do?”
11And he answered them, “He who has two coats let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”
12Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”
13And he said to them, “Collect no more than is appointed you.”
14Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?”
And he said unto them: “Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
(Jn. 1:19, 22, 23, 28; Mt. 3:7–10; Lk. 3:10–14) (continued)
a “Levites”—The descendants of Levi who maintained the temple and provided the temple music. They were also in charge of providing the money changing that took place in the temple courts.
b “Pharisees and Sadducees"—The scribes and rabbis taken together formed a religious party known as the Pharisees. Although they were sticklers for living according to the “law,” they were more progressive than the other Jewish religious groups. They held many beliefs not clearly taught in the Hebrew Scripture, such as belief in the resurrection of the dead—a doctrine only mentioned by the later prophet Daniel.
The Sadducees were composed of the priests and certain wealthy Jews. They were a Jewish religious party that dominated Judea’s highest ruling body—the Sanhedrin. It was principally the Sadducees who plotted and brought about the death of Jesus.
Jn. 1:19 The / And this is the testimony of John when the (RSV)
Jn. 1:23 Isaiah 40:3 • wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for our God,’ as (Is. 40:3) / wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as (RSV)
Mt. 3:8 Bring forth fruit (NAS) / Bear fruit (RSV) (135:6/1502–3)
13. John’s Teachings (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
15The people were all waiting expectantly, and all were wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.c
16John answered them all: “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.d
17His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”
(Lk. 3:15–17)
c “Messiah.”—In ancient times oils were expensive and were used for ceremonial purposes, as well as to cleanse and protect the skin. Kings were anointed with holy oil at their coronation to show that they were consecrated to God. The term “messiah” comes from the Hebrew “mashi'ah” and means literally anointed one.
The Jews held many conflicting ideas about an expected deliverer, but they all agreed he was to be the Messiah, the Anointed One. The rabbis had gathered many passages from scripture that they believed were prophetic of a coming Messiah who would deliver them from bondage.
To the Jews the Messiah was more than a prophet—one who taught God's will or proclaimed the necessity for righteous living. The Messiah was to bring about the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth. This was to be a righteous kingdom in which God, through the Messiah, ruled the nations on earth just as he already ruled in heaven. For the Jews, the coming of the Messiah signified the establishment of a divine world rule on earth, with its capital at Jerusalem.
The gospels were written in Greek and the Greek word for Messiah is Christ. In this restatement the word Christ is rendered as Messiah, Deliverer, or Christ, depending on the context.
d “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”—Here John contrasts his baptism with water, an outward rite, to Jesus' baptism with the Holy Spirit, an inner change of mind and heart.
Lk. 3:15 NIV • the Messiah. (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ. (NIV)
Lk. 3:16 Spirit. / Spirit and with fire. (RSV) (135:7/1503)
19
(Lk. 3:15–17)
c “Messiah.”—In ancient times oils were expensive and were used for ceremonial purposes, as well as to cleanse and protect the skin. Kings were anointed with holy oil at their coronation to show that they were consecrated to God. The term “messiah” comes from the Hebrew “mashi'ah” and means literally anointed one.
The Jews held many conflicting ideas about an expected deliverer, but they all agreed he was to be the Messiah, the Anointed One. The rabbis had gathered many passages from scripture that they believed were prophetic of a coming Messiah who would deliver them from bondage.
To the Jews the Messiah was more than a prophet—one who taught God's will or proclaimed the necessity for righteous living. The Messiah was to bring about the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth. This was to be a righteous kingdom in which God, through the Messiah, ruled the nations on earth just as he already ruled in heaven. For the Jews, the coming of the Messiah signified the establishment of a divine world rule on earth, with its capital at Jerusalem.
The gospels were written in Greek and the Greek word for Messiah is Christ. In this restatement the word Christ is rendered as Messiah, Deliverer, or Christ, depending on the context.
d “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”—Here John contrasts his baptism with water, an outward rite, to Jesus' baptism with the Holy Spirit, an inner change of mind and heart.
Lk. 3:15 NIV • the Messiah. (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ. (NIV)
Lk. 3:16 Spirit. / Spirit and with fire. (RSV) (135:7/1503)
14. The Baptism of Jesus
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14But John tried to prevent him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by you. Why do you come to me?"
15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for it is fitting." Then he consented.
16And when Jesus was baptized,a behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; 17and lo, a voice from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness.
(Mt. 3:13–17; 4:1)
a "And when Jesus was baptized,"—John's ministry took place "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar," which would be AD 25–26. (Ch. 12 and fn. a) If Jesus were baptized in AD 26 and if he were born in August—September 7 BC (Ch. 5, fn. a; and Ch. 7, fns. b and e), Jesus would have been around 32 years old when he received John's baptism. This conclusion is consistent with Luke's statement (Ch. 17, Lk. 3:23) that Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry (which followed soon after his baptism).
Mt. 3:14 NAS • you. Why do / you, and do (NAS)
Mt. 3:15 for it / for thus it (RSV) • fitting." / fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." (RSV)
Mt. 3:16 baptized, behold, / baptized, he went up immediately from the water and behold, (RSV) • and lighting upon (KJV) / and alighting upon (RSV)
Mt. 3:17 Son in whom (KJV) / Son with whom (RSV)
Mt. 4:1 wilderness. / wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (RSV) (135:8/1503–4)
20
15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for it is fitting." Then he consented.
16And when Jesus was baptized,a behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him; 17and lo, a voice from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness.
(Mt. 3:13–17; 4:1)
a "And when Jesus was baptized,"—John's ministry took place "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar," which would be AD 25–26. (Ch. 12 and fn. a) If Jesus were baptized in AD 26 and if he were born in August—September 7 BC (Ch. 5, fn. a; and Ch. 7, fns. b and e), Jesus would have been around 32 years old when he received John's baptism. This conclusion is consistent with Luke's statement (Ch. 17, Lk. 3:23) that Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry (which followed soon after his baptism).
Mt. 3:14 NAS • you. Why do / you, and do (NAS)
Mt. 3:15 for it / for thus it (RSV) • fitting." / fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." (RSV)
Mt. 3:16 baptized, behold, / baptized, he went up immediately from the water and behold, (RSV) • and lighting upon (KJV) / and alighting upon (RSV)
Mt. 3:17 Son in whom (KJV) / Son with whom (RSV)
Mt. 4:1 wilderness. / wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (RSV) (135:8/1503–4)
15. Testimony of John
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
19And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20He confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”
21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”a
“Are you the prophet?”b
And he answered, “No.”
24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”
26John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you, though you do not know him, stands one who is to come after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
(Jn. 1:19–21, 24–26)
a “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not."—Here John denies that he is Elijah. But why then did he dress in the manner of the legendary Elijah? (See Ch.12, fn. c.)
Just as the Jews believed that the Messiah would come to deliver them (Ch. 13, fn. c) they also believed that Elijah the prophet would come to prepare the way for the promised deliverer. They looked to the prophecy of Malachi: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the hearts of the fathers toward their children and the hearts of the children toward their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Mal. 4:5–6) John must have reasoned that, if this prophecy applied to Jesus as the Messiah, then he, as Jesus' advance messenger, must be the Elijah of the prophecy. Perhaps this led him to style himself after Israel's first great prophet.
And indeed Jesus later on affirms that John is the second Elijah in his role as the forerunner of Jesus. (See Ch. 29, fn. a and Ch. 65, fn. c.)
b “Are you the prophet?"—The prophet promised by Moses: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from among your brethren—him you shall heed.” And the Lord said to me, “I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15, 17–18)
Jn. 1:19 priests from / priests and Levites from (RSV)
Jn. 1:20 confessed, “I / confessed, he did not deny, “I (RSV) • the Messiah.” (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ.” (RSV)
Jn. 1:24 the Messiah, nor (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ, nor (RSV)
Jn. 1:26 you, though you do not know him, stands one who is to come after / you, stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after (RSV) (135:9/1505)
21
20He confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”
21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”a
“Are you the prophet?”b
And he answered, “No.”
24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”
26John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you, though you do not know him, stands one who is to come after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
(Jn. 1:19–21, 24–26)
a “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not."—Here John denies that he is Elijah. But why then did he dress in the manner of the legendary Elijah? (See Ch.12, fn. c.)
Just as the Jews believed that the Messiah would come to deliver them (Ch. 13, fn. c) they also believed that Elijah the prophet would come to prepare the way for the promised deliverer. They looked to the prophecy of Malachi: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the hearts of the fathers toward their children and the hearts of the children toward their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” (Mal. 4:5–6) John must have reasoned that, if this prophecy applied to Jesus as the Messiah, then he, as Jesus' advance messenger, must be the Elijah of the prophecy. Perhaps this led him to style himself after Israel's first great prophet.
And indeed Jesus later on affirms that John is the second Elijah in his role as the forerunner of Jesus. (See Ch. 29, fn. a and Ch. 65, fn. c.)
b “Are you the prophet?"—The prophet promised by Moses: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from among your brethren—him you shall heed.” And the Lord said to me, “I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15, 17–18)
Jn. 1:19 priests from / priests and Levites from (RSV)
Jn. 1:20 confessed, “I / confessed, he did not deny, “I (RSV) • the Messiah.” (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ.” (RSV)
Jn. 1:24 the Messiah, nor (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ, nor (RSV)
Jn. 1:26 you, though you do not know him, stands one who is to come after / you, stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after (RSV) (135:9/1505)
16. Return of Jesus; Further Testimony of John
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
29John saw Jesus cominga toward him and said,
30“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.'
31For this cause I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.
34And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."b
(Jn. 1:29–32, 34)
a “John saw Jesus coming”—Jesus is returning from the wilderness after his baptism by John.
b “I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”—At Jesus' baptism John heard the voice of God saying: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Ch. 14, Mt. 3:17)
Jn. 1:29 John saw / The next day he saw (RSV)
Jn. 1:31 For this cause I / but for this I (RSV) (135:9/1505–6)
22
(Jn. 1:29–32, 34)
a “John saw Jesus coming”—Jesus is returning from the wilderness after his baptism by John.
b “I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”—At Jesus' baptism John heard the voice of God saying: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (Ch. 14, Mt. 3:17)
Jn. 1:29 John saw / The next day he saw (RSV)
Jn. 1:31 For this cause I / but for this I (RSV) (135:9/1505–6)
17. Choosing the First Apostles
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
23Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age.a
40One of the two who heard John speak,b and followed Jesus, was Andrew. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).c 42He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John; you shall be called Cephas”d (which translated means Peter).
43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathaniel, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him and said of him, “Behold a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
(Lk. 3:23; Jn. 1:40–47)
a “Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age.”—If Jesus were born in 7 BC he would have been around 32 years of age at John's baptism, which marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. (See Ch. 5, fn. a, and Ch. 14, fn. a.)
b “heard John speak,"—Heard John's testimony concerning Jesus. (See Ch. 16.)
c “Messiah (which means Christ).”—See Ch. 13, fn. c.
d “you shall be called Cephas”—Cephas is the Aramaic word for rock (its Greek form is Peter). Jesus knew the dangers of thoughtless speech and action in the work of the kingdom; perhaps he is seeking to temper Peter's impulsive nature with a name that suggests steadiness and solidity.
Lk. 3:23 age. / age, being the son of... (RSV)
Jn. 1:40 followed Jesus, was / followed him, was (RSV)
Jn. 1:42 NAS
Jn. 1:47 "Behold a true Israelite in (NIV) / “Behold an Israelite indeed in (RSV) • no deceit.” (TCNT) / no guile.” (RSV) (137:1,2/1524–7)
23
40One of the two who heard John speak,b and followed Jesus, was Andrew. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).c 42He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John; you shall be called Cephas”d (which translated means Peter).
43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathaniel, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46Nathaniel said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him and said of him, “Behold a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
(Lk. 3:23; Jn. 1:40–47)
a “Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age.”—If Jesus were born in 7 BC he would have been around 32 years of age at John's baptism, which marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. (See Ch. 5, fn. a, and Ch. 14, fn. a.)
b “heard John speak,"—Heard John's testimony concerning Jesus. (See Ch. 16.)
c “Messiah (which means Christ).”—See Ch. 13, fn. c.
d “you shall be called Cephas”—Cephas is the Aramaic word for rock (its Greek form is Peter). Jesus knew the dangers of thoughtless speech and action in the work of the kingdom; perhaps he is seeking to temper Peter's impulsive nature with a name that suggests steadiness and solidity.
Lk. 3:23 age. / age, being the son of... (RSV)
Jn. 1:40 followed Jesus, was / followed him, was (RSV)
Jn. 1:42 NAS
Jn. 1:47 "Behold a true Israelite in (NIV) / “Behold an Israelite indeed in (RSV) • no deceit.” (TCNT) / no guile.” (RSV) (137:1,2/1524–7)
Map of Galilee 2
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
18. The Wedding at Cana; Tarrying in Galilee
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1On the third daya there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
2Jesus was also invited to the marriage, with his disciples.
3When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
4And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what has that to do with me? My time has not yet come.”
5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6Nearby stood six stone water pots, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 9When the steward of the feast tasted the water, now become wine, and did not know where it came from, the steward of the feast called the bridegroom, 10and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”
11This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12After this he went down to Capernaum with his disciples.
13He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulum and Naphtali.b 14And what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: 15“Land of Zebulum and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
(Jn. 2:1–6, 9–12; Mt. 4:13–16)
a “On the third day”—After the return of Jesus to John's camp. (See Ch. 16.)
b “Zebulum and Naphtali”—Ancient names for the territory of Galilee.
Jn. 2:4 what has that to / what have you to (RSV)
Jn. 2:6 NIV
Jn. 2:9 from, the / from (although the servants who had drawn the water knew), the (RSV)
Jn. 2:12 his disciples. / his mother and his brothers and his disciples. (RSV)
Mt. 4:13 He / and leaving Nazareth he (RSV)
Mt. 4:14 Isaiah 9:1–2 • And what / that what (RSV) • Isaiah was fulfilled: / Isaiah might be fulfilled: (RSV) (137:3–5/1527–31)
25
4And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what has that to do with me? My time has not yet come.”
5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6Nearby stood six stone water pots, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 9When the steward of the feast tasted the water, now become wine, and did not know where it came from, the steward of the feast called the bridegroom, 10and said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”
11This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
12After this he went down to Capernaum with his disciples.
13He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulum and Naphtali.b 14And what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: 15“Land of Zebulum and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—16the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
(Jn. 2:1–6, 9–12; Mt. 4:13–16)
a “On the third day”—After the return of Jesus to John's camp. (See Ch. 16.)
b “Zebulum and Naphtali”—Ancient names for the territory of Galilee.
Jn. 2:4 what has that to / what have you to (RSV)
Jn. 2:6 NIV
Jn. 2:9 from, the / from (although the servants who had drawn the water knew), the (RSV)
Jn. 2:12 his disciples. / his mother and his brothers and his disciples. (RSV)
Mt. 4:13 He / and leaving Nazareth he (RSV)
Mt. 4:14 Isaiah 9:1–2 • And what / that what (RSV) • Isaiah was fulfilled: / Isaiah might be fulfilled: (RSV) (137:3–5/1527–31)
19. Calling of Matthew; Banquet at His House
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
9Jesus saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax office and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
10And as he sat at table in the house behold many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are whole need not a physician, but those who are sick. 13For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
(Mt. 9:9–13)
Mt. 9:9 Jesus saw / As Jesus passed on from there he saw (RSV)
Mt. 9:12 are whole need not a (KJV) / are well have no need of a (RSV) (138:3/1540–1)
(Mk. 3:14; Mt. 10:2–4)
a “And he ordained twelve whom also he named apostles,”—The word apostle comes from the Greek to send, and refers to the twelve men that Jesus chose as his personal associates and sent forth as messengers of his gospel of the kingdom.
Mk. 3:14 KJV • twelve whom also he named apostles, that (RSV) / twelve, that (KJV)
Mt. 10:3 Bartholomew (Nathaniel); (John 1:45–47) / Bartholomew; (RSV) • Thaddeus (Judas); (Lk. 6:16) / Thaddeus; (RSV)
Mt. 10:4 Simon the Zealot, and (Lk. 6:15) / Simon the Cananaean, and (RSV) (139/1548–67)
26
10And as he sat at table in the house behold many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are whole need not a physician, but those who are sick. 13For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
(Mt. 9:9–13)
Mt. 9:9 Jesus saw / As Jesus passed on from there he saw (RSV)
Mt. 9:12 are whole need not a (KJV) / are well have no need of a (RSV) (138:3/1540–1)
20. Choosing of the Twelve
(Mk. 3:14; Mt. 10:2–4)
a “And he ordained twelve whom also he named apostles,”—The word apostle comes from the Greek to send, and refers to the twelve men that Jesus chose as his personal associates and sent forth as messengers of his gospel of the kingdom.
Mk. 3:14 KJV • twelve whom also he named apostles, that (RSV) / twelve, that (KJV)
Mt. 10:3 Bartholomew (Nathaniel); (John 1:45–47) / Bartholomew; (RSV) • Thaddeus (Judas); (Lk. 6:16) / Thaddeus; (RSV)
Mt. 10:4 Simon the Zealot, and (Lk. 6:15) / Simon the Cananaean, and (RSV) (139/1548–67)
21. Herod Arrests John
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
19But when Herod the tetrarch was reproved by John on account of Herodias, his brother's wife, and on account of all the wicked things which Herod had done,
20he added this also to them all: he locked up John in prison.
26And John's disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, everyone is going to him.”a
27John answered:“No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves bear me witness that I said I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent before him. 29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now full. 30He must increase but I must decrease. 31He who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. 34He whom God has sent utters the words of God; for it is not by measure that He gives the spirit. 35The Father loves the Son and has given all things to his hand. 36He who believes in the Son has eternal life.”
(Lk. 3:19–20; Jn. 3:26–31, 34–36)
a “everyone is going to him.”—(Summary of recent events) John the Baptist began his short but eventful career as a preacher of righteousness around AD 25. He came as a forerunner of Jesus, urging others to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
John attracts great crowds and baptizes many for the remission of sins in the river Jordan. At the height of John's popularity, Jesus leaves Galilee and journeys to where John is baptizing. Jesus would have been around 32 years of age at this time. Jesus is baptized by John who protests, “I need to be baptized by you. Why do you come to me?”
When Jesus is baptized the heavens open and God's spirit descends like a dove and lights on Jesus, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” After his baptism Jesus is immediately led away into the wilderness for a time of communion and the likely planning of his impending public career.
When Jesus returns to John's camp, John sees him and bears witness to his followers: “I saw the spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Several of John's followers who heard John's testimony become the first disciples of Jesus; they are Andrew, his brother Simon Peter, and probably James and John Zebedee. Jesus and his early followers leave John's camp and return to Galilee; the party comes across Philip and Nathaniel, and they also decide to follow Jesus.
Back in Galilee, Jesus and the first six disciples attend a wedding at Cana. Here Jesus performs his first miracle—the turning of the water into wine.
Jesus next calls Matthew, who becomes the seventh disciple; Jesus chooses five more followers to be with him and preach the gospel; they are known as the 12 apostles. Their early work is well received; when Herod arrests John his disciples come to him in prison and report, “everyone is going to him.” John replies, “He must increase but I must decrease.”
Following this early work Jesus calls the apostles together and preaches his great “Sermon on the Mount.” He then ordains them as preachers of the kingdom (next section).
Lk. 3:19 NASB • by John on / by him on (NASB)
Jn. 3:26 And John's disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi / And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi • witness, everyone is going to him (NIV) / witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him (RSV)
Jn. 3:28 the Messiah, but (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ, but (RSV) (135:10,11/1506–7)
27
26And John's disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, everyone is going to him.”a
27John answered:“No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves bear me witness that I said I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent before him. 29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore, this joy of mine is now full. 30He must increase but I must decrease. 31He who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks; he who comes from heaven is above all. 34He whom God has sent utters the words of God; for it is not by measure that He gives the spirit. 35The Father loves the Son and has given all things to his hand. 36He who believes in the Son has eternal life.”
(Lk. 3:19–20; Jn. 3:26–31, 34–36)
a “everyone is going to him.”—(Summary of recent events) John the Baptist began his short but eventful career as a preacher of righteousness around AD 25. He came as a forerunner of Jesus, urging others to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
John attracts great crowds and baptizes many for the remission of sins in the river Jordan. At the height of John's popularity, Jesus leaves Galilee and journeys to where John is baptizing. Jesus would have been around 32 years of age at this time. Jesus is baptized by John who protests, “I need to be baptized by you. Why do you come to me?”
When Jesus is baptized the heavens open and God's spirit descends like a dove and lights on Jesus, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” After his baptism Jesus is immediately led away into the wilderness for a time of communion and the likely planning of his impending public career.
When Jesus returns to John's camp, John sees him and bears witness to his followers: “I saw the spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Several of John's followers who heard John's testimony become the first disciples of Jesus; they are Andrew, his brother Simon Peter, and probably James and John Zebedee. Jesus and his early followers leave John's camp and return to Galilee; the party comes across Philip and Nathaniel, and they also decide to follow Jesus.
Back in Galilee, Jesus and the first six disciples attend a wedding at Cana. Here Jesus performs his first miracle—the turning of the water into wine.
Jesus next calls Matthew, who becomes the seventh disciple; Jesus chooses five more followers to be with him and preach the gospel; they are known as the 12 apostles. Their early work is well received; when Herod arrests John his disciples come to him in prison and report, “everyone is going to him.” John replies, “He must increase but I must decrease.”
Following this early work Jesus calls the apostles together and preaches his great “Sermon on the Mount.” He then ordains them as preachers of the kingdom (next section).
Lk. 3:19 NASB • by John on / by him on (NASB)
Jn. 3:26 And John's disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi / And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi • witness, everyone is going to him (NIV) / witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him (RSV)
Jn. 3:28 the Messiah, but (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ, but (RSV) (135:10,11/1506–7)
22. The Sermon on the Mount
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in the boat with Zebedee, their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciplesa came to him.b 2And he opened his mouth and taught them saying:
3“Happy are the poor in spiritc [the humble], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
6“Happy are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
5“Happy are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
8“Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
(Mt. 4:18–22; 5:1–3, 6, 5, 8) (continued)
a “his disciples”—Here “disciples” refers to Jesus' twelve chosen apostles. The term “disciple” means student or follower. In the gospels, it is used in two ways: in general it refers to a follower of Jesus, but it is also often used to refer specifically to Jesus' apostles as in Matthew 10:1, “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority...”
b "Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him.”—In this context “his disciples” refers to the twelve apostles. (See fn. a, above.)
This verse tells us that Jesus, in order to get away from the crowds, led his apostles up a nearby mountain. Here he imparted special instructions to his chosen followers.
The “Sermon on the Mount” contains much more of Jesus' instruction, and on a wider range of subjects, than any other recorded episode. It may be viewed as a summary statement of Jesus' personal philosophy of living.
Such concentrated teaching would hardly have been comprehensible to the general public, and these words are most fittingly viewed as directed exclusively to Jesus' chosen apostles at the time of their ordination as messengers of the gospel of the kingdom. This is confirmed later in this passage when Jesus describes those who are hearing his words (the apostles) in this way: “You are the salt of the earth.” “You are the light of the world.” (Mt. 5:13–14; page 29)
c “Happy are the poor in spirit”—This teaching is well illustrated by Jesus' parable of The Pharisee and the Publican (Ch. 99). The Pharisee felt rich in spirit—egotistical, while the publican felt poor in spirit—humble. The publican was approved by God.
Mt. 5:3–8 Happy are (TEV) / Blessed are (RSV)
Mt. 5:3 spirit [the humble], for (AB) / spirit, for (RSV)
Mt. 5:6 are they who (KJV) / are those who (RSV) (140:0,3/1568,70)
28
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciplesa came to him.b 2And he opened his mouth and taught them saying:
3“Happy are the poor in spiritc [the humble], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
6“Happy are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
5“Happy are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
8“Happy are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
(Mt. 4:18–22; 5:1–3, 6, 5, 8) (continued)
a “his disciples”—Here “disciples” refers to Jesus' twelve chosen apostles. The term “disciple” means student or follower. In the gospels, it is used in two ways: in general it refers to a follower of Jesus, but it is also often used to refer specifically to Jesus' apostles as in Matthew 10:1, “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority...”
b "Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him.”—In this context “his disciples” refers to the twelve apostles. (See fn. a, above.)
This verse tells us that Jesus, in order to get away from the crowds, led his apostles up a nearby mountain. Here he imparted special instructions to his chosen followers.
The “Sermon on the Mount” contains much more of Jesus' instruction, and on a wider range of subjects, than any other recorded episode. It may be viewed as a summary statement of Jesus' personal philosophy of living.
Such concentrated teaching would hardly have been comprehensible to the general public, and these words are most fittingly viewed as directed exclusively to Jesus' chosen apostles at the time of their ordination as messengers of the gospel of the kingdom. This is confirmed later in this passage when Jesus describes those who are hearing his words (the apostles) in this way: “You are the salt of the earth.” “You are the light of the world.” (Mt. 5:13–14; page 29)
c “Happy are the poor in spirit”—This teaching is well illustrated by Jesus' parable of The Pharisee and the Publican (Ch. 99). The Pharisee felt rich in spirit—egotistical, while the publican felt poor in spirit—humble. The publican was approved by God.
Mt. 5:3–8 Happy are (TEV) / Blessed are (RSV)
Mt. 5:3 spirit [the humble], for (AB) / spirit, for (RSV)
Mt. 5:6 are they who (KJV) / are those who (RSV) (140:0,3/1568,70)
22. The Sermon on the Mount (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
4“Happy are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
7“Happy are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
9“Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”
10“Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Happy are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”d
13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.”
14“You are the light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and be led to glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
(Mt. 5:4, 7, 9–16) (continued)
d These eight beatitudes of Jesus teach faith and love. They may be divided into two groups.
The first set gives expression to four basic faith attitudes taught by Jesus. They involve being poor in spirit (humble toward God), hungering after righteousness (craving spiritual endowments), enduring meekness (cooperating with God—“your will be done”), and being pure in heart (trusting and sincere).
Those who have attained these faith attitudes are able to react to others with love—with tenderheartedness and sympathy ("they who mourn"), and with mercy (loving kindness and the urge to relieve suffering), to function as peacemakers (promoting a peaceful resolution of conflicts), and to endure persecutions for righteousness' sake. (“Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends.”) This love that Jesus taught is like that of an ideal parent—a fatherly affection that is even greater than brotherly love.
The faith and love that Jesus reveals in these beatitudes strengthen moral character and create true happiness.
Mt. 5:4–11 Happy are (TEV) / Blessed are (RSV) • are they who (KJV) / are those who (RSV)
Mt. 5:9 called the sons (KJV) / called sons (RSV)
Mt. 5:11 men shall revile (KJV) / men revile (RSV) • and shall say all manner of evil (KJV) / and utter all kinds of evil (RSV) • falsely. / falsely for my sake. (RSV)
Mt. 5:12 (KJV) • heaven. / heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (KJV) (140:3/1570–1)
29
7“Happy are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
9“Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”
10“Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Happy are you when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”d
13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its savor wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.”
14“You are the light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and be led to glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
(Mt. 5:4, 7, 9–16) (continued)
d These eight beatitudes of Jesus teach faith and love. They may be divided into two groups.
The first set gives expression to four basic faith attitudes taught by Jesus. They involve being poor in spirit (humble toward God), hungering after righteousness (craving spiritual endowments), enduring meekness (cooperating with God—“your will be done”), and being pure in heart (trusting and sincere).
Those who have attained these faith attitudes are able to react to others with love—with tenderheartedness and sympathy ("they who mourn"), and with mercy (loving kindness and the urge to relieve suffering), to function as peacemakers (promoting a peaceful resolution of conflicts), and to endure persecutions for righteousness' sake. (“Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends.”) This love that Jesus taught is like that of an ideal parent—a fatherly affection that is even greater than brotherly love.
The faith and love that Jesus reveals in these beatitudes strengthen moral character and create true happiness.
Mt. 5:4–11 Happy are (TEV) / Blessed are (RSV) • are they who (KJV) / are those who (RSV)
Mt. 5:9 called the sons (KJV) / called sons (RSV)
Mt. 5:11 men shall revile (KJV) / men revile (RSV) • and shall say all manner of evil (KJV) / and utter all kinds of evil (RSV) • falsely. / falsely for my sake. (RSV)
Mt. 5:12 (KJV) • heaven. / heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (KJV) (140:3/1570–1)
22. The Sermon on the Mount (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
39“Do not resist evil.e If anyone smites you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40And if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well.
41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.”
27“I say to you: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you. 31And as you wish that men would do to you, do you also to them.”
45“Your Father in heaven makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 36Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 48Be you therefore perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
1“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2For with what judgment you judge you shall be judged,f and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is a log in your own eye? 5First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”
39“Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into a pit? 6Give not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you.”
(Mt. 5:39–41; Lk. 6:27–28, 31; Mt. 5:45; Lk. 6:36; Mt. 5:48; 7:1–2, 4–5; Lk. 6:39; Mt. 17:6) (continued)
e “Do not resist evil.”—As ambassadors of the Father's kingdom, the apostles are not to forcibly resist evil and injustice.
We may react to evil in three basic ways: We may return evil for evil; this way is active, but not righteous. Or we may choose to suffer evil without complaint; this way avoids doing evil to others, but it is totally passive. Jesus taught a third way—to return good for evil, the positive and righteous method. The Master challenges us to overcome evil with the potent force of good.
f “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge you shall be judged,”—By judging others, we set up a standard to which we will be held. By not judging, we leave our judgment in God's just and merciful hands. When we do judge, we are called to exhibit mercy. (“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful”—Lk. 6:36.) At the end of our lives, we will all seek merciful judgment from God; therefore are we also required to show mercy to others.
Mt. 5:39 Do / But I say to you, do (RSV) • If anyone smites you / But if anyone strikes you (RSV)
Lk. 6:27 I / But I (RSV) • you: Love / you that hear, Love (RSV)
Lk. 6:28 you, and pray / you, pray (RSV) • who despitefully use you (KJV) / who abuse you. (RSV)
Lk. 6:31 do you also to them (KJV) / do so to them (RSV)
Mt. 5:45 Your Father in heaven (Mt. 5:45) / for he (RSV) • sun to rise (KJV) / sun rise (RSV)
Mt. 5:48 Be you therefore perfect, even as (KJV) / You therefore must be perfect as (RSV)
Mt. 7:2 (KJV) • you (RSV) / ye (KJV)
Mt. 7:4 How / Or how (KJV)
Mt. 7:5 First / You hypocrite, first (RSV)
Lk. 6:39 (KJV) • Can / And he spake a parable unto them, Can (KJV) • into a pit? (RSV) / into the ditch? (KJV)
Mt. 7:6 (KJV) • holy to dogs, neither cast your pearls / holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls (KJV) (140:3/1570–1)
30
27“I say to you: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you. 31And as you wish that men would do to you, do you also to them.”
45“Your Father in heaven makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 36Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 48Be you therefore perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
1“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2For with what judgment you judge you shall be judged,f and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again. 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is a log in your own eye? 5First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”
39“Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into a pit? 6Give not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you.”
(Mt. 5:39–41; Lk. 6:27–28, 31; Mt. 5:45; Lk. 6:36; Mt. 5:48; 7:1–2, 4–5; Lk. 6:39; Mt. 17:6) (continued)
e “Do not resist evil.”—As ambassadors of the Father's kingdom, the apostles are not to forcibly resist evil and injustice.
We may react to evil in three basic ways: We may return evil for evil; this way is active, but not righteous. Or we may choose to suffer evil without complaint; this way avoids doing evil to others, but it is totally passive. Jesus taught a third way—to return good for evil, the positive and righteous method. The Master challenges us to overcome evil with the potent force of good.
f “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge you shall be judged,”—By judging others, we set up a standard to which we will be held. By not judging, we leave our judgment in God's just and merciful hands. When we do judge, we are called to exhibit mercy. (“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful”—Lk. 6:36.) At the end of our lives, we will all seek merciful judgment from God; therefore are we also required to show mercy to others.
Mt. 5:39 Do / But I say to you, do (RSV) • If anyone smites you / But if anyone strikes you (RSV)
Lk. 6:27 I / But I (RSV) • you: Love / you that hear, Love (RSV)
Lk. 6:28 you, and pray / you, pray (RSV) • who despitefully use you (KJV) / who abuse you. (RSV)
Lk. 6:31 do you also to them (KJV) / do so to them (RSV)
Mt. 5:45 Your Father in heaven (Mt. 5:45) / for he (RSV) • sun to rise (KJV) / sun rise (RSV)
Mt. 5:48 Be you therefore perfect, even as (KJV) / You therefore must be perfect as (RSV)
Mt. 7:2 (KJV) • you (RSV) / ye (KJV)
Mt. 7:4 How / Or how (KJV)
Mt. 7:5 First / You hypocrite, first (RSV)
Lk. 6:39 (KJV) • Can / And he spake a parable unto them, Can (KJV) • into a pit? (RSV) / into the ditch? (KJV)
Mt. 7:6 (KJV) • holy to dogs, neither cast your pearls / holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls (KJV) (140:3/1570–1)
22. The Sermon on the Mount (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
15“Beware of false prophets who will come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are as ravenousg wolves.
16You will know them by their fruits.h Do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
17Even so, every good tree brings forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bears evil fruit.
18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.”
21“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but rather he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.i 22On that dayj many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name and do many mighty works in your name?' 23And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who are evil doers!' 24But everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.”
(Mt. 7:15–19, 21–24)
g “ravenous"—1. devouring with voracious eagerness (nations ravenous as wolves) 2. urgently eager for food; craving for satisfaction or gratification (ravenous appetite). (Webster's, p. 1887)
h “You will know them by their fruits.”—Some of the fruits of the spirit are: “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance.” (Gal. 5:22–23) (KJV)
i “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but rather he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”—Here Jesus reveals the essence of life in the kingdom—the doing of the Father's will. In his teachings the kingdom of God is the will of God. This is most clearly revealed in the prayer he taught his followers, “Your kingdom come; your will be done.” (Ch. 28, Mt. 6:10) This major emphasis on the voluntary conformity of our will to God's will (“your will be done”) was a new and unique feature of the Master's teachings.
Jesus contrasts this true concept with false ideas of what is required for entrance into the kingdom. It is not enough to call Jesus “Lord,” or prophesy and do great works in his name—we must actually choose and do the Father's will.
Jesus' life was devoted to this one great purpose—the doing of his heavenly Father's will—and he faced death with the same prayer that had guided his life: “Not my will, but yours, be done.” (Ch. 146, Lk. 22:42) (See also Ch. 23, fn. d, and Ch. 24, fn. a.)
j “On that day”—Judgment Day.
Mt. 7:15 are as ravenous / are ravenous (RSV)
Mt. 7:16 Do men gather grapes from (KJV) / are grapes gathered from (RSV)
Mt. 7:17 (KJV) • tree brings forth / tree bringeth forth (KJV) • tree bears evil fruit (RSV) / tree bringeth forth evil fruit (KJV)
Mt. 7:18 (KJV)
Mt. 7:19 is hewn down and cast into the fire. (KJV) / is cut down and thrown into the fire. (RSV)
Mt. 7:21 but rather he / but he (RSV)
Mt. 7:22 name and / name, and cast out demons in your name and (RSV)
Mt. 7:24 But everyone who / And everyone then who (RSV) (140:3/1571)
31
21“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but rather he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.i 22On that dayj many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name and do many mighty works in your name?' 23And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who are evil doers!' 24But everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.”
(Mt. 7:15–19, 21–24)
g “ravenous"—1. devouring with voracious eagerness (nations ravenous as wolves) 2. urgently eager for food; craving for satisfaction or gratification (ravenous appetite). (Webster's, p. 1887)
h “You will know them by their fruits.”—Some of the fruits of the spirit are: “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance.” (Gal. 5:22–23) (KJV)
i “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but rather he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”—Here Jesus reveals the essence of life in the kingdom—the doing of the Father's will. In his teachings the kingdom of God is the will of God. This is most clearly revealed in the prayer he taught his followers, “Your kingdom come; your will be done.” (Ch. 28, Mt. 6:10) This major emphasis on the voluntary conformity of our will to God's will (“your will be done”) was a new and unique feature of the Master's teachings.
Jesus contrasts this true concept with false ideas of what is required for entrance into the kingdom. It is not enough to call Jesus “Lord,” or prophesy and do great works in his name—we must actually choose and do the Father's will.
Jesus' life was devoted to this one great purpose—the doing of his heavenly Father's will—and he faced death with the same prayer that had guided his life: “Not my will, but yours, be done.” (Ch. 146, Lk. 22:42) (See also Ch. 23, fn. d, and Ch. 24, fn. a.)
j “On that day”—Judgment Day.
Mt. 7:15 are as ravenous / are ravenous (RSV)
Mt. 7:16 Do men gather grapes from (KJV) / are grapes gathered from (RSV)
Mt. 7:17 (KJV) • tree brings forth / tree bringeth forth (KJV) • tree bears evil fruit (RSV) / tree bringeth forth evil fruit (KJV)
Mt. 7:18 (KJV)
Mt. 7:19 is hewn down and cast into the fire. (KJV) / is cut down and thrown into the fire. (RSV)
Mt. 7:21 but rather he / but he (RSV)
Mt. 7:22 name and / name, and cast out demons in your name and (RSV)
Mt. 7:24 But everyone who / And everyone then who (RSV) (140:3/1571)
23. Further Teachings
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
17“Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets;a I have not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
20“I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,b you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
21“You have heard it said: 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of judgment.”
27“You have heard it said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28But I say to you that everyone who looks upon a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
1“Take heed that you do not give your alms before men to be seen by them. 3When you give alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 6When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father. 7And in praying use not vain repetitions. 8Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 16And when you fast, be not of a sad countenance that your fasting may be seen by men. 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 21for where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
(Mt. 5:17, 20–22, 27–28; 6:1, 3, 6–8, 16, 19–21) (continued)
a “the law and the prophets;”—In the Hebrew Scriptures the law consists of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The prophets comprise the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel (1 and 2), Kings (1 and 2), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).
b “the scribes and Pharisees,”—The scribes were a class of men devoted to the study and exposition of the law, serving originally as copyists, editors, and interpreters of Scripture. The Pharisees were a religious party. (See Ch. 13, fn. b.)
Mt. 5:17 have not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (KJV) / have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. (RSV)
Mt. 5:20 I / For I (RSV)
Mt. 5:21 heard it said: 'You / heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You (RSV)
Mt. 5:22 be in danger of judgment. (KJV) / be liable to judgment; (RSV)
Mt. 5:27 heard it said / heard that it was said (RSV)
Mt. 6:1 (KJV) • that you do not give your / that ye do not give your (KJV)
Mt. 6:3 When / But when (RSV) • alms, let not your (KJV) / alms, do not let your (RSV)
Mt. 6:6 When / But when (RSV) • Father. / Father who is in secret; (RSV)
Mt. 6:7 praying use not vain repetitions. (KJV) / praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; (RSV)
Mt. 6:8 Your / Do not be like them for your (RSV)
Mt. 6:16 fast, be not of a sad countenance that (KJV) / fast, do not look dismal like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that (RSV) • that your fasting / that their fasting (RSV)
Mt. 6:19 Lay not up (KJV) / Do not lay up (RSV) • earth, but / earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal, but (RSV)
Mt. 6:20 heaven, for / heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For (RSV) (140:6/1576–7)
32
20“I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees,b you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
21“You have heard it said: 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of judgment.”
27“You have heard it said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28But I say to you that everyone who looks upon a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
1“Take heed that you do not give your alms before men to be seen by them. 3When you give alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 6When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father. 7And in praying use not vain repetitions. 8Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 16And when you fast, be not of a sad countenance that your fasting may be seen by men. 19Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, 20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 21for where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”
(Mt. 5:17, 20–22, 27–28; 6:1, 3, 6–8, 16, 19–21) (continued)
a “the law and the prophets;”—In the Hebrew Scriptures the law consists of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The prophets comprise the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel (1 and 2), Kings (1 and 2), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi).
b “the scribes and Pharisees,”—The scribes were a class of men devoted to the study and exposition of the law, serving originally as copyists, editors, and interpreters of Scripture. The Pharisees were a religious party. (See Ch. 13, fn. b.)
Mt. 5:17 have not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (KJV) / have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. (RSV)
Mt. 5:20 I / For I (RSV)
Mt. 5:21 heard it said: 'You / heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You (RSV)
Mt. 5:22 be in danger of judgment. (KJV) / be liable to judgment; (RSV)
Mt. 5:27 heard it said / heard that it was said (RSV)
Mt. 6:1 (KJV) • that you do not give your / that ye do not give your (KJV)
Mt. 6:3 When / But when (RSV) • alms, let not your (KJV) / alms, do not let your (RSV)
Mt. 6:6 When / But when (RSV) • Father. / Father who is in secret; (RSV)
Mt. 6:7 praying use not vain repetitions. (KJV) / praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; (RSV)
Mt. 6:8 Your / Do not be like them for your (RSV)
Mt. 6:16 fast, be not of a sad countenance that (KJV) / fast, do not look dismal like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that (RSV) • that your fasting / that their fasting (RSV)
Mt. 6:19 Lay not up (KJV) / Do not lay up (RSV) • earth, but / earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break in and steal, but (RSV)
Mt. 6:20 heaven, for / heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For (RSV) (140:6/1576–7)
23. Further Teachings (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
22“The eye is the lamp of the body; if therefore, your eye is generous, your whole body will be full of light.
23But if your eye is selfish, the whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is turned to darkness, how great is that darkness!
24No man can serve two masters. You cannot serve God and mammon.c
25Do not be anxious about your lives; what you shall eat or what you shall drink; nor about your body, what you shall put on.
33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,d and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Therefore, do not be anxious about the morrow. Sufficient for the day is the trouble thereof.”
(Mt. 6:22–25, 33–34)
c “You cannot serve God and mammon.”—You cannot at the same time follow in God's way and wholeheartedly serve mammon. Mammon is the Semitic word for “money” or “riches.”
d “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,”—What was Jesus' prime directive to his disciples? Here is revealed the first priority of the true follower of Jesus—the kingdom of God. Jesus centered his entire teaching mission on this one concept, the kingdom of God, which he also referred to as the kingdom of heaven.
This kingdom that Jesus taught is the will of his heavenly Father dominant and transcendent in the heart of the believer. Jesus' two favorite prayers, “your will be done” (Ch. 28, Mt. 6:10; Ch. 146, Mt. 26:42) and “not my will, but yours, be done” (Ch. 146, Lk. 22:42), are our sure guide in the way of the kingdom, and are appropriate in all life situations.
Having gained entrance into the kingdom as a child and by faith, we must progress in righteousness, grow more and more like God; therefore are we directed to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (See also Ch. 22, fn. i, and Ch. 24, fn. a.)
Mt. 6:22 body; if therefore your (KJV) / body, so if your (RSV) • is generous, your (Mof.) / is sound, your (RSV)
Mt. 6:23 is selfish, the (Mof.) / is not sound, the (RSV) • is turned to darkness, / is darkness, (RSV) • is that darkness! (KJV) / is the darkness! (RSV)
Mt. 6:24 No man can (KJV) / No one can (RSV)
Mt. 6:25 Do / Therefore I tell you, do (RSV)
Mt. 6:33 first the kingdom of God and (KJV) / first his kingdom and (RSV) • be added unto you. (KJV) / be yours as well. (RSV)
Mt. 6:34 about the morrow. (KJV) / about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. (RSV) (140:6/1577–8)
33
(Mt. 6:22–25, 33–34)
c “You cannot serve God and mammon.”—You cannot at the same time follow in God's way and wholeheartedly serve mammon. Mammon is the Semitic word for “money” or “riches.”
d “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,”—What was Jesus' prime directive to his disciples? Here is revealed the first priority of the true follower of Jesus—the kingdom of God. Jesus centered his entire teaching mission on this one concept, the kingdom of God, which he also referred to as the kingdom of heaven.
This kingdom that Jesus taught is the will of his heavenly Father dominant and transcendent in the heart of the believer. Jesus' two favorite prayers, “your will be done” (Ch. 28, Mt. 6:10; Ch. 146, Mt. 26:42) and “not my will, but yours, be done” (Ch. 146, Lk. 22:42), are our sure guide in the way of the kingdom, and are appropriate in all life situations.
Having gained entrance into the kingdom as a child and by faith, we must progress in righteousness, grow more and more like God; therefore are we directed to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (See also Ch. 22, fn. i, and Ch. 24, fn. a.)
Mt. 6:22 body; if therefore your (KJV) / body, so if your (RSV) • is generous, your (Mof.) / is sound, your (RSV)
Mt. 6:23 is selfish, the (Mof.) / is not sound, the (RSV) • is turned to darkness, / is darkness, (RSV) • is that darkness! (KJV) / is the darkness! (RSV)
Mt. 6:24 No man can (KJV) / No one can (RSV)
Mt. 6:25 Do / Therefore I tell you, do (RSV)
Mt. 6:33 first the kingdom of God and (KJV) / first his kingdom and (RSV) • be added unto you. (KJV) / be yours as well. (RSV)
Mt. 6:34 about the morrow. (KJV) / about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. (RSV) (140:6/1577–8)
24. The Consecration of the Twelve
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority,
2and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of Goda and to heal.
5These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them,
7“Preach as you go saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
8Heal the sick. Freely you have received, freely give.”
9“Take no gold nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff. The laborer is worthy of his keep. 16Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be you therefore as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. 17But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will castigate you in their synagogues. 18And you will be brought before governors and kings for a testimony. 19And when they deliver you up, be not anxious about what you are to say, 20for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will deliver up brother to death and you will be hated by many for my sake.”
6And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospelb and healing everywhere.
(Lk. 9:1–2; Mt. 10:5, 7–10, 16–21; Lk. 9:6)
a “he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God”—Jesus has selected and trained his twelve apostles. Now he is sending them out on their first preaching mission. Here is revealed the central and fundamental idea that Jesus directed his apostles to preach to the world—the kingdom of God, also known as the kingdom of heaven
This kingdom is the rule of God in the heart of the individual believer. Jesus' kingdom is composed of those individuals who have faith in the heavenly Father and are led to choose and do their Father's will. (See also Ch. 22, fn. i; and Ch. 23, fn. d.)
b “preaching the gospel”—The special and unique message Jesus sought to leave with us regarding the kingdom of God was known as the gospel of the kingdom. This gospel is the good news that God is our loving heavenly Father. When we believe this good news that God is our Father and we are his children, the Father's will becomes our will, and we achieve citizenship in the heavenly kingdom.
Lk. 9:1 authority, and / authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and (RSV)
Mt. 10:5 them, / them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, (RSV)
Mt. 10:7 Preach / And preach (RSV)
Mt. 10:8 (KJV) • sick. Freely you have / sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely ye have (KJV)
Mt. 10:10 The / for the (RSV) • laborer is worthy of his (KJV) / laborer deserves his (RSV) • his keep. (NIV) / his food. (RSV)
Mt. 10:16 (KJV) • be you therefore (RSV) / be ye therefore (KJV)
Mt. 10:17 (KJV) • will castigate you / will scourge you (KJV)
Mt. 10:18 (KJV) • And you will be (RSV) / And ye shall be (KJV) • testimony. / testimony against them and the Gentiles. (KJV)
Mt. 10:19 And when / When (RSV) • up, be not anxious about what / up, do not be anxious how you are to speak, or what (RSV)
Mt. 10:21 death and / death and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death and (RSV) • by many for / by all for (RSV) • my sake / my name's sake (RSV) (140:9/1583–4)
34
9“Take no gold nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff. The laborer is worthy of his keep. 16Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be you therefore as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. 17But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will castigate you in their synagogues. 18And you will be brought before governors and kings for a testimony. 19And when they deliver you up, be not anxious about what you are to say, 20for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will deliver up brother to death and you will be hated by many for my sake.”
6And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospelb and healing everywhere.
(Lk. 9:1–2; Mt. 10:5, 7–10, 16–21; Lk. 9:6)
a “he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God”—Jesus has selected and trained his twelve apostles. Now he is sending them out on their first preaching mission. Here is revealed the central and fundamental idea that Jesus directed his apostles to preach to the world—the kingdom of God, also known as the kingdom of heaven
This kingdom is the rule of God in the heart of the individual believer. Jesus' kingdom is composed of those individuals who have faith in the heavenly Father and are led to choose and do their Father's will. (See also Ch. 22, fn. i; and Ch. 23, fn. d.)
b “preaching the gospel”—The special and unique message Jesus sought to leave with us regarding the kingdom of God was known as the gospel of the kingdom. This gospel is the good news that God is our loving heavenly Father. When we believe this good news that God is our Father and we are his children, the Father's will becomes our will, and we achieve citizenship in the heavenly kingdom.
Lk. 9:1 authority, and / authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and (RSV)
Mt. 10:5 them, / them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, (RSV)
Mt. 10:7 Preach / And preach (RSV)
Mt. 10:8 (KJV) • sick. Freely you have / sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils. Freely ye have (KJV)
Mt. 10:10 The / for the (RSV) • laborer is worthy of his (KJV) / laborer deserves his (RSV) • his keep. (NIV) / his food. (RSV)
Mt. 10:16 (KJV) • be you therefore (RSV) / be ye therefore (KJV)
Mt. 10:17 (KJV) • will castigate you / will scourge you (KJV)
Mt. 10:18 (KJV) • And you will be (RSV) / And ye shall be (KJV) • testimony. / testimony against them and the Gentiles. (KJV)
Mt. 10:19 And when / When (RSV) • up, be not anxious about what / up, do not be anxious how you are to speak, or what (RSV)
Mt. 10:21 death and / death and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death and (RSV) • by many for / by all for (RSV) • my sake / my name's sake (RSV) (140:9/1583–4)
25. Passover at Jerusalem; Visit with Nicodemus
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
23Now when Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name.a
24But Jesus did not trust himself to them,
25because he knew all men and needed no one to bear witness of man; for he himself knew what was in man.
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.b 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi,c we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
3Jesus answered him: “Verily, verily, I say to you, except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
(Jn. 2:23–25; 3:1–3) (continued)
a “Now when Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name.”—Following his baptism by John, Jesus spends 40 days alone in the wilderness. He then returns to John, who gives public testimony that Jesus is the expected deliverer. Two of John's disciples, Andrew and Peter, become Jesus' first followers. Jesus and his early disciples (Andrew, Peter, James, John, Philip, and Nathaniel) then attend a wedding at Cana. Jesus chooses twelve men as apostles. He then teaches, trains, and ordains them as messengers of his gospel of the kingdom.
The feast of the Passover is the first recorded event of Jesus' public ministry. This feast took place each year in April; since this is the first recorded Passover feast following Jesus' baptism in AD 26 (Ch. 14, fn. a), it probably took place the next year, which would be April, AD 27. If Jesus were born in the summer of 7 BC (Ch. 5, fn. a), he would have been 32 years old at this time, which marks the beginning of his public work.
b “a ruler of the Jews.”—A member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court.
c “Rabbi"—A term of address meaning “teacher” or “master.”
Jn. 2:23 when Jesus was / when he was (RSV)
Jn. 3:3 Verily, verily, I (KJV) / Truly, truly, I (RSV) • [you,] except a man be born (KJV) / you, unless one is born (RSV) • born from above, he (RSV alt. trans.) / born anew, he (RSV) (142:6/1601–2)
35
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.b 2This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi,c we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
3Jesus answered him: “Verily, verily, I say to you, except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
(Jn. 2:23–25; 3:1–3) (continued)
a “Now when Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover feast, many believed in his name.”—Following his baptism by John, Jesus spends 40 days alone in the wilderness. He then returns to John, who gives public testimony that Jesus is the expected deliverer. Two of John's disciples, Andrew and Peter, become Jesus' first followers. Jesus and his early disciples (Andrew, Peter, James, John, Philip, and Nathaniel) then attend a wedding at Cana. Jesus chooses twelve men as apostles. He then teaches, trains, and ordains them as messengers of his gospel of the kingdom.
The feast of the Passover is the first recorded event of Jesus' public ministry. This feast took place each year in April; since this is the first recorded Passover feast following Jesus' baptism in AD 26 (Ch. 14, fn. a), it probably took place the next year, which would be April, AD 27. If Jesus were born in the summer of 7 BC (Ch. 5, fn. a), he would have been 32 years old at this time, which marks the beginning of his public work.
b “a ruler of the Jews.”—A member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court.
c “Rabbi"—A term of address meaning “teacher” or “master.”
Jn. 2:23 when Jesus was / when he was (RSV)
Jn. 3:3 Verily, verily, I (KJV) / Truly, truly, I (RSV) • [you,] except a man be born (KJV) / you, unless one is born (RSV) • born from above, he (RSV alt. trans.) / born anew, he (RSV) (142:6/1601–2)
25. Passover at Jerusalem; Visit with Nicodemus (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
4Nicodemus said to him: “How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”
5Jesus answered: “I say to you, except a man be born of the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born from above. 8The wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes and whither it goes—so it is with everyone born of the spirit.”
9Nicodemus said to him, “How can this be?”
10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher in Israel and yet you do not understand this? 11We speak of what we know and bear witness to what we have seen. 12Can you believe if I tell you of these heavenly truths?”d
(Jn. 3:4–12)
d “Can you believe if I tell you of these heavenly truths?”—Jesus tells Nicodemus, “except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” But Nicodemus cannot understand the meaning of this declaration and asks Jesus, “How can a man be born again?”
This is a good question and Jesus answers it in three parts. First, he again declares, “except a man be born of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” That is to say, the “birth of the spirit” is real and is required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. This is the truth of first import that Jesus seeks to impress upon Nicodemus.
Next, Jesus explains the “birth of the spirit” by contrasting it with natural birth. He tells Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.” Here Jesus is teaching Nicodemus that there are two realms of life, two levels of reality—the world of the flesh and the world of the spirit. We began life in the physical world at birth; we live and grow up in this material world of everyday life, and learn the ways of the flesh. However, there is another and higher world, the world of the spirit, and we may also be born into this world, be “born of the spirit.”
Jesus concludes by describing the unseen action of the spirit on our minds by analogy with the wind. “The wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes and whither it goes—so it is with everyone born of the spirit.” In other words, just as we can hear the sound of the wind even though we cannot actually see it, so also, when we are born of the spirit, we can witness the manifestations of the spirit, even though we are unable to see the spirit itself.
The “birth of the spirit” is the change of mind by faith that occurs when we wholeheartedly choose to do the Father's will and follow his spiritual guidance. This submission of our will to God's will results in a new orientation of personality whereby we increasingly give forth the fruit of the spirit in our daily life, the result of the action of spirit working in and through us. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, lists some of the fruit of the spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control.” (Gal. 5:22)
Jn. 3:5 I / Truly, truly, I (RSV) • you, except a man be born (KJV) / you, unless one is born (RSV) • of the spirit, / of water and of the spirit, (RSV)
Jn. 3:11 We / Truly, truly, I say to you, we (RSV)
Jn. 3:12 Can / If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can (RSV) (142:6/1602)
36
5Jesus answered: “I say to you, except a man be born of the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born from above. 8The wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes and whither it goes—so it is with everyone born of the spirit.”
9Nicodemus said to him, “How can this be?”
10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher in Israel and yet you do not understand this? 11We speak of what we know and bear witness to what we have seen. 12Can you believe if I tell you of these heavenly truths?”d
(Jn. 3:4–12)
d “Can you believe if I tell you of these heavenly truths?”—Jesus tells Nicodemus, “except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” But Nicodemus cannot understand the meaning of this declaration and asks Jesus, “How can a man be born again?”
This is a good question and Jesus answers it in three parts. First, he again declares, “except a man be born of the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” That is to say, the “birth of the spirit” is real and is required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven. This is the truth of first import that Jesus seeks to impress upon Nicodemus.
Next, Jesus explains the “birth of the spirit” by contrasting it with natural birth. He tells Nicodemus, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.” Here Jesus is teaching Nicodemus that there are two realms of life, two levels of reality—the world of the flesh and the world of the spirit. We began life in the physical world at birth; we live and grow up in this material world of everyday life, and learn the ways of the flesh. However, there is another and higher world, the world of the spirit, and we may also be born into this world, be “born of the spirit.”
Jesus concludes by describing the unseen action of the spirit on our minds by analogy with the wind. “The wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes and whither it goes—so it is with everyone born of the spirit.” In other words, just as we can hear the sound of the wind even though we cannot actually see it, so also, when we are born of the spirit, we can witness the manifestations of the spirit, even though we are unable to see the spirit itself.
The “birth of the spirit” is the change of mind by faith that occurs when we wholeheartedly choose to do the Father's will and follow his spiritual guidance. This submission of our will to God's will results in a new orientation of personality whereby we increasingly give forth the fruit of the spirit in our daily life, the result of the action of spirit working in and through us. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, lists some of the fruit of the spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control.” (Gal. 5:22)
Jn. 3:5 I / Truly, truly, I (RSV) • you, except a man be born (KJV) / you, unless one is born (RSV) • of the spirit, / of water and of the spirit, (RSV)
Jn. 3:11 We / Truly, truly, I say to you, we (RSV)
Jn. 3:12 Can / If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can (RSV) (142:6/1602)
26. Going through Samaria; The Woman at the Well
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John,
2although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.a
3When the Lord learned of this he left Judeab and went back once more to Galilee.
4He had to pass through Samaria.c
5So he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar,d near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.e
7There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”
8(For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.)
9The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)f
10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
11The woman said to him: “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; whence then have you this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself and his sons and his cattle?”
(Jn. 4:1–12) (continued)
a “his disciples.”—The apostles. (See Ch. 22, fn. a.)
b “When the Lord learned of this he left Judea”—This is the earliest recorded hint of opposition to Jesus' teachings. Because of this opposition Jesus left Jerusalem and returned to Capernaum in Galilee.
c “He had to pass through Samaria.”—Samaria lies between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north. See map on page 5.
d “Sychar”—See map on page 24.
e “It was about the sixth hour.”—Probably 6:00 P.M., at the end of a day of travel.
f “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”—The Jews and the Samaritans had held ill feelings toward each other for more than 600 years. This enmity had its roots in three major events. It began around 700 BC when the king of Assyria (Sargon) carried away most of the Jewish residents of Samaria. (See map on page 5.) In their place he settled various other peoples including the Cushites, Sepharvites, and Hamathites. Later Ashurbanipal (the Assyrian king) settled still other peoples there. Around 500 BC, when the Jews of Judea returned from their Babylonian captivity, the rebuilding of Jerusalem was opposed by these Samaritans. The third event that antagonized the Jews took place around 300 BC. In return for helping Alexander the Great, the Samaritans were given permission to build a temple on Mt. Gerizim, which then functioned as an alternative to the Jewish temple at Jerusalem. Increasingly since the days of Alexander, the Jews had “no dealings with the Samaritans.”
Jn. 4:1–3, 7 NIV
Jn. 4:11 deep; whence then have you this living (KJV) / deep; where do you get that living (RSV)
Jn. 4:12 drank thereof himself (KJV) / drank from it himself (RSV) (143:0,5/1607,12–13)
37
9The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)f
10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
11The woman said to him: “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; whence then have you this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself and his sons and his cattle?”
(Jn. 4:1–12) (continued)
a “his disciples.”—The apostles. (See Ch. 22, fn. a.)
b “When the Lord learned of this he left Judea”—This is the earliest recorded hint of opposition to Jesus' teachings. Because of this opposition Jesus left Jerusalem and returned to Capernaum in Galilee.
c “He had to pass through Samaria.”—Samaria lies between Judea in the south and Galilee in the north. See map on page 5.
d “Sychar”—See map on page 24.
e “It was about the sixth hour.”—Probably 6:00 P.M., at the end of a day of travel.
f “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”—The Jews and the Samaritans had held ill feelings toward each other for more than 600 years. This enmity had its roots in three major events. It began around 700 BC when the king of Assyria (Sargon) carried away most of the Jewish residents of Samaria. (See map on page 5.) In their place he settled various other peoples including the Cushites, Sepharvites, and Hamathites. Later Ashurbanipal (the Assyrian king) settled still other peoples there. Around 500 BC, when the Jews of Judea returned from their Babylonian captivity, the rebuilding of Jerusalem was opposed by these Samaritans. The third event that antagonized the Jews took place around 300 BC. In return for helping Alexander the Great, the Samaritans were given permission to build a temple on Mt. Gerizim, which then functioned as an alternative to the Jewish temple at Jerusalem. Increasingly since the days of Alexander, the Jews had “no dealings with the Samaritans.”
Jn. 4:1–3, 7 NIV
Jn. 4:11 deep; whence then have you this living (KJV) / deep; where do you get that living (RSV)
Jn. 4:12 drank thereof himself (KJV) / drank from it himself (RSV) (143:0,5/1607,12–13)
26. Going through Samaria; The Woman at the Well (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
13Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again,
14but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst. And this water shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
15The woman said, “Sir, give me this water that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
16Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come here.”
17The woman answered him, “I have no husband.”
Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; 18the man you are now living with is not your husband.”
19The woman said to him: “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain;g and you would say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
21Jesus said to her: “Woman, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22You worship that which you know not; we (the Jews) worship what we know. 23But the hour is coming, and now is, when all true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for such worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit,h and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
25The woman said to him, “I know that the Deliverer is coming (he who is called Christ);i when he comes, he will show us all things.”
26Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”j
(Jn. 4:13–26)
g “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain;”—When Alexander the Great passed through Palestine he was accorded a friendly reception by the Samaritans. In return for their cooperation Alexander allowed the Samaritans to build a temple on Mount Gerizim. Here they worshiped and gave sacrifices in the manner of the temple at Jerusalem. This practice was ended during the reign of the Maccabees when the Jews destroyed the temple.
g “God is spirit”—Jesus taught that “God is spirit” and that “God is love.”
i “I know that the Deliverer is coming (he who is called Christ);”—The Jewish scriptures taught the coming of one anointed by God who would bring about the kingdom of God on earth. He was also known as the “Deliverer” because he was to deliver his people from their bondage. Christ is the Greek translation of Messiah, the Hebrew word for annointed one. (See also Ch. 13, fn.c.)
j “I who speak to you am he.”—This is Jesus' first public admission and affirmation that he is the promised deliverer.
Jn. 4:14 but whosoever drinks (KJV) / but whoever drinks (RSV)
Jn. 4:18 the man you are now living with is (Gspd) / he whom you now have is (RSV)
Jn. 4:21 Woman, the / Woman, believe me, the (RSV)
Jn. 4:22 worship that which you know not; we (KJV) / worship what you do not know; we (RSV) • we (the Jews) worship / we worship (RSV) • know. / know, for salvation is from the Jews. (RSV)
Jn. 4:23 when all true / when the true (RSV) • such worshipers the (NIV) / such the (RSV) • seeks. / seeks to worship him. (RSV)
and in truth
Jn. 4:24 and in truth (KJV) / and truth (RSV)
Jn. 4:25 the Deliverer is (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Messiah is (RSV) (143:5/1613–4)
38
15The woman said, “Sir, give me this water that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
16Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come here.”
17The woman answered him, “I have no husband.”
Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; 18the man you are now living with is not your husband.”
19The woman said to him: “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain;g and you would say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”
21Jesus said to her: “Woman, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22You worship that which you know not; we (the Jews) worship what we know. 23But the hour is coming, and now is, when all true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for such worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit,h and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
25The woman said to him, “I know that the Deliverer is coming (he who is called Christ);i when he comes, he will show us all things.”
26Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”j
(Jn. 4:13–26)
g “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain;”—When Alexander the Great passed through Palestine he was accorded a friendly reception by the Samaritans. In return for their cooperation Alexander allowed the Samaritans to build a temple on Mount Gerizim. Here they worshiped and gave sacrifices in the manner of the temple at Jerusalem. This practice was ended during the reign of the Maccabees when the Jews destroyed the temple.
g “God is spirit”—Jesus taught that “God is spirit” and that “God is love.”
i “I know that the Deliverer is coming (he who is called Christ);”—The Jewish scriptures taught the coming of one anointed by God who would bring about the kingdom of God on earth. He was also known as the “Deliverer” because he was to deliver his people from their bondage. Christ is the Greek translation of Messiah, the Hebrew word for annointed one. (See also Ch. 13, fn.c.)
j “I who speak to you am he.”—This is Jesus' first public admission and affirmation that he is the promised deliverer.
Jn. 4:14 but whosoever drinks (KJV) / but whoever drinks (RSV)
Jn. 4:18 the man you are now living with is (Gspd) / he whom you now have is (RSV)
Jn. 4:21 Woman, the / Woman, believe me, the (RSV)
Jn. 4:22 worship that which you know not; we (KJV) / worship what you do not know; we (RSV) • we (the Jews) worship / we worship (RSV) • know. / know, for salvation is from the Jews. (RSV)
Jn. 4:23 when all true / when the true (RSV) • such worshipers the (NIV) / such the (RSV) • seeks. / seeks to worship him. (RSV)
and in truth
Jn. 4:24 and in truth (KJV) / and truth (RSV)
Jn. 4:25 the Deliverer is (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Messiah is (RSV) (143:5/1613–4)
27. The Samaritan Revival
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
27Just then his apostles came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, “What do you wish?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”
28So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Messiah?” 30They went out of the city and came unto him.
31Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
32But he said unto them, “I have meat to eat that you know not of.”
33So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him food?”
34Jesus said to them: “My meat is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.a 35Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes and see how the fields are already white for the harvest. 36He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life; so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true: 'One sows and another reaps.' 38I send you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”b
39Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
(Jn. 4:27–42)
a “My meat is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”—Here is revealed Jesus' one great purpose in life and the core of his personal religion, the doing of the Father's will. The center of the one prayer he taught his apostles (The Lord's Prayer) was, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” And he faced a cruel and unjust death with the triumphant prayer that had guided his life, “Not my will, but yours, be done.”
The work Jesus sought to accomplish in his earth life was the establishment of the kingdom of heaven on earth—the rule of God in the heart of every individual. To this end he preached the gospel of the kingdom, the good news that we are all the children of a loving heavenly Father, the sons and daughters of God. When we believe this “good news” and accept our sonship with God, his will becomes our will, and the kingdom of heaven is born in our hearts.
b “others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”—Here Jesus is referring to the work of John the Baptist.
Jn. 4:27 his apostles came. (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples came. (RSV)
Jn. 4:29 the Messiah?” (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ?” (RSV)
Jn. 4:30 (KJV)
Jn. 4:32 (KJV) • that you know / that ye know (KJV)
Jn. 4:34 My meat is (KJV) / My food is (RSV)
Jn. 4:35 months, and then / months, then (RSV) (143:5–6/1614–5)
39
28So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city, and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Messiah?” 30They went out of the city and came unto him.
31Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
32But he said unto them, “I have meat to eat that you know not of.”
33So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him food?”
34Jesus said to them: “My meat is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.a 35Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes and see how the fields are already white for the harvest. 36He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life; so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37For here the saying holds true: 'One sows and another reaps.' 38I send you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”b
39Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of his word. 42They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
(Jn. 4:27–42)
a “My meat is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”—Here is revealed Jesus' one great purpose in life and the core of his personal religion, the doing of the Father's will. The center of the one prayer he taught his apostles (The Lord's Prayer) was, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” And he faced a cruel and unjust death with the triumphant prayer that had guided his life, “Not my will, but yours, be done.”
The work Jesus sought to accomplish in his earth life was the establishment of the kingdom of heaven on earth—the rule of God in the heart of every individual. To this end he preached the gospel of the kingdom, the good news that we are all the children of a loving heavenly Father, the sons and daughters of God. When we believe this “good news” and accept our sonship with God, his will becomes our will, and the kingdom of heaven is born in our hearts.
b “others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”—Here Jesus is referring to the work of John the Baptist.
Jn. 4:27 his apostles came. (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples came. (RSV)
Jn. 4:29 the Messiah?” (Ch. 13, fn. c) / the Christ?” (RSV)
Jn. 4:30 (KJV)
Jn. 4:32 (KJV) • that you know / that ye know (KJV)
Jn. 4:34 My meat is (KJV) / My food is (RSV)
Jn. 4:35 months, and then / months, then (RSV) (143:5–6/1614–5)
28. Teachings on Prayer
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
2And he said to them, 9“When you pray, say:
Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
10Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily
bread;
12And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our
debtors.
13Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.”a
5And he said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, 6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' 7and he answers from within, 'Trouble me not, for the door is now shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9And, I tell you: ask and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened.”
(Lk. 11:1–2; Mt. 6:9–13; Lk. 11:5–10) (continued)
a Commentary on The Lord's Prayer—“Our Father who is in heaven,” teaches us to recognize and approach God as “Our Father.” He is our loving heavenly Father, and we may come before him as his sons and daughters on earth. “Hallowed be your name” leads us to come into his presence with reverence, humility, and a worshipful attitude. “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” is the central petition of the prayer. The complete fulfillment of this prayer would mean the rule of God in the heart of every individual on earth, but it begins in us when our personal will becomes the doing of the Father's will. In “Give us this day our daily bread,” our bread for tomorrow is an alternative (and perhaps better) translation of our daily bread. (See Oxford Bible, p. 1178.) “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” teaches us that the way to receive and experience God's forgiveness is to forgive others. “Lead us not into temptation,” is best understood in the sense of “Save us in temptation.” God leads us in the ways of righteousness and saves us in times of temptation.
Mt. 6:9 who is in (NRSV) / who art in (RSV) • be your name (NRSV) / be thy name (RSV)
Mt. 6:10 Your kingdom (NRSV) / Thy kingdom (RSV) • Your will (NRSV) / Thy will (RSV)
Lk. 11:5 them: “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go / them: “Which of you who has a friend, and you will go (RSV)
Lk. 11:7 he answers from (NRSV) / he will answer from (RSV) • within, 'Trouble me not, for the (KJV) / within, 'Do not bother me; (RSV) • children and I are in (NAB) / children are with me in (RSV)
Lk. 11:9 it shall be (KJV) / it will be (RSV) • you shall find (KJV) / you will find (RSV)
Lk. 11:10 it shall be (KJV) / it will be (RSV) (144:1-3/1618–20)
40
2And he said to them, 9“When you pray, say:
Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
10Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily
bread;
12And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our
debtors.
13Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.”a
5And he said to them: “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves, 6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;' 7and he answers from within, 'Trouble me not, for the door is now shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9And, I tell you: ask and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it shall be opened.”
(Lk. 11:1–2; Mt. 6:9–13; Lk. 11:5–10) (continued)
a Commentary on The Lord's Prayer—“Our Father who is in heaven,” teaches us to recognize and approach God as “Our Father.” He is our loving heavenly Father, and we may come before him as his sons and daughters on earth. “Hallowed be your name” leads us to come into his presence with reverence, humility, and a worshipful attitude. “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” is the central petition of the prayer. The complete fulfillment of this prayer would mean the rule of God in the heart of every individual on earth, but it begins in us when our personal will becomes the doing of the Father's will. In “Give us this day our daily bread,” our bread for tomorrow is an alternative (and perhaps better) translation of our daily bread. (See Oxford Bible, p. 1178.) “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,” teaches us that the way to receive and experience God's forgiveness is to forgive others. “Lead us not into temptation,” is best understood in the sense of “Save us in temptation.” God leads us in the ways of righteousness and saves us in times of temptation.
Mt. 6:9 who is in (NRSV) / who art in (RSV) • be your name (NRSV) / be thy name (RSV)
Mt. 6:10 Your kingdom (NRSV) / Thy kingdom (RSV) • Your will (NRSV) / Thy will (RSV)
Lk. 11:5 them: “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go / them: “Which of you who has a friend, and you will go (RSV)
Lk. 11:7 he answers from (NRSV) / he will answer from (RSV) • within, 'Trouble me not, for the (KJV) / within, 'Do not bother me; (RSV) • children and I are in (NAB) / children are with me in (RSV)
Lk. 11:9 it shall be (KJV) / it will be (RSV) • you shall find (KJV) / you will find (RSV)
Lk. 11:10 it shall be (KJV) / it will be (RSV) (144:1-3/1618–20)
28. Teachings on Prayer (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
11“What father among you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
1And he told them a story, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2He said: “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man. 3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Protect me from my adversary.' 4For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself: 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5yet because this widow bothers me I will vindicate her or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'”
20“If you have faith, you will say to this mountain: 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
25“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
6“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”b
(Lk. 11:11, 13; 18:1–5; Mt. 17:20; Mk.11:25; Mt. 6:6)
b Lessons from Jesus' teachings on prayer: Lk. 11:5–10 (preceding page) teaches us that just as persistence will win favors from our fellow man, so will persistence in prayer win favors from God—his answer to our prayers (“ask and it shall be given you”). Lk. 11:11, 13 again assures us that God does answer our prayers. He answers them in accordance with his divine wisdom and Fatherly love for us. Our relation to God is like that of a human child to his earthly father. We should pray as children to a loving heavenly Father. Lk. 18:1–5 again urges us to be persistent in prayer; we "ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Mt. 17:20 emphasizes the importance of praying with faith. Faith adds power to prayer—the greater the faith, the greater the power (“nothing will be impossible to you”). In this verse “mountain” is best understood in the sense of a “mountain of difficulty.” Mk. 11:25 reminds us to pray with a forgiving heart. God's forgiveness may be received only by those who first forgive others. Mt. 6:6 teaches us to pray in private and in secret—in the spirit and in the heart. Jesus rarely prayed out loud or in public, but he did spend much time alone in nature communing with God.
Lk. 11:11 fish, will / fish, instead of a fish, will (RSV)
Lk. 11:13 more shall your (KJV) / more will your (RSV) • good gifts to (KJV) / good things to (RSV)
Lk. 18:1 a story, to / a parable, to (RSV)
Lk. 18:3 Protect me from my (Phi) / Vindicate me against my (RSV)
Mt. 17:20 If / He said to them, "Because of your little faith, For truly I say to you, if (RSV) • faith, you / faith as a grain of mustard seed, you (RSV)
Mt. 6:6 When / But when (RSV) (144:2–3/1619–20)
41
1And he told them a story, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2He said: “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man. 3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Protect me from my adversary.' 4For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself: 'Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5yet because this widow bothers me I will vindicate her or she will wear me out by her continual coming.'”
20“If you have faith, you will say to this mountain: 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
25“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
6“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”b
(Lk. 11:11, 13; 18:1–5; Mt. 17:20; Mk.11:25; Mt. 6:6)
b Lessons from Jesus' teachings on prayer: Lk. 11:5–10 (preceding page) teaches us that just as persistence will win favors from our fellow man, so will persistence in prayer win favors from God—his answer to our prayers (“ask and it shall be given you”). Lk. 11:11, 13 again assures us that God does answer our prayers. He answers them in accordance with his divine wisdom and Fatherly love for us. Our relation to God is like that of a human child to his earthly father. We should pray as children to a loving heavenly Father. Lk. 18:1–5 again urges us to be persistent in prayer; we "ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Mt. 17:20 emphasizes the importance of praying with faith. Faith adds power to prayer—the greater the faith, the greater the power (“nothing will be impossible to you”). In this verse “mountain” is best understood in the sense of a “mountain of difficulty.” Mk. 11:25 reminds us to pray with a forgiving heart. God's forgiveness may be received only by those who first forgive others. Mt. 6:6 teaches us to pray in private and in secret—in the spirit and in the heart. Jesus rarely prayed out loud or in public, but he did spend much time alone in nature communing with God.
Lk. 11:11 fish, will / fish, instead of a fish, will (RSV)
Lk. 11:13 more shall your (KJV) / more will your (RSV) • good gifts to (KJV) / good things to (RSV)
Lk. 18:1 a story, to / a parable, to (RSV)
Lk. 18:3 Protect me from my (Phi) / Vindicate me against my (RSV)
Mt. 17:20 If / He said to them, "Because of your little faith, For truly I say to you, if (RSV) • faith, you / faith as a grain of mustard seed, you (RSV)
Mt. 6:6 When / But when (RSV) (144:2–3/1619–20)
29. Jesus Speaks of John
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
2Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of Jesus, he sent word by his disciples,
3and said to him, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
4And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see— 5that the poor have good tidings preached to them. 6And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”
7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? 8A man clothed in soft raiment? Those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. 9Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare the way before you.'a 11Verily, I say to you, among those born of woman there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmate, 17'We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say he has a devil. 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!' But, wisdom is justified by her children.”
25At that time Jesus declared: “The Father, Lord of heaven and earth, has hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to babes. 28Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, and you shall find rest for your souls.”
(Mt. 11:2–11, 15–19, 25, 28–29)
a “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare the way before you.”—(Malachi 3:1) Here Jesus affirms that he (Jesus) is the one prophesied by Malachi and that John is his forerunner.
Mt. 11:2 of Jesus, he / of the Christ, he (RSV)
Mt. 11:5 that the / that the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up and the (RSV)
Mt. 11:8 A / Why then did you go out? To see a (RSV) • Those / Behold, those (RSV)
Mt. 11:10 before your face / before thy face (RSV) • prepare the way / prepare thy way (RSV) • before you / before thee (RSV)
Mt. 11:11 Verily, I (KJV) / Truly, I (RSV) • is but little in (ASV) / is least in (RSV)
Mt. 11:18 (KJV) • he has a / He hath a (KJV)
Mt. 11:19 (KJV) • a gluttonous man and / a man gluttonous and (KJV) • justified by her / justified of her (KJV)
Mt. 11:25 The Father / I thank thee, Father (RSV) • earth, has hidden / earth, that then hast hidden (RSV)
Mt. 11:29 me, and / me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and (RSV) (135:11/1506–7; 144:8/1626–7)
42
4And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see— 5that the poor have good tidings preached to them. 6And blessed is he who takes no offense at me.”
7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? 8A man clothed in soft raiment? Those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. 9Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare the way before you.'a 11Verily, I say to you, among those born of woman there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmate, 17'We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.' 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say he has a devil. 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!' But, wisdom is justified by her children.”
25At that time Jesus declared: “The Father, Lord of heaven and earth, has hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to babes. 28Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, and you shall find rest for your souls.”
(Mt. 11:2–11, 15–19, 25, 28–29)
a “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare the way before you.”—(Malachi 3:1) Here Jesus affirms that he (Jesus) is the one prophesied by Malachi and that John is his forerunner.
Mt. 11:2 of Jesus, he / of the Christ, he (RSV)
Mt. 11:5 that the / that the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up and the (RSV)
Mt. 11:8 A / Why then did you go out? To see a (RSV) • Those / Behold, those (RSV)
Mt. 11:10 before your face / before thy face (RSV) • prepare the way / prepare thy way (RSV) • before you / before thee (RSV)
Mt. 11:11 Verily, I (KJV) / Truly, I (RSV) • is but little in (ASV) / is least in (RSV)
Mt. 11:18 (KJV) • he has a / He hath a (KJV)
Mt. 11:19 (KJV) • a gluttonous man and / a man gluttonous and (KJV) • justified by her / justified of her (KJV)
Mt. 11:25 The Father / I thank thee, Father (RSV) • earth, has hidden / earth, that then hast hidden (RSV)
Mt. 11:29 me, and / me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and (RSV) (135:11/1506–7; 144:8/1626–7)
30. Death of John the Baptist
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
17Herod had seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her.
18For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.”
19And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him, but she could not.
20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him he was much perplexed and yet he heard him gladly.
21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his high officials, officers, and the leading men of Galilee. 22For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it 23even to half my kingdom.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me I will give you.”
24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”
And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”
25And she hurried back at once to the king and asked, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oath and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guards and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother.
29When John's disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
(Mk. 6:17–29)
Mk. 6:17 Herod had seized / For Herod had sent and seized (RSV)
Mk. 6:21 his high officials, officers, and (NIV) / his courtiers and (RSV)
Mk. 6:23 even to half / even half (RSV)
Mk. 6:24 the Baptist. (KJV) / the baptizer. (RSV)
Mk. 6:25 And she hurried back at once to (Gspd) / And she came in immediately, with haste to (RSV)
Mk. 6:29 When John's disciples (NEB) / When the disciples (RSV) (135:10,12/1508; 144:9/1627)
43
21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his high officials, officers, and the leading men of Galilee. 22For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it 23even to half my kingdom.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me I will give you.”
24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”
And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”
25And she hurried back at once to the king and asked, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oath and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guards and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 28and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl. And the girl gave it to her mother.
29When John's disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
(Mk. 6:17–29)
Mk. 6:17 Herod had seized / For Herod had sent and seized (RSV)
Mk. 6:21 his high officials, officers, and (NIV) / his courtiers and (RSV)
Mk. 6:23 even to half / even half (RSV)
Mk. 6:24 the Baptist. (KJV) / the baptizer. (RSV)
Mk. 6:25 And she hurried back at once to (Gspd) / And she came in immediately, with haste to (RSV)
Mk. 6:29 When John's disciples (NEB) / When the disciples (RSV) (135:10,12/1508; 144:9/1627)
31. The Large Catch of Fish
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
31And Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee.a
1While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). 2And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3Getting into one of the boats, which was being used by a man named Simon, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4And when he had ceased speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5And Simon answered: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
6And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, 7they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fishb which they had taken.
11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
(Lk. 4:31, 5:1–9, 11)
a “And Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee.”—Summary of recent events (Sec. VII): Following Jesus' choosing, ordaining, and training the twelve apostles, he begins his public ministry by leaving Galilee and attending the feast of the Passover at Jerusalem. Here he meets with Nicodemus and has a memorable discussion on “the birth of the spirit.” He returns to Galilee through Samaria. He meets a woman at Jacob's well and reveals to her that he is the expected deliverer. She tells the people of the town about Jesus and he is well received by the Samaritans. Jesus teaches the apostles about prayer and gives them The Lord's Prayer. Jesus receives a message from John, who is in prison, and sends him a return message. Jesus then speaks of John to the crowd, describing him as more than a prophet and saying that “among those born of woman there has risen no one greater than John.” Soon after receiving Jesus' message, John the Baptist is beheaded by Herod. This event will mark the beginning of a more aggressive phase of Jesus' ministry. He and his apostles now journey back to Capernaum, and from this home base he launches his first open and public preaching tour of Galilee.
b “For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish”—This was certainly an extraordinary occurrence, but perhaps not a miracle. Jesus was a fisherman, probably an expert fisherman, and quite familiar with the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps he merely directed the fishermen to the fish's habitat at that particular time of the day and season. The Jews were miracle minded and tended to view all such unusual episodes as miraculous happenings.
Lk. 4:31 And Jesus went / And he went (RSV)
Lk. 5:1 Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). / Gennesaret. (RSV)
Lk. 5:3 was being used by a man named Simon, he / was Simon's, he (RSV)
Lk. 5:8 Simon saw / Simon Peter saw (RSV) (145:0,1/1628–9)
44
1While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). 2And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3Getting into one of the boats, which was being used by a man named Simon, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4And when he had ceased speaking he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5And Simon answered: “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
6And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, 7they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8But when Simon saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying: “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fishb which they had taken.
11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
(Lk. 4:31, 5:1–9, 11)
a “And Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee.”—Summary of recent events (Sec. VII): Following Jesus' choosing, ordaining, and training the twelve apostles, he begins his public ministry by leaving Galilee and attending the feast of the Passover at Jerusalem. Here he meets with Nicodemus and has a memorable discussion on “the birth of the spirit.” He returns to Galilee through Samaria. He meets a woman at Jacob's well and reveals to her that he is the expected deliverer. She tells the people of the town about Jesus and he is well received by the Samaritans. Jesus teaches the apostles about prayer and gives them The Lord's Prayer. Jesus receives a message from John, who is in prison, and sends him a return message. Jesus then speaks of John to the crowd, describing him as more than a prophet and saying that “among those born of woman there has risen no one greater than John.” Soon after receiving Jesus' message, John the Baptist is beheaded by Herod. This event will mark the beginning of a more aggressive phase of Jesus' ministry. He and his apostles now journey back to Capernaum, and from this home base he launches his first open and public preaching tour of Galilee.
b “For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish”—This was certainly an extraordinary occurrence, but perhaps not a miracle. Jesus was a fisherman, probably an expert fisherman, and quite familiar with the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps he merely directed the fishermen to the fish's habitat at that particular time of the day and season. The Jews were miracle minded and tended to view all such unusual episodes as miraculous happenings.
Lk. 4:31 And Jesus went / And he went (RSV)
Lk. 5:1 Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee). / Gennesaret. (RSV)
Lk. 5:3 was being used by a man named Simon, he / was Simon's, he (RSV)
Lk. 5:8 Simon saw / Simon Peter saw (RSV) (145:0,1/1628–9)
32. Teaching at the Synagogue
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
21On the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;a 24and he cried out: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the holy one of God.”
25But Jesus said: “Be silent!”
26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying: “What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
28And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
(Mk. 1:21–28)
a “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;”—The Jews tended to view epilepsy as possession by an “unclean spirit.” Even the person suffering a seizure would often believe it was caused by an evil spirit. This event was portrayed as possession by an unclean spirit, but it may have been a case of a (misunderstood) epileptic seizure in which Jesus helped the man regain his composure and self-control.
Mk. 1:21 On / And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on (RSV) • Sabbath Jesus entered / Sabbath he entered (RSV)
Mk. 1:23 And there / And immediately there (RSV)
Mk. 1:25 silent!" / silent, and come out of him!" (RSV) (145:2/1629–31)
45
23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;a 24and he cried out: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the holy one of God.”
25But Jesus said: “Be silent!”
26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
27And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying: “What is this? A new teaching! With authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
28And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
(Mk. 1:21–28)
a “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;”—The Jews tended to view epilepsy as possession by an “unclean spirit.” Even the person suffering a seizure would often believe it was caused by an evil spirit. This event was portrayed as possession by an unclean spirit, but it may have been a case of a (misunderstood) epileptic seizure in which Jesus helped the man regain his composure and self-control.
Mk. 1:21 On / And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on (RSV) • Sabbath Jesus entered / Sabbath he entered (RSV)
Mk. 1:23 And there / And immediately there (RSV)
Mk. 1:25 silent!" / silent, and come out of him!" (RSV) (145:2/1629–31)
33. The Healing at Sundown
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
29And immediately Jesus left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and they told him of her.
31And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
32That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick.a 33And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34And he healed many who were sick with various diseases .
35In the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.”
43But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also;b for I was sent for this purpose.”c
(Mk. 1:29–37; Lk. 4:43)
a “That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick.”—One day ended and the next day began at sundown. Since this was the Sabbath, the people waited until the end of the Sabbath (at sundown) to go in search of healing. This they did in accordance with Jewish law and custom.
b “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also;”—Jesus has just performed his greatest miracle to date, the supernatural healing of “all who were sick” in the city of Capernaum. Everyone is looking for him because of the great wonder he has wrought. But Jesus realizes that the crowds seek him because of his miraculous healings, not because of his spiritual ministry. He is not willing that his mission of proclaiming the gospel and establishing the kingdom of God be compromised by his healing ministry. Therefore Jesus elects to leave Capernaum at the height of his popular favor, in order to preach “the good news of the kingdom of God" in the other cities of Galilee.
This “good news of the kingdom of God” is Jesus' teaching that we are all sons and daughters of God, our loving heavenly Father. By faith in this saving truth we may enter the kingdom of heaven and gain eternal salvation. (See also Ch. 34, fn. a.)
c “I was sent for this purpose.” Why did Jesus come down to earth? Here is revealed the purpose of his bestowal on our world. The Father sent Jesus to “preach the good news of the kingdom of God.”
Mk. 1:29 immediately Jesus left / immediately he left (RSV)
Mk. 1:30 and they / and immediately they (RSV)
Mk. 1:32 sick. / sick and possessed with demons. (RSV)
Mk. 1:34 diseases. / diseases, and cast out many demons; (RSV)
Mk. 1:35 In / And in (RSV) (145:2–5/1631–6)
46
32That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick.a 33And the whole city was gathered together about the door. 34And he healed many who were sick with various diseases .
35In the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with him pursued him, 37and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.”
43But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also;b for I was sent for this purpose.”c
(Mk. 1:29–37; Lk. 4:43)
a “That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick.”—One day ended and the next day began at sundown. Since this was the Sabbath, the people waited until the end of the Sabbath (at sundown) to go in search of healing. This they did in accordance with Jewish law and custom.
b “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also;”—Jesus has just performed his greatest miracle to date, the supernatural healing of “all who were sick” in the city of Capernaum. Everyone is looking for him because of the great wonder he has wrought. But Jesus realizes that the crowds seek him because of his miraculous healings, not because of his spiritual ministry. He is not willing that his mission of proclaiming the gospel and establishing the kingdom of God be compromised by his healing ministry. Therefore Jesus elects to leave Capernaum at the height of his popular favor, in order to preach “the good news of the kingdom of God" in the other cities of Galilee.
This “good news of the kingdom of God” is Jesus' teaching that we are all sons and daughters of God, our loving heavenly Father. By faith in this saving truth we may enter the kingdom of heaven and gain eternal salvation. (See also Ch. 34, fn. a.)
c “I was sent for this purpose.” Why did Jesus come down to earth? Here is revealed the purpose of his bestowal on our world. The Father sent Jesus to “preach the good news of the kingdom of God.”
Mk. 1:29 immediately Jesus left / immediately he left (RSV)
Mk. 1:30 and they / and immediately they (RSV)
Mk. 1:32 sick. / sick and possessed with demons. (RSV)
Mk. 1:34 diseases. / diseases, and cast out many demons; (RSV)
Mk. 1:35 In / And in (RSV) (145:2–5/1631–6)
34. Healing the Leper
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdoma and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.
24So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.
25And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.
40And a leperb came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”
41Moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will—be clean.”
42And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
43And he sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, 44and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded for a testimony.”
45But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the town, but was out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
(Mt. 4:23–25; Mk. 1:40–45)
a “And Jesus went about all Galilee...preaching the gospel of the kingdom”—In the two millennia since he lived on earth many things have been taught about Jesus and in his name, but what did Jesus actually teach? Here this question is clearly answered. Jesus taught and preached “the gospel of the kingdom.”
What is "the gospel of the kingdom"? Jesus' gospel is many-sided and complete, but its central truth is the fatherhood of God, combined with the sonship and consequent brotherhood of man. This is the good news that God is our loving heavenly Father and we are all his children, sons and daughters of God; and as his children we are all brothers and sisters to one another in God's heavenly family. By faith in this gospel we may gain entrance into the Father's kingdom and attain eternal salvation.
b “leper"—lep•ro•sy n. 1: a chronic disease caused by infection with an acid-fast bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae) and characterized by the formation of nodules on the surface of the body and especially on the face or by the appearance of tuberculoid macules on the skin that enlarge and spread and are accompanied by loss of sensation followed sooner or later in both types by involvement of nerves with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities and mutilations. (Webster's Unabridged)
Mk. 1:41 with compassion, he (KJV) / with pity, he (RSV)
Mk. 1:44 a testimony. (KJV) / a proof to the people. (RSV)
Mk. 1:45 enter the town, (KJV) / enter a town, (RSV) (146:0,4/1637,43–4)
47
40And a leperb came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.”
41Moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I will—be clean.”
42And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.
43And he sternly charged him, and sent him away at once, 44and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded for a testimony.”
45But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the town, but was out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter.
(Mt. 4:23–25; Mk. 1:40–45)
a “And Jesus went about all Galilee...preaching the gospel of the kingdom”—In the two millennia since he lived on earth many things have been taught about Jesus and in his name, but what did Jesus actually teach? Here this question is clearly answered. Jesus taught and preached “the gospel of the kingdom.”
What is "the gospel of the kingdom"? Jesus' gospel is many-sided and complete, but its central truth is the fatherhood of God, combined with the sonship and consequent brotherhood of man. This is the good news that God is our loving heavenly Father and we are all his children, sons and daughters of God; and as his children we are all brothers and sisters to one another in God's heavenly family. By faith in this gospel we may gain entrance into the Father's kingdom and attain eternal salvation.
b “leper"—lep•ro•sy n. 1: a chronic disease caused by infection with an acid-fast bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae) and characterized by the formation of nodules on the surface of the body and especially on the face or by the appearance of tuberculoid macules on the skin that enlarge and spread and are accompanied by loss of sensation followed sooner or later in both types by involvement of nerves with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities and mutilations. (Webster's Unabridged)
Mk. 1:41 with compassion, he (KJV) / with pity, he (RSV)
Mk. 1:44 a testimony. (KJV) / a proof to the people. (RSV)
Mk. 1:45 enter the town, (KJV) / enter a town, (RSV) (146:0,4/1637,43–4)
35. Cana and the Nobleman Who Believed
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
46Jesus came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. At Capernaum there was a certain nobleman whose son was ill.
47When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee he went and begged him to come down to Capernaum and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.
48Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
49The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.”
The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. 51As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. 52So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live”; and he himself believed, and all his household.
(Jn. 4:46–53)
Jn. 4:46 Jesus came / So he came (RSV) • At Capernaum / And at Capernaum (RSV) • was a certain nobleman whose (KJV) / was an official whose (RSV)
Jn. 4:47 down to Capernaum and / down and (RSV)
Jn. 4:48 Jesus said / Jesus therefore said (RSV)
Jn. 4:49 The nobleman said (KJV) / The official said (RSV) (146:5/1644–5)
13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still.
And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
15And the man sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus gave him to his mother.
16Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17And this report concerning him spread throughout all the surrounding country and the whole of Judea.
(Lk. 7:11–17)
a “Nain”—See map on page 24.
Lk. 7:12 city, a / city, behold, a (RSV) • out. He was the / out, the (RSV) • widow. A / widow; and a (RSV)
Lk. 7:15 the man / the dead man (RSV) • And Jesus gave / And he gave (RSV)
Lk. 7:17 spread throughout all the surrounding country and the whole of Judea. / spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. (RSV) (146:6/1645–6)
48
48Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
49The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.”
The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. 51As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. 52So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live”; and he himself believed, and all his household.
(Jn. 4:46–53)
Jn. 4:46 Jesus came / So he came (RSV) • At Capernaum / And at Capernaum (RSV) • was a certain nobleman whose (KJV) / was an official whose (RSV)
Jn. 4:47 down to Capernaum and / down and (RSV)
Jn. 4:48 Jesus said / Jesus therefore said (RSV)
Jn. 4:49 The nobleman said (KJV) / The official said (RSV) (146:5/1644–5)
36. The Widow's Son at Nain
13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still.
And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”
15And the man sat up, and began to speak. And Jesus gave him to his mother.
16Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!” 17And this report concerning him spread throughout all the surrounding country and the whole of Judea.
(Lk. 7:11–17)
a “Nain”—See map on page 24.
Lk. 7:12 city, a / city, behold, a (RSV) • out. He was the / out, the (RSV) • widow. A / widow; and a (RSV)
Lk. 7:15 the man / the dead man (RSV) • And Jesus gave / And he gave (RSV)
Lk. 7:17 spread throughout all the surrounding country and the whole of Judea. / spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country. (RSV) (146:6/1645–6)
37. The Faith of the Centurion
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1After Jesus had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Capernaum.a
2Now a centurionb had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. 3When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.”
6And Jesus went with them.
When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it.”
9When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”c
10And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.
(Lk. 7:1–10)
a “After Jesus had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Capernaum.”—After completing their first preaching tour of Galilee, Jesus and his apostles return to their home base of Capernaum.
b “a centurion”—A captain of the Roman guard at Capernaum.
c “When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, `I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.'”—Why does Jesus so exalt faith?
We are mortal and finite beings, living in a material world. With our physical senses and associated minds we may know and understand this world, but we are unable to know a world that lies above and beyond the material level. Jesus taught a spiritual world, a world that transcends the physical. He said, “God is spirit,” and centered his teachings on an inner spiritual kingdom, declaring, “The kingdom of God is within you.” As material and finite beings, we lack the capacity to know this spiritual kingdom and its infinite God.
It is only through the exercise of faith that we are able to go beyond ourselves and recognize a higher spiritual reality. It is only through faith that we may know the truth of the loving heavenly Father and experience our sonship with him.
Faith adds power to our quest for God.
Faith is the price of admission to the kingdom of heaven.
Lk. 7:1 After Jesus had / After he had (RSV) (147:0–1/1647–8)
49
2Now a centurionb had a slave who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. 3When he heard of Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his slave. 4And when they came to Jesus, they besought him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue.”
6And Jesus went with them.
When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it.”
9When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”c
10And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave well.
(Lk. 7:1–10)
a “After Jesus had ended all his sayings in the hearing of the people he entered Capernaum.”—After completing their first preaching tour of Galilee, Jesus and his apostles return to their home base of Capernaum.
b “a centurion”—A captain of the Roman guard at Capernaum.
c “When Jesus heard this he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude that followed him, `I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.'”—Why does Jesus so exalt faith?
We are mortal and finite beings, living in a material world. With our physical senses and associated minds we may know and understand this world, but we are unable to know a world that lies above and beyond the material level. Jesus taught a spiritual world, a world that transcends the physical. He said, “God is spirit,” and centered his teachings on an inner spiritual kingdom, declaring, “The kingdom of God is within you.” As material and finite beings, we lack the capacity to know this spiritual kingdom and its infinite God.
It is only through the exercise of faith that we are able to go beyond ourselves and recognize a higher spiritual reality. It is only through faith that we may know the truth of the loving heavenly Father and experience our sonship with him.
Faith adds power to our quest for God.
Faith is the price of admission to the kingdom of heaven.
Lk. 7:1 After Jesus had / After he had (RSV) (147:0–1/1647–8)
38. Sabbath at the Pool of Bethesda
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1There was a feast of the Jews,a and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, which has five porches.
3In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, and paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.b
5One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.
6When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
7The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going in, another steps down before me.”
8Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
9And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. 15The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16And this is why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the Sabbath.
24Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes has eternal life;c he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
(Jn. 5:1–3, 5–9, 15–16, 24)
a “a feast of the Jews,”—This refers to the Jewish feast of the Passover, which took place each year in April. This is the second recorded Passover following Jesus' baptism, so it probably occurred in April, AD 28, and Jesus would have been 33 years old. (See Ch. 25, fn.a.)
b “waiting for the moving of the water.”—The pool of Bethesda was a hot spring which would bubble up at irregular intervals. It was believed that the first person to enter the pool after one of these periodic disturbances would be healed. (Oxford Bible, p. 1292)
c “he who hears my word and believes has eternal life;"—He who hears Jesus' gospel of the kingdom and believes the good news that he is a child of God receives the gift of eternal life.
Jn. 5:1 There / After this there (RSV)
Jn. 5:2 five porches. (KJV) / five porticos. (RSV)
Jn. 5:3 paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. (RSV alternate insert; Oxford Bible, p. 1292) / paralyzed. (RSV)
Jn. 5:8 your bed and (KJV) / your pallet and (RSV)
Jn. 5:9 his bed and (KJV) / his pallet and (RSV)
Jn. 5:24 believes has / believes him who sent me has (RSV) (147:3/1649–50)
50
6When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
7The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going in, another steps down before me.”
8Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
9And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. 15The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16And this is why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the Sabbath.
24Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes has eternal life;c he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
(Jn. 5:1–3, 5–9, 15–16, 24)
a “a feast of the Jews,”—This refers to the Jewish feast of the Passover, which took place each year in April. This is the second recorded Passover following Jesus' baptism, so it probably occurred in April, AD 28, and Jesus would have been 33 years old. (See Ch. 25, fn.a.)
b “waiting for the moving of the water.”—The pool of Bethesda was a hot spring which would bubble up at irregular intervals. It was believed that the first person to enter the pool after one of these periodic disturbances would be healed. (Oxford Bible, p. 1292)
c “he who hears my word and believes has eternal life;"—He who hears Jesus' gospel of the kingdom and believes the good news that he is a child of God receives the gift of eternal life.
Jn. 5:1 There / After this there (RSV)
Jn. 5:2 five porches. (KJV) / five porticos. (RSV)
Jn. 5:3 paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. (RSV alternate insert; Oxford Bible, p. 1292) / paralyzed. (RSV)
Jn. 5:8 your bed and (KJV) / your pallet and (RSV)
Jn. 5:9 his bed and (KJV) / his pallet and (RSV)
Jn. 5:24 believes has / believes him who sent me has (RSV) (147:3/1649–50)
39. The Meal with Simon the Pharisee
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table.
37A woman of the city who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,
38and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is touching him, for she is a sinner.”
40And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?”
41“A certain creditor had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denariia and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, who was forgiven the most.”
And he said to him, "You have judged rightly.”
44Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, yet you gave me no water for my feet. She has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, and this has led her to love much; but he who is forgiven little, sometimes loves little.” 48And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”
50And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you;b go in peace.”
(Lk. 7:36–50)
a “denarii”—A denarius was equal to a day's wage for a laborer.
b “Your faith has saved you”—It is the woman's faith that saved her from her sins and opened the way to eternal salvation. In Jesus' gospel faith is the price we pay for entrance into the Father's eternal kingdom.
Lk. 7:36 asked Jesus to / asked him to (RSV)
Lk. 7:37 A / And behold, a (RSV)
Lk. 7:43 suppose, who was forgiven the most. / suppose, to whom he forgave more. (RSV)
Lk. 7:44 feet. She / feet, but she (RSV)
Lk. 7:47 forgiven, and this has led her to love much; / forgiven, for she loved much; (RSV) • little, sometimes loves / little, loves (RSV) (147:5/1651–2)
51
39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is touching him, for she is a sinner.”
40And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?”
41“A certain creditor had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denariia and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, who was forgiven the most.”
And he said to him, "You have judged rightly.”
44Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, yet you gave me no water for my feet. She has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, and this has led her to love much; but he who is forgiven little, sometimes loves little.” 48And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”
50And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you;b go in peace.”
(Lk. 7:36–50)
a “denarii”—A denarius was equal to a day's wage for a laborer.
b “Your faith has saved you”—It is the woman's faith that saved her from her sins and opened the way to eternal salvation. In Jesus' gospel faith is the price we pay for entrance into the Father's eternal kingdom.
Lk. 7:36 asked Jesus to / asked him to (RSV)
Lk. 7:37 A / And behold, a (RSV)
Lk. 7:43 suppose, who was forgiven the most. / suppose, to whom he forgave more. (RSV)
Lk. 7:44 feet. She / feet, but she (RSV)
Lk. 7:47 forgiven, and this has led her to love much; / forgiven, for she loved much; (RSV) • little, sometimes loves / little, loves (RSV) (147:5/1651–2)
40. Going through the Grainfields
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
23One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields; and as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.
24And the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”a
25And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26how he entered the house of God when Abiatar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests? And David also gave it to those who were with him.”
27And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. 28The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
(Mk. 2:23–28)
a “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”—After his last visit to Jerusalem (Section X, page 50), Pharisees seem always to be following Jesus, ever seeking to entrap him and find him guilty of wrongdoing or law breaking.
Mk. 2:23 Sabbath Jesus was / Sabbath he was (RSV)
Mk. 2:26 priests? And David also / priests to eat, and also (RSV)
Mk. 2:28 The / so the (RSV) (147:6/1654–5)
52
25And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26how he entered the house of God when Abiatar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests? And David also gave it to those who were with him.”
27And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. 28The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
(Mk. 2:23–28)
a “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”—After his last visit to Jerusalem (Section X, page 50), Pharisees seem always to be following Jesus, ever seeking to entrap him and find him guilty of wrongdoing or law breaking.
Mk. 2:23 Sabbath Jesus was / Sabbath he was (RSV)
Mk. 2:26 priests? And David also / priests to eat, and also (RSV)
Mk. 2:28 The / so the (RSV) (147:6/1654–5)
41. New Wine and Old Wine Skins
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
33And the Pharisees said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.”a
34And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroomb is with them? 35The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment and a worse tear is made. 17Neither is new wine put into old wine skins; if it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed. 38But new wine must be put into fresh wine skins.”
(Lk. 5:33–35; Mt. 9:16–17; Lk. 5:38)
a “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.”—It is natural for the human child to pray to his heavenly Father, but fasting was not taught by Jesus. Fasting was a part of the old order but was not a part of the new gospel of the kingdom. Jesus compares the attempt to make his gospel fit into the Jewish tradition to the foolish practice of putting new wine into old wineskins.
b “bridegroom”—John the Baptist referred to Jesus as a “bridegroom.” (See Ch. 21, Jn. 3:29.)
Lk. 5:33 And the Pharisees said / And they said (RSV)
Mt. 9:16 No / And no (RSV) (147:7/1655–6)
53
34And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroomb is with them? 35The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 16No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment and a worse tear is made. 17Neither is new wine put into old wine skins; if it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed. 38But new wine must be put into fresh wine skins.”
(Lk. 5:33–35; Mt. 9:16–17; Lk. 5:38)
a “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.”—It is natural for the human child to pray to his heavenly Father, but fasting was not taught by Jesus. Fasting was a part of the old order but was not a part of the new gospel of the kingdom. Jesus compares the attempt to make his gospel fit into the Jewish tradition to the foolish practice of putting new wine into old wineskins.
b “bridegroom”—John the Baptist referred to Jesus as a “bridegroom.” (See Ch. 21, Jn. 3:29.)
Lk. 5:33 And the Pharisees said / And they said (RSV)
Mt. 9:16 No / And no (RSV) (147:7/1655–6)
42. Healing on the Sabbath
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1Jesus entered the synagogue, and a man was there who had a withered hand.
2And the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.
3And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come here.” 4And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, to save life?”
But they were silent.
5And he looked around at them and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.a
6The Pharisees went out, and immediately held counsel with the Herodiansb against him, how to destroy him.
(Mk. 3:1–6)
a “his hand was restored.”—Here the master performs a miracle of healing as a challenge to the meaningless restrictions that had been placed upon the observance of the Sabbath day of rest.
b “Herodians”—A political party that sought emancipation from direct Roman rule through the restoration of the Herodian dynasty.
Mk. 3:1 Jesus entered / Again he entered (RSV)
Mk. 3:2 And the Pharisees watched (Mk. 3:6) / And they watched (RSV)
Mk. 3:4 good, to save life? / good or to do harm, to save life or to kill? (RSV)
Mk. 3:5 them and / them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and (RSV) (148:7/1664–65)
54
3And he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come here.” 4And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, to save life?”
But they were silent.
5And he looked around at them and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”
He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.a
6The Pharisees went out, and immediately held counsel with the Herodiansb against him, how to destroy him.
(Mk. 3:1–6)
a “his hand was restored.”—Here the master performs a miracle of healing as a challenge to the meaningless restrictions that had been placed upon the observance of the Sabbath day of rest.
b “Herodians”—A political party that sought emancipation from direct Roman rule through the restoration of the Herodian dynasty.
Mk. 3:1 Jesus entered / Again he entered (RSV)
Mk. 3:2 And the Pharisees watched (Mk. 3:6) / And they watched (RSV)
Mk. 3:4 good, to save life? / good or to do harm, to save life or to kill? (RSV)
Mk. 3:5 them and / them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and (RSV) (148:7/1664–65)
43. Jesus Heals a Paralytic
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1And when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home.a
2And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching to them.
3And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
4And when they could not get near him because of the crowd they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
5And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them: “Why do you question thus in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, 11I say to this afflicted man, 'Rise, take up your bed and go home.'”
12And he rose, and immediately took up the bed and went out before them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
(Mk. 2:1–12)
a “he was at home.”—Perhaps the home of James and John Zebedee, who lived at Capernaum, as did Andrew and Peter.
Mk. 2.1 when Jesus returned / when he returned (RSV)
Mk. 2:2 preaching to / preaching the word to (RSV)
Mk. 2:4 the bed on (KJV) / the pallet on (RSV)
Mk. 2:8 Jesus, / And immediately, Jesus, (RSV)
Mk. 2:9 your bed and (KJV) / your pallet and (RSV)
Mk. 2:11 I say to this afflicted man, ‘Rise, / “I say to you, rise, (RSV) • your bed and (KJV) / your pallet and (RSV)
Mk. 2:12 the bed and (KJV) / the pallet and (RSV) • all. They / all so that they (RSV) (148:9/1666–7)
55
5And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”
6Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7“Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them: “Why do you question thus in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, 11I say to this afflicted man, 'Rise, take up your bed and go home.'”
12And he rose, and immediately took up the bed and went out before them all. They were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
(Mk. 2:1–12)
a “he was at home.”—Perhaps the home of James and John Zebedee, who lived at Capernaum, as did Andrew and Peter.
Mk. 2.1 when Jesus returned / when he returned (RSV)
Mk. 2:2 preaching to / preaching the word to (RSV)
Mk. 2:4 the bed on (KJV) / the pallet on (RSV)
Mk. 2:8 Jesus, / And immediately, Jesus, (RSV)
Mk. 2:9 your bed and (KJV) / your pallet and (RSV)
Mk. 2:11 I say to this afflicted man, ‘Rise, / “I say to you, rise, (RSV) • your bed and (KJV) / your pallet and (RSV)
Mk. 2:12 the bed and (KJV) / the pallet and (RSV) • all. They / all so that they (RSV) (148:9/1666–7)
44. The Women’s Evangelistic Corps
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1Soon afterward Jesus went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God.a And the twelve were with him,
2and also some womenb who had been healed: Mary, called Magdalene,
3and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided their support out of their private means.
(Lk. 8:1–3)
a “preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God"—The good news that God is our loving and merciful heavenly Father. (See also Ch. 34, fn. a.)
b “and also some women”—Jesus and the apostles are embarking on another preaching tour through the cities and villages of Galilee. In this tour they are joined for the first time by a group of women evangelists. These women formed a separate corps of gospel teachers “who provided their support out of their private means.”
In a time when women were not allowed on the main floor of the synagogue, being confined to the women's quarters, this was a bold and courageous move. Jesus' decision to recognize women as teachers of the gospel forever emancipated women from the prevailing belief in the spiritual inferiority of women. Jesus taught the spiritual equality of male and female and by this act gave due recognition to women's place in religious work.
Lk. 8:1 afterward Jesus went / afterward he went (RSV)
Lk. 8:2 healed: / healed of evil spirits and infirmities: (RSV) • Magdalene, / Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. (RSV)
Lk. 8:3 provided their support out of their private means. (NASB) / provided for them out of their means. (RSV) (150:1/1678–9)
56
(Lk. 8:1–3)
a “preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God"—The good news that God is our loving and merciful heavenly Father. (See also Ch. 34, fn. a.)
b “and also some women”—Jesus and the apostles are embarking on another preaching tour through the cities and villages of Galilee. In this tour they are joined for the first time by a group of women evangelists. These women formed a separate corps of gospel teachers “who provided their support out of their private means.”
In a time when women were not allowed on the main floor of the synagogue, being confined to the women's quarters, this was a bold and courageous move. Jesus' decision to recognize women as teachers of the gospel forever emancipated women from the prevailing belief in the spiritual inferiority of women. Jesus taught the spiritual equality of male and female and by this act gave due recognition to women's place in religious work.
Lk. 8:1 afterward Jesus went / afterward he went (RSV)
Lk. 8:2 healed: / healed of evil spirits and infirmities: (RSV) • Magdalene, / Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. (RSV)
Lk. 8:3 provided their support out of their private means. (NASB) / provided for them out of their means. (RSV) (150:1/1678–9)
45. Sending Out the Twelve Two by Two
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
7And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two.
37He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. 38Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers into his harvest.”
24“The disciple is not above his master; nor the servant above his lord. 25It is enough for the disciple that he be on a level with his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household.”
26“So have no fear of them. Nothing is covered that shall not be revealed, or hidden that shall not be known. 27What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light. What you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.”
29“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than a great many sparrows.”
36“A man's foes will be those of his own household. 37He who loves father or mother more than this gospel is not worthy of the kingdom.”
6And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel everywhere.a
(Mk. 6:7; Mt. 9:37–38, 10:24–31, 36–37; Lk. 9:6)
a “And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel everywhere.”—The core message Jesus directed his apostles to bring to the world was known as “the gospel of the kingdom.” This is the good news that we are all children of God and through faith we may realize and experience this ennobling truth. (See also Ch. 34, fn. a.)
Mk. 6:7 two. / two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. (RSV)
Mt. 9:37 He / Then he (RSV) • is plenteous, but (KJV) / is plentiful, but (RSV) • out more laborers (LAM) / out laborers (RSV)
Mt. 10:24 (KJV)
Mt. 10:25 (KJV) • be on a level with his (Wey) / be as his (KJV)
Mt. 10:26 them. Nothing / them for nothing (RSV) • that shall not (KJV) / that will not (RSV)
Mt. 10:27 light. What / light; and what (RSV)
Mt. 10:30 Even / But even (RSV)
Mt. 10:36 A / And a (RSV) • than this gospel is / than me is (RSV) • of the kingdom. / of me. (RSV)
Lk. 9:6 gospel everywhere. / gospel and healing everywhere. (RSV) (150:4/1681–2)
57
37He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. 38Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers into his harvest.”
24“The disciple is not above his master; nor the servant above his lord. 25It is enough for the disciple that he be on a level with his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household.”
26“So have no fear of them. Nothing is covered that shall not be revealed, or hidden that shall not be known. 27What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light. What you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.”
29“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. 30Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than a great many sparrows.”
36“A man's foes will be those of his own household. 37He who loves father or mother more than this gospel is not worthy of the kingdom.”
6And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel everywhere.a
(Mk. 6:7; Mt. 9:37–38, 10:24–31, 36–37; Lk. 9:6)
a “And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel everywhere.”—The core message Jesus directed his apostles to bring to the world was known as “the gospel of the kingdom.” This is the good news that we are all children of God and through faith we may realize and experience this ennobling truth. (See also Ch. 34, fn. a.)
Mk. 6:7 two. / two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. (RSV)
Mt. 9:37 He / Then he (RSV) • is plenteous, but (KJV) / is plentiful, but (RSV) • out more laborers (LAM) / out laborers (RSV)
Mt. 10:24 (KJV)
Mt. 10:25 (KJV) • be on a level with his (Wey) / be as his (KJV)
Mt. 10:26 them. Nothing / them for nothing (RSV) • that shall not (KJV) / that will not (RSV)
Mt. 10:27 light. What / light; and what (RSV)
Mt. 10:30 Even / But even (RSV)
Mt. 10:36 A / And a (RSV) • than this gospel is / than me is (RSV) • of the kingdom. / of me. (RSV)
Lk. 9:6 gospel everywhere. / gospel and healing everywhere. (RSV) (150:4/1681–2)
46. Discourse at the Nazareth Synagogue
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read
17and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it is written:
18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed mea to preach good tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed and 19to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
20And he closed the book and gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21And he began speaking to them by saying, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled.”
22And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.
(Lk. 4:16–22)
a “he has anointed me”—The literal meaning of Messiah (Greek: Christ) is “the anointed one.” Jesus, after quoting this scripture from Isaiah (“he has anointed me”), affirms that the scripture is fulfilled in him (“Today this scripture has been fulfilled”).
Lk. 4:16 day. He / day. And he (RSV)
Lk. 4:18 Isaiah 61:1 • good tidings to (Is. 61:1) (KJV) / good news to (RSV)
Lk. 4:19 Isaiah 61:2
Lk. 4:21 began speaking to them by saying, “Today / began to say to them, “Today (RSV) • fulfilled.” / fulfilled in your hearing.” (RSV) (150:8/1684–6)
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18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed mea to preach good tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed and 19to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
20And he closed the book and gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21And he began speaking to them by saying, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled.”
22And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.
(Lk. 4:16–22)
a “he has anointed me”—The literal meaning of Messiah (Greek: Christ) is “the anointed one.” Jesus, after quoting this scripture from Isaiah (“he has anointed me”), affirms that the scripture is fulfilled in him (“Today this scripture has been fulfilled”).
Lk. 4:16 day. He / day. And he (RSV)
Lk. 4:18 Isaiah 61:1 • good tidings to (Is. 61:1) (KJV) / good news to (RSV)
Lk. 4:19 Isaiah 61:2
Lk. 4:21 began speaking to them by saying, “Today / began to say to them, “Today (RSV) • fulfilled.” / fulfilled in your hearing.” (RSV) (150:8/1684–6)
47. Jesus Is Rejected at Nazareth
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
54After Jesus had taught them in their synagogue, they were astonished and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
55Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
56And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?”
57And they took offense at him.
23And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself,' and say to me, 'What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here also in your own country.'”
24And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, a prophet is not without honor save in his own land.”
28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29And they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him over the edge. 30But passing through the midst of them he went his way.
(Mt. 13:54–57; Lk. 4:23–24, 28–30)
Mt. 13:54 After Jesus had taught them in their synagogue, they / and coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue so that they (RSV)
Lk. 4:23 yourself,' and say to me, 'What / yourself; 'what (RSV)
Lk. 4:24 you, a prophet is not without honor save in his own land / you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country (RSV)
Lk. 4:29 him over the edge. (NEB) / him down headlong. (RSV)
Lk. 4:30 went his way. (KJV) / went away. (RSV) (150:9/1686–7)
59
23And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself,' and say to me, 'What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here also in your own country.'”
24And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, a prophet is not without honor save in his own land.”
28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29And they rose up and put him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw him over the edge. 30But passing through the midst of them he went his way.
(Mt. 13:54–57; Lk. 4:23–24, 28–30)
Mt. 13:54 After Jesus had taught them in their synagogue, they / and coming to his own country he taught them in their synagogue so that they (RSV)
Lk. 4:23 yourself,' and say to me, 'What / yourself; 'what (RSV)
Lk. 4:24 you, a prophet is not without honor save in his own land / you, no prophet is acceptable in his own country (RSV)
Lk. 4:29 him over the edge. (NEB) / him down headlong. (RSV)
Lk. 4:30 went his way. (KJV) / went away. (RSV) (150:9/1686–7)
48. The Parable of the Sower
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1Jesus began to teach beside the Sea of Galilee. A very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
2And he taught them many things in parables,a and in his teaching he said to them, 3“Listen! A sower went out to sow, 4and as he sowed some seed fell along the path, and birds came and devoured it. 5Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up since it had no depth of soil, 6but when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root it withered away. 7Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it yielded no grain. 8And other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. 9He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
(Mk. 4:1–8; Mt. 13:9) (continued)
a “And he taught them many things in parables"—At this time Jesus suddenly initiates a wholly new form of teaching—the parable. The Parable of the Sower is Jesus' first recorded parable and it is immediately followed by numerous other parables. Jesus continued to teach in parables throughout the remainder of his earth ministry and his last parable (The Parable of the Talents) was spoken just three days before his death.
Parables introduce spiritual truth by moving from the known (natural and material world) to the unknown (spiritual and supermaterial world). They use the analogy existing between the natural and the spiritual to teach the truths of the kingdom.
Parables encourage critical thinking and creative imagination, but they should not be approached as allegories where each individual detail holds some definite and hidden meaning. Although the individual hearer is free to assign special meaning to particular aspects of a parable, they should be thought of as simple stories that are designed to portray one essential and vital truth. For example, in The Parable of the Sower, even though specific interpretations are offered, the thrust of the parable is to teach that varying degrees of success may be expected by those who seek to minister the gospel of the kingdom.
Parables, as used by Jesus, possess a number of important advantages:
(1) Parables tell simple stories that are easy to understand. They use imagery and situations that are familiar. Thus they are well adapted to the minds and comprehension of the listeners.
(2) Parables appeal to a wide variety of intellects and temperaments, and leave each individual free to interpret the parable in accordance with his or her own mental and spiritual endowments.
(3) Parables arouse a minimum of self-defense and other negative attitudes that close the mind to new truth. They evade personal prejudice and make it easy to receive spiritual truth that one might otherwise have been unwilling to accept.
(4) To reject the truth contained in parables forces one into conflict with one's own honest judgment and fair decision. Parables stimulate thinking and tend to force thought to the desired conclusion.
(5) Parables enabled Jesus to teach new truth while avoiding any outward clashing with established authority and tradition. (See also Ch. 48, fn. b.)
Mk. 4:1 Jesus began / Again he began (RSV) • Sea of Galilee. / sea. (RSV) • A very / And a very (RSV)
Mk. 4:6 but when / and when (RSV) (151:1/1688–9)
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2And he taught them many things in parables,a and in his teaching he said to them, 3“Listen! A sower went out to sow, 4and as he sowed some seed fell along the path, and birds came and devoured it. 5Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had not much soil, and immediately it sprang up since it had no depth of soil, 6but when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root it withered away. 7Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it yielded no grain. 8And other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. 9He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
(Mk. 4:1–8; Mt. 13:9) (continued)
a “And he taught them many things in parables"—At this time Jesus suddenly initiates a wholly new form of teaching—the parable. The Parable of the Sower is Jesus' first recorded parable and it is immediately followed by numerous other parables. Jesus continued to teach in parables throughout the remainder of his earth ministry and his last parable (The Parable of the Talents) was spoken just three days before his death.
Parables introduce spiritual truth by moving from the known (natural and material world) to the unknown (spiritual and supermaterial world). They use the analogy existing between the natural and the spiritual to teach the truths of the kingdom.
Parables encourage critical thinking and creative imagination, but they should not be approached as allegories where each individual detail holds some definite and hidden meaning. Although the individual hearer is free to assign special meaning to particular aspects of a parable, they should be thought of as simple stories that are designed to portray one essential and vital truth. For example, in The Parable of the Sower, even though specific interpretations are offered, the thrust of the parable is to teach that varying degrees of success may be expected by those who seek to minister the gospel of the kingdom.
Parables, as used by Jesus, possess a number of important advantages:
(1) Parables tell simple stories that are easy to understand. They use imagery and situations that are familiar. Thus they are well adapted to the minds and comprehension of the listeners.
(2) Parables appeal to a wide variety of intellects and temperaments, and leave each individual free to interpret the parable in accordance with his or her own mental and spiritual endowments.
(3) Parables arouse a minimum of self-defense and other negative attitudes that close the mind to new truth. They evade personal prejudice and make it easy to receive spiritual truth that one might otherwise have been unwilling to accept.
(4) To reject the truth contained in parables forces one into conflict with one's own honest judgment and fair decision. Parables stimulate thinking and tend to force thought to the desired conclusion.
(5) Parables enabled Jesus to teach new truth while avoiding any outward clashing with established authority and tradition. (See also Ch. 48, fn. b.)
Mk. 4:1 Jesus began / Again he began (RSV) • Sea of Galilee. / sea. (RSV) • A very / And a very (RSV)
Mk. 4:6 but when / and when (RSV) (151:1/1688–9)
48. The Parable of the Sower (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
10Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
11And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12And we will do this so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand.b 12For to him who has shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has shall be taken away.”c
14“With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 15'For this people's heart has waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed lest they should perceive with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart.'”
26And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground; 27and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow he knows not how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29And when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
(Mt. 13:10, 11; Mk. 4:12; Mt. 13:12, 14, 15; Mk. 4:26–29)
b “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand.”—The multitudes that now gather to hear Jesus' teachings are composed not only of genuine truth seekers, but also of others who lack spiritual discernment, as well as enemies who seek his destruction. By teaching in parables Jesus enables those who desire to know the truth to understand his meaning, while those who lack discernment or seek to use his teachings against him are only confounded. They “see but do not perceive” and “hear but do not understand.”
Jesus refers to these individuals who are not seeking truth by quoting the prophet Isaiah: “For this people's heart has waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed lest they should perceive with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart.”
c “For to him who has shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has shall be taken away.”—Those who love the truth and seek entrance into the kingdom will gain new truth from parables because they will be able to understand the parables' meaning, while those who do not follow in the way of truth are only more confused and confounded by parables—“even what (understanding) he has shall be taken away.”
Mt. 13:10 and asked him, / and said to him, (RSV)
Mt. 13:11 the mysteries of (KJV) / the secrets of (RSV) • of heaven, but (KJV) / of God, but (RSV)
Mk. 4:12 And we will do this so / so (RSV)
Mt. 13:12 has shall more (KJV) / has will more (RSV) • he shall have (KJV) / he will have (RSV) • has shall be (KJV) / has will be (RSV)
Mt. 13:14 says: / says: `You shall indeed hear but never understand and you shall indeed see but never perceive. (RSV)
Mt. 13:15 Isaiah 6:9–10 • has waxed gross, and (KJV) / has grown dull, and (RSV) • are dull of (KJV) / are heavy of (RSV) • heart.'” / heart, and turn for me to heal them.'” (RSV)
Mk. 4:29 And when / But when (RSV) (151:1,3/1689,93)
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11And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12And we will do this so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand.b 12For to him who has shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has shall be taken away.”c
14“With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah which says: 15'For this people's heart has waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed lest they should perceive with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart.'”
26And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground; 27and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow he knows not how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29And when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
(Mt. 13:10, 11; Mk. 4:12; Mt. 13:12, 14, 15; Mk. 4:26–29)
b “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand.”—The multitudes that now gather to hear Jesus' teachings are composed not only of genuine truth seekers, but also of others who lack spiritual discernment, as well as enemies who seek his destruction. By teaching in parables Jesus enables those who desire to know the truth to understand his meaning, while those who lack discernment or seek to use his teachings against him are only confounded. They “see but do not perceive” and “hear but do not understand.”
Jesus refers to these individuals who are not seeking truth by quoting the prophet Isaiah: “For this people's heart has waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed lest they should perceive with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart.”
c “For to him who has shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has shall be taken away.”—Those who love the truth and seek entrance into the kingdom will gain new truth from parables because they will be able to understand the parables' meaning, while those who do not follow in the way of truth are only more confused and confounded by parables—“even what (understanding) he has shall be taken away.”
Mt. 13:10 and asked him, / and said to him, (RSV)
Mt. 13:11 the mysteries of (KJV) / the secrets of (RSV) • of heaven, but (KJV) / of God, but (RSV)
Mk. 4:12 And we will do this so / so (RSV)
Mt. 13:12 has shall more (KJV) / has will more (RSV) • he shall have (KJV) / he will have (RSV) • has shall be (KJV) / has will be (RSV)
Mt. 13:14 says: / says: `You shall indeed hear but never understand and you shall indeed see but never perceive. (RSV)
Mt. 13:15 Isaiah 6:9–10 • has waxed gross, and (KJV) / has grown dull, and (RSV) • are dull of (KJV) / are heavy of (RSV) • heart.'” / heart, and turn for me to heal them.'” (RSV)
Mk. 4:29 And when / But when (RSV) (151:1,3/1689,93)
49. More Parables beside the Sea
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
24Another parable he put before them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field;
25but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
26So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.
27And the servants of the householder came and said to him: 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?'
28He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?'
29But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.
30Let them both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, 'Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”
31Another parable he put before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. 32It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
33He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
(Mt. 13:24–33) (continued)
a “More Parables beside the Sea”—Jesus teaches eight parables beside the Sea of Galilee. They may be identified and listed as follows:
(1) The Parable of the Sower
(2) The Parable of the Seed
(3) The Parable of the Weeds
(4) The Grain of Mustard Seed
(5) The Parable of the Leaven
(6) The Treasure Hidden in a Field
(7) The Pearl of Great Price
(8) The Parable of the Net
(151:4/1693–4)
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31Another parable he put before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field. 32It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
33He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
(Mt. 13:24–33) (continued)
a “More Parables beside the Sea”—Jesus teaches eight parables beside the Sea of Galilee. They may be identified and listed as follows:
(1) The Parable of the Sower
(2) The Parable of the Seed
(3) The Parable of the Weeds
(4) The Grain of Mustard Seed
(5) The Parable of the Leaven
(6) The Treasure Hidden in a Field
(7) The Pearl of Great Price
(8) The Parable of the Net
(151:4/1693–4)
49. More Parables beside the Sea (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
44“The kingdom of heaven is likeb a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46who, on finding one pearl of great price, went forth and sold all that he had and bought it.”
47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad.”
33With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34He did not speak to them without a parable; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.c
(Mt. 13:44–48; Mk. 4:33–34)
b “The kingdom of heaven is like”—The central focus of Jesus' teaching mission on earth was the kingdom of heaven. The fundamental importance and centrality of the kingdom idea is clearly shown in Jesus' parables. Many begin with words such as these: “The kingdom of heaven is like...”
This heavenly kingdom that Jesus taught is the rule of God in the heart of the individual believer. Jesus' parables help us understand various aspects of this inner spiritual kingdom. For example: The Sower describes the mixed reception of the kingdom in those who hear it proclaimed; The Parable of the Seed, The Grain of Mustard Seed, and The Parable of the Leaven picture the growth and development of the kingdom; The Treasure Hidden in a Field and The Pearl of Great Price emphasize the great value of the kingdom; and The Parable of the Weeds and The Parable of the Net refer to the inevitable judgment and separation of good and evil that characterizes the kingdom.
c “He did not speak to them without a parable; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.”—Jesus continued to teach openly to his apostles and devoted believers, but from this time forward, when speaking to large crowds and those who opposed him, he taught mainly in parables.
Mt. 13:45 great price, went (KJV) / great value, went (RSV) (151:4/1693–4)
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45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46who, on finding one pearl of great price, went forth and sold all that he had and bought it.”
47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. 48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad.”
33With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34He did not speak to them without a parable; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.c
(Mt. 13:44–48; Mk. 4:33–34)
b “The kingdom of heaven is like”—The central focus of Jesus' teaching mission on earth was the kingdom of heaven. The fundamental importance and centrality of the kingdom idea is clearly shown in Jesus' parables. Many begin with words such as these: “The kingdom of heaven is like...”
This heavenly kingdom that Jesus taught is the rule of God in the heart of the individual believer. Jesus' parables help us understand various aspects of this inner spiritual kingdom. For example: The Sower describes the mixed reception of the kingdom in those who hear it proclaimed; The Parable of the Seed, The Grain of Mustard Seed, and The Parable of the Leaven picture the growth and development of the kingdom; The Treasure Hidden in a Field and The Pearl of Great Price emphasize the great value of the kingdom; and The Parable of the Weeds and The Parable of the Net refer to the inevitable judgment and separation of good and evil that characterizes the kingdom.
c “He did not speak to them without a parable; but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.”—Jesus continued to teach openly to his apostles and devoted believers, but from this time forward, when speaking to large crowds and those who opposed him, he taught mainly in parables.
Mt. 13:45 great price, went (KJV) / great value, went (RSV) (151:4/1693–4)
50. The Visit to Gerasa
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
18Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.a
23And when he got into the boat his apostles followed him.
37And a great storm of wind arose,b and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
38Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. They woke him and said to him,“Teacher, do you not care if we perish?”
39And he awoke and said, “Peace, be still.”
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”
41And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?”
(Mt. 8:18, 23; Mk. 4:37–41)
a “go over to the other side”—Go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (go from Capernaum to the eastern shore). (See map on page 69.) Jesus is seeking rest from the crowds; he is so fatigued that even a violent windstorm does not awaken him.
b “a great storm of wind arose”—Violent and sudden windstorms are characteristic of the Sea of Galilee. These gales come on quickly and sometimes go away just as suddenly.
Mt. 8:23 his apostles followed (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples followed (RSV)
Mk. 4:38 Jesus / But he (RSV) • cushion. They / cushion and they (RSV)
Mk. 4:39 and said, “Peace / and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace (RSV) (151:5/1694–5)
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39And he awoke and said, “Peace, be still.”
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”
41And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?”
(Mt. 8:18, 23; Mk. 4:37–41)
a “go over to the other side”—Go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (go from Capernaum to the eastern shore). (See map on page 69.) Jesus is seeking rest from the crowds; he is so fatigued that even a violent windstorm does not awaken him.
b “a great storm of wind arose”—Violent and sudden windstorms are characteristic of the Sea of Galilee. These gales come on quickly and sometimes go away just as suddenly.
Mt. 8:23 his apostles followed (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples followed (RSV)
Mk. 4:38 Jesus / But he (RSV) • cushion. They / cushion and they (RSV)
Mk. 4:39 and said, “Peace / and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace (RSV) (151:5/1694–5)
51. The Gerasa Lunatic
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.a
2And when he had come out of the boat, there met him a man
3who lived among the tombs; and no one could bind him anymore, even with a chain.
4He had often been bound with fetters and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the fetters he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him.
5Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out, and bruising himself with stones.
6And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped him;
7and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus? I beseech you, do not torment me.”
11Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; 13and the herd rushed down over the steep bankb into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. 14The herdsmen fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened. 15And they came to Jesus, and saw the man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16And those who had seen it told what had happened to the man and to the swine. 17And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighborhood.c 18As he was getting into the boat, the man begged him that he might be with him.
19But he refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20And the man went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolisd how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marveled.
(Mk. 5:1–7, 11, 13–20)
a “the country of the Gerasenes”—Also referred to as the country of the Gaderenes. (Mt. 8:28.) Gerasa (Kheresa) is identified with ruins now called Kerza. It is about five miles from where the Jordan enters the Sea of Galilee. (See map on page 69.)
b “the steep bank”—Most of the eastern shore slopes up gently to the highlands beyond, but just south of Geresa is the only place where steep hills come close to the water such that swine could have rushed over a steep bank. (Haley's Bible Handbook, p. 467)
c “And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighborhood.”—The herdsmen and those who witnessed the event all believed that Jesus had cast a legion of demons out of the troubled man, and that the demons had then entered a herd of swine and caused them to rush over the cliff to their death. This made them afraid, perhaps of losing more of their swine.
d “Decapolis”—The area east of the Jordan that contained a number of Greek cities. (See map on page 24.)
Mk. 5:2 him a / him out of the tombs a (RSV) • man who / man with an unclean spirit, who (RSV)
Mt. 5:7 Jesus? I / Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I (RSV) • I beseech you, do / I adjure you, by God, do (RSV)
Mt. 5:13 herd rushed / herd numbering about 2,000 rushed (RSV)
Mk. 5:15 the man sitting / the demoniac sitting (RSV) • mind, and / mind, the man who had had the legion; and (RSV)
Mk. 5:16 the man and / the demoniac and (RSV)
Mk. 5:18 man begged / man who had been possessed with demons begged (RSV) (151:6/1695–7)
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11Now a great herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; 13and the herd rushed down over the steep bankb into the sea, and were drowned in the sea. 14The herdsmen fled, and told it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened. 15And they came to Jesus, and saw the man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16And those who had seen it told what had happened to the man and to the swine. 17And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighborhood.c 18As he was getting into the boat, the man begged him that he might be with him.
19But he refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20And the man went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolisd how much Jesus had done for him; and all men marveled.
(Mk. 5:1–7, 11, 13–20)
a “the country of the Gerasenes”—Also referred to as the country of the Gaderenes. (Mt. 8:28.) Gerasa (Kheresa) is identified with ruins now called Kerza. It is about five miles from where the Jordan enters the Sea of Galilee. (See map on page 69.)
b “the steep bank”—Most of the eastern shore slopes up gently to the highlands beyond, but just south of Geresa is the only place where steep hills come close to the water such that swine could have rushed over a steep bank. (Haley's Bible Handbook, p. 467)
c “And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their neighborhood.”—The herdsmen and those who witnessed the event all believed that Jesus had cast a legion of demons out of the troubled man, and that the demons had then entered a herd of swine and caused them to rush over the cliff to their death. This made them afraid, perhaps of losing more of their swine.
d “Decapolis”—The area east of the Jordan that contained a number of Greek cities. (See map on page 24.)
Mk. 5:2 him a / him out of the tombs a (RSV) • man who / man with an unclean spirit, who (RSV)
Mt. 5:7 Jesus? I / Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I (RSV) • I beseech you, do / I adjure you, by God, do (RSV)
Mt. 5:13 herd rushed / herd numbering about 2,000 rushed (RSV)
Mk. 5:15 the man sitting / the demoniac sitting (RSV) • mind, and / mind, the man who had had the legion; and (RSV)
Mk. 5:16 the man and / the demoniac and (RSV)
Mk. 5:18 man begged / man who had been possessed with demons begged (RSV) (151:6/1695–7)
52. On the Way to Jairus’ House
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
21And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side (from Gerasa back to Capernaum), a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea.
22Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet,
23and besought him, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”
24And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed and thronged about him. 25There was a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians. She had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, “If I touch even the hem of his garment, I shall be made whole.” 29And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, “Who touched my garments?”
31And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'”
32And he looked around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole;a go in peace.”
(Mk. 5:21–34)
a “your faith has made you whole”—This incident is a very clear example of the healing power of living faith. It required only the contact of the woman's faith with the person of Jesus and a miraculous healing was effected. Jesus was not even aware of the healing, nor did he consciously will it; creative power went out from him in response to the woman's faith. Jesus uses this incident to emphasize that faith had wrought the cure; he did not want others to think that her superstition in associating the cure with the touching of his garment had been effective. He announces to the woman and the great crowd that thronged about him, “your faith has made you whole.”
Mk. 5:21 side (from Geresa back to Capernaum), a (See Ch. 51) / side, a (RSV) Mk. 5:25 There / And there (RSV)
Mk. 5:26 physicians. She / physicians and she (KJV)
Mk. 5:28 even the hem of his garment, I / even his garments, I (RSV) • made whole (KJV) / made well (RSV)
Mk. 5:34 you whole; (KJV) / you well; (RSV) • peace." / peace, and be healed of your disease." (RSV) (152:0/1698)
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And a great crowd followed and thronged about him. 25There was a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians. She had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, “If I touch even the hem of his garment, I shall be made whole.” 29And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, “Who touched my garments?”
31And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, 'Who touched me?'”
32And he looked around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole;a go in peace.”
(Mk. 5:21–34)
a “your faith has made you whole”—This incident is a very clear example of the healing power of living faith. It required only the contact of the woman's faith with the person of Jesus and a miraculous healing was effected. Jesus was not even aware of the healing, nor did he consciously will it; creative power went out from him in response to the woman's faith. Jesus uses this incident to emphasize that faith had wrought the cure; he did not want others to think that her superstition in associating the cure with the touching of his garment had been effective. He announces to the woman and the great crowd that thronged about him, “your faith has made you whole.”
Mk. 5:21 side (from Geresa back to Capernaum), a (See Ch. 51) / side, a (RSV) Mk. 5:25 There / And there (RSV)
Mk. 5:26 physicians. She / physicians and she (KJV)
Mk. 5:28 even the hem of his garment, I / even his garments, I (RSV) • made whole (KJV) / made well (RSV)
Mk. 5:34 you whole; (KJV) / you well; (RSV) • peace." / peace, and be healed of your disease." (RSV) (152:0/1698)
53. Awakening Jairus’ Daughter
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
35While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?”
36But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Fear not, only believe.” 37And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.”a
40And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
42And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age) and they were overcome with amazement. 43And he strictly charged them that no one should know this and told them to give her something to eat.
(Mk. 5:35–43)
a “The child is not dead but sleeping.”—Although the crowd of mourners at Jairus' house thought the girl had died, Jesus here specifically states that the girl is not dead, but only sleeping. Perhaps she had slipped into a coma following a serious illness and Jesus brought her out of it.
Mk. 5:36 synagogue, “Fear not, only (ASV) / synagogue, “Do not fear, only (RSV)
Mk. 5:42 were overcome / were immediately overcome (RSV) (152:1/1699)
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36But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Fear not, only believe.” 37And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.”a
40And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi”; which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
42And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age) and they were overcome with amazement. 43And he strictly charged them that no one should know this and told them to give her something to eat.
(Mk. 5:35–43)
a “The child is not dead but sleeping.”—Although the crowd of mourners at Jairus' house thought the girl had died, Jesus here specifically states that the girl is not dead, but only sleeping. Perhaps she had slipped into a coma following a serious illness and Jesus brought her out of it.
Mk. 5:36 synagogue, “Fear not, only (ASV) / synagogue, “Do not fear, only (RSV)
Mk. 5:42 were overcome / were immediately overcome (RSV) (152:1/1699)
54. Feeding the Five Thousand
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
31Jesus said to the apostles, “Let us go away by ourselves to a lonely place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
32And they went away in the boat to a lonely placea by themselves.
33Now many saw them going, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them.
34When Jesus went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
35And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, and the hour is now late;
36send them away, to go into the country and villages around about and buy themselves something to eat.”
37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”
And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?”
38And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.”
And when they had found out, they said, “Five loaves, and two fish.”
39Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed them, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42And they all ate and were satisfied. 43And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments, and of the fish. 44And those who ate the loaves and the fish were five thousand.
(Mk. 6:31–44)
a “And they went away in the boat to a lonely place”—John, in discussing this event states only that they went “to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.” (Jn. 6:1) Since Jesus' early ministry centers around Capernaum and they “went away in the boat,” they probably left from Capernaum. They returned to Capernaum after the feeding of the 5,000. (Ch. 56, Jn. 6:23–26)
Where did they go? The most likely location is the area of Bethsaida-Julias. There was a public park at Magidan, just south of Bethsaida-Julias, on the other side of the Sea of Galilee and less than five miles away by boat. (See map on page 24.)
Mk. 6:31 Jesus said to the apostles, “Let us go away by ourselves to / And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to (RSV)
Mk. 6:33 going, and / going, and knew them, and (RSV)
Mk. 6:34 When Jesus went / As he went (RSV)
Mk. 6:38 Five loaves, and / Five, and (RSV)
Mk. 6:43 (KJV) • the fish (RSV) / the fishes (KJV)
Mk. 6:44 loaves and the fish were / loaves were (RSV) (152:2/1700–2)
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37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.”
And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?”
38And he said to them, “How many loaves have you? Go and see.”
And when they had found out, they said, “Five loaves, and two fish.”
39Then he commanded them all to sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed them, and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. 42And they all ate and were satisfied. 43And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments, and of the fish. 44And those who ate the loaves and the fish were five thousand.
(Mk. 6:31–44)
a “And they went away in the boat to a lonely place”—John, in discussing this event states only that they went “to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.” (Jn. 6:1) Since Jesus' early ministry centers around Capernaum and they “went away in the boat,” they probably left from Capernaum. They returned to Capernaum after the feeding of the 5,000. (Ch. 56, Jn. 6:23–26)
Where did they go? The most likely location is the area of Bethsaida-Julias. There was a public park at Magidan, just south of Bethsaida-Julias, on the other side of the Sea of Galilee and less than five miles away by boat. (See map on page 24.)
Mk. 6:31 Jesus said to the apostles, “Let us go away by ourselves to / And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to (RSV)
Mk. 6:33 going, and / going, and knew them, and (RSV)
Mk. 6:34 When Jesus went / As he went (RSV)
Mk. 6:38 Five loaves, and / Five, and (RSV)
Mk. 6:43 (KJV) • the fish (RSV) / the fishes (KJV)
Mk. 6:44 loaves and the fish were / loaves were (RSV) (152:2/1700–2)
55. The Attempt to Make Jesus King
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
14When the people saw the sign which he had done,a they said, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world!”b
15Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16When evening came, his apostles went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing. 48And they made headway painfully, for the wind was against them. 53And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.
(Jn. 6:14–18; Mk. 6:48, 53)
a “saw the sign which he had done”—The feeding of the five thousand. (See Ch. 54)
b “the prophet who is to come into the world”—The ancient prophets predicted a Messiah who would usher in an era of wondrous plenty, e.g., “And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them. And I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.” (Ez. 34:23, 26) Jesus had fed the five thousand, and they believed this fulfilled the prophecy and meant Jesus should be their king. (See also Ch. 13, fn. c.)
Jn. 6:16 his apostles went (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples went (RSV)
Mk. 6:48 And they made headway / And he saw that they were making headway (RSV) (152:3–4/1702–3)
“they came to land at Gennesaret”
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15Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
16When evening came, his apostles went down to the sea, 17got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18The sea rose because a strong wind was blowing. 48And they made headway painfully, for the wind was against them. 53And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.
(Jn. 6:14–18; Mk. 6:48, 53)
a “saw the sign which he had done”—The feeding of the five thousand. (See Ch. 54)
b “the prophet who is to come into the world”—The ancient prophets predicted a Messiah who would usher in an era of wondrous plenty, e.g., “And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them. And I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.” (Ez. 34:23, 26) Jesus had fed the five thousand, and they believed this fulfilled the prophecy and meant Jesus should be their king. (See also Ch. 13, fn. c.)
Jn. 6:16 his apostles went (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples went (RSV)
Mk. 6:48 And they made headway / And he saw that they were making headway (RSV) (152:3–4/1702–3)
“they came to land at Gennesaret”
56. Sermon on the Bread of Life
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
23Boats from Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.a
24When the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
26Jesus said to them, “You seek me because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Labor not for the food which perishes, but for the (spiritual) food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give you.”
28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”
29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe him whom He has sent.”
30So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'”
32Jesus then said to them, “I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33The bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the men of the world.”
34They said to him, “Lord give us this bread.”
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life, he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes me shall not thirst. 36You have seen me and yet do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and him who comes to me I will not cast out.”
(Jn. 6:23–24, 26–37) (continued)
a “the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.”—This refers to the feeding of the five thousand, which probably occurred at Magidan Park south of Bethsaida-Julias. (See map on page 24.)
Jn. 6:23 Boats / However, boats (RSV)
Jn. 6:24 When / So when (RSV)
Jn. 6:26 Jesus said to them / Jesus answered them (RSV) • them, “You / them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you (RSV) • me because / me not because (RSV) • you ate / you saw the signs but because you ate (RSV)
Jn. 6:27 Labor not for (KJV) / Do not labor for (RSV) • the (spiritual) food / the food (RSV) • Man shall give (KJV) / Man will give (RSV)
Jn. 6:29 believe him / believe in him (RSV)
Jn. 6:32 them, “I / them, “Truly, truly, I (RSV)
Jn. 6:34 bread.” / bread always.” (RSV)
Jn. 6:35 believes me / believes in me (RSV)
Jn. 6:36 You / But I said to you that you (RSV)
Jn. 6:37 me shall come (KJV) / me will come (RSV) (153:2/1710–1)
70
26Jesus said to them, “You seek me because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27Labor not for the food which perishes, but for the (spiritual) food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give you.”
28Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”
29Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe him whom He has sent.”
30So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? 31Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'”
32Jesus then said to them, “I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33The bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the men of the world.”
34They said to him, “Lord give us this bread.”
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life, he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes me shall not thirst. 36You have seen me and yet do not believe. 37All that the Father gives me shall come to me, and him who comes to me I will not cast out.”
(Jn. 6:23–24, 26–37) (continued)
a “the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.”—This refers to the feeding of the five thousand, which probably occurred at Magidan Park south of Bethsaida-Julias. (See map on page 24.)
Jn. 6:23 Boats / However, boats (RSV)
Jn. 6:24 When / So when (RSV)
Jn. 6:26 Jesus said to them / Jesus answered them (RSV) • them, “You / them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you (RSV) • me because / me not because (RSV) • you ate / you saw the signs but because you ate (RSV)
Jn. 6:27 Labor not for (KJV) / Do not labor for (RSV) • the (spiritual) food / the food (RSV) • Man shall give (KJV) / Man will give (RSV)
Jn. 6:29 believe him / believe in him (RSV)
Jn. 6:32 them, “I / them, “Truly, truly, I (RSV)
Jn. 6:34 bread.” / bread always.” (RSV)
Jn. 6:35 believes me / believes in me (RSV)
Jn. 6:36 You / But I said to you that you (RSV)
Jn. 6:37 me shall come (KJV) / me will come (RSV) (153:2/1710–1)
56. Sermon on the Bread of Life (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.b
39And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me.
40And this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes him should have eternal life.”
41The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” 42And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?”
43Jesus answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. 45It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46Not that anyone has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
48“I am the bread of life. 49Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and never die. 51I am this living bread, and if any man eats of this bread, he shall live for ever.”c
59This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.d
60Many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying, who can understand it?”
(Jn. 6:38–43, 45–51, 59–60)
b “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”—Jesus' life on earth was devoted to one great purpose—doing the Father's will. His life of faith submission to God's will is our ideal example; it inspires us to ever seek to know and do the Father's will.
c “I am this living bread and if any man eats of this bread, he shall live for ever.”—Jesus is the Word of God; his life in the flesh and the word he spoke is the bread of life.
d “as he taught at Capernaum"—This sermon in the synagogue marks the turning point in Jesus' relations with the Jerusalem religious leaders. Before this time there had existed an increasingly uneasy peace. After this sermon, in which Jesus proclaimed himself to be the “bread of life,” there existed open hostility between the established religious leaders and Jesus.
Jn. 6:39 me. / me, but raise it up at the last day (RSV)
Jn. 6:40 And this (KJV) / For this (RSV) • believes him / believes in him (RSV)
Jn. 6:45 Isaiah 54:13
Jn. 6:51 am this living / am the living (RSV) • bread and if / bread which came down from heaven; if • any man eats (KJV) / any one eats (RSV) • he shall live (KJV) / he will live (RSV)
Jn. 6:69 heard this, said / heard it, said (RSV) • can understand it? / can listen to it? (RSV) (153:2–3/1711–2)
71
41The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” 42And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?”
43Jesus answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. 45It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46Not that anyone has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
48“I am the bread of life. 49Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and never die. 51I am this living bread, and if any man eats of this bread, he shall live for ever.”c
59This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.d
60Many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying, who can understand it?”
(Jn. 6:38–43, 45–51, 59–60)
b “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”—Jesus' life on earth was devoted to one great purpose—doing the Father's will. His life of faith submission to God's will is our ideal example; it inspires us to ever seek to know and do the Father's will.
c “I am this living bread and if any man eats of this bread, he shall live for ever.”—Jesus is the Word of God; his life in the flesh and the word he spoke is the bread of life.
d “as he taught at Capernaum"—This sermon in the synagogue marks the turning point in Jesus' relations with the Jerusalem religious leaders. Before this time there had existed an increasingly uneasy peace. After this sermon, in which Jesus proclaimed himself to be the “bread of life,” there existed open hostility between the established religious leaders and Jesus.
Jn. 6:39 me. / me, but raise it up at the last day (RSV)
Jn. 6:40 And this (KJV) / For this (RSV) • believes him / believes in him (RSV)
Jn. 6:45 Isaiah 54:13
Jn. 6:51 am this living / am the living (RSV) • bread and if / bread which came down from heaven; if • any man eats (KJV) / any one eats (RSV) • he shall live (KJV) / he will live (RSV)
Jn. 6:69 heard this, said / heard it, said (RSV) • can understand it? / can listen to it? (RSV) (153:2–3/1711–2)
57. After the Sermon
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
1The Pharisees along with the scribes who had come from Jerusalem
2noticed that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed.
3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders;
4and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, including the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.)
5And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?”
3He answered them, “And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother.' 5But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honor his father.'a 6So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God. 8You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. And many such like things you do.”
(Mk. 7:1–5; Mt. 15:3–6; Mk. 7:8) (continued)
a “need not honor his father”—That is, the children would say that the part of their wealth they would normally have given to their parents had been given to God instead. This enabled them to not share their wealth with their parents in need—thereby they disobeyed the commandment to “honor your father and your mother.”
The Jerusalem religious leaders accused Jesus of transgressing the tradition of the elders; he answered them by pointing out that they put their own teachings and traditions above God's commandments.
Mk. 7:1 The / Now when the (RSV) • Pharisees along with the / Pharisees gathered together to him with some of the (RSV)
Mk. 7:2 noticed that (NEB) / they saw that (RSV)
Mk. 7:4 observe, including the / observe, the (RSV)
Mt. 15:4 mother.' / mother,' and, 'he who speaks evil of father or mother let him surely die.' (RSV)
Mk. 7:8 men. And many such like things you do. (KJV) / men. (RSV) (153:3/1712)
72
3He answered them, “And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother.' 5But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honor his father.'a 6So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God. 8You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. And many such like things you do.”
(Mk. 7:1–5; Mt. 15:3–6; Mk. 7:8) (continued)
a “need not honor his father”—That is, the children would say that the part of their wealth they would normally have given to their parents had been given to God instead. This enabled them to not share their wealth with their parents in need—thereby they disobeyed the commandment to “honor your father and your mother.”
The Jerusalem religious leaders accused Jesus of transgressing the tradition of the elders; he answered them by pointing out that they put their own teachings and traditions above God's commandments.
Mk. 7:1 The / Now when the (RSV) • Pharisees along with the / Pharisees gathered together to him with some of the (RSV)
Mk. 7:2 noticed that (NEB) / they saw that (RSV)
Mk. 7:4 observe, including the / observe, the (RSV)
Mt. 15:4 mother.' / mother,' and, 'he who speaks evil of father or mother let him surely die.' (RSV)
Mk. 7:8 men. And many such like things you do. (KJV) / men. (RSV) (153:3/1712)
57. After the Sermon (continued)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
10And he called the people to him and said: “Hear and understand:
11It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth.”
12Then the apostles came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13He answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14Let them alone. They are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the pit.”
15But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”
16And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and so passes on? 18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, theft, false witness, and slander. 20These are what defile a man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
(Mt. 15:10–20)
Mt. 15:11 It is not / not (RSV) • mouth that defiles / mouth, this defiles (RSV)
Mt. 15:12 the apostles came (Ch. 22, fn. a) / the disciples came (RSV)
Mt. 15:14 if the blind lead the blind, both (KJV) / if a blind man leads a blind man, both (RSV) • both shall fall (KJV) / both will fall (RSV) • into the pit (KJV) / into a pit (RSV)
Mt. 15:19 adultery, theft / adultery, fornication, theft (RSV) (153:3/1712–3)
73
12Then the apostles came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
13He answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14Let them alone. They are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the pit.”
15But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”
16And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and so passes on? 18But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, theft, false witness, and slander. 20These are what defile a man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
(Mt. 15:10–20)
Mt. 15:11 It is not / not (RSV) • mouth that defiles / mouth, this defiles (RSV)
Mt. 15:12 the apostles came (Ch. 22, fn. a) / the disciples came (RSV)
Mt. 15:14 if the blind lead the blind, both (KJV) / if a blind man leads a blind man, both (RSV) • both shall fall (KJV) / both will fall (RSV) • into the pit (KJV) / into a pit (RSV)
Mt. 15:19 adultery, theft / adultery, fornication, theft (RSV) (153:3/1712–3)
58. Open Conflict with the Scribes and Pharisees
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
22Then a blind and dumb demonic was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw.
23And all the people were amazed and said, “Can this be the son of David?”a
24But when the Pharisees heard it they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”
25Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? 29Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? 27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if it is by the spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 30He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.”
33“You must either make the tree good and its fruit good, else will the tree become corrupt and its fruit corrupt. The tree is known by its fruit.b 34You brood of vipers! how can you bring forth good, when you have already chosen evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”
38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
39But he answered them, “An evil and faithless generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
(Mt. 12:22–26, 29, 27–28, 30–31, 33–35, 38–40)
a “the son of David”—The “son of David” was a commonly accepted title for the promised Messiah. (See also Ch. 13, fn. c.)
b “The tree is known by its fruit.”—Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, lists some of the fruit of the spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control.” (Gal. 5:22)
Mt. 12:26 then shall his (KJV) / then will his (RSV)
Mt. 12:31 blasphemy shall be (KJV) / blasphemy will be (RSV) • spirit shall not (KJV) / spirit will not (RSV)
Mt. 12:33 you must either (Phi) / Either (RSV) • good, else will the tree become corrupt and its fruit corrupt / good; or make the tree bad and its fruit bad. (RSV) • The / For the (RSV)
Mt. 12:34 you bring forth good / speak good (RSV) • you have already chosen evil / you are evil (RSV)
Mt. 12:39 and faithless generation (Gspd) / and adulterous generation (RSV) (153:4/1713–4)
74
25Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? 29Or how can one enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? 27And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28But if it is by the spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 30He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.”
33“You must either make the tree good and its fruit good, else will the tree become corrupt and its fruit corrupt. The tree is known by its fruit.b 34You brood of vipers! how can you bring forth good, when you have already chosen evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”
38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
39But he answered them, “An evil and faithless generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
(Mt. 12:22–26, 29, 27–28, 30–31, 33–35, 38–40)
a “the son of David”—The “son of David” was a commonly accepted title for the promised Messiah. (See also Ch. 13, fn. c.)
b “The tree is known by its fruit.”—Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, lists some of the fruit of the spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control.” (Gal. 5:22)
Mt. 12:26 then shall his (KJV) / then will his (RSV)
Mt. 12:31 blasphemy shall be (KJV) / blasphemy will be (RSV) • spirit shall not (KJV) / spirit will not (RSV)
Mt. 12:33 you must either (Phi) / Either (RSV) • good, else will the tree become corrupt and its fruit corrupt / good; or make the tree bad and its fruit bad. (RSV) • The / For the (RSV)
Mt. 12:34 you bring forth good / speak good (RSV) • you have already chosen evil / you are evil (RSV)
Mt. 12:39 and faithless generation (Gspd) / and adulterous generation (RSV) (153:4/1713–4)
59. Later Words with the Apostles
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his apostles murmured, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?
62Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending where he was before?”
63“It is the spirit that quickens, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But there are some of you that do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him.)
66After thisa many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him.
67Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”
68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, you have taught us the words of eternal life; 69and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
(Jn. 6:61–64, 66–69)
a “After this”—After Jesus refused the crowd’s effort to make him king and the Jerusalem religious leaders openly opposed and denounced him, many of his followers turned away, and Jesus no longer enjoyed popular favor.
Jn. 6:61 his apostles murmured, (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples murmured, (RSV) • murmured, said / murmured at it, said (RSV)
Jn. 6:63 that quickens, the (KJV) / that gives life, the (RSV)
Jn. 6:64 knew from the first who / knew who (RSV)
Jn. 6:68 Lord, you / Lord, to whom shall we go? You (RSV) • have taught us the / have the (RSV) (153:5/1715–6)
75
63“It is the spirit that quickens, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64But there are some of you that do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him.)
66After thisa many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him.
67Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”
68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, you have taught us the words of eternal life; 69and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
(Jn. 6:61–64, 66–69)
a “After this”—After Jesus refused the crowd’s effort to make him king and the Jerusalem religious leaders openly opposed and denounced him, many of his followers turned away, and Jesus no longer enjoyed popular favor.
Jn. 6:61 his apostles murmured, (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples murmured, (RSV) • murmured, said / murmured at it, said (RSV)
Jn. 6:63 that quickens, the (KJV) / that gives life, the (RSV)
Jn. 6:64 knew from the first who / knew who (RSV)
Jn. 6:68 Lord, you / Lord, to whom shall we go? You (RSV) • have taught us the / have the (RSV) (153:5/1715–6)
60. Last Words at Capernaum
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was perplexed. It was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,
8by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen.
9Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?”
46While Jesus was speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”a
27As he said this a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!”
28But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”b
(Lk. 9:7–9; Mt. 12:46, 48–50; Lk. 11:27–28)
a “whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”—Here again is revealed the core of Jesus' personal religion, the doing of the Father's will. All those who do the Father's will are part of Jesus' spiritual family, members of the divine brotherhood of the kingdom of heaven.
b “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it”—Jesus' teachings are the word of God. Our part is to learn the teachings of Jesus (“hear the word of God”) and then to live the teachings ("keep it").
Lk. 9:7 perplexed. It / perplexed because it (RSV)
Mt. 12:46 While Jesus was speaking to / While he was still speaking to (RSV) (154:0,6/1717,21–22)
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46While Jesus was speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”a
27As he said this a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!”
28But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”b
(Lk. 9:7–9; Mt. 12:46, 48–50; Lk. 11:27–28)
a “whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.”—Here again is revealed the core of Jesus' personal religion, the doing of the Father's will. All those who do the Father's will are part of Jesus' spiritual family, members of the divine brotherhood of the kingdom of heaven.
b “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it”—Jesus' teachings are the word of God. Our part is to learn the teachings of Jesus (“hear the word of God”) and then to live the teachings ("keep it").
Lk. 9:7 perplexed. It / perplexed because it (RSV)
Mt. 12:46 While Jesus was speaking to / While he was still speaking to (RSV) (154:0,6/1717,21–22)
61. At Tyre and Sidon
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
21And Jesus went away from there (Capernaum) and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.
24And he entered a house and would not have anyone know it; yet he could not be hid.
22And behold a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.”
28Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.”
And her daughter was healed instantly.
(Mt. 15:21; Mk. 7:24; Mt. 15:22, 28)
Mt. 15:21 there (Capernaum) and / there and (RSV)
Mt. 15:22 me; my / me, O Lord, Son of David; my (RSV) (156:0–1/1734–5)
2He answered them, “When it is evening, you say it will be fair weather, for the sky is red; 3in the morning it will be foul weather, for the sky is red and threatening. You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4An evil generation seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given.” So he left them and departed.
6And Jesus said to his disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
(Mt. 15:39; 16:1–4, 6)
a “Magadan”—a public park just south of Bethsaida-Julius. (See map on page 24.)
Mt. 15:39 Jesus went / And sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went (RSV)
Mt. 16:3 in / And in (RSV) • be foul weather, for (KJV) / be stormy today, for (RSV) • discern the face of (KJV) / interpret the appearance of (RSV) • cannot discern the (KJV) / cannot interpret the (RSV)
Mt. 16:4 evil generation / evil and adulterous generation (RSV) • given.” / given to it except the sign of Jonah.” (RSV) (157:2/1744–5)
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22And behold a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.”
28Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.”
And her daughter was healed instantly.
(Mt. 15:21; Mk. 7:24; Mt. 15:22, 28)
Mt. 15:21 there (Capernaum) and / there and (RSV)
Mt. 15:22 me; my / me, O Lord, Son of David; my (RSV) (156:0–1/1734–5)
62. At Magadan
2He answered them, “When it is evening, you say it will be fair weather, for the sky is red; 3in the morning it will be foul weather, for the sky is red and threatening. You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4An evil generation seeks for a sign, but no sign shall be given.” So he left them and departed.
6And Jesus said to his disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
(Mt. 15:39; 16:1–4, 6)
a “Magadan”—a public park just south of Bethsaida-Julius. (See map on page 24.)
Mt. 15:39 Jesus went / And sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went (RSV)
Mt. 16:3 in / And in (RSV) • be foul weather, for (KJV) / be stormy today, for (RSV) • discern the face of (KJV) / interpret the appearance of (RSV) • cannot discern the (KJV) / cannot interpret the (RSV)
Mt. 16:4 evil generation / evil and adulterous generation (RSV) • given.” / given to it except the sign of Jonah.” (RSV) (157:2/1744–5)
63. At Caesarea Philippi; Peter’s Confession
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi,a he asked his apostles, “Who do men say that the Son of Man is?”
14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16Simon Peter replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”b
17And Jesus said, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, on this rock I will build my church,c and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom.”
24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”d
(Mt. 16:13–19, 24)
a “Caesarea Philippi”—The capital of the tetrarch Philip's domain. (See map on page 24.)
b “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”—Here, for the first time, the apostles (with Peter as their spokesman) affirm their belief that Jesus is not only the Messiah (the Christ, the anointed one)—but also the divine Son of God.
c “on this rock I will build my church”—What is this rock? It is the apostle's confession, through the insight of the Father's spirit (“Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven”), that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus declares that on this rock of recognized spiritual reality (You are “the Son of the living God”), he will build his church—the spiritual brotherhood of the kingdom of heaven.
d “take up his cross and follow me.”—Assume the obligations of sonship with God.
Mt. 16:13 his apostles, “Who (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples, “Who (RSV)
Mt. 16:16 are the Messiah, the (Ch. 13, fn. c) / are Christ, the (RSV)
Mt. 16:17 Jesus said, “Flesh / Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh (RSV)
Mt. 16:18 you, on / you, you are Peter, and on (RSV)
Mt. 16:19 kingdom.” / kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (RSV) (157:3/1745–6)
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14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16Simon Peter replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”b
17And Jesus said, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, on this rock I will build my church,c and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom.”
24Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”d
(Mt. 16:13–19, 24)
a “Caesarea Philippi”—The capital of the tetrarch Philip's domain. (See map on page 24.)
b “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”—Here, for the first time, the apostles (with Peter as their spokesman) affirm their belief that Jesus is not only the Messiah (the Christ, the anointed one)—but also the divine Son of God.
c “on this rock I will build my church”—What is this rock? It is the apostle's confession, through the insight of the Father's spirit (“Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven”), that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus declares that on this rock of recognized spiritual reality (You are “the Son of the living God”), he will build his church—the spiritual brotherhood of the kingdom of heaven.
d “take up his cross and follow me.”—Assume the obligations of sonship with God.
Mt. 16:13 his apostles, “Who (Ch. 22, fn. a) / his disciples, “Who (RSV)
Mt. 16:16 are the Messiah, the (Ch. 13, fn. c) / are Christ, the (RSV)
Mt. 16:17 Jesus said, “Flesh / Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh (RSV)
Mt. 16:18 you, on / you, you are Peter, and on (RSV)
Mt. 16:19 kingdom.” / kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (RSV) (157:3/1745–6)
