The Chronological Gospel

King James Version

With Commentary
By Daniel W. Alt
 iii

Copyright © 2024

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Copyright © 2024

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or

transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic
or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case
of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted
by copyright law.
 v

Acknowledgement
The Chronological Gospel takes the work of F. LaGard Smith’s The Narrated Bible in
Chronological Order to a new level. Instead of an assembly of blocks of text (usually several
paragraphs long), Daniel Alt brings all versions together, even down to the verse level, in the
first 100+ pages. Then in the next 400+ pages, it provides a detailed commentary on most verses,
with in-depth notes on words, places, and historical details that will rival any commentary
you’ve ever seen. Thanks Dan, for the massive effort to unleash the wonders of the Word of
God.
A. Frances Werner, author of the Ancient Roots Translinear Bible (ARTB)
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Dedication
Needless to say, I could not have written this work without the ever-presence of the Holy
Spirit directing my thought process. Having said that, I would like to dedicate this work to the
memory of my late wife and partner in life Rethie, who was a great inspiration and influence to
me for fifty years; and I have missed her deeply for the past six.

Daniel W. Alt
 vii

Table of Contents
Acknowledgement.....................................................................................................v
Dedication................................................................................................................vi
The Chronological Gospel King James Version.......................................................1
The Gospel.................................................................................................................2
The Birth Of John The Baptist..................................................................................2
The Announcement To Zacharias.............................................................................2
Gabriel Announces The Coming Of Jesus The Christ..............................................3
Mary And Elizabeth Rejoice With Each Other.........................................................3
The Birth And Naming Of John The Baptist.............................................................4
Jesus’ Miraculous Conception Explained To Joseph................................................4
The Birth Of Jesus.....................................................................................................5
Shepherds Pay Homage To Jesus..............................................................................5
Jesus Is Circumcised..................................................................................................5
Jesus Is Presented In The Temple.............................................................................6
Eastern Magi Pay Homage To Israel’s True King....................................................6
The Flight Into Egypt And Return To Nazareth........................................................7
Jesus Visits The Temple At Age Twelve..................................................................7
The Baptism Of Jesus................................................................................................7
Jesus’ Genealogy Through Mary...............................................................................9
Jesus’ Genealogy Through Joseph...........................................................................9
The Temptation In The Wilderness.........................................................................10
John The Baptist Testimony About Jesus...............................................................10
The Gathering Of Jesus’ Disciples..........................................................................11
The Wedding Feast At Cana....................................................................................11
Jesus’ Ministry Begins............................................................................................12
The First Cleansing Of The Temple........................................................................12
Nicodemus Comes To Jesus....................................................................................12
John’s Further Testimony About Jesus...................................................................13
 viii

First Question On Fasting........................................................................................19

Jesus Heals The Lame On The Sabbath..................................................................19
Witness To Jesus.....................................................................................................20
Sabbath Made For Man...........................................................................................21
Man’s Hand Healed On the Sabbath.......................................................................21
The Twelve Apostles Are Named...........................................................................22
Jesus Gives the Sermon On The Mount And The Beatitudes.................................22
Jesus Teaches That The Law Is Forever And Spiritual...........................................23
Teachings On Prayer...............................................................................................24
Teachings About The World’s System....................................................................24
The Centurion’s Servant Is Healed..........................................................................26
Jesus Raises A Widow’s Dead Son In Nain............................................................27
Jesus Replies To John The Baptist..........................................................................27
Jesus Testifies About John And Himself.................................................................27
Judgment Upon The Cities Of The North...............................................................28
Jesus At Pharisee’s House, Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet; Parable Of Creditor &
Two Debtors............................................................................................................28
Demoniac Healed; Pharisees Blaspheme................................................................29
Jesus Refuses To Perform A Sign Predicts His Seventy-Two Hour Resurrection29
Jesus’ Spiritual Family............................................................................................30
Parable Of The Soils Explained..............................................................................30
Four Parables About The Kingdom.........................................................................31
Jesus Explains The Parable Of The Tares...............................................................32
Additional Kingdom Parables.................................................................................32
Jesus Calms The Sea...............................................................................................33
Men With Demons Named Legion..........................................................................33
Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter Woman With Issue Of Blood.................................34
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men....................................................................................35
Last Visit To Nazareth.............................................................................................35
Jesus Commissions The Twelve..............................................................................36
The Death Of John The Baptist...............................................................................37
 ix

Jesus Feeds The 5000..............................................................................................38

Jesus Walks On Water.............................................................................................39
Jesus Is The Bread Of Life......................................................................................40
Peter’s First Confession...........................................................................................41
The Syrophenician Woman.....................................................................................42
Healing At Decapolis..............................................................................................43
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand In Decapolis................................................................43
Jesus Second Refusal To Give A Sign....................................................................43
The Leaven Of The Pharisees..................................................................................44
Jesus Heals The Blind Man In Bethsaida................................................................44
Peter’s Second Confession Of Jesus As The Christ................................................44
Jesus Predicts His Future Suffering And Glory......................................................44
Jesus’ Glorious Transfiguration..............................................................................45
Jesus Heals A Demon Possessed Boy.....................................................................46
Jesus’ Second Prediction Of His Death And Resurrection.....................................46
Jesus Pays The Tribute With Coin From Fish.........................................................47
Jesus Rebukes The Disciples Rivalry......................................................................47
Warning Against Stumbling Blocks........................................................................47
Teaching On Binding And Loosing And Forgiveness Explained...........................48
Jesus Mocked By His Half-Brothers.......................................................................49
Parable Of The Good Samaritan..............................................................................49
Jesus Visits Martha And Mary................................................................................49
Further Teaching On Prayer....................................................................................50
Pharisees Make Blasphemous Claims Again..........................................................50
The First Six Woes To the Scribes, Pharisees, And Lawyers.................................51
Warning To Be Ready For The Master’s Return....................................................53
Coming Division And Call To Readiness...............................................................53
Repent Or Parish......................................................................................................53
Jesus Heals A Woman On The Sabbath..................................................................54
Jesus Gives Sight To A Man Born Blind................................................................54
 x

Pharisees Put Former Blind Man Out Of Synagogue..............................................55

Former Blind Man Receives Spiritual Sight...........................................................55
Jesus The Good Shepherd.......................................................................................56
Jews Attempt To Stone Jesus..................................................................................56
Jesus Ministers In Judea And Perea........................................................................57
Jesus Mourns Over Jerusalem.................................................................................57
Jesus Heals A Man Of Dropsy On The Sabbath.....................................................57
Parables Of The Wedding Dinner...........................................................................57
Cost Of Following Jesus..........................................................................................58
Second telling Of The Parable Of The Lost Sheep.................................................58
Parable Of The Lost Coin........................................................................................59
Parable Of The Prodigal Son...................................................................................59
Parable Of The Unjust Steward...............................................................................59
Lazarus And The Rich Man....................................................................................60
Woe To The One That Causes Others To Sin And Forgiveness.............................61
Faith And Faithfulness............................................................................................61
Lazarus, Brother Of Martha And Mary Gets Sick And Dies..................................61
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead.....................................................................61
Jewish Leaders Plot To Kill Jesus...........................................................................62
Jesus Heals Ten Lepers...........................................................................................63
Jesus Teaches About His Second Coming..............................................................63
Parable Of The Unjust Judge...................................................................................63
Parable Of The Justified Publican...........................................................................64
Jesus’ Final Journey To Jerusalem For Passover....................................................64
Jesus Teaches About Divorce..................................................................................64
Jesus Teaches About The Kingdom........................................................................65
Parable Of The Equal Wages..................................................................................65
Jesus Prophesies His Death And Resurrection Again.............................................66
Jesus Gives Warning Against Selfish Ambition.....................................................66
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus And Another Blind Man.........................................67
 xi

Passion Week Of The Messiah................................................................................67

Jesus’ Encounter With Zacchaeus...........................................................................67
Parable Of The Pounds............................................................................................67
Jesus Makes His First Grand Entry Into Jerusalem.................................................68
Jesus Is Anointed.....................................................................................................69
Jesus Presents Himself As King Riding A Colt......................................................69
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem And Heals All Brought To Him...............................70
Jesus Curses The Fig Tree And Cleanses The Temple Again.................................70
The Son Of Man Must Be Lifted Up.......................................................................70
The Jews Unbelief...................................................................................................71
Jesus Anointed Again At The House Of Simon The Leper....................................71
Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus.................................................................................72
The Withered Fig Tree............................................................................................72
Jesus’ Authority Challenged Again.........................................................................72
Parable Of The Two Sons........................................................................................73
Parable Of The Landowner.....................................................................................73
Parable Of The Wedding Invitation........................................................................73
Pharisees And Herodians Test Jesus.......................................................................74
Sadducees Put Jesus To The Test............................................................................74
A Lawyer Of The Scribes Questions Jesus.............................................................75
Jesus Is Both David’s Son And David’s Lord.........................................................75
Beware Of The Pharisees........................................................................................75
Eight More Woes To The Pharisees........................................................................76
The Widow’s Mite...................................................................................................77
The Olivet Discourse: The Beginning Of Birth Pangs............................................77
The Olivet Discourse: The Great Tribulation..........................................................78
The Olivet Discourse: The Coming Of The Son Of Man......................................78
The Olivet Discourse: Watch And Pray..................................................................79
The Olivet Discourse: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins.........................................79
The Olivet Discourse: The Parable Of The Talents................................................80
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The Olivet Discourse: The Son Of Man’s Judgment..............................................80

The Beginning Of The Final Passover....................................................................81
Abib 14, the first month of the sacred year.............................................................81
The Events In The Upper Room On The Night Before Jesus’ Death.....................81
Jesus Identifies His Betrayer...................................................................................82
Rivalry Among The Disciples Again......................................................................82
Jesus’ Prediction Of Peter’s Denial.........................................................................83
Jesus Institutes The New Symbols Of Passover......................................................83
Jesus Comforts The Disciples.................................................................................83
Promise Of The Holy Ghost (Spirit).......................................................................84
The Vine And The Branches...................................................................................85
Hatred From The World..........................................................................................85
Jesus Emphasizes The Coming Helper....................................................................85
Jesus Speaks Of His Death And Resurrection Again..............................................86
Jesus Prays The High Priestly Prayer......................................................................86
Peter’s Denial Predicted For A Second Time..........................................................87
Jesus Prays In Gethsemane......................................................................................88
Around Ten P.M. Tuesday, April 25, AD 30..........................................................88
Jesus Is Arrested......................................................................................................88
Jesus’ Trial Before Annas; Peter’s First Denial......................................................89
Jesus’ Trial Before Caiaphas...................................................................................90
Peter’s Second And Third Denials..........................................................................90
The Sanhedrin Confirms The Verdict Upon Jesus..................................................91
Judas Repents Of His Betrayal Of Jesus.................................................................91
Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate.........................................................................................91
Jesus’ Trial Before Herod Antipas..........................................................................92
Jesus Sentenced To Death By Pilate; Barabbas Set Free........................................92
Additional Mockery From Roman Soldiers............................................................93
Jesus’ Journey To Golgotha....................................................................................93
Jesus Is Crucified; First Three Hours On The Cross...............................................94
 xiii

Final Three Hours On The Cross; Jesus’ Death......................................................95

Witnesses To Jesus’ Death......................................................................................95
Jesus’ Body Is Removed From The Cross; Side Is Pierced....................................95
Jesus’ Body Is Placed In The Tomb Just Before Sundown.....................................96
The First Day Of Unleavened Bread; A High Sabbath...........................................96
Pharisees Seal Jesus’ Tomb.....................................................................................96
Women Prepare Spices For Anointing Jesus’ Body................................................96
Jesus Rises From The Dead Just Before Sundown.................................................97
Early Sunday Morning, The Tomb Is Empty..........................................................97
Other Women Come To Tomb With Spices...........................................................97
Peter And John Rush To Empty Tomb....................................................................98
Mary Magdalene Encounters Jesus.........................................................................98
The Other Women Encounter Jesus........................................................................98
The Guards Of The Watch Report To The Chief Priests........................................99
Two Encounter Jesus On The Road To Emmaus....................................................99
First Appearance In Upper Room; Thomas Absent................................................99
The Next Week In Upper Room With Thomas Present........................................100
Jesus Appears To The Disciples While Fishing....................................................100
Jesus Restores Peter To Ministry..........................................................................101
Jesus Commissions Many Disciples In Galilee.....................................................101
Jesus Instructs The Disciples In Jerusalem...........................................................102
Jesus Ascends Back To The Father.......................................................................102

Commentary Contents

The Chronological Gospel Commentary...............................................................103

The Gospel Commentary.......................................................................................111
Luke’s Declaration For Writing His Gospel.........................................................111
The Birth of John The Baptist...............................................................................113
The Announcement To Zacharias.........................................................................113
December 25, 5 BC...............................................................................................121
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Gabriel Announces The Coming Of Jesus The Christ..........................................121

Mary And Elisabeth Rejoice With Each Other.....................................................123
The Birth And Naming Of John The Baptist.........................................................126
Jesus’ (Yehshua’s) Miraculous Conception Explained To Joseph........................130
The Birth Of Jesus.................................................................................................132
First day of the Feast of Tabernacles.....................................................................134
Shepherds Pay Homage To Jesus..........................................................................136
Jesus Is Circumcised..............................................................................................138
Jesus Is Presented In The Temple.........................................................................138
Eastern Magi Pay Homage To Israel’s True King................................................142
The Flight Into Egypt And Return To Nazareth....................................................146
Jesus Visits The Temple At Age Twelve..............................................................150
The Baptism Of Jesus............................................................................................152
Jesus’ (Yehshua’s) Genealogy According to Matthew.........................................157
Jesus’ Genealogy According to Luke....................................................................158
The Temptation In The Wilderness.......................................................................160
John The Baptist Testimony About Jesus.............................................................163
The Gathering Of Jesus’ Disciples........................................................................165
The Wedding Feast At Cana..................................................................................168
Jesus’ Ministry Begins..........................................................................................171
The First Cleansing Of The Temple......................................................................171
Nicodemus Comes To Jesus..................................................................................173
John’s Further Testimony About Jesus.................................................................176
Herod Imprisons John............................................................................................178
Jesus Returns To Galilee, The Woman At The Well............................................179
The First Return To Nazareth................................................................................186
Jesus Starts Preaching The Kingdom Of God.......................................................190
The Call Of The Fisherman...................................................................................191
Second Miracle, Nobleman’s Son Healed.............................................................191
Jesus Starts Healing On The Sabbath....................................................................193
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Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law And Many Others.........................................194

Second Calling Of The Four Disciples..................................................................196
Healed Leper Broadcast His Healing On The Way To Capernaum......................198
Jesus Forgives Sins Of Man Sick Of Palsy...........................................................200
Matthew Called.....................................................................................................205
First Question On Fasting......................................................................................207
Jesus Heals The Lame On The Sabbath................................................................208
Witness To Jesus...................................................................................................215
Sabbath Made For Man.........................................................................................217
Man’s Hand Healed On the Sabbath.....................................................................219
The Twelve Apostles Are Named.........................................................................222
Jesus Gives the Sermon On The Mount And The Beatitudes...............................224
Jesus Teaches That The Law Is Forever And Spiritual.........................................229
Teachings On Prayer.............................................................................................234
Church Government..............................................................................................243
Teachings About The World’s System..................................................................247
The Centurion’s Servant Is Healed........................................................................253
Jesus Raises A Widow’s Dead Son In Nain..........................................................255
Jesus Replies To John The Baptist........................................................................255
Jesus Testifies About John And Himself...............................................................256
Judgment Upon The Cities Of The North.............................................................258
Jesus At Pharisee’s House, Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet; Parable Of Creditor &
Two Debtors..........................................................................................................259
Demoniac Healed; Pharisees Blaspheme..............................................................262
Jesus Refuses To Perform A Sign & Predicts His Seventy-Two Hour Resurrection
...............................................................................................................................266
Jesus’ Spiritual Family..........................................................................................267
Parable Of The Sower Explained..........................................................................269
Four Parables About The Kingdom.......................................................................272
Jesus Explains The Parable Of The Tares.............................................................274
Additional Kingdom Parables...............................................................................275
 xvi

Jesus Calms The Sea.............................................................................................276

Men With Demons Named Legion........................................................................277
Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter & Woman With Issue Of Blood............................280
Jesus Heals Two Blind men..................................................................................284
Last Visit To Nazareth...........................................................................................285
Jesus Commissions The Twelve............................................................................286
The Twelve Apostles.............................................................................................287
The Death Of John The Baptist.............................................................................293
Jesus Feeds The 5000............................................................................................296
Jesus Walks On Water...........................................................................................300
Jesus Is The Bread Of Life....................................................................................302
Peter’s First Confession.........................................................................................307
The Syrophenician Woman...................................................................................310
Healing At Decapolis............................................................................................312
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand In Decapolis..............................................................313
Jesus Second Refusal To Give A Sign..................................................................314
The Leaven Of The Pharisees................................................................................315
Jesus Heals The Blind Man In Bethsaida..............................................................316
Peter’s Second Confession Of Jesus As The Christ..............................................317
Jesus Predicts His Future Suffering And Glory....................................................320
Jesus’ Glorious Transfiguration............................................................................322
Jesus Heals A Demon Possessed Boy...................................................................327
Jesus’ Second Prediction Of His Death And Resurrection...................................329
Jesus Pays The Tribute With Coin From Fish.......................................................329
Jesus Rebukes The Disciples Rivalry....................................................................330
Warning Against Stumbling Blocks......................................................................331
Teaching On Binding And Loosing And Forgiveness Explained.........................333
Jesus Mocked By His Half-Brothers.....................................................................335
Jesus’ Last Feast Of Tabernacles..........................................................................337
Jesus Goes To The Feast Secretly.........................................................................337
 xvii

Jewish Leaders Try To Arrest Jesus......................................................................341

Jesus Forgives The Woman Caught In Adultery...................................................343
Jesus Is The Light Of The World..........................................................................344
Jesus’ Relationship To Abraham...........................................................................346
Jesus Commissions And Sends Out The Seventy.................................................349
The Seventy Returns..............................................................................................351
Parable Of The Good Samaritan............................................................................352
Jesus Visits Martha And Mary..............................................................................353
Further Teaching On Prayer..................................................................................354
Pharisees Make Blasphemous Claims Again........................................................355
The First Six Woes To The Scribes, Pharisees, And Lawyers..............................357
Warning To Be Ready For The Master’s Return..................................................361
Coming Division And Call To Readiness.............................................................363
Repent Or Parish....................................................................................................364
Jesus Heals A Woman On The Sabbath................................................................365
Jesus Gives Sight To A Man Born Blind..............................................................366
Pharisees Put Former Blind Man Out Of Synagogue............................................367
Former Blind Man Receives Spiritual Sight.........................................................369
Jesus The Good Shepherd.....................................................................................370
Jews Attempt To Stone Jesus................................................................................373
Jesus Ministers In Judea And Perea......................................................................374
Jesus Mourns Over Jerusalem...............................................................................376
Jesus Heals A Man Of Dropsy On The Sabbath...................................................377
Parables Of The Wedding Dinner.........................................................................378
Cost Of Following Jesus........................................................................................380
Second Telling Of The Parable Of The Lost Sheep..............................................380
Parable Of The Lost Coin......................................................................................381
Parable Of The Prodigal Son.................................................................................382
Parable Of The Unjust Steward.............................................................................385
Lazarus And The Rich Man..................................................................................386
 xviii

Woe To The One That Causes Others To Sin And Forgiveness...........................389

Faith And Faithfulness..........................................................................................390
Lazarus, Brother Of Martha And Mary Gets Sick And Dies................................390
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead...................................................................392
Jewish Leaders Plot To Kill Jesus.........................................................................395
Jesus Heals Ten Lepers.........................................................................................396
Jesus Teaches About His Second Coming............................................................397
Parable Of The Unjust Judge.................................................................................398
Parable Of The Justified Publican.........................................................................399
Jesus’ Final Journey To Jerusalem For Passover..................................................400
Jesus Teaches About Divorce................................................................................400
Jesus Teaches About The Kingdom …………………………………………….408
Parable Of The Equal Wages................................................................................407
Jesus Prophesies His Death And Resurrection Again...........................................408
Jesus Gives Warning Against Selfish Ambition...................................................409
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus And Another Blind Man.......................................411
Jesus’ Encounter With Zacchaeus.........................................................................413
Parable Of The Pounds..........................................................................................415
Jesus Makes His First Grand Entry Into Jerusalem...............................................416
Jesus’ Second Cleansing Of The Temple..............................................................418
Jesus Arrives In Bethany.......................................................................................419
Jesus Is Anointed...................................................................................................419
Jesus Presents Himself As King Riding A Colt....................................................421
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem And Heals All Brought To Him.............................423
Jesus Curses The Fig Tree And Cleanses The Temple Again...............................425
The Son Of Man Must Be Lifted Up.....................................................................427
The Jews Unbelief.................................................................................................429
Jesus Anointed Again At The House Of Simon The Leper..................................431
Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus...............................................................................432
The Withered Fig Tree..........................................................................................433
 xix

Jesus’ Authority Challenged Again.......................................................................435

Parable Of The Two Sons......................................................................................436
Parable Of The Landowner...................................................................................436
Parable Of The Wedding Invitation......................................................................439
Pharisees And Herodians Test Jesus.....................................................................441
Sadducees Put Jesus To The Test..........................................................................443
A Lawyer Of The Scribes Questions Jesus...........................................................446
Beware Of The Pharisees......................................................................................449
Eight More Woes To The Pharisees......................................................................451
The Widow’s Mite.................................................................................................454
The Olivet Discourse: The Beginning Of Birth Pangs..........................................455
The Olivet Discourse: The Great Tribulation........................................................458
The Olivet Discourse: The Coming Of The Son Of Man....................................462
The Olivet Discourse: Watch And Pray................................................................464
The Olivet Discourse: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins.......................................466
The Olivet Discourse: The Parable Of The Talents..............................................468
The Olivet Discourse: The Son Of Man’s Judgment............................................469
The Beginning Of The Final Passover..................................................................471
The Events In The Upper Room On The Night Before Jesus’ Death...................473
Jesus Identifies His Betrayer.................................................................................476
Rivalry Among The Disciples Again....................................................................478
Jesus’ Prediction Of Peter’s Denial.......................................................................478
Jesus Institutes The New Symbols Of Passover....................................................481
Jesus Comforts The Disciples...............................................................................482
Promise Of The Holy Ghost (Spirit).....................................................................484
The Vine And The Branches.................................................................................487
Hatred From The World........................................................................................489
Jesus Emphasizes The Coming Helper..................................................................490
Jesus Speaks Of His Death And Resurrection Again............................................491
Jesus Prays The High Priestly Prayer....................................................................493
 xx

Peter’s Denial Predicted For A Second Time........................................................496

Jesus Prays In Gethsemane....................................................................................497
Jesus Is Arrested....................................................................................................500
Jesus’ Trial Before Annas; Peter’s First Denial....................................................504
Jesus’ Trial Before Caiaphas.................................................................................507
Peter’s Second And Third Denials………………………………………………514
The Sanhedrin Confirms The Verdict Upon Jesus................................................510
Judas Repents Of His Betrayal Of Jesus...............................................................510
Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate.......................................................................................511
Jesus’ Trial Before Herod Antipas........................................................................513
6 A.M. Wednesday, April 26, AD 30....................................................................514
Jesus Sentenced To Death By Pilate; Barabbas Set Free......................................514
Additional Mockery From Roman Soldiers..........................................................519
Jesus’ Journey To Golgotha..................................................................................520
Jesus Is Crucified; First Three Hours On The Cross.............................................522
Final Three Hours On The Cross; Jesus’ Death....................................................527
Witnesses To Jesus’ Death....................................................................................529
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced; Body Is Removed From The Cross..................................531
Jesus’ Body Is Placed In The Tomb Just Before Sundown...................................533
The First Day Of Unleavened Bread; A High Sabbath.........................................534
Pharisees Seal Jesus’ Tomb...................................................................................534
Women Prepare Spices For Anointing Jesus’ Body..............................................535
Jesus Rises From The Dead Just Before Sundown...............................................535
Early Sunday Morning, The Tomb Is Empty........................................................536
Other Women Come To Tomb With Spices.........................................................536
Peter And John Rush To Empty Tomb..................................................................537
Mary Magdalene Encounters Jesus.......................................................................538
The Other Women Encounter Jesus......................................................................539
The Guards Of The Watch Report To The Chief Priests......................................540
Two Encounter Jesus On The Road To Emmaus..................................................540
 xxi

First Appearance In Upper Room; Thomas Absent..............................................542

The Next Week In Upper Room With Thomas Present........................................543
Jesus Appears To The Disciples While Fishing....................................................544
Jesus Restores Peter To Ministry..........................................................................545
Jesus Commissions Many Disciples In Galilee.....................................................547
Jesus Instructs The Disciples In Jerusalem...........................................................548
Thursday, June 9, AD 30.......................................................................................549
Jesus Ascends Back To The Father.......................................................................549
Sources..................................................................................................................551
Map; to open, unfold.............................................................................................554
 1

The Chronological Gospel

King James Version
With Commentary
By Daniel W. Alt

Luke declares in verses 1 and 3 of chapter 1 that he is writing his gospel in order; so we
will use his as a base for our gospel injecting the others when needed; for his did not include all
information and detail. Note also that there is some language differences in the four Gospels;
Luke and John were written in Greek while Matthew and Mark were written in Hebrew
(Aramaic). All the original author, chapter and verse numbers are beside each verse so reference
can be made in Strong’s Concordance which is based on the King James Version. The words of
Jesus are in red, and the words of God the Father are in green, the words of the commentary
including its Scripture quotes are in purple, violations of the Talmud are numbered in brown.
(Note: the best way to read this Gospel is to ignore the chapter and verse
markings and read the words like a story.)
 2

The Gospel
Mark 1:1
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him
2

was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And
the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Luke 1:1
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those
things which are most surely believed among us, 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which
from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 It seemed good to me also,
having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order,
most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou
hast been instructed.
The Birth Of John The Baptist
June 19, 5 BC
The Announcement To Zacharias
John 1:6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a
witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that
Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the
world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as
received him, to them gave the power (the right, or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even
to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man, but of God.
Mark 1:2
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which
shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the
way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luke 1:5
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named
Zacharias, of the course of Abia: (Hebrew – Abijah: worshiper of Jah; Two annual priestly
courses, 12-18 Chisleu = December 6-12; 12-18 Sivan = June 13-19) and his wife was of the
daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7And they had no child,
because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
Luke 1:7
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the
order of his course, 9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense
when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying
without at the time of incense. 11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on
the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear
fell upon him.
Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy
wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14And thou shalt have joy
and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord,
and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even
from his mother’s womb. 16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their
God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the
 3

fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.
Luke 1:18
And Zacharias said unto the angel, “Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old
man, and my wife well stricken in years.” 19And the angel answering said unto him, I am
Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these
glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these
things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their
season.
Luke 1:21
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the
temple. 22And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had
seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
Luke 1:23
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were
accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived,
and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he
looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
December 25, 5 BC
Gabriel Announces The Coming Of Jesus The Christ
Luke 1:26
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee,
named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou
that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Luke 1:29
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what
manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast
found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest:
and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over
the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:34
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And
the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of
the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee
shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, (if Elisabeth is her cousin
then Mary has some Blood of Levi in her also.) she hath also conceived a son in her old age:
and this is the sixth month with her, (About December 25th) who was called barren. 37 For with
God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto
me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mary And Elizabeth Rejoice With Each Other
Luke 1:39
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city
of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass,
40

that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth
was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art
thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the
mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded
in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there
shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Luke 1:46
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in
God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from
 4

henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great
things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to
generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of
low degree. 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our fathers,
to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
March 25 – 28, 4 BC
The Birth And Naming Of John The Baptist
Luke 1:56
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
Luke 1:57
Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth
a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon
her; and they rejoiced with her.
Luke 1:59
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and
they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not
so; but he shall be called John.
Luke 1:61
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing
table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
Luke 1:64
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and
praised God. 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were
noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. 66 And all they that heard them laid them
up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with
him.
Luke 1:67
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath
raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70 As he spake by the
mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71 That we should be saved
from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72 To perform the mercy promised to our
fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve
him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76 And thou,
child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to
prepare his ways; 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their
sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited
us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into
the way of peace.
Luke 1:80
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day
of his shewing unto Israel.
Jesus’ Miraculous Conception Explained To Joseph
Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was
espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was
minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the
Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee
 5

Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring
forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:22
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord
by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and
they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:24
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden
him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:
and he called his name JESUS.
September 29, 4 BC
The Birth Of Jesus
Luke 2:1
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar
Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius
was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Matthew 1:4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,
unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of
David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that,
while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she
brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Shepherds Pay Homage To Jesus
Luke 2:8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the
Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear
not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto
you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be
a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:15
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is
come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found
Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made
known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it
wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these
things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising
God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
October 7, 4 BC
Jesus Is Circumcised
Luke 2:21
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his
name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the
womb.
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November 8, 4 BC
Jesus Is Presented In The Temple
Luke 2:22
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were
accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in
the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And
to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or
two young pigeons.
Luke 2:25
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the
same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was
upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death,
before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the
parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him
up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Luke 2:33
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall
and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword
shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Luke 2:36
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of
Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but
served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave
thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in
Jerusalem.
Luke 2:39
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they
returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in
spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Eastern Magi Pay Homage To Israel’s True King
Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king,
behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King
of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 2:3
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he
demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Matthew 2:5
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the
6
prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda:
for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Matthew 2:7
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them
diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and
search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I
may come and worship him also.
Matthew 2:9
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in
the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they
saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house,
they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when
 7

they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and
myrrh.
Matthew 2:12
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they
departed into their own country another way.
The Flight Into Egypt And Return To Nazareth
Matthew 2:13
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph
in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be
thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Matthew 2:14
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed
15
into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Matthew 2:16
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding
wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts
thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of
the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In
Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping
for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Matthew 2:19
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to
Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land
of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 21 And he arose, and took the
young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Matthew 2:22
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father
Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned
aside into the parts of Galilee: 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. Luke 2:40 And the
child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Spring, AD 9
Jesus Visits The Temple At Age Twelve
Luke 2:41
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And
when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And
when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem;
and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the
company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came
to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both
hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his
understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said
unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee
sorrowing.
Luke 2:49
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be
about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
Luke 2:51
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them:
but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature,
and in favour with God and man.
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The Baptism Of Jesus

Luke 3:1
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being
governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea
and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 Annas and Caiaphas
being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
John 1:7
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him
might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the
true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the
world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own
received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power (the right, or,
privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were
born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Matthew 3:1
In those days came John the Baptist, Luke 3:3 into all the country about Jordan,
preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Luke 3:4As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the
prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought
low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; 6 And all
flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Mark 1:5
And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and
were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with
camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey.
Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, Luke
3:7
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers,
who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of
repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say
unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also
the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Luke 3:10
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? 11 He answereth and
saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath
meat, let him do likewise. 12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master,
what shall we do? 13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto
them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
Luke 3:15
And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John,
whether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you
with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to
unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and
he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will
burn with fire unquenchable. 18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the
people.
Mark 1:9
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, Matthew
3:13
to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be
baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so
now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Luke 3:21 Now when
 9

all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, Matthew3:16
when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened
unto him, Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a
voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
John1:15
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that
cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we
received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by
Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom
of the Father, he hath declared him.
Jesus’ Genealogy
Through Mary
Luke 3:23
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed)
the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, 24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the
son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of
Joseph, 25 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of
Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, 26 Which was the son of Maath,
which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph,
which was the son of Juda, 27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which
was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, 28 Which
was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the
son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, 29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of
Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, .
30
Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which
was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, 31 Which was the son of Melea, which was
the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the
son of David, 32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of
Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, 33 Which was the son of
Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of
Phares, which was the son of Juda, 34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac,
which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, 35
Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which
was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, 36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the
son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of
Lamech, 37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of
Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38 Which was the son of
Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
Jesus’ Genealogy
Through Joseph
Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2
Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 And
Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And
Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon
begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat
David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And
Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 And Asa begat
Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and
 10

Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses
begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the
time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias
begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat
Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim
begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16
And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the
carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon
unto Christ are fourteen generations.
The Temptation In The Wilderness
Luke 4:1
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and Mark 1:12
Luke 4:1
immediately was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Matthew 4:1 to be tempted of the devil.
Mark 1:13
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild
beasts; Luke 4:1 And in those days he did eat nothing: Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days
and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Matthew 4:3
And when the tempter came to him, Luke 4:3 And the devil said unto him, Matthew 4:3 If
thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered
him, saying, Matthew 4:4 It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:5
Then the devil taketh him up into Luke 4:9 Jerusalem, Matthew 4:5 the holy city, and setteth him
on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself
downLuke 4:9 from hence: 10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep
thee: 11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a
stone.
Matthew 4:7
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the
kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; Luke 4:5 in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said
unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and
to whomsoever I will I give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: Luke 4:8 Get thee behind me, Matthew 4:10 for it is
written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Luke 4:13
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a
Matthew 4:11
season. And behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
John The Baptist Testimony About Jesus
John 1:19
And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from
Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am
not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias (one of the several names for
Isaiah)? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said they
unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of
thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the
Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they
asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias,
neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one
among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose
 11

shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond
Jordan, where John was baptizing.
John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of
God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:30
This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me:
for he was before me. 31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel,
therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit
descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that
sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit
descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I
saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
The Gathering Of Jesus’ Disciples
John 1:35
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon
Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
John 1:37
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus
turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi,
(which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come
and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the
tenth hour.
John 1:40
One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon
Peter’s brother. 41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the
Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus
beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by
interpretation, A stone.
John 1:43
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith
unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip
findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the
prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
John 1:46
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?
Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed,
in whom is no guile!
John 1:48
Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto
him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
John 1:49
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art
the King of Israel.
John 1:50
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the
fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and
descending upon the Son of man.
Matthew 4:18
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter,
and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto
them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:20
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from
thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with
 12

22
Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the
ship and their father, and followed him.
The Wedding Feast At Cana
John 2:1
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus
was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they
2

wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
John 2:4
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet
come.
John 2:5
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
John 2:6
And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of
the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with
water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear
unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water
that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;)
the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the
beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse:
but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
John 2:11
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his
glory; and his disciples believed on him.
John 2:12
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and
his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Spring, AD 27
Jesus’ Ministry Begins
The First Cleansing Of The Temple
John 2:13
And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, 14 And found
in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the
sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 16 And said
unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of
merchandise. 17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath
eaten me up.
John 2:18
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing
that thou doest these things?
John 2:19
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will
raise it up.
John 2:20
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou
rear it up in three days?
John 2:21
But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from the
dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture,
and the word which Jesus had said.
John 2:23
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in
his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto
them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew
what was in man.
 13

Nicodemus Comes To Jesus

John 3:1
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The
same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come
from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:4
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the
second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and
of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born
again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 3:9
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
John 3:10
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not
11
these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we
have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not,
how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven,
but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses
lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned
already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is
the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to
the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his
deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John’s Further Testimony About Jesus
John 3:22
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he
tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because
there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into
prison.
John 3:25
Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about
26
purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond
Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
John 3:27
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from
heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent
before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which
standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy
therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is
above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven
is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his
testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he
 14

whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto
him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on
the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of
God abideth on him.
Herod Imprisons John
Luke 3:19
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s
wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 Added yet this above all, that he shut up John
in prison.
Jesus Returns To Galilee, The Woman At The Well
John 4:1
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and
baptized more disciples than John, 2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) 3 He
left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
John 4:4
And he must needs go through Samaria. 5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria,
which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now
Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and
it was about the sixth hour.
John 4:7
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to
drink. 8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
John 4:9
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest
drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
John 4:10
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is
that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given
thee living water.
John 4:11
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is
deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob,
which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
John 4:13
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst
14
again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the
water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:15
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come
hither to draw.
John 4:16
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
John 4:17
The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast
well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is
not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
John 4:19
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers
worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to
worship.
John 4:21
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in
this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we
know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when
the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to
worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:25
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ:
when he is come, he will tell us all things.
John 4:26
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
 15

27
And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no
man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
John 4:28
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the
men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30 Then
29

they went out of the city, and came unto him.

John 4:31
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
John 4:32
But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
John 4:33
Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to
eat?
John 4:34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish
35
his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto
you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36 And he that
reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that
reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
38
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered
into their labours.
John 4:39
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the
woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto
him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many
more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not
because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ,
the Saviour of the world.
The First Return To Nazareth
Matthew 4:12
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, John 4:43 after two days
he departed thence, and went into Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no
honour in his own country.
Luke 4:16
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was,
he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was
delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found
the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me
to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance
to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To
preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:20
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And
the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say
unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and
wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this
Joseph’s son?
Luke 4:23
And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal
thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 24 And he
said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you of a truth,
many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and
six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26 But unto none of them was Elias
sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 27 And many lepers
were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman
the Syrian.
 16

Luke 4:28
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29
And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their
city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of
them went his way.
Jesus Starts Preaching The Kingdom Of God
Matthew 4:13
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea
coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken
by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of
the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great
light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17 From that
time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Luke 4:14
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: Matthew 4:18 And Jesus,
walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother,
casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will
make you fishers of men.20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
Matthew 4:21
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Luke 4:14
And there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. John 4:45 The
Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they
also went unto the feast. Luke 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
Second Miracle, Nobleman’s Son Healed
John 4:46
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And
there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus
was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come
down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye
see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
John 4:49
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
John 4:50
Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word
that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his
servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
John 4:52
Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto
him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. 53 So the father knew that it was at the
same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole
house.
John 4:54
This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea
into Galilee.
Jesus Starts Healing On The Sabbath
Mark 1:21 Luke 4:31
And they went into Capernaum; a city of Galilee, and taught them on the
sabbath days.
Mark 1:21
And straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as
the scribes.
 17

Mark 1:23
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to
destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Mark 1:25
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when
the unclean spirit had torn him Luke 4:35 in the midst, Mark 1:26 and cried with a loud voice, he came
out of him Luke 4:35 and hurt him not. Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they
questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? Luke 4:36 What
a word is this! Mark 1:27 For with authority Luke 4:36 and power he commandeth the unclean spirits,
and they come out, Mark 1:27 and they do obey him.
, Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region Luke 4:37every
place of the country round about Galilee.
Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law And Many Others
Mark 1:29
And forthwith, Luke 4:38 he arose Mark 1:29 when they were come out of the synagogue,
they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Matthew 8:14
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and
Luke 4:38
sick of a great fever; Mark 1:30 and anon they tell him of her; Luke 4:38 and they besought him
for her. Mark 1:31 And he came Luke 4:39 And he stood over her, Mark 1:31 and took her by the hand, and
lifted her up Luke 4:39 and rebuked the fever; Mark 1:31 and immediately the fever left her, Luke 4:39 and
immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
Mark 1:32
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, Luke
4:40
he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. Matthew 8:16 And he cast out the spirits
with his word, Mark 1:32 and them that were possessed with devils; Luke 4:41 also came out of many,
crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not
to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken
by Esaias the prophet (one of the several names for Isaiah), saying, Himself took our infirmities,
and bare our sicknesses.
33
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed
into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 1:36
And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. Luke 4:42 and the people
Mark 1:37
sought him, And when they had found him, Luke 4:42 and came unto him, and stayed him,
that he should not depart from them. Mark 1:37 They said unto him, All men seek for thee. 38 And he
said unto them, Luke 4:43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities
also: Mark 1:38 Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching
the gospel of the kingdom, Mark 1:39 and cast out devils, Matthew 4:23 and healing all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they
brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those
which were possessed with devils, and those whichwere lunatick, and those that had the palsy;
and he healed them.
Second Calling Of The Four Disciples
Luke 5:1
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God,
he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen
were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships,
which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat
down, and taught the people out of the ship.
 18

Luke 5:4
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and
let down your nets for a draught.
Luke 5:5
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have
taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had this done,
they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their
partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and
filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for
I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of
the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which
were partners with Simon.
Luke 5:10
And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And
when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
Healed Leper Broadcast His Healing On The Way To Capernaum
Luke 5:12
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy:
who seeing Jesus fell on his face, Matthew 8:2and worshipped him, Mark 1:40beseeching him, and
kneeling down to him, and saying unto him,Matthew 8:2Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Mark 1:41
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith
unto him, I will; be thou clean.
Mark 1:42
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he
was cleansed.
Mark 1:43
And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; Luke 5:14 And he charged
him: Mark 1:44 See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer
for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Mark 1:45
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch
that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they
came to him from every quarter. Luke 5:15 Great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed
by him of their infirmities. 16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Mark 2:1
after some days; Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his
own city. Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum.
Jesus Forgives Sins Of Man Sick Of Palsy
Luke 5:17
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees
and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and
Jerusalem: Mark 2:2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no
room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
Luke 5:17
And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
Luke 5:18
And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy Mark 2:3
which was borne of four: Luke 5:18 and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before
him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the
multitude, they went upon the housetop, Mark 2:4 they uncovered the roof where he was: and when
they had broken it up, they Luke 5:19 let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst
before Jesus.
Matthew 9:2
and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer;
thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, Mark 2:5 there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and
reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but
God only?
 19

Luke 5:22
But when Jesus Mark 2:8 perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within
themselves, Luke 5:22 he answering said unto them, Matthew 9:4 Therefore think ye evil Luke 5:22reasoning
Mark 2:8
these things Matthew 9:4 in your hearts? Matthew 9:5 For weather is easier, to say, Mark 2:9 to the sick
of the palsy, Matthew 9:5Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, Mark 2:9 and take up thy bed, Matthew 9:5
and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then
saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Luke 5:24 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into
thine house. Luke 5:25 And immediately he rose up before them, Mark 2:12took up the bed, Luke 5:25 that
whereon he lay, and departed Mark 2:12before them all; Luke 5:25 to his own house, glorifying God. John
5:9
On the same day was the sabbath.
Matthew 9:8
But when the multitudes saw it, Luke 5:26 And they were all amazed, Matthew 9:8 they
marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. Luke 5:26 And were filled with
fear, saying, Mark 2:12 We never saw it on this fashion. Luke 5:26 We have seen strange things to day.
Matthew Called
Mark 2:13
And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him,
and he taught them. Luke 5:27 And after these things he went forth, Matthew 9:9 and as Jesus passed forth
from thence, he saw a Luke 5:27 saw a publican, named Levi Matthew 9:9 Matthew, Mark 2:14the son of
Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto Matthew 9:9 Matthew, Luke 5:27 Follow me. 28
And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
Luke 5:29
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: Mark 2:15 And it came to pass,
Matthew 9:10
that, as Jesus sat at meat Mark 2:15 in his house, Matthew 9:10 behold, Luke 5:29 a great company of
publicans Matthew 9:10 and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples, Mark 2:15 for there
were many, and they followed him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with
publicans and sinners, Luke 5:30 they against His disciples, saying, Matthew 9:11 Why eateth your Master
with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole
need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have
mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
First Question On Fasting
Mark 2:18
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come Matthew
9:14
saying, Why do we Mark 2:18the disciples of John Luke 5:33 and likewise the disciples of the
Pharisees; Matthew 9:14 fast oft, Luke 5:33 and make prayers, Mark 2:18but thy disciples Luke 5:33 eat and drink
Matthew 9:14
[and] fast not?
Mark 2:19
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber Matthew 9:15mourn, as
long as the bridegroom is with them? Mark 2:19 as long as they have the bridegroom with them,
they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them,
and then shall they fast in those days.
Luke 5:36
And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment
upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of
the new agreeth not with the old. Matthew 9:16for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the
garment, and the rent is made worse.
Luke 5:37
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the
bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. Matthew 9:17But they put new wine into new
bottles. Luke 5:38 New wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. 39 No man also
having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
Spring, AD 28
 20

Jesus Heals The Lame On The Sabbath

John 5:1
After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there
is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda,
having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered,
waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool,
and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made
whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty
and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that
case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have
no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another
steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And
immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day
was the sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is
not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said
unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto
thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had
conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the
temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come
unto thee. 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
16
And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these
things on the sabbath day.
John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the
Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that
God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
John 5:19
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son
can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these
also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that
himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 21 For as the
Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men
should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth
not the Father which hath sent him.
John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that
sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death
unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall
hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in
himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to
execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is
coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they
that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation. 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my
judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Witness To Jesus
John 5:31
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32 There is another that beareth
witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto
John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these
 21

things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing
for a season to rejoice in his light. 36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works
which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the
Father hath sent me. 37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye
have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding
in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think
ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye
might have life.
John 5:41
I receive not honour from men. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God
43
in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his
own name, him ye will receive. 44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and
seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the
Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed
Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how
shall ye believe my words?
Sabbath Made For Man
Mark 2:23
And it came to pass, Matthew 12:1 At that time Luke 6:1 on the second sabbath after the
Matthew 12:1
first, that Jesus went through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred.
Mark 2:23
And his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn, Matthew 12:1 and to
eat. Luke 6:1 rubbing them in their hands. Matthew 12:2 But when Luke 6:2 certain of the Matthew 12:2 Pharisees
saw it, they said unto him, Luke 6:2 Why do Matthew 12:2thy disciples Luke 6:2 that which is not lawful to do
on the sabbath days?
Matthew 12:3
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an
hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, Mark 2:26 in the days
of Abiathar the high priest, Matthew 12:4 and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to
eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
Matthew 12:5
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the
temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one
greater than the temple. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not
sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mark 2:27
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the
28
sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Man’s Hand Healed On the Sabbath
Luke 6:6
And it came to pass Matthew 12:9 when he was departed thence, Luke 6:6 also on another
sabbath, that Matthew 12:9 he went into their synagogue: Mark 3:1 again Luke 6:6 and taught: and there was a
man whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he
would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. Matthew 12:10 And they
asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
Luke 6:8
But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise
up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it
lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their
peace.
Matthew 12:11
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one
sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How
much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Mark
3:5
And when he had looked round about on them Luke 6:10 all, Mark 3:5 with anger, being grieved for
 22

the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand Matthew 12:13And he
stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
Matthew 12:14
Then the Pharisees Luke 6:11 were filled with madness. Mark 3:6 [They] went forth, and
straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, Luke 6:11 and communed one with another
what they might do to Jesus; Mark 3:6 how they might destroy him.
Matthew 12:15
But when Jesus knew it, Mark 3:7 [He] withdrew himself with his disciples to the
sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, 8 And from Jerusalem,
and from Idumaea, Matthew 4:25 and from Decapolis, Mark 3:8 and from beyond Jordan; and they about
Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
Matthew 12:15
And he healed them all; 16 And charged them that they should not make him known: 17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18 Behold my servant,
whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon
him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any
man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he
not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Mark 3:9
And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the
multitude, lest they should throng him. 10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed
upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him,
fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 12 And he straitly charged them
that they should not make him known.
The Twelve Apostles Are Named
Luke 6:12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and
continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called unto him Mark 3:13 whom he
would: and they came unto him.
Luke 6:13
And of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Mark 3:14 And he
ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15
And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 16 And Simon Luke 6:14 whom he also
Mark 3:16
surnamed Peter; Luke 6:14 and Andrew his brother, Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and
John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: Luke
6:14
Philip and Bartholomew, 15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon
called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also Mark 3:19betrayed
him. and they went into an house.
Jesus Gives the Sermon On The Mount And The Beatitudes
Luke 6:17
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his
Matthew 5:1
disciples, And seeing the multitudes, Luke 6:17 of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem,
and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their
diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the
whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
Matthew 5:1
He went up into a mountain, Luke 6:17 and stood in the plain (plateau), and the
company of his disciples, 20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Matthew 5:3Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; Luke 6:20 the kingdom of God.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted, Luke 6:21 [and] laugh. Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now:
Matthew 5:6
and thirst after righteousness: Luke 6:21 for ye shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for
they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the
peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are
 23

persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when
men shall revile you, and persecute you, Luke 6:22 [and] shall hate you, and when they shall separate
you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, Matthew 5:11 and
shall say all manner of evil against you falsely Luke 6:22for the Son of man’s sake.
Luke 6:23
Rejoice ye in that day, Matthew 5:12 and be exceeding glad: Luke 6:23 and leap for joy: for,
behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets
Matthew 5:12
which were before you.
Luke 6:24
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto
you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and
weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false
prophets.
Matthew 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it
be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of
men.
Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither
do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all
that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus Teaches That The Law Is Forever And Spiritual
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of
these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of
heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of
heaven. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of
the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:21
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and
whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is
angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall
say to his brother, Raca (Vain fellow), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say,
Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there
rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and
go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with
thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary
deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost
farthing.
Matthew 5:27
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit
adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out,
and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not
that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and
cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that
thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:31
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing
of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the
 24

cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is
divorced committeth adultery.
Matthew 5:33
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not
forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at
all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by
Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because
thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay,
nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
`Matthew 5:38
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek,
turn to him Luke 6:29 [and] offer also the other. Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law,
and take away thy coat, Luke 6:29 forbid not to take thy coat also. Matthew 5:41 And whosoever shall
compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that
would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Luke 6:30 and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them
not again.
Matthew 5:43
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate
thine enemy. But I say unto you Luke 6:27 which hear, Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies, bless them that
44

curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh
his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if
ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And
if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Luke 6:32
[Even] sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which
do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luke 6:34
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for
sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good,
and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children
of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as
your Father also is merciful.
Teachings On Prayer
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 6:1
Take heed that ye do not your alms (righteousness) before men, to be seen of
them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou
doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and
in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine
alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:5
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to
pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy
closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father
which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as
the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew 6:8
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have
need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in
 25

heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses.
Matthew 6:16
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they
disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have
their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou
appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in
secret, shall reward thee openly.
Teachings About The World’s System
Matthew 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor
steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:22
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body
shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If
therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two
masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and
despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or
what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat,
and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap,
nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Matthew 6:28
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they
grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his
glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,
which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of
little faith?
Matthew 6:31
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?
or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no
thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto
the day is the evil thereof.
Luke 6:37
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be
condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Matthew7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall
be judged. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye
mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:39
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both
fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as
his master. Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest
not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the
 26

mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out
the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy
brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will
he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil,
know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in
heaven give good things Matthew 7:11to them that ask him(Luke 11:13 give the Holy Spirit him)? 12
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, Luke 6:31 do ye also to them
likewise: Matthew 7:12 for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:13
Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth
forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth
good fruit. Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs,
nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Matthew 7:19
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of
his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that
day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and
in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew
you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:24
Therefore Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth
them, I will shew you to whom he is like: Matthew 7:24 I will liken him unto a wise man, which built
his house Luke 6:48 and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: Matthew 7:25 And the rain
descended, and the floods came, Luke 6:48 the stream beat vehemently upon that house, Matthew 7:25and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house; Luke 6:48 and could not shake it: Matthew 7:25 and it fell not:
for it was founded upon a rock.
Matthew 7:26
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be
likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Luke 6:49 without a foundation
Matthew 7:27
And the rain descended, and the floods came, Luke 6:49 the stream did beat vehemently,
Matthew 7:27
and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; Luke 6:49 and immediately it fell; and the
ruin of that house was great. Matthew 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings,
the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not
as the scribes.
 27

The Centurion’s Servant Is Healed

Luke7:1
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, Matthew 8:1 [and]
when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him [and] Luke7:1he
entered into Capernaum.
Luke7:2
And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to
die. And when he heard of Jesus, Matthew 8:5when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, Luke7:3 he sent
3

unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. Matthew 8:6
And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
Luke7:4
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was
worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
John 4:48
Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. Matthew 8:7
And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. Luke7:6 Then Jesus went with them.
Luke7:6
And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him,
saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under
my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and
my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers,
and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant,
Do this, and he doeth it.
Luke7:9
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said
unto the people that followed him, Matthew 8:10Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith,
no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall
sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of
the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.
And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Luke7:10 And they that were sent, returning to the
house, found the servant whole that had been sick.
Jesus Raises A Widow’s Dead Son In Nain
Luke 7:11
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of
his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city,
behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and
much people of the city was with her.
Luke 7:13
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep
14
not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young
man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Luke 7:15
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his
16
mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is
risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth
throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
Jesus Replies To John The Baptist
Luke 7:18
And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. Matthew 11:2 Now when John
had heard in the prison the works of Christ, Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples
sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Luke 7:20
When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee,
saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in that same hour he cured
many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave
sight.
 28

Matthew 11:4
Jesus answered and said unto them, Luke 7:22Go your way, Matthew 11:4 and shew John
again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk,
the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel
preached to them. 6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Jesus Testifies About John And Himself
Luke 7:24
And when the messengers of John were departed, Matthew 11:7 Jesus began to say unto
the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with
the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that
wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. Luke 7:25 Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and
live delicately, are in kings’ courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say
unto you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my
messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Matthew 11:11
Verily I say unto you, Luke 7:28 Among those that are born of women there is not a
greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than
he. Matthew11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth
violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until
John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear,
let him hear.
Luke 7:29
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized
with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against
themselves, being not baptized of him. 31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the
men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the
marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not
danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
Luke 7:33
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He
hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous
man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 35 But wisdom is justified of all her
children.
Judgment Upon The Cities Of The North
Matthew 11:20
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were
done, because they repented not:
Matthew 11:21
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works,
which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the
day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be
brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in
Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven
and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them
unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the
Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will
reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest
unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
 29

Jesus At Pharisee’s House, Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet;

Parable Of Creditor & Two Debtors
Luke 7:36
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into
the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a
sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of
ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and
did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the
ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself,
saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this
is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have
somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which
had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had
nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him
most?43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto
him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou
this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath
washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss:
but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou
didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto
thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven,
the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat
with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to
the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Luke 8:1
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village,
preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2
And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called
Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward,
and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Mark 3:19
And they went into an house. And the multitude cometh together again, so that
they could not so much as eat bread. 21 And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold
on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
Demoniac Healed; Pharisees Blaspheme
Matthew 12:22
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he
healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were
amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees Mark 3:22 And the scribes
which came down from JerusalemMatthew 12:24 heard it, they said, Mark 3:22 He hath Beelzebub,Matthew
12:24
This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Matthew 12:25
And Jesus knew their thoughts, Mark 3:23 And he called them unto him, and said
unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? Matthew 12:25 Every kingdom divided against
itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they
shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is
come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods,
except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 30 He that is not with me is
against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
 30

Matthew 12:31
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven
unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And
whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever
speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the
world to come. Mark 3:30 Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Matthew 12:33
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and
his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being
evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man
out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil
treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall
speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be
justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Jesus Refuses To Perform A Sign
Predicts His Seventy-Two Hour Resurrection
Matthew 12:38
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we
would see a sign from thee.
Matthew 12:39
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh
after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as
Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days
and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a
greater than Jonas is here. 42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the
wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:43
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places,
seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came
out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh
with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and
the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked
generation.
Jesus’ Spiritual Family
Matthew 12:46
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood
without, Luke 8:19 and could not come at him for the press. Mark 3:31 and, standing without, sent unto
him, calling him. Matthew 12:46 desiring to speak with him. Mark 3:32 And the multitude sat about him.
Matthew 12:47
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without,
Luke 8:20
desiring to see thee. Matthew 12:47 to speak with thee.
Matthew 12:48
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who
are my brethren?
Mark 3:34
And he looked round about on them which sat about him, Matthew 12:49 And he
stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50
For whosoever shall Luke 8:21hear the word of God, and do it, Matthew 12:50 [and]do the will of my
Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Matthew 13:1
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. Mark 4:1 And he
began again to teach. Matthew 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, Luke 8:4 and
were come to him out of every city, Matthew 13:2 so that he went into a ship, Mark 4:1 and sat in [it on]
the sea; Matthew 13:2 and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
 31

Mark 4:2
And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 3
Hearken; Matthew 13:3 Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Luke 8:5 his seed: Matthew 13:4 And when he
sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, Luke 8:5 and it was trodden down, Matthew 13:4 and the fowls
came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and
forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up,
they were scorched; and because they had no root, Mark 4:5 no depth of earth: Matthew 13:6 they withered
away; Luke 8:6it lacked moisture. Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up,
Luke 8:7
with it, and choked them: Mark 4:7 and it yielded no fruit. Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good
ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Luke 8:8
And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Parable Of The Soils Explained
Mark 4:10
And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve Luke 8:9his
Matthew 13:10
disciples came, and Mark 4:10asked of him the parable Luke 8:9saying, What might this parable
be? Matthew 13:10 Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because Luke 8:10 Unto you it is given to know
the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others Mark 4:11 that are without, Matthew 13:11 it is not
given Mark 4:11 all these things are done in parables. Matthew 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be
given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away
even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and
hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of
Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see,
and shall not perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and
hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them, Mark 4:12 and their sins should be forgiven them.
Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For
verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things
which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard
them.
Mark 4:13
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all
parables? Matthew 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this:
The seed is the word of God. Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they Matthew 13:19
which received seed Mark 4:15 by the way side, where the word is sown. Matthew 13:19 When any one
heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, Luke 8:12 the devil Mark 4:15 cometh
immediately, Matthew 13:19 and catcheth away Mark 4:15 the word that was sown in their hearts, Luke 8:12
lest they should believe and be saved. Matthew 13:19This is he which received seed by the way side.
Mark 4:16
And these are they likewise Matthew 13:20 that received the seed Mark 4:16on stony
ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have
no root in themselves, Luke 8:13 which for a while believe, and in time of temptation, Matthew 13:21
tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, Mark 4:17 immediately they are offended Luke
8:13
[and]fall away.
Matthew 13:22
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the
care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, Luke 8:14 pleasures of this life, Mark 4:19 and the lusts
[inordinate desires] of other things entering in, Matthew 13:22 choke the word, and he becometh
unfruitful, Luke 8:14 and bring no fruit to perfection.
 32

Matthew 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground Luke 8:15 which in an honest and
good heart, having heard the word, Matthew 13:23 and understandeth it, Mark 4:20 receive it, Luke 8:15 keep it,
and bring forth fruit with patience: Mark 4:20 some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred..
Mark 4:21
And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a
bed? Luke 8:16 But setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. Mark 4:22 For
there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it
should come abroad. 23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mark 4:24
And he said unto them, Take heed what [and] Luke 8:18 how Mark 4:24ye hear: with what
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For
he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which
he hath.
Four Parables About The Kingdom
Mark 4:26
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the
27
ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he
knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after
that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the
sickle, because the harvest is come.
Matthew 13:24
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is
likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came
and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and
brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and
said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we
go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the
wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say
to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but
gather the wheat into my barn.
Matthew 13:31
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, Mark 4:30 Whereunto shall we liken
the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? Matthew 13:31 The kingdom of
heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which
indeed is the least of all seeds Mark 4:31 in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and
becometh Matthew 13:31 a tree Mark 4:32 greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches Matthew 13:31
so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof Mark 4:32 under the shadow of it.
Matthew 13:33
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto
leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Matthew 13:34
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; Mark 4:33 as they were
able to hear it; Matthew 13:34 and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter
things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Jesus Explains The Parable Of The Tares
Mark 4:34
And when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Matthew 13:36
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples
came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
Matthew 13:37
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of
38
man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are
the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end
 33

of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in
the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and
they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And
shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall
the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him
hear.
Additional Kingdom Parables
Matthew 13:44
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which
when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and
buyeth that field.
Matthew 13:45
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly
46
pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and
bought it.
Matthew 13:47
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and
gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and
gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the
angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into
the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:51
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him,
Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the
kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his
treasure things new and old.
Jesus Calms The Sea
Matthew 13:53
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed
thence.
Mark 4:35
And the same day, when the even was come, Matthew 8:18 when Jesus saw great
multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. Matthew 8:23 And when
he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. Luke 8:22 And he said unto them, Let us go
over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. Mark 4:36 And when they had sent
away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him
other little ships. Luke 8:23 But as they sailed he fell asleep.
Matthew 8:24
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was
covered with the waves: Mark 4:37 and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full, Luke 8:23
and [they] were in jeopardy. Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow.
Matthew 8:25
And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Luke 8:24 Master, master, Mark 4:38
carest thou not that we perish? Matthew 8:25Lord, save us:
Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the Luke 8:24 raging Mark 4:39 sea,
Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why
are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, Luke 8:25
wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! For he commandeth even the
winds and water, and they obey him.
Men With Demons Named Legion
Mark 5:1
And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the
Gadarenes, Luke 8:26 which is over against Galilee. Mark 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship,
immediately there met him two Matthew 8:28 [men]possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs,
exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
 34

Luke 8:27
And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which
had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. Mark 5:3
And no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with
fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in
pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains,
and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he
ran and worshipped him, Luke 8:28 he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice
said, Matthew 8:29What have we to do with thee, Jesus, Mark 5:7thou Son of the most high God? Matthew 8:29
art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Mark 5:7I adjure thee by God, that thou torment
me not.
Luke 8:29
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes
it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and
was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
Mark 5:8
For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.9 And he asked him,
What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many; Luke 8:30
because many devils were entered into him. Mark 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not
send them away out of the country. Luke 8:31 [nor]command them to go out into the deep.
Mark 5:11
Now there was there nigh unto the mountains Matthew 8:30 And there was a good way
off from them Mark 5:11 a great herd of swine feeding . 12 And all the devils besought him, saying,
Matthew 8:31
If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine Mark 5:12 that we may enter
into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave [and] Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go.Mark
5:13
And the unclean spirits went out, and entered Matthew 8:32 And when they were come out, they
went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep
place into the sea,Mark 5:13 (they were about two thousand;) were choked in the sea. Matthew 8:32 and
perished in the waters.
Luke 8:34
When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the
city and in the country; Matthew 8:33 and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of
the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: Luke 8:35 and found the man, Mark
5:15
that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, Luke 8:35 sitting at the feet of Jesus,
clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Luke 8:36
They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the
devils was healed, Mark 5:16 and also concerning the swine. Luke 8:37 Then the whole multitude of the
country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken
with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
Luke 8:38
Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be
with him: Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and
tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And
he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all
men did marvel.
Mark 5:21
And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people
gathered unto him: Luke 8:40 people gladly received him: forthey were all waiting for him; Mark 5:21 and
he was nigh unto the sea.
Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter
Woman With Issue Of Blood
Matthew 9:18
While he spake unto them, behold, Mark 5:22 one of the rulers of the synagogue,
Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, Matthew 9:18 and worshipped him, Mark 5:23
 35

And besought him greatly, Luke 8:41 that he would come into his house: Mark 5:23 saying, My little
daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be
healed; and she shall live. Luke 8:42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and
she lay a dying. Matthew 9:19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.Luke 8:42But as
he went Mark 5:24 much people followed him, and thronged him.
Mark 5:25
And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had
suffered many things of many physicians, Luke 8:43 neither could be healed of any, Mark 5:26 and had
spent all that she had, Luke 8:43 all her living, Mark 5:26 and was nothing bettered, but rather grew
worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, Luke 8:44and touched the border of
his garment: Matthew 9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be
whole. Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body
that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had
gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? Luke 8:45 When
all denied, Peter and Mark 5:31 disciples Luke 8:45 that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng
thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath
touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
Mark 5:32
And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. Luke 8:47 And when
the woman saw that she was not hid, she came Mark 5:33fearing and trembling, knowing what was
done in her, Luke 8:47 and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people Mark
5:33
all the truth- Luke 8:47for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed
immediately.Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Matthew 9:22 Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath
made thee whole. Mark 5:34 go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Matthew 9:22 And the woman was
made whole from that hour.
Luke 8:49
While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house,
saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; Mark 5:35why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon
as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Luke 8:50Fear not:
believe only, and she shall be made whole. Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save
Peter, and James, and John the brother of James, Luke 8:51and the father and the mother of the
maiden. Mark 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult,
Matthew 9:23
the minstrels and the people making a noise, Mark 5:38 and them that Luke 8:52 wept, and
bewailed herMark 5:38 greatly.
Mark 5:39
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep?
Luke 8:52
Weep not; Matthew 9:24 Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. Luke 8:53 And they
laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. Mark 5:40 But when he had put them all out, he
taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in
where the damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha
cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
Mark 5:42
And straightway Luke 8:55 her spirit came again, Mark 5:42the damsel arose, and walked;
for she was of the age of twelve years. 43 And [He] commanded that something should be given
her to eat. Luke 8:56 And her parents were Mark 5:42 astonished with a great astonishment. Luke 8:56 But
he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
Matthew 9:26
And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
Matthew 9:27
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and
saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
 36

Matthew 9:28
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus
saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
Matthew 9:29
Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.30 And
their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.31 But
they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
Matthew 9:32
As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a
devil. 33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying,
It was never so seen in Israel. 34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince
of the devils.
Last Visit To Nazareth
Mark 6:1
And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
2
And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing
him were astonished, saying, Matthew13:54 Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty
works? Mark 6:2 What wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are
wrought by his hands? Matthew13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary?
and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Mark 6:3 And are not his sisters here with
us? Matthew13:56 Whence then hath this man all these things?Mark 6:3 And they were offended at him. 4
But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among
his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, Matthew13:58 because of
their unbelief Mark 6:5 save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he
marvelled because of their unbelief.
Jesus Commissions The Twelve
Matthew 9:35
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among
the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because
they fainted (or, were tired and lay down), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no
shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are
few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 9:1
Then he called his twelve disciples together, Mark6:7and began to send them forth by
two and two; Luke 9:1and gave them power and authority over all devils, Matthew 10:1 to cast them out,
and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach
the kingdom of God. Mark6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey,
save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and
not put on two coats.
Matthew 10:2
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called
Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and
Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus,
whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed
him.
Matthew 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the
Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the
sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Luke
9:3
Take nothing for your journey, Matthew 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your
purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves (a cane or
staff);Luke 9:3neither bread, neither money: Matthew 10:10 for the workman is worthy of his meat.
 37

Matthew 10:11
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy.
Mark6:10
In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. Matthew
10:12
And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace
come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not
receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the Luke 9:5
very Matthew 10:14 dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of
Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the
councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before
governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they
deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same
hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which
speaketh in you.
Matthew 10:21
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child:
and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye
shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall
not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Matthew 10:24
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is
enough for the disciple that he be as 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
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that
shall not be known.
Matthew 10:27
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear,
that preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to
kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not
two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your
Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of
more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also
deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I
came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father,
and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a
man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is
not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And
he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life
shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:40
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that
sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward;
and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous
man’s reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold
water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
 38

The Death Of John The Baptist

Matthew 11:1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve
disciples, he departed thence to teach and Luke 9:6 preaching the gospel, Matthew 11:1 in their cities. Mark
6:12
And they went out, and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many devils,
and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them Luke 9:6 every where.
Matthew 14:1
At that time Mark 6:14 king Herod Matthew 14:1 the tetrarch( governor over four
provinces) heard Luke 9:7 of all that was done by Jesus, Mark 6:14 (for his name was spread abroad:)
Luke 9:7
he was perplexed, Matthew 14:2 And said unto his servants, Luke 9:9 John have I beheaded: but who
is this, of whom I hear such things?
Luke 9:7
It was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; Mark 6:15 others said, That it is
Elias. And others said, That it is [The] prophet, or as one of the Luke 9:8 oldprophets was risen
again. Mark 6:16 But when Herod heard thereof, Matthew 14:2 said unto his servants, This is John the
Baptist; Mark 6:16 whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead, Matthew 14:2and therefore mighty works
do shew forth themselves in him. Luke 9:9 And he desired to see him.
Mark 6:17
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him Matthew
14:3
and put himMark 6:17 in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married
her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. 19
Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: 20
For Matthew 14:5 when he would have put him to death, Mark 6:20 Herod feared John, knowing that he
was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and
heard him gladly. Matthew 14:5 He [also] feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Mark 6:21
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper
to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 22 And when the daughter of the said
Herodias came in, and danced, Matthew 14:6 before them, Mark 6:22 and pleased Herod and them that sat
with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
Matthew 14:7
Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. Mark 6:23 And
he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my
kingdom.
Mark 6:24
And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The
head of John the Baptist. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked,
saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
Mark 6:26
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes
which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27 And immediately the king Matthew 14:9 he commanded
it to be given her. 10 And he sent Mark 6:27 an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought:
and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head in a charger, and gave it to
the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
Mark 6:29
And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in
Matthew 14:12
a tomb, and went and told Jesus.
Spring, AD 29
Jesus Feeds The 5000
Luke 9:10
And the apostles, when they were returned, Mark 6:30 gathered themselves together
unto Jesus, and Luke 9:10 told him all that they had done Mark 6:30 and what they had taught.
Luke 9:10
And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the
city called Bethsaida. 11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them,
and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
 39

John 6:1
After these things Jesus Mark 6:31 said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a
desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so
much as to eat. Luke 9:10 And he took them, and went aside privately. Mark 6:32 And they departed John
6:1
over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias Mark 6:32 by ship privately Luke 9:10 into a desert
place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
John 6:2
And a great multitude Mark 6:11 when they knew it, John 6:2 followed him, because they
saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. Mark 6:33 Many knew him, and ran afoot
thither out of all cities, and outwent them.
Mark 6:34
And Jesus, when he came out, John 6:3 went up into a mountain, and there he sat with
his disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. 5 When Jesus then lifted up his
4

eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, Matthew 14:14 and was moved with compassion
toward them, Mark 6:34 because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. Luke 9:11 And he received
them, Mark 6:34 and he began to teach them many things. Luke 9:11 and spake unto them of the kingdom
of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
Mark 6:35
And when the day was now far spent, Matthew 14:15 and when it was evening, Luke 9:12
the twelve, Mark 6:35 disciples came unto him, and said, Matthew 14:15 his is a desert place, and the time
is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into Mark 6:36 the country round about, and
into the villages, and buy themselves bread: Luke 9:12 and lodge, and get victuals: Mark 6:36
for they
have nothing to eat.
Matthew 14:16
But Jesus Mark 6:37 answered and Matthew 14:16 said unto them, They need not depart;
give ye them to eat. 17 And John 6:5 he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may
eat? 6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
John 6:7
Philip answered him, Mark 6:37 Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread,
and give them to eat? John 6:7 Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that
every one of them may take a little. Mark 6:38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go
and see.
John 6:8
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, 9 There is a lad
here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? Luke
9:13
And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy
meat for all this people. 14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said Matthew 14:18

Bring them hither to me.

John 6:10
And Jesus said, Luke 9:14 to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a
company.15 And they did so, and made them all sit down Mark 6:39 by companies upon the green
grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. John 6:10 Now there was much
grass in the place.
Luke 9:16 John
Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven;
6:11 Mark 6:41 John 6:11
and when he had given thanks, he brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples
and the disciples to them that were set down; Mark 6:41 and the two fishes divided he among them
all. 42 And they did all eat, John 6:11 as much as they would Matthew 14:20 and were filled.
John 6:12
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that
remain, that nothing be lost. 13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets
Matthew 14:20
full John 6:13 with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above
unto them that had eaten. Matthew 14:21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside
women and children. John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said,
This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
 40

John 6:15
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to
make him a king, Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to
go to the other side before unto (over against Bethsaida) Bethsaida, while he sent away the
people.
Jesus Walks On Water
Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to
pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. John 6:16 [Meanwhile] His disciples went
down unto the sea, 17 And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it
was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. 18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind
that blew.
Mark 6:47
The ship was Matthew 14:24 now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind
was contrary; Mark 6:47 and he alone on the land. 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind
was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night John 6:19 when they had rowed
about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, Matthew 14:25 Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. Mark
6:48
and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they
supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw him, and were troubled.
Matthew 14:27
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not
28
afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the
water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the
water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to
sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and
caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Mark 6: 51
And he went up unto them into the ship; John 6:21 and they willingly received him.
Matthew 14:32
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. John 6:21 and immediately the
ship was at the land whither they went. Mark 6:51And they were sore amazed in themselves beyond
measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was
hardened. Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth
thou art the Son of God.
Mark 6:53
And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew
to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway Matthew 14:35 when the men of
54

that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, Mark 6:55 and
began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 And whithersoever
he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him
that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him (or it)
were made whole.
Passover A.D. 29
Jesus Is The Bread Of Life
John 6:22
The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw
that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that
Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; 23
(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread,
after that the Lord had given thanks:) 24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there,
neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. 25 And
when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest
thou hither?
 41

John 6:26
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not
because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not
for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the
Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
John 6:28
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he
hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and
believe thee? what dost thou work? 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He
gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from
heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the
world. 34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never
hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have
seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but
the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which
he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is
the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have
everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:41
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down
from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we
know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 43 Jesus therefore answered and
said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father
which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the
prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath
learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is
of God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath
everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are
dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not
die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall
live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:52
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his
flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh
of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and
drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is
meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he
that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not
as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. 59
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
John 6:60
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard
saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said
unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he
was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak
unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus
 42

knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he
said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of
my Father.66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Peter’s First Confession
John 6:67
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?68 Then Simon Peter
answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe
and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70 Jesus answered them, Have not
I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon:
for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
John 7:1
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because
the Jews sought to kill him.
Mark 7:1
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came
from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say,
with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash
their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the
market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have
received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the
Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the
elders, Matthew 15:2for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
Matthew 15:3
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the
commandment of God Mark 7:9 that ye may keep your own tradition? Matthew 15:4 For God Mark 7:10
[through]Moses Matthew 15:4 commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that
curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Matthew 15:5
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by
whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; Mark 7:11It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, 12 And ye
suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making Matthew 15:6the commandment
of God Mark 7:13of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like
things do ye. Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far
from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:8
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the
washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mark 7:14
And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto
me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from without a man, Matthew 15:11 which
goeth into the mouth Mark 7:14that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out
of him, Matthew 15:11 the mouth, Mark 7:15 those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man have ears to
hear, let him hear.
Matthew 15:12
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees
were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my
heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of
the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Mark 7:17
And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him
concerning the parable. Matthew 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this
parable. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand,
that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth Mark 7:18 [of] the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it
entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
 43

Mark 7:20
And he said, Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth Mark
7:20
of the man, Matthew 15:18 come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Mark 7:21 For from
22
within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Matthew 15:19 Mark 7:21
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, false witness, lasciviousness, an evil
eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Matthew 15:20
But to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
The Syrophenician Woman
Mark 7:24
And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and
entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. Matthew 15:22 And,
behold, a woman of Canaan Mark 7:25 whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him,
Matthew 15:22
[and she] came out of the same coasts, Mark 7:25 and came and fell at his feet Matthew
15:22
and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is
grievously vexed with a devil.
Mark 7:26
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he
would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. Matthew 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his
disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he
answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 15:25
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. Mark 7:27 But Jesus
said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to
cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the
table eat of the children’s crumbs.
Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee
even as thou wilt.Mark 7:29 For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
Matthew 15:28
And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Mark 7:30
And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her
daughter laid upon the bed.
Healing At Decapolis
Mark 7:31
And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he Matthew 15:29came nigh
unto the sea of Galilee; Mark 7:31 through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. Matthew 15:29 And [He]
went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with
them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’
feet; and he healed them.
Mark 7:32
And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech;
and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and
put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34 And looking up to heaven, he
sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35 And straightway his ears were
opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36 And he charged them that
they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they
published it;
Matthew 15:31
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the
maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Mark 7:37
And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh
both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand In Decapolis
Mark 8:1
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called
his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they
 44

have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 And Matthew 15:32 I will not send them
away fasting, Mark 8:3 to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from
far.
Matthew 15:33
And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the
wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have
ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down
on the ground.
Matthew 15:36
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them,
and gave to his disciples, and the disciples Mark 8:6 did set them before the people. Matthew 15:37 And
they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets
full. 38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
Jesus Second Refusal To Give A Sign
Matthew 15:39
And he sent away the multitude, Mark 8:10 And straightway he entered into a ship
with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha [near] Magdala. Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees
also with the Sadducees came Mark 8:11forth, and began to question with him, Matthew 16:1 and tempting
desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Mark 8:12
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and Matthew 16:2 He answered and said unto them,
When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will
be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of
the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign; Mark 8:12verily I say unto you, Matthew 16:4 and there shall no sign be given unto Mark
8:12
this generation, Matthew 16:4 but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
The Leaven Of The Pharisees
Matthew 16:5
And when his disciples were come to the other side, Mark 8:14 the disciples had
forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. 15 And he
charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of
Herod.16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. 17 And
when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Matthew 16:8 O ye of little faith, why reason ye among
yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9 Do ye not yet Mark 8:17 perceive ye not yet, neither
understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? 18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear
ye not? and do ye not remember? 19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how
many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Mark 8:20
And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments
took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Matthew 16:11
How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread,
that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood
they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the
Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Jesus Heals The Blind Man In Bethsaida
Mark 8:22
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought
him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and
when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And
he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his
eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him
away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
 45

Peter’s Second Confession Of Jesus As The Christ

Matthew 16:13
When Jesus Mark 8:27 and his disciples, Matthew 16:13 came into the coasts of Caesarea
Philippi, Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: Mark 8:27
and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Matthew 16:13 Whom do men say that I the
Son of man am?
14
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others,
Luke 9:19
Jeremias, others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
Matthew 16:15
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered
and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for
flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also
unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:20
Then Luke 9:21 he straitly charged them, and commanded them Matthew 16:20 that they
should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Jesus Predicts His Future Suffering And Glory
Matthew 16:21
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he, Mark 8:31
the Son of man Matthew 16:21 must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things Mark 8:31 and be rejected
of Matthew 16:21 the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third
day. Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly.
Matthew 16:22
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee,
Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his
disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Matthew 16:23 Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto
me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus Mark 8:34 called the people unto him, with his disciples also, Luke 9:22 [and]
said to them all, Matthew 16:24If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his
cross, Luke 9:23 daily, Matthew 16:24 and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and
whosoever will lose his life for my sake Mark 8:35and the gospel’s, Matthew 16:25shall find it. 26 For what
is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Luke 9:25 and lose
himself, or be cast away? Matthew 16:26 or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:38
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his
Father with the holy angels. Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father
with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Mark 9:1
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that
stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with
power.
Jesus’ Glorious Transfiguration
Luke 9:28
And it came to pass about Matthew 17:1 six [to] Luke 9:28 eight days after these sayings
Matthew 17:1
Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high
mountain apart, Mark 9:2 by themselves Luke 9:28 to pray.
Luke 9:29
And as he prayed, Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured before them: Luke 9:29 the fashion of
his countenance was altered, Matthew 17:2 [and] did shine as the sun, and his raiment Mark 9:3
Luke 9:29 Mark 9:3 Matthew 17:2
became shining, and glistering, exceeding white as snow; was white as the
 46

light, Mark 9:3 so as no fuller (launderer) on earth can white them. Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there
appeared unto them Moses and Elias Mark 9:4 and they were talking with Jesus. Luke 9:31
Who
appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
Luke 9:32
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were
awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they
departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: Matthew 17:4 if thou
wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Luke 9:33
Not knowing what he said; Mark 9:6 for he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud Luke 9:34 came [and] Matthew 17:5
overshadowed them: Luke 9:34 and they feared as they entered into the cloud. Matthew 17:5And behold a
voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear
ye him.6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Luke 9:36
And when the voice was past, Matthew 17:7 Jesus came and touched them, and said,
Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, Mark 9:8 when they had looked
round about, Matthew 17:7 they saw no man, save Jesus only Mark 9:8 with themselves.
Matthew 17:9
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the
vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
Mark 9:10
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the
rising from the dead should mean.
Matthew 17:10
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must
first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all
things. 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done
unto him whatsoever they listed, Mark 9:13 as it is written of him. Matthew 17:12 Likewise Mark 9:12 how it is
written of the Son of man, that he must Matthew 17:12 also Mark 9:12 suffer many things, Matthew 17:12 of them
Mark 9:12
and be set at nought.
Matthew 17:13
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Jesus Heals A Demon Possessed Boy
Luke 9:37
And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the
hill, Mark 9:14 he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes
questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly
amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with
them?
Luke 9:38
And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, Matthew
17:15
have mercy on my son Mark 9:17 which hath a dumb spirit; Luke 9:38for he is mine only child. Matthew
17:15
He is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. Luke
9:39
And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth
again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. Mark 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he
teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away. Matthew 17:16 And I
brought him to thy disciples, Mark 9:18 that they should cast him out; Matthew 17:16 and they could not
cure him.
Mark 9:19
He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?
how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
Mark 9:20
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, Luke 9:42 as he was yet a
coming, the devil threw him down, Mark 9:20 straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the
ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came
unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the
 47

waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And
straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine
unbelief.
Mark 9:25
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit,
saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more
into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead;
insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and
he arose. Luke 9:42 And delivered him again to his father. Matthew 17:18 And the child was cured from that
very hour. Luke 9:43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.
Mark 9:28
And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why
could not we cast him out? Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for
verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain,
Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mark 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Jesus’ Second Prediction Of His Death And Resurrection
Mark 9:30
And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any
man should know it. Matthew 17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Luke 9:43 while they wondered
every one at all things which Jesus did, Mark 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them,
Luke 9:44
Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the
hands of men, Matthew 17:23 And they shall kill him.
Mark 9:31
And after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. Matthew 17:23 And they were
exceeding sorry, Luke 9:45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they
perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Jesus Pays The Tribute With Coin From Fish
Matthew 17:24
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money
came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was
come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the
kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith
unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest
we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first
cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take,
and give unto them for me and thee.
Jesus Rebukes The Disciples Rivalry
Luke 9:46
Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. Matthew
18:1
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, Mark 9:33 And being in the house Matthew 18:1

saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 18:2
And Jesus Mark 9:33 asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by
34
the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who
should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man
desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Mark 9:36
And he Luke 9:47 perceiving the thought of their heart, Mark 9:36 took a child, and set him
Luke 9:47
by him, Mark 9:36 in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto
37
them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever
shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto
you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
 48

heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven. Luke 9:48 For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
Warning Against Stumbling Blocks
Mark 9:38
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy
name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. Mark 9:39 But Jesus
said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly
speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a
cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not
lose his reward. Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend (entice to sin)one of these little ones which
believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he
were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must
needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Matthew 18:8
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from
thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two
feet to be cast Mark 9:43to go into hell, Mark 9:44 where their worm dieth not, and Matthew 18:8 everlasting
fire that never shall be quenched.
Matthew 18:9
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for
thee to enter into Mark 9:47the kingdom of God Matthew 18:9 with one eye, rather than having two eyes to
be cast into hell fire.
Mark 9:49
For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in
yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Matthew 18:10
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in
heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of
man is come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:12
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray,
doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is
gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep,
than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father
which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Teaching On Binding And Loosing And Forgiveness Explained
Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will
not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but
if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Matthew 18:18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:19
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any
thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where
two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Matthew 18:22
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy
times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take
account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which
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owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him
to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant
therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay
thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt.
Matthew 18:28
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which
owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay
me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying,
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into
prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were
very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had
called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou
desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had
pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay
all that was due unto him.
Matthew 18:35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts
forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Jesus Mocked By His Half-Brothers
John 7:1
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because
the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren
therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the
works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh
to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his
brethren believe in him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is
alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works
thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet
full come.9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his
brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
John 7:11
Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was
much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others
said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the
Jews.
Parable Of The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what
shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luke 10:26
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
Luke 10:27
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 10:28
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luke 10:29
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Luke 10:30
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho,
and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed,
leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he
saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place,
came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he
journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to
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him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and
brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out
two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou
spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou,
was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luke 10:37
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.
Luke 10:37
Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Jesus Visits Martha And Mary
Luke 10:38
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a
certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary,
which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
Luke 10:40
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord,
dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:41
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and
troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part,
which shall not be taken awayfrom her.
Further Teaching On Prayer
Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one
of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Luke 11:2
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us
day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is
indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Luke 11:5
And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at
midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is
come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say,
Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give
thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because
of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luke 11:9
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that
is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12
Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to them that ask him?
Pharisees Make Blasphemous Claims Again
Luke 11:14
And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the
devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He
casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought
of him a sign from heaven.
Luke 11:17
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against
itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be
divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils
through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them
out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no
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doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace,
his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him,
he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23 He that is not
with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Luke 11:24
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places,
seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And
when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven
other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of
that man is worse than the first.
Luke 11:27
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company
lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which
thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep
it.
Luke 11:29
And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil
generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
30
For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. 31
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and
condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and,
behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Luke 11:33
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a
bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. 34 The light of the body is
the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine
eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. 35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee
be not darkness. 36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole
shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
The First Six Woes To the Scribes, Pharisees, And Lawyers
Luke 11:37
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went
in, and sat down to meat. 38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first
washed before dinner. 39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the
outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40 Ye
fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41 But rather
give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Luke 11:42
But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and Matthew 23:23 anise (dill)
and cummin, and Luke 11:42 all manner of herbs, Matthew 23:23 and have omitted the weightier matters of
the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, Luke 11:42 and the love of God: these ought ye to have done,
and not to leave the other undone.
Luke 11:43
Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and
greetings in the markets.
Luke 11:44
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which
appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
Luke 11:45
Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou
reproachest us also.
Luke 11:46
And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens
grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
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Luke 11:47
Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed
48
them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed
them, and ye build their sepulchres. 49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them
prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 50 That the blood of all the
prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51
From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the
temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
Luke 11:52
Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered
not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
Luke 11:53
And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge
him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: 54 Laying wait for him, and
seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of
people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all,
Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered, that
shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3 Therefore whatsoever ye have
spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets
shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Luke 12:4
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after
that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him,
which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten
before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of
more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:8
Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of
man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied
before the angels of God.
Luke 12:10
And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven
him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
Luke 12:11
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers,
take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the Holy Ghost
shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
Luke 12:13
And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he
divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider
over you?
Luke 12:15
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luke 12:16
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man
brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I
have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my
barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to
my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be
merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then
whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luke 12:21
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
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Luke 12:22
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your
life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The life is more than meat,
and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which
neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the
fowls? 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be
not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies
how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field,
and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12:29
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful
30
mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that
ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye Matthew 6:33 first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; Luke 12:31 and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
34
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where
your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Warning To Be Ready For The Master’s Return
Luke 12:35
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36 And ye yourselves like
unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh
and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the
lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and
make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in
the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 And
this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he
would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40 Be ye therefore
ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Luke 12:41
Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall
make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is
that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that
he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink,
and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him,
and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion
with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself,
neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and
did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever
much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him
they will ask the more.
Coming Division And Call To Readiness
Luke 12:49 50
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
51
But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For
from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against
three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother
 54

against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter
in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Luke 12:54
And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west,
straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 55 And when ye see the south wind blow,
ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the
sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
Luke 12:57
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? 58 When thou goest
with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be
delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and
the officer cast thee into prison. 59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the
very last mite.
Repent Or Parish
Luke 13:1
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose
blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye
that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I
tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom
the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt
in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:6
He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard;
and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his
vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it
down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this
year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that
thou shalt cut it down.
Jesus Heals A Woman On The Sabbath
Luke 13:10
And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold,
there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and
could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto
her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and
immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
Luke 13:14
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had
healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to
work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
Luke 13:15
The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you
on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought
not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years,
be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17 And when he had said these things, all his
adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done
by him.
Luke 13:18
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I
resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and
it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
Luke 13:20
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like
leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Luke 13:22
And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward
Jerusalem.
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Jesus Gives Sight To A Man Born Blind

John 9:1
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his
disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born
blind?
John 9:3
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of
God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is
day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of
the world.
John 9:6
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and
he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of
Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came
seeing.
John 9:8
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind,
said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he
said, I am he.
John 9:10
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and
said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the
pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
John 9:12
Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
Pharisees Put Former Blind Man Out Of Synagogue
John 9:13
They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the
sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also
asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I
washed, and do see.
John 9:16
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth
not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there
was a division among them.
John 9:17
They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened
thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had
been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
19
And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he
now see?
John 9:20
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was
born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we
know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
John 9:22
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had
agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the
synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 24 Then again called they the man
that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
John 9:25
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know,
that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how
opened he thine eyes?
John 9:27
He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would
ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his
disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow,
we know not from whence he is.
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John 9:30
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye
know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31 Now we know that God
heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32
Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33
If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
John 9:34
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou
teach us? And they cast him out.
Former Blind Man Receives Spiritual Sight
John 9:35
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto
him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
John 9:36
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus
said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I
believe. And he worshipped him.
John 9:39
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not
might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
John 9:40
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto
him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now
ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Jesus The Good Shepherd
John 10:1
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold,
but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the
door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and
he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own
sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger
will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
John 10:6
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were
which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am
the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did
not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and
out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he
that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming,
and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The
hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd,
and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the
Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one
shepherd.
John 10:17
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it
18
again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and
I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
John 10:19
There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And
many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21 Others said, These are not
the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
December A.D. 29
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Jews Attempt To Stone Jesus

John 10:22
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus
walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto
him, How long dost thou make (hold us in suspense) us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us
plainly.
John 10:25
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my
Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as
I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give
unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my
hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out
of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
John 10:31
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many
good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
John 10:33
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for
blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
John 10:34
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he
called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say
ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I
said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do,
though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in
me, and I in him.
John 10:39
Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand.
Jesus Ministers In Judea And Perea
John 10:40
And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and
there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that
John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.
Luke 13:23
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not
be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin
to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer
and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten
and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I
know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the
prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And they shall come from the
east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the
kingdom of God. 30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall
be last.
Jesus Mourns Over Jerusalem
Luke 13:31
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out,
and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
Luke 13:32
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do
cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. 33 Nevertheless I must walk to
day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of
Jerusalem.
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Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent
unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood
under her wings, and ye would not! 35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I
say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jesus Heals A Man Of Dropsy On The Sabbath
Luke 14:1
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat
bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before
him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying,
Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed
him, and let him go;
Luke 14:5
And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a
pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 6 And they could not answer him
again to these things.
Parables Of The Wedding Dinner
Luke 14:7
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they
chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding,
sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And
he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame
to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that
when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have
worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall
be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 14:12
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper,
call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also
bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor,
the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee:
for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Luke 14:15
And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto
him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain
man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them
that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to
make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and
see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I
go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and
therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the
master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of
the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the
servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said
unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my
house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste
of my supper.
Cost Of Following Jesus
Luke 14:25
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren,
and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear
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his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a
tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest
haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to
mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going
to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with
ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the
other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So
likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:34
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35
It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear,
let him hear.
Second telling Of The Parable Of The Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the
Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
Luke 15:3
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an
hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and
go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his
shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you,
that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and
nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Parable Of The Lost Coin
Luke 15:8
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light
a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it,
she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the
piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of
God over one sinner that repenteth.
Parable Of The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11
And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his
father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his
living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey
into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent
all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and
joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he
would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Luke 15:17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s
have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and
will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more
worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his
father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the
son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy
to be called thy son.
Luke 15:22
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and
put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let
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us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
And they began to be merry.
Luke 15:25
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he
heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things
meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf,
because he hath received him safe and sound.
Luke 15:28
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and
intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee,
neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I
might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath
devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
Luke 15:31
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It
was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive
again; and was lost, and is found.
Parable Of The Unjust Steward
Luke 16:1
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a
steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. 2 And he called him,
and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou
mayest be no longer steward.
Luke 16:3
Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away
from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved what to do, that,
when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
Luke 16:5
So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How
much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto
him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 7 Then said he to another, And how
much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy
bill, and write fourscore. 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done
wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Luke 16:9
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of
unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that
is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust
also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will
commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another
man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the
other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Lazarus And The Rich Man
Luke 16:14
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they
15
derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God
knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of
God.
Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is
preached, and every man presseth into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one
tittle of the law to fail.
Luke 16:18
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and
whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
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Luke 16:19
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and
fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid
at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s
table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died,
and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his
bosom.
Luke 16:24
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that
he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and
likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all
this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to
you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luke 16:27
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my
father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into
this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them
hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they
will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be
persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Woe To The One That Causes Others To Sin And Forgiveness
Luke 17:1
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but
woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged
about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take
heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4
And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee,
saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Faith And Faithfulness
Luke 17:5
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If ye
had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by
the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. 7 But which of you, having a
servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field,
Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup,
and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and
drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow
not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say,
We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Lazarus, Brother Of Martha And Mary Gets Sick And Dies
John 11:1
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her
sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet
with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying,
Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
John 11:4
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of
God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister,
and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same
place where he was. 7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
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John 11:8
His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest
thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in
the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the
night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 11 These things said he: and after that he
saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:12
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake
of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus
unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the
intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
John 11:16
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also
go, that we may die with him.
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead
John 11:17
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18
Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off (about two miles): 19 And
many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
John 11:20
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but
Mary sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my
brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will
give it thee.
John 11:23
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.24 Martha saith unto him, I know
that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never
die. Believest thou this?
John 11:27
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God,
which should come into the world. 28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called
Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard
that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
John 11:30
Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha
31
met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw
Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to
weep there.
John 11:32
Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his
feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:33
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came
with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:34
And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35
Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said, Could
36

not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have
died?
John 11:38
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a
stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead,
saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
John 11:40
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou
shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead
was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42
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And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that
they may believe that thou hast sent me.
John 11:43
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was
bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Jewish Leaders Plot To Kill Jesus
John 11:45
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus
did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what
things Jesus had done.
John 11:47
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we?
for this man doeth many miracles. 48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and
the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
John 11:49
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto
them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die
for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being
high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation
only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered
abroad.
John 11:53
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. 54
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to
the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
John 11:55
And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to
Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake
among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?
57
Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew
where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
Jesus Heals Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of
Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were
lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have
mercy on us.
Luke 17:14
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.
And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that
he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at
his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:17
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18
There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him,
Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Luke 17:20
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should
come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither
shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Jesus Teaches About His Second Coming
Luke 17:22
And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see
one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say to you, See here;
or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the
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one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be
in his day.
Luke 17:25
But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26 And as
it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they
drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the
ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot;
they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day
that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30
Even thus shall itbe in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
Luke 17:31
In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let
him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32
Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall
lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one
shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall
be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other
left.
Luke 17:37
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them,
Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Parable Of The Unjust Judge
Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and
not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3
2

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine
adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear
not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her
continual coming she weary me.
Luke 18:6
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge
his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that
he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on
the earth?
Parable Of The Justified Publican
Luke 18:9
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were
righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee,
and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee,
that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast
twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would
not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful
to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for
every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Spring, AD 30
Jesus’ Final Journey To Jerusalem For Passover
Jesus Teaches About Divorce
Matthew 19:1
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, Mark 10:1 he arose
from thence, and Matthew 19:1 he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond
Jordan; Mark 10:1 and, as he was wont, he taught them again. Matthew 19:2 And great multitudes followed
him; and he healed them there.
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Matthew 19:3
The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it
lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? Mark 10:2 tempting him. 3 And he answered
and said unto them, What did Moses command you?4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a
bill of divorcement, and to put her away. Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye
not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For
this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall
be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined
together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew 19:7
They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of
divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your
hearts suffered Mark 10:5 he wrote you this precept [and] Matthew 19:8 you to put away your wives: but
from the beginning it was not so.
Mark 10:10
And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11 And he saith unto
Matthew 19:9
them, And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for
fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: Mark 10:11 against her. 12 And if a woman
shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery; Matthew 19:9 and
whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Matthew 19:10
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not
good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it
is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there
are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made
themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him
receive it. Luke 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery:
and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
Jesus Teaches About The Kingdom
Mark 10:13
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his
disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and
Luke 18:16
called them unto him, and said, Mark 10:14 Suffer the little children to come unto me, and
forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in
his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them Matthew 19:15 and departed thence.
Mark 10:17
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came Luke 18:18 a certain ruler Mark
10:17
running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one,
that is, God. Matthew 19:17 But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto
him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt
not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Mark 10:19 Defraud not, Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and
thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mark 10:20
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my
youth. When Jesus Luke 18:22heard these things, Mark 10:21 beholding him, loved him, and said unto
21

him,Luke 18:22 Yet Mark 10:21 One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to
the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Matthew 19:22
But when the young man Luke 18:23 heard this, Mark 10:22 he was sad at that saying, and went
away grieved: Luke 18:23 for he was very rich Mark 10:22 [and] he had great possessions.
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Luke 18:24
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he Mark 10:23 looked round about,
then said Jesus unto his disciples, Matthew 19:23 Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly
enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:24
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and
saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of
God! Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:25
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, Mark 10:26 saying
among themselves, Matthew 19:25 Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto
them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:27
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed
thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye
which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his
glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one
that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or
lands, for my name’s sake, Mark 10:29 and the gospel’s, Luke 18:29 for the kingdom of God’s sake, Matthew
19:29
shall receive an hundredfold Mark 10:30 now in this time houses, and brethren, and sisters, and
mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; Matthew 19:29and shall inherit everlasting life. 30
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Parable Of The Equal Wages
Matthew 20:1
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went
out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the
labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third
hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the
vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
Matthew 20:5
Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about
the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye
here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go
ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
Matthew 20:8
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the
labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came
that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first
came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man
a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12
Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which
have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I
do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy
way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with
mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for
many be called, but few chosen.
Jesus Prophesies His Death And Resurrection Again
Mark 10:32
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and
they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, Matthew
20:17
disciples Mark 10:32 and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, 33 Saying,
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; Luke 18:31 and all things that are written by the prophets concerning
the Son of man shall be accomplished; Mark 10:33 and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the
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chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to
the Gentiles: 34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and
shall kill him: Luke 18:33 they shall Matthew 20:19 crucify him; Mark 10:34 and the third day he shall rise again.
Luke 18:34
And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither
knew they the things which were spoken.
Jesus Gives Warning Against Selfish Ambition
Matthew 20:20
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping
him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto
him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in
thy kingdom.
Mark 10:35
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we
would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What
would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on
thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Matthew 20:22
But Jesus answered and said Mark 10:37 unto them, Matthew 20:22Ye know not what ye
ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that
I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink
indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my
right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is
prepared of my Father.
Matthew 20:24
And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two
brethren Mark 10:41 James and John. Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said Mark 10:42 unto
them, Matthew 20:25 Ye know that Mark 10:42 they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise
lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be
among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of
you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus And Another Blind Man
Mark 10:46
And they came to Jericho: Luke 18:35 And it came to pass, Mark 10:46 as he went out of
Jericho with his disciples Matthew 20:29 a great multitude followed him. 30 And, behold, two blind men
sitting by the way side Luke 18:35 begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, Mark 10:46blind
Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus Luke 18:35asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of
Nazareth passeth by.
Matthew 20:30
When they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Mark 10:47 Jesus, Matthew 20:30
Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they
should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of
David.
Matthew 20:31
And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they
cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood
still, Luke 18:40 and commanded Matthew 20:32 them Luke 18:40 to be brought unto him: Mark 10:49
And
Matthew 20:32 Mark 10:49
they call the blind [men], saying unto them, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth
thee. 50 And Matthew 20:33 They, Mark 10:50 casting away [their] garments, rose, and came to Jesus. 51
And Jesus answered and said unto Matthew 20:32 them, Mark 10:51 What wilt thou that I should do unto
thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that [we] might receive [our] sight.
Matthew 20:34
So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: Mark 10:52 And Jesus
said, Luke 18:42Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. Mark 10:52 Go thy way; thy faith hath made
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thee whole. Matthew 20:34And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him Mark 10:52in
the way, Luke 18:43glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
Passion Week Of The Messiah
Friday, April 21, AD 30
(Our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset)
Jesus’ Encounter With Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man
named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to
see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran
before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when
Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste,
and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Luke 19:6
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they
8
saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the
poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Luke 19:9
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he
also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Parable Of The Pounds
Luke 19:11
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh
to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. 12
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom,
and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto
them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We
will not have this man to reign over us.
Luke 19:15
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom,
then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that
he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord,
thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because
thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second
came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou
also over five cities.
Luke 19:20
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid
up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou
layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own
mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up
that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money
into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
Luke 19:24
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him
that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you,
That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath
shall be taken away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign
over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Luke 19:28
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
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Jesus Makes His First Grand Entry Into Jerusalem

Matthew 21:1
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto
the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over
against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring
them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them;
and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto
thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did
as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and
they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut
down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went
before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh
in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the
city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of
Nazareth of Galilee.
Matthew 21:12
And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and
bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that
sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but
ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he
healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and
the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore
displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea;
have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And
he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Saturday, April 22, AD 30
(Our Friday sunset to Saturday sunset)
Jesus Is Anointed
John 12:1
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was
which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and
Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a
pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet
with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his
disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment
sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the
poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said
Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye
have with you; but me ye have not always.
John 12:9
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for
Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But
the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11 Because that by reason of
him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
Sunday, April 23, AD 30
(Our Saturday sunset to Sunday sunset)
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Jesus Presents Himself As King Riding A Colt

John 12:12
On the next day, Mark 11:1 when they came nigh to Jerusalem; he sendeth forth two of
his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon
as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring
him. 3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and
straightway he will send him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the
door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them that
stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto them even as Jesus
had commanded: Luke 19:34 The Lord hath need of him. Mark 11:6 And they let them go. 7 And they
brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. John12:12 that were
come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm
trees, and went forth to meet him Mark 11:8 And many spread their garments in the way; others cut
down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. John 12:14 As it is written, 15 Fear not,
daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.
John12:16
These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then
remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto
him.
John 12:17
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave,
and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they
heard that he had done this miracle. 19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive
ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
Luke 19:37
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the
whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the
mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the
Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. Mark 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father
David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Luke 19:39
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master,
rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold
their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem And Heals All Brought To Him
Luke 19:41
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If
thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but
now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall
cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay
thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one
stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
Mark11:11
And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: Matthew 21:14 And the blind and
the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and
scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying,
Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what
these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and
sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Mark11:11
And when he had looked round about upon all things, Matthew 21:17 And he left them,
and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there Mark11:11 with the twelve now the
eventide was come.
Monday, April 24, AD 30
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(Our Sunday sunset to Monday sunset)

Jesus Curses The Fig Tree And Cleanses The Temple Again
Mark 11:12
And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And
seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and
when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus
answered and said unto it, Matthew 21:19 Let no fruit grow [and] Mark 11:14 No man eat fruit of thee
hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. Matthew 21:20 And presently the fig tree withered away.
Mark 11:15
And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast
out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and
the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel
through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be
called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 11:18
And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him:
for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
The Son Of Man Must Be Lifted Up
John 12:20
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: 21
The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying,
Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell
Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be
glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it
abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and
he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him
follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my
Father honour.
John 12:27
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but
for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from
heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.29 The people therefore, that
stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. 30 Jesus
answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the
judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up
from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
John 12:33
This he said, signifying what death he should die. 34 The people answered him,
We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man
must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the
light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in
darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye havelight, believe in the light, that ye may be
the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
The Jews Unbelief
John 12:37
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on
him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath
believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they
could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened
their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be
converted, and I should heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake
of him.
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John 12:42
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the
Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they
loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:44
Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that
sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a light into the world, that
whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and
believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that
rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have
spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the
Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as
the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Matthew 26:1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his
disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is
betrayed to be crucified.3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the
elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted
how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day,
lest there be an uproar among the people, Luke 22:2 for they feared the people.
Mark 11:19
And when even was come, Matthew 21:17 he left them, and Mark 11:19 went out of the city
Matthew 21:17
into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Jesus Anointed Again At The House Of Simon The Leper
Matthew 26:6
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, Mark 14:3 as he
sat at meat, Matthew 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious
ointment Mark 14:3 of spikenard, and she brake the box, and poured it on his head, Matthew 26:7 as he sat
at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this
waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold Mark 14:5 for more than three hundred pence, and
have been given to the poor.
Matthew 26:10
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for
she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have
not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, Mark 14:8 she is come aforehand
to anoint my body to the burying. Matthew 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall
be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a
memorial of her.
Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus
Luke 22:3
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the
twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might
betray him unto them. Matthew 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him
unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he
sought opportunity Mark 14:11 how he might conveniently Luke 22:6 betray him unto them in the absence
of the multitude.
Tuesday, April 25, AD 30
(Our Monday sunset to Tuesday sunset)
The Withered Fig Tree
Mark 11:20
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the
roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which
thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
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23
For verily I say unto you, Matthew 21:21 If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this
which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Mark 11:22 Be thou removed,
and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things
which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you,
What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your
Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive,
neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Luke 19:47
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the
chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48 And could not find what they might do: for all the
people were very attentive to hear him.
Jesus’ Authority Challenged Again
Luke 20:1
And it came to pass, that on one of those days, Mark 11:27 And they come again to
Jerusalem: Matthew 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, as he taught the people in the
temple, and preached the gospel, Mark 11:27 and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him
the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, Matthew 21:23 of the people came unto him as he was
teaching, Luke 20:2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things?
or who is he that gave thee this authority?
Mark 11:29
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and
answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John, was it
from heaven, or of men? answer me. 31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall
say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 32 But if we shall say, Of men;
they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33 And they
answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I
tell you by what authority I do these things.
Parable Of The Two Sons
Matthew 21:28
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and
said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he
repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I
go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The
first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the
kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye
believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it,
repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
Parable Of The Landowner
Luke 20:9
Then began he to speak to the people this parable; Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable:
There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and
digged a winepress in it, Mark 12:1 (with) a place for the winefat, Matthew 21:33 and built a tower, and let
it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country Luke 20:9 for a long time.
Matthew 21:34
And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the
husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants,
and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Luke 20:11And again he sent another servant:
and they beat him also, and entreated them shamefully, and sent them away empty. 12 And again
he sent a third: Mark 12:4 and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, Luke 20: 12 and cast
him out Mark 12:4 and sent him away shamefully handled. 5 And again he sent another; and him they
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killed, and many others; Matthew 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did
unto them likewise, Mark 12:5 beating some, and killing some.
Luke 20:13
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it
may be they will reverence him when they see him. Mark 12:6 Having yet therefore one son, his
wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
Luke 20:14
But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the
heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. Mark 12:7 and the inheritance shall be
ours. Matthew 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Luke 20:40
When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those
husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, Luke 20:16 He shall come and Matthew 21:40 He will miserably
destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall
render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Luke 20:16 [Indeed] He shall come and
destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they
said, God forbid. 17 And he beheld them, and said, Matthew 21:42Did ye never read in the scriptures,
Luke 20:17
that is written, Matthew 21:42 The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the
head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Matthew 21:43
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and
given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall
be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 45 And when the chief
priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 46 But when
they sought Luke 20:19 the same hour Matthew 21:42 to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude,
because they took him for a prophet. Mark 12:12 They left him, and went their way.
Parable Of The Wedding Invitation
Matthew 22:1
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The
kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent
forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have
prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the
marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his
merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed
those murderers, and burned up their city.
Matthew 22:8
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden
were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the
marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as
they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Matthew 22:11
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not
on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand
and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Pharisees And Herodians Test Jesus
Matthew 22:15
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his
Luke 20:20
talk. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men,
Mark 12:13
the Pharisees Matthew 22:16 sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, Mark 12:13 that
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they might take hold of his words, Luke 20:20 that so they might deliver him unto the power and
authority of the governor.
Mark 12:14
And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true,
Luke 20:21
and rightly Matthew 22:16 teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for
thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give
tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived Luke 20:23 their craftiness, Mark 12:15
and
knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Matthew 22:18 Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Mark 12:15
bring me a penny, that I may see it. Matthew 22:19 And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith
unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? Luke 20:24 They answered and said, Caesar’s. 25
And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God
the things which be God’s.
26
And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his
answer, and held their peace Matthew 22:22 and left him, and went their way.
Sadducees Put Jesus To The Test
Matthew 22:23
The same day came to him Luke 20:27 certain of Matthew 22:23 the Sadducees, which say
that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Mark12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, Matthew 22:24 If a
man die, Mark12:19 and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take
his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Matthew 22:25
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a
wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also,
and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the
resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor
the power of God. Luke 20:34 The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they
which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, Mark 12:25
36
For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage;
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God,
being the children of the resurrection.
Mark 12:26
And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read Matthew 22:31 that which was
spoken unto you by God, Mark 12:26 in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him,
Luke 20:37
saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God
of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but
of the living: for all live unto him. Mark 12:27 ye therefore do greatly err. Luke 20:39 Then certain of the
scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
A Lawyer Of The Scribes Questions Jesus
Matthew 22:34
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they
were gathered together. Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes Matthew 22:35 which was a lawyer, Mark 12:28
came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well,
Matthew 22:35
asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great
commandment Mark 12:28 of all? Matthew 22:36 in the law?
Mark 12:29
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel;
The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: Matthew 22:38 This is the first and
great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Mark 12:31 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
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thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Matthew 22:40 On these two
commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Luke10:32
And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one
God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the
understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as
himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he
answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man
after that durst ask him any question Luke 20:40 at all.
Jesus Is Both David’s Son And David’s Lord
Matthew 22:41
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Mark 12:35 while he taught in the
Matthew 22:41
temple, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is he? They
say unto him, The Son of David.
Matthew 22:43
He saith unto them, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? Mark 12:36 For
David himself said by the Holy Ghost, Luke20:42 in the book of Psalms, Mark 12:36 The LORD said to
my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. Matthew 22:45 If David
then call him Lord, how is he his son?
And the common people heard him gladly.
Matthew 22:46
And no man was able to answer him a word.
Beware Of The Pharisees
Luke 20:45 Mark 12:38
Then in his doctrine, Luke 20:45 in the audience of all the people he said unto
46
his disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in
the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which
devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater
damnation.
Matthew 23:1
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and
the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe
and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens
and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move
them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make
broad their phylacteries (pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law),and enlarge the
borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the
synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not
ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man
your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called
masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your
servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself
shall be exalted.
Eight More Woes To The Pharisees
Matthew 23:13
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom
of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to
go in.
Matthew 23:14
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses,
and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Matthew 23:15
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to
make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than
yourselves.
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Matthew 23:16
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the
temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye
fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And,
Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon
it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth
the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21
And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And
he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Matthew 23:23
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and
anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and
faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which
strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Matthew 23:25
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside
of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind
Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be
clean also.
Matthew 23:27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited
sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and
of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full
of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Matthew 23:29
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of
the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days
of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Matthew 23:31
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them
which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye
generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto
you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of
them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you
may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the
blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I
say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent
unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh
in the name of the Lord.
The Widow’s Mite
Mark 12:41
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast Luke 21:1their
gifts Mark 12:41 money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a
certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto
him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast
more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: Luke 21:4 For all these have of their
abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: Mark 12:44 but she of her want did cast in all that she
had, even all her living.
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The Olivet Discourse: The Beginning Of Birth Pangs

Matthew 24:1
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him
for to shew him the buildings of the temple Luke 21:5 how it was adorned with goodly stones and
gifts. Mark 13:1 one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what
buildings are here! Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say
unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, Mark 13:3 over against the temple, Peter and
James and John and Andrew Matthew 24:3 came unto him privately, saying, Luke 21:7 Master, Matthew 24:3
Tell us, when shall these things be? Mark 13:4 And what shall be the sign when all these things Luke 21:7
shall come to pass? Matthew 24:3 And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the
world?
Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; Luke 21:8 and the time draweth near: Matthew
24:5
and shall deceive many. Luke 21:8 go ye not therefore after them. Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of
wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things Luke 21:9must first come
to pass; Matthew 24:6 but the end is not yet. Luke 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against
nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and
famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Matthew 24:8
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mark 13:9
But take heed to yourselves: for Luke 21:12 before all these, they shall lay their hands
on you, and persecute you, Mark 13:9 for they shall deliver you up to councils; Luke 21:12 and into
prisons, Mark 13:9 and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten. Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up
to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Mark
13:9
Ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, Luke 21:13And it shall turn to you for a
testimony. Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand
what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to
meditate before what ye shall answer: Mark 13:11 whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that
speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and
wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate
one another. Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and
children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. Luke 21:16 And
ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; Mark 13:13 And ye
shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: Luke 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head
perish.
Matthew 24:11
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because
iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Mark 13:13 He that shall endure unto the end,
the same shall be saved. Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel
of the kingdom . Mark 13:10 must first be published Matthew 24:14 in all the world for a witness unto all
nations; and then shall the end come.
The Olivet Discourse: The Great Tribulation
Luke 21:20
. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the
desolation thereof is nigh. Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,
spoken of by Daniel the prophet, Mark 13:14 standing where it ought not, Matthew 24:15in the holy place,
(whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Luke 21:21
and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the
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countries enter thereinto. 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down Mark 13:15 into the
house, neither enter therein, Matthew 24:17 to take anything out of his house: 18 Neither let him which
is in the field return back to take his clothes. Luke 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all
things which are written may be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:19
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those
days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: Luke 21:23 for
20

there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. 24 And they shall fall by the
edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden
down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Mark 13:19
In those days Matthew 24:19shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the
beginning of the world Mark 13:19 which God created Matthew 24:19 to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Mark
13:20
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the
elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21 And then if any man shall say
to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false
Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you,
Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. Mark
13:23
But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh
out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 28
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
The Olivet Discourse: The Coming Of The Son Of Man
Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and
the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the
heavens shall be shaken: Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the
stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the
earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all
the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven
with Mark 13:26 great Matthew 24:30 power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great
sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, Mark 13:27 from the
uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to
come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
The Olivet Discourse: Watch And Pray
Luke 21:29
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When
they now shoot forth, Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet
tender, and putteth forth leaves, Luke 21:30 ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now
nigh at hand. Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, Luke 21:31 know ye that the
kingdom of God is nigh, Matthew 24:33 even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation
shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words
shall not pass away.
Matthew 24:36 Mark
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven,
13:32 Matthew 24:36 37
neither the Son, but the Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the
38
coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And
knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of
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man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women
shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye
know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had
known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have
suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think
not the Son of man cometh.
Mark 13:33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 And take heed
to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and
cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all
them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye
may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before
the Son of man.
Mark 13:34
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave
authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
35
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at
midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you
sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Matthew 24:45
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his
household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he
cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his
goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And
shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that
servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Olivet Discourse: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their
lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were
foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took
oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:6
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye
out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said
unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying,
Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for
yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went
in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he
answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of
man cometh.
The Olivet Discourse: The Parable Of The Talents
Matthew 25:14
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his
own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another
two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his
journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made
them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But
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he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long
time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Matthew 25:20
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents,
saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents
more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy
lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two
talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done,
good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over
many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:24
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that
thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not
strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is
thine.
Matthew 25:26
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou
knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest
therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received
mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten
talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him
that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant
into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Olivet Discourse: The Son Of Man’s Judgment
Matthew 25:31
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him,
then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and
he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And
he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto
them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty,
and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was
sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Matthew 25:37
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took
thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto
thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed,
into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave
me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in:
naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:44
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred,
or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then
shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least
of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the
righteous into life eternal.
Luke 21:37
And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and
abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38 And all the people came early in the
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Luke 22:1
morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. Now the feast of unleavened bread drew
nigh, which is called the Passover.
Wednesday, April 25, AD 30
(Our Tuesday sunset to Wednesday sunset)
The Beginning Of The Final Passover
`Luke 22:7
Then came Matthew 26:17 the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, Luke 22:7 when the
passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover,
that we may eat.9 And they said unto him, Mark 14:12 Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that
thou mayest eat the passover? Luke 22:10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into
the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him Mark 14:14 And
wheresoever he shall go in, Luke 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master
saith unto thee, Matthew 26:18 My time is at hand; Luke 22:11 Where is the guest chamber, where I shall
eat the Passover Matthew 26:18 at thy house with my disciples? Luke 22:12 And he shall shew you a large
upper room furnished: there make ready Mark 14:15 for us.
Matthew 26:19
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; Luke 22:13they went, Mark 14:16 and
came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
(In Jewish time, Wednesday starts at sundown on Tuesday; so they are eating this Last Supper
on their Wednesday and after 6:00 PM. on our Tuesday.)
Abib 14, the first month of the sacred year
The Events In The Upper Room On The Night Before Jesus’ Death
Mark 14:17
And in the evening Luke 22:14 when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve
apostles with him. Luke 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover
with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled
in the kingdom of God.
Jesus Washes The Disciples’ Feet
John 13:1
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that
he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the
world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the
heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all
things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper,
and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
John 13:5
After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and
to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and
Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I
do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never
wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter
saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He
that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not
all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
John 13:12
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down
again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and
ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought
to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done
to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is
sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
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John 13:18
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be
fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19 Now I tell you before
it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him
that sent me.
Jesus Identifies His Betrayer
John 13:21
When Jesus had thus said, Mark 14:18 as they sat and did eat, John 13:21 he was troubled in
spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Luke 22:21 behold, the hand of him that
betrayeth me is with me on the table.
John 13:22 Luke
Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
22:23
And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Matthew 26:22
And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him,
Lord, is it I? Mark 14:19 and another said, Is it I?
John 13:23
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24
Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25
He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, Mark 14:20 and said
unto them,It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. John 13:26He it is, to whom I shall
give a sop (morsel), when I have dipped it. Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written
of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he
had never been born. Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it
I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
John 13:26
And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27
And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28
Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them
thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have
need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having
received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
Rivalry Among The Disciples Again
Luke 22:24
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the
25
greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and
they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he
that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat?
but I am among you as he that serveth.
Luke 22:28
Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I appoint
unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my
table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jesus’ Prediction Of Peter’s Denial
John 13:31
Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man
glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in
himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye
shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love oneanother; as I have loved you, that ye
also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
to another.
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John 13:36
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him,
Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said
unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Luke 22:31 And
the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as
wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into
prison, and to death. John 13:37 I will lay down my life for thy sake.
Mark 14:27
And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for
it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am
risen, I will go before you into Galilee. Luke 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, Mark 14:30 That this
day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, Luke 22:34 before that thou shalt thrice deny that
thou knowest me.
Luke 22:35
And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes,
lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a
purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment,
and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And
he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they
said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Jesus Institutes The New Symbols Of Passover
Matthew 26:26
And as they were eating, Luke 22:17 he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said,
Take this, and divide it among yourselves: Matthew 26:26 (Then) Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and
brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body Luke 22:19 which is given
for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luke 22:20
Likewise also [He took] the cup after supper, Mark 14:23 and when he had given
thanks, he gave it to them: saying, Matthew 26:27 Drink ye all of it; Mark 14:23 and they all drank of it. 24
And he said unto them, Luke 22:20 This cup is the new testament in my blood, Matthew 26:28 which is shed
for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit
of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
Jesus Comforts The Disciples
John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my
Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a
place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto
myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:4
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
John 14:5
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we
know the way?
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from
henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
John 14:8
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not
known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us
the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I
speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’
sake.
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John 14:12
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he
do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And
whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Promise Of The Holy Ghost (Spirit)
John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall
give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth;
whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know
him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18
I will not leave you comfortless (orphans): I will come to you. 19 Yet a little
while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that
day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my
commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved
of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 14:22
Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself
unto us, and not unto the world?
John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and
my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that
loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s
which sent me.
John 14:25
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you
all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I
leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and
come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for
my Father is greater than I.
John 14:29
And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye
might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and
hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave
me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
The Vine And The Branches
John 15:1
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that
beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may
bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine;
no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is
cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they
are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall
be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples.
John 15:9
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye
keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s
commandments, and abide in his love.
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John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that
your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved
you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are
my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the
servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have
heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen
you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I
command you, that ye love one another.
Hatred From The World
John 15:18
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of
the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen
you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.
If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will
keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they
know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but
now they have no cloke (excuse) for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I
had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now
have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word
might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
Jesus Emphasizes The Coming Helper
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father,
even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also
shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:1
These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall
put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that
he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the
Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may
remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because
I was with you.
John 16:5
But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither
6
goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go
not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8
Andwhen he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9
Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye
see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
John 16:12
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that
the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Jesus Speaks Of His Death And Resurrection Again
John 16:16
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see
me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this
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that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall
see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little
while? we cannot tell what he saith.
John 16:19
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye
enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little
while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but
the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A
woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is
delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the
world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall
rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
John 16:23
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked
nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:25
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I
shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that
day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the
Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from
God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and
go to the Father.
John 16:29
His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no
30
proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should
ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now
believe? 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to
his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus Prays The High Priestly Prayer
John 17:1
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the
hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power
over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I
have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now,
O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the
world was.
John 17:6
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world:
thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known
that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words
which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from
thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
John 17:9
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me;
for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy
Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as
we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me
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I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be
fulfilled.
John 17:13
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might
have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated
them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou
shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are
not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the
world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that
they also might be sanctified through the truth.
John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through
their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also
may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou
gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in
me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me,
and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am;
that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the
foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known
thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name,
and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Peter’s Denial Predicted For A Second Time
John 18:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn,
John 18:1
he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, Matthew 26:30 they went out into the
mount of Olives, Luke 22:39as he was wont, and his disciples also followed him.
Matthew 26:31
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night:
for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
32
But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 Peter answered and said unto
him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said
unto him, Mark 14:30 Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow
twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I
will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said Matthew 26:35 all the disciples.
Jesus Prays In Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, John 18:1 where was
a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. Matthew 26:36 And saith unto the disciples, Sit
ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,
Mark 14:33
James and John, Matthew 26:36 and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Matthew 26:38
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry
ye here, and watch with me. Luke 22:40 Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Matthew 26: 39 And he went
a little further, Luke 22:41 about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, Mark 14:35 on the ground, Matthew 26: 39
and fell on his face, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. Mark 14:36
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; Luke 22:42 Father, if thou be willing,
remove (Gr. willing to remove) this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luke 22:43
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And
being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood
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falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples,
he found them sleeping for sorrow.
Luke 22:46
And said Matthew 26:40 unto Peter, What, Mark 14:37 Simon, sleepest thou? Matthew 26:40could
ye not watch with me one hour? Luke 22:46 Why sleep ye? Rise Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye
enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:42
He went away again the second time, and prayed, Mark 14:39 and spake the same
words. Matthew 26:42 saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it,
thy will be done. Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were
heavy,) neither wist (knew) they what to answer him.
Matthew 26:44
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the
same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, Mark 14:41 the third time Matthew 26:45 and saith unto
45

them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: Mark 14:41 it is enough, Matthew 26:45 behold, the hour is at hand,
and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at
hand that doth betray me.
Around Ten P.M. Tuesday, April 25, AD 30
Jesus Is Arrested
Mark 14:43
And immediately, while he yet spake, Luke 22:47 behold Matthew 26:46 came a great
multitude with swords and staves, Luke 22:47 and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went
before them, and drew near unto Jesus John 18:2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the
place: for Jesus oft times resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band
of men and officers from the chief priests Mark 14:43 and the scribes John 18:3 and Pharisees, Matthew
26:47
and elders of the people, John 18:3 cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Mark 14:44
And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall
kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45 And as soon as he was come, Matthew
26:49
And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said
unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Luke 22:48 Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a
kiss?
John 18:4
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and
said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I
am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto
them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom
seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if
therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake,
Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Matthew 26:50 Then came they, and laid Mark
14:46
their hands Matthew 26:50 on Jesus, and took him.
Luke 22:49
When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him,
Lord, shall we smite with the sword? John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and
smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Luke
22:51
And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
John 18:11
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: Matthew 26:52 for all they
that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my
Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall
the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? John 18:11 The cup which my Father hath given me,
shall I not drink it?
Matthew 26:55
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Luke 22:52 the chief priests, and
captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Matthew 26:55 Are ye come out as
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against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple,
and ye laid no hold on me; Luke 22:53 ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour,
and the power of darkness. Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets
might be fulfilled. John 18:12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and
bound him, Matthew 26:56 Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Mark 14:51
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his
naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from
them naked.
Jesus’ Trial Before Annas; Peter’s First Denial
Luke 22:54
Then took they him, John 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in
law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year (And Annas sent Christ bound unto
Caiaphas the high priest). 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was
expedient that one man should die for the people.
John 18:15
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, Matthew 26:58 afar off unto the high priest’s palace,
John 18:15
and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with
Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that
other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and
brought in Peter; and he went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
Luke 22:55
And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down
together, Peter sat down among them. John 18:18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had
made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them,
and warmed himself. Mark 14:66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the
maids of the high priest: John 18:17 that kept the door Mark 14:67 And when she saw Peter warming
himself, Luke 22:56 as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, John 18:17 Art not thou
also one of this man’s disciples? Mark 14:67 And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. Matthew 26:70
But he denied before them all, saying, Luke 22:57 Woman, John 18:17 I am not. Luke 22:57 I know him not.
Mark 14:68
neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
John 18:19 20
The high priest [Annas] then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the
temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21 Why askest thou me?
ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And
when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his
hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil,
bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? 24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto
Caiaphas the high priest. Luke 22:54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high
priest’s house.
Jesus’ Trial Before Caiaphas
Matthew 26:57
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest,
Mark 14:53
where all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes Matthew 26:57 were assembled. Mark
14:55
And the chief priests and all the council sought Matthew 26:59 false witness against Jesus, to put
him to death; 60 But found none: Mark 14:56 For many bare false witness against him, but their
witness agreed not together.
Matthew 26:60
At the last came two false witnesses, Mark 14:57 and bare false witness against him,
saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple Matthew 26:60 of God, Mark 14:58 that is made with
hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59 But neither so did their
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witness agree together. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying,
Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace.
Matthew 26:63
And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God,
Mark 14:61
that thou tell us Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him,
Thou hast said: Mark 14:62 I am: Matthew 26:64 nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son
of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Matthew 26:65
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what
further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye?
They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67 Then did they spit in his face, Mark 14:65 and to
cover his face, and to buffet him, Matthew 26:67 and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68
Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?
Peter’s Second And Third Denials
Luke 22:58
And after a little while Matthew 26:71 when [Peter] was gone out into the porch, Mark
14:69
And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
Matthew 26:71
Another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with
Jesus of Nazareth. Luke 22:58 Another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. John 18:25 And Simon
Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his
disciples? Luke 22:60 And Peter Mark 14:70 denied it again Matthew 26:72 with an oath, John 18:25 and said, Luke 22:58
Man, I am not. Matthew 26:72 I do not know the man.
Mark 14:70
And a little after, Luke 22:59 about the space of one hour, Matthew 26:73 came unto him they
that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; Mark 14:70 for thou art a Galilaean,
and thy speech agreeth thereto [and] Matthew 26:73 bewrayeth thee. Luke 22:59 another confidently
John 18:26
affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. One of
the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee
in the garden with him? Mark 14:71 But he John 18:27 denied again: and Mark 14:71
began to curse
Luke 22:60 Mark 14:71
and to swear, saying, Man, I know not what thou sayest; I know not this man
of whom ye speak. Luke 22:60 And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew Mark 14:72 the second
time.
Luke 22:61
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of
the Lord, how he had said unto him, Mark 14:72 Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me
thrice. And when he thought thereon, Luke 22:62 Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
The Sanhedrin Confirms The Verdict Upon Jesus
Mark 15:1
And straightway Matthew 27:1 When the morning was come, Luke 22:66 as soon as it was
Mark 15:1
day, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council.
Luke 22:66
[They]came together, and led him into their council, saying, 67 Art thou the Christ? tell us.
Luke 22:67
And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 68 And if I also ask you, ye
will not answer me, nor let me go. 69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the
power of God.70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say
that I am.71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his
own mouth. Matthew 27:1 [And] all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against
Jesus to put him to death:
Judas Repents Of His Betrayal Of Jesus
Matthew 27:3
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned,
repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to
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us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went
and hanged himself. 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to
put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought
with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of
blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the
children of Israel did value; 10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
3 A.M. Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate
Matthew 27:2
And when they had Mark 15:1 bound Jesus, Luke 23:1 And the whole multitude of them
arose, and led him Matthew 27:2 away, John 18:28 from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: Matthew 27:2 and
delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. John 18:28 And it was early; and they themselves went
not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
John 18:29
Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this
30
man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have
delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according
to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32
That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should
die. Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and
forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. John 18:33 Then Pilate
entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of
the Jews?
Matthew 27:11
And Jesus stood before the governor: John 18:34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou
this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own
nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this
world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my
kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered,
Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world,
that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John 18:38
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again
unto the Jews, and saith Luke 23:4 to the chief priests and to the people, John 18:38 I find in Luke 23:4 this
man. John 18:38 no fault at all. Luke 23:5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the
Matthew 27:12
people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. And
Mark 15:3 Matthew 27:12
when he was accused of many things: of the chief priests and elders, he answered
nothing. Mark 15:4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? Matthew 27:13 Then said
Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he
answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Jesus’ Trial Before Herod Antipas
Luke 23:6
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7 And as
soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself
also was at Jerusalem at that time.
Luke 23:8
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him
of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some
miracle done by him. 9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him
nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11 And Herod
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with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and
sent him again to Pilate.
Luke 23:12
And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together [Strong’s’240 with one
another]: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
6 AM, Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus Sentenced To Death By Pilate; Barabbas Set Free
Matthew 27:15
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner,
Mark 15:6
whomsoever they desired. Matthew 27:16 And they had then a notable prisoner, John 18:39 a robber
named Barabbas, Mark 15:7 which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who
had committed murder in Luke 23:19 a certain sedition made in the city, Matthew 27:17 Therefore when
they were gathered together, Mark 15:8 the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he
had ever done unto them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, John 18:39 ye have a custom, that I
should release unto you one at the passover: Matthew 27:17 Whom will ye that I release unto you?
Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? Mark 15:9 Will ye that I release unto you the King of the
Jews? 10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.
Matthew 27:19
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying,
Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream
because of him. Luke 23:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers
and the people, 14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the
people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man
touching those things whereof ye accuse him: 15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo,
nothing worthy of death is done unto him. 16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him. 17

(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

Matthew 27:20
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask
[for] Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the
twain will ye that I release unto you? Luke 23:18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with
this man, and release unto us Barabbas: John 18:40 Not this man, but Barabbas. Luke 23:20 Pilate
therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them, Matthew 27:22 What shall I do then with Jesus
which is called Christ Mark 15:12 Whom ye call the King of the Jews? Luke 23:21 But they Matthew 27:22 all
Luke 23:21
cried, saying, Matthew 27:22unto him, Let him be crucified. Luke 23:21 Crucify him, crucify him. 22
And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of
death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
John 19:1
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2 And the soldiers platted a
crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3 And said, Hail, King
of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. 4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith
unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
John 19:5
Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And
Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him,
they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify
him: for I find no fault in him.
John 19:7
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because
he made himself the Son of God. 8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more
afraid; 9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus
gave him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not
that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou
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couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that
delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
John 19:12
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying,
If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh
against Caesar. 13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down
in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 And
it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews,
Behold your King! 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith
unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
Luke 23:23
And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was
made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the
blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on
us, and on our children. Mark 15:15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, Luke 23:24 gave sentence
that it should be as they required. 25 And he released unto them Mark 15:15 Barabbas Luke 23:25
that
for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to
their will.
Additional Mockery From Roman Soldiers
Matthew 27:26
When he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him John 19:16 unto them Matthew 27:26 to be
27
crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor John 19:16 took Jesus, and led him away Mark
15:17
into the hall, called Praetorium [or, the palace, or, hall of audience]; and they call together the
whole band. Matthew 27:27 of soldiers. 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. Mark
15:17
And they clothed him with purple, Matthew 27:29 and (put) a reed in his right hand: Mark 15:18 And
began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! Matthew 27:29 And they bowed the knee before him, and
mocked him, Mark 15:18 [and] worshipped him. Matthew 27:30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed,
and smote him on the head.
Jesus’ Journey To Golgotha
Matthew 27:31
And after that they had mocked him, they took Mark 15:20 the purple Matthew
27:31
robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
John 19:17
And he bearing his cross went forth. Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a
man of Cyrene, Simon by name: Mark 15:21 the father of Alexander and Rufus, Luke 23:26 coming out
of the country, Mark 15:21 who passed by, Luke 23:26and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it
after Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also
bewailed and lamented him.
Luke 23:28
But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but
weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they
shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave
suck. 30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31
For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus Is Crucified; First Three Hours On The Cross
Matthew 27:32
And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33
And when they were come to a John 19:12 place called the place of a skull, which is called in the
Hebrew Golgotha: Matthew 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall, Mark 15:23 myrrh:
Matthew 27:34
and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. Luke 23:33 There they crucified him.
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Matthew 27:35
And [as] they crucified him, Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for
they know not what they do. Mark 15:25 And it was the third hour, Luke 23:35 And the people stood
beholding.
John 19:23
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made
four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from
the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for
it, whose it shall be. Luke 23:34And they parted his raiment, and cast lots Mark 15:24 [to determine] what
every man should take. John 19:24 That the scripture might be fulfilled, Matthew 27:35 which was spoken
by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
John 19:24
These things therefore the soldiers did. Matthew 27: 36 And sitting down they watched
him there.
John 19:19
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. Matthew 27:37 And set up over his head
Mark 15:26
the superscription Matthew 27:37 [of]his accusation written, THIS IS John 19:19 JESUS OF
NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place
where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and
Latin. 21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but
that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
Matthew 27:38
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, Mark 15:27 the one on his right
hand, and the other on his left, John 19:18 and Jesus in the midst. Mark 15:28 And the scripture was
fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. Matthew 27:39 And they that
passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, Mark 15:29 Ah, Matthew 27:40 Thou that
destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come
down from the cross.
Matthew 27:41
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, Mark 15:31 among themselves Matthew
27:41
with the scribes and elders, Luke 23:35 derided him, saying, Matthew 27:42 He saved others; himself he
cannot save. Luke 23:35 let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. Matthew 27:42
If he be
the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, Mark 15:32 that we may see and believe
Matthew 27:42
him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am
the Son of God. Luke 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him
vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. Matthew 27:44 The thieves also,
which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.
Luke 23:39
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be
Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear
God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due
reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord,
remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto
thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary
the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the
disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!27 Then
saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his
own home.
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Final Three Hours On The Cross; Jesus’ Death
Matthew 27:45
Now from the sixth hour Luke 23:45 the sun was darkened, [and] Matthew 27:45 there
was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a
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loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? Mark 15:34 which is, being interpreted, My God, my
God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that,
said, Mark 15:35 Behold, Matthew 27:47 This man calleth for Elias.
John 19:28
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture
might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: Matthew 27:48 And
straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed
[of] John 19:29 hyssop, and put it to his mouth, Matthew 27:48 and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let
be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him [and] Mark 15:36 take him down. John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished.

Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I
commend my spirit: and having said thus, John 19:30 he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Witnesses To Jesus’ Death
Matthew 27:51
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;
and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of
the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into
the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Matthew 27:54
Now when the centurion, Mark 15:39 which stood over against him, Matthew 27:54 and
they that were with him, watching Jesus, Mark 15:39saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost,
Matthew 27:54 Luke
[and]saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly,
23:47 Mark 15:39 Luke 23:47
glorified God, saying, Truly this man was the Son of God. [And]
Certainly this was a righteous man. 48 And all the people that came together to that sight,
beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
Luke 23:49 Matthew
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee
27:55 Luke 23:49 Matthew 27:56
ministering unto him, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Mark 15:40 James the less and of Joses,
and Salome; Matthew 27:56 the mother of Zebedee’s children, Mark 15:41 (Who also, when he was in
Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with
him unto Jerusalem.
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus’ Body Is Removed From The Cross; Side Is Pierced
John 19:31
The Jews therefore, Mark 15:42when the even was come, because it was the
preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, John 19:31 that the bodies should not remain upon the
cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs
might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the
legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
John 19:33
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his
34
legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood
and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith
true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A
bone of him shall not be broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him
whom they pierced.
John 19:38
And after this, Luke 23:50 behold, there was a man named Joseph, Matthew 27:57 a rich man
of Arimathaea, Luke 23:50 a city of the Jews: Mark 15:43 an honourable counsellor, which also waited for
the kingdom of God, Luke 23:50 a good man, and a just: [and] John 19:38 a disciple of Jesus, but secretly
for fear of the Jews, Luke 23:51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;)
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Mark 15:43
[He]went in boldly unto Pilate, John 19:38 that he might take away the body of Jesus:
Mark 15:44
And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he
asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, John
19:38
Pilate gave him leave. Matthew 27:58 Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered Mark 15:45

to Joseph. John 19:38 He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus’ Body Is Placed In The Tomb Just Before Sundown
Matthew 27:59
When Joseph Mark 15:46 bought fine linen, and took him down, John 19:39 And there
came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh
and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in
linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
John 19:41
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a
new sepulchre, Mark 15:46 and [Joseph] laid him in Matthew 27:60 his own new tomb, which he had hewn
out in the rock: John 19:41 wherein was never man yet laid Luke 23:53 before. Matthew 27:60 And he rolled a
great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. John 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore
because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand, Luke 23:54 and the sabbath
drew on.
Thursday, April 27, AD 30
The First Day Of Unleavened Bread; A High Sabbath
Pharisees Seal Jesus’ Tomb
Matthew 27:62
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and
Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he
was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made
sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the
people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto
them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the
sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Friday, April 28, AD 30
Women Prepare Spices For Anointing Jesus’ Body
Luke 23:55
And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and
beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. Matthew 27:61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and
the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. Mark 15:44 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the
mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. Luke 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and
ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Saturday, April 29, AD 30
Jesus Rises From The Dead Just Before Sundown
Matthew 28:2
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended
from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His
countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers
did shake, and became as dead men.

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Sunday, April 30, AD 30

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Early Sunday Morning, The Tomb Is Empty

Mark 16:1
And when the sabbath was past, Luke 24:1 upon the first day of the week, very early in
the morning, Mark 16:1 Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought
sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
John 20:1
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark,
unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and
cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They
have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Sunday, April 30, AD 30, Around 5:00 AM,

Other Women Come To Tomb With Spices
Matthew 28:1
As [light] began to dawn Mark 16:2 very early in the morning, Mark 16:1 Mary the
mother of James, and Salome, Luke24:1 and certain others with them, Matthew 28:1 [came]to see the
sepulcher, Luke24:1 bringing the spices which they had prepared. Mark 16:2 And very early in the
morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. [this is a
good Half to three quarters of an hour after Mary Magdalene had already been there. She came
“while it was still dark.”] 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone
from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled
away: John 20:1 from the sepulchre. Mark 16:4 for it was very great.
Luke24:3
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to
pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining
garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth.
Matthew 28:5
And the angel, Mark 16:5 a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long
Matthew 28:5
white garment; answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek
Mark 16:6
Jesus, of Nazareth, Matthew 28:5 which was crucified. Luke24:5 Why seek ye the living among the
dead? Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7
And go quickly, and tell his disciples Mark 16:7 and Peter Matthew 28:6 that he is risen from the dead;
and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: Mark 16:7 as he said unto you.
Matthew 28:6
lo, I have told you.
Luke24:6
Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son
of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise
again. 8 And they remembered his words.
Mark 16:8
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled Matthew
28:8
with fear and great joy; Mark 16:8 and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for
they were afraid, Matthew 28:8 and did run to bring his disciples word.
Peter And John Rush To Empty Tomb
John 20:3
[After hearing from Mary Magdalene,] Peter therefore Luke24:12 arose, John 20:3 went
forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the
other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and
looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following
him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, Luke24:12 by themselves, John
20:7
And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped
together in a place by itself.
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John 20:8
Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he
saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Mary Magdalene Encounters Jesus
John 20:11
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped
down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head,
and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman,
why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not
where they have laid him.
John 20:14
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and
knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest
thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence,
tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
John 20:16
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which
is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:
but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my
God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord,
and that he had spoken these things unto her.
The Other Women Encounter Jesus
Mark 16:9
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to
Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had
been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive,
and had been seen of her, believed not.
Matthew 28:9
And as [the other women] Luke24:9 returned from the sepulchre, Matthew 28:9 went to
tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the
feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that
they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Luke24:9
[Then they went] and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It
was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were
with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle
tales, and they believed them not.
The Guards Of The Watch Report To The Chief Priests
Matthew 28:11
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and
shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled
with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say
ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the
governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as
they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Two Encounter Jesus On The Road To Emmaus
Luke24:13
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which
was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things
which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned,
Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not
know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one
to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering
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said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are
come to pass there in these days?
Luke24:19
And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of
Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And
how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified
him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this,
to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our
company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his
body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24
And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the
women had said: but him they saw not.
Luke 24:25
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets
26
have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the
things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he
made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us:
for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it
came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to
them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Luke24:32
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked
with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour,
and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with
them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what
things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
Mark 16:12
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and
went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
6:00 PM, Sunday, April 30, AD 30
First Appearance In Upper Room; Thomas Absent
Luke24:36
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself John 20:19 came and Luke24:36 stood in the midst of
John 20:19
them. [It was] the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors
were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews. Jesus Luke24:36 saith unto them,
Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a
spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh
and bones, as ye see me have. John 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands
Luke24:40
and his feet, John 20:20 and his side.
Luke24:41
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have
ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And
he took it, and did eat before them. John 20:20 Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
John 20:21
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even
so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive
ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever
sins ye retain, they are retained.
Sunday, May 7, AD 30
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The Next Week In Upper Room With Thomas Present

John 20:24
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus
25
came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto
them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the
nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
John 20:26
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then
came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then
saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and
thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto
him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed:
blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did
Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written,
that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have
life through his name.
Mark 16:14
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them
with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him
after he was risen.
Jesus Appears To The Disciples While Fishing
John 21:1
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias;
and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called
Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his
disciples.
John 21:3
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with
thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
4
But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that
it was Jesus.
John 21:5
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat?
They answered him, No.
John 21:6
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.
They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore
that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that
it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into
the sea. 8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it
were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
John 21:9
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid
thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three:
and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
John 21:12
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him,
Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth
them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples,
after that he was risen from the dead.
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Jesus Restores Peter To Ministry

John 21:15
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith
unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He
saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.17 He
saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
John 21:17
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And
he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.
John 21:17
Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou
wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be
old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou
wouldest not. 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had
spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
John 21:20
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which
also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing
him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
John 21:22
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow
thou me.23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet
Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to
thee?
John 21:24
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we
know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the
which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain
the books that should be written. Amen.
Jesus Commissions Many Disciples In Galilee
Matthew 28:16
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus
had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19
Go ye therefore, Mark 16:15 into all the world, Matthew 28:19 and teach Mark 16:15 and preach the gospel to
every creature; Matthew 28:19 [make disciples, or, Christians of] all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but
he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my
name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents;
and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and
they shall recover. Matthew 28:20 and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus Instructs The Disciples In Jerusalem
Acts 1:2
The apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his
passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the kingdom of God: Luke 24:44And he said unto them, These are the words which I
spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in
the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luke 24:45
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the
dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name
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among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And,
behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye
be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:4
And, being assembled together with them, [thus] commanded them that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard
of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence.
Thursday, June 9, AD 30
Jesus Ascends Back To The Father
Acts 1:6
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou
at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to
know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:9
And when he had spoken these things, Luke 24:50 he led them out as far as to Bethany, and
he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was
parted from them, Acts 1:9 while they beheld; he was taken up; Luke 24:51and carried up into heaven; Acts
1:9
and a cloud received him out of their sight. Mark 16:19 He was received up into heaven, and sat
on the right hand of God.
Acts 1:10
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men
stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up
into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like
manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Luke 24:52
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, Acts 1:12 from
the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. Luke 24:53 And were
continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.
Mark 16:20
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and
confirming the word with signs following. Amen! Amen!
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The Chronological Gospel Commentary

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works." (2Timothy 3:16-17)

The above scripture quote should settle any questions about authorship of the Gospels.

The Old Testament promised and prophesied the coming Savior since the fall of man; and
that is exactly what Jesus’ name means in Hebrew: Jah-saves, Jeshua. The Gospels tell us of that
salvation as it unfolded as the result of the life of one man, the only God Made into Man, and the
only one who could qualify as an unblemished sacrifice to atone for our sins. Sin entered into
the world through man, and therefore it would take a sacrifice of a man to rid the world of sin.
But the law requires that all sacrifices be unblemished, without stain; so in all of mankind no one
could qualify to be that sacrifice no matter how hard he or she might try because all have sinned.
(Rom. 3:23) Since man is created in the image of God; and since God is perfect and
unblemished He is the only one that could qualify to be that sacrifice. So God came into the
world as man, but as God-man so that He could retain His spotless purity and still qualify as man
to die for our sins. The Gospels also tell us how we become man made into God.
Before Getting into the Gospel we need to look at the four writers. Of course Jesus is
The Word of God (John 1:1, 14) and it was through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the
writers put pen to paper. We will take them in the order that they appear in the King James
Bible.
Matthew, It is very fitting that the name of the one that would write the first Gospel
beginning the New Testament is “Matthew” which means Gift of God [Strong’s 3156 – Heb.
4993 Gift of Jah. {2}]: Romans 6:23 "... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord." Also called Levi, the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14); he was from the Galilee region, and
before his calling by Christ had hired himself out to the Romans as a tax collector, a most hated
position. As long as he met his quota of tax levied by the Romans, he could extort as much as he
wanted from his own people. So both the Romans and the Jews looked upon him, and those like
him as traitors.
Many scholars date Matthew’s gospel release around AD. 37. {1}
SUCCESSION TO A THRONE is often a time of conflict and uncertainty. David’s son
Absalom tried to usurp the throne (2 Sam. 15:1—18:18). Solomon’s choice of successor lost
more than half the kingdom to a traitor (1 Kin. 12:20). Menahem assassinated his predecessor in
Israel (2 Kin. 15:14). Royalty is a dangerous business.
This is no less true when the heir is the King of kings. If ever there was a high-stakes
succession, this was it. A Man claims to be Israel’s own Messiah; of course all Israel sits up and
takes notice. Of course He must prove His credentials: Who wants an impostor? The Book of
Matthew presents Jesus’ credentials. It presents Jesus as the King, but King of a totally different
kingdom—the kingdom of heaven. (Gk. he basileia ton ouranon) Strong’s #932; 3772: {5}
As far as content is concerned, Matthew’s emphasis is on Jesus as King and on the Kingdom;
even though he rarely uses the term “Kingdom of God” so that he will not take God’s name in
vein. He instead uses the term “Kingdom of Heaven” which appears thirty-three times. This
term hardly ever appears in any of the other three gospels in the King James.
 105

The word heaven also points to the heavenly nature of Jesus’ kingdom. His kingdom did
not involve a political restoration of the nation of Israel, as many Jews had hoped. Instead He
brought a heavenly kingdom with a spiritual domain, the hearts of His people. Such a kingdom
demanded internal repentance, not just external submission. It provided deliverance from sin
rather than political deliverance. {5}
From the Companion Bible Appendix 114:
The Kingdom (or Sovereignty) of HEAVEN The Kingdom (or Sovereignty) of GOD

Has Messiah for its King; Has God for its Ruler;
It is from heaven; and under the It is in heaven, over the earth;
heavens upon the earth; It is unlimited in its scope;
It is limited in its scope; It is moral and spiritual in its sphere;
It is political in its sphere; It is inclusive in its character (embracing the
It is Jewish and exclusive in its character; natural and spiritual seeds of Abraham, "the
It is national in its aspect; heavenly calling", and the "Church" of the
It is the special subject of Old Testament Mystery). Hence,
prophecy; It is universal in its aspect;
And it is dispensational in its duration. It is (in its wider aspect) the subject of New
Testament revelation;
And will be eternal in its duration.

The Kingdom of God occurs only five times in

Matt. (6:33; 13:28; 19:24; 21:31, 43)
{3}
Because Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus as Israel’s long awaited Messiah and rightful
King his audience was primarily Jewish and was written in the Hebrew (Aramaic).
Matthew has thirty-one different sections unique to his gospel that are devoted more or
less to King and or Kingdom.
Four events connected with Jesus’ infancy:
The Visit of the Wise Men (2:1-15)
The Massacre at Bethlehem (2:16-18)
The Flight into Egypt (2:19-22)
The return to Nazareth (2:23)
Ten Parables:
The Tares (13:24-30) The Labourers in the Vineyard (20:1-16)
The Hid Treasure (13:44) The Two Sons (21:26-32)
The Pearl (13:45) The Marriage of the King’s Son (22:1-14)
The Drag-net (13:47) The Ten Virgins (25:1-13)
The Unmerciful Servant (18:23-35) The Talents (25:14-46)
Two Miracles:
The Two Blind Men (20:30-34)
The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth (17:24-27)
Nine Special Discourses:
The Sermon on the Mount (5-7)
The Invitation to the weary (11:28-30)
Idle Words (12:36,37)
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The Revelation to Peter (16:17-19)

Humility and Forgiveness (18:15-35)
His Rejection of that Generation (21:43)
The Eight Woes (23)
The Olivet Prophecy (24:1-25,46)
Commission and Promise (28:18-20)
Six events in connection with His Passion:
The Conspiracy and Suicide of Judas (26:14-16; 27:3-11)
The Dream of Pilate’s Wife (27:19)
The Resurrection of Saints after His Resurrection (27:52,53)
The suggested Plot about His Body (27:62-64)
The Watch at the Sepulcher (27:65,66)
Earthquake on Resurrection Morning (28:2)
Matthew starts his gospel with “the book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of
David, the son of Abraham.” (Mat. 1:1) Thus he connects Jesus at once with the two most
important of the Old Testament covenants: the Davidic Covenant of Kingship, and the
Abrahamic Covenant of promise (2Sam.7:8-16; Gen. 15:18). {3}
"Haven't you read", for "It is written", that Jesus Christ would come and fulfill all the
things foretold of Him by the prophets? That is why you will find in this opening book of the
New Testament those phrases and others such as "that which was spoken" and "that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken" along with over 60 references to the Old Testament, to document
beyond any reasonable doubt that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, fulfilled the Law and the Prophets at
His coming! To that end, the special object and "Divine purpose in the Gospel of Matthew is to
set forth the Lord as Yahweh's King. Hence those events in His ministry are singled out and
emphasized which set forth His claims as the Messiah - sent to fulfill all the prophecies
concerning Him" {6}
Matthew’s Gospel mentions the Sadducees and their rejection of Jesus more than any of
the other Gospels. The rejection of Israel’s Messiah is a constant theme in Matthew’s Gospel.
He paints a more vivid portrait of Christ’s rejection than all of the other evangelists. In
Matthew’s account of the crucifixion, no thief repents, there are friends or loved ones are seen at
the foot of the cross. In His death, He is even forsaken by God the Father (27:46). {4}
Mark, who is also called John; is the second Gospel in order of their release. He was the
son of one of the New Testament Marys, and nephew (some say cousin) of Paul’s companion
Barnabas. He was an associate of the apostles, and is mentioned in the writings of both Paul and
of Luke (Acts 122:12, 25: 15:37,39; Col. 4:10; 2Tim. 4:11; Phm. 24)
John Mark’s Name is of mixed origin: John being Hebrew (a form of H3076, Jehovah-favored
{2}) and Mark being Latin (Strong’s G3831). {2}
The date of release of Mark’s Gospel is not known for sure but is believed to be somewhere
between AD. 57 and 63; {1} although there is a chance that its’ writing could be as late as AD.
70. {8}
Unlike Matthew or Luke, Mark’s Gospel is unique in that it is not a biography of Jesus’
life. It does not dwell on Jesus’ family history or His career but rather it records His actions and
achievements presenting Jesus as our Savior-King, who conquers disease, demons, sin, and
death. Mark consistently uses the present tense to create the impression of an eyewitness
account; although it is doubtful that he was actually there at the time. Mark wants to transform
his readers with his report, not merely inform. {5}
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As the eyewitness reporter Mark provides considerably more detail including the
emotional responses of Jesus and others, giving the size and reactions of crowds, and the
appearance of men and women. Mark is the most concise of all of the Gospels because he omits
Jesus’ longer discourses so that he can present Jesus more as the miracle-working Jesus and
rather than presenting Him as the teaching Jesus. {5}
Mark’s audience was primarily Gentile Christian, and predominantly Romans. He only
quotes the Old Testament once, yet he regularly explains Jewish customs and Geography and
translate Aramaic terms 7:3-4; 13:3; 14:12; 15:42) of Greek-speaking Christians: (Mark uses a
number of Latin terms), {8} including reckoning time according to the Roman system (6:48;
13:35). {5}
Mark purposely omits Jesus’ prohibition of preaching to the Samaritans and Gentiles (6:7-11
compare Matt. 10:5,6). {5}
The central theme of Mark’s Gospel can be found in 10:45, “For even the Son of man
came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark
presents Jesus as the servant who came minister to us and to offer His life as the sacrificial
ransom for all that would accept it.
It is believed by most scholars that the source of most of the detail in Mark’s Gospel came from
Peter who was an eyewitness to the events of the life of Jesus whereas Mark was not. Also, it
was Mark’s mother’s home that Peter went when released from prison (Acts 12:12). Later on in
their ministries after Mark had failed Paul and Barnabas by deserting them along the way in
Perga and returning to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13); Peter and Mark’s relationship became close as
evident from his description of him as “Mark, my son” (1Pet. 5:13).
Doctor Luke, Paul’s “beloved physician” (Col. 4:14) wrote the third Gospel To
“Theophilus": the name means "Lover of God." Both The Book of Acts and the Gospel were
written to be read aloud to a group of Jesus-followers gathered in a house to share the Lord's
Supper. {9} He informs Theophilus of his intention; which is to lead his reader to certainty
through an orderly account "of the events that have been fulfilled among us." {10}
The Book of Acts ends with Paul still in Rome, which leads to the conclusion that Luke
wrote these books from Rome during Paul’s imprisonment there (c. AD. 60-62). Luke records
Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred in AD. 70 (19:42-44; 21:20-24) but
makes no mention of the fulfillment of that prophecy, either in the Gospel or in Acts. Luke made
it a point to record such prophetic fulfillments (cf. Acts 11:28), so it is extremely unlikely he
wrote these books after the Roman invasion of Jerusalem. Acts furthermore makes no mention
of the great persecution that began under Nero in AD. 64. {4}
Luke also was not an eye-witness like Matthew and John and therefore he relied on
others for the information in writing his Gospel. Only 35% of Luke’s Gospel is unique to him;
the rest is common to the other three. Luke’s Gospel is the most chronologically complete of the
four Gospels covering from the time of the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist the one
who “makes ready the way for the Lord;” to the ascension of Christ.
There are six miracles peculiar to Luke:
The Draught of Fishes (5:4-11).
The Raising of the Widows Son at Nain (7:11-18).
The Woman with a Spirit of Infirmity (18:11-17).
The Man with the Drops (14:1-6).
The Ten Lepers (17:11-19).
The Healing of Malchus (22:50-51).
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There are eleven Parables peculiar to Luke:

The two debtors (7:41-43).
The Good Samaritan (10:30-37).
The Importunate Friend (11:5-8).
The Rich Fool (12:16-21.
The Barron Fig Tree (13:6-9).
The Lost Piece of Silver (15:8-10).
The Lost Son ((15:11-40).
The Unjust Steward (16:1-12).
The Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31).
The Unjust Judge and Importunate Widow (18:1-8).
The Pharisee and the Publican (18:9-14). {3}
The running theme in Luke’s Gospel is Jesus’ compassion for Gentiles, Samaritans,
women, children, tax collectors, sinners, and others often regarded as outcasts in Israel. Yet
Luke did not ignore the salvation of those who were rich and respectable (23:50-53). From the
outset of Jesus’ public ministry (4:18) to the Lord’s final words on the cross (23:40-43) Luke
underscored this theme of Christ’s ministry to the pariahs of society. {4}
Luke accords a high profile to women; which is significant. From the account of the
Nativity, where Mary, Elisabeth, and Anna are given prominence (chapters. 1; 2), to the events
of resurrection morning, where women again are major characters (24:1, 10), Luke emphasized
the central role of women in the life and ministry of our Lord (e.g. 7:12-15, 37-50;8:2-3, 43-48;
10:38-42; 13:11-13; 21:2-4; 23:27-29, 55-56). {4}
There are several other recurring themes that thread throughout Luke’s Gospel but
starting in 9:51 Luke devoted 10 chapters of his narrative to a travelogue of Jesus’ final journey
to Jerusalem. Much of the material in this section is unique to Luke. This is the heart of Luke’s
Gospel, and it features a theme Luke stressed throughout: Jesus’ relentless progression toward
the cross. This was the very purpose for which Christ had come to earth (cf. 9:22-23; 17:25;
18:31-33; 24:25-26, 46), and He would not be deterred. The saving of sinners was His whole
mission (19:10).
It is between the books of Luke and Acts that we get the most of the detail of the Ascension of
Jesus.
Luke wrote his Gospel to reassure Theophilus that God was still at work in the Christian
community founded by Jesus. Luke presents God’s grace as revealed in Jesus’ ministry on earth.
He emphasizes that this grace is available to Gentiles, even though the promises relating to
Jesus’ ministry stretch back into Israel’s history (1:1–4). For this reason Luke also concentrates
on Jesus’ relationship to the nation and leaders of Israel. The rejection of Israel does not mean
the failure of God’s plan. On the contrary, although they did not know it, their rejection was part
of God’s plan from the beginning (Acts 2:22–39). In fact, persecution of the Christian
community would be the means by which the church would spread the Good News throughout
the world. Jesus Himself had predicted that this would happen (24:45–48). {5}
John: (Strong’s 3491; Yahweh favored) {2} was the youngest of the original twelve
apostles and was the son of Salome and Zebedee, who was a master fisherman on the Sea of
Galilee. He was also the brother of James, (Matthew 10:2-4) whom together Jesus called “Sons
of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). James suffered martyrdom under Herod Agrippa I which is recorded
in the Book of Acts (Acts 12:2). And along with Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist
(John 1:35-39).
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John was one of the three most intimate associates of Jesus along with His brother James
and Peter (Luke 8:41-55; Matthew 17:1; 25:37), and was an eyewitness to and participant in
Jesus’ earthly ministry (1 John 1:1-4). These three were the only witnesses on the raising of the
daughter of Jairus, the only witnesses of the transfiguration, and were the three that were closest
to Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane.
After the Ascension of Jesus, John became a leader in the Jerusalem Church (Galatians
2:9); he ministered with Peter (Acts 3;1; 4:13; 8:14) until he went to Ephesus shortly before the
destruction of Jerusalem, from where he wrote the Gospel that bears his name and from where
the Romans exiled him to Patmos (Revelation 1:9). Besides this Gospel John also penned 1-3
John and the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:1) There are many other references to John
standing out among the other disciples too numerous to mention here.
Most scholars date the Gospel of John around A.D. 80-90 and before his letters to the
Church and the Book of Revelation.
Reliable historical sources dating from the second century A.D. place the apostle John in
Ephesus and ministering throughout the province of Asia from about A.D. 70–100. It is likely
that 1, 2, and 3 John were written by the apostle to Christians in that region around A.D . 80–100.
During the latter part of this period, the emperor Domitian intensified his persecution of
Christians. John was undoubtedly placed on the island of Patmos because of his Christian
testimony. He was released after eighteen months by Emperor Nerva (A.D. 96–98), after which
the apostle returned to Ephesus to resume his leadership role there. {5}
There is just about a unanimous acceptance of a A.D.96 date for the writing of the Book
of Revelation.
The author of the Gospel of John does not identify himself by name, but his identity can
be learned from the dialogue recorded in John 21:19–24. The author calls himself “the disciple
whom Jesus loved” (21:20), a designation that occurs four other times in the book (13:23; 19:26;
20:2; 21:7). This was the same “disciple who … wrote these things” (21:24). The author had to
be one of the twelve apostles, because he is described as leaning on Jesus’ bosom at the Last
Supper, an event to which only the apostles were invited (13:23; Mark 14:17). These details
imply that he was one of the three disciples closest to Jesus: Peter, James, or John (Matthew
17:1). He could not be Peter, because 21:20 states that Peter looked back and saw this one Jesus
loved, and in another place asked a question of him (13:23, 24). Also consider this, James was
martyred too early to be the author of this Gospel (Acts 12:1, 2). So it is reasonable to conclude
that this book was written by the apostle John.
John’s Gospel is totally unique in that he presents Jesus as God stating that fact in the
first verses (1:1-5).
There are only seven incidents which John records in common with the other three
Gospels:
The work of John the Baptist.
The Last Supper.
The Anointing at Bethany.
The Passion.
The Resurrection.
The feeding of the 5000.
The Walking on the Sea.
John meticulously records the statements and describes the miracles of Jesus that can
only be attributed to God Himself. Jesus called Himself the bread of life (6:35, 41, 48, 51), the
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light of the world (8:12; 9:5), the door for the sheep (10:7, 9), the good shepherd (10:11, 14), the
resurrection and the life (11:25), the way, the truth, the life (14:6), and the true vine (15:1, 5).
Each of these statements begins with the words, “I am,” recalling God’s revelation of His name,
“I AM,” to Moses (Ex. 3:14). Jesus did not say He gave bread; He said He is the Bread which
gives life. He did not say He would teach the way, the truth, and the life; instead He said He is
the Way, because He is the Truth and the Life. These are Jesus’ clear claims to deity: He was not
a mere man. {5}
Then there are the signs of Jesus’ deity. Miracles in the Gospel of John are called “signs”
because they point to Jesus’ divine nature. John records eight such signs:
Changing water into wine (2:1–11).
Healing a nobleman’s son (4:46–54).
Healing a lame man at the pool of Bethesda (5:1–9).
Multiplying bread and fish (6:1–14).
Walking on water, stills the storm (6:15–21).
Healing a man blind from birth (9:1–7).
Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:38–44).
Causes abundant catch of fish (John 21:6)
These miracles show that Jesus is God; He possesses power over nature. Other indications of
Jesus’ deity include:
The testimonies of John the Baptist (1:32–34).
The testimonies of Nathanael (1:49).
The testimonies of the blind man (9:35–38).
The testimonies of Martha (11:27).
The testimonies of Thomas (20:28)
Not to mention Jesus’ own words (5:19–26).
The Gospel of John was not written to tell the story of Jesus life here on earth and how
He interacted with the religious community. His purpose is declared in 20:31: “But these are
written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might
have life through his name.” And thus: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power
( the right, or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
(John 1:12)
John is more hostile to “the Jews” than any of the other three Gospels. When the other
Gospels talk about the opponents of Jesus, they specify Jewish leaders, such as priests or
scholars. But John simply calls them “the Jews’ (5:16). In the Gospel of John, “the Jews” is a
technical term that means the opponents of Jesus, not all people who are racially Jews.
John reports Jesus going so far as to say the Jews didn’t descend from Abraham: “Your
father the devil” (8:44). Physically, they came from Abraham. But spiritually, there was no
resemblance. Not all Jews, however, opposed Jesus. In fact, Jesus was a Jew. So were all of His
twelve disciples. So were the vast majority of His many other followers. {5}
One last point; because John presents Jesus as the ever existing Word of God eternal, he
does not include a genealogy like Matthew and Luke.
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Before we begin this book of understanding our Savior’s life here on earth we need to
clarify His name. The translators have translated the names of all the Bible characters into
English.
In Exodus 6:3 we get the first time of hearing His Holy Name: “And I appeared unto
Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, (El-Shadday #410 &
7706) but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” The name “Jehovah” is a
14th century mistake by translators and comes from the Hebrew word YHWH (#3068)
which should be rendered “Yahweh.”
We get the name of our Savior in similar fashion: the name Jesus is the English
rendering of the Greek word “Iesous,” which comes from the Hebrew “Yeshua,” which
means “Yahweh saves.”
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The Gospel Commentary

The words of Jesus are in red, the words of God the Father are in green, the words of the
commentary including its Scripture quotes are in Purple, violations ofthe Talmud are numbered
in brown. The dating is based upon The Companion Bible Appendices 156, 166, & 179.

Luke’s Declaration For Writing His Gospel

Luke 1:1
Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of
those things which are most surely believed among us,
vs. 2
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were
eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
vs. 3
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from
the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
vs. 4
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been
instructed.
Even though Luke was not an eyewitness from the beginning he had delivered unto him all
things that pertained to the Gospel of Christ. He therefore was qualified to write those things in
order to Theophilus whose name means: “friend of God.”
One other thing about Luke is the fact that he probably became a disciple of Christ Late in
Christ’s ministry. Many believe that he was one of the two on the road to Emmaus.
Note: Matthew wrote mainly to a first century Jewish audience so he began his gospel (Matthew
1:1) with the genealogy of Christ to offer proof to his readers of Yeshua’s authenticity. Whereas
Luke wrote to a specific Greek person with the knowledge that he would spread that word. A
Greek person would not be as interested in Christ’s lineage because he wasn’t raised studying the
Old Testament. That’s why Luke’s genealogy is in the third chapter (Luke 3:23-28) just as
Christ is about to enter his ministry when He is “about thirty years old” (Luke 3:23).
Matthew consistently refers to the Old Testament to prove that Christ is the fulfillment of those
Scriptures. Remember, Matthew is writing to a Jewish audience who is very particular about
those things. He built his case for Christ point by point. Any single point could be argued
against, but if you put them altogether, it was irrefutable by any reasonable person.
Mark 1:1
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Mark starts us off by proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
From Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary: “The term Word means ‘that which is
spoken, a statement, a speech.’ In the Jewish translation of the OT into Aramaic, this term was
used for God. It was also used in Greek intellectual circles to denote the controlling reason of the
universe, the all-pervasive mind which ruled and gave meaning to all things. John has the OT
concept in mind. The Word here is the expression or the manifestation of God.” {5} Who
controls all things.
Finally, The Word is the body that contains the mouth that speaks all things that the control
center causes it to speak. At our death this body returns to the dust of the earth from which it
was taken. Jesus is the physical portion of God that speaks the will of God. So when Jesus
speaks He is not only speaking for God but He is speaking as God. That’s why He
is called THE WORD.
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The Concentric Circles of God

Holy
SpiritssSpi
spirit

mind

Father
will

emotions

physical Jesus

To repeat:
John 1:2
The same was in the beginning with God.
“In the beginning;” this isthe same phrase that starts Genesis 1:1. But John 1:1 is speaking of
the time before and during the first creation. Let’s look at Proverbs 8:22-26
Proverbs 8:22
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works
of old.
This is talking about a time before any creating had been done, God thought about you. Wisdom
was with God before any of His works, i.e. creations.
vs.23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
There was no earth "In the beginning".
vs.24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no
fountains abounding with water.
vs.25
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
vs.26
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of
the dust of the world.
Before any creation work had begun, God and the Word existed and collaborated about each of
us. This beginning was aeons ago, and before time existed. So what was in the beginning and
what happened? To repeat John 1:1 above: “In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with
God, and the Word was God.” The Word God created the Heavens and the Earth, and time
started; Genesis 1:1; this along with creating the angels who were part of the heavens.
Among these angels was the archangel Lucifer who sealed up the sum, full of wisdom, and
perfect in beauty. Who was in the garden of God; every precious stone was his covering, the
workmanship of his tabrets (tambourines) and of his pipes was prepared in him in the day of his
creation. He was the anointed cherub that covered; and God made it so: he was on the Holy
Mountain of God (God’s Government) and walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire
(all the other angels). He was perfect in his ways from the day that he was created till iniquity
was found in him. By the multiplying of merchandise he was filled with violence and therefore
sinned (Ezekiel 28:12-16)
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Isaiah 14:16
This the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17
That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof;
He made the world as a wilderness; or as Genesis 1:2 puts it “with-out form and void.” Let’s
look at the words that these are translated from:
“With-out form:” 8414 to’-hoo; meaning to lie waste;a desolation (of surface). {2}
“Void:” 922. bo’-hoo; (meaning to be empty); an undistinguishable ruin. {2}
If something is in a state of ruin it had to exist in its natural state first, then come some-how to
this state of serious disrepair. What Genesis 1:2 is describing is the result of Satan’s form of
government or rule over creation when sin was found in him in Ezekiel 28 above.
By the multiplying of his merchandise He became violent; in order to make his business grow he
resorted to bullying tactics and even worse. He was supposed to be administering God’s
Government not being in business. God is love; and in love there is no room for violence.
John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come
that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
What the Genesis account does, is, pick up the story after the creation had been made into an
undistinguishable ruin and God is going to re-create, fix up what had been ruined and put
someone else in charge of creation; namely man. And we don’t know, are not given, the amount
of time that passed in between the destruction and the fixing up! We also do not know and are
purposely not given the amount of time of Lucifer’s rule of creation. This explains earth’s age
and a whole lot of other things.
Now back to the Word:
Vs.3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that
was made.
vs.4
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Let’s look at this word “light:”
Light, # 5457, foce; luminousness, light. {2} Light is energy and darkness is the absence of
energy. This light is the life of God, His Shekinah glory that was breathed into man at creation:
Genesis 2:7
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” God did this for no other of His creation; even
the angels didn’t get this treatment. The Word breathed the power of the God life into man!
vs.5
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
This should read: “The Light himself enlightened the darkness, and the darkness has never
overtaken him.” {7}
The darkness, Satan, could not overtake the Light.
The Birth of John The Baptist
June 19, 5 BC
The Announcement To Zacharias
John 1:6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The scriptures record very few people who were born for a specific purpose; John the Baptist
was one of them. Samson was another. John was placed in his mother’s womb through normal
means by God just 6 months before God miraculously conceived Jesus in Mary’s womb.
The Aramaic name for John is YWKNN yo-khaw-nawn. This verse should read: “A son-of-
Adam was dispatched from God. His name was John (Jachin). {7&2}
John 1:7
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men
through him might believe.
vs. 8
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
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vs. 9
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Notice that the word Light is capitalized. This is not the same light as verses 4&5 above. When
capitalized it is referring to God or one of His attributes. This Light is the same thing that we see
in Genesis 2:7 where God breathed into the nostrils of man the “breath of life.” This is the God
life; and of all of God’s creation only man has it. Why? Because we are made in His image; we
will some-day be just like Him. No other creature is like man; not the angels, not the cherubs,
not the seraphim.
God created man with a free will to sin or not to sin. That’s why He died for us to save us from
ourselves when we sinned and our sin nature. He didn’t die for any other of His creation, not the
birds, the dogs, or even the angels. The angels that sin will go into the lake of fire (see
Revelation 20:10).
This light is hidden in the heart of man to seek God and know Him as creator and it is revealed in
all of creation:
Psalm 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his
handywork.
vs.2
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
vs.3
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
vs.4
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the
world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
vs.5
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong
man to run a race.
vs.6
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of
it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly
seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
If you read all of Romans one you will see that man actually has to suppress the light in order to
run away from God; it’s the way our conscience is made; that is what the light really is.
John 1:10
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew
him not.
At least 1/3 of the Old Testament is Prophecy about Christ and His coming and yet when He
came the only ones that recognized Him were the ones that had been fore-warned.
John 1:11
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power (the right, or,
privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
“His own;” There is a twofold meaning here with regard to these words. His own means all of
mankind for we were made by Him. The second meaning refers to the Jewish Nation that had
Him put to death by the Romans; which is not a very warm reception.
God had purchased the Israelites by slaying the Egyptians and many other pagan nations to bring
them to this Promised Land. They had made a covenant that they would be His people and He
would be their only God.
Even His own kinfolk did not accept Him as Messiah at first. And in the end, of all the
thousands whose lives Jesus touched, there were only 120 in the upper room on Pentecost when
the Holy Spirit came.
“To them He gave the right;” refers to the legitimate entitlement to the position of “children of
God.” Through sin we are sold into slavery, no longer children of God. We, by nature became
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children of wrath and condemned, apart from God. Through Christ we are given the right to
inherit the riches of a king and the position of royalty. By believing, undeserving sinners can
become full members of God’s family. {5}
The phrase “believe in His name” occurs three times in the Gospel of John (1:12; 2:23; 3:18).
The word Namedoes not refer to the term by which Jesus is called, but to what that name
actually stands for—The Lord is Salvation. In this context, the phrase to believe in His name
means that one believes He is the Messiah, the Son of God (20:31). {5}
“But as many as received Him . . . . that believe on his name:” To receive Him means to
believe on His Name; to believe fully that He is The Lord of Salvation, The Messiah, The Son of
God. {5}
“Gave;” means what you get in return for that belief; the gift of salvation (cf. Eph. 2:8-10).
“The right:” Those who receive Christ, the Word, automatically receive the title of “child of
God.”
“His name:” represents the character of the person Himself.
John 1:13
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will
of man, but of God.
“born … of God:” This spiritual birth is “not of blood,” meaning not by physical parents. Nor
is it “of the will of the flesh,” meaning by personal effort. Neither is it “of the will of man,”
which would be something accomplished by human effort. The new birth is solely the work of
God alone. It is a gift that has to be received (4:10, 14), not a reward accomplished by individual
effort. It is based on a relationship with Christ. {5}
John1:15
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake,
He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
As we shall see John was six months older than Jesus; but John realized that Jesus was from
eternity past and that’s why He was before John.
vs. 16
And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.
This verse should read: “From His fullness, we all embrace grace in-exchange-for grace.” {7} If
you can picture grace, unmerited favor, as a liquid that we are walking around in waist deep; and
we keep getting and then giving buckets full to everyone we meet. This is grace for grace: we
don’t deserve it, but neither does anyone else. But we just keep passing it on because it is now in
our nature, the God nature in us.
vs. 17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
“The Law,” given by Moses, was God’s demand for holiness. The law was a means to show
man the need for a Savior. (Romans 3:19-20; Galatians 3:10-14, 21-26). The Law is also a set of
guidelines or code of conduct for us to live by now that we are in Christ Jesus. Now that we
have Him in our lives when we sin the Law lets us know through our conscience that we have
sinned and then we immediately confess it to God and are forgiven. Before Christ we didn’t care
if we sinned.
“Truth;” definitely came by Jesus Christ because He is the Word: John 17:17“Sanctify them through
thy truth: thy word is truth.”If you have Christ, then you have the Word, and the Word is Truth.
vs.18
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the
bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Even Moses, who talked with God on a daily basis, had the pre-incarnate Jesus, before He gave
up His Glory to become man, show Moses His Backside only:
Exodus 33:18
And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
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vs.19
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim
the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be
gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
vs.20
And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and
live.
vs.21
And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon
a rock:
vs.22
And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a
clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
vs.23
And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my
face shall not be seen.
The unshielded glory of God would kill any human that has not been glorified like Jesus was
after His resurrection. His Glory is too wonderful for us to be able to handle; and we are still not
regenerated fully.
Mark 1:2
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy
face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
This is a quote from two Old Testament passages, Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1which explains
why the term prophets.
Isaiah 40:3
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the
LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Malachi 3:1
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before
me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the
messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the
LORD of hosts.
Since He created man, God doesn’t do anything without first warning us through His prophets;
and that is exactly what John the Baptist was, a prophet, telling us that the Messiah was about to
appear on the scene. He not only warned us but identified, pointed Him out to us.
Luke 1:5
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named
Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and
her name was Elisabeth.
“the course of Abia;” Hebrew – Abijah: worshiper of Jah; Two annual priestly courses, {2&3}
This was the eighth of the priestly courses of ministration in the Temple (I Chronicles 24:10 see
also Nehemiah 12:17), and occurred, as did the others, twice in the year. {3}
The "Courses" were changed every week, beginning each with a Sabbath. The reckoning
commenced on the 22nd day of Tisri or Ethanim (Companion Bible, Ap. 179: III; & 51. 5). {3}
This was the eighth and last day of the Feast of Tabernacles equal to the "Great Day of the Feast"
(John 7:37), and was an High Sabbath (Leviticus 23:39) {3}
The first course fell by lot to Jehoiarib, and the eighth to Abia or Abijah. {3} There were twenty-
four courses in all (1Chronicles 24:10).
Bearing in mind that all the courses served together at the three Great Feasts, the dates for the
two yearly "ministrations" of Abiah will be seen to fall as follows: {3}
The first ministration of Abia was from 12 - 18 Chisleu for the year of 5 B.C. would have been
December 6 - 12. The second ministration was from 12 -18 Sivan would have been June 13 - 19.
{3}
Keep in mind that June the 19th would have been a Friday that year; this is important.
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Note: Zacharias’ and Elisabeth’s names are very important: Zacharias: Strong’s 2197. of
Hebrew origin [2148]; Zacharias (i.e. Zechariah), the name of two Isr. {2}
Zacharias. 2148. from 2142 and 3050; Jah has remembered; {2}
Elisabeth: Strong’s . of Hebrew origin [472]; Elisabet, an Israelitess:—
Elisabeth. {2}
Elisabeth: 472 from 410 and 7651 (in the sense of 7650); God of (the) oath; {2}
So when you put these two names together, remember they are married, you get:
“Jah, the God of the oath, has remembered.” But what oath? What are these two
about to produce through the grace of God? That’s right John the Baptist. So what
oath of God does John fulfill? Let’s take a look at Malachi:
Malachi 3:1
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the
way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to
his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in:
behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming
of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the
heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to
their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Those two verses of Malachi chapter 4 were quoted by Gabriel in Luke 1:17 below
to Zacharias about John.
“and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth;” Elisabeth had to
be of the daughters of Aaron in order to be Zacharias’ wife; it was the law:
Leviticus 21:10
And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the
anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not
uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
Vs.11
Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or
for his mother;
Vs.12
Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God;
for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.
Vs.13
And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
Vs.14
A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not
take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
Luke 1:6
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the
commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
“righteous before God walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord
blameless” This phrase indicates that the priest and his wife were recognized by God as
believers. They walked faithfully with God and kept His law (Deuteronomy. 6:24, 25). It does
not indicate sinlessness, since keeping the law would also mean bringing sacrifices for sin and
responding appropriately to its presence. Simeon (2:25), Joseph (Matthew 1:19), and Cornelius
(Acts 10:22) are described this way. {5}
Luke 1:7
And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both
were now well stricken in years.
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Like Abraham and Sarah before them, Zacharias and Elisabeth were both stricken in years and
she was barren. For an Israelite, having no children meant that no one could carry on the family
name. But these people prayed to God and a greater good came by the testing of faith over time.
Through Abraham all men are blessed; and Zacharias’ son paved the way for the savior of
mankind. (See also 1 Samuel 1:1-28)
Luke 1:8
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in
the order of his course, 9According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was
to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Zacharias served for two weeks out of the year at the Temple. He was one of approximately
eighteen thousand priests who served every year. So for one priest to get to go in to offer the
incense, was something that would happen only once in a priest’s career. This was the highlight
of his priestly career; and today would be made even more important when God got done with
him. {5}
Luke 1:10
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of
incense.
“The time of incense” came twice a day, at 9 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. It was probably the afternoon
offering which is spoken of here. {5}
Luke 1:11
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side
of the altar of incense.
Vs.12
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
“there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord;” this was much more than a vision in his
mind; this was an actual physical appearance of the angel Gabriel.
“fear fell upon him:” To be afraid at seeing the presence of God or His messenger (v. 11) is
common in Scripture (1:29, 65; 2:9; 5:8–10, 26; 7:16; 8:37; 9:34; Genesis 15:1; Exodus 15:16;
Daniel 8:16; 17; 10:5-19; Acts 5:5, 11; 18:9; 19:17; 27:24; Revelation 1:17). {5}
Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard;
and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
“Fear not:” The Angels of God often had to calm the fears of those to whom they appeared (v.
30; 2:10; Gen. 15:1; Dan. 10:12; Matt. 1:20; Acts 18:9; 27:24; Rev. 1:17). {5}
“thy prayer is heard:” This is referring to the prayer that Zacharias would have been praying in
the Holy Place for the redemption of Israel. Verse 18 below indicates that he had all but given
up on the idea of having a child. {5}
“thou shalt call his name John:” When God names a child, usually greatness follows (Genesis
16:11; 1 Kings 13:2; Isaiah 7:14). {5}
Luke 1:14
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
“Joy” is one of the hallmarks of the Messianic Kingdom (Isaiah 25::9; Psalms 14:7; 48:11). It is
one of the central themes of Luke’s writings (vv. 44, 47, 58; 2:10; 6:23; 10:20-21; 13:17; 15:5–
10; 19:6; 37; 24:52; Acts 5:41). {4}
Luke 1:15
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine
nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his
mother’s womb.
“great in the sight of the Lord:” John had a great place in the plan of God, but it was inferior to
Jesus’ own unique role. John was a prophet, and as such he was: {5}
“filled with the Holy Spirit,” from before birth (Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5). Being filled with the
Spirit means being directed by Him and obedient to Him (Ephesians 5:18). {5}
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“shall drink neither wine nor strong drink;” This language is used as instructions by
Samson’s and Samuel’s mothers (Judges 13:5, 7; 1 Samuel 1:11) and is a key element of the vow
of the Nazarite (Numbers 6:1-21) and would have been understood as such by Zacharias as a
special dedication to the Lord. Note that nothing is mentioned here about the not cutting of the
hair, which was also a key part of the same vow. {5}
“even from his mother’s womb.” Just like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5 see also Psalms 139:13)
Luke 1:16
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
“Turn” meaning to convert, change your direction, turning away from sin and towards God (1
Thessalonians 1:9, 10). As the prophet, John said that there would be a reconciliation with God
for those who repented (3:1–14). John’s mission was to prepare Israel for its Messiah. {5}
This verse also reveals God’s view of the spiritual condition of Israel at the time, in bad need of a
savior.
Luke 1:17
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the
hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just;
to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
“And he shall go before him :” Although they were only six months apart in age John went on
ahead of the Messiah in order to prepare the way much like a diplomat goes in before a leader to
prepare for a meeting of heads of state. John prepared the people for their new spiritual leader
who would take them in a new direction.
“in the spirit and power of Elias:” Elias is the English rendering for the Greek word for Elijah.
This is NOT the reincarnated Elijah! Read the words! This is John the Baptist in the same
spirit and power that Elijah had. The spirit and power that God put in Elijah He can also put in
John the Baptist.
This is not the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6; it is the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1 even though the
angel quotes from those verses (see below). This is the first coming of the Messiah when He
sacrifices His life for our sins. It is just before the second coming that we see the Great and
Dreadful Day of The Lord that Verse 5 speaks of.
In Matthew 17:10-13 Jesus suggests that John the Baptist is Elijah. This only means that the
spirit and power of Elijah was here in the form of John. John did what Elijah would have done;
he is like Elijah. But this does not mean that the Elijah hope is exhausted with John the Baptist.
As with many elements in God’s plan, there is an initial fulfillment and a later fulfillment yet to
come, which are distinct and yet related. There is strong reason to believe that Elijah, or an
Elijah like figure, will return during the end times. (See Revelation 11) This again will be as a
forerunner to pave the way for the return of the Messiah.
“to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children:” This is a quote from Malachi 4:
Malachi 4: 5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great
and dreadful day of the LORD:
There’s that word “turn” again; only this time it is referring to the fathers hearts turning to their
children. When the fathers don’t do their job right the nation runs amuck.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not
depart from it.
Proverbs 13:24
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth
him betimes. (see also 10:13; 22:15; 23:13-14; 26:3; 29:15)
Proverbs 22:6 above is a promise from God: if you train a child in Godly ways, he will live in
them. But the reverse is also true; if you neglect or train a child wrongfully, they will live that
way when they grow up.
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Notice also that Gabriel only quotes the first part of Malachi 4:6 about turning the father’s hearts
to the children.
Luke 1:18
And Zacharias said unto the angel, “Whereby shall I know this? For I am
an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.”
“For I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.” As mentioned above Zacharias
had pretty well given up on having any children. But more than his despair it shows a loss of
faith even in the face of the angelic messenger who is delivering this message of hope. In order
for the angel’s words to come true, it would be necessary for God to reverse the natural aging
process for Zacharias and correct the malfunction in Elisabeth’s womb. It is obvious that he had
forgotten that a similar thing happened to Abraham, the father of all the Hebrew peoples. {5}
“Whereby shall I know this?” Zach is asking for a sign here: “How am I going to know this
will happen? Because I’m old, and frail, and dragging my tail; and so is my wife.”
Luke 1:19
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the
presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad
tidings.
There are only two angels named in the Bible, Gabriel; whose name means “strong man of God”,
and is the messenger of God’s plan (Daniel 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19; 26). The other angel whose
name is given is Michael (Daniel 10:13; 21; 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7). ). His name means
“who (is) like God?” {5}
Luke 1:20
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that
these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall
be fulfilled in their season.
“thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak,” Abraham doubted God about the same thing and
God didn’t rebuke him (Genesis 17:17). But Abraham didn’t ask for a sign “Whereby shall I
know this?”
According to verses 62 & 63 he was probably also stricken with deafness also.
But Zacharias’ silence would break with the arrival of the child; and the old Priest would be
filled with joy praising God for His faithfulness (see verses 68-79 for Zacharias’ song of praise).
Luke 1:21
And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in
the temple.
“The people waited,” at the Temple court for the Blessing of Aaron (Numbers 6:24-27) that he
would give when he came out after offering incense. But his conversation with the angel took
some additional time. {5}
Luke 1:22
And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived
that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained
speechless.
“they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple:” This did not happen very often that
the High Priest came out and was adversely affected by his administration in the Temple. So
everybody knew that something had happeed. None of the Gospel writers tell us exactly what
happened, but he probably wrote it all down on paper; that is why we have such detailed account.
Luke 1:23
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were
accomplished, he departed to his own house.
The announcement therefore to Zacharias in the Temple as to the conception of John the Baptist
took place between 12 - 18 SIVAN (June 13 -19), in the year 5 B.C. After finishing his
"ministration", the aged priest "departed to his own house" (Luke 1:23) which was in a city in
"the hill country" of Judah (verse 39). {3}
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The day following the end of the "Course of Abia" would have been a Sabbath (Sivan 20) he
would not be able to leave Jerusalem before the 21th the first day of the week. {3}
The twenty miles journey would probably occupy, for an old man, a couple of days at least. He
would therefore arrive at his house on the 23rd. This leaves ample time for the miraculous
"conception" of Elisabeth to take place on or about the 24 th of Sivan {3} - which would
correspond to June 25 of that year. The fact of the conception and its date would necessarily be
known at the time, and afterwards, and hence the 24 th of SIVAN would henceforth be associated
with the conception of John the Baptist and the 1st of TEBETH would be with that of our Lord.
{3}
“he departed to his own house:” According to verses 39-40 He and Elisabeth lived in the Hill
Country of Judah South of Jerusalem.
Luke 1:24
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five
months, saying,
“hid herself” Why Elisabeth hid herself is made clear by verse 25 as she praises God for
granting her a child; for she would no longer carry the social stigma of barrenness. She also
sought solitude to prepare for this special child. {5}
It is now late November and by now Zacharias has communicated to her all that the angel
Gabriel told him about their child.
Luke 1:25
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to
take away my reproach among men.
“to take away my reproach among men;” And it was among men only that had held her in
reproach; for God had held her in reserve for this very moment in time to deliver the one who
would prepare the way for the Messiah.
December 25, 5 BC
Gabriel Announces The Coming Of Jesus The Christ
Luke 1:26
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of
Galilee, named Nazareth,
It is “the sixth month” for Elisabeth and it is the 1st of TEBETH on the Hebrew calendar. We
know this date because Mary told it to Elisabeth when she visits her (verses 39-56). This young
girl was so excited that she told Elisabeth every detail of the angel’s visit.
“the angel Gabriel;” This strong man of God has appeared again to announce another birth. In
the book of Daniel he announced in coded form when the Messiah would come. Now he is here
to announce that the time has come for His birth and how it will take place.
“city of Nazareth;” Nazareth is in the rolling hills of the Galilee region of Northern Palestine;
about half way between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea.
Luke 1:27
To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
“virgin” The importance of Jesus’ virgin birth cannot be overstated. First of all it was
prophesied (see Isaiah 7:14). But most importantly, the Holy Spirit brought about the conception
of Jesus in the womb of Mary through supernatural means; no physical human man had anything
to do with Jesus’ conception. This Holy Spirit conception speaks of both Jesus’ deity and His
sinlessness; thus He is the only one qualified to be the Messiah. If a man had sired Jesus He
would have inherited the sin nature that Adam had taken on and passed on to every man since he
is the father of all men.
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“espoused to a man;” Betrothal (espoused) was a mutual promise or contract or covenant if

you will, for a future marriage. It was as binding as modern marriage; a divorce was necessary
to terminate the betrothal (verse 19). Here is how it worked:
Betrothal (Luke 1:27) was a mutual promise or contract or covenant for a future marriage
(Deuteronomy 20:7; Jeremiah 2:2). This is not like the modern concept of engagement. First in
the betrothal process was the selection of the bride by the prospective husband. Then the
contract was negotiated by a friend or agent representing the bridegroom and by the parents
representing the bride. Then it was confirmed by oaths. Betrothal was much more closely linked
to marriage than our modern engagement. But the actual marriage took place only when the
bridegroom took the bride to his home and the marriage was consummated in the sexual union.
{5}
“house of David;” this just means that Joseph was a descendant of King David.
“Joseph” was the descendant of David through the lineage of all the kings of Judah (see
Matthew 1:6-16). This gives the Messiah His earthly royal attribute.
“Mary” was also a descendant of David through David’s son Nathan (see Luke 3:23-31). But
Mary also had to have some Levite blood in her because her cousin Elisabeth was full blood
Levite, being a High Priest’s wife (see verse 5 and comment above). This had to come through
Mary’s mother’s side. (In order to give full legitimacy to Jesus’ claim to the Order of Priesthood
Mary’s mother was probably a full blood descendant of Aaron). This gives the Messiah His
priesthood ministry.
There are no Scriptural references to Mary’s mother or her maternal lineage because the bible
writers wrote from the male perspective. Women are only mentioned when they play a
significant role in the story being told; such as Mary, Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Rachel,
Tamar, Naomi, Ruth, Rahab, Hannah, and several others. But notice that we are never given the
name of the second mother of all mankind, Mrs. Noah! (However the Book of Jasher 5:15 states
that Naamah, daughter of Enoch was Noah’s wife).
Luke 1:28
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly
favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
“the angel came in unto her;” this is the same thing as with Zacharias, a physical appearance of
Gabriel not an apparition.
“thou that art highly favoured,the Lord is with thee;” this should be rendered “Peace to you!
The full grace of our Lord is with you; blessed lady!” {7}
The full grace; the full unmerited favor granted by God is with you. Just like Zacharias and
Elisabeth she had a special call of God to perform a certain task; her’s was to be the mother of
the Messiah in God’s plan.
Luke 1:29
And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind
what manner of salutation this should be.
“she was troubled at his saying;” when Zacharias encountered Gabriel he was troubled: reeling
- Strong’s #5015. Here Mary is troubled: disturbed wholly - Strong’s #1298.
A.R.T.B. calls Mary’s troubled: “bowled-over.” {7} In other words she was shaken to her
bowls.
Luke 1:30
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour
with God.
“Fear not;” as Gabe tries to calm her down; Luke uses the word “phobeo” where we get our
word “phobia” from.
“favour;” Grace.
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Luke 1:31
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shalt call his name JESUS.
“call his name JESUS;” In Aramaic this would be pronounced “Yehshua;” which means God
saves, or God is salvation.
Luke 1:32
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord
God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
“He shall be great;” John the Baptist was to be “great in the sight of the Lord.” Jesus said that
there was no one born of a woman greater than John.
“called the Son of the Highest;” The reference to “the Highest” is another way to refer to the
majesty of God to which Jesus has a unique relationship as Son. His greatness and His sonship
are defined by what follows. He fulfills promises made to David of an unending rule (i.e., He is
Messiah). The OT introduces and develops this promise in great detail (2 Samuel 7:8–17,
especially vv. 13, 16; 1 Kings 2:24, 25; Ps. 2:1–12; 89:14, 19–29, 35–37; 110:1–7; 132:11, 12;
Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1–5, 10; Jeremiah 23:5, 6). {5}
Luke 1:33
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom
there shall be no end.
“he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;” this is another way of saying that He will
reign over His church and people forever. For all who accept Jesus as the Son of God and their
Savoir, are grafted into His people. {55}
“his kingdom there shall be no end;” this is eternal; that means that man will be eternal.
Luke 1:34
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
“How shall this be;” Mary doesn’t ask for a sign; just an explanation, more information! And
as with Daniel, Gabriel is more than willing to provide that.
Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come
upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that
holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
“The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee;” This is the absolute declaration of Jesus’ divine
conception. It is also a demonstration of the creative power of God who made all things by the
power of His word. He created the living being of Mary; then He implanted in her body the
Holy Thing that is called the Son of God. If you doubt this, there is no hope for you!
Luke 1:36
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old
age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
“is the sixth month with her;” See notes on Luke 1:23 & 26. Mary is probably hearing of
Elisabeth’s condition for the first time.
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
“with God nothing shall be impossible;” Nothing is impossible with God. The ultimate proof
of the power of God is that the infinite Creator took upon Himself finiteness as a creature. {5}
Luke 1:38
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according
to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord;” this suggests humility before God and a readiness to
perform faithful and obedient service, something that should characterize every Christian. {5}
“be it unto me according to thy word;” this is extreme faith in action. Mary is willing to put
herself in the most difficult position: She will face the stigma of being an unwed mother. She is
betrothed to Joseph, who will know that the child is not his. She could be accused of adultery-an
offence punishable by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:13-21; John 8:3-5). Yet she graciously and
willingly submits to the will of God. {4}
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Mary And Elisabeth Rejoice With Each Other

Luke 1:39
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste,
into a city of Juda;
“Mary arose in those days;” this was either the 25th or the 26th of December.
“into the hill country; into a city of Juda;” this would have been about 82 miles from Nazareth
and would have taken about 4 days by foot. Most commentators think that this was Hebron.
Luke 1:40
And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
“entered into the house of Zacharias;” this was somewhere between December 30, 5 B.C. and
January 1, 4 B.C.
Luke 1:41
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the
babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
“the babe leaped in her womb;” Gabriel had predicted that John would be filled with the Holy
Spirit even from the womb. Now at the sound of Mary’s voice John reacts from Elisabeth’s
womb and gives testimony to the Messiah even before either is born. This spilled over to
Elisabeth who was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 1:42
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
These four verses should read as follows:
Vs.39
In those chaotic days, Mary rose, going immediately to the mountains to a city
of Judea. Vs. 40 She entered the house of Zechariah and asked the peace of
Elisabeth.
Vs.41
When Elisabeth heard the ‘Shalom’ of Mary, the baby was startled in her
belly, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit-wind. Vs. 42 She passionately-
cried in an upraised voice and said to Mary, “You-are a blessed lady! And blessed
is the fruit in your belly! {7} A.R.T.B.
Luke 1:43
And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luke 1:44
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the
babe leaped in my womb for joy.
“the mother of my Lord;” This was a profound expression of Elisabeth’s confidence that the
child that Mary was carrying would be the long awaited Messiah. Elisabeth’s grasp of the
situation, her understanding of the response of her own child in her own womb, the
comprehension of the importance of the child that Mary was carrying, all must be attributed the
illuminating work of the Holy Spirit (verse 41).
Luke 1:45
And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those
things which were told her from the Lord.
“blessed is she that believed;” Mary’s response of faith was exemplary; it contrasts with the
doubt of Zacharias. Mary was just curious as to how God was going to pull this off: just the
mechanics of it. It was the same thing as Daniel asking for more knowledge; God always loves
to hear that (see James 1:5).
Luke 1:46
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Mary’s Magnificat is just that, magnificent. She praises Yahweh with quotes from one end of
the Old Testament to the other. Here’s the download:
“My soul doth magnify the Lord;” as Hannah did in 1 Samuel 2:1 and from Psalm 34:2-3.
1 Samuel 2:1
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine
horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I
rejoice in thy salvation.
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Psalm34:2
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof,
and be glad.
Luke 1:47
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
“God my Saviour;” is from Psalm 24:5.
Psalm 24:5
He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the
God of his salvation.
Luke 1:48
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from
henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
“For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden;” is from Psalm 138:6.
Psalm 138:6
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the
proud he knoweth afar off.
Mary does prophecy here in verse 48 that “from henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed.” Throughout Christendom she is known as the blessed mother of Christ.
Luke 1:49
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
“For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;” is from Psalms 45:3, & 89:8, and
Zephaniah 3:17.
Psalm 45:3
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy
majesty.
Psalm 89:8
O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy
faithfulness round about thee?
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will
rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest
“and holy is his name;” again from 1 Samuel 2:1 and from Psalms 34:2-3, 111:9, 99:3, Isaiah
57:15.
1Samuel 2:1 and Psalm 34:2 see above.
Psalm 99:3
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.
Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for
ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name
is Holy;
Luke 1:50
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
“And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation;” is from Exodus 20:6
and Psalm 103:17.
Exodus 20:6
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my
commandments.
Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them
that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
Luke 1:51
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts.
“He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their
hearts;” is from Genesis 11:8.
Genesis 11:8
So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they
left off to build the city.
Luke 1:52
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low
degree.
“He hath put down the mighty from their seats;” is from Daniel 4:25.
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Daniel 4:25
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field,
and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven,
and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of
men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Luke 1:53
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty
away.
“He hath filled the hungry with good things;” is from Psalm 107:9.
Psalm 107:9
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
“the rich he hath sent empty away;” is from 1Samuel 2:1-10.
1 Samuel 2:1-10
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine
horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I
rejoice in thy salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none
beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding
proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of
knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are
broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5 They that were full have
hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the
barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
6
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and
bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and
lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from
the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of
glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon
them. 9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in
darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD
shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD
shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and
exalt the horn of his anointed.
Luke 1:54
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
“his servant Israel;” Is from Isaiah 41:8-9, 44:1, 2, ( see also Vs.21; 48:20; 49:3).
Isaiah 41:8
But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of
Abraham my friend. 9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and
called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I
have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Isaiah 44:1
Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: 2 Thus
saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help
thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
Luke 1:55
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
“As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever;” is from
Genesis 17:9, 19, & 31:3.
Genesis 17:9
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore,
thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
Vs. 19
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call
his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting
covenant, and with his seed after him.
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Genesis 31:3
And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and
to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
March 28 – 29, 4 BC
The Birth And Naming Of John The Baptist
Luke 1:56
And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own
house.
“her own house.;” At this point Mary was still betrothed to Joseph, She was not yet living in
his house (cf. Matthew 1:18-24). Mary is now three months pregnant.
Luke 1:57
Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she
brought forth a son.
This would be the last of March somewhere between the 28th and the 29th (see The Companion
Bible Appendix 179, III).
Luke 1:58
And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great
mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
“her neighbours and her cousins . . . rejoiced with her;” Naturally her neighbors and kin all
knew that she was pregnant but for her to carry to full term without losing the baby at her age
was nothing short of miraculous
Luke 1:59
And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the
child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
“on the eighth day;” As per God’s commandment:
Genesis 17:12
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man
child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of
any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
Vs. 13
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must
needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting
covenant.
Leviticus 12:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Vs. 2
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed,
and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days
of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
Vs. 3
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
This is also confirmed by Paul in Philippians 3:5.
The eighth day pictures entering in to the New Heavens and New Earth which of
course are in the Kingdom of God.
“they called him Zacharias;” This was an ancient custom to name a newborn after a family
member.
Luke 1:60
And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
“Not so; but he shall be called John;” Elisabeth had learned from her husband via writing what
name the angel had told him to call the child.
Luke 1:61
And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this
name.
“none of thy kindred;” She tells them that they are not going to follow custom, but they are
going to obey God.
Luke 1:62
And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
“they made signs to his father;” This would indicate that he was also deaf since they had to
make signs to him to communicate to him a question of what would be the name of his son.
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Luke 1:63
And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And
they marveled all.
“he asked for a writing table;” Zacharias calls for a writing table which is a wood tablet
covered in wax.
“and wrote, saying, His name is John;” (Aramaic – Yohanan meaning God favored)
confirming what Elisabeth had already said; and more importantly what the angel had told them
to name the child.
“they marveled all;” Zach, Liz, there’s no one in your family named John!
Luke 1:64
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he
spake, and praised God.
“his mouth was opened immediately;” Zacharias had finished his lesson of faith and so the
sign of punishment comes to an abrupt stop and he is lifted to higher, spirit filled plane.
Luke 1:65
And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings
were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
“fear came on all that dwelt round about them;” The normalresponse for an event like this in
or near our lives is awe, and reverence, and a kind of fear because of a lack of understanding.
Let’s face it, not knowing the mind of God when things out of the ordinary happen will just
about always set us aback whether it be good or bad. Our finite minds cannot understand the
plan of God that’s why He does not reveal it to us. If He revealed His plans to us, and we could
not understand them, we would be worse off and more confused and go into information
overload.
“throughout all the hill country of Judaea;” This would include all the hill country north of
Jerusalem too.
Vs.66
And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner
of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
“laid them up in their hearts;” They thought deep within their souls trying to figure out what
this boy would be and what would become of him.
“the hand of the Lord was with him;” The word hand here is like the idea of power of the Lord
was with him; like the power of wisdom.
Luke 1:67
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied,
saying,
“Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied;” This is a fulfillment if Joel 2:
Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your
sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall
see visions:
Luke 1:68
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his
people,
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel;” Is from Psalm 72:18:
Psalm 72:18
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
“he hath visited and redeemed his people;” Is from Psalm 111:9:
Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and
reverend is his name.
Luke 1:69
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant
David;
“raised up an horn of salvation;” Is from Psalm 18:2: Deuteronomy 33:17, 1 Sam. 2:10
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Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength (my
rock), in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Deuteronomy 33:17
His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of
unicorns
1Samuel 2:10
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder
upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king,
and exalt the horn of his anointed.
“the house of his servant David;” since David was of thehouse of Judah and Zacharias and
Elisabeth were of the house of Levi and so was John the Baptist, this has to refer to the one that
John prepares the way for. This is John’s role.
Luke 1:70
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the
world began:
“he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets;” Is from Amos 3:7:
Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the
prophets.
Luke 1:71
That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that
hate us;
Luke 1:72
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy
covenant;
“promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;” Is from Psalms 105:8-9, &
106:45:
Psalm 105:8
He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand
generations. 9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
Psalm 106:45
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of
his mercies.
Luke 1:73
The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
“he sware to our father Abraham;” is from Genesis 22:16-18:
Genesis 22:16
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this
thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
Vs. 17
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of
the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his
enemies;
Vs. 18
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my
voice.
Luke 1:74
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our
enemies might serve him without fear,
“delivered out of the hand of our enemies;” Is from Psalm 18:3:
Psalm 18:3
I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine
enemies.
Luke 1:75
In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
“might serve him without fear;” From Matthew Poole’s commentary:
Ver. 74,75. Thus Zacharias, by an infallible Spirit, expounds the covenants and oaths of God to
Abraham and David, not as they appear to us at first view, as if they were promises of a mere
temporal kingdom, and a victory for the Jews over their enemies, together with a splendid state
for them, which was all the scribes and Pharisees, and the generality of the Jews, expected from
the Messiah; but as confirming God’s resolution to send the Jews a Saviour, who should save
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them from their sins, the guilt and dominion of them, and from the power of hell, and purchase a
spiritual liberty for them to serve the Lord all their days, without fear, in holiness and
righteousness, which indeed was the true end of the Messiah’s coming. Thus for now the song of
this holy man respected Christ, whom he showeth to be sent from the free grace and mercy of
God, yet in performance of God’s truth and faithfulness, according to his oath promises; and to
be therefore sent to deliver his people from their enemies, and to purchase for them a spiritual
liberty, not to sin, but to serve the Lord without fear; in holiness and righteousness. The latter
part of his prophecy respecteth John the Baptist, the new born son of this priest and heavenly
prophet. {11}
Luke 1:76
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go
before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
“to prepare his ways;” This statement by Zacharias repeats the statements of Gabriel in Luke
1:16-17. John is to prepare the way for the Messiah who is Yeshua, God-saves; and thus
represents the Kingdom of Yahweh, God; and thus Yah, God Himself.
Luke 1:77
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their
sins,
“To give knowledge of salvation;” salvation and remission of sin can only occur after
repentance. John’s job was to give knowledge of that repentance to prepare the way for Jesus’
coming with the Gospel.
Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high
hath visited us,
Luke 1:79
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to
guide our feet into the way of peace.
“the dayspring from on high;” this is a Messianic reference in Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 9:2;
60:1-3; Malachi 4:2:
Numbers 24:17
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star
out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and
destroy all the children of Sheth.
Isaiah 9:2
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of
the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine ; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
Vs.2
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD
shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Vs.3
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Malachi 4:2
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his
wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Luke 1:80
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till
the day of his shewing unto Israel.
“the child grew;” there are two similar phrases that Luke writes with regards to Jesus’
childhood: Luke 2:39, 52.
Jesus’ (Yehshua’s) Miraculous Conception Explained To Joseph
Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary
was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of
the Holy Ghost.
“Mary was espoused to Joseph;” See comments on Luke 1:27 above.
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“before they came together;” The Gospels do not tell us when their engagement (betrothal)
started but we know that it was some time before Mary left to visit Elisabeth.
“found with child of the Holy Ghost;” Imagine how cruel of a shock this was to Joseph to find
his betrothed Mary pregnant when she returns from a three month visit with her cousin in Judah.
He knows that the child isn’t his. We also know that Mary was a virgin when she was betrothed
to Joseph: see Luke 1:27, 34-35 above.
Matthew 1:19
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a
publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
“to put her away privily;” Keep in mind that Joseph is the one that is bruised here. But, being
a just man, and not wishing for Mary to be stoned to death which was the legal punishment for
adultery (see Deuteronomy 22:23-24), he decided to divorce her in a private arrangement (see
Deuteronomy 24:1.
Matthew 1:20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take
unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
“Joseph, thou son of David;” as we saw in Jesus’ genealogy above Joseph is of the lineage of
David which establishes with Jesus the right to be king.
“Conceived . . . is of the Holy Ghost;” Verses eighteen through twenty-five reveal the fact that
Joseph was only a step-father to Jesus lending his name and lineage to Jesus. But these verses
establish Jesus as God’s Son thus qualifying Him to be the Saviour of all people. Whereas
Mathew concentrated on Jesus’ Kingship, Luke wrote of His miraculous conception by the Holy
Spirit (Luke 1:26-56).
The curse of Jeconiah: Jeconiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian captivity by
Nebuchadnezzar.
Jeremiah 22:24
As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah (a nickname for Jeconiah) the son of
Jehoiakim (Jeconiah’s father) king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I
pluck thee thence;
Vs.25
And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose
face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of
the Chaldeans.
Vs.26
And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were
not born; and there shall ye die. . . .
Vs.30
Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days:
for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in
Judah.
This curse would seem to invalidate Jesus’ right to David’s throne. 1 Chronicles 17:11-14
promises that the Messiah would be the son of David and that he would reign forever in
Jerusalem. Jesus cannot be the Messiah if He is a descendant of Jeconiah; the curse says so.
Joseph, Jesus’ legal father, is listed in the genealogy of Jesus as being in the line of Jeconiah
back to David: Matthew 1:12. But Joseph is not Jesus’ actual physical father and therefore the
curse of Jeconiah is not carried on through to Jesus so He can rightfully be King in David’s
stead.
Mary’s genealogy is traced through her father back to David in Luke 3:31, but not through
Jeconiah.
By the means of the Holy Spirit siring and the virgin birth the curse of Jeconiah is avoided along
with the curse of man’s sin being inherited which would disqualify Him to be the Messiah.
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Jeconiah was the last descendant of David to sit on the throne in Jerusalem as king of any portion
of Israel until the Messiah will reign forever.
Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for
he shall save his people from their sins.
“thou shalt call;” Joseph was being commanded to name the child; this is very important. If the
father names the child it meant that he was claiming the child as a member of his family. Even if
Joseph had difficulty in doing this, his obedience to God demanded it. This gave Jesus legal
rights to the line of David.
Matthew 1:22
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying,
“Now all this was done;” All of what? Everything from Abraham up till this verse in Scripture
so that this virgin might bring forth a son and He shall be called God among us. All events down
through history have been orchestrated by God to culminate in this one event. And this so that
we might be saved!
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they
shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
“Behold . . . Emmanuel;” Matthew uses this quotation from Isaiah 7:14 to show the duality of
prophecy; type and anti-type. Here in Isaiah the type, Isaiah consoles King Ahaz of Judah
because a coalition of two kings, Rezin of Aram and Pekah of Israel were opposing Ahaz. For a
sign to Ahaz, a son would be born to a young woman, oft times referred to as a virgin; and before
that boy reached the age where he could tell right from wrong those two kings would no longer
be a threat. Many scholars have speculated if Isaiah’s son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz might be that
child of the type. The coalition of Rezin and Aram dissolved when Assyria raised its ugly head.
Mary and Jesus are the anti-type or the real fulfillment of this prophecy and who the type pointed
to back when Isaiah spoke it.
Emmanuel is His title and identity, Jesus (Yeshua – Yahweh Saves) is His name and His
mission.
Matthew 1:24
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had
bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
“took unto him his wife;” Since verse twenty-five tells us that “he knew her not till” after Jesus
was born, technically they were still betrothed.
Matthew 1:25
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he
called his name JESUS.
“knew her not;” Joseph did not know Mary sexually until after she gave birth to Jesus. This
means that Mary was only a virgin until Jesus’ birth. It also means that Jesus’ half brothers and
sisters were all younger than He. Joseph could not have had any kids by a previous marriage,
especially boys, because that would rob Jesus of His right to be the oldest and the right to the
throne.
The Birth Of Jesus
Luke 2:1
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar
Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
“decree from Caesar Augustus;” Judah is now ruled by the Romans; that great gentile world
ruling empire prophesied in Daniel 2. Both names of Caesar and Augustus were titles: Caesar
was the governor of the empire and Augustus was the exalted one (and is also where we get the
name or the month of August from). His real name was Caius Octavius, grand-nephew and
adopted son and primary heir to Julius Caesar (from where we get the month of July). He
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reigned from 31 BC after the assignation of Julius Caesar, to 14 AD. He reigned almost 46 years
the last 3 of which he co-reigned with his successor Tiberius.
From the MacArthur Study Bible:
“Before and after Julius’ death in 44 B.C., the Roman government was constantly torn by power
struggles. Octavius ascended undisrupted supremacy in 31 B.C. by defeating his last remaining
rival, Antony, in a military battle at Actium. In 29 B.C., the Roman senate declared Octavius
Rome’s first emperor. Two years later they honored him with the title “Augustus” (“exulted one”
– a term signifying religious veneration). Rome’s republican government was effectively
abolished, and Augustus was given supreme military power. He reigned until his death at age 76
(A.D.14).” {4}
Luke 2:2
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
“Cyrenius was governor of Syria;”From Smith's Bible Dictionary, I.R.C. and MacArthur
Study Bible :
Cyrenius (warrior), the Greek form of the Roman name of Quirinus. The full name is Publius
Sulpicius Quirinus. He was consul in B.C. 12, and was made governor of Syria after the
banishment of Archelaus in A.D. 6. He probably was twice governor of Syria; his first
governorship extended from B.C. 4 (the year of Christ's birth) to B.C. 1. It was during this
time that he was sent to make the enrollment which caused Joseph and Mary to visit
Bethlehem.(Luke 2:2) The second enrollment is mentioned in (Acts 5:37). {13}
Quirinius was made governor of Syria in 4 B.C., as confirmed archaeologically. {12}
A fragment of stone discovered at Tivoli (near Rome) in A.D. 1764 contains and inscription in
honor of a Roman official who, it states, was twice governor of Syria and Phoenicia during the
reign of August. The name of the official is not on the fragment, but among his
accomplishments are listed details that, as far as known, can fit no other than Quirinius. {4}
Luke 2:3
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
“every one into his own city;” The governor of Syria was familiar with Jewish costumes and
knew that during the fall Holy Days that just about everybody would be traveling anyway. So he
had the taxing decree scheduled to coincide with these Holy Days.
Luke 2:4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the
house and lineage of David:)
“city of Nazareth;” Nazareth is located in the Galilee region east of Mount Tabor about 75
miles from Bethlehem which is 5 ½ miles south-southwest of Jerusalem. For the most part this
was a mountainous journey right down the spine of Israel that would have taken four to five days
especially with a pregnant woman.
“which is called Bethlehem;” which is called Bethlehem: this is prophesied in Micah;
Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet
out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting.
This is the reason that everyone had to go to their ancestral home to be registered for taxation; all
prophecies must be fulfilled or God is a liar. So this is how God got the Messiah born in
Bethlehem; because Joseph’s lineage was of the house of David whose home was Bethlehem.
Luke 2:5
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
“with Mary his espoused wife;” The fact that Mary made the journey with Joseph suggests that
they were now living together as husband and wife.
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Matthew 1:24
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and
took unto him his wife:
“great with child;” what an understatement! The Fall Holy Days began with the Feast of
Trumpets on the first of Tisri or the 14 th of September that year. Now if you figure from
December 25th till September 14th, Mary must look like she is caring a bowling ball; and she is
probably miserable as all get-out.
All good Israelites are congregating around Jerusalem for the Fall Holy Days. This is why there
are no rooms for Joseph and Mary when they get there. Also, Joseph must not have any close
cousins there otherwise he could have stayed with them. No, God planned to have the Messiah
born in a stable – cave, and wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
September 29, 4 BC
First day of the Feast of Tabernacles
Luke 2:6
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that
she should be delivered.
“she should be delivered;” According to the Companion Bible APPENDIX 179, Jesus was born
on 15th Tisri, or the 29th September. This was the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles for that
year.
Luke 2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and
laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
“brought forth her firstborn son;” this means that she had other sons; and James was one of
them (see Galatians 1:19; see also Matthew 12:46). There was no room at the inn because this
was during the fall Holy Days near Jerusalem so every inn was booked-up. Joseph was not a
rich man as we shall see when he makes his offering in verse 24. Those with money got to stay
in the inns and hotels, the poor stayed in stables and caves.
“wrapped him in swaddling clothes;” these were strips of cloth used to bind the baby tightly.
It kept the baby’s arms and legs straight.
“a manger;” these were usually an X shaped trough for putting in hay or other feed for animals.
A layer of hay would have made a comfortable and warm bed for an infant.
“no room for them in the inn;” All that was left of Israel had come to near Jerusalem to
celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with the command:
Leviticus 23:33
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Vs.34
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh
month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.
Vs.35
On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work
therein.
Vs.36
Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the
eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering
made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile
work therein.
Deuteronomy 16:16
“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy
God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in
the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before
the LORD empty:”
Every spare room was taken and then some; every barn, stable, and garage, nook and park bench
was covered with someone sleeping on it. Families pitched tents on rooftops and anywhere they
could find a couple of square cubits of unoccupied space, up went a tent. And if you didn’t
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know somebody it was worse. Joseph and Mary were able to secure shelter for themselves and
their newborn. The scriptures do not tell us if it was a cave or a wood stable orjust what; but it
was shelter. The Messiah was to enter the world unassumingly without fanfare, and only a few
key people knew just who He was.
“there was no room for them in the inn;” it was like that for His ministry too. It is like that
now; very few people make room for Him. They have room and time for just about everything
else but Him. God is always put on the back burner until we think we need Him for something;
then we holler prayers of “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes-Benz” comes out like we
were at a football game.
Before getting into how John viewed Jesus after several decades when he wrote his gospel we
need to take a look at Jesus Himself. He was God in all the glory and splendor thereof for
eternity past. He had never known anything else; and now He is born of a peasant girl with a
carpenter as a stepfather. Back in those days a carpenter was about one step above a slave. Now
He is in a sin-prone body wrapped in swaddling clothes and of all things, lying in a manger
meant to feed animals in a stable. Yes, He has set aside all of that glory and splendor and has
come into this world just about as lowly as you can with no one having room for Him. Even His
stepfather when he first heard of Jesus’ existence he didn’t want Him.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Note: John wrote his gospel between AD 80 & 90 so he has had plenty of time to reflect on the
time he spent with Jesus and who Jesus was. After spending over three years being saturated
with Jesus He was able to write these wonderful verses.
“The Word (Greek logos) who was (continuous existence) God (1:1) became (Geek ginomai
point action); flesh(Geek sarx) (1:14).” {5} See the concentric circles of God on page 123.
Since Jesus as God was not created but was part of God; the Logos, one of Jesus’ attributes; now
takes on the limitations of space, time, and matter in human existence. But in the process never
ceased to be God, just God in human form.
“ dwelt among us;” dwelt; Strong’s Greek #4637 This is the only time that the King James
translates this Greek word to “dwelt:” -- to tent or encamp, i.e. (fig.) to occupy (as a mansion) or
(spec.) to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old, a symbol of protection and communion):—
dwell. {2} The Word (Logos) Tabernacled among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of
the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
“glory;” The Shechinah Glory of God was revealed through Christ to the Apostles at the
transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8), all the miracles that He did, and His resurrection.
“glory as of . . . Father;” Because they are one in nature: “I and the Father are one.” (John
10:30) Jesus displayed the same glory as the Father.
“only begotten;”Only begotten (3:16, 18) means He is the only one that has been sired by the
Holy Spirit of God; (see the concentric circles of God diagram on page 123 above.) All who trust
Christ are born of God. But Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. He is the only Son who is
fully God, sired directly by God. He is also full of grace and truth.
From Chuck Smith’s Commentary: As John begins his first epistle, he begins it much the same
way as he declares, "That which was from the beginning, which we have seen, which we
have heard, which we have seen with our eyes and gazed steadfastly upon, and our hands
have handled, of the Word of Life; (For that life was manifested, and we’ve seen it, and we
bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was
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manifested to us;)" (1 John 1:1-2). John is just reflecting on his relationship with Jesus. "That
which is from the beginning, which we have heard..."
And suddenly they realized, "When we heard Him talk, we were listening to the voice of
God. When we looked upon Him, we were looking upon God. When we touched Him, we
were touching God. That eternal life! We saw Him, we gazed, we touched." Oh, the wonder
of it all! And, John stands in awe and wonder of that experience that he had had. {13}
As the above commentary by Chuck Smith says, the apostles not only saw the face of God and
lived, but they touched the face of God and lived. They loved Him, they were with Him for three
and a half years of constant contact, living together; they saw His every move; they were like
family together. John realized that they were mere mortals living with God.
Shepherds Pay Homage To Jesus
Luke 2:8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night.
“the same country;” the hill country south and southwest of Jerusalem. Five and one half miles
of hill country can provide a lot of pasture land for sheep to graze on; especially when you
consider that these were a dedicated bunch of flocks for temple service.
“Shepherds;” Most scholars believe that these were Temple shepherds keeping temple sheep.
Remember that there had to be at least two spotless lambs sacrificed every day (one in the
morning and one in the evening) in addition to special sacrifices. And considering that they were
in the middle of the fall Holy Days, there were a lot of special sacrifices.
“keeping watch over their flock by night;” remember that these are spotless, one year old
lambs for sacrifice and worth their weight in gold. They were very tempting for thieves, wolves
and other wild animals.
Luke 2:9
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
“the angel of the Lord;” not identified therefore his name is not important.
“the glory of the Lordshone round about them;” But the Glory of the Lord is with him. This
is the first time in the Gospels that we see the Glory of the Lord. It won’t be the last!
“they were sore afraid;” Standing in the midst ofthe power and majesty of God – His Glory; we
can only imagine what this bright light looked like in the dead of night. It is more than enough to
make you quake in your sandals.
Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
“Fear not;” Every time man comes in contact with God or His angels the very first words are
“fear not.” Even Daniel who was used to contact with Gabriel “I stood trembling” (Daniel
10:11). And even after being told to “fear not” (verse 12), he was in the condition of “I set my
face to toward the ground, and I became dumb” (verse 15).
“good tidings of great joy;”A loose translation would be: Hey guys! Great news! For you and
the whole world! This is the greatest thing that could ever happen! Get happy!
Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ
the Lord.
“the city of David;” This is referring to David’s birth place which is Bethlehem and not the City
of David in 2 Samuel 5:7 which is Jerusalem.
“a Saviour;” Strong’s #4990 so-tare´; a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ:— saviour.
This is one of only two times in the Gospels that Jesus is referred to a “Savior” –the other is
where the men of Sychar confessed Him as “the Christ, the Saviour of the world” in John 4:42.
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What God was called in 1:47, Savior, Jesus is called here. This means that all of the saving work
of God is funneled through Jesus and His work here on the earth.
“which is Christ;” Strong’s #5547 khris-tos´;from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet
of Jesus. {2}
Strong’s #3323.mes-see´-as;of Hebrew orgin [4899]; the Messias (i.e. Mashiach), or Christ:—
Messias. {2}
Strong’s # H4899 maw-shee’-akh; from 4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person, spec. the
Messiah. {2}
Strong’s #5548.khree´-o; through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, anoint. {2}
The one who became Jesus was fully consecrated for the work that He had to do here on earth by
means of His being part of God for eternity backward; plenty of contact there.
“the Lord;” Strong’s # 2962 koo´-ree-os; supreme in authority, God, Lord, master, Sir. {2}
The word Lord is the title of a ruler; and Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father
administering the government of God and will do so forever.
Savior … Christ … Lord: These three titles together summarize Jesus’ complete ministry and
mission: to save, to anoint with the Holy Spirit, and to rule with God’s government.
Luke 2:12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
“this shall be a sign unto you;Ye shall find the babe” This is an invite and here is what you
are to look for!
Luke 2:13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying,
“a multitude of the heavenly host;” This is not just angels, but a large entourage of all manner
of heavenly beings praising and glorifying God. The scene probably filled the sky above these
shepherds.
Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
“Glory to God in the highest;” In all that they do the heavenly beings give glory to God. And
in this case they are making it known to man because it marks a special event in God’s plan for
redeeming man.
“earth peace, good will toward men;” Jesus did not come to judge men but to forgive men and
them bring them peace. God is always ready to fill your glass weather it is half empty or half
full or totally empty. But you have to come to Him and present your glass so He can fill it. If
you don’t go to Him, you are going to go thirsty and might even blame God for not filling your
glass so that it would never run out. That is how absurd people tend to think.
Luke 2:15
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see
this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luke 2:16
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying
in a manger.
Luke 2:17
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was
told them concerning this child.
Luke 2:18
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by
the shepherds.
“Wondered;” John’s birth was not announced by angels but like this; all who heard of Jesus’
arrival marveled and widely spread abroad the things that they had heard and seen.
Luke 2:19
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
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“Mary kept all these things;” Keeping a mental record of all that happened she was a chief
contributor to Luke.
Luke 2:20
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
“praising God;” For four thousand years men have awaited the Messiah and they just saw Him.
Can you imagine? I just saw the Messiah! They would be praising God for a long time.
October 7, 4 BC
Jesus Is Circumcised
Luke 2:21
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child,
his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was
conceived in the womb.
“eight days were accomplished for the circumcising;” Yahweh initiated this covenant with
Abraham back in Genesis 17:
Genesis 17:10
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee;
Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
Vs.11
And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant
betwixt me and you.
Vs.12
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your
generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of
thy seed.
Vs.13
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be
circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Circumcision is a sign of the covenant that you are one of God’s people; you belong to Him.
Through-out the Old Testament it is used as the sign between God’s people and the rest of the
world, i.e. the lost. However in the New Testament it is covering of the blood of Christ that
seperates the people of God from the lost: “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is
nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God” (1 Corinthians 7:19). If circumcision
were required for salvation, how could a woman be saved; through her husband? How
ludicrous!
Since this is the eighth day since His birth it is also the eighth and Last Great Day of the Feast
and a High Holy Sabbath.
“his name was called JESUS;” In keeping with tradition would have Joseph named Jesus
during this ceremony. If the father names the child it meant that he was claiming the child as a
member of his family. Even if Joseph had difficulty in doing this, his obedience to God
demanded it. This gave Jesus legal rights to the line of David.

November 8, 4 BC
Jesus Is Presented In The Temple
Luke 2:22
And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were
accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luke 2:23
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord;)
By now the feast days are over and they have moved out of the stable – cave, and found quarters
more suitable maybe even in Jerusalem.
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The presentation of the first born male child is totally separate from the circumcision ceremony
and could only take place after the mother’s purification was over:
Leviticus 12:2
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a
man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her
infirmity shall she be unclean.
Vs.3
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Vs.4
And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall
touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
Thirty-three and eight is forty one days.
Since Jesus is the firstborn male child it is a surefire guarantee that Joseph has never had any
other children by any other marriage. During the ceremony the father attests: “This is my first
born son, the first born of his mother.”
Luke 2:24
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the
Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
The wise men had not visited them yet because the offering of two birds was only for the poor
and not for someone that had just been given gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (See
Leviticus 12:8)
Leviticus 12:8
And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young
pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make
an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
Luke 2:25
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and
the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the
Holy Ghost was upon him.
“Simeon;” this Simeon is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture.
Strong’s # 4826,soom-eh-one´; from the same as 4613; Symeon (i.e. Shimon), the name of five
Isr.:— Simeon, Simon.
#4613. see´-mone;of Heb. or. [8095]; Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Isr.:— Simon.
comp. 4826.
#8095.hearing;one of Jacob’s sons, also the tribe desc. from him:— Simeon.
“the consolation of Israel;” This is a Messianic title derived from verses like the following:
Isaiah 25:9
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will
save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Isaiah 40:1
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Vs.2
Speak ye comfortably (heart) to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is
accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double
for all her sins.
Luke 2:26
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see
death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
“Revealed . . . by the Holy Ghost;” This is divine revelation and without it your chances of
making it are two; slim and none! God is the source of all good knowledge and He reveals it to
whomsoever He will. It just so happens that He wills that none should perish but that all receive
everlasting life (See 2 Peter 3:9). But you have to come to Him for it (James 1:5).
This is one case in point: with all the prophecies about the birth of the Messiah, where it was
going to be (Micah 5:2), and when, (Daniel (9:25-26), and many other details given elsewhere in
the Scriptures; you would think that there would be more than just a handful of people that
would have come down to pay homage to the Messiah. After all, these were very religious bible
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reading, church going folks. Simeon didn’t have to go to Bethlehem to see the Messiah because
the Messiah came to him in the Temple; the Holy Spirit told him so.
Luke 2:27
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in
the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
“into the temple;” Because of Mary’s presence this was probably the court of women at the
temple.
Luke 2:28
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luke 2:29
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
“blessed God;” Simeon’s attitude is of praise and thanksgiving (see Psalm 100:4)
“according to thy word;” Recalling verse 26 tends to make the reader believe that Simeon is up
in years; even though his age is never given. He is a type of all devout people that await the
return of the Messiah and His Government whenever that might be.
Luke 2:30
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
“mine eyes have seen;” Simeon was truly blessed by God to see the salvation of God in the
form of the infant Jesus. Indeed, all that heard, saw, and were touched by Jesus during His
earthly ministry were very blessed because they saw the face of God and lived. But blessed even
greater are those that believe in faith and have never seen but have only heard in their heart by
the Word of God; for they believe based upon the measure of faith given to them (see Romans
12:3 & John 20:29).
Luke 2:31
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
“thou hast prepared before;” When God starting creating the universe He put a cherub named
Lucifer in charge of the administration of God’s Government for the entire universe with its
headquarters here at planet earth. (See Isaiah 14:12-23 & Ezekiel 28:11-19). Then pride got the
best of him and iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15); he tried to take over the entire
Government of God (Isaiah 14:13-14). God took his position away from him in the Government
and fixed up the damage that he did to the universe (Genesis 1:1-25). Then in verses 26 & 27
God created man and put him in charge of that portion of His Government (verses 28-31).
God has always had one, and only one plan; putting man in charge if His Government is phase
two of that plan. When man sinned in the chapter 3 God gave the promise of the Messiah. This
is the next phase of that plan; the waiting for the Savior, the Messiah.
Revelation 13:8 “. . . book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Jesus
dying on the cross has always been the main part of God’s plan to create a race of beings that
want to be like Him and worship Him at the same time.
“all people;” Simeon recognized that although salvation was coming through a member of one
of the Tribes of Israel it was for all people.
Luke 2:32
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
“light to lighten the Gentiles;” Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1) and “Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) Jesus becomes the light for our souls
and the guide for our path.
Luke 2:33
And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of
him.
“Joseph and his mother marveled;” even though the angel had visited them both and told them
about their child’s future now it is being reinforced from a Holy Man in the Temple; it’s enough
to make any parent wonder in amazement.
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Luke 2:34
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this
child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which
shall be spoken against;
“the fall and rising again of many in Israel;” for those who reject Him, He is a stumbling
stone:
Isaiah 8:13
Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
Vs. 14
And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to
both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
1 Peter 2:7
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the
stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
Vs. 8
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word,
being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
There is another idea about falling and rising again that must be explored here: Many rejected
Jesus at first and then came back and followed Him for life. One must fall before he can rise
again. Peter fell very hard when he denied Jesus but he got back up again (see John 21:15-19).
“spoken against;” Simeon isn’t just talking about the verbal insults hurled against Jesus, but this
expression encompasses Israel’s rejection and crucifixion of the Messiah.
Luke 2:35
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of
many hearts may be revealed.
“a sword shall pierce through thy own soul;” this is a reference to the grief that Mary would
undergo watching her eldest son go through severe rejection and an agonizing death (John
19:25). Not even Mary realized what the Messiah had to go though to save us from our sins; the
plan of God. Not until she lived through it; and even then she probably didn’t fully comprehend
it.
“that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed;” this isn’t just referring to Jesus’ time
and the state of the Jews; but it is an ongoing active thing today. Where one stands on whether
Jesus’ death and resurrection wipes away all of our sins is revealed before God. It’s a simple
question; does it? Or doesn’t it? And the wheels are already set in motion; yes gets you into the
Kingdom of God. No gets you eternal nothingness. The decision is yours not God’s. It is His
will that all should be saved and that none should die (2 Peter 3:9). But again It is up to you to
decide whether to except Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins. This is the revelation of your heart.
Luke 2:36
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe
of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from
her virginity;
Luke 2:37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed
not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
“Anna, a prophetess;” Anna’s work as a prophetess in the temple court suggests that she
addressed all who would listen to her, as did Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judg. 4:4), and
Huldah (2 Kin. 22:14). {5}
“she was of a great age;” She was married for seven years and now widowed for eighty-four
years (a score is twenty years). That’s ninety-one; and she was probably about fifteen when she
got married; so she is about 106 or so depending upon her age when she got married. Yea, that’s
a great age!
“departed not from the temple;” She probably lived on the temple grounds. Anna was allowed
to live there because she was a prophetess.
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Luke 2:38
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and
spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
“to all them that looked;” this was a crowd that hung around in the outer court.
“for redemption in Jerusalem;” this is another way of saying the Consolation of Israel.
Luke 2:39
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord,
they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
“they returned into Galilee . . . to Nazareth;” it’s time to go back home and get back to work.
They left Nazareth to go to Bethlehem for the tax registration and the Feast of Tabernacles. It
just happened that Jesus was born there and so they had to stay to present Him in the temple and
Mary could not appear in public for forty-two days. After that there is no reason to stay in the
Jerusalem area; Nazareth is home. According to Deuteronomy 14:22-27, the provisions for the
celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles including travel expenses are taken out of this second
tithe. Knowing that Mary would most likely deliver during the Feast, Joseph would have made
provisions for extra expenses.
Luke does not record the visit of the Magi or the flight to Egypt; but Matthew does.
Late November or early December of 4 BCE.
Eastern Magi Pay Homage To Israel’s True King
Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod
the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
“in the days of Herod the king;” Herod the Great: It is generally accepted that Herod was born
around 73 BCE in Idumea, south of Judea. He was the second son of Antipater the Idumaean, a
high-ranking official under ethnarchHyrcanus II, and Cypros, a Nabatean. Herod's father was by
descent an Edomite, descendants of Esau, whose ancestors had converted to Judaism. Herod was
raised as a Jew. {8} Remember that Esau was the brother of Jacob whose name God had
changed to Israel.)
Toward the end of the campaign against Antigonus, Herod married the granddaughter of
Hyrcanus II, Mariamne (known as Mariamne I), who was also a niece of Antigonus. Herod did
this in an attempt to secure his claim to the throne and gain some Jewish favor. However, Herod
already had a wife, Doris, and a young son, Antipater, and chose therefore to banish Doris and
her child. {8}
After three years of conflict, Herod and the Romans finally captured Jerusalem and Herod sent
Antigonus for execution to Marc Antony. Herod took the role as sole ruler of Judea and the title
of basileus ("king") for himself, ushering in the Herodian Dynasty and ending the Hasmonean
Dynasty. {8}
Herod the king is Herod the Great, Herod was unexpectedly appointed King of the Jews by
the Roman Senatein 39BCE until his death January 28, 3 BCE. A lavish builder, Herod had a
reign marked by cruelty and bloodshed.
Herod died in Jericho.
This puts a time line on the visit of the magi as probably in 4 BCE.
“wise men;” These more than just wise men; the identification of the Magi as kings is linked to
Old Testament prophecies that describe the Messiah being worshipped by kings in Isaiah 60:3,
and Psalm 72:10-11.
Isaiah 60:3
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy
rising.
Psalm 72:10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of
Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
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Vs. 11
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
“Tarshish, Sheba and Seba;” Tarshish is a port on the south coast of Spain on the western side
of Gibraltar and was most likely settled by descendants of Japheth. Sheba was a descendant of
Shem and is most likely modern day Yemen (see Genesis 10:21-28). Seba represents Africa and
the descendants of Ham. The idea here is that the sons of Noah spread out all over the earth and
here is represented the ends of the known civilized earth at that time.
Psalm 72 is a type of Revelation 21:24, 26:
Revelation 21:24 - And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the
kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
Revelation 21:26 - And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
As the name suggests, wise men, they were also astrologers and magicians that were from the
East (most likely Babylon and beyond) which might explain why they were interested in a
Jewish King. They probably had some knowledge of the Israelite Scriptures passed down to
them from the Babylonian captivity of 500 years ago. They would have been very familiar with
Daniel who was considered the wisest in all of Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel had a
lot to say about the timing the arrival of Israel’s King (Daniel 9:24-26).
“from the east;” The New Testament does not give the names of the Magi. However, traditions
and legends identify a variety of different names for them. In the Western Christian church, they
have been all regarded as saints and are commonly known as:
 Melchior (/ˈmɛlkiˌɔːr/; {21} also Melichior {22}), a Persian scholar;
 Caspar (/ˈkæspər/ or /ˈkæspɑːr/; {21} also Gaspar, Jaspar, Jaspas, Gathaspa, {22} and
other variations), an Indian scholar;
 Balthazar (/ˈbælθəˌzɑːr/ or /bælˈθæzər/;{21} also Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea
{22}), a Babylonian scholar.
There is an Armenian tradition identifying the "Magi of Bethlehem" as Balthasar of Arabia,
Melchior of Persia, and Gaspar of India. {23} Evangelical Bible teacher Chuck Missler has also
written about this tradition. {24} Historian John of Hildesheim relates a tradition in the ancient
silk road city of Taxila (near Islamabad in Pakistan) that one of the Magi passed through the city
on the way to Bethlehem. {25}
The phrase “from the east,” more literally “from the rising of the sun,” is the only information
that Matthew gives us with regards to the area of origin of these men. However, from the
descriptions above it is possible that the farthest East Magi saw the star first and started on his
way right after December 25, 5 BCE. Then, after many months of travel with the star moving
with him and guiding him much like the Israelites were guided through the wilderness by the
pillar of the cloud by day; he met up with the Persian Magi and after more travel met with the
Babylonian Magi and all three came together to Jerusalem. And of course they would have had
their entire entourage with them for such a journey.
Matthew 2:2
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his
star in the east, and are come to worship him.
“born King of the Jews;” This would have shook Herod more than anything else and conjured
up his fury.
“we have seen his star in the east;”Jesus’ star started rising in the east probably about the time
Mary became pregnant.
Many have tried to come up with explanations as to what this moving star was. It was the
guiding Shechinah Glory of God lighting the path to Christ for those who God had called and
were willing see it.
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It is amazing that when the Magi got to Jerusalem none of the inhabitants of that city saw it.
There is one other thing about this star that we should know, it was prophesied. This is Balaam
speaking in Numbers 24:17; “I shall see Him, but not now: I shall behold Him, but not nigh:
there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the
corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.” Notice that the word “Him” is
capitalized both times.
Matthew 2:3
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him.
“all Jerusalem with him;” mainly the ruling class, the Sanhedrin and the church leaders
including the priests. If this is the Messiah time then they are out of a job.
Matthew 2:4
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
“all the chief priests and scribes;” these are some of the guys that would be out of work.
They would later become Jesus’ enemies; but for now, affirm that He is the Messiah.
“scribes;” their office was to make copies of the Scriptures; to classify and teach the precepts
of the oral law, and to keep careful count of every letter in the Old Testament writings. This
was an Old Testament function (2 Sam. 8:17; 20:25; 1 Kin. 4:3; Jer. 8:8; 36:10, 12, 26 and
more). To this legitimate work the scribes added a record of decisions on questions of rituals,
which created the sacred legends which formed the Talmud; commentaries on the O.T.;
reasonings on these; and the list went on and on. By the time Jesus arrived on the scene to
receive this mass of writings was to be orthodox. To return to the Scriptures alone was heresy,
our Lord’s most grievous offence.
Matthew 2:5
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by
the prophet,
Matthew 2:6
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the
princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people
Israel.
“thou Bethlehem;” this quote from Micah 5:2 indicates that they knew where the Messiah
would be born. But none of these so-called church leaders had the faith to accompany the Magi
to the place where the Messiah was. Who knows? They might have got saved.
Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out
of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting (the days of eternity).
Matthew 2:7
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them
diligently what time the star appeared.
“Herod, had privily called the wise men;” crafty ole Herod didn’t want anybody knowing his
business because he was up to something sneaky; he didn’t want no witnesses. He probably
planned to kill the these Magi too.
“enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared;” When the Magi first saw Jesus’
star rising from the east they didn’t just throw some clothes in a suitcase and jump on their
camels and takeoff for wherever the star lead them. They consulted the known scriptures and
charts. And since they were from different localities and probably saw the star at different times,
they did this separately and arrived at the same conclusion: a new King of the Jews was about
to be born.
Picture Caspar the magi from India seeing the star around December 25, 5 BCE and after a
couple of days study, leaving home and traveling through what is now the Islamabad area into
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what is now Afghanistan. You’re a king so you must stop and pay your respects to every
dignitary along the way. You make your way into Eastern Iran where you pick up a fellow king
and magi Melchior sometime in June, 4 BCE. He has also seen the same star that has been
guiding you. You continue west until the two of you with your entourages finally reach the
Euphrates River in August of 4 BCE and find Balthazar who, like you wants to pay homage to
the new King of the Jews. The three of you are now complete to make the final leg of your
journey to Jerusalem in late October of 4 BCE with the light of God guiding you. Of course you
all stop is to pay respects to King Herod the reigning monarch in Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:8
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the
young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come
and worship him also.
“he sent them to Bethlehem;” because that’s where the prophecy of Micah 5:2 said the child
would be born. And He was born there but He isn’t there anymore.
“that I may come and worship him also;” You want to go and worship your replacement?
That doesn’t even make any sense; but consider the fact of your reputation it sounds like a deceit.
Let’s hope these men are really “wise.”
Matthew 2:9
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they
saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young
child was.
“they had heard the king, they departed;” Why don’t you go with them Herod? After all, this
IS the Messiah; and you’re supposed to be the leader of the Jews.
“the star, which they saw in the east;” apparently the star disappeared while they were visiting
Herod and then reappeared after leaving his palace to guide them out of Jerusalem north to
Nazareth where Jesus, Mary and Joseph were. (See Luke 2:39 above)
Ironic thing though, is there is not one single record of any religious figure going with them, or
following them to see where they were going; or even to see if the story of the Messiah were
true. These Magi have traveled thousands of miles and are determined to see the new King of
the Jews and everybody knows it ain’t in Herod’s line. If in the face of all the circumstances that
were presented to the Chief Priests and Scribes with the prophecies and knowing that the timing
was about right and having been raised from childhood with the Scriptures, wouldn’t you want to
at least tag along to see if it were true? Has the Messiah really appeared? We’ve waited since
Adam for our redemption and now there is a chance that, that He has come. Don’t you want to
see?
Nope! Apparently not this bunch. Hypocrisy reigns!
Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
“they saw the star, they rejoiced;” If you are seeking God you will automatically rejoice when
you find His guiding light. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my
path.” If that doesn’t make you feel just a little warm inside you don’t know Him or His Word!
Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with
Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened
their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
“into the house;” remember they are back home in Nazareth.
“the young child with Mary his mother;” notice that Jesus is given preeminence over His
mother; and Joseph is not mentioned at all. This is a common practice throughout Matthew.
“gold, and frankincense, and myrrh;” These were proper gifts for a King (see Isaiah 60:6) and
being worshipped by Gentiles was prophetic also (See Psalm 72:10). {4} The gifts were also
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symbolic: Gold symbolized royalty; frankincense was a fragrance; myrrh was the ointment of
death. {5}
Matthew 2:12
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to
Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
“warned of God in a dream;” Matthew records five dreams of divine guidance emphasize
God’s orchestration of these perilous events (1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22). There is an interesting
point here that must not be overlooked: before the Magi worshipped Jesus and presented gifts to
Him, they had to go to others in Jerusalem and ask where is He. Now after they have
worshipped Him, God speaks to them directly.
“they departed into their own country another way;” this would have been extremely easy
since they were at least 70 miles north of Jerusalem; just turn your camels north-east around lake
Galilee, then boogie east.
“Herod,” this is what you get when you try to have others do your spying for
you. You didn’t even have these guys on the payroll you just asked them for a
favor. But they were “wise” with the wisdom of God.
The Flight Into Egypt And Return To Nazareth
Matthew 2:13
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to
Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and
flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the
young child to destroy him.
Matthew 2:14
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and
departed into Egypt:
“departed into Egypt;” they left out at night so nobody knew that they were gone. They
probably took the road toward the Mediterranean coast to avoid the Jerusalem area.
Matthew 2:15
And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my
son.
“the death of Herod;” January 28, 3 BCE
“by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son;” this is from Hosea 11:1. “When
Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” Prophecies often have a
latent and deeper meaning than what appears at first. Example: nationally, Israel was God’s son
(see Exodus 4:22). Jesus is the true Son of God, and, as Israel’s Messiah, He is the true Israel
(John 15:1); He therefore gives a richer meaning to this prophecy of Hosea because of this visit
to Egypt. {5}
Did God orchestrate all of this? Yes He did! Why? He did it to fulfill many prophecies and to
prove to all of us that Jesus is the Messiah. Remember Jesus is still a child, yet He is fulfilling
prophecies!
Herod Family Tree
Antipas (d. 78 BC) (Idumaean Governor m. Cypros, Arabian)

Antipater (Antipas’ son) [his brother was Aristobulus, c. 69 BC with whom he

warred; Antipas aligned with Pompey, Aristobulus with Caesar (Rome) and won]. He
received the procuratorship of Judea in 47 BC. Assassinated 43 BC. Had four sons:
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Phasael Herod the Great Joseph Pheroras

(Herod the Great became the well known hated ruler mentioned in Scripture)Herod the
Great(Received the crown of Judea in 37 BC from Rome) (killed hisown sons Alexander and
Aristobulus 7 BC). Herodian party developed by his influenceamong the Jews: see Mk. 3:6,
12:13. He had other sons and a sister who survived:

Aristobulus Herod Philip Herod Philip Antipater Archelaus

(son of (son of Antipas (son of) (son of (son of
Mariamne I) Mariamne II) (son of) Cleopatra) Doris) Malthace)
Father of married Malthace) of Jerusalem) murdered by
Herodias Herodias divorced married Father 5 days
(married to fathered Phasaelis Salome before
Bernice) Salome married father’s
murdered By Herodias death
Father

Tetrach of Galilee Trachonitis, Ituraea, Jamnia, Ashdod Samaria, Judea, &

(4 B.C.-A.D.39) Gaulonitis, & Paneas and Phasaelus Peraea Idumaea (4
B.C.-A.D.6)

This is what is known as a Tetrarch; rule of a province by four. Archelaus, Malthace’s son, was
given ½ of the kingdom, that is Judea, Samaria, and Idumaea with the title of ethnarch (a ruler of an
ethnic group). {8} He was deposed by Augustus. A.D. 6. He is mentioned in Matthew 2:22. {77}
Notice that Herodias is the daughter of Aristobulus; then she marries her uncle Herod Philip and
has a daughter by him, Salome. Then she divorces Herod Philip and marries her other uncle
Herod Antipas; remember, he’s the guy that murder’s John the Baptist. Then her daughter
Salome marries her uncle Philip the Tetrarch. This family is loaded with murder and incest. (See
Leviticus 18:16; 20:21)
Acts 12:21-23: Acts of the Apostles is describes Herod Agrippa I as being struck down by an
angel and eaten of worms.
Acts 12:21
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne,
and made an oration unto them.
Vs. 22
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a
man.
Vs. 23
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God
the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Fournier gangrene is a type of necrotizing fasciitis or gangrene affecting the external genitalia
and/or perineum. It commonly occurs in older men, but it can also occur in women and children.
The most historically prominent sufferers from this condition may have been Herod the Great,
his grandson Herod Agrippa, and possibly the Roman emperor Galerius. {8}
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Matthew 2:16
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem,
and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time
which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
“he was mocked of the wise men;” Herod thought that the magi only had to travel five and a
half miles to Bethlehem to find the new King of the Jews. When they didn’t return within a
couple of days he knew that something was wrong.
“slew all the children;” Herod’s act is all the more heinous in light of the quote from Micah
above which speaks of the Messiah. Herod knew this, at least superficially because he had been
raised as a Jew; and yet proceeded to try to stamp out the Messiah because he saw Him as a
threat to his dynasty. Note that the King James makes no regard to gender but simply says “slew
all the children.” Many translations say that only the males were murdered. ARTB says “He
dispatched and killed all the young-boys of Bethlehem, and all sons from two years and under of
his territory,” (Matthew 2:16) But Herod was only interested in those who could be a king and
rule in his stead; specifically, males.
“all the coasts thereof;” the surrounding area, the suburbs if you will.
“according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men;” He had no idea as
to when the child had been born. For all he knew the light appeared announcing this new King’s
arrival when the child was a year old. It didn’t matter to this cruel dictator; it will be covered if
we just kill all the newborns down there.
Some sources place the event on 29 December, 4 B.C.E. Taking the narrative literally and
judging from the estimated population of Bethlehem, the Catholic Encyclopedia (1907–12) that
probably only between six and twenty children were killed in the town, with a dozen or so more
in the surrounding areas. {8}
A month later Herod was dead, January 28, 3 BCE. But the damage was done no matter what
the count.
Josephus wrote that Herod's final illness—sometimes named "Herod's Evil" {27}—was
excruciating. {28} Based on Josephus' descriptions, one medical expert has diagnosed Herod's
cause of death as chronic kidney disease complicated by Fournier's gangrene. {29} Similar
symptoms accompanied the death of his grandson Agrippa I in 44 CE. {8}
Matthew 2:17
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
18
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great
mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because
they are not.
“Jeremy the prophet;” this is Jeremiah 31:15 and was original to the Babylonian captivity
which was a type of this event. Genesis says that Rachel was buried in Ephrath, near Bethlehem
just south of Jerusalem (Gen. 35:19; 48:7). But Ramah is up north in the tribe of Benjamin
where there was a memorial to her along the border near Zelzah (see Genesis 35:16-20).
Matthew 2:19
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a
dream to Joseph in Egypt,
Matthew 2:20
Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the
land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.
“they are dead which sought the young child’s life;” It almost makes you want to break out in
song and celebration: “Ding-dong that son-of-a-so-n-so is dead!” Unfortunately the scripture
does not record Mary and Joseph’s reaction to this good news.
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Note: in verse 13 above it is only Herod that seeks Jesus’ life. Now here in verse 20 it is
“theywhich sought the young child’s life.” There were other members of the royal court that
apparently got caught up in this murderous plot.
Leviticus 18:16; 20:21)
Matthew 2:21
And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into
the land of Israel.
“came into the land of Israel;” Nazareth was in the Lower Galilee region in what was once
Zebulon’s territory in the northern Kingdom of Israel.
Matthew 2:22
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his
father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God
in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
“Archelaus did reign in Judaea;” Archelaus ruled so badly that when both the Jews and the
Samarians appealed to Rome, Augustus banished him to Gaul in 10 A.D. after a bloody revolt
led by Judas the Galilean. He died in 18 A.D. {8}
“he turned aside into the parts of Galilee;” Matthew does not tell us how long they sojourned
in Egypt but it would be safe to assume from sometime in mid to late December, 4 BCE to
around mid February 3, BCE. When they got back they would have had plenty of time to get
settled in before the spring Holy Days of Passover an Unleavened Bread sometime in late March
or April. Just keep in mind that when Joseph scooped up Jesus and Mary and left he had no idea
how long they were going to be gone; it could have been years. He was prepared to do whatever
was necessary, even if it meant living out his life as an Egyptian. The lesson of faith here is
when God tells you to do something, you just do it without question. Joseph’s response was,
“Okay God. Right now!”
Matthew 2:23
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
“He shall be called a Nazarene;” We encountered Nazareth before up in Luke because Mary
lived there and probably so did Joseph. They went back to Nazareth after presenting Jesus in the
Temple. This was a small obscure village that’s not even mentioned in the Old Testament. It
had a Roman garrison for the Eastern Galilee area. It’s a place that is looked down upon by both
Israelites and Samaritans. In fact in John 1:43 the disciple Philip while trying to recruit
Nathanael mentioned that Jesus was from Nazareth and Nathanael retorted “Can anything good
come out of Nazareth?" All the inhabitants of Galilee were looked upon with contempt by the
people of Judea because they spoke a ruder dialect, were less cultivated and were more exposed
by their position to contact with the heathen. (Smith's Bible Dictionary)" {31} And now that they
are settling there for good the Scriptures say that the prophets called Him a Nazarene.
But there is more than meets the eye about this word Nazarene.
The Ancient Roots Translinear Bible says that “He will-be called the scion (Nazarene)d”
Footnote d reads: d Isaiah 11:1 SCION is a term used in grafting plants. It also means HEIR of a
powerful family. {7}
Jesus is both if you think about it.
Isaiah 11:1 reads: “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall
grow out of his roots:”
“rod;” according to Strong’s Concordance there four words in English that are translated from
the one Hebrew word #7626 shay’-bet. These words are: sceptre, tribe, rod, and correction.
Not every use of these wordsin the Old Testament is translated from #7626; as a matter of fact
most of the appearances of these words is from other Hebrew words.
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Sceptre,Tribe, Rod, Correction 7626. shay’-bet; from an unused root prob. mean. to branch
off; a scion, i.e. (lit.) a stick or (fig.) a clan:— × correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. {2}
“Branch;” in Isaiah 11:1 above does not come from #7626 as Strong’s definition might suggest,
but from #5342 nay’-tser; from 5341 in the sense of greenness as a striking color; a shoot; fig. a
descendant:— branch.
“Scion;” according to M e r r i a m W e b s t e r ’ s D i c t i o n a r y : 1 : a detached living
portion of a plant (such as a bud or shoot) joined to a stock in grafting and usually
supplying solely aerial parts to a graft
2 a: Descendant, Child; especially: a descendant of a wealthy, aristocratic, or influential
family
b: Heir: 1 scion of a railroad empire {30}
Isaiah 11:1 shows that Jesus is the scion joined into the stock of Jesse. All that you have to do is
read either of the two genealogies in Matthew 1 or Luke 3 and you can trace the lineage of Jesus
back to Jesse the father of David. Jesus, as God made into man, was grafted into the lineage of
Jesse and the kingly line of David; scion number one.
Luke 3:22 “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice
came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
Matthew 17:5 “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a
voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye
him.”
These are two of the three times that we hear the Father’s voice; but they are our two witnesses
that confirm that Jesus is the son and heir-apparent of the only real kingdom of the universe;
scion number two.
Deuteronomy 19:15 “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin,
in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses,
shall the matter be established.”
Here are the two witnesses, both being the Father of Jesus at separate times; and in two separate
ways showing Jesus as the scion from that small town in the Galilee region.
Luke 2:40
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the
grace of God was upon him.
“the child grew;” Matthew and Luke are the only Gospel writers that tell us anything about
Jesus’ life as an infant. Jesus was growing up as a human being into manhood all-the-while
retaining His knowledge of who He was as a God-man and what man is supposed to be. The
following incident at age twelve proves that point.
Spring, AD 8
Jesus Visits The Temple At Age Twelve
Luke 2:41
Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover.
“every year at the feast of the Passover;” this ain’t their first rodeo (see Deuteronomy 16:16).
Joseph went every year as per the command here in Deuteronomy and being poor they probably
couldn’t afford a babysitter; so they took Jesus along with them.
Luke 2:42
And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the
custom of the feast.
“he was twelve years old;” these are the years of intensive instruction for Him in preparation of
reaching the age of responsibility at thirteen, when a boy was accepted into the religious
community as a man who is responsible to keep the law. Notice here that there are no siblings
mentioned; Joseph had no children of his own, only one step-son to raise at this time.
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Luke 2:43
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus
tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
Luke 2:44
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s
journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
“Joseph and his mother;” notice that Joseph, Mary’s first husband is still alive at this time and
there is no mention of any other children; it’s just Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
“a day’s journey;” it was about a three day journey back to Nazareth.
“supposing him;” before their coming out all the children hung out with the mothers who took
care of them (see proverbs 31). But after age twelve the males were permitted to hang out with
the men and start to emulate as men. Jesus is their firstborn and they are not sure how He is
going to handle it. And after the Feast, on the way home there is still a lot of celebrating going
on. Joseph assumed that Jesus was with Mary and vice-versa.
Luke 2:45
And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem,
seeking him.
Luke 2:46
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
“after three days;” that’s a day out and a day back plus three days searching for a total of five
days missing the son that she was entrusted with and was told was the Messiah; do you think that
Mary is frantic?
“both hearing them, and asking them questions;” These were two-way discussions with the
leading Rabbis of His time engaged in theological discussion.
Luke 2:47
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
“all that heard him were astonished;” Where’d this kid get all this wisdom? He was born with
it; He is God made into man. He has all the knowledge of the universe and how all the spiritual
laws work. As quoted above: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye
him.”(Matthew 17:5)
Luke 2:48
And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him,
Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee
sorrowing.
“his mother said unto him, Son;” notice that it is still mom that the disciplinarian and not
Joseph.
“thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing;” the ARTB calls it “abounding anxiety.” You
would want to throw a little anger in there too. There has been many-a-boy that has been taken
out to the woodshed for a stunt like this. But verse 51 says it all!
Luke 2:49
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must
be about my Father’s business?
“wist;” know.
“my Father’s business;” Jesus is talking about the Temple and the business of the Temple. It is
the first time that Jesus acknowledges a self awareness.
These are the first words that we hear Jesus speak in all the four Gospels.
Luke 2:50
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
“understood not;” as far as they were concerned Joseph was His father and carpentry was his
business.
Luke 2:51
And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto
them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
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“his mother kept all these sayings in her heart;” a mental and spiritual diary kept she. Mary
was one of Luke’s contributors aiding him in writing his Gospel.
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and
man.
“Jesus increased;” This is the last that we hear of Him for eighteen years until He is a full
grown man of thirty.
Jesus’ family tree
Anne / Joachim - Heli

Joseph / Mary/Holy Spirit Salome / Zebedee Mary / Alphaeus

(Cleophas)
Jesus
James, Joses Simon, Jude, James & John James the less & Joses
Mary? & Salome?

Fall AD. 26
The Baptism Of Jesus
Note: since the sentence structure from here on will have two or more authors they will be left in
paragraph form with multiple sentences and verses together.
Luke 3:1
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate
being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother
Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the
tetrarch of Abilene,
Tiberius Caesar began to rule after his stepfather Augustus died August 19, A.D. 14. {3} Judea
was a senatorial province, ruled by a governor or procurator. Pontius Pilate held this position and
was responsible for administering the region and collecting taxes for Rome. Herod is Herod
Antipas, who ruled Galilee and Perea from 4 BC to A.D 39. Herod’s brother Archelaus had
control of Judea and Samaria until A.D 6, when he was banished. Herod’s other brother Philip
ruled the northern area east of the Jordan River (this is called Trachonitis).
Lysanias was the ruler of a tetrarchy, centered on the town of Abila. This has been referred to by
various names including Abilene, Chalcis and Iturea, from about 40-36 BC. His rule over-
lapped Phillip’s in Iturea. The father of Lysanias was Ptolemy son of Mennaeus who ruled the
tetrarchy before him. {8}
Luke 3:2
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John
the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
“Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests;” As we shall see in John 18:13-14, Annas was
Joseph ben Caiaphas’ father-in-law and it was Caiaphas who counseled the Sanhedrin “that it
was expedient that one man should die for the people.” He was appointed High Priest in AD 18
by Roman procurator Valerius Gratus who preceded Pontus Pilate. {46}
The Sanhedrin was the part of the government that acted like the Supreme Court. The following
is from Wikipedia:
The Talmud tractate Sanhedrin (IV:2) states that the Sanhedrin was to be recruited
from the following sources: former High Priests, representatives of the 24 priestly
castes, scribes, doctors of the law, and representatives of the most prominent
families (those whose daughters were allowed to marry priests). {8}
All of the above people were in power for the crucifixion of Jesus.
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“John the son of Zacharias;” It is not known whether or not John and Jesus knew each other;
but when you look at the circumstances of them being cousins only six months apart in age, and
the fact that their families went to Jerusalem three times a year for the Holy Days, you would
think that Mary would want to look up Elisabeth while they were in the same town; they had
sixty opportunities.
“the wilderness;” the desert would be a better rendering.
Matthew 3:1
In those days came John the Baptist, Luke 3:3 into all the country about
Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; Matthew 3:2
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
“preaching the baptism of repentance;”the source of John’s baptism likely in the Essene ritual
of immersion for the cleansing of the body.
Luke 3:4
As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The
voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his
paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be
brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be
made smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
There are those that believe that the beginning of John’s ministry is the actual beginning of the
New Testament period and that everything in the Gospels up to now has just been preamble. In
actuality, the New Covenant or Testament does not begin until in the upper room when Jesus
declares that this is the cup of His blood in the New Covenant. John’s baptism was to prepare
people for the New Covenant. He announced that the Kingdom of God was at hand, that the new
is about to happen. They weren’t ready, both Jew and Gentile alike; both were sinners and
hadn’t repented of their sins. As he said “prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight His
path.” Of course this was a slap in the face to the Pharisees who thought that they were perfect.
When you have a ministry like John’s there will always be some that will be offended.
Everything that Jesus did up until the last supper was to prepare people for the New Covenant.
After announcing the start of the New Covenant when He passed the cup around, then Jesus went
right into His High Priestly Prayer: the inauguration of the New Covenant.
Then He goes out and dies for our sins thus sealing the New Covenant in His blood like only
God could Do! YEA GOD!
“written in the book of the words of Esaias;” this is Isaiah 40:3-5: (Note: the 1612 English
pronunciation of the word “Isaiah” is a bit different than today’s.)
Isaiah 40:3
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the
LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be
exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be
made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be
revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken
it. 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
(Note: of the three writers, Matthew, Mark and Luke that Quote Isaiah 40, Luke’s
is the most complete and accurate).
John fulfilled this prophecy to the “t”. His announcement is that the time is ready for the arrival
of the Messiah. This preparation is a spiritual thing, the readiness of the heart.
“all flesh;” this shows that the Gospel is for all peoples, both gentiles and Israelites alike.
Mark 1:5
And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem,
and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
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John’s baptism was not an unusual event but one that drew large crowds like a modern day
revival. Not everyone came; but devout people moved by God to confess their sins came from
all directions and waited in line to be baptized. As each person was baptized by John, he or she
would admit to individual sin and the need for the Messiah.
The Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River are still the only fresh water sources in the land of Israel.
Mark 1:6
And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about
his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey.
“clothed with camel’s hair;” this is a camel’s skin with the hair still on it.
“eat locusts and wild honey;” honey coated fried grasshoppers are quite tasty.
Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his
baptism,
“the Pharisees and Sadducees;” Remember that the Spirit of God is with John and he can read
the motives of these men is not pure.
Pharisees the “separated ones” are seen as people who place the letter of the law and human
tradition above the spirit to nullify Scripture (Mark 2:3–28, 3:1–6). They were an influential
religious sect numbering about six thousand total that were strict interpreters of the Law and
were vehemently zealous for ritual and tradition and with few exceptions they failed to accept
the Messiah. Founded 167 BCE, Dissolved 73 CE, Headquarters; Jerusalem. {8}
The Sadducees rejected the Oral Law as proposed by the Pharisees, and things supernatural.
They denied the resurrection of the dead, and the existence of angels. They rejected human
tradition and scorned legalism. Rather, they saw the written Torah as the sole source of divine
authority.
The Scribes were another political-religious sect whose original goal was to transcribe the
Sacred Scriptures and to preserve the accuracy of them. But things went wrong when they
started interpreting them and turning them into man-made traditions that ignored the original
Holy Scriptures. They held almost the same views as the Pharisees but weren’t of the rich class
but were more of the middle class.
The Essenes were the fourth political-religious sect. They believe in total piety, celibacy no
personal property, everything was held in common; strict observance of the Sabbath; an ritual
immersion in water every morning, ate and prayed together after eating; devoting themselves to
charity. All anger was forbidden; while the study of books of the elders, preserved secrets, and
they kept in memory the names of the angels that were in their writings. {20} They also
believed in nonviolence, and no strong drink. Their beliefs were to be kept secret and not to be
shared with outsiders. There are many scholars that believe that John the Baptist was an Essene.
A good portion of Jesus’ teachings were based upon Essene doctrine.
The Zealots with their zeal for God sought to incite the people to take up arms and overthrow
pagan Rome from its rule over the Judea. Two of Jesus’ apostles were Zealots; Simon the Zealot
and Judas Iscariot. We will talk more about Judas later.
The Herodians openly supported Herod’s government and opposed any hint of rebellion.
Luke 3:7
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O
generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
“multitude that came forth;” Many of the people that flocked to hear and be baptized by John
went through the outward motions of repentance and baptism but their inward attitudes were not
in it to keep it.
“generation of vipers;” Just go ahead and call them “sons of Satan.” This is a reference to the
Garden of Eden and the serpent that tempted Eve.
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“flee from the wrath to come;” this is not only referring to the Great and Terrible Day of the
Lord but the ultimate fate for those that reject God and His Government, the lake of fire (see
Revelation 20).
Luke 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say
within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God
is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
“We have Abraham to our father:” John was warning them that being a descendant of
Abraham was no guarantee of salvation; but only those who trust in God in faith, believing His
word were the true descendants of Abraham. There was even a provision in the Law by which a
Gentile could become an Israelite: see Exodus 12:38, 48-49; Numbers 15:13-16.
“these stones;” this is the same imagery that Jesus uses in Luke 19:38-40 as Jesus enters
Jerusalem:
Luke 19:38
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in
heaven, and glory in the highest. 39 And some of the Pharisees from among the
multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and
said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would
immediately cry out.
All creation response to the Spirit of God.
Luke 3:9
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore
which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
“the axe is laid unto the root of the trees:” irrevocable judgment has come (hence the “now”).
If you cut down a tree but leave a stump, the tree will grow back. But if you cut down a treeand
its roots and cast it into the fire it will burn up and never be a tree again. It will be broken up
into its carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms which will float off into the air. This is forever
nothingness.
Luke 3:10
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
“What shall we do then?” A repentant heart involves a change of actions: so John instructs
them to work at their jobs with integrity, to quit abusing their power, and to be content with their
wages.
Luke 3:11
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to
him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
“two coats;” you can only wear one coat at a time.
“hath meat;” How much can you eat at one sitting? God gave you the excess to spread around
to those that don’t have. John is also looking toward the coming judgment so this is no time to
be hoarding goods. To hold all things in common was part of the Essene doctrine.
Luke 3:12
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what
shall we do? 13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed
you.
“Publicans;” tax collectors; these were Israelites that hired themselves out to the Romans to
collect taxes for the Romans for personal profit. They were despised by both sides.
Luke 3:14
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?
And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be
content with your wages.
“the soldiers likewise;” these were not Roman soldiers but most likely members of the forces of
Herod Antipas stationed at Perea, and maybe some Judean police and some Temple guardsmen.
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“Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages;” all
three of these were Essene doctrines.
Luke 3:15
And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of
John, whether he were the Christ, or not; 16 John answered, saying unto them all, I
indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I John 1:26 standeth one among
you, whom ye know not; Luke 3:16 the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to
unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
“one mightier than I;” John knew what his mission was; he had prepared for it all his life. He
knew that he was to prepare the way for the Messiah.
“the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose;” the unloosing of one’s sandals was
the job of a slave. The Talmud says, “Everything that a servant will do for his master a scholar
shall perform for his teacher, except the menial task of loosing his sandal thong.” So what John
was saying was: “I am the voice of one who is preparing the way one who will come after me
who I am not even worthy to be His slave.” Note: you loosen the latchet of the shoes so that you
can take them off for the washing of the feet; a slave’s job.
“I indeed baptize you with water; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:”
John’s baptism was minor compared to Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire.
These are two components of Christ’s work and they relate to His first and second comings. The
first was when He was here in His first coming and believers were baptized with the Holy Spirit
When Christ comes a second time, He will come with the fire of judgment.
Luke 3:17
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will
gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire
unquenchable.
Chaff refers to useless shells of the grain that were separated from the useful wheat by the
winnowing fan, a wooden, forklike shovel that lifted the grain in the air so that the wind could
separate it. The chaff was burned, picturing those who will undergo judgment. The
unquenchable fire indicates the thorough nature of the judgment. {5}
Luke 3:18
And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
“many other things;” he was the perfect man for the job; God had groomed him from birth.
Mark 1:9
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee,
Matthew 3:13
to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
“in those days;” this was probably about the fall of A.D. 26, about six months into John’s
ministry.
“to Jordan;” Jordan is a river that runs from the sea of Galilee to the Dead sea and now forms
the boundary between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan.
“to be baptized of him;” Jesus had no sins to repent of so His baptism was unique.
Matthew 3:14
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and
comest thou to me?
“John forbad him;” the baptism of John was a symbol of repentance of the individual and
therefore inappropriate for the one John knew as the unblemished Lamb of God. (See John 1:29)
Matthew 3:15
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it
becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
This is only the second time in the four gospels that we hear Jesus speak.
“it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness;” This showed Jesus’ identity with John’s ministry
and with the sinners for whom He would bear their sins and die; thus imputing His righteousness
to them (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). It also pictured Jesus’ own death, burial, and resurrection and
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thus prefigures Christian baptism. This is the first time that Jesus publicly identifies Himself with
those sinners whose sins He would bear. And He received an affirmation of His Messiahship
directly from heaven.
Luke 3:21
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also
being baptized, and praying,
“Jesus also being baptized, and praying;” everyone that is baptized is praying before, during,
and after their baptism. But this is the Word of God being baptized in this account so heaven’s
response is going to be somewhat dramatic. (Luke is the only gospel that records this fact.
Prayer is one of Luke’s themes.)
Matthew3:16
when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the
heavens were opened unto him, Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily
shape like a dove Matthew3:16 and lighting upon him, Luke 3:22 and a voice came from
heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
“went up straightway out of the water;” ARTB says “As Jesus elevated . . .” The idea is, as
He came up from the prone position in the water to the upright the heavens opened up and He
saw the Holy Spirit of God coming down shaped like a dove and light upon Him.
“the Holy Ghost descended;” this is God’s official recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.
“a voice came from heaven;” this is the first of the two witnesses of Jesus as the Son of God
and endorsements of His ministry. The other is found in Luke 9:35.
“Thou art my beloved Son;” the about God having a son comes from Psalm 2:7. The whole
Psalm is about God’s chosen King.
“in thee I am well pleased;” this idea of God deriving pleasure is from the figure of the Servant
is found in Isaiah 42:1. Jesus is both Servant and King and this is paramount to His identity.
Here in these verses we have the entire Trinity: the Father speaking, Jesus the son, and the
Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. (Note since the Holy Spirit is a spirit He normally has no
form unless He takes on a form as He does here; that of a dove.)
Jesus’ (Yehshua’s) Genealogy According to Matthew
Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of
Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas
and his brethren; 3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat
Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab
begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab
(Rahab);
Matthew mentions only five women in his genealogy of Jesus: Tamar who was the daughter-in-
law of Judah who played the prostitute to her father-in-law in verse 3. Rahab who was a
prostitute that took care of the men that spied out Jericho, verse 5. Ruth who was the Moabite
daughter-in-law of Naomi that followed after and took care of her mother-in-law and became a
Jew, verse 5. Although not mentioned by name in Matthew’s genealogy the wife of Urias
(Bathsheba) who had the affair with King David and ended by producing not only Solomon but,
Nathan, Shobab, and Shammua {8}, verse 6. The fifth is Mary the mother of Jesus, verse 16.
(Note: Phares and Zara the two sons of Judah born of Tamar were twins, Genesis 38:27. Phares
the firstborn became the line from which David was born. However after the siege of Jerusalem
by Nebuchadnezzar the last king to sit on David’s throne was Zedekiah. This is after Jehoiachin,
also called Jeconiah and Coniah had been carried away into captivity in the first siege of
Jerusalem. (See 2 Kings 24&25) All of Zedekiah’s sons were put to death along with all of the
nobles so as to leave no possible heir for that throne. (2 Kings 25:7, 19-21).
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So is God’s promise to David being kept about never wanting someone sitting on a throne
governing Israel?
From The United States and Britain in Prophecy by Herbert W. Armstrong:
In the days of David, a colony of the line of Zarah arrived in Ireland from the
Near East.
Then, in 569 b.c. (date of Jeremiah’s transplanting), an elderly, white-haired
patriarch, sometimes referred to as a “saint,” came to Ireland. With him was the
princess daughter of an eastern king and a companion called “Simon Brach,”
spelled in different histories as Breck, Berech, Brach, or Berach. The princess had
a Hebrew name Tephi—a pet name—her full name being Tea-Tephi.
This royal party included the son of the king of Ireland who had been in
Jerusalem at the time of the siege. There he had become acquainted with Tea-
Tephi. He married her shortly after 585—when the city fell. Their young son, now
about 12 years of age, accompanied them to Ireland. {32}
Yes this was the daughter of King Zedekiah of the line of Phares now married to a member of
the line of Zarah to carry on the line of David in Ireland, later Scotland, and even later England.
God is keeping His promise to David through King Charles III today’s current monarch of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain. (By the way, the Hebrew meaning for the word Britain is
“covenant people.”)
and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the
king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7
And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8
And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And
Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And
Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11
And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried
away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat
Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and
Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and
Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and
Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the
husband of Mary,of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. 17 So all the
generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David
until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the
carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
Matthew’s genealogy runs the opposite of Luke’s; Mat’s runs forwards but only from Abraham,
through David, Solomon, and all of the kings. This gives Jesus His legal right to David’s throne
because Joseph was the legal father of Jesus. Notice that Matthew does make the distinction that
Joseph was “the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus.”
Note also that there is a change in the expression here; it is no longer “who begat” but “Mary, of
whom was born Jesus.” Jesus was not “begotten “of natural generation but of the Holy Spirit.
There are six Marys that are to be distinguished in the New Testament: (1) Mary the mother of
Jesus; always clearly identified by the context. (2) Mary Magdalene, a woman of Magdala, “out
of whom went seven demons” (Luke. 8:2). She is always mentioned with the identifying word
“Magdalene.” (3) The mother of James (called “the less” Mark. 15:40) and Joses, the apostles.
She was the wife of Alphaeus (also called Cleophas, John 19:25), and a sister of Mary the
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mother of Jesus. She is sometimes called the other Mary. (4) Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha
and Lazarus. (5) The mother of John Mark and sister of Barnabas (Acts 12:12). (6) A helper of
Paul in Rome (Romans. 16:6).
Jesus’ Genealogy According to Luke
Luke 3:23
And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as
was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
“about thirty years of age;” This was the customary age for entering into the office of prophet
(Ezekiel 1:1); priest (Numbers 4:3,35,39,43,47); or King (Genesis 41:46; 2 Samuel 5:4) {4}
“as was supposed;” Luke has already established the virgin birth and Joseph’s role as step
father to Jesus; now he gives a second witness for verification.
“was the son of Heli;” Luke’s genealogy runs backwards from Jesus to Adam through Jesus’
Mother, Mary. Joseph was the legal father of Jesus and was the son-in-law of Heli, Mary’s
father. Jesus’ physical descent from David is established through Mary’s lineage.
24
Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of
Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, 25 Which was
the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum,
which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, 26 Which was the son of
Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was
the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, 27 Which was the son of Joanna,
which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son
of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, 28 Which was the son of Melchi, which
was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of
Elmodam, which was the son of Er, 29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the
son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which
was the son of Levi, . 30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda,
which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of
Eliakim, 31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was
the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,
“Nathan, which was the son of David;”1Chronicles 3:5 Nathan was one of the other sons of
Bathsheba; her and David had four sons.
32
Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of
Booz (whose mother was Rahab), which was the son of Salmon, which was the
son of Naasson, 33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram,
which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of
Juda, 34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the
son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, 35
Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of
Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, 36 Which was the
son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which
was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, 37 Which was the son of
Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was
the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38 Which was the son of Enos,
which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of
God.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so
death passed upon all men, for that (or, in whom) all have sinned: 15 . . . For if through the
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offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by
one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Note: these two genealogies give us two witnesses of the lineage of Jesus to David.
Deuteronomy 17:6
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is
worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be
put to death. 7 The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to
death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away
from among you.
Deuteronomy 19:15
. . . at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses,
shall the matter be established.
Two different times in Deuteronomy does it call for two witnesses to establish a matter. The two
times establishes any matter. This is the Law of God.
The Temptation In The Wilderness
Luke 4:1
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and Mark 1:12
immediately Luke 4:1 was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Matthew 4:1 to be tempted
of the devil. Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of
Satan; and was with the wild beasts; Luke 4:1 And in those days he did eat nothing:
Matthew 4:2
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an
hungred.
“Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost;” See Luke 3:22 above
“led by the Spirit;” It is important to note that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the
wilderness not Satan.
“into the wilderness;” we are talking the elevated Judean Wilderness, real desert here, no water,
no food, no shelter, no nothing; just the wind, the wild beasts and of course Satan to keep you
company.
“to be tempted of the devil;” of course, the devil will be all too willing to keep you company.
Although only three temptations are recorded in the Gospels, the tempter was there to tempt
Jesus for the entire forty days and nights; nagging at Him, and poking at Him with every step.
The words “devil” here and “tempter” in both Matthew and Luke are translated from an Aramaic
word that should be rendered in English as “Eating Pest” throughout the temptations. These are
like swarming gnats that you swat at but they never go away, they just keep buzzing all around
you and biting at you. {7}
“to be tempted;” “ (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:2; Mark 1:13; Hebrews 4:15) Strong’s #3985: “to test
(obj.), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:— assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er),
try.” But in Scripture means “to entice, solicit, or provoke to sin.” Hence the name given to the
wicked one in Matthew 4:3 is “the tempter.”
“he had fasted forty days and forty nights;” unless a person is thirty years old, in excellent
health and is already spiritually strong; it is not advisable for anyone to try to fast by eating
nothing for forty days and nights. Many have tried and many have died. This is only for a Holy
one that is directed by God after much prayer. Moses did it in Deuteronomy 9:9; and Elijah also
in 1Kings 19:8, one would have to consider themselves in their league before trying this.
“forty days;” forty appears several times in scripture: it rained for forty days on Noah (Genesis
7:4,12); Elijah fasted for forty days (1 Kings 19:8); Jesus fasted for forty days (Mark 1:13,
Matthew 4:2); and it was forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension (Acts 1:3).
According to The Companion Bible Appendix 10, the number 40=10x4 is divine order applied to
earthly things. Hence, the number of probation. {3}
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“he was afterward an hungred;” Ya’ think? If He wasn’t hungry He wasn’t human and
therefore could not qualify to be the sacrifice for our sins. This just proves that He was man.
This whole temptation was directed at Jesus’ human nature; watch how the three temptations
parallel the way Eve was tempted in the Garden of Eden.
Matthew 4:3
And when the tempter came to him, Luke 4:3 And the devil said unto him,
Matthew 4:3
If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
“If thou be the Son of God;” this is the same thing he did to Eve “Yea, hath God said . . . ?”
(Genesis 3:1) He questions did God really say “This is my beloved Son . . .?” (Luke 3:22) Well,
if you really are the Son of God make some bread.
“command that these stones be made bread;” here againthis is just like what he did to Eve:
“the woman saw that the tree was good for food,” (Genesis 3:6) Jesus had a need for food and
here is an easy out; what the heck, you’re God, make some bread. No one will know! It’s just
you and me here; and who am I going to tell?
Luke 4:4
And Jesus answered him, saying, Matthew 4:4 It is written, Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
If you are going to defeat Satan then you are going to have to know and be able to quote the
applicable Scripture for the situation that you are in like Jesus does here by quoting
Deuteronomy 8:3; “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna,
which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man
doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD
doth man live.”
It is more important to feed yourself spiritually which lasts forever than to feed the body which is
temporal and gone tomorrow.
Note: Here is where Matthew and Luke differ in their account order of the temptations: Luke
records the temptation about Jerusalem last possibly because that is where Jesus will go to for
His final and decisive confrontation with Satan. (See Luke 13:32-35)
Matthew 4:5
Then the devil taketh him up into Luke 4:9 Jerusalem, Matthew 4:5 the holy city,
and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the
Son of God, cast thyself down Luke 4:9 from hence: 10 For it is written, He shall give
his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: 11 And in their hands they shall bear thee
up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
“a pinnacle of the temple;” there are those that say that this was probably the roof of a portico
at the SE corner of the temple complex, where there is a huge retaining wall reached from well
above the temple mount to deep into the Kidron valley. Quoting Josephus this was a drop of
nearly 450 ft. (Antiq. 15.411–412). {8}
“If thou be the Son of God;” Again he tries to cast that doubt: “Are you sure you’re the Son of
God? Cause if you are you should cast yourself down . . .”
“For it is written;” So you want to quote scripture? Well I can quote scripture too! The trouble
is Satan the Eating Pest, left out some important words out of his quote of Psalm 91:11-12: “in
all thy ways.” In all thy ways means that His angels will keep us from putting God to the test by
jumping off a building to begin with.
Psalm 91:11
“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.12 They shall
bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
“cast thyself down;” this is the portion of Eve’s temptation is the desire to make one wise: the
Eating Pest tried to get Jesus to get the public’s admiration through some stunt rather than the
example of a righteous life and message of the Gospel.
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Matthew 4:7
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy
God.
“It is written again;” Again Satan gets a lesson from the Book of the Law, Deuteronomy:
Deuteronomy 6:16
“Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.” (Exodus
17:2-7)
Deuteronomy 6:16 emphasizes that no one should test God. The Lord asked us to put Him to the
test in only one area: tithing. By giving to Him we could test whether He would fulfill His
promises to bless us (Malachi 3:10). {5}
Matthew 4:8
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and
sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; Luke 4:5 in a
moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee,
and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I
give it. 7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
“an exceeding high mountain; in a moment of time;” this is a spiritual thing that Satan does;
he takes Jesus to the seat of Satan’s government where he shows Him all the kingdoms of the
world for all time.
“that is delivered unto me;” In Genesis God gave Adam power and authority, dominion, over
the entire earth. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and
replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl
of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)
When Adam took upon himself the knowledge of good and evil he traded away that dominion to
Satan for that knowledge. It was a bad bargain; Adam already had all of the good that there was
on earth; what did he need the knowledge of evil for? It’s that unknown thing that man is always
curious about and wants what he doesn’t have.
Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: Luke 4:8 Get thee behind
Matthew 4:10
me, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only
shalt thou serve.
Luke 4:13
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for
a season. Matthew 4:11 And behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
“Get thee behind me;” Jesus will make this same statement to Peter later when Peter opens
himself to Satan’s message. (See Matthew 16:23)
“for it is written;” Jesus paraphrases Deuteronomy 6:13-14: “ 13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy
God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods
of the people which are round about you.”
“the devil had ended all the temptation;” Through all His temptation Jesus succeeded to show
His ability to resist Satan the Eating Pest and to show His allegiance to God. Adam was in the
Garden and failed in both; Israel was in both the wilderness and in the Promised Land and failed
in both. Most of mankind today falls short in these areas because they don’t have on the whole
Armor of God; His Word. (See Ephesians 6) Jesus defeated Satan the Eating Pest by the correct
quoting of the Law of God. If you know the Law you will be able to defeat Satan every time.
Study the two Scriptures below and Compare them with the three temptations of Jesus cited
above and learn the operating method of the Eating Pest.
Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it
waspleasant (a desire) to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise,
she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her;
and he did eat.
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1John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world
passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever.
“departed from him for a season;” Oh, he’ll be back. This fool don’t know when he’s been
whipped; or maybe he just don’t care. That’s right! He’ll keep coming back for more and more
because he don’t care; he knows his fate is the Lake of Fire in the end so what does it matter how
many times he gets defeated? He’s a gone goose anyway and he knows it. That is what makes
him so dangerous. Resist the devil and he will flee from you; YES, but only for a season.
Note: when God created Adam he was complete, with everything that he needed to fulfill his
commission of Genesis 1:28 “. . . Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and
have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing
that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 2:15 “And put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to
keep it.” He already had the knowledge of good: Genesis 1:31 “And God saw every thing that he had
made, and, behold, it was very good.” But through the deceit of the Satan he decided to trade his
dominion over all living things for the knowledge of evil. Now we have just fast-forwarded four
thousand years and Satan comes up against Jesus who is no ordinary man. The devil heard that
voice from heaven too; but does he realize that he is up against God himself in man’s clothing?
The one he is up against was not sired by man, but by God. Jesus does not have that defect that
all other men have. Thank God that we have the victory over Satan in Christ Jesus who has
defeated the deceiver.
John The Baptist Testimony About Jesus
Luke 3:15
And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of
John, whether he were the Christ, or not;
“people were in expectation;” The time was right according to Daniel 9; and there was a
religious fervor all over the country.
John 1:19
And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from
Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but
confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias?
And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said
they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us.
What sayest thou of thyself?
“when the Jews;” this is speaking about the Sanhedrin which was the main governing body of
the Jewish Nation. The Sanhedrin was divided into the Sadducees and Pharisees (chief priests,
elders who were important family heads) all controlled by the High-Priest who served as the
president with the scribes for a total of 71 people. The method of appointment was hereditary
and political. It executed civil, criminal, and religious law with the exception of capital
punishment which required Roman sanction (John 18:30-32).
After the A.D.70 destruction of Jerusalem, the Sanhedrin was replaced with the Beth Din (Court
of Judgment) that was composed of Scribes who executed only moral and religious authority.
The delegation that was sent to investigate John the Baptist was of the Pharisees (1:24).
There are many misconceptions about the Jews, one of which is that they are all of the Israelites
that are left. Remember, there are all those lost tribes and even lumped in with the Jews are
some Levies and the tribe of Benjamin.
Another misconception is that the Jews are guilty of the death of Christ. We all are guilty of the
death of Christ for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Besides,
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it was Roman soldiers that drove those nails into the hands and feet of Jesus and raised that cross
into the air. They were the ones that stood guard over Him and cast lots for His clothing; not
Jews; it was you and I that crucified the Christ for had we been there we would have acted the
same way as they.
“Art thou Elias?” this is referring to Malachi 4:5. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:”
“Art thou that prophet” this is referring to Deuteronomy 18:18.“I will raise them up a Prophet
from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall
speak unto them all that I shall command him.”
“Who art thou?” Every Jew was raised knowing the Scriptures so everyone knew that it was
around the time for the Messiah to appear. So when John comes on the scene preaching
repentance and baptizing everybody wondered if he was the Messiah or what; especially the
ruling class and the Priests. Keep in mind that once the Messiah takes over they’re out of a job, a
very influential and lucrative job at that.
“them that sent us;” was most of the Sanhedrin and Annas and Caiaphas the high priests.
John 1:23
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the
way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
“He said;” Although he does not give the entire quote of Isaiah 40:3-4, verse 3 is enough to
make the point.
John 1:24
And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.
“the Pharisees;” were an influential religious sect numbering about six thousand that were strict
interpreters of the Law and were vehemently zealous for ritual and tradition and as with few
exceptions they failed to accept the Messiah. Founded 167 BCE, Dissolved 73 CE, Headquarters;
Jerusalem. {8}
John 1:25
And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be
not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?
“Why baptizest thou then;” Administering the rite of baptism was regarded as making a claim
to authority. The Sanhedrin, the issuers of all authority, had sent these Pharisees out to find out
why John was baptizing when he had no authority, at least from them, to do so.
John 1:26
John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one
among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred
before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
“whom ye know not;” but you are going to. Remember who he is talking to, Priests and Levites
that were sent from Jerusalem; church and government headquarters. Jesus hadn’t started his
ministry yet so they didn’t know Him from Adam. Just wait till He heals someone on the
Sabbath and then He’ll have their attention.
“whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” You unbuckled someone’s sandals so that
you could wash their feet. This was the job of a slave. What John is saying here is that he is not
worthy to be Jesus’ slave; and neither are we! Jesus said it best: “Verily I say unto you, Among
them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding
he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11) The question is,
are you born in the Kingdom of Heaven?
John 1:28
These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was
baptizing.
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“Bethabara beyond the Jordan;” this is another name for Bethany. However there are two
towns named Bethany: the one near Jerusalem where Martha and Mary lived and one “beyond
the Jordan” or “east of the Jordan” near the Galilee region.
Bethabara has also been identified with Beth-barah, which, however, was probably not on the
Jordan River but among the streams flowing into it (Judges7:24). {8}
John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
“The next day;” this is one of several times that John is sequential in his timing; this one will
culminate with the miracle at Cana (2:1-11). This is the day after being questioned by the
religious authorities and after Jesus’ temptation.
“the Lamb of God;” the lamb being used for sacrifice was very familiar to the Jews. It was
used during Passover (Ex. 12:1-36), and as a daily sacrifice for the sins of Israel (Lev. 14:12-21).
It is also pictured as a Lamb being led to the slaughter in the prophecies of Isaiah (Is. 52:13-
53:12). Here John shows the world that Jesus is that Lamb that Isaiah spoke about and He is
God’s Lamb.
“which taketh away the sin of the world;” and as God’s Lamb He not only takes away Israel’s
sins but the whole world’s. This is the first hint of Gentile forgiveness.
John 1:30
This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before
me: for he was before me.
“is preferred before me;” being much higher in rank and or authority.
“he was before me;” Jesus was eternal before creation even though He was physically six
months younger than John the Baptist. John was not speaking about Jesus’ physical age.
John 1:31
And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel,
therefore am I come baptizing with water.
“I knew him not;” even though John and Jesus were cousins (Luke 1:36) and probably attended
many of the three feasts a year together; (see Ex. 23:17, Deut. 16:16) John is saying that he did
not realize that Jesus was the Messiah. John did recognize Jesus as someone very special and as
someone who outranked him spiritually (see Luke 3:16 above).
“he should be made manifest to Israel;” John came to prepare the hearts of men for the
Messiah. That’s why he came baptizing with water.
John 1:32
And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like
a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to
baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit
descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy
Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
“Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining:” John was given a sign of
when he saw the Holy Spirit descend and remain upon a particular person that person was the
Messiah. That sign was enhanced by the voice of God the Father as recorded in Luke 3:22 above
and Matthew 3:17.
“he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost;” the baptism in the Holy Spirit occurred for the first
time at Pentecost (Acts 1:5; 2:1-4) and became the normal practice for all Christians at the time
of their new birth (1Corinthians 12:13)
“I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God;” John now puts his full stamp of
testimony upon the fact that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God.
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The Gathering Of Jesus’ Disciples

John 1:35
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And
looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
“the next day;” this is two days after the Sanhedrin questioned him or the third day; the day of
completeness (see Companion Bible Appendix 10).
“two of his disciples;” one of these is Andrew (verse 40) the other was either John, Philip, or
possibly Luke. In verse 39 below John the gospel writer recalls the exact hour that he met Jesus
and spent most of the day with Him. John writes his gospel from the third person perspective not
revealing himself until the very last chapter; and even then he cloaked it in language that is
vague.
John 1:37
And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then
Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They
said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest
thou? 39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt,
and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
“and they followed Jesus;” they had been following John the Baptist whom they believed was
sent by God. Now John tells them that this new fellow is the Messiah that is expected; sure they
are going to follow.
“What seek ye?” this is the primary question that any follower of Christ must answer. What are
you looking for? What Jesus got was “Teacher, where do you live?” Yea, they were going to
need a lot of teaching; but they were teachable and willing.
“it was about the tenth hour;” since John was writing his gospel to the Church at Ephesus
somewhere between A.D. 80-90 he was using the Roman system of time which starts each day at
midnight like we do now; whereas the Jews, whom Matthew and Mark wrote to, start and end
each day at sundown or six PM in the evening. For them each day consist of two twelve hour
segments: twelve hours of night starting at six PM and twelve hours of day starting at six AM.
This will become crucial in understanding the Gospels during the crucifixion. The tenth hour is
ten AM in the morning.
John 1:40
One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew,
Simon Peter’s brother.
“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother;”Andrew means man or male and Simon means hearing.
“One of the two;” the other was most likely James’ younger brother John the one who is writing
this gospel and in the verse above recalls the exact hour that he met Jesus. John is writing from
the third person point of view in order to remain objective.
John 1:41
He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found
the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
“He first findeth his own brother Simon;” good ole Handy Andy, he’s always bringing
someone to Jesus every time you see him. Hey, as Christians isn’t that what we are supposed to
be doing?
“Simon;” Now here’s a character for you! This guy’s got more aliases that the federal
government would allow; he’s called Simon, Cephas, Peter, son of Jona, and who knows what
else? It’s good thing he’s living in Roman times. From Strong’s Concordance:
Simon #. of Hebrew origin [8095]; Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine Israelites:—
Simon. {2}
#8095. hearing; Shimon, one of Jacob’s sons, also the tribe desc. from him:— Simeon. {2}
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Cephas #.of Chaldean origin [comp. 3710]; the Rock; Cephas, a surname of Peter:—
Cephas. #3710 a hollow rock:— rock. {2}
Peter # a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than ); as a name, Petrus, an
apostle:— Peter, rock. {2}
#. a primary word; a stone (mill-, stumbling-) stone. {2}
So Simon who’s name meant hearing (#8095), is now going to be a rock (see definition below
for kind and size of rock).
John 1:42
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art
Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A
stone.
“And he brought him to Jesus;” the “he” is Andrew. Most of the time that you see Andrew,
he is bringing someone to Jesus.
“son of Jona;” son of Jona or Jonah is Aramaic for son of John.
“which is by interpretation, A stone;” If you study the words “rock” and “stone” in the gospels
it can get confusing. The following definitions are from Strong’s Concordance:
CEPHAS . kay-fas´; of Chaldean origin, [comp. 3710]; the Rock; Cephas (i.e. Kepha), a
surname of Peter:— Cephas. {2}
3710.kafe;from 3721; a hollow rock:— rock. {2}
3721.kaw-faf’; a prim. root; to curve:— bow down (self). {2}
STONE John 1:42, . pet´-ros; appar. a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than );
as a name, Petrus, an apostle:— Peter, rock. comp. .
PETER Matthew 16:18, . pet´-ros; appar. a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than
); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:— Peter, rock. comp. . {2}
ROCK Matthew 16:18, . pet´-ra; fem. of the same as ; a (mass of) rock (lit. or fig.):—
rock. {2}
STONE Matthew 4:6,. lee´-thos; appar. a primary word; a stone (lit. or fig.):— (mill-,
stumbling-) stone. {2}
Let’s eliminate the last one right away; it is a stone in size from a grapefruit that you can stumble
over, to a six foot tall millstone for grinding grain. It’s what they would throw at a person to
stone them to death.
Next is Petra the rock. This can be likened to the Rock of Gibraltar in that Jesus used it as a
metaphor for something immovable and unchangeable, like the unchangeable fact that He is the
Christ the Son of the Living God, as Peter points out in Matthew sixteen.
Now we come to Peter the Petros. He is just a piece of the rock, larger than a school bus but
smaller than the whole.
Here’s where it gets confusing; John uses the same word “Petros” for the word “Stone” not
‘rock” as the name for Simon. This is because his Aramaic name matches the root for Stone.
His Greek name matches “Rock” in Greek only.
One last point, there is an ancient city in what is now southwest Jordan called Petra. It is about
half way between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. The city was carved into the side of a
humongous rock formation which is part of a mountain chain; hence the name Petra; or Rock.
Its temple was used in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
John 1:43
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip,
and saith unto him, Follow me.
“findeth Philip;” Philip means fond of horses.
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“The day following Jesus;” this is three days after the Sanhedrin questioned John the Baptist or
the fourth day; the day that has reference to the material creation (see Companion Bible
Appendix 10).
“Jesus would go forth into Galilee;” remember that they were in the region of “Bethabara
beyond the Jordan” which is east of the Jordan River and a little south of Galilee.
John 1:44
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
“Philip was of Bethsaida;”At the time of the apostles Bethsaida was located on the north shore
of the Sea of Galilee, east of the Jordan River. The sea has since receded and is now 1.25 miles
from the town. It is also the town that Jesus rested in and performed several miracles including
the healing of the blind man.
“the city of Andrew and Peter;” That raises to three the number of apostles from Bethsaida,
more than another town.
John 1:45
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom
Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of
Joseph.
“Philip findeth Nathanael;” Nathanael (given of God) {2} is from Cana (see John 21:2). He is
also called Bartholomew in Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:17; & Luke 6:13.
John 1:46
And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of
Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
“Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth;” Nazareth had a bad reputation because
there was a Roman outpost there and several brothels.
John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite
indeed, in whom is no guile!
“in whom is no guile;” that’s because he spoke what was on his mind and didn’t hold back.
John 1:48
Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and
said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I
saw thee.
John 1:49
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God;
thou art the King of Israel.
“no guile;” no deceit; he expressed his skepticism with open honesty
“Whence knowest thou me;” his skepticism continues because he has never met this man
before: “How the heck do you know me?”
“I saw thee;” apparently Nate was under a fig tree before Phil got there and when Jesus tells him
about it he believes.
“Son of God; the King of Israel;” these titles are in reference to the Messiah.
John 1:50
Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee
under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And
he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven
open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
“greater things than these;” Jesus was telling Nathanael that he would see things beyond his
wildest imaginations. He was going to witness supernatural manifestations of miracles that John
recorded in chapters 2-11 along with the other gospels.
“the angels of God ascending and descending;” this harkens back to Jacob’s ladder in Genesis
28:12 and God’s promise to give Jacob the promised land forever.
“the Son of man;” this is an expression used in Daniel 7:13 of the Messiah and was Jesus’
favorite expression of Himself (He used it more than eighty other times).
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Daniel 7:13
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with
the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near
before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that
all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an
everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which
shall not be destroyed.
Jesus was the son of man in that He was born of human flesh; Mary being His mother. Proof of
that is that He was able to bleed and die on the cross for our sins. In Daniel’s vision He was
already glorified and back in heaven. (See Revelation 5:6-10) Every time Jesus used this term
He was calling Himself the Messiah by referring to this Scripture in Daniel. This was like
digging into a already sore wound for the Pharisees who understood what this quote meant.
The Wedding Feast At Cana
John 2:1
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of
Jesus was there:
“the third day;” this is the third day after the last day mentioned which is seventh day after the
Sanhedrin questioned John the Baptist. That puts this wedding feast sometime in late November
or early in December of A.D. 26.
“Cana of Galilee;” Cana is believed to have been about seven miles north of Nazareth in the
Galilee region.
“the mother of Jesus was there;” there is no mention of Joseph, or any other husband of
Mary’s. In a male dominated society like that was they would have been mentioned first her
husband if he was alive, then Mary, then Jesus, then His disciples.
John 2:2
And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
“Jesus was called, and his disciples;” Mary had to be close to the groom for them to invite
Jesus the disciples too. She might have been related to the groom because when they ran out of
wine she turned to Jesus.
John 2:3
And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have
no wine.
“They have no wine;” A wedding feast could last a week and it was the financial responsibility
of the groom to make sure that there was enough of everything. Jesus’ family wasn’t wealthy so
most likely neither were their relatives and friends. So this was a low-budget wedding feast.
When the wine did run out, someone of the Groom’s family mentioned it to Mary.
John 2:4
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not
yet come.
John 2:5
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
“mine hour is not yet come;” Jesus is referring to His death and glorification (see John 7:30;
8:20; 12:23; 27; 13;1; 17;1). This was a divine schedule that He was on that had been set forth
by God before creation and there would be no deviation from it.
“His mother saith;” Mary doesn’t ask Jesus to do anything; she just told Him about the
situation and left it up to Him what He would do if anything. She does tell the servants to wait
for Jesus’ command. That’s all we have to do is follow His command and watch the miracle
happen.
John 2:6
And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the
purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
“waterpots of stone;” the word stone is the word for the rock that you would pick up and throw
on up to the size of a bus. The reason that stone was used for these pots is that it is more
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impermeable than earthenware and easier to keep clean; which made them more usable for
ceremonial washing.
“the purifying of the Jews;” Strict Jews washed their hands before a meal, between courses,
and after the meal. This purifying also extended to the washing of all cups, vessels, and utensils
that were used in the meal (Matthew 15:2, Mark 7:2-5, Luke 11:39). Because the people wore
sandals and the roads weren’t paved, water was used for foot washing. So at a large Jewish
wedding a tremendous quantity of water was kept on hand.
“two or three firkins apiece;” A firkin is about nine gallons (Josephus Antiquities viii. 2, § 9).
This would be eighteen to twenty-seven gallons each; that’s 108 to 142 gallons total. Water
weighs eight pounds a gallon; so just content weight was 864 to 1216 pounds each, plus the
weight of the stone pot.
Remember the apostle John was a witness to all of this and is the one that is giving us these vivid
details as his memory is brought to light by the Holy Spirit.
John 2:7
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up
to the brim.
“they filled them up to the brim;” by now the wedding feast had gone on for several days and
the water pots were either partially full or some were empty. Whatever the case, they got refilled
to the brim.
John 2:8
And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the
feast. And they bare it.
“And they bare it;” it is not known the exact moment of change from water to wine; maybe it
was while they “bare it,” or maybe while they carried the water pots back from the well. There
are some things that God keeps close to the vest.
John 2:9
When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and
knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the
governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
“ruler of the feast; governor of the feast;” it was customary to appoint a “master of
ceremonies” from among the invited guests; the ruler of the feast. It was his duty to place the
guests, see to the ordinary rules of etiquette, etc., and generally supervise the arrangements. The
Governor on the other hand was the steward, or head waiter if you will. He was hired to
supervise the kitchen, the staff and coordinate all the behind the scenes goings on.
John 2:10
And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine;
and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the
good wine until now.
“men have well drunk;” Alcohol tends to dehydrate the body including the taste buds. After a
few drinks it is hard to tell subtle differences between wines and certain other alcohols.
“the good wine;” Jesus didn’t just make wine but the best wine possible. In the same way He
brought new life to their religion which like this wedding had run out of life and had become
spiritually empty.
Note: there are many in the Christian world that have been taught that Jesus made the water into
unfermented grape juice. There are four words in the King James New Testament that are
translated “wine.” None of them has anything to do with unfermented grape juice. The Biblical
view regarding wine, or anything for that matter, is, and always has been against excess. Yes, if
you can’t hold your liquor don’t partake of it. Jesus said “If your right eye offend thee, pluck it
out.” If anything leads you into sin, avoid it. But don’t perpetuate a lie about the Holy
Scriptures to conform to your doctrine. Those that lie about God’s Word in order to have a
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following will have their name removed from the Book of Life (see Proverbs 30:6; Revelation
22:18-19)
Some other observations: wine pictures forgiveness. Jesus said at the last supper when He held
the cup of wine, “This is My blood . . . which is shed for the remission of sins.” It pictures
purification: the stone water pots were there for the rite of purification of the body. Jesus
changed the water into wine the symbol of purification of the soul. This was all a foreshadowing
of Christ’s redemptive work at the cross and the shedding of His blood. There was more than
enough wine in those water pots to fulfill the needs of that wedding. In Christ’s blood we have
more forgiveness than we need for our sins.
John 2:11
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested
forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
“miracles;” this word should be rendered “sign” because Jesus was doing more than just
performing supernatural tricks. He was establishing Himself as Messiah therefore these were
sign of His Messiahship.
miracles; Strong’s. say-mi´-on; neut. of a presumed der. of the base of ; an
indication, espec. cerem. or supernat.:— miracle, sign, token, wonder. {2}
. say-mah´-ee-no; to indicate:— signify. {2}
“his disciples believed on him;” Well, not completely as we shall see!
John 2:12
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his
brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
“Capernaum;” (Hebrew “Nahum’s village” not the prophet) was a fishing village on the north
shore of the Sea of Galilee. Peter’s mother-in-law lived here.
“he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples;” Jesus is picking up quite an
entourage after performing the miracle at Cana. Remember He has picked up only five disciples
so far: Andrew, Simon, Philip, Nathanael, (and John?) Note again no mention of a Joseph or a
second step-father; they are dead by now; Mary is traveling with her eldest son.

Spring AD 27
Jesus’ Ministry Begins
The First Cleansing Of The Temple
John 2:13
And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
“Jesus went up to Jerusalem;” Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the
Lord GOD (Exodus 23:17; Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 16:16).
John 2:14
And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the
changers of money sitting:
“the changers of money sitting;” According to the Law of Moses all animals offered in
sacrifice had to be unblemished (Leviticus 1:3; Deuteronomy 17:1), and all Jewish males twenty
years in age and over had to pay a Temple tax (two-drachma Matthew 17:24-27). This tax
originated in Exodus 30:12-14 and was to be imposed on the Day of Atonement only and it was a
half shekel. In today’s money a half shekel would be worth about $5. {50}
As a result, tax collectors and animal inspectors of all types were present at the Temple. And
naturally your brought-from-home animal was not good enough. And because the Roman coin
had the image of the emperor who was worshipped as a god, this coin was not accepted into the
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Temple treasury because it was considered idolatry. So here again money changers set up shop
to accommodate the needs of those people. This grew until they had quite a little flea market
going on in God’s House with everybody making excessive profit, except the worshiper. And of
course none of this occurred unless the High Priest got his cut of the profits. That’s one of
Satan’s M.O.’s (method of operation): he seeks a small accommodation or exception of what’s
right for what seems to be a good cause. Then it seems to grow, and grow, until it has corrupted
your whole temple.
John 2:15
And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of
the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and
overthrew the tables;
“scourge of small cords;” was less of a weapon and more symbolic as it scared the animals and
flung the monies across the room. It was probably a funny sight; goats jumping all over the
place, money changers crawling under bulls chasing after their coins; and the dove keepers
climbing the walls after their birds.
John 2:16
And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my
Father’s house an house of merchandise.
“make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise;” Jesus was rendering judgment and
showing His authority. Jesus was also claiming to be God’s son here was a direct claim of
Messiahship and that did not fall on deaf ears either. In just two more verses someone does
speak up.
John 2:17
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house
hath eaten me up.
“The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;” This first cleansing of the Temple was the first
time that He presented Himself to the Jews. Presenting Himself as Messiah He begins His
ministry in the Temple, where it should begin; He came to purify it as prophesied in Malachi 3:1-
3. The zeal of thine house is from Psalm 69:9
Psalm 69:9
For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them
that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
John 2:18
Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto
us, seeing that thou doest these things?
“the Jews;” these were probably members of the Sanhedrin, the religious governing body who
were always hanging around the Temple.
“What sign shewest thou unto us;” and they were always wanting a sign. They were like
people from Missouri, the show-me state; if I can’t see it I won’t believe it. He had just
demonstrated His zeal for God’s house by regulating what activities took place in the Temple,
but that wasn’t good enough. They didn’t see that His rebuke of their lack of Holiness in
worship. They wanted some magic trick to convince their skeptic eyes.
John 2:19
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I
will raise it up.
“Destroy this temple;” So Jesus gives them a riddle. The Temple that He is speaking of here is
His body (verse 21) and His resurrection (verse 22) not the building they were standing in. At
Jesus’ trial some charged that He made threatening statements against the Temple (Mark 14:58;
see also Mark 15:29). This showed their lack of understanding of Jesus’ statement. If it weren’t
so sad it would almost be comical. But that’s the point, it is totally sad that these spiritual
leaders of Israel were so spiritually blind; and if you didn’t stop to remember that this is all
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orchestrated by God for our salvation, it could make you sick. But praise God for His wonderful
plan to use these men to save us.
John 2:20
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and
wilt thou rear it up in three days?
“Forty and six years;” That forty-six years began after the Babylonian captivity ended when
Cyrus issued the order to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple in 452 B.C (see Daniel 9:25-26). In
70 A.D. the Romans destroyed both the Temple and Jerusalem.
John 2:21
But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was risen from
the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they
believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
“When therefore he was risen;” isn’t it amazing how 20/20 hindsight is? But we were not
built that way; we just can’t seem to believe God at His Word about something until after it is
confirmed. This is why throughout the Gospels Jesus is found shaking His head and saying “Oh
ye of little faith!” It is all about being willing to accept God at His word and do it no matter the
cost here on earth; this is just the testing grounds for His Kingdom which lasts forever.
John 2:23
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many
believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
“in the feast day;” In addition to the Day of Passover there are two high Holy sabbaths during
the Passover Festival: the first and last days of unleavened bread. Plus on the first day of the
week after the first weekly Sabbath after Passover is the feast of the wave sheaf offering by the
priest.
John 2:24
But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
“he knew what was in man;” Jesus was looking for true conversion not the enthusiasm that
comes from the spectacular. This latter part of verse 25 leaves little doubt as to the genuineness
of their conversion. You can’t just have an intellectual assent; it must be a complete whole-
hearted commitment of your life as Jesus’ disciple.
Nicodemus Comes To Jesus
(Note: John is the only one of the four Gospel writers that mentions Nicodemus (three times) and
that is probably because John was there at the death and burial of Jesus and he developed a close
relationship with ole Nic.)
John 3:1
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
“Nicodemus;” means “victorious among his people” (Strong’s 3530); {2} He was a prominent
Pharisee and influential member of the Sanhedrin.
John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that
thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou
doest, except God be with him.
“came to Jesus by night;” Nicodemus’ meetings with Jesus, and there were probably more than
one, and were clandestine to avoid any risk of disfavor with the rest of the Sanhedrin with whom
Jesus had already made enemies of.
“Rabbi;” Strong’s  “hrab-bee´;my master, i.e Rabbi, as an official title of honor: Master,
Rabbi.” {2} Nicodemus was showing Him respect because He had a considerable following
already, and knew the Scriptures.
“we know that thou art a teacher come from God;” just who the “we” is, is not clear; but at
least there hast to be more than Nicodemus on Jesus’ side. And he is right; no one can do the
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miracles that Jesus did unless God is with Him. So anyone that does these miracles has God
with them so that person should be respected as God’s representative.
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a
man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
“Except a man be born again;” Nicodemus was looking for some straight answers and Jesus
throws him a curve ball; something spiritual.
“he cannot see the kingdom of God;” the whole concept of the Kingdom of God and what it is
like cannot be visualized by someone unless he is reborn of the spirit; for the Kingdom of God is
Spirit.
John 3:4
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he
enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
“can a man be born when he is old;” and Nicodemus’ thinking is still down to earth.
John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee,” Jesus never said “Thus saith saith Lord God . . .” like all the
other prophets did. He always said “Surely, surely I say unto you . . .” because He was the Lord
God.
“be born of water and of the Spirit;” the explanation begins; there is another birth to be had.
John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit.
“born of the flesh is flesh;” Adam was born (created) of flesh. If he had eaten of the tree of life
he would have never have eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You see, the tree
of life represented more than living forever; it represented all the abundance of the God life that
we will enjoy in the Kingdom of God. It is being born of the Spirit!
John 3:7
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth
where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
“but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth;” there is another dimension out
there that can’t be seen or heard from the physical but can influence the physical and dwell in the
physical. It is called the Spiritual and apparently Nicodemus doesn’t understand a word that
Jesus is saying!
John 3:9
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
“How can these things be;” Nicodemus still doesn’t get it. Jesus is trying to teach an old dog a
new trick.
John 3:10
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest
not these things?
“Art thou a master of Israel;” as a member of the Sanhedrin he should know these things. But
the traditions of men have crept in and replaced the teachings of God with those physical things
that don’t amount to a hill of beans.
Matthew 15:6
. . . Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your
tradition.
Mark 7:13
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, . . .
God gave us this twice in the Gospels to give us two witnesses and to make sure that we heard it.
Traditions of man make the Word of God of none effect; and since Jesus is the Word of
God and He is our salvation; we make our salvation of none effect by our traditions!
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John 3:11
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that
we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things,
and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
To paraphrase Jesus: “Hold on now and listen up; I tell you what I know and have seen and you
hear Me and don’t believe. So having told you about physical things and you don’t believe, you
darn sure aren’t going to believe if I tell you about spiritual things.
John 3:13
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from
heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
“no man hath ascended up to heaven;” Nobody has gone up except the one that has come
down, the Son of Man the one which existed in heaven. Now some might argue that this
contradicts what happened to Elijah. Can anyone testify as to the exact whereabouts of Elijah
right now? All that we have in Scripture is that he went up in the chariot of fire. But where did
it go? The Scriptures don’t say. And Jesus just said here that he ain’t in heaven. So where is
he?
John 3:14
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son
of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have eternal life.
“as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness;” this is an excellent allegory: for just as
Moses “lifted up” the serpent on staff (Numbers 21:5-9) so that all that looked to it would be
healed and live physically, all who look to Jesus who was “lifted up” on the cross will be healed
and live spiritually and eternally.
(Note: this is a continuation of this entire dissertation and although many do it these next few
verses should not be lifted out of context and used alone.)
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
“For God so loved the world;” the whole reason that God dispatched Jesus to earth is defined
in His supreme love for man even in his rebellious state. The intensity of this love is
demonstrated by the words “so loved” that He gave part of Himself to be humiliated and tortured
and to die a human death in order to keep us from the lake of fire.
“that whosoever believeth in him should not perish;” But there is a catch; you got to first
believe and except this gift of God’s redemption. But that’s it; that is all that is required; as a
matter of fact, He doesn’t want you to do anything else. You might screw that up too.
“everlasting life;” this is much more than just living forever; this is a never ending quality of
life that our finite minds cannot comprehend at this time. Your wildest dreams, which are
usually based on physical earth, can’t touch what God has in store for us.
John 3:17
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through him might be saved.
“sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;” that’s the whole point! Jesus didn’t
come down here just to say “You all pissed God off and now you can now all go to hell.” There
was none of that in His message. He said “Only believe and you can have God’s Kingdom and
life.”
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God.
“he that believeth not is condemned already;” this is twofold. The punishment for non-belief
is the lake of fire. Jesus was also speaking about the majority of the Pharisees who refused to
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come out of safety of their comfortable physical traditions and believe on something spiritual.
Nicodemus was open to Jesus and came to him with an honest heart wanting to learn.
“he hath not believed in the name;” all that has to be done is to call out His name and believe
that He died for your sins and ask Him to forgive you. That’s it! It’s a done deal. You are now
the proud possessor of the eternal life spoken of above. This is no light thing or something to be
laughed at. Eternity is forever and you will enjoy it with the creator of the universe all because
of this decision.
John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men
loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
“this is the condemnation;” condemnation; Strong’s . “kree´-sis; decision (subj. or obj.,
for or against); by extens. a tribunal; by impl. justice (spec. divine law):— accusation,
condemnation, damnation, judgment.” {2}
Condemnation should be rendered Judgment. Their judgment was not because of their evil
deeds but because the light came and they preferred to stay in the darkness of their evil deeds.
This is what separated Nicodemus from the rest of the Sanhedrin, although he came at night he
sought the light of Jesus; he chose the light.
John 3:20
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light,
lest his deeds should be reproved.
“lest his deeds should be reproved;” what was the first thing that Adam and Eve did when they
heard God walking in the garden after eating of the forbidden fruit? “They sewed fig leaves
together, and made themselves aprons.” And: “Hid themselves from the presence of the LORD
God amongst the trees of the garden.” Why? “I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid
myself.” That’s it! Fear of being exposed is why they love the darkness. The trouble is, is that
God already knows their deeds.
These people are to be prayed for; this fear is spiritually paralyzing and only divine intervention
can break it.
John 3:21
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made
manifest, that they are wrought in God.
This verse should read: “The True-Prince himself does come next-to the Light that his deeds
done in God will-be known.” (ARTB {7})
This person is obviously a believer and is always trying to do what is right in God’s eyes that
God might be glorified and lifted up in the earth. This person, because they practice the truth
always, can be trusted by God and will be given not only revelation but also responsibilities.
John’s Further Testimony About Jesus
John 3:22
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and
there he tarried with them, and baptized.
“After these things:” after the meetings and teaching of Nicodemus most likely somewhere
around Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples split for the land of Northern Judea up toward Galilee;
Jerusalem was located in Southern Judea. The two territories are separated by the land of
Samaria.
“there he tarried with them, and baptized;” Jesus is staying with His disciples and baptizing
up around the Galilee area.
John 3:23
And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was
much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
“John also was baptizing in Aenon;” and down the road-a-piece we have John the Baptist
doing his thing and baptizing. This is an area wide revival!
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John 3:24
For John was not yet cast into prison.
“not yet cast into prison.”It won’t be long for John has stepped on the wrong toes.
John 3:25
Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews
about purifying.
“John’s disciples and the Jews;” these are most likely some Jews that have been baptized by
John and need some clarification about Jesus.
John 3:26
And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee
beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all
men come to him.
“all men come to him;” Hey John, He is stealing your thunder!
John 3:27
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him
from heaven.
“except it be given;”John acknowledges that his, like all ministries, is granted by God’s
sovereign authority; and it has its limitations.
John 3:28
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am
sent before him.
“I am not the Christ,”And this is John’s big limitation: He ain’t the Christ. He was sent to pave
the way for the Christ; to open the door of the peoples’ hearts to receive the Christ. Jesus said it
best “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater
than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he.” (Matthew 11:11)
John 3:29
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom,
which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s
voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom;” Jesus used this same bride-bridegroom analogy in
Matthew 9, Mark 2, and Luke 5 where He is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. The
Book of Revelation also likens the church as a bride that has readied herself for her groom. (See
Revelation 18, 21, & 22) Here John compares himself the friend of the bridegroom. Back in
those days the friend of the groom was appointed to arrange the preliminaries of the wedding, to
manage the wedding, and to preside at the wedding feast. Once his job was finished, he had to
step aside. His joy came from seeing the joy of the groom. John was happy with the position
that God had for him being a “voice” (1:23) and a friend. (See also Isaiah 62:4,5; Jeremiah 2:2;
Hosea 2:16-20)
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
“He must increase, but I must decrease;” you think that he knew his fate? It wasn’t long after
this that he was arrested and his ministry ceased.
John 3:31
He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly,
and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
“He that cometh from above;” Jesus is of Heaven and is above all; we are of the earth and can
only speak of earthly things because we only know of earthly things and have never seen
heavenly things. Only a privileged few have been given a sight into heaven and have spoken of
it: Paul, John, Ezekiel, and ect. If you have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of you He will give
you some insight as to what it will be like but as the Scripture says:
Isaiah 64:4
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither
hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
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1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
There are your two witnesses. Every important thing that God said in Scripture you will find that
He said it twice; not just for emphasis, but to satisfy the two witness rule: Deuteronomy 19:15 “. . . at the
mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”
Our finite minds cannot grasp the greatness of the quality of the life that God has prepared for us
when we get to share His Kingdom; it’s that fantastic! If you were to picture your wildest
imagination and multiply it times a hundred quadrillion, you wouldn’t even come close to what
He has set up for us.
John 3:32
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth
his testimony. John 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that
God is true.
These two verses need to be kept together; John 6:44 is the second witness for them: “No man
can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the
last day.” John is testifying about Jesus and what Jesus heard and what Jesus testified about and
that any man that received Jesus’ testimony was sealed because “God is true.”
John 3:34
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not
the Spirit by measure unto him.
“he whom God hath sent;” again John’s testimony that Jesus was sent by God to speak for God
as God
“God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him;” there was no measuring device used when
pouring out the Holy Spirit into Jesus; no two ounce cup, no inch and a half rule, He was filled to
the brim; or as the Scripture says: “Pressed down, shaken together, running over” with the Holy
Spirit.
Isaiah 11:2
And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and
understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the
fear of the LORD;
Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul
delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the
Gentiles.
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed
me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
them that are bound;
John1:32
And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like
a dove, and it abode upon him.
By the way, this is available to us right now if we just ask, believe, and receive.
John 3:35
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
“into his hand;” all things including life and death were given into Jesus’ humanity. Jesus
could do all things; but not all things were expedient.
1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all
things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
The life giving is not just physical like raising someone from the dead, but it is also spiritual for
all that believe on Him receive eternal life.
John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
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“shall not see life;” there are only two options here; if you don’t have life, you have death; they
are the opposite sides of the same coin, life you win, death you lose! Oh, that you would choose
life. (see Deuteronomy 30:19) This is what Adam and Eve faced in the garden and what we face
with every temptation. The only thing is that we now have the advantage that Jesus has paid the
price for our sins and by going to Him and asking for forgiveness we stay in the light of His life.
Our bodies will probably die some day because they are corruptible and entice us to sin. But
they are just the wrapper, the temporary housing if you will for the real person that you are. God
is spirit (John 4:24), and we are made in His image (Genesis 1:27); so we are spirit and that is
what will either live on forever or be dead, non-existent forever.
“wrath of God;” you don’t want to be in anybody’s shoes that is under the wrath of God. You
don’t even want to be close. A sample of it can be found in the seven vial or bowl judgments of
Revelation 16. But this too shows God’s mercy because it is meant to try to turn unrepentant
man from his wicked ways so He will not have to invoke the lake of fire or permanent death.
Thus completes John’s auto-epitaph that centered on his successor and the successor’s mission.
As we shall see later on, Jesus tells us that John was the greatest of all men born of women.
Herod Imprisons John
fluke 3:19
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother
Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,
“Herod the tetrarch;” Herod was only one of four sons that ruled this larger province in which
Judea lay. (see page 162 above) The word tetrarch means “one of four.”
“Herodias his brother Philip’s wife;”
Her father was Aristobulus the son of Herod the Great by his second wife
Mariamne I. Her father and her mother were first cousins. He was murdered by
his own father. Herodias’ brother was Herod Agrippa I, who did away with the
apostle James, the brother of John. (see Acts 12:2)
Herodias first married her half uncle, her father’s half brother, another son of
Herod the Great (by his third wife, Mariamne II), that son commonly being called
Herod Philip to distinguish him from Philip the district ruler of Ituraea and
Trachonitis. (Luke 3:1) This uncle-husband of Herodias, Herod Philip, fathered
Salome, apparently her only child. However, Herodias divorced him and married
his half brother Herod Antipas, also a son of her grandfather Herod the Great, by
his fourth wife, Malthace. Herod Antipas, who was a district ruler (literally, “the
tetrarch”) at the time, and whom Jesus Christ called “that fox” (Luke 13:31, 32),
also divorced his first wife, Phasaelis, the daughter of King Aretas IV of Nabatea
of Arabia, in order marry Herodias. (Jewish Antiquities, XVIII, 240-256 (vii,1,2,);
The Jewish War, II, 181-183 (ix,6).
This Non-Israelite family is so loaded with murder, incest and adultery that it boggles the
imagination. It was just total debauchery. And they were the appointed rulers over Israel.
If you look down through history you will find that a people will get the kind of government that
they deserve. Israel had disobeyed God and were still disobeying Him. Both Jesus and John the
Baptist pointed that out; it got them killed.
Luke 3:20
Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.
This is Herod Antipas, the brother of Archelaus, two Philips, Aristobulus, Alexander, and
Antipater. Wow, what names! Herod Antipas, makes you think of an appetizer doesn’t it?
And these are just the ones that we know of.
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The Scriptures do not tell us if John had spoken directly to Herod about Herod’s adulteress life
but John surely voiced it publicly enough so that it got back to Herod. And that would be like
now-a-days posting it on Facebook or Twitter.
Jesus Returns To Galilee, The Woman At The Well
John 4:1
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made
and baptized more disciples than John,
“Jesus made and baptized more disciples;” Although they were not competing against each
other but as John said: “I must decrease and He must increase;” John knew that his ministry must
step aside and allow Jesus to “play on through.” John would fade away for his job was over; he
had prepared the way for the Messiah. Well done thou good and faithful servant!
John 4:2
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
Good teamwork; Jesus did the preaching and the disciples did the baptizing.
John 4:3
He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
“departed again into Galilee;” since His ministry had just started and it had already caused
some jealousy among John’s disciples and stirred up some questions among the Pharisees, He
did not want to be pulled into a controversy about baptism because it was not the right time, so
He left for the north country.
John 4:4
And he must needs go through Samaria.
“needs go through Samaria;” there were several roads from Judea to Galilee; one along the
seacoast, one that goes through the region of Perea along the Jordan river, and this one that went
right through the heart of Samaria which happened to be the shortest route between the two
places and only took about three days walking. However, most Jews went by way of the Jordan
River in order to avoid the Samaritans whom they hated.
“he must needs;” as seen above Jesus didn’t have to go through Samaria; He could have gone
by way of one of the other routes. John is pointing out that Jesus had a divine appointment with
this woman at the well that this story is all about and John is the only one to record it.
“Samaria;” after King Solomon died the nation of Israel split into two nations with 10 tribes in
the north under King Omri naming their capital Samaria (see 1 Kings 16:24) and building their
temple on Mount Gerizim; while Judah and Benjamin in the south kept Jerusalem as their
capital. Eventually the northern Kingdom and the whole district became and sometimes even the
entire Northern Ten Tribes were known as Samaria, especially after they were taken captive by
Assyria in 722 B.C (see 2 Kings 17:1-6) because of Idol worship. The Assyrians however did
not take away all the Israelites; they left the poor and carried mostly the upper classes away to
what is now Northern Iraq. Then the Assyrians transported a large number of non-Israelite
people into the region to work the land that they had just conquered. These non-Israelites
eventually intermarried with the remaining Israelites and learned about the God of the Israelites.
So they worshipped the God of the Israelites but would not give up their old gods that they had.
It is these half-breeds multi-god worshipers all became known as the Samaritans of Jesus’ time.
Of course friction all most immediately developed between these people and the Jews because
the Samaritan Israelites had lost their racial purity. However many did retain the proper worship
of God. They pulled away from the worship of God at Jerusalem and established worship at
Mount Gerizim in Samaria. They regarded the five books of Moses, the Pentateuch as
authoritative. {4} Then Babylon conquered the Jews of the Southern Kingdom carrying most of
them away to Babylon. Upon their return to the Holy Land seventy years later, they ran into all
kinds of resistance from the Samaritans as they tried to rebuild the Temple and Jerusalem. Soon
deep bitterness developed between the two. As a result of this separation and history, strong
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ethnic and cultural tensions raged between the Jews and the Samaritans; so much so that they
would avoid contact with each other as much as possible. Some even hated each other.
John 4:5
Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the
parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
“Sychar;” Sychar is most likely the modern village of Askar on the side of Mount Ebal which is
just opposite Mount Gerizim. Tradition holds that Jacobs well as being about one half mile
south of Askar. {4}
John 4:6
Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his
journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
“Jacob’s well was there;” this goes all the way back to Genesis 33:18,19 where Jacob bought a
parcel of ground from the Children of Hamor. This parcel of ground he bequeathed on his
deathbed to Joseph (See Genesis 48:21, 22). When the Israelites returned from Egypt they
buried Joseph’s bones there in this land at Shechem. This land became the inheritance of
Joseph’s descendants. The word that John uses here for well denotes a running spring.
However, in verses 11 & 12 he uses a term that means a dug-out well or cistern. It could be that
by the time that Jesus arrived on the scene both existed. Today there is a dug-out well that is fed
by an underground spring that is still active in the exact location where this incident took place.
{4}
“being wearied with his journey;” Jesus was just suffering from the physical signs; the aches,
pains and limitations of His humanity (see Hebrews 2:10-14).
“about the sixth hour;” John was using the Jewish system of reckoning time here where the day
began at six a.m. therefore the sixth hour would be twelve noon.
John 4:7
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give
me to drink.
“a woman of Samaria to draw water;” the women of that day would normally come in groups
to gather water in either in the morning or later in the day when it is cooler. This woman is
coming alone at 12:00 noon possibly because been shunned from the other women. {4}
“Jesus saith unto her;” for Him to speak to a woman in public, let alone a Samaritan, not only
went against social custom, but it went against all social prejudice that existed. And further more
a Rabbi and religious leader would not have a conversation with a woman of her reputation (See
verse 18). {4}
John 4:8
(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
“gone away unto the city to buy meat;” they went to the McDonalds drive-thru to bring back
some lunch! Actually this too was way out of custom. No ordinary Jew would be willing to eat
anything that had been touched by an outcast Samaritan (see verse 9 below). Apparently Jesus
had already taught the disciples about prejudice and hating things made in God’s image.
John 4:9
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew,
askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings
with the Samaritans.
“How is it that thou . . . askest drink of me;” this how bad the hostilities were; this woman is
taken aback by the fact that Jesus would even talk to her. Hence the saying “for the Jews have
no dealings with the Samaritans.”
John 4:10
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who
it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he
would have given thee living water.
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“If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee;” Jesus immediately
sidesteps the prejudice issue and goes right to the heart of the matter: her salvation. And she
doesn’t even recognize that at first.
“living water;” She seems to blow right past the fact that Jesus qualified this water as “living”
water. Jesus is talking about eternal life and the Holy Spirit. Most people would ask what the
heck is living water. But this chick only sees that He doesn’t have a bucket to draw water with.
Hum! She’s been coming to this well in the heat of the day too many times.
John 4:11
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the
well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater
than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his
children, and his cattle?
“from whence . . . that living water;” at least she is starting to ask the right questions: where do
you have this living water.
“Art thou greater than . . . Jacob;” yea, but Jesus isn’t going to brag on it, rather He is going to
teach a great lesson on spiritual things. You see this lady, like Nicodemus and most of the
population have no idea as to how the spirit world works. They barely recognized its existence.
And mores the pity because that’s where we will spend eternity; what we are living right now is
like apprenticeship.
John 4:13
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall
thirst again:
“Whosoever drinketh of this water;” the water of Jacob’s well still can be drawn today and it
is cool, wet and refreshing. But those who drink it still have to come back for more when they
get thirsty because it only satisfies the body temporarily. And it can only satisfy the body and
not the soul, and only temporarily.
John 4:14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into
everlasting life.
“the water that I shall give him;” Jesus is speaking of eternal life and the Holy Spirit that will
cause that person to never want of this world again.
John 4:15
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither
come hither to draw.
“give me this water;” right move! “that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw:” for all the
wrong reasons. She hit the target but missed the bulls-eye.
John 4:16
Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
“call thy husband;” since the spiritual idea of living water that He offered went right over her
head, Jesus makes a sharp left turn in the conversation to focus on her real problem; the need for
conversion and cleansing from sin. Because He is God made into man He knows her sin and her
moral depravation.
John 4:17
The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her,
Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he
whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
“For thou hast had five husbands;” back then divorce was the exclusive right of the husband;
only men could divorce their wives, women could not divorce their husbands. Since adulteresses
were stoned to death back then, it wasn’t because she was unfaithful that she had five husbands.
She had been left by five different men.
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“thou now hast is not thy husband;” Jesus’ statement here might have carried a condescending
tone that let her know that He was rejecting her idea of a common law marriage, or even a couple
having a conjugal relationship as being against what God had ordained. Any acts of sex outside
of the bonds of marriage is strictly forbidden by the seventh commandment which is part of
God’s law (see Matthew 5:18) Makes you wonder how Jesus is reacting as He sees the streets of
America today.
John 4:19
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
“I perceive that thou art a prophet;” Jesus had just peeled back all the covering layers to
reveal her shame: why had she been rejected by all those men? And, instead of running or being
afraid she is awed and starts to see things from a spiritual perspective. This shows a moldable
character something like Peter’s.
John 4:20
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is
the place where men ought to worship.
“Our fathers worshipped in this mountain;” the Samaritans who only recognized the first five
books of the bible, had built their temple on Mount Gerizim because it overlooked Shechem the
place where Abraham built an alter to God because God appeared to him there.
Genesis 12:6
And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the
plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the LORD
appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there
builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
“Jerusalem is the place;” the Jews were part of Israel and followed what God revealed in the
Old Testament. First God said that He would choose a place out of all Israel to place His name.
Then he chose Jerusalem.
Deuteronomy 12:5
But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all
your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and
thither thou shalt come:
2Chronicles 6:6
But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have
chosen David to be over my people Israel.
She wants to discus denominationalism.
John 4:21
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall
neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
“the hour cometh;” it came the moment that Jesus died and the temple curtain ripped in two as
God left the temple and all buildings of wood and stone in preparation to enter the hearts of men
in the form of the Holy Spirit. There is now no more veil of separation between God and man
for those who truly seek Him. No longer do we have to come with bulls and goats in hand to be
a blanket to cover over our guilt. For our guilt has been taken away and we can approach God
boldly with awe and reverence glorifying Him Who made us.
“worship the Father;” this is the first time that He directs someone to “worship the Father.”
John 4:22
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is
of the Jews.
“Ye worship ye know not what;” the Samaritan worship was based upon vague historical
tradition surrounding Abraham and God appearing to him at this place. There never was given
divine instructions for Abraham’s descendants to worship God at this place. Essentially the
Samaritans had created their own religion. But it was a religion of worshipping God in spirit.
“we know what we worship;” the Jews on the other hand had been given divine instructions
from God in not only the place, Jerusalem, but everything else including the priest’s attire and
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the measurements of the temple. They not only knew what they worshipped but who and how
and when to worship. The Jews worshipped God in truth. Neither one had both.
“for salvation is of the Jews;” just simply means that the Messiah will come from Jewish
people.
John 4:23
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship
the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
“the hour cometh, and now is;” that hour is in the expanse of God’s time; so the thirty-three
and a half years that Jesus was on this earth was barely a blip on eternities radar. Jesus’ presence
in front of her was just her invitation to the now existence of this truth. As described above, that
moment of changeover occurred at Jesus’ death.
“true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth;” Jesus was telling this
woman that it will no longer be important where you worship God but how you worship Him; in
spirit and in truth.
24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in
truth.
“God is a Spirit;” He is not flesh or made of material substance; nor is He a created being. But
He created all that exists or ever has existed. He exists in a dimension called the spiritual
dimension that is not limited by space, matter, or time.
“must worship;” this is something that is absolutely necessary in order to have a relationship
with God; you must worship Him.
“worship him in spirit;” in spirit is a matter of the heart. It has set aside all rituals and places
and has put on a proper attitude.
Psalm 51:15
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt
offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
“in truth;” this means worshipping God in Jesus Christ the Word of God, the revealed Scripture
of God;
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Everything that Jesus revealed pointed to things about the Father’s character or how to worship
Him. It’s not where a person worships that’s at issue here, it’s how you worship and to whom.
Your worship must be directed to the Father, not to Jesus, and not to the Holy Spirit; but to the
Father! Also, worship of or to any other saint, angel, Mary or anybody else is forbidden and is
idol worship. Repeat, He said that we are to worship the Father, not anybody or anything else!
John 4:25
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called
Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
“I know that Messias cometh;” since the Samaritans believed in the Pentateuch which includes
the book of Deuteronomy; they would naturally know and expect the Messiah (see Deuteronomy
15:18).
John 4:26
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
“I that speak unto thee am he;”this is a tricky verse to translate. The word “he” was added by
translators; notice it is in Italics. A more correct translation should read: “It is I-Am that speaks
to you.” Ordinarily Jesus avoided making such direct statements about Him being the Messiah;
but it was the main reason for stopping and talking to this woman, letting the Samaritans know
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that the Messiah had arrived. Of course she would have been familiar with Exodus 3:14 where
God spoke His name to Moses. She is the very first person that Jesus reveals that He is the
Messiah.
John 4:27
And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the
woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
“upon this came his disciples, and marveled;” okay they are back from their McDonalds run
and just who the heck is this woman that the master is talking to? He’s always doing some weird
things but talking to a Samaritan woman? That’s out there in left field! Rabbis don’t speak to
women much less Samaritan woman.
“yet no man said;” yet none of them would bring the subject up.
John 4:28
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith
to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this
the Christ?
“left her waterpot;” this indicates two things: one her haste; she probably set an Olympic
record getting back to town. Two, she’s coming back, at least to get her pot.
“saith to the men;” back then it was not right for a woman to talk to a group of men. If you
wanted to get something across to them you spoke it to your man and he would pass it on the
group of men. But this woman probably knew most of the men in town.
“told me all things that ever I did;” like most people when they get excited she exaggerated
the whole thing by saying He told her “all the things that I ever did;” and not what He actually
told her.
“is not this the Christ;” watch this woman’s spiritual journey: at first she only saw Jesus as a
Jew in verse 9; then she perceived that He was a prophet in verse 19; and finally here in verse 28
she recognizes Him “is not this the Christ?”
John 4:30
Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
“and came unto him;” Jesus had such a tremendous impact on this woman that despite her
reputation she boldly proclaimed Him. Her testimony about her life that Jesus had exposed
convinced the crowd that she must be on the level. So they went out to see for themselves.
John 4:31
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
“disciples prayed him, Master, eat;” we got you a Big Mac, a large fry, and a diet Coke.
John 4:32
But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
John 4:33
Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him
ought to eat?
“I have meat . . . ye know not of;” the Samaritan woman didn’t understand the difference
between literal water and living water (verse 15). Jesus’ own disciples couldn’t see the
difference between physical food and spiritual food. First the Jews displayed this dullness of
whit in 2:20. Then it was Nicodemus’ turn in 3:4. The Samaritan woman took a crack at it here
in 4:11. But the disciples who have seen all the others and still haven’t caught on, makes you
wonder just how dull we all are. After all, they were living with Jesus 24/7.
John 4:34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to
finish his work.
“My meat is to do the will of him;” this is a reference to Deuteronomy 8:3; “. . . man doth not
live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD” (cf.
Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4). When He was talking to the Samaritan woman He was doing the will
of the Father and being fed a greater and more satisfying sustenance than any physical food
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could ever offer Him. This what summed up His whole life; obedience to God’s will and
finishing His work.
“to finish his work;” That’s why He was able to say just before He died “it is finished” (see
John 19:30).
John 4:35
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I
say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already
to harvest.
“yet four months, and then cometh harvest;” the article below is from Ellicott's Commentary
for English Readers:
Four months.—This gives us probably a note on time. There is no evidence that it
was a proverbial saying, and the form of the sentence is against the supposition.
The legal beginning of harvest was fixed (Leviticus 23:10; Deuteronomy 16:9) for
the 16th of Nisan (April). This would give us in that year, which was a Jewish
leap-year, with a month added (Wieseler’s Synopsis, Eng. Trans., p. 187), some
time about the middle of the month Tebeth (January) as the date of this
conversation. (Comp. John 5:1.) For the idea of the harvest, comp. Matthew 9:36-
38, and the parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:3et seq. {35}
“Lift up your eyes;” lift up your spiritual eyes guys “and look on the fields;”“for theyare
white” filled with approaching men from the city “already to harvest.” Jesus is talking about
the crowd of Samaritan men approaching in their white clothing. When the barley is ripe for
harvest its outer hull will turn a whitish color. Jesus knew their hearts; that they had not just
come out to see a prophet do some tricks. They were ripe for salvation prepared by the Father.
John 4:36
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal:
that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
“he that reapeth receiveth wages;” Jesus was about to reap because He was going to see the
entire city of Sychar saved.
“gathereth fruit unto life eternal;” fruit brings everlasting joy and the promise of reward in
God’s kingdom. In Matthew 19:27-29 Jesus promises one “hundredfold” wages and eternal life
for those that dedicate their lives to Him.
“Both . . . may rejoice together;” here, in this instance Jesus did both the sowing and the
reaping and therefore He received the double joy of it.
John 4:37
And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.
“One soweth, another reapeth;” in evangelism, one might plant the seed and that seed lay
dormant for many years. Then another comes along and causes that seed to spring into life.
Both receive the wages for doing God’s work; he that planted the seed and he that reaped the
harvest.
John 4:38
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured,
and ye are entered into their labours.
“other men labored;” this is twofold: Jesus is talking about John the Baptist and his disciples
that had sowed many seeds; second about the harvest in the town of Sychar that they would share
in because of what Jesus had sown.
John 4:39
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of
the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
“Many believed for the saying of the woman;” sometimes that’s all it takes is the testimony of
an outcast person who just saw the light. She just became an evangelist and would receive the
reward of the sower for all that believed as a result of her testimony.
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John 4:40
So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he
would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
“he abode there two days;” Jesus, showing that He is not a respecter of persons, stays and
shares the Gospel with these half-brothers of the Jews. Besides, the Jews had rejected Him; at
least the high society ones.
John 4:41
And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the
woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him
ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
“we have heard him ourselves;” just like Thomas would not except the rest of the disciples
word about Jesus’ resurrection but had to see for himself, so do many people have to be shown in
physical things before they believe. Jesus told Thomas that blessed are those have not seen and
yet believe. All those that believe today strictly on the word of Scripture and the testimony of
other believers are truly blessed because they have not seen Him.
The First Return To Nazareth
Matthew 4:12
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison,
“Jesus had heard;” He must have heard this while He was in Sychar. John had been put in
prison because he had rebuked Herod Antipas because Herod had taken his brother, Herod
Phillip’s wife, Herodias, for His own.
John 4:43
after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.
“after two days he departed thence;” it only took two days to convince the entire population of
Sychar of Jesus’ Messiahship.
John 4:44
For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own
country.
Luke 4:16
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his
custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to
read.
“as his custom was, . . . on the Sabbath day;” where else are you going to find all the men of
the town gathered together at the same time?
“stood up for to read;” at their Bar mitzvah all Jewish boys are expected to read from the
Scriptures and from then on they can be called on to read at Sabbath services. Just about all
Synagogue services had back then a reading from both the Law and the Prophets followed by a
sermon that tied the two together.
Luke 4:17
And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And
when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
“was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias;” The Scriptures were kept on scrolls
in the synagogue and an attendant handed Jesus the book of the Prophet Isaiah then He found,
read, and expounded on Isaiah 61.
Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon ME, because he hath anointed ME to preach
the gospel to the poor; he hath sent ME to heal the brokenhearted, to preach
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty
them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (emphasis
added) (See also Micah 3:8)
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;” Jesus was merely announcing what Luke had proclaimed
in verses 1&14 of this chapter: Luke 4:1“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from
Jordan.” 14 “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee:”
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He was proclaiming to be a prophet; in verse 24 below He says that no prophet is accepted in His
home town. Jesus, throughout all His ministry, never said “thus saith the Lord.” He always said
“verily, verily I say unto you . . .” He spoke by His own authority. That’s why He could quote
the above verses with authority. These verses were about Him; they were written exactly for
Him to quote at this time.
“he hath anointed me;” having the Spirit was the anointing; He gives you the power and
courage to minister.
“preach the gospel to the poor;” the poor in spirit, those that are willing to receive it.
“to heal the brokenhearted;” these are the people that have become depressed and discouraged
because the circumstances in their life has beaten them down.
“preach deliverance to the captives;” and this is where many got off track with Jesus; they
thought that He meant deliverance from the oppression of the Romans; whereas He was talking
about the captivity of sin: Luke 1:77 “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the
remission of their sins,”
“recovering of sight to the blind;” and not just physical sight but more spiritual sight than
anything else. And whenever He performed a miracle it always had spiritual background in it:
Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited
us, 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into
the way of peace.
“set at liberty them that are bruised;” Bruised in spirit is what is being expressed here. It is
the same as above: brokenhearted. He heals the brokenhearted and sets them free: John 8:31 “If ye
continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free.”
“the acceptable year of the Lord;” this was a reference to the year of Jubilee (see Leviticus
25:10-13). This occurred every fiftieth year when all debt was forgiven, salves were freed,
ancestral lands returned to their original family owners, everything got a new start. What Jesus
is putting out here the elimination of all spiritual debt and a brand new start for all those that turn
to Him.
Jesus only read one third of the second verse; the rest of the verse pertains to prophecies of
judgment during the great and terrible day of the Lord when God’s vengeance will be wrecked
upon unrepentant mankind just prior to His second coming. Since it did not have anything to do
with His first coming He didn’t read it. Many prophecies are dual in nature like the first portion
of this one that was read by Jesus here. It was fulfilled when He read it and it will have a second
fulfillment at His second coming after the great and terrible day of the Lord.
Luke 4:20
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down.
And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
“closed the book;” rolled the scroll back up; they didn’t have books like we have today with
covers and binding.
“sat down;” it was the custom at that time to stand reverently for the reading of the Scriptures
then sit down for the exposition of them.
Luke 4:21
And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your
ears.
“This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears;” “You are hearing about it because it is
happening now.” Jesus is saying that He is the fulfillment of God’s plan for them and all
mankind, to take care of all of their spiritual needs, and that the physical will take care of itself.
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In other words He is the one that this scripture is speaking about. He is the Messiah; but they
didn’t understand what Messiah meant.
Luke 4:22
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which
proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
“wondered at the gracious words;” the whole crowd were astonished because Jesus spoke with
grace and authority. They had never heard anyone speak like that before much less one of their
own.
Back in those days, none of the teachers spoke with authority. They would say “rabbi So-in-so
says this and rabbi Glockenspiel says that.” They would never quote themselves for fear of
being called a heretic. But Jesus would say “You have heard it said . . . But I say unto you . . .”
He spoke from His own authority: “I say unto you.”
“Is not this Joseph’s son?” “Did you hear that? He just called Himself the Messiah! Surely our
own carpenter’s son can’t be the main figure in God’s plan.” No more did they hear the truth of
God when Satan runs in and steels the truth away by reinforcing their original doubt and
skepticism. Why? He didn’t perform any miraculous trick to back up His words. In a couple of
short years He is going to die for their sins but they don’t comprehend that; all they see is
someone that they have known since childhood claiming to be the Messiah and hasn’t shown any
proof of it. Their pride was bruised because they thought that they knew Him; and God would
never make one of these common people that they knew the Messiah.
Luke 4:23
And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician,
heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy
country.
“Physician;” being the physician is part of the doctrine of the Essenes who were sometimes
called the Therapeutae/Therapeutides which means to cure.
“heal thyself;” there will be another skeptic echo a similar taunt at Jesus as He hung on the
cross: “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” (Matthew 27:42)
“we have heard done in Capernaum;” in other words charity begins at home. You should be
spreading some of that good stuff here first before You went to Capernaum. Heretofore You
didn’t even show that You were capable of such Messianic tendencies.
Luke 4:24
And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own
country.
“No prophet is accepted in his own country;” Noah was laughed at for a hundred years while
he built the arc; “it’s gone to rain on your head!” Jacob’s son Joseph prophesied that his brothers
wound bow down to him and they laughed at him. David was laughed and scorned as the
puniest of his brothers; even his father Jesse didn’t invite David for the sacrifice (see 1 Samuel
16). He was laughed at all the way up till the time he slung that rock that knocked down Goliath.
Jeremiah was thrown in jail for prophesying the capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.
Luke 11:47
Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your
fathers killed them. 48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your
fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. 49 Therefore
also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of
them they shall slay and persecute: 50 That the blood of all the prophets, which
was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 51
From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the
altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
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Luke 4:25
But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias,
when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was
throughout all the land;
“heaven was shut up three years and six months;” 1Kings 17:1 “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was
of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I
stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” Naturally when
there is a drought there is a famine, no food.
Luke 4:26
But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon,
unto a woman that was a widow.
“Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon;”1 kings 17:18 “And the word of the LORD came
unto him, saying, 9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath (Gr. Sarepta), which belongeth to Zidon, and
dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” Even the prophet
was having trouble getting food till now.
Luke 4:27
And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none
of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
“Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian;”
2 Kings 5:9
“So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the
door of the house of Elisha. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go
and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou
shalt be clean. 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I
thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the
LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 12 Are
not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?
may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13
And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the
prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? How
much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14 Then went he
down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the
man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he
was clean.”
By Jesus bringing up these two incidents from history rubs salt in old wounds; all Israelites and
especially Jews are extremely nationalistic: “We are God’s people, He cares for us and no one
else.” Salvation is for us and us only; the Gentiles are only for fueling hell. By reminding them
of these historical facts infuriates them because both of these folks were Gentiles.
There is a deeper thought here though; it is that God’s grace and salvation might be withheld
from them and yet extended to the Gentiles should make them pause and reflect that what He is
saying could be true for them. But their reaction before reflection is recorded in the next two
verses:
Luke 4:28
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled
with wrath, 29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the
brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down
headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way.
“they might cast him down headlong;” they were going to toss Him off a cliff; remember that
this in the mountain country of Nazareth.
“he passing through the midst of them;” actually He just disappeared from their sight. It was
not His time to die.
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Jesus Starts Preaching The Kingdom Of God

Matthew 4:13
And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon
the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
“leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum;” it is a 20 mile hike but it is mostly
down hill; Nazareth is in the mountains at 1145 feet above sea level and Capernaum is 682 feet
below sea level; that’s a 1867 foot difference between the two towns over the 20 mile distance,
all downhill from Nazareth. {8}
“Zabulon;” Zebulun whose name means “habitation,” was the sixth son of Jacob and his mother
was Leah. {2}
“Nephthalim;” Naphtali whose name means “my wrestling,” was the second son of Jacob and
his mother was Bilhah, Rachel’s servant. {2}
Matthew 4:14
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea,
beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw
great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is
sprung up.
“spoken by Esaias the prophet;” this is aquote from Isaiah 9:
Isaiah 9:1
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at
the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and
afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in
Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great
light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light
shined.
Naphtali was on the north and Zebulun was on the south of Capernaum with Decapolis across the
sea.
Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Mark 1:15 The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
“The time is fulfilled;” according to God’s timetable as foretold by the prophets: the Temple is
built, the forerunner has preached and now is shut in prison, the time of the Messiah is here, it’s
been 480 years since Cyrus ordered the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
“kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye;” this is the same message that John the Baptist had
and now is being echoed by Jesus. The Messiah is going to be revealed; the kingdom will be set
up. But of course they rejected the Messiah – Jesus because He didn’t come in on a white horse
slaying all the Romans.
The Call Of The Fisherman
Luke 4:14
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee:
“in the power of the Spirit;” Jesus was filled and led by the Holy Spirit, (see Luke 4:1) and in
the power of the Spirit after defeating Satan in the wilderness, he returns to Capernaum by the
Sea of Galilee.
Matthew 4:18
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called
Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
“Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother;” remember we saw these two some thirty
pages ago starting in John 1:35 when John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as being the Lamb of
God and Andrew followed Him. Then it would be only natural that he would bring in his brother
Peter. So, these two are no strangers to Jesus.
Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
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“I will make you fishers of men;” this is a reference to Jeremiah 16:16: “Behold, I will send for
many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters,
and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the
rocks.”
Matthew 4:20
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
“they straightway left their nets:” But not for one hundred percent of the time as we shall see.
Matthew 4:21
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of
Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their
nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father,
and followed him.
“James the son of Zebedee;” whose wife was Salome the half sister of Mary the mother of
Jesus. That means that James and John were Jesus’ cousins.
Here again, as long as Jesus was in the Galilee area they were with Him only part time and
would go off fishing part of the time.
Luke 4:14
And there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
John 4:45
The Galilaeans received him, having seen all the things that he did at
Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
“a prophet hath no honour in his own country;” Jesus is giving us an absolutely marvelous
insight here by contrasting the unbelieving people of His homeland with the quick response of
the believing Samaritans. The people of Galilee and Judah required the performance of miracles
to quell their skepticism while the Samaritans just believed in Him by His testimony. (You can
also find this proverb in Mathew 13:57 and Mark 6:4).
“The Galilaeans . . . also went unto the feast;” Yea they received Him alright because they
wanted to see more miracles, more cheap tricks. They would not hear the words of His
testimony.
Remember, on the day of Pentecost after Jesus ascended to Heaven there were only 120 true
followers left in that upper room to receive the Holy Spirit. That’s 120 out of all of the
thousands that Jesus preached to, and fed, and healed, and everything else that He did including
dying for so that we might have everlasting life.
Luke 4:15
And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
“being glorified of all;” Notice how they all thought that He was great?
Second Miracle, Nobleman’s Son Healed
John 4:46
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine.
And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.
“Cana of Galilee;” Jesus’ first stop is where He performed His first recorded miracle and is in
the heart and one of the crossroads of Galilee.
“a certain nobleman;” if he is a nobleman of this region,he has to be officially attached to
Herod Antipas, Tetrarch of Gallilee.
“son was sick at Capernaum;” this town is located right on the Sea of Galilee toward the upper
western region some 16 miles northeast from Cana.
John 4:47
When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went
unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he
was at the point of death.
“he went unto him;” he had to walk that 16 miles because he had no telephone, fax or car to
drive.
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“he would come down;” not only was it a 16 mile hike but it was up-hill all the way; a
difference in elevation of 1582 feet between the two towns; Cana was in the mountains and
Capernaum was below sea level right on the lake. {8}
John 4:48
Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not
believe.
“Except ye;” “except you” the “you” is plural here and directed at the entire Galilean crowd
assembled there. Their response to Christ’s presence was centered on a desire to witness a
display of miracles rather than the person of Christ Himself which showed the deepest unbelief.
John 4:49
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die.
“Sir, come down;” “come quick lest my boy die. I know that it is one o’clock in the afternoon
(see verse 52) and it is sixteen miles, but hurry!” This nobleman and all the Galileans were
about to learn a lesson about the fact that faith is not limited by distance, which is a part of space.
Faith is a spiritual thing and is not restricted by space, time, or matter. One other point, even if
the boy were to die Jesus could raise him back to life, for He has the power over death as Martha
and Mary will find out a little later on.
John 4:50
Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the
word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
“Go thy way; thy son liveth;” Jesus grants the man’s request out of compassion. And to say no
would show an outright lack of graciousness even in the sight of such small faith; at least the
man had enough faith to come to Jesus in the first place; that has to count for something.
“the man believed;” He not only believed here but in verse 53 along with his whole house this
time. Jesus’ miracle did produce fruit.
John 4:51
And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying,
Thy son liveth.
John 4:52
Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said
unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
“the seventh hour;” this is when he talked to Jesus probably right after he arrived. Now the day
began at 6 a.m. our time so the seventh hour would be one o’clock in the afternoon.
John 4:53
So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto
him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
“himself believed, and his whole house;” but just what did they believe? In verse 54 below it
says that this is the second miracle or sign of Jesus. In John 20:29 Jesus told Thomas “because
thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have
believed.” The Galileans had to see in order to believe just like Thomas; but just like Thomas
and this nobleman and his household once they saw they believed. Blessed are they that have
not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:31
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and
that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 4:54
This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of
Judaea into Galilee.
“the second miracle that Jesus did;” remember that He is in the first six months of His ministry
and already He has got some people angry at Him; and some people convinced that He is the
long awaited Messiah.
Jesus Starts Healing On The Sabbath
Mark 1:21
And they went into Capernaum; Luke 4:31 a city of Galilee, and taught them on
the sabbath days.
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Mark 1:21
And straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and
taught. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that
had authority, and not as the scribes.
“he taught them as one that had authority;” remember what was said above about teaching
with authority? Jesus taught by saying “but I tell you . . .” He spoke on His own prerogative,
with boldness.
Mark 1:23
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he
cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of
Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of
God.
“an unclean spirit;” unclean means morally impure. But let’s face it, this is a fallen angel of
some kind and therefore immediately recognizes the Holy Spirit in Jesus and wants to know if
He is here to destroy him (the demon) before the prescribed time.
“what have we to do with thee;” this demon is very well aware of the fact that he and Jesus are
from two diametrically opposed kingdoms and have nothing in common. Notice that the demon
uses the term “we” indicating that he is speaking for all demons. {4} Just because Jesus defeated
Satan in the wilderness doesn’t mean that He won’t be confronted with demons. Of the thirty-
five recorded miracles that Jesus did approximately twenty percent were confronting demons.
“I know thee who thou art;” Jesus doesn’t want nor does He need the endorsement of
despicable demons to make His case with the people of the Galilee region.
Mark 1:25
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26
And when the unclean spirit had torn him Luke 4:35 in the midst, Mark 1:26 and cried
with a loud voice, he came out of him Luke 4:35 and hurt him not.
“Rebuked;” this is a term in Aramaic that would better have translated as “admonished;” Jesus
was calling what was not right into submission. The demon had no right to speak the things that
he was saying about Jesus at that time. Therefore Jesus through His authority, brought the
demon into submission to cause all things to be right. {5 & 7}
“torn him;” this was more like an epileptic convulsion or spasmodic contraction (see Strong’s
Gr. 4682). {2}
“and hurt him not;” after having the convulsion or contraction whichever, he got up and was
not hurt by the whole episode; there is no contradiction in the Scriptures.
Mark 1:27
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among
themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this?
“what new doctrine is this;” Yea, it was new to them; they had been dumbed downby the slow
omission of God’s Word which was substituted for the opinions of men. This commentary that
you are reading is not an opinion but an explanation, and expository of God’s Word.
Luke 4:36
What a word is this! Mark 1:27 For with authority Luke 4:36 and power he
commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out, Mark 1:27 and they do obey him.
“What a word is this;” they were all saying “Hey, wait a minute. What is going on here? What
kind of word of authority is this that He can just speak to them and they are obedient to Him?
{13} This is mind blowing!” The question is how would we react if something like this were to
happen in front of us today? Would we ask the same questions as these Galileans? Or would we
fall on our knees and praise God?
Mark 1:28
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region Luke
4:37
every place of the country round about Galilee.
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“his fame spread;” This is the fame that brought about the jealousy of the ruling class that led to
Jesus’ death. The sad truth even today is that the leaders of the religious class of the world do
more to keep the people from the truth of God than the worldly and the atheists. The gospel of
God is not religion! It is the good news that even the worst sinner can be made free by just
confessing and believing in Jesus. It is as simple as that.
Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law And Many Others
Mark 1:29
And forthwith, Luke 4:38 he arose Mark 1:29 when they were come out of the
synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and
John.
There is no mention of Philip or Nathanael; there is no telling where they are.
Matthew 8:14
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother
laid, and sick of a Luke 4:38 great fever;
“his wife’s mother;” so ole Pete has a wife and mother-in-law; does he have any rug-rats
running around? It’s doubtful because he would make a poor apostle always worrying about his
family while he was on the road.
Now way back up in John 1:44 it said: “Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and
Peter.” Because Capernaum was a great fishing center only six miles from Bathsaida, and Pete
and Andy were fishermen Pete probably spent most of their time there anyway. So Pete picked
up a wife while there since that’s where he spent most of his time.
“great fever;” Doctor Luke is the only one that qualifies the fever as being great or a high fever;
that’s 101o or above.
Mark 1:30
and anon they tell him of her; Luke 4:38 and they besought him for her.Mark 1:31
And he came Luke 4:39 And he stood over her, Mark 1:31 and took her by the hand, and
lifted her up Luke 4:39 and rebuked the fever; Mark 1:31 and immediately the fever left
her, Luke 4:39 and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
“anon;” this is an archaic word from the French that means “immediately” (see Strong’s Gr.
2112). {2}
“took her by the hand, and lifted her up;” later on in Luke 8:53 Jesus will take Jairus’
daughter who was thought to be dead by the hand and she was awoken. He won’t have to rebuke
anything, just put the power of life back into her.
“rebuked the fever;” the word “rebuked” is the same word that is used by Jesus when He
exercised the unclean spirit in the man in the Capernaum synagogue. In this case He took what
was not right, the fever, and brought it under submission to His authority causing her
temperature to become right.
Mark 1:32
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were
diseased,
“even, when the sun did set;” even is evening after sunset; this signified the end of the Sabbath
so people could travel.
“brought unto him all that were diseased;” He’s better than a traveling medicine show
because He actually does heal for real, none of this fake snake oil stuff.
Luke 4:40
he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
“every one of them;” all who come to Him in faith He will in no wise cast away but will heal
them of their infirmities.
Matthew 8:16
And he cast out the spirits with his word, Mark 1:32 and them that were
possessed with devils;
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“cast out the spirits and them that were possessed with devils;” although both writers
probably mean the same thing they are using entirely different terms here: Matthew uses the
word “spirits” (Strong’s 4151) meaning any spirit. The reader just assumes that it is an evil spirit
or demon. Mark on the other hand is quite specific, his term is Strong’s 1139 that means “(be
possessed with) devil.” {2}
Luke 4:41
also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of
God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was
Christ.
“many, crying out;” this is the same thing that happened at the synagogue up in Mark 1:23-24
and it will be repeated every time Jesus confronts evil spirits.
Matthew 8:17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
“Esaias the prophet, saying;” this is from Isaiah 53:
Isaiah 53:3
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we
hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath
borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Mark 1:33
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
“all the city;” this has to be an exaggeration because just about all sources agree that the town’s
population was about 1500 strong. That’s a lot of people gathered at Pete’s mother-in-law’s door
for a healing. Why it would take three days to get up to the door just to walk in and tell Jesus
your problem.
Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and
departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
“a great while before day;” this would be well before six A.M. which is sun-up time.
“a solitary place, and there prayed;” and this is howJesus got His strength and was refreshed
every day; not by sleeping in but by jumping out of bed early even before the smell of coffee was
around and would go to a secluded place and commune with the Father. He drew His strength
and vitality from prayer. There is probably no greater sign of the necessity of prayer than the
example that Jesus gives in this verse. If He, being the Son of God went to prayer for
refreshment, strength, guidance, and even life itself, how much more are we puny men in need of
such contact with the almighty?
Back up in John 4:32 with the incident of the Samaritan woman at the well Jesus told His
disciples “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” Part of that meat was to do the will of the
Father by preaching to the woman; but the other part, the part gave Him strength, He had done
earlier that morning before anyone else had gotten up, this part of communing with the Father.
Now the disciples are exposed to it fully and for real. Let’s see how long it takes for them to
catch on.
Mark 1:36
And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
“Simon and they that were with him;” this is the first time that we see Simon-Peter take on the
role of leader. It doesn’t say just who followed him but most likely it was Pete’s brother Andy,
and their partners in the fishing business James and John.
“followed after him;” the word “followed” is Strong’s 2614 and should be rendered “hunted
down” or “searched for.” A.R.T.B. renders it as seeking for Him. {7}
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Luke 4:42
and the people sought him, Mark 1:37 And when they had found him, Luke 4:42
and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. Mark 1:37
They said unto him, All men seek for thee.
“people sought him;” so by the time that the disciples wake up there is a crowd at the door
already wanting to see Jesus. So Pete and the boys take off and finally find Him and say “Hey
there, everybody’s looking for you!”
“he should not depart from them;” look you are just getting started here, stay a little while
longer, like a couple years. People like you as long as you are doing them good, like miracles.
Maybe if He did stay a lot longer their faith might have increased because Capernaum is one of
the towns that He condemns for their lack of faith (see Luke 10:13-15).
Luke 4:43
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities
also: Mark 1:38 Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for
therefore came I forth.
“the kingdom of God;” this is the first of thirty times that Luke mentions the Kingdom of God
in his Gospel. Matthew preferred to call it the Kingdom of Heaven to avoid using the name of
God.
By announcing the Kingdom of God, Jesus was proclaiming the rule of God through the person
of Jesus, who will deal with sin by nailing it to the cross, dispense the Holy Spirit, who will
broadcast God’s blessings among all believers.
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, Mark 1:39 and cast out devils, Matthew 4:23 and
healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And
his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that
were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed
with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he
healed them.
“cast out devils;” keep in mind that there is only one devil, that is Satan himself; all the others
are demons or fallen angels that have manifested themselves in one fashion or another that is
evil.
“throughout all Syria;” His fame extended far beyond Judah and Galilee, most likely all the
way to Damascus. That was quite good for an itinerant preacher back then to be known from
Jerusalem to Damascus; a fame that He developed in His first year of ministry.
“lunatic;” Matthew is the only writer that uses this word and he uses it here and in 17:15. The
word in Strong’s Gr. 4583 means literally “to be crazy.” {2}
“the palsy;” Palsy in the scriptures is like a paralysis weather partial or whole.
Second Calling Of The Four Disciples
Luke 5:1
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word
of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
“lake of Gennesaret;” this is another name for the Sea of Galilee. It is also known as Lake
Tiberias. Gennesaret is used only three times, once each in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Tiberias
is used three times alsobut all in John. Galilee is used by all four writers sixty-two times in the
Gospels alone; it is also used in Acts and the Old Testament.
Here are some other facts from Wikipedia: It is a freshwater lake not a sea and it is the lowest
one on earth and the second lowest in the world (after the Dead Sea, a saltwater lake). At its
shore it is 686 feet below sea level and at its deepest point it is 808 feet below sea level. It is 33
miles in circumference, which is 13 miles long by 8.1 miles wide. Although it is fed by
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underground springs its main source is the Jordan River, which comes in at the north shore of the
lake and flows out at the south shore of the lake. {8}
Luke 5:2
And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of
them, and were washing their nets.
“washing their nets;” washing and mending of nets must be done after every time they are in
the water or after every day’s or in this case night’s fishing otherwise they will rot very quickly
and develop holes in them that the fish will escape from the net.
Luke 5:3
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him
that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the
people out of the ship.
“thrust out a little from the land;” “hey Pete, I know that you are tired but, would you mind if
I commandeered your boat. Put out a little from land so I can talk to the people; this way there
won't be any one behind me.” So Pete drops his nets, pulls his anchor, and rows out a little way
from shore and then drops his anchor again to steady the boat from wind.
In the area around Capernaum there is a good slope going down to shore of Sea of Galilee and it
creates a sort of natural amphitheater if you are just off the shore a little ways; great for teaching
people that are thronging around you.
“the ship;” this fishing boat could hardly be called a ship. A recently discovered first century
Galilee fishing boat was found near the shoreline apparently abandoned after several decades of
hard use. It was approximately 27 feet long by 7 ½ feet wide and fitted a crew of 5 or more and
was a keelboat rather than a flat bottom. It is considered proper to call any vessel that travels on
fresh water no matter what size a boat. However just because it travels on salt water does not
automatically make it a ship either. Size and function are important; submarines and PT boats
are boats while aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers, and cruise liners are ships. {8}
Luke 5:4
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the
deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
“let down your nets for a draught;” thanks for the use of your boat Pete, now I’m gone to give
you something as a token of my gratitude. Actually I have an ulterior motive.
Luke 5:5
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night,
and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
“Master, we have toiled all the night;” but boss, we busted our butts all night and got dittily
squat! After fishing all night which is the best fishing time and they got nothing; and now it is in
the heat of the day when the fish normally don’t bite.
“at thy word I will let down the net;” But after what you did to my mother-in-law OK. There
might still be some doubt but at least there is obedience. He has a little faith and Jesus is going
to multiply that faith to the point that will make his eyes pop out.
Luke 5:6
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and
their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto partners, which were in the other ship,
that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so
that they began to sink.
Jesus: “See, I told you that this is where the fish would be!” We should all see that even the fish
followed Jesus into the deep to be caught-up for God's purpose. Jesus is going to get four for the
price of one and some fish. When we follow God's directions the rewards always follow!
Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from
me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with
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him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James,
and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon.
“I am a sinful man;” aren’t we all! But don’t depart from me; cleanse me and make me
righteous like only you can.
"and all that were with him;" remember what was said above about a crew of five? Andrew,
Peter's brother and partner was most likely with him along whit the full crew.
“the draught of the fishes which they had taken;” a catch of fish that filled both boats to
where they were to the point of sinking would be enough to set the four of them up for a year
financially.
Luke 5:10
And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed
him.
“Fear not;” Jesus welcomes all who realize their wretched condition and He grants forgiveness
and reconciliation with God. He will then send you out to do God’s work.
“they forsook all;” Peter left a wife, and mother-in-law, and home; and along with Andrew the
fishing business. James and John left their father and the fishing business. And all of them just
walked away from what was probably the catch of a lifetime that was worth a fortune to become
Jesus’ disciples. How much of this earth are you willing to give up to follow Jesus?
Matthew 19:23
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich
man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It
is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter
into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly
amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto
them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 27 Then
answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed
thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto
you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man
shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren,
or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (see also Mark
10:24-30)
Luke is the only writer that records this incident; not even John who was there recorded it.
Healed Leper Broadcast His Healing On The Way To Capernaum
Luke 5:12
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of
leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face,
“a man full of leprosy;” this guy wasn’t even supposed to be in town in public. Although the
Old Testament word for leprosy included other skin diseases (Leviticus 13:2-39 give a group of
symptoms not all of which are leprosy) this man probably had the real thing, Hansen's Disease.
Leviticus 13:46
All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall defiled; he is unclean: he shall
dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.
Matthew 8:2
and worshipped him, Mark 1:40 beseeching him, and kneeling down to him,
and saying unto him, Matthew 8:2 Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
"worshipped him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him;" this guy had obviously heard
about Jesus to risk coming out like this. The only other record of an Israelite being healed of
leprosy was recorded in Numbers 12:10-15 where Miriam was healed.
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"if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean;" this guy has no doubt about Jesus' power to heal him
just whether or not He would.
Mark 1:41
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him,
and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
"moved with compassion;" Mark is the only one of the three that record this incident that
comment on Jesus' compassion: "Strong's . to have the bowels yearn, i.e. feel sympathy, to
pity:— have (be moved with) compassion." {2} You get the idea that Jesus groaned from way
down deep inside Himself with empathy and sorrow for the condition of this man.
"put forth his hand, and touched him;" Normally, if you touched a leper you would become
ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 14:45-46; Numbers 5:2-3; Deuteronomy 24:8). However in this
case Jesus touches the leper. He could have just spoken the word and the man would have been
healed; but Jesus, in His compassion gives him that physical touch that says "I care;" passing on
that love in the way that only touch can.
"I will; be thou clean;" with these words Jesus confirms his love to the man and the cleansing
of his disease from him.
Mark 1:42
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him,
and he was cleansed.
"as soon as he had spoken;" Leviticus 13 gives a very detailed description of the time it takes
for leprosy to go away; if it goes away at all. Jesus just spoke the words and “BAM” the leprosy
was gone.
Mark 1:43
And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; Luke 5:14 And he
charged him: Mark 1:44 See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew
thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses
commanded, for a testimony unto them.
“charged him;” in two Gospels Jesus charges this guy not to say anything to any man. Luke
5:14 repeats Mark 1:44 almost verbatim as if he used it as his source. In commanding his silence
Jesus hoped to keep attention from His healing ministry; He wanted to seen for Spiritual Healing
and not just the physical healing.
“shew thyself to the priest;” Jesus commanded that he obey the regulation of Leviticus 14 by
showing himself to the priest who would pronounce him clean; all things in proper order! What
did Jesus say in Matthew 5:18? “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or
one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
So what does this guy do?
Mark 1:45
But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the
matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was
without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter. Luke 5:15 Great
multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
“he went out, and began to publish it;” he didn’t follow the doctor’s orders, but this time it
hurt the doctor and limited where the doctor could practice; and even then the people found out
where Jesus was at and came in droves for all the wrong reasons.
Luke 5:16
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
This verse is the key to Jesus’ success; long bouts of alone prayer and meditation – communion
with the Father.
You want to be like Him; do the things He did? Start with this verse! You can study the
Scriptures from beginning to end and have them memorized so that you can quote them with
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chapter and verse numbers at the drop of a hat. But unless you know; have intimate relations
with the Father on a constant basis, you will never have the success that Jesus had.
John14:12
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do
also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
We are actually supposed to be doing grater works than Jesus did according to this quote from
John.
Why did people peel the roofs off of buildings and following him into the wilderness by the
thousands? It wasn’t just His spellbinding message that’s for sure. People are inherently self-
centered and were there for what they could get for themselves. He had a new, positive, and
upbeat message that was totally different form the ruling class of their day and they just had to
hear it.
But remember, of all those that Jesus spoke to, and all that He fed, and all that He healed there
were only one hundred and twenty in that upper room on that Pentecost Sunday. He started with
twelve and ended with one twenty; even though He lost one (Judas: see John 17:12), He
multiplied those that God gave Him by ten. And now He says that greater works than what He
did shall we do.
How many people has He given you to start with to influence? You have to at least multiply that
number by ten just to equal Jesus. This will speak volumes about how intimate our prayer
relationship is with the father.
This is will be your greatest work!
Mark 2:1
after some days; Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and
came into his own city. Mark 2:1 And again he entered into Capernaum.
“after some days;” Jesus had apparently worked His way north up and around the lake going
from town to town with the message of the Kingdom.
“came into his own city entered into Capernaum;” there is no confusion or contradiction of
the Scriptures here; although Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and raised as a child in Nazareth, He
used as a base-camp here in the north the city of Capernaum. He was known and liked there and,
at least half of His disciples were from the area around Capernaum; three were from nearby
Bethsaida alone: Andrew and his brother Simon Peter, and Philip.
So now He returns to the place that He left to avoid the crowds. (See Matthew 4:13)
Jesus Forgives Sins Of Man Sick Of Palsy
Luke 5:17
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were
Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of
Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem:
“Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea,
and Jerusalem;” It just so happened that these guys were holding a convention way up in
beautiful Downtown Capernaum with all expenses paid by the Temple Slush Fund Inc. Yea,
right! And if you believe that, there is some swamp land in Death Valley, California that you
might be interested in. NOT! They’re up there checking out Jesus in the land of the Essenes.
Mark 2:1
And it was noised that he was in the house.
“it was noised;” “Hey, Jesus is in town over at Pete’s mother-in-law’s place!” And they all
went scurrying over to Pete’s.
“in the house;” this is probably the same house that Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, where
Jesus had taken up temporary residence.
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And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room
to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto
them.
“many were gathered together, there was no room to receive them;” this was most likely a
many room house with several small rooms for sleeping, a cooking area, and a large room for
everything else. So Jesus is in the larger room with at least several of the disciples and the room
gets packed very quickly and then overflows out the door as they stand shoulder to shoulder
peering through the door and windows until the line starts to go down the street and everyone
trying to hear every word that Jesus says.
“he preached the word unto them;” Among other things the Good News of God’s Kingdom.
Luke 5:17
And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
“power of the Lord was present;” before Jesus ever preformed His first miracle at Cana He had
heard and seen this:
“lo, the heavens were opened unto him, And the Holy Ghost descended in a
bodily shape like a dove and lighting upon him, and a voice came from heaven,
which said,“Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.””
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and then permeated with the Holy Spirit at His baptism.
Anytime He needed power or knowledge it was available for Him to use. This is why He
always knew what was on the minds and in the hearts of the Pharisees and anyone else that He
was confronted with.
Luke 5:18
And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy Mark
2:3
which was borne of four:
“in a bed a man taken with a palsy;” this is paralysis most likely quadriplegic.
“which was borne of four;” and it is bad enough to have this guy so bedbound that he has to be
carried around by four probably relatives who are strong enough to carry him and his bed.
Luke 5:18
and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And
when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the
multitude, they went upon the housetop, Mark 2:4 they uncovered the roof where he
was: and when they had broken it up, they Luke 5:19 let him down through the tiling
with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
“they sought to lay him before him;” this shows their intention and faith in the one Who heals,
Jesus the Lord.
“they could not find by what way they might bring him;” now will they persevere or let faith
die on the vine?
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The setting of the story of the Savior's healing of a paralyzed man (Luke 5:18-26) can be seen in
this picture. {8}
“they went upon the housetop, they uncovered the roof;” some might call this vandalism, but
what this really is, is faith in action; their desire to get from God what they set out to do despite
the obstacles that happened in their way.
“let him down through the tiling with his couch before Jesus;” They had to go around the
crowd to the back side of the house, climb up to the roof, peel back the roof tiles and the
supports, hoist the bed with the sick guy on it up onto the roof, then back down in front ofJesus;
all this while Jesus was talking to the crowd. By the way, we get our word “ceramic” from the
Greek word describing the tiles on the roof, Strong’s G-2766. {2}
Matthew 9:2
and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good
cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
“Jesus seeing their faith;” He saw their faith; but that’s not all He saw: we’ll get in to it in just
a minute.
“thy sins be forgiven thee;” many believe that affliction and disease are brought about as a
result of sin. The Greek word for “forgiven” Strong’s G-863 refers to sending away (see Psalm
103:12; Jeremiah 32:34; Micah7:19). {2} By forgiving, sending away the man’s sins Jesus was
freeing him of his guilt which can paralyze spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
Matthew 9:3
And, behold, Mark 2:5 there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and
reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can
forgive sins but God only?
Luke 5:22
But when Jesus Matthew 9:4 knowing their thoughts, Mark 2:8 perceived in his spirit
that they so reasoned within themselves,
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“certain of the scribes reasoning in their hearts this man thus speak blasphemies;” there is
always going to be some naysayer when good comes along; their glass is always half empty and
so is their brain. And for the most part the entire Sanhedrin thought the same way. We only
know of two that sought the truth: Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea. But they were the
exceptions to the rule.
“knowing their thoughts;” remember that even though He is in human form He is still God and
therefore all knowing – omniscient.
“perceived in his spirit;” this is not the Holy Spirit but He saw in His omniscient Spirit. And
this is what Jesus saw: He saw those in the crowd that needed a lesson about the forgiveness of
sins; and this man needed to be forgiven his sins. So why not kill two birds with one stone.
Luke 5:22
he answering said unto them, Matthew 9:4 Therefore think ye evil Luke 5:22
reasoning Mark 2:8 these things Matthew 9:4 in your hearts?
“Therefore think ye evil reasoning these things in your hearts;” why do you guys got to think
this way? Once you have seared your conscience to just one area of righteousness you have
closed some of the pathways to proper thinking. This in-turn causes you to think further off
course which causes more rebellion which closes off more proper thinking which turns you even
more off course until you are headed the opposite way from heaven and you think that you are on
your way to God’s Kingdom when nothing could be further from the truth. The church leaders
of Jesus’ time thought that they were doing the right thing; they thought this all the way up
through the destruction of Jerusalem wondering what they had done wrong. There is only one
thing that can stop this snowball and that is Divine Intervention.
Matthew 9:5
For weather is easier, to say, Mark 2:9 to the sick of the palsy, Matthew 9:5 Thy
sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, Mark 2:9 and take up thy bed, Matthew 9:5 and
walk?
“For whether is easier, to say;” It is actually easier to say “your forgiven.” Besides, if sin
brought about his paralysis by healing him I would be forgiving his sin. It’s the same thing.
6
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,
(then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Luke 5:24 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up
thy couch, and go into thine house.
“Son of man;” the name that Jesus uses seventy nine times of Himself to indicate that He is the
representative of all mankind before God since He is God made man and the only one qualified
to be that representative.
“Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house;” so to satisfy the scribes He
pronounces the healing words. And guess what? They work. Either way the man was forgiven
of his sins that had him paralyzed and the paralysis was abated. It is just that the scribes didn’t
have a clue about; what had to take place in the spiritual world, the world of Jesus.
Luke 5:25
And immediately he rose up before them, Mark 2:12 took up the bed, Luke 5:25 that
whereon he lay, and departed Mark 2:12 before them all; Luke 5:25 to his own house,
glorifying God.
“he rose up took up the bed and departed to his own house glorifying God;” does it get any
better than this? The man was forgiven and healed all in one motion and glorified God in
thanksgiving. We are not given the name of this man but it is a good bet that he became a church
member after Pentecost.
Matthew 9:8
But when the multitudes saw it, Luke 5:26 And they were all amazed, Matthew
9:8
they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
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“they were all amazed and glorified God which hadgiven such power unto men;” In
Matthew 16:19 Jesus gives out the principle of binding and losing to the disciples:
Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
But in chapter 18 He explains it to them:
Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his
fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in
the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he
shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the
church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto
you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
What’s the subject here? Sins and forgiveness; and Peter knew it.
Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not
unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the
kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his
servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which
owed him ten thousand talents (a talent is 750 ounces of silver; that’s 468,750
pounds, or 234.375 tons of silver). 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord
commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and
payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him
(besought him), saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his
fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence (a pence or a denarius was a
day’s wage; so the guy owed a hundred days’ wages): and he laid hands on him,
and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his
fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with
me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into
prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was
done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant,
I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also
have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his
lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that
was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye
from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
God not only gave us the power to forgive sins of others but made it an obligation. You see
when we forgive others it tends to bring about healing to their spirit and soul which spills over to
their body. They light up with a positive spirit that heals from the inside out.
When we hold others bound in their sins we too are held bound in unforgiveness; and the same
torture and anguish that eats at them will also eat at us by holding them bound. Not only that,
but God promises that He will not forgive us our sins unless we forgive all others first.
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It’s real simple, in God’s Kingdom there will be no sin. If we are holding someone bound in
their sin we become an accomplice to their sin and therefore neither one of us gets to enter into
the Kingdom of God.
Word of caution here: not all illness or disasters of life are the result of sin so don’t go accusing
people of sinning when they have something negative happen to them. Remember that we live
in a fallen world and bad things happen to all people; just look at the Apostles and what befell
them, all were murdered except John.
Luke 5:26
And were filled with fear, saying, Mark 2:12 We never saw it on this fashion.
Luke 5:26
We have seen strange things to day.
When the Church was born some two and a half years later these healings became more
commonplace.
Matthew Called
Mark 2:13
And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto
him, and he taught them.
“went forth again by the sea side;” remember that He was in Capernaum which is on the Sea
of Galilee.
“all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them;” He has picked up quite a
following and they are hungry to hear and see more.
Luke 5:27
And after these things he went forth, Matthew 9:9 and as Jesus passed forth from
thence, he saw a Luke 5:27 saw a publican, named Levi Matthew 9:9 Matthew, Mark 2:14 the
Matthew 9:9
son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto
Luke 5:27 28
Matthew, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
“after these things he went forthas Jesus passed forth from thence;” this is after Jesus picked
up this crowd He went forth and they followed.
“he saw a saw a publican named Levi;” a publican was a collector of Roman revenue. there
were two classes of collectors 1. The chief of the publicans of whom Zacchaeus is an example.
2. The ordinary class of publican that did the actual collecting of revenue such as Levi. {33}
“Matthew, the son of Alphaeus;” Matthew is his name after his conversion and the name that
he uses in the gospel that he wrote.
“sitting at the receipt of custom;” not only did he know everybody in town but this place that
he sat at was like a port of entry that everybody had to pass through to get anywhere. If you
wanted to go to town you had to pass through the port of entry to get there and to go back home;
they got you coming and going if they wanted to.
“said unto Matthew, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him;” now obviously
this wasn’t just a drive-by shooting of a stranger. Levi – Matthew had heard about Jesus and His
miracles and the rumors that He was the Messiah and together with the crowds that were
following Him he knew this was it! He made the decision to follow Christ.
Luke 5:29
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: Mark 2:15 And it came to
pass, that, as Jesus Matthew 9:10 sat at meat Mark 2:15 in his house, Matthew 9:10 behold, Luke 5:29
a great company of publicans Matthew 9:10 and sinners came and sat down with him
and his disciples, Mark 2:15 for there were many, and they followed him.
“Levi made him a great feast in his own house;” this is Luke writing and still using his
unconverted name.
“as Jesus sat at meat in his house;” he invited Jesus his new benefactor and
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“a great company of publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and his disciples;”
Levi – Matthew’s response to conversion is to introduce his old buddies to Jesus in hopes that
they too might receive what he’s got.
“there were many, and they followed him;” this is referring to the number that came in with
Jesus and the disciples. There are two separate groups here those that came in with Jesus and
those that are with Levi – Matthew.
Mark 2:16
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and
sinners, Luke 5:30 they against His disciples, saying, Matthew 9:11 Why eateth your Master
with publicans and sinners?
“the scribes and Pharisees;” now naturally when you get a good thing going sooner or later the
antagonists will show up and try to ruin the whole party with their negativity.
“saw him eat with publicans and sinners;” and probably having a darn good time because
these are down to earth folks that know how to party.
“they against His disciples, saying Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners;”
the place was packed so they just grabbed one of the disciples and asked him why. These people
were so stiff-necked and nose-in-the-air that even speaking was not excepted behavior much less
eating with them was absolutely abhorrent (see Luke 7:33,34; 15:2; 19:7 ). They believed that
such behavior was tantamount to conveying an acceptance of that person’s sin. But Jesus went
after them that He might win them over rather than quarantining Himself from such people.
Matthew 9:12
But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need
not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I
will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance.
“when Jesus heard that, he said unto them;” naturally Jesus heard what they said, He heard
everything that went on in the room.
“They that be whole need not a physician;” Jesus wasn’t saying that these church leaders
didn’t need spiritual healing. He was just saying that only those that realize their need for
spiritual healing can be treated and healed. Anyone who is self-righteous like these church
leaders won’t come seeking the physician because in their own eyes they don’t need a doctor.
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth;” this was a commonly used phrase to rebuke
someone who did not know something that they should have known.
“I will have mercy, and not sacrifice;” Jesus cites Hosea 6:6 which is cited by 1 Samuel 15:22
& Micah 6:6-8:
Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than
burnt offerings.
1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Micah 6:6-8
Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the
high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
7
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of
rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body
for the sin of my soul? 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what
doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God?
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Jesus uses this citation of Hosea again in Matthew 12:7 to show the absolute priority of the law’s
moral standards above the ritual requirements that will someday fade away.
The Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees only saw the outward, ritual, and ceremonial side of God’s
Law. {4} They ignored, or were ignorant of, the eternal inward moral aspects of God’s Law.
Professing to be wise they became fools, rejecting God’s Physician Who alone could heal their
condition.
First Question On Fasting
Mark 2:18
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come
Matthew 9:14
saying, Why do we Mark 2:18 the disciples of John Luke 5:33 and likewise the
disciples of the Pharisees; Matthew 9:14 fast oft, Luke 5:33 and make prayers, Mark 2:18
Luke 5:33 Matthew 9:14
but thy disciples eat and drink [and] fast not?
“the disciples of John;” this of course is speaking of John the Baptist. Not all of John’s
disciples followed Jesus at least right away. We know of two, Andrew and John (see John 3:30
and Acts 19:1-7). Now at the time that this episode is taking place in Jesus’ life John the Baptist
is in prison (see Matthew 4:12).
Note: John the Baptist was the last prophet of the Old Testament. He pointed out the “Lamb of
God that takes away the sins of the world” to everyone. The New Testament began when Jesus
blessed and distributed the cup of the New Covenant at the last supper.
“and of the Pharisees;” the Pharisees too had pupils.
“used to fast;” during Jesus’ time a twice-a-week fast was prescribed as your expression of
orthodox Judaism (see Luke 18:9-14). This is ritualistic fasting and is of little or no use before
God. And besides, the entire Old Testament only prescribed one fast and that was the Day of
Atonement (Leviticus 16:29).
Mark 2:19 Matthew
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber
9:15
mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? Mark 2:19 as long as they have
the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
“children of the bridechamber;” this is a Hebraism that refers to the guests and not “friends”
or to the groomsmen (see John 3;29)
“bridegroom;” Jesus here is referring to Himself.
“cannot fast;” are not able to fast because this is still the wedding feast.
“fast;” fasting is usually associated with great spiritual need and mourning and not in times of
celebration like a wedding. There was no need for Jesus’ disciples to fast while they were
enjoying company with Him.
Mark 2:20
But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from
them, and then shall they fast in those days.
“taken away from them;” Jesus was looking forward to the day when He would be suddenly
and violently plucked away from them like an eagle plucks a fish out of the water.
“then shall they fast;” this is when it will be appropriate to fast when He is taken away and
crucified.
Luke 5:36
And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new
garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece
that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. Matthew 9:16 for that which is
put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
“a parable unto them;” did Jesus just switch subjects on them from fasting to Haberdashery?
NO! This isn’t about clothing repair; He’s still on the subject of fasting. He’s saying that the old
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ritualistic rules of fasting in Judaism which were made by man, are contrary in the new way that
He brings.
Luke 5:37
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst
the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. Matthew 9:17 But they put new
wine into new bottles. Luke 5:38 New wine must be put into new bottles; and both are
preserved. 39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he
saith, The old is better.
“old bottles;” deteriorated wineskins (usually made from goat skins with the neck of the goat
forming the bottleneck then smoked with oak bark). When new wine is put in to new goat skins
the skins stretch out some to absorb the weight of the wine and the swelling that takes place as a
result of the fermentation of the wine. But after a while the skins dry out in this stretched-out
condition so that if these skins were to be reused, when pouring in the new wine they would have
no stretch left in them and would burst spilling the wine. Now-a-days wine is put in glass bottles
or plastic lined boxes after the fermentation has taken place so they don’t have this problem.
“both are preserved;” the old is preserved in its way because it has not been changed (Matthew
5:18).
“he saith, The old is better;” this shows why some had problems with Jesus’ doctrine; they just
were too comfortable with their old way of life.
Note: in both allegories the situation becomes worse by fasting the old ritualistic way in the New
Covenant. You can’t mix man’s made-up old way with God’s new way; it becomes an
abomination before Him.
Deuteronomy 12:28
Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may
go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that
which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God. 29 When the LORD thy
God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them,
and thou succeedest (Heb. Inheritest) them, and dwellest in their land; 30 Take
heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be
destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying,
How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31 Thou shalt
not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he
hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters
they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 32 What thing soever I command you,
observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
It was true when God was talking to the Israelites back in Deuteronomy times; it was true when
Jesus spoke these words in His time; It is true today and it will be true forever.
Late Spring, AD 28
Jesus Heals The Lame On The Sabbath
John 5:1
After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
“a feast of the Jews;” He drove out the money changers at Passover a year ago and now it is the
Feast of Pentecost.
Exodus 23:14
Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. 15 Thou shalt
keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days,
as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou
camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And the feast
of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the
feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in
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thy labours out of the field. 17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear
before the Lord GOD.
Exodus 34:22
And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat
harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year’s end. 23 Thrice in the year shall
all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.
Here are your two witnesses: three times a year are we to appear before the Lord and not empty-
handed; at Passover, at Pentecost, and at Tabernacles.
By the way, after the ruckus He created the last time He was here with the money changers and
telling off the Pharisees it takes a lot of brass to come back and possibly confront the same
people. But Jesus isn’t no ordinary person; this is one of the reasons why He came to earth.
Note: From this point on there is a major shift in the minds of the religious leaders from
reservation about the possibility of Jesus being the Messiah (John 3:26; 4:1-3) to downright
rejection (John 7:52). The opposition starts with His Healing on the Sabbath (John 5:1-16).
Even as early as verse eighteen we see them seeking “to kill Him.”
John 5:2
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the
Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
“by the sheep market;” this was near a gate in the north wall of Jerusalem just west of the
northeast corner, close to the temple, through which sheep were brought for sacrifice.
“a pool;” actually a cistern that stored the intermittent supply from the springs of the waters of
Gihon. {3}
“in the Hebrew tongue;” It is called House of Kindness In Hebrew (Byt-Hseda, Bethsaida). {7}
“having five porches;” these were actually just archways leading to flat slabs sitting on columns
at the edge of the water. Five in Biblical numerics is the number denoting "grace" (see appendix
10, the Companion Bible), which is fitting for the name Bethesda means "house of mercy".
Note: "Beth" is a Hebrew word which means "house". So Beth-esda means "house of kindness
or mercy". Beth-lehem means "house of bread", Beth-el means "house of God", Beth-saida
means "house of fishing", Beth-aven means "house of vanity", etc. {6}
John 5:3
In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered,
waiting for the moving of the water.
“halt;” crippled or lame.
“waiting for the moving of the water.” There is some controversy as to whether or not the
latter half of this statement beginning with the word “waiting” all the way through the entire
fourth verse were part of the original Gospel of John. They are missing from the earliest Greek
manuscripts as well as other early versions. However there some circles that believe that John
wrote in Latin; so any Greek manuscripts would have been translations. (Dr. E.W. Bullinger’s
Companion Bible’s note on this subject reads as follows: “If it be an addition (to John’s Gospel)
it must have been a marginal note to explain the “troubling” of v. 7, which gradually got into the
text.”)
John 5:4
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the
water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made
whole of whatsoever disease he had.
“troubled the water;” as explained in verse two above the source of the waters of the pool was
intermittent; so when a new supply came down from the springs of Gihon the waters of the pool
would be stirred up, or troubled. This does not discount the healings that happened.
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John 5:5
And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6
When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case,
he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
“thirty and eight;” the number thirty-eight is found only four times in the entire Bible; three
times in the Old Testament (Deut. 2:14; 1 Kings 16:29; 2 Kings 15:8), and here only in the New
Testament. In the Old Testament examples people were enslaved by their unbelief. Here in the
New Testament this man is enslaved by disease that has left him a cripple. {6}
In thirty-eight years you would think that he could time the stirring of the waters and place
himself close to the edge of the pool. But this shows just erratic those waters were; you couldn’t
time when they would come down from Gihon.
“knew;” this word implies a supernatural knowledge of the man’s situation; he had been waiting
there since before Jesus was born (see John 1:47-48; 4:17-18). By exercising His sovereign
initiative in choosing this particular person who had been sick for almost four decades He knew
there would be no question as to the genuineness of the healing.
“Wilt thou be made whole;” Our Saviour is not just talking about a physical healing here, He is
after the whole being, body, soul, and spirit although this guy might not understand that. When
you receive a miracle from God it effects your whole being. This is verified by verse fourteen.
John 5:7
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is
troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down
before me.
“I have no man to put me into the pool;” not realizing what he has just been offered because
his mind is still fixed on his physical handicap; woe is me because somebody always cuts in
front of me before I can get down there. I’ll be the last Jew to ever get healed.
John 5:8
Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
“Rise, take up thy . . . walk;” John 1:1, 3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not
anything made that was made.” By the power of His spoken word Jesus created the universe and
everything that is in it including this man. So He can use the power of this same spoken word to
cure one of His created beings. That’s all that is going on here.
Jesus had told John the Baptist in Matthew 11:1-5 that one of the proofs of His being the
Messiah was that the lame would walk. Also in Isaiah 35:1-6 it had been predicted speaking of
the Messiah: “The lame shall leap like a deer.”
“Bed;” this bed or pallet or mat was normally made of straw and was light enough to be carried
on the shoulder by a well person.
John 5:9
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and
walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
“immediately the man was made whole;” of course he was! Did you expect anything
different? Jesus spoke it, and “BAM” it was done; faster than lightning.
“took up his bed, and walked;” this just shows how complete this guy got cured.
“on the same day was the sabbath;” now there is nothing written in the Pentateuch about this
but you know that strict Jews had something in their code about how far you could carry a straw
on your shoulder on the seventh day of the week between the hours of six am and six pm. Also
it is not clear whether or not this is the High Holy Sabbath of Pentecost, being around that time
or just a weekly Sabbath.
John 5:10
The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is
not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
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“it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed;” actually there is a book called the Mishnah that is
twenty-three chapters long that interprets the Sabbath law. And in it you will find what
constitutes bearing a burden on the Sabbath including carrying anything from one domain to
another. (Mishnah Shabbath 7:2; 10:5) {13} {4} God’s commandment just simply says to:
Exodus 20:8
“Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it Holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour,
and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God:
in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy
manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy
gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in
them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day,
and hallowed it.
For the Pharisees this one Law of Moses, like many others, had taken on a life of its own by
getting added to so that you could not break the first law because you were too busy trying
tokeep the other added rules that had multiplied into twenty-three chapters of the Mishnah. Four
verses from Moses had become twenty-three chapters, ridiculous!
“it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed;” what was the guy supposed to do leave it by the
pool so someone could trip over it and fall into the pool and drown? So now the guy is up on
manslaughter charges or negligent homicide. Jesus had him carry it away as proof of his total
healing. But the Jews don’t care about that; one of their precious traditions has been violated:
Oh My!
Besides, he didn’t violate the Law of Moses (above); he might have transgressed one of
those multiplicities in those twenty-three chapters of the Mishnah that God didn’t write. But that
ain’t no sin just because you say it is. Only God can determine what is sin and what is not.
John 5:11
He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take
up thy bed, and walk.
“He answered them;” the Jews most likely knew this guy especially since he’s been there for
thirty-eight years; by now he’s become a public figure. So he calls attention to the fact that he’s
been healed and says “Anybody that can heal me after thirty-eight years of being a cripple has
got to have some authority, so when He told me to take my bed up and walk, I did it.”
John 5:12
Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy
bed, and walk? 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had
conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
“he that was healed wist not who it was;” the guy that got healed didn’t have to exercise any
faith whatsoever. He didn’t even know who Jesus was nor did he express any thankfulness (v.
14). Jesus met a need because there was a need but more importantly as seen in verses fifteen
through the rest of the chapter the confrontation between Him and the Jews starts to become
more intense which was all in the plan of God.
“Jesus had conveyed himself away;” John records Jesus “conveying Himself away” from the
crowd on four occasions: here and in 8:59; 10:39; & 12:36. But Jesus does catch up with the
man later in verse fourteen.
John 5:14
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou
art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
“sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee;” this is the first time that we hear that his
illness was caused by sin. This also means that Jesus forgave him in addition to curing his
ailment. Not all sickness is the result of sin; remember we live in a fallen world.
Jesus also told the woman caught in adultery in John 8:11 to “Go and sin no more.”
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Just remember that when Jesus heals someone, the healing is from within, i.e. to the inner man,
and includes the opening of the eyes and the ears of those He so graciously touches: {6}
Isaiah 29:18
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall
see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
John 5:15
The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him
whole.
“told the Jews that it was Jesus;” He probably thought that he was doing the right thing: “Hey
guys I found the one that healed me, He’s a real cool dude, man you got to meet Him.”
John 5:16
And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because
he had done these things on the sabbath day.
“the Jews persecute Jesus;” it had the opposite effect!
Keep in mind that John was one of the first disciples and an eye witness to all of this.
“sought to slay him;” this is the first sign of real open hostility toward Jesus; they might have
been skeptical about Him before, but now the gloves are off.
“had done these things on the sabbath day;” stop and think for a minute; nobody knows the
law better than Jesus; after all, He spoke it to Moses, His finger engraved it into the stones that
rest in the Arc of the Covenant.
But, to the Jews way of thinking, despite the miracle, He did it on the wrong day of the week; it
violated our traditions. It’s like the good work of the miracle of the healing was made void by
the fact that He did it on the Sabbath, violating their Mishnah; which has nothing to do with the
law of God.
Matthew 15:6
Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your
tradition.
Mark 7:13
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition,
So much for what God thinks of your traditions. Remember Jesus is the Word of God and since
He is our salvation we make our salvation of none effect by our traditions. (Rituals fall into that
same category.) Do you want to know what pleases God?
Psalm 51:16
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise.
John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
“My Father worketh hitherto, and I work;” God’s work never ceases because He sustains the
universe; even the rabbis agreed to this. Here Jesus is agreeing that God works all the
time;except He is also calling God His Father thus making Himself, a man, equal to God. Of
course this makes everyone that heard it snap their head around and exclaim: “Say what’d that
fool just say?” He said: “My Father has had no sabbath-cessation of sustaining the universe from
the beginning until now and neither do I.” Later on He will tell the apostles that He and the
Father are one.
John 5:18
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had
broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal
with God.
“Jews sought the more to kill him;” and you thought it was bad when they were going to go
after Him with knives and swords in verse 16; forget that, now it’s bazookas and howitzers.
Let’s see, He has pissed off the High priest and his crowd, and now all the ruling Jews; all that’s
left of anyone in authority is Herod. But that’s because He hasn’t come across him yet. But the
common folk love Him and receive Him.
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John 5:19
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The
Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things
soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
“Verily, verily;” these words should be translated “Surely, surely, I say unto you;” or in modern
English “With the utmost assurance I say unto you.”
“what he seeth the Father do;” is a continuation of verse 17 Jesus just says that the only works
that He performs are what He sees God doing, meaning that He sees into the world that God
lives in and observes what God does. That’s quite a statement in itself because to do the same
works of God you have to be at least on the same level with God. To the Jews that is pure
arrogance. They’re ignoring the fact that He just very well could be the Messiah.
John 5:20
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself
doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. John 5:21
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son
quickeneth whom he will.
“he will shew him greater works than these;” this refers to the raising of the dead. God did it
in the Old Testament 1Kings 17:17-24; 2Kings 4:32-37; 5:7; and in the New Testament we see it
in John 11:25-44; 14:19; 20:1-18.
“that ye may marvel;” that you would give glory to God
“the Son quickeneth whom he will;” the son of the widow in the city of Nain, Jairus’ daughter
in Capernaum, and Lazarus, Martha and Mary’s brother.
John 5:22
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the
Son:
“but hath committed all judgment unto the Son;” again Jesus claims equality with God but
says that He is acting in accord with the Father and in harmony with Him doing His work.
John 5:23
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He
that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
“That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father;” and this is the very
reason for verse 22: that we should honor Jesus as we honor the Father; equally! This is the
desire of the Father that we should Honor Jesus this way. If you want to honor the Father you
must honor Jesus first; this is how the Father is honored.
One of the signs of false cults is their failure to honor the Son. There are three things that Satan
is always attacking: the word of God, the divinity of Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit. If
you see any of these you are dealing with a false cult and God isn’t in it, only Satan with his
imitation tricks; Beware. 1 John 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but)
he that acknowledged the Son hath the Father also.
John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on
him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but
is passed from death unto life.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you;” “with the utmost assurance I say to you.” We won’t cover this
anymore unless the meaning changes.
“but is passed from death unto life;” but we’re not just talking about mere physical life as in
verse 21 are we? Jesus is now talking about eternal life and those who receive it are those who
hear the word and believe in the Father and Son and live the Word to the best of what God gave
them there will be no condemnation (see Romans 8:1: Colossians 1:13).
John 5:25
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the
dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
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“The hour is coming, and now is;” this is what is called dual prophecy. Those who are already
born again are already “spiritually” resurrected. (“is now” Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13). And
yet there is a future physical resurrection that still awaits them and all that ever lived (“hour is
coming” 1Corinthians 15:35-54; Philippians 3:20-21).
“the dead shall hear the voiceof the Son of God: they that hear shall live; everyone gets the
chance to hear the voice of the Son of God weather in this life or at the judgment. All that
receive His voice shall live forever; those that reject Him get the lake of fire. For to reject the
Son is to reject the Father.
John 10:30
I and my Father are one.
John 14:9
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me,
Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
John 14:11
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very
works’ sake.
John 5:26
For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have
life in himself;
“the Father hath life in himself;” self generating, self-sustaining, forever in the past and into
the future, life abundant without need; and the ability to give life to others. The Father is the
source that passes life on to Jesus.
“given to the Son to have life in himself;” the Son shared in this life before He took on human
flesh. However, when He became a man with that human flesh that corrupts and dies shedding
His deity, the Father gave him His same life giving abilities including to lay down His own life
and take it up again. Jesus passes His life on to us who believe. It’s a simple chain of command
or pyramid of power.
John 5:27
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the
Son of man.
“given him authority to execute judgment also;” this completes His ministry; to give life and
to judge.
John 5:28
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice,
“the hour is coming;” and it still hasn’t yet; although we are getting closer and closer all the
time.
“all that are in the graves shall hear his voice;” like stated above in verse twenty-five, every-
body gets to hear His voice and gets to be judged.
Note: when you see a repeat of a scripture like this it is for emphasis and a second witness (see
Deuteronomy 17:6-7; 19:15) to establish a matter.
John 5:29
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
“they that have done good,” Jesus is not teaching salvation by works here (see John 6:29).
Even in this context, “good” is believing on Jesus as the Messiah so to receive a new nature that
results in good works (see John 3:21; James 2:14-20).
“unto the resurrection of life;” there are two separate resurrections (see Revelation 20:4-5), the
resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation which Jesus presents here in the same
fashion as the Old Testament Prophets, who liked to group events together without the
distinction of time (see Isaiah 61:2). This first one takes place a thousand years before the
second one. That’s quite a while! The resurrection of life is where the saints are judged and
rewarded according to their works.
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“they that have done evil;” the real evil is to reject Jesus; because by rejecting Him you are
rejecting the Father the source of all light. Only evil deeds will come out of that which will
reflect your decision.
“unto the resurrection of damnation;” this is the second resurrection (see Revelation 20:12-
15), and all those that are judged “according to their works” to be evil (their names are not
written in the Book of Life) are thrown into the lake of fire.
Note: God is not a sadist; nor is He going to have those of us that are in His kingdom mourning
over some relative or friend that didn’t make it. The lake of fire is an all consuming fire that
destroys completely. Those that are thrown into in it are permanently and forever thrown into
non-existence; as though they had never existed before; no memory of them at all. They had
wasted their lives away by rejecting God and His Son.
John 5:30
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is
just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent
me.
“I can of mine own selfdo nothing;” Jesus is the soldier in the field and the Father is the
Headquarters giving the intelligence to the field soldier; with-out it, the soldier can do nothing.
“as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just;” why? Because the intelligence was smack on;
and it was carried out by someone seeking to do the will of the one that sent Him. Yes Sir!
Witness To Jesus
John 5:31
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
“my witness is not true;” if a person brags on themselves their word is going to be suspect.
John 5:32
There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness
which he witnesseth of me is true. 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto
the truth.
“another that beareth witness of me;” but you don’t have to just listen to me. There is another
that I know is true.
“Ye sent unto John;” (John 1:19) the religious went to John the Baptist.
“he bare witness unto the truth;” John declared that Jesus was the living Lord (1:27); the
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (1:29); the Son of God (1:34); the one Who
comes from heaven (3:31). Jesus declares that witness to be true.
John 5:34
But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might
be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season
to rejoice in his light.
“I receive not testimony from man;” I don’t even except the witness of John as the final proof
of who I am.
“He was a burning and a shining light;” John was a bright light that lit the way to God and the
truth. Jesus uses the past tense here because by now John’s work had been completed for he was
in imprisoned by Herod.
John 5:36
But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father
hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the
Father hath sent me.
“I have greater witness than that of John: for the works;” remember what Nicodemus said?
John 3:2
Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles
that thou doest, except God be with him.
“that the Father hath sent me;” the works bore witness that the Father had sent Him.
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John 5:37
And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye
have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
“the Father himself, hath borne witness of me;” at Jesus’ baptism: Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22
“ . . . and a voice came from heaven, which said,Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well
pleased.” If three Gospel writers record this it must be pretty important to God!
“Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape;” but Jesus has; for He was
with the Father from time eternity.
John 5:38
And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye
believe not.
“him ye believe not;” if you don’t believe the one that the Father sent then you don’t believe the
Father because the word of the Father is in the one that He sent; Jesus is the Word of God, John
1:1.
John 5:39
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are
they which testify of me.
“Search the scriptures;” the religious leaders that Jesus was speaking to were very learned in
the Old Testament Scriptures (that’s all that was available at the time; the New Testament hadn’t
been written yet). But although they searched they could not see Jesus as the Messiah and
therefore did not believe in Him (verse 38 above). The entire Old Testament is the elaborate
story of how God is going to save His people through Jesus the Messiah. The same thing applies
today; you can memorize the entire Old and New Testaments and be able to quote them at the
drop of a hat; but that won’t get you into God’s kingdom. Are you living them?
James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man
beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his
way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso
looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy,
and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
These religious leaders had gotten so hung-up on their rituals and man-made rules that they had
lost sight of the real true religion; how God was going to save them through the Messiah. Are
we so wrapped-up in this world and its politics that we have lost sight of the real story? Jesus
didn’t just save us from our sins; He left behind a living example of righteousness for us to live
by.
John 5:40
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
“ye will not come to me;” the problem was not lack of evidence; it was all over the scriptures.
The problem was their blindness to the evidence; they either passed over or refused to see what
was staring them in the face. We also have to keep in mind that God is in control here. If Jesus
doesn’t get crucified, we don’t get our sins forgiven. Just as God hardened and softened the
heart of Pharaoh like he was a cheap fiddle, He has also blinded the eyes of these church leaders
as to the identity of Jesus so His divine purpose could be carried out.
John 5:41
I receive not honour from men.
“not honour from men;” Jesus was seeking only to please the Father. If He were trying to
please these men by being the type of Messiah they wanted, He would have to not only provide
the miracles and food, but also the military and political power to overthrow the Romans; and
none of this dying on the cross for our sins, we don’t need that, we’re perfect.
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John 5:42
But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in
my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name,
him ye will receive.
“him ye will receive;” in the years Just before 70 A.D. a group of messianic pretenders rose up
and were believed by a great majority of the Jews. This is also a reference to the antichrist who
is to come whom the world, especially the Jews will receive with open arms.
John 5:44
How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the
honour that cometh from God only?
“which receive honour one of another;” there is only one true glory; and that comes from God.
The glory of men is fleeting and forgotten with time. It is usually local to a sport, or other public
performance or political performance. Stop and think for a minute: can you remember just who
won the first Nobel Peace Prize? Or, who was the first Secretary General of the United Nations?
Both were very glorious positions and within the last hundred years or so. Butthey are forgotten.
Only the glory of God last forever; because it is in Heaven and not on this corrupt earth, given by
corrupt men, therefore it is corrupt glory. (see 2 Peter 3:10-13)
John 5:45
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth
you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
“Moses, in whom ye trust;” the word trust here should be translated “hope.” When day comes,
it won’t be Christ that accuses them it will be the one that they have placed their hope in, Moses.
They will be condemned by the very Law that they professed to keep.
John 5:46
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
“he wrote of me;” Christ was written about by Moses in the promises to the patriarchs, in the
historical deliverance from Egypt, in the framing of the Law, and in the prophetic proclaiming
of a prophet like himself. If they had believed Moses and the Old Testament, they would had
received Jesus as the Messiah with open arms. There are over three hundred Old Testament
prophecies that were specifically fulfilled by the first coming of Christ. {5}
John 5:47
But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
“if ye believe not his writings;” the real problem here is that their traditions had overridden the
Word of God that had been written by Moses. This is how God blinded them into becoming the
advisory of Christ.
Sabbath Made For Man
Mark 2:23
And it came to pass, Matthew 12:1 At that time Luke 6:1 on the second sabbath
after the first, that Matthew 12:1 Jesus went through the corn; and his disciples were an
hungred.
“on the second sabbath after the first;” this would be two weeks later about mid to late June,
A.D. 28.
Mark 2:23
And his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn, Matthew 12:1
and to eat. Luke 6:1 rubbing them in their hands.
“pluck the ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands;” the English used to call any grain that
they were speaking about “corn.” Remember the King James Bible was written in England. In
England they would say wheat was “corn” while it was oats in Scotland and Ireland. Rice was
“the only corn that grows in the island” of Batavia now known as Java so says a 1767 travelogue.
{33} In the case of the disciples it was most likely barely because that is what the Jews made
their bread from (see John 6:9).
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Matthew 12:2
But when Luke 6:2 certain of the Matthew 12:2 Pharisees saw it, they said unto
him, Luke 6:2 Why do Matthew 12:2 thy disciples Luke 6:2 that which is not lawful to do on
the sabbath days?
“certain of the Pharisees saw it;” you get the idea that from now on the religious leaders are
going to conduct surveillance on Jesus and His disciples just to catch any slip-ups that they can
to make accusation against Him.
“Why do thy disciples that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days;” Jesus’ teaching
on how to keep the Sabbath holy was a big bone of contention between Him and the religious
leaders. To them the Sabbath was a sign of the Mosaic covenant and to violate the Sabbath was
to disobey the entire Law of Moses (Numbers 15:30-36). Harvesting was forbidden on
theSabbath (Exodus 34:21), but the disciples were not picking the grains to sell, just to eat right
there on the spot.
Exodus 12:16
And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the
seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be
done in them, save that which every man (Soul) must eat, that only may be
done of you.
Deuteronomy 23:25
When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou
mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy
neighbour’s standing corn.
The disciples were not breaking God’s law. God did not intend for us to starve on the Sabbath.
Quite the contrary, He enjoys it when we have a big family get-together with lots of food. The
Pharisees had concocted thirty-nine categories of forbidden actions on the Sabbath; one of which
was the form of “harvesting” that the disciples were doing. Let’s face it, they were out to get
Jesus and this was just all part of it.
Matthew 12:3
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an
hungred, and they that were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, Mark
2:26
in the days of Abiathar the high priest, Matthew 12:4 and did eat the shewbread,
which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but
only for the priests?
“in the days;” this can mean “during the lifetime.”
“of Abiathar the high priest;” According to 1 Samuel 21:1-6 it was Abimelech, Abiathar’s
father, was the priest that gave the bread to David and his men. Abimelech died shortly after this
incident and Abiathar became the high priest during David’s reign. So this did happen “during
the lifetime” of Abiathar.
“did eat the showbread;” according to Leviticus 24:5-9 twelve fresh loaves of bread one each
representing the twelve tribes of Israel were placed on the sanctuary table every week with the
old loaves to be eaten by the priests. Under normal circumstances it would not have been lawful
for David and his party to eat this consecrated bread, at this particular time they were starving
and there was nothing else for them to eat. God would not want to see these men starve to death
and therefore is not offended.
The Talmud explains this apparent breach of the Law on the basis that the preservation of life
takes precedent over nearly all other commandments in the Law. {5} It’s the ox in the well thing
(see Luke 14:5).
Word of caution here: this does not mean that you can make-up your own rules for the Sabbath;
“Oh it rained this week so I didn’t get this done so I’ll have to do it on the Sabbath.” No! It
rained because God was watering the earth and testing you as to whether you will honor His
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Sabbath. Yes, if there is a true emergency like the ox in the ditch or your neighbor’s house is on
fire or any true emergency, take care of it, it will become a true blessing.
Matthew 12:5
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests
in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
“the priests in the temple profane the sabbath;” the priests have to do quite a bit of work on
the Sabbath;
Numbers 28:9
And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two
tenth deals (ephah) of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the
drinkoffering thereof: 10 This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the
continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
“two lambs and two tenth deals of flour;” in addition to the ones that you did for the daily
offering you now have to hoist up two more year old lambs onto the altar plus the 5.35292
pounds of flour and oil plus the drink offering. (A bushel is 41.05 lb; an ephah is .652 bushel;
therefore an ephah is 26.7646 lb; two tenths of an ephah is 5.35292 lb). And this is just the
weekly Sabbaths; the Holy Days are even much worse; the priests have to work their tails off in
order to cover all the sacrifices.
Matthew 12:6
But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
“one greater than the temple;” Jesus was flat-out claiming His deity; He was God wrapped-up
in human flesh and as such was far better than any man made building, even the Temple.
Matthew 12:7
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not
sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
“I will have mercy, and not sacrifice;”Jesus is quoting from Hosea 6;6: “For I desired mercy,
and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
Mark 2:27
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for
the sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
“The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath;” God had instituted the
Sabbath way back in the book of Genesis as a memorial to creation to give man a day to rest
from his labors and to be a blessing for him while he communed with God. But the Pharisees
loaded it up with a bundle man-made of regulations that made the Sabbath a burden rather than a
blessing. It was a gift to man, not man being obliged to the sabbath.
“the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath;” by saying that He was Lord of the Sabbath He
was claiming authority as God to reject the Pharisee’s regulations concerning the Sabbath and
restoring God’s original plan for the Sabbath observance as a blessing and not a burden. Of
course this goes over like a lead balloon with the Pharisees; no one in authority likes to have
their authority challenged, especially by an itinerant nobody preacher from the sticks.
Man’s Hand Healed On the Sabbath
Luke 6:6
And it came to pass Matthew 12:9 when he was departed thence, Luke 6:6 also on
another sabbath, that Matthew 12:9 he went into their synagogue: Mark 3:1 again
“he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue;” this is one of the towns in the
Galilee region.
Luke 6:6
and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
Luke 6:7
And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the
sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
“the scribes and Pharisees watched him;” every town that had a synagogue had some scribes
and Pharisees attached to it to make sure that all the regulations were adhered to.
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Matthew 12:10
And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that
they might accuse him.
“that they might accuse him;” now they’re getting sneaky! They know what the law is; they’re
just trying to trip Him up. But they don’t know just Who they are dealing with! Their tradition
forbade the practice of medicine on the Sabbath with the exception of life-threatening conditions.
But the Old Testament had no such prohibition; it is always lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
Luke 6:8
But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered
hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Mark 3:4
And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil?
to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil;” Jesus returns the Pharisee’s
question with a question of His own that elevates their question from a legal to a moral problem;
“Is it lawful?” The Pharisees knew that He was referring to the Mosaic law and forcing them to
look hard at their traditions with regard to the Sabbath.
“But they held their peace;” by doing this they were out-right admitting that they needed to
rethink their position.
Matthew 12:11
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall
have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on
it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is
lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
“Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days;” but, even with this example their
hearts get hardened and they refuse to change.
Mark 3:5
And when he had looked round about on them Luke 6:10 all, Mark 3:5 with anger,
being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth
thine hand Matthew 12:13 And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as
the other.
“with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts;” this is righteous anger. Even
after showing them that their practices were against the law of Moses they refused to change.
“it was restored whole;” so He healed the man right there in front of everybody.
Matthew 12:14
Then the Pharisees Luke 6:11 were filled with madness. Mark 3:6 [They] went
forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, Luke 6:11 and
communed one with another what they might do to Jesus; Mark 3:6 how they might
destroy him.
“the Pharisees were filled with madness;” the word madness might best be translated as “rage”
(Strong’s G454) {2}. Jesus wasn’t challenging the law of Moses He was challenging them and
their traditions and they didn’t like it one little bit.
“took counsel with the Herodians against him;” the Herodians were a secular political party,
consisting of a large population of Sadducees, that took their name from Herod Antipas and they
were strong in their support for Rome. They opposed the Pharisees on just about every issue but
were more than happy to join forces with them to get rid of Jesus.
Matthew 12:15
But when Jesus knew it, Mark 3:7 [He] withdrew himself with his disciples
to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, 8
And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, Matthew 4:25 and from Decapolis, Mark 3:8 and
from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they
had heard what great things he did, came unto him.
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“withdrew himself;” From this point on in Jesus’ ministry and life He is followed by belligerent
opposition anytime He appears in public. And so for a while He withdrawals from that
opposition but continues to minister to His followers.
“with his disciples to the sea;” probably near Capernaum.
“a great multitude from Galilee followed him;” But the real followers find Him from
Nazareth, which is not far from the valley of Megiddo approximately 40 walking miles
southeast from Capernaum which is on the Sea of Galilee in the Galilee region. That’s a good
two day walk if you figure 20 miles a day which is a good pace to walk at. That would be 2
miles an hour across a ten hour day.
“from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea;” now from Jerusalem it is about 102 miles, and from
Idumea is at least another 57 more miles. That’s five days for Jerusalem and seven days for
Idumea. Note: this is the only time that Idumea is mentioned in the New Testament and was
originally populated by Edomites (descendants of Esau) but by now mostly Jews and was
considered part of Judea. {72}
“from Decapolis, and from beyond Jordan;” Decapolis, also called Perea, consist of ten cities
east of the Jordan River ruled then by Herod Antipas in what is now the country of Jordan; so it
depends on which city you were from as to how far you had to travel. Some cities were near the
Sea of Galilee and some were not.
“they about Tyre and Sidon;” Tyre is 59 miles and Sidon is 83. These two were Phoenician
cities on the Mediterranean coast in what is now modern day Lebanon. (Note: today you can’t
go direct from either of these cities along the coast then inland to Capernaum because the
northern border of Lebanon to Israel is closed to all traffic. Today you will have to go through
Lebanon into Syria down into Jordan crossing into Israel south of the Sea of Galilee; 275 miles
from Sidon; 274 from Tyre.) Both of these are considered to be Gentile cities.
Matthew 12:15
And he healed them all; 16 And charged them that they should not make
him known:
“And he healed them all;” of course He did! Jesus displayed His Messiahship and the
compassion of God by healing and delivering from demons all that came to Him. In all of
history there never was a time or person that demonstrated such a great healing power. {72} The
Old Testament records very few in comparison to the number of prophets. He came to minister
to those who will harken to Him.
“that they should not make him known;” this is why He withdrew Himself, to avoid the
confrontation with those church leaders and their traditions as it was not His time yet.
Matthew 12:17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying,
“spoken by Esaias the prophet;” what follows is a quote from Isaiah 42:1-4.
Matthew 12:18
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul
is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the
Gentiles.
“Behold;” God formally introduces His Servant.
“my servant, whom I have chosen;” this title “My Servant” is identified as Jesus here in
Matthew 12:15-21. He has been “Chosen” as the Messiah (Luke 9:35; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation
13:8).
“my beloved;” Jesus is singled out here in Isaiah as being “Beloved” of God and also in
Matthew 3:17; 12:18 17:5, Mark 1:11; 9:7, and Luke 3:22; 9:35. That’s ten times, ten is the
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number of ordinal perfection. The only other person in the Bible called beloved by God is
Daniel (three times): Daniel 9:3; 10:11,19.
“in whom my soul is well pleased;” God was so “Pleased” in Him that He put His Holy Spirit
in Him (Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22, 4:18).
“he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles;” this “Servant,” that is Jesus, who possess the Holy
Spirit is empowered to bring “judgment” (justice) to the world, the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:19
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the
streets.
“nor cry;” the Hebrew word here means to shriek; and to call an assembly to be heard. Jesus
did the opposite, He left the crowds but they followed Him. He taught the sermon on the mount
in the countryside, not in the streets or synagogue.
Matthew 12:20
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench,
till he send forth judgment unto victory.
“bruised reed;” represents the poor and broken by Satan.
“shall he not break;” this is a understatement for the positive equivalent: to mend or restore.
Part of Isaiah 42:3.
“smoking flax shall he not quench;” Part of Isaiah 42:3. These are those whose faith is about
to burn out. The Servant comes not to collect the strong for revolution, but to minister mercy to
the week and to restore the poor, the broken, and the burnt out and encourage the people in faith
(see Matthew 11:5).
“till he send forth judgment unto victory;” this is a misquote of the last line of Isaiah 42:3.
The original said: “he shall bring forth judgment unto truth;” not “till He send.”
Matthew 12:21
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
“in his name shall the Gentiles trust;” The word “trust should be rendered “hope.” {3}
Mark 3:9
And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because
of the multitude, lest they should throng him.
“a small ship;” Jesus knew that the multitudes would be upon Him 24/7 so He made
preparations to be alone, something that He cherished and needed for refueling His spirit.
Mark 3:10
For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch
him, as many as had plagues. 11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell
down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 12 And he straitly
charged them that they should not make him known.
“to touch him;” by merely touching Him many would be healed.
“had plagues;” diseases of all sorts.
“unclean spirits;” the more unfortunate ones were possessed bythese unclean spirits, or demons.
These evil spirit beings have no physical body but frequently seek to inhabit humansor even
animals. When confronted with the presence of Jesus they forced the person that they inhabited
to bow the ground and cry out.
“Thou art the Son of God;” the demons immediately and without hesitation affirm the real
identity of Jesus and His dual nature and proof of Jesus’ deity.
“Charged . . . not make him known;” Jesus always wanted His teachings and His actions to
proclaim who He was; not the impure testimonies of demons. {4}
The Twelve Apostles Are Named
Luke 6:12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray,
and continued all night in prayer to God.
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“he went out into a mountain to pray;” Jesus was always going out alone to some deserted
place to pray; it was His prayer-closet; His time to refuel with His Father. The mountain was
probably just a hill overlooking Capernaum.
“continued all night in prayer to God;” this was an all-nighter that He sometimes pulled
before a major event. This was a biggie, the naming of His Apostles; those whom He would
send out with the Gospel message and with the power of the Holy Spirit. And the names had to
come from the Father.
Luke 6:13
And when it was day, he called unto him Mark 3:13 whom he would: and they
came unto him.
“he called unto him whom he would;”the verb “called” shows that Jesus is acting on His own
authority in choosing these particular twelve to be apostles (see John 6:70; 15:16). Picture a
large gathering of disciple-followers, and one-by-one Jesus summons twelve individuals out of
the group.
Luke 6:13
And of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
“he chose twelve;” twelve is the number of Governmental Perfection in all things that have to
do with government in the heavens or the earth. (The Companion Bible Appendix 10)
“he named apostles;” Apostle; Strong’s G # 652: he that is sent. {2} Jesus had many disciples.
At one point He will send out 70 by pairs to proclaim the Gospel (see Luke 10:1)
Mark 3:14
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might
send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out
devils:
“he ordained twelve;” it is not clear what form this ordination took; weather He poured oil on
their heads, or just commissioned them, or just said I appoint you as apostles with all these
powers.
“that they should be with him;” these would be His core group that would follow Him all the
time and that He would “send forth” to preach the Gospel. We don’t know how many were
there at the time that He appointed these twelve but can you imagine the disappointment if you
weren’t chosen? Christ was using His divine insight into the character, and future of each of His
followers in choosing these twelve; yes, even Judas Iscariot. They would learn as and become a
tight-knit group each with his own strengths and weaknesses. Where one might be weak another
would be strong. Jesus was building the Church from the foundation up; you might call these
twelve the footings for the foundation. At Pentecost the 120 in the upper room became the
foundation. (120 being 10 times 12).
Mark 3:16
And Simon Luke 6:14 whom he also Mark 3:16 surnamed Peter; Luke 6:14 and Andrew
his brother, Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James;
Luke 6:14
and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: Philip
15
and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and
Simon called Zelotes, 16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot,
which also Mark 3:19 betrayed him: and they went into an house.
“Simon whom he also surnamed Peter;” Simon’s name doesn’t get changed to Peter until just
before the transfiguration over half way through Jesus’ ministry. (Note: it was a Israelite custom
to rename someone who had a experienced a life-changing event in their life; and Simon just had
one. This has similarities to the renaming of Abram to Abraham in Genesis 17:3–5 and of Saul to
Paul in Acts 9. Notice also the pairing of the names in groups of two. This is because this is the
way He sent them out in groups of two.)
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“Andrew his brother;” who was first a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35-39) is always
found bringing someone to Jesus. In John 6:8 Andrew brings the lad who just happens to have
the five barley loaves and two fishes for Jesus to multiply so the 5000 can be fed.
“James the son of Zebedee; Zebedee was a fisherman who along with his two sons James and
John were in partnership with Simon in the fishing business.
“John the brother of James surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder;”
John and James’s mother, and Zebedee’s wife was Salome who followed Jesus and attended to
Him and was there at the crucifixion. The sons of thunder will be covered later.
“Philip;” was around when John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the “Lamb of God” in John
1:36. Philip introduced Nathanael to Jesus and was probably at the wedding feast of Cana. He is
seen in Acts 8:27-39 explaining the Gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch in the Gaza. But his main
ministry was in Greece, Syria, and Phrygia. {8}
“Bartholomew;” Son of Tholomew (see Matthew 16:17) is also called Nathanael in whom there
is no guile (John 1:47).
“Matthew” the tax collector is also called Levi (Luke 5:27-29).
“Thomas;” “which is called Didymus,” which means “twin:” Strong’s G1324. {2}
“James the son of Alphaeus, also called James the less (Mark 15:40) and possibly the brother
of Matthew according to Mark 2:14. Mother’s name was Mary.
“Simon called Zelotes;” also called Simon the Canaanite (Matthew 10:4 ;Mark 3:18).
“Judas the brother of James,” also called Thaddaeus in Mark 3:18; and Lebbaeus in Matthew
10:3.
“Judas Iscariot;” Iscariot is a Hebrew term that means “a man of Kerioth,” which is a town
called Kerioth-heron, south of Hebron (See Joshua 15:25). He is generally labeled as the one
who betrayed Jesus or who carried the bag.
“they went into an house;” most likely the house that Jesus had been using as a headquarters.
Jesus Gives the Sermon On The Mount And The Beatitudes
Luke 6:17
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of
his disciples, and a great multitude of people of people out of all Judaea and
Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and
to be healed of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits:
and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there
went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
“he came down with them;” he went down south the coast about half way toward Gennesaret a
distance of about a mile and a half from Capernaum.
“and stood in the plain;” There is a plain there that has several hills rising up out of it to the
west most of which are about 575 feet above the Sea of Galilee. But that’s still over 82 feet
below sea level.
“and the company of his disciples;” from this point on in His ministry they are almost always
with Him ( Except at night when He went to pray and when He dispatched them to spread the
Gospel).
“a great multitude of people of people came to hear him, and to be healed;” the word had
gotten out; there was a true “Man of God” here!
“all Judaea and Jerusalem and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon;” Jesus’ notoriety was
not only among His only people but had spread to the Gentiles of Tyre and Sidon.
“there went virtue out of him, and healed them all;” if being in God’s presence could change
Moses’ countenance and full appearance, imagine what it would be like to touch God. That ‘s
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what these folks did. The energy of the Holy Spirit in Jesus flowed out of Him to heal all that
came in contact with Jesus in faith.
Matthew 5:1
And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain, and when he was
set (seated), his disciples came unto him: Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his
disciples, Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
“seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain;” the word multitudes is found here and
at the end of the Sermon on the Mount but there it is translated “the people” in 7:28. Here in 5:1
it implies that Jesus left the crowds to go up to the hill so that He could instruct His close
followers and as He taught them the peoples filtered in.
“when he was set (seated);” It was customary for a teacher to sit while he taught, with his
audience gathered around.
“his disciples came unto him;” we’re not just talking the twelve here but all of the many
dedicated followers.
“he opened his mouth, and taught them;” this Sermon on the Mount is a powerful dissertation
of the Law and a definite attack on the Pharisee’s legalism. It ends with a call to true faith in the
salvation that God offers and instructs (Matthew 7:13-29).
Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; Luke 6:20
Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed;” literally means “happy, fortunate, blissful.” This is much more than a physical
emotion. This is the overall state that one feels from receiving divine favor; remember it is God
that is doing the blessing. (See Psalm 1:1) He will bring about a certain feeling upon you if you
are Poor In Spirit; or if you Mourn; or you are meek; or any other of the Beatitudes.
“the poor in spirit;” this is the exact opposite of self-sufficiency; it is total spiritual humility in
that apart from God you’re dead. Your conscience convicts you that if it wasn’t for God’s grace
you would have an appointment with the lake of fire very shortly. (see Proverbs 3:34)
“ye poor: for yours;” Luke’s rendering of the Beatitudes is condensed in comparison to
Matthew’s. Luke only lists four Beatitudes and then follows it with four woes. He also uses the
personal pronouns you and yours to drive it home to the reader that this is directed to them.
“the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God;” both phrases say the same thing and have been
put in here to show the contrast in the writers: whereas Matthew, a Jew always says the Kingdom
of Heaven to avoid using the name of God, possible in vein; he never uses the expression
Kingdom of God. However Luke, a Greek has no such reservations; neither does Mark or John
both Jews. This shows that once converted Matthew, the former tax collector went whole hog
into the law trying to keep what he thought was the spirit of the law using God’s name only
when necessary in his writings.
The Kingdom is what we are shooting for; it is the reward and gracious gift of God for those who
know their own bankruptcy of spirit.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: Luke 6:21 are ye that weep now: Matthew 5:4 for they
shall be comforted, Luke 6:21 for ye shall laugh.
“that mourn; that weep now;” from Strong’s concordance: Mourn; . “pen-theh´-o; to
grieve (the feeling or the act):— mourn, (be-) wail.” {2}
Weep; “klah´-yo; to sob, i.e. wail aloud:— bewail, weep.” {2}
Notice that Luke says that you are weeping now. And just what are you weeping for? Your sins
and your absolute spiritual bankruptcy before God. This is what to produces repentance which
leads to salvation with no regrets. (See 2 Corinthians 7:10)
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“Comforted; shall laugh;” from Strong’s concordance: Comforted; . “par-ak-al-eh´-o; to

call near, i.e. invite, invoke:— beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-
ation), intreat, pray.” {2}
Laugh;. “ghel-ah´-o; to laugh (as a sign of joy or satisfaction):— laugh.” {2}
You will be satisfied, comforted by the forgiveness of your sins and the gift of salvation.
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
“meek;” to be meek is the opposite of being out of control. Jesus gave us the prime example of
meekness when He told Peter: Matthew 26:52 “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into
his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I
cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of
angels?” That’s 72,000 angels and it is power under control; that is what meekness is. And then
He healed the ear of Malchus the High Priest’s servant. Meekness is a form of humility knowing
that you have power over someone but don’t lord it over them or even cause them to take notice
of it.
“shall inherit the earth;” this is a quote from Psalm 37:3,9,11,29; Proverbs 2:21. Those who
humble themselves before God not only get to share in the greatness of heaven but will also rein
with Jesus here upon the earth.
Luke 6:21
Blessed are ye that hunger now: Matthew 5:6 and thirst after righteousness: Luke
6:21
for ye shall be filled.
“that hunger and thirst;” this is the person who is scrambling up a huge pile of gravel with
righteousness at the top as his prized life’s goal. It’s the opposite of self-righteousness that the
Pharisees established on their own, for their own purpose.
“now;” in this life, tomorrow might be too late; you could die tonight; and then you would have
to face the judgment with only the righteousness of the Pharisees which is no righteousness at
all. (See Isaiah 55:6-7)
“ye shall be filled;” “He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness”
(Psalm 107:9).
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
“the merciful shall obtain mercy;” Jesus gave us the proper example of how this works:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). We continue to be
granted mercy because we show mercy to others; this becomes part of the nature of the Christian,
showing mercy and kindness to others. (See Psalm 41:1)
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
“pure in heart;” these are the people whose lives have been changed and are being changed day
by day by the grace of God. Their hearts are pure.
“they shall see God;” there is an important scripture to remember in Ezekiel below after the
Psalms.
Psalm 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy
place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto
vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and
righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Psalm 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Ezekiel 33:12 Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The
righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for
the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his
wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that
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he sinneth. 13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his
own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered;
but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. 14 Again, when I say unto
the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and
right; 15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the
statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 16 None
of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which
is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
“the peacemakers;” (the only time this word appears in the Bible) this is best described in
Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to
them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Also see
Psalm 133:1)
“they shall be called the children of God;” vs. 45 “That ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on
the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.
“persecuted for righteousness’ sake;” even after conversion we still live in a fallen world.
Here is a list of eighteen Scriptures to verify: Psalm 69:4; Amos 5:10; Matthew 5:10-12; 10:22;
24:9; Mark 13:13; Luke 2:17; John 3:19; 15:18; 15:21; 15:25; Romans 1:29-30; 2:24; 1
Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 4:16; James 4:4; 5:10-11; 1 Peter 4:12-16
“for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” this is the second time that the Kingdom of God or
Heaven is promised. It’s not like God ran out of things to promise. You have to be pour in spirit
in order to be righteous, so it is all part of the same thing. Jesus is saying that God is sanctioning
this persecution to strengthen your righteousness and humility; the reward for which is the
Kingdom both here and future.
Matthew 5:11 Luke
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,
6:22
[and] shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company,
and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, Matthew 5:11 and shall say all
manner of evil against you falsely Luke 6:22 for the Son of man’s sake.
Luke 6:23
Rejoice ye in that day, Matthew 5:12 and be exceeding glad: Luke 6:23 and leap for
joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their
fathers unto the prophets Matthew 5:12 which were before you.
“separate you from their company;” you will get kicked out of their schools, organizations,
even neighborhoods, you could even get run out of town because of Him.
“Rejoice ye in that day and be exceeding glad and leap for joy;” John 16:33 “These things I
have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
“in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets;” See 1Kings 18:4; 19:20; 2
Chronicles 24:21; 36:16; Nehemiah 9:26.
All these promises of the Beatitudes belong to all those who follow after Jesus.
Luke 6:24
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
“woe unto you that are rich;” Luke chose to curse the reverse in the physical. If you have
wealth it is because God wants you to become His distributer of it to the poor. If you hoard it by
hanging on to it that is all you are going to get is the heartache that it brings. Proverbs 13:23 New
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Living Translation“A poor person’s farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all
away.”
Luke 6:25
Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh
now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
“you that are full;” Isaiah 65:13 “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall
eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my
servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:”
Luke 6:26
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their
fathers to the false prophets.
“all men shall speak well of you;” Proverbs 27:21 “As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace
for gold; so is a man to his praise.”
“so did their fathers to the false prophets;” Jeremiah 5:31 “The prophets prophesy falsely, and
the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the
end thereof?”
Matthew 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith
shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be
trodden under foot of men.
“Ye are the salt of the earth;” salt has two functions: to season and to preserve. In Jesus’ time
it was mostly used to preserve.
“salt have lost his savour;” pure salt consists of two elements, sodium and chlorine. It cannot
lose its flavor or its effectiveness as a preservative unless it becomes polluted or contaminated
with other materials. Then it’s only use will be to throw it onto footpaths to hold down
vegetation.
Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and
it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
“Light;” verse 14: Strong’s 5457; “foce; (to shine, or make manifest, espec. by rays; comp.
, ); luminousness (in the widest application, nat. or artif., abstr. or concr., lit. or fig.):—
fire, light.” {2}
. “fah´-ee-no; prol. for the base of ; to lighten (shine), i.e. show (tran. or intr., lit. or
fig.):— appear, seem, be seen, shine, × think.”{2}
. fay-mee´; “prop. the same as the base of  and ;to show or make known one’s
thoughts, i.e. speak or say:— affirm, say.” {2}
Your words and actions are your light.
“World;” Strong’s. “kos´-mos; orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by impl. the
world (in a wide or narrow sense, incl. its inhab., lit. or fig. [mor.]):— adorning, world.” {2}
“city that is set on an hill;” within eyeshot behind where Jesus was speaking was the city of
Safed, 2952 feet above sea level in the mountains of the Upper Galilee; and it could be seen from
almost any direction except from the west.
“cannot be hid;” what we say and do cannot be hidden; it will get out, and it will either be to the
Glory of God or to our condemnation. But if we are condemned, then we drag down the Name
of Jesus and His whole Church.
“Light;” verse 15 Strong’s . “kah´-yo; appar. a primary verb; to set on fire, i.e. kindle or (by
impl.) consume:— burn, light.” {2}
This is lighting a fire for burning purposes.
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“a candle;” or lamp; Greek luchnos

“under a bushel;” according to A.R.T.B. this is a seah-basket which will hold about 9 U.S.
quarts. {7}
“a candlestick;” or the lamp stand; Greek luchnia {2}
“it giveth light;” Strong’s . “lam´-po; a primary verb; to beam, i.e. radiate brilliancy (lit. or
fig.):— give light, shine.” {2}
This is illumination of the atmosphere for physical sight purposes.
“your light;” in verse 16 is the same as in verse 14: your good works.
“glorify your Father;” that’s what we are all about; giving glory to God the Father for creating
us in the first place and then forgiving our sins in the second place. It’s all about His love.
Jesus Teaches That The Law Is Forever And Spiritual
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not
come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth
pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
“Think not;” this is a warning: “Don’t even think for a moment that the Laws of the Kingdom
sub-plant the Law of Sinai.”
“to destroy the law, or the prophets;” here Jesus repudiates the Pharisees’ charges that He was
nullifying the Law and making up His own.
“I am not come to destroy;” He wasn’t either giving new law or modifying the old, but He was
just disclosing the real implications of the spiritual and moral content of Moses’ and the entire
Old Testament. The Law and the Prophets have nothing to do with the interpretations by the
rabbis and church leaders over the centuries either. Those are man-made regulations that have
nothing to do with Moses and the Old Testament.
“to fulfil;” Strong’s 4137; “complete.” {2} There are some provisions in the Law that are “ . . .
It shall be a statute forever in your generations . . .” Leviticus 23:41
“Till heaven and earth pass;” first of all, Jesus sets the time frame here: heaven (the sky) and
earth don’t pass away and the new heaven and earth appear until after the thousand year reign of
Christ here on earth. And that doesn’t happen until after the tribulation; which hasn’t happened
yet. [Hang on folks, God has some great things in store for us yet.]
“one jot;” Strong’s . “ee-o´-tah; of Hebrew origin [the tenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet:
(Aramaic: Yodh)]; “iota,” the name of the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, put (fig.) for a very
small part of anything:— jot.” {2}
“one tittle;”. “ker-ah´-yah; fem. something horn-like, i.e. (spec.) the apex of a Hebrew
letter (fig. the least particle):— tittle.” {2}
“till all be fulfilled;” everything will be complete; the law will be completely obeyed by
everybody and all of the Prophecies will be fulfilled; of course that will be in His kingdom after
the Great White Throne Judgment (see Revelation 20:11-15) and the new heaven and new earth
established.
Matthew 5:19
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and
shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but
whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom
of heaven.
“shall be called the least in the kingdom;” remember that Jesus is speaking to His disciples
who are already believers, so He tells them that they will be held in very low esteem if they are
not careful to keep the Commandments of God and teach others to do so also.
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“shall be called great in the kingdom;” the assigning of rank in the kingdom is exclusively
God’s discretionary right. Keep in mind that He is talking about the commands of God and not
the regulations of the Pharisees and traditions of the elders that make the Word of God of none
effect (see Matthew 15:6; Mark 7:13).
Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the
kingdom of heaven.
“the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees;” Jesus was calling His disciples to a
foundationally, deep-seated holiness that the Scribes and Pharisees had completely lost sight of.
Their righteousness was based externally and all activity oriented. But this must have really
blown the minds of Jesus’ disciples because the people that He was talking about were viewed as
for above the average person in righteousness. However, in God’s view just good works won’t
get you into heaven and neither will legalism. Matthew 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise (dill) and cummin, and have omitted the
weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to
leave the other undone.”
“shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven;” this precludes salvation by works (see
Isaiah 64:6). Faith is the only way to the perfect righteousness that God imputes to believers (see
Genesis 15:6).
Starting here in verse 21 and going through verse 32 Jesus internalizes the Law. If you read the
Ten Commandments you will see that the first nine are external: based on doing or not doing
something. The tenth is internal and has to do with the mind and heart not desiring something.
What Jesus is saying here is that all sin, it doesn’t matter which commandment you break; all sin
has to do with the mind and heart long before the action takes place.
Matthew 5:21
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill;
and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you,
That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the
judgment:
“Ye have heard that it was said . . . But I say unto you;”
LAW SPIRIT
(It has been said) (But I say)
Murder No anger
Adultery No lust
Divorce Commitment
Oath-taking Speak the truth
Retaliation Forgiveness
Hate your enemy Love your enemy {5}
“Ye have heard that it was said;” this refers to the teachings of some of rabbis and the
interpretations of the Jewish scholars and not Moses that Jesus was correcting, not the Old
Testament
“Thou shalt not kill;” this is Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17. Jesus was not changing the
Law He was just straightening out what they had heard from the church leaders all their lives.
Note: as is seen is today’s church there are many traditions that have been carried on for many
centuries that nullify the Word of God. This commentary alone so far has seen quite a few
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fallacies to church teachings and corrected them. There are many more to follow, so hang on to
your hat, God has some revelations coming up.
Matthew 5:22
and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (Vain fellow), shall be in
danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of
hell fire.
“Thou fool;” Strong’s . “mo-ros´;dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (morally.)
blockhead, (appar.) absurd:— fool (-ish, × -ishness).” {2} Verbal abuse comes from the same
wrong motivation of hatred and anger and will ultimately lead to murder if nowhere else except
in your heart. This attitude of the heart is forbidden by “thou shall not kill” the same as if it had
been physically carried out. If we guard our hearts against these attitudes the words that offend
will never come out of our mouths.
“hell fire;” Strong’s . “gheh´-en-nah; of Hebrew origin valley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-
henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (fig.) as a name for the place (or state) of
everlasting punishment:— hell.” {2} Human sacrifices were performed there in 2 Chronicles
28:3; 33:6 that’s why it was called “The Valley of Slaughter” in Jeremiah 19:6. (See also 2 Kings
23:10; Jeremiah 7:31-33) During Jesus’ time, it had become a trash dump where fires were
burned 24/7 and so it became the symbol of eternal fire. Jesus was stressing the damage that we
do when we utter words of anger that kill. They kill us and the person that we are speaking them
to.
Matthew 5:23
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that
thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go
thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at
any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the
officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no
means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
“gift;” an offering either physical or spiritual.
“Leave there thy gift before the altar;” leave your offering before God to take care of the
business with your brother or whomever, then you can offer your gift and God will hear and
accept you.
“Agree with thine adversary quickly;” make arrangements out of court to pay someone that
you owe.
“cast into prison;” Debtors prison, where you would work to pay back what you owed.
“Farthing;” equivalent to an eighth of a shekel; in today’s money that’s $45.50 per farthing.
Matthew 5:27
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not
commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to
lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
“Thou shalt not commit adultery;” this is a quote from Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18. But
this includes all “adult” activities; that is, any sexual thing outside the marriage bed. This
includes nudity; God covered us up for a reason.
Matthew 5:29
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it
is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it
off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members
should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
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“right eye offend thee, pluck it out;” this exaggerated saying is like the one in Proverbs 23:2
“And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.” What Jesus is saying is no
matter what the cost get everything away from you that is a temptation to sin.
“cast into hell;” this advise is also a warning; if your life is involved in uncontrolled immorality
you will not enter the Kingdom of God.
NOTE: Throughout this section of Matthew (verses 17-48), Jesus uses strong contrasts and
overstatements for emphasis. The best way to gain the insight from this section is to keep these
three contrasting things in mind: good not evil, grace not vengeance, love not hate. This is Christ
in a nutshell and if you are a Christian these are what you should be emulating.
Matthew 5:31
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a
writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his
wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and
whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
“It hath been said;” on this one the Rabbis had really taken a lot of liberties.
“let him give her a writing of divorcement;” this was a reference to Deuteronomy 24:1-4
which they took as permission for a “any excuse at all” divorce. In God’s eyes bad attitudes
about one’s marriage vows and duties are the acts of a traitor.
“saving for the cause of fornication;” this one can get complicated so let’s read Luke 16:18
first: “Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and
whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” If we put these
two verses together here is what we get: if a couple divorces and one remains celibate and the
other remarries the one that remarries has committed adultery and has voided the original
marriage contract with their ex-spouse. The ex-spouse is now free to remarry without fear of
committing adultery for it is though their ex-spouse who broke the contract is dead; they, the one
who remarried first committed fornication.
Malachi 2:16 “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one
covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit,
that ye deal not treacherously.”
“causeth her to commit adultery;” it is assumed that the divorced will remarry; and if the
divorce was not for fornication, any remarriage is adultery, because God doesn’t recognize the
divorce to begin with.
Matthew 5:33
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou
shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say
unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the
earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great
King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one
hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
“it hath been;” it was said three times in the Scriptures: Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2;
Deuteronomy 23:21, 23. That is three witnesses.
“unto the Lord;” this phrase could be used to cover-up falsehoods. Any oath with God’s name
in it was legally binding however without God’s name it was not legally binding.
“Swear not at all;” this does not disallow solemn or official oaths (see Genesis 22:16; Psalm
110:4; 2 Corinthians 1:23). God’s law says “Do not lie under oath” (Leviticus 19:12; Numbers
30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21, 23). But Jesus says don’t lie at all for any reason. {5}
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“for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil;” That’s very plain; we are not to use any
extra words in our conversation except what is necessary to communicate the barest of points.
Extra descriptive adjectives are not only useless but are sin.
Matthew 5:38
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a
tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee
on thy right cheek, turn to him Luke 6:29 [and] offer also the other.
“it hath been said;” it was said in Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; and Deuteronomy 19:21
“An eye for an eye;” first of all, these were instructions for judges on how to judge fairly and
equitably. Then somehow the common man got hold of them and thought that they were an
obligation to be followed; you hurt me so I must hurt you back at least as much as a matter of
honor. What was designed by God to be a balance scale for judges to go by, had become an
institution of the common man called revenge.
“resist not evil;” Jesus is talking about retaliation in personal matters, not criminal offences or
military action. This principle of non-retaliation applies to attacks against your dignity (Matthew
5:39),
Matthew 5:40
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat,let him
have thy cloke also. Luke 6:29 And him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take
thy coat also.
Again no retaliation when there are lawsuits against your personal assets.
Matthew 5:41
and whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
You don’t retaliate over the trampling on your liberties. Some circumstances call for resistance
and self-defense. The Law specifically sanctioned self-protection when there was no other
apparent recourse (Ex. 22:2). Likewise, Jesus Himself protested when He was slapped (John
18:22, 23). But He warned against needless use of force, and especially against revenge.
Revenge belongs to God (Deuteronomy 32:35), and He will many times use the governing
authorities to met out the vengeance. {5}
42
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not
thou away. Luke 6:30 and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
“borrow of thee turn not thou away;” and no retaliation especially over property rights. It
don’t belong to you anyhow, it’s God’s and He can replace in a heartbeat if He so desires. And
what is your attitude about these things of this earth that are just here today and gone tomorrow?
Will they get you into the Kingdom? Do they glorify God? Or did God give them to you to
distribute to others?
Matthew 5:43
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and
hate thine enemy.
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor;” this is from Leviticus 19:18: “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear
any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am
the LORD.”
“hate thine enemy;” is not found anywhere in Moses’ writings so it must have been made up by
the scribes and Pharisees. They must have figured that we have to love our neighbors so it must
be okay to hate our enemies since there is no restriction on that.
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you Luke 6:27 which hear, Matthew 5:44 Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which
despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the
good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which
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love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye
salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans
so?
Luke 6:32
[Even] sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them
which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you;” in keeping
with this same theme, now we are going proactive in the imitation of God; “for he maketh his
sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (verse 45)
Look, this is the universal love of God, and it is indiscriminate (Psalm 145:9). But this love is
totally different than the love that He has for His elect: Jeremiah 31:3 A.R.T.B. “Yahweh sees
from afar: I so loved you forever, with love and mercy following toward you.” {7}
“Publicans;” this is the same thing as tax collectors; Levi – Matthew was one.
“Be ye therefore perfect;” an impossible standard! Yet this is the very thing that the law itself
demanded (James 2:10). God is perfect, and He could never lower His standard of perfect
righteousness just to accommodate His love for us in our imperfection. So what’s the answer?
God came up with the perfect plan through Christ who met the standard of God’s perfection on
our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Luke 6:34
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye?
for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your
enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall
be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the
unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is
merciful.
“what thank have ye;” Godly love is going to cost you something; it is the giving of self.
“children of the Highest;” as His children we should have the imprint of His moral character:
gracious, loving, and generous even to our enemies.
Teachings On Prayer
Matthew 6:1
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:
otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when
thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in
the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say
unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left
hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy
Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
“alms;” this is an archaic word meaning “something (as money or food) given freely to relieve
the poor.” {30}
“no reward of your Father;” you might win a few friends among men especially the recipients
of your giving; but the smart ones will see through you for what you are.
“Hypocrites;” this word comes from Greek theater and it describes a character that wore a
mask. This is apropos for the New Testament usage of the term as describing one who is self-
deceived
“They have their reward;” they have their reward, the glory of men. For God punishes
hypocrisy, not rewards it.
“thy Father which seeth in secret;” God is all seeing and all knowing (Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah
17:10).
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Matthew 6:5
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they
love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they
may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou,
when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to
thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward
thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for
they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
“pray to thy Father which is in secret;” It is the same thing as above, do all things in private
between you and God as far as possible. Your relationship between you and God is just that,
Between You And God! Keep it that way.
“use not vain repetitions;” The Greeks and the Romans would call their many gods and deities
by as many different names and titles as possible and would remind the god of any favors that
the worshiper was due because of the sacrifices that the worshiper had offered. Before them the
Babylonians used a chain of prayer beads and repeated a series of prayers over and over much
like the Arabs and some Christian denominations do today. (See Deut. 12: 29-31)
Note: do not confuse this with group prayer like at meal time when we ask for God’s blessing on
our meal before we eat and give thanks after we have eaten and are full. (See Deut. 8:10.) Also
this does not mean that we cannot repeat our petitions if not answered in a timely fashion. More
on that later.
Matthew 6:8
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things
ye have need of, before ye ask him.
“your Father knoweth what things ye have need of;” We are not supposed to barter with God;
this is not: “Let’s Make a Deal.” Keep in mind that He is our creator and that He put us in this
lock of space, time, and matter for now and has already made provisions for all things. This is
all a matter of attitude; it is about our mindset. How do we see God when we go to talk with
Him?
Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
“After this manner therefore pray ye;” This is a formula, a format if you will, of how to
structure our communications with God. We are to pattern our prayer something like this. We
are not to repeat these words of Scripture verbatim. That just shows God that we didn’t pay
attention to these instructions of His Christ who is Jesus.
Now phrase-by-phrase we will pick this format apart to see what God is telling us:
“Our Father;” The concept of God being our Father goes back to the Old Testament:
Exodus 4:22
And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my
son, even my firstborn:
Isaiah 63:16
Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and
Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name
is from everlasting.
This is a family relationship that He is wanting with us. He already sees us as His Children; but
as stated above, how do we view our relationship with Him? And, an even bigger question is
just what is our concept of Him as God? How do we view God who presents himself in three
different manifestations? And yet He says to us: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one
LORD:” (Deut. 6:4).
The following diagram is a simple way to view the structure of God. Since we are made
in His image and likeness, all we have to do is look at our structure to see His.
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The Concentric Circles of God

Holy
SpiritssSpi
spirit

will
Since the Father is infinite mind we are told to pray to Him. He is the Fathercentral three of the five
eternal existing rings. It is the mind that is the center ofmindthe thought process and the decision
making process. Therefore it is the Father that thought up all creation and is the author and
Father of it. The Holy Spirit is the center and therefore isemotions
the power and holiness of God. Jesus
represents the outer surface or the body of God. It is He that is the spokesman or mouthpiece of
God; He spoke all things into existence by the power ofphysica the Holy
l Spirit.Jesus
(See John 1:1-3, 14
where He is called “the Word” or the logos.) He is also the five senses of hear, see, smell, touch,
and taste for the God Being. It is through Him and in His name that we pray to the Father; He is
our mediator, our go-between. If you stop and think about it, God took on human flesh and by
this flesh, now points back to Himself and telling us to call Him “Father” because that is what He
really is; He created us, therefore He is our Father.
Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
If you look up the word “breathed” you will find that it is synonymous with
“spirit” which is the power of life. So here we have all three manifestations
of God involved in the creation of man: the Holy Spirit is the power of
reasoning life; the mind of God who is the Father, Who brought details to the
idea; and the body of God did the actual forming of man and breathing into
the nostrils.
The term “Father” then means “life giver,” the author of our life. Even
in our human pro-creation we see a type of our Spiritual Father’s pattern of
life giving.
One last thing about the idea of father: the father is always the head of His
House – His family. It is He who sets the rules (laws) of the family operation.
But it is also He who is the provider; the one who sees to every family
member’s need: the comforter, the peacemaker, the disciplinarian, the
provider of nourishment, and most of all the source of love, encouragement,
and the one who picks you up when you fall and skin your knee.
“Who art in Heaven;” This is where He lives.
1 Kings 8:39
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and
give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou,
even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) . . .
Vs. 43
Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, . . .
But where is this place called Heaven?
There are three heavens: the first is the air that surrounds the earth (see Genesis 1:8). The second
is the rest of the created universe or outer space. The third is God’s throne and it is a spiritual
place.
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2 Corinthians 12:2
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the
body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such
an one caught up to the third heaven.
Vs. 3
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell:
God knoweth;)
Vs. 4
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which
it is not lawful for a man to utter.
But it is not necessary for us to give the number of which heaven when we pray because Jesus
would have told us so.
Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the
first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said,
Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Vs. 2
And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven,
and one sat on the throne.
In order for John to see and hear all of the things that God was going to show him he had to be in
the spirit because the third heaven is a place in the spiritual dimension. Remember Jesus said
that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John
4:23) If God is spirit then His Dwelling place must be also.
So where is this dimension of the spirit which contains God’s dwelling place?
Acts 17:27
That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find
him, though he be not far from every one of us:
If it is not far from every one of us it has to be everywhere because we are all over the world.
The spiritual dimension is everywhere and yet it cannot be acquired by any of the human senses.
It is spirit. Therefore it can only be seen by special invite. When John was invited up to view
God’s throne he had to be “immediately I was in the spirit” in order to go there. The same holds
true for anyone that enters in to heaven they must be in the spirit or be transformed in the
twinkling of an eye into a spirit being with a spirit body. (1 Cor. 15:52)
“Hallowed Be Thy Name;” The source for this is Psalm 100.
Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be
thankful unto him, and bless his name.
“Hallowed “ is an older English word that we don’t see much of today
HALLOWED . “To make holy, i.e. (cer.) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to
venerate:— hallow, be holy, sanctify.” {2}
When we say, “Hallowed be thy name” we are proclaiming the Holiness of God the Father’s
name. But what is His name?
There are three base names from which we get all of the Old Testament names for God &
Lord. The first is “El” as in the word translated God in Genesis 1:1 “Eloheem.”
GOD 430. “el-o-heem’;plural of 433;gods in the ordinary sense; but spec. used
(in the plural thus, espec. with the art.) of the supreme God; . . .” {2}
433. “el-o’-ah; prob. prol. (emphat.) from 410; a deity or the Deity:— God, god.” {2}
410. “ale; short. from 352; strength; as adj. mighty; espec. the Almighty (but used
also of any deity):— God(god), × goodly, × great, idol, might (-y one), power,
strong. comp. names in “-el.” {2}
El, the Name of God, incorporates all of God’s attributes, which includes Yahweh. Some
examples of these names are: Eldad - God has loved, Elzabad - God has bestowed, Elijah, God
of Yahweh (the use of both names El & Jah). There are 44 names in the Old Testament (Hebrew
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and Chaldean) that use the prefix of “El.” There are many more names that use the name of “El”
as a suffix such Daniel – God is judge, Gabriel – valiant man or warrior of God, Michael – who
is like God? But this word “God” even when capitalized is like a title.
The second base name for God in the Old Testament is Yahweh. Its prefix is “Yah” or “Jah.”
(Note: The King James incorrectly translates this name as “Jehovah.” There is no such word in
the Scriptures as “Jehovah.”) According to the footnotes on Exodus 3:14 from the New Revised
Standard Version YHWH is connected with the verb “hayah;” which means “to be.”
Exodus 3:14
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt
thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Vs. 15
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of
Israel, The LORD God (Yahweh the God) of your fathers, the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name
for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
What can be plainer than that last statement? Yahweh is His name forever and a memorial unto
all generations. Wherever you see the name “LORD” as it appears above or “Lord” or “L ORD”
referring to God in the King James and many other translations, substitute the name Yahweh
instead.
The third name in the Old Testament for Lord or God is “Adonoy.” This comes from the root
word that means “Lord” or “ruler” or “Sovereign God.” This is just a title name.
In the New Testament the word for Lord is “Kurios” and is a respectful title. The New
Testament word for God is “Theos” and means “the supreme Divinity God.” But here again, it is
a just a title. What is His name above? It is Yahweh! Do not try to translate this name.
Look at Revelation 3:
Revelation 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and
he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the
name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of
heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
We are not given the name of the God of Jesus here. We are just told that we will have this
name and Jesus’ New Name written on us. (These will be one and the same.) We will have God
the Father’s Family Name. Holy is His Name. It is so holy that we cannot utter it in this
existence. We can only describe it: “Holy is Your Name.”
Before moving out of His Name we need to take a look at the third commandment:
Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD (Yahweh) thy God in vain; for
the LORD (Yahweh) will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
As stated above, His Name is so holy that any use of God’s Name in a vein context is sin. But
this also includes references to His Name such as “J.C.”, or “Jeepers Creepers,” or “Jeeze,” or
“Jehoshaphat” which means “Yahweh Judged.” We are not to use any of His attributes or
character traits or actions in vein. We are not to make any reference or any connection to Him in
vein such as “for heaven’s sake” or “Oh my goodness.” You have none. This also includes the
flipped use of “Hallelujah” which means “Praise Yah.” But we are not to profane His name in
prayer either by using the wrong name; His name is Yahweh and He is our Father.
The Names of God in Hebrew
“El” “YHWH or Jehovah”
“In the “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto
beginning Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the Name of
God God almighty, but by my name Jehovah I
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created the was not known to them.” (Ex. 6:3)

heaven and JEHOVAH 3068. yeh-ho-vaw’; from the)
the earth.” self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
(Gen. 1:1) national name of God:— Jehovah, the
GOD 430. Lord. comp. 3050, 3069.
el-o- 3050. yaw; contr. for 3068, and mean. the
heem’;plur. same; Jah, the sacred name:— Jah, the Lord,
of most vehement. comp. names in “-iah,” “-jah.”
433;gods in
the
ordinary YHWH, or Jehovah, is that portion of God that is involved with creation,
sense; but Israel, the church and the millennium. The Name of Jehovah is first given
spec. used to Moses in Exodus 6:3 even though he uses it in the Book of Genesis
(in the plur. which he wrote later. See Greek 2424 then Hebrew 3091.
thus, espec.
with the
JESUS . ee-ay-sooce´;of Heb. or. [3091]; Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the
art.) of the
name of our Lord and two (three) other Isr.:— Jesus.
supreme
Hebrew 3091.yeh-ho-shoo’-ah; or yeh-ho-shoo’-ah; from 3068 and 3467;
God; . . .
Jehovah-saved; Jehoshuä (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader:— Jehoshua,
433. el-o’-
Jehoshuah, Joshua. comp. 1954, 3442.
ah; rarely
Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah will see (to it)
(short.) el-
Jehovah-Nissi, Jehovah (is) my banner
o’-ah;
Jehovah-Tsidkenu, Jehovah (is) our right
prob.
Jehovah-Shalom, Jehovah (is) peace
prol.
Jehovah-Shammah, Jehovah (is) thither (present)
(emphat.)
There are 22 other names that appear in the Hebrew Scriptures that invoke
from 410; a
the name of Jehovah including Jehoshua, Jehovah saved.
deity or the
Deity:—
God, god.
See 430.
410. ale;
short. from
The word Jehovah should actually be translated Yahweh. It is from the
352;
Aramaic YHWH. The word Jehovah came from a 14th century
strength; as
mistranslation of those four letters. So wherever you see the word Jehovah it
adj.
should be rendered Yahweh.
mighty; espec.
the Almighty (but
used also of any
deity):— God
(god), × goodly,
× great, idol,
might (-y one),
power, strong.
comp. names in
“-el.”
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El, the Name of

God,
incorporates all
of God’s
attributes, which
includes YHWH
or Jehovah.

El-Elohi-Jisrael,
the mighty God
of Israel
Eldad, God has
loved
Eldaah, God of
knowledge
Elzabad, God
has bestowed
Elchanan, God is
gracious
Eljada (Eliada),
God is knowing
Elijah, God of
Jehovah (the
use of both
names El &
Jah)
Elimelek, God of
the king
Eljasaph
(Eliassaph), God
(is) gatherer
Eliezer, God of
help
Eliam, God of
the people
Eliphal, God of
judgment
Eliphelet, God of
deliverance
Elitsur, God of
the rock
Eljashib
(Eliashib), God
will restore
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Elnathan, God is
the giver
Eladah, God has
decked
Elazar (Eleazar),
God (is) helper
Elasah, God has
made
Elkanah, God
has obtained
Eltekon, God (is)
straight
There are 23
other names that
appear in the
Hebrew
Scriptures that
invoke the name
of El; and many
others that are
inferred like El-
Shadai, God the
all sufficient one.

There is one other name in the Hebrew that is translated “Lord:” it is “Adonoy” and it
firstappears in Genesis 15:2.
Gen. 15:2
But Abram said, “Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go
childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
LORD 136. “ad-o-noy’; am emphat. form of 113; the Lord (used as a
proper name of God only):— (my) Lord.” {2}
113. “aw-done’; or (short.) aw-done’; from an unused root (mean. to rule);
sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine):— lord, master, owner. comp.
also names beginning with “Adoni-”.” {2}
GOD 3069. “YHWH, a var. of 3068 [used after 136, and pronounced by
Jews as 430, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they
elsewhere pronounce 3068 as 136]:— God.” {2}
The name of “Adonoy” is like our adjectives that describe a noun. In this case the proper noun
“Yahweh” is described as the “Sovereign God” or “Sovereign Yahweh:” i.e. “Adonoy Yahweh.”
Other names that invoke the name of “Adonoy” or “Adoni” are:
Adoni-Tsedek, Lord of justice
Adonikam, Lord of rising
Adoniram, Lord of height
What were we told at the top of this prayer? Jesus said to call Yahweh “Father.” This is all part
of our becoming God’s true children. We always have been this in His eyes; but we need to see
it in our own eyes. With all that ceremony and those sacrifices God was kept at a distance. Now
Jesus tells His disciples that they are to start looking for an intimate relationship with God just
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like they have with their earthly father. This is new and different. When you address someone
by their name there is no indication of relationship there. Now, Jesus is putting a handle on our
relationship with God by telling us to address Him as our Father. This now tells us who He is
and who we are in relation to Him. He is still Yahweh our Eloheem but He is also our Father;
this is not only a relationship, but it is one that is very intimate.
One other thing about this relationship: He’s your Father with a capital “F;” meaning just what
Jesus said, address Him as Father, not as Yahweh God, or Yahweh Father, or El-Shadai, or
anything else. You wouldn’t address your earthly father by using his given name; no, you call
him dad. Well God is your creator and savior; show Him the respect to address Him as your
Father like your have been told.
Matthew 6:10
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
“Thy Kingdom Come;” People in North America today have a hard time understanding the
concept of a kingdom. A kingdom is family with its head (the Father) as the chief ruler
governing over a territory with all its inhabitants by means of a set of laws. So what we are
praying for is God’s ruler-ship over us both individually and universally.
But it is more than just His ruler-ship over us. We are giving consent to his government and
asking Him to make us eager participants in His government in cooperation with all humanity.
This is government from the top down with God the Father at the top through Jesus then into two
branches of church and civil government. There will be many levels and offices of
administration and functions.
“Thy Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven;” This is still speaking of His Government
over all creation. But if we are requesting this Government to appear it obviously isn’t here yet;
His will is not done here on earth as we affirm it is done in Heaven.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are
the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death.
Everything in Scripture is vital to life. But when God repeats Himself you had better pay
attention with all your being. This repeated proverb lets us know that God’s Will is not being
done here on earth. So what is His Will?
Matthew 18:14
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of
these little ones should perish.
John 6:40
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the
Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up
at the last day.
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service.
Vs. 2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.
Galatians 1:3
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus
Christ,
Vs. 4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present
evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
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1 Thessalonians 4:1
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the
Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please
God, so ye would abound more and more.
Vs.2
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
Vs.3
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain
from fornication:
Vs.4
That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification
and honour;
Vs. 5
Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
Vs.6
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:because that the
Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
Vs.7
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Vs.8
He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given
unto us his holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Rejoice evermore.
Vs.17
Pray without ceasing.
Vs.18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.
Vs.19
Quench not the Spirit.
Vs.20
Despise not prophesyings.
Vs.21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Vs.22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
The Government of God
During the 1000 Year Reign
God The Father – Supreme Law Giver
Jesus Christ – King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Civil Government Church Government

Elijah & Enoch (I Kgs 18:19-39, II Kgs 2:3-5, 4:38)
Abraham (Gal 3:7, 16, 29) John the Baptist (Lk 1:17, Mat 11:11)
Abel, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,
Samuel, Levi, Melchizedek, & all the prophets
Isaac (Gal 3:7, 16, 29) (Judges & Chief Priests)
Jacob (Israel) (Gal 3:7, 16, 29) Sarah – Mother of Righteous Women (1 Peter 3:6)
Rebecca, Miriam, Deborah, Mary (Jesus’ Mother),
etc. Remember, there is no male or female in the
Moses (God gave the law to) w/ Joshua Kingdom (Mat 22:30)
Gentile 144,000 Pillars (Righteous People) The pillars
s Israelites hold up entire Church structure. (Rev. 7)
The countless multitude of Revelation 7:9-17 that
Daniel David (over all Tribes) “serve Him day and night in His temple.”
Shadrach, Meshach, 12 Apostles over 1 tribe ea. w/
Abednego (Ez 14:14, 20 & Ephriam & Manasseh being the 2
Dan 12:13) leading nations (Mat 19:28)

Paul (the latter Apostle)

Barnabas, Silas, Timothy,
Titus, Luke, Mark,
Philemon, etc.
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Noah – Race Relations &

Boundaries (Gen 6:1, Mat
24:37, Lk 17:26)
Joseph (son of Jacob) –
Director of World
Economy (Agriculture,
industry, technology,
commerce, monetary
system)
Job – Director of Urban
Renewal (Job 1:3, 3:14,
38:4-6) & Solomon under
Job
Zerubbabal (Zach 11:4)
(rebuilt The Temple)

God’s will for us is that we should accept His Government over us by means of His
Commandments and that we should do good at all times concerning our fellow man.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance.
Only those that in the end refuse His Government over them will perish as in not exist anymore.
Their fate will be the same as Satan’s, permanent and forever non-existence.
Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
“Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread;” Remember verse eight above?
Matthew 6:8
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what
things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
So just what is our “daily bread?” Do we pray for the things that we think will sustain us or do
we pray for the things that will put us in, or keep us in luxury? Janis Joplin sang “Oh Lord won’t
you buy me a Mercedes Benz?” She wanted luxury and was using God like a “sugar daddy.”
We all need sustenance both physical and spiritual on a daily basis. But here, even though God
says that He already knows what we need; that we should ask Him for all things one day’s need
at a time. If we seek wealth and luxury then we are guilty of coveting and idolatry. We are
putting these things between God and us. This is sin!
But by the same token, we are not to just sit back and let God provide. You can get mighty
hungry doing that; remember Genesis 3:
Genesis 3:17
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of
thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou
shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it
all the days of thy life;
Vs.18
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb
of the field;
Vs.19
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the
ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou
return.
It will not be until the Kingdom of God is established here on earth that this curse will be lifted.
Everything belongs to God to give or not to give according to His pleasure.
Psalm 50:10
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
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Vs.11
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are
mine.
Haggai. 2:8
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
He knows our needs and our daily requirements for life. But by asking Him for them every day
we are exercising our faith in Him and our commitment to do all things His way. Then we allow
Him to show us His generosity to us by giving us these gifts, which are opportunities to grow in
His Character.
In Deuteronomy 4:1-9, 40, 6:1-13 and many other times God ties prosperity, wealth, greatness,
good health, and long life to the obedience of His Law, His Commandments. Jesus says it many
times Himself and it is repeated several times in Revelation.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
This is how we “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.” For us this is “our daily bread.” It is more
than some food on the table; we seek God’s Character, His wisdom, and His understanding.
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
“And Forgive Us Our Debts As We Forgive Our Debtors;” Luke’s account reads: “And
forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us.” (Luke 11:4) Even
though they are different Greek words they mean the same thing in this context. Sin is the
transgression of God’s Law (1 John 3:4) and it becomes a debt that we owe Him that we could
never repay; we should already be dead from it. But because we have been spared we have the
sign that we should forgive others.
Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
“And Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil;” This should read “and do
not allow us to be led away by temptation.” And here is why:
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Vs.13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be
tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Vs.14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed.
Vs.15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is
finished, bringeth forth death.
Vs.16
Do not err, my beloved brethren. (By thinking that God tempts us.)
Vs.17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from
the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
God doesn’t lead anyone into temptation. But Satan sure does!
Matthew 4:1
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of
the devil.
He – Satan – is called “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the
air” (Eph. 2:2). In 1 Peter 5:8 he is called “your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour.”
“For Thine Is The Kingdom, And The Power, And The Glory Forever, Amen;” We affirm
these things that
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“the Kingdom;” – the government of the entire universe and all of creation for that matter, is
securely in His all-powerful control. This is why we must learn and live His Law now. By
submitting ourselves to His Law now we are acknowledging Him as King. If you deny the Law,
you deny Him as your King. He is the Lawgiver and we are His subjects.
“The Power;” which emanates from His Holy Spirit, is the same power that raised Christ from
the dead; and is in the control of our Heavenly Father. This is an admission of faith; that we
know that He has all power. And, we can rest securely in that.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and
ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
But there are conditions to us being able to tap into that power.
1 John 3:22
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
Vs.23
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son
Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
His Commandments are His Law and as stated above they are to be lived by every fiber of our
beings.
“The Glory” – is:
Ezekiel 1:26
And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a
throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne
was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
Vs.27
And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about
within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance
of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had
brightness round about.
Vs.28
As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the
appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness
of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a
voice of one that spake.
Ezekiel wasn’t the only one to see the Shechinah Glory of God.
Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the
first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said,
Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Vs.2
And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven,
and one sat on the throne.
Vs.3
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there
was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
These descriptions are how the Glory of God appeared to these two human men’s eyes. All of
the positive attributes of God radiate out from Him like light in the colors of the rainbow, which
is the entire light spectrum with all of its hues. This is just how it appears to the human eye and
it is a part of our inheritance; we will share in His glory if we keep His Commandments.
“Amen;” - ‘so be it,” or “so let it be,” or “it is finished.” God has heard; it will be done: “Father
I know you have heard and You will answer.” When we say “Amen” we are letting go of our
prayer to Him for to answer.
Prayer is communication with God your Father, and Creator, and the designer of your salvation.
He wants to hear from you even though He already knows your heart and needs. It is the faith
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thing that we do when we address our talk directly to Him. He doesn’t want to hear you spout
out someone else’s words, especially in a repetitive fashion. He wants to hear from you words
that come from YOUR heart. If you have a need that has not been fulfilled even though youhave
asked Him several times, ask for the wisdom to understand the whys and His timing. And be
prepared for the “no” if it should come.
Isaiah 55:9
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
He is your God and Father and He will look out for you and always keep your best interest in His
Heart. So when you approach Him in prayer approach with respect for Who He is, and then you
can pour out your heart. (Ps. 62:8) He will listen better than any human. And once you learn to
hear Him your conversation will be two-way. He has already left us with a 66-volume
compilation of His thoughts for us, (The Bible) and He would like for us to know even more than
that about Him.
Prayer and imitation are our tools of courtship for developing the relationship with our creator
God. He gave us His written Law which is His Life’s guidelines so that we might imitate Him.
Then, through Jesus The Word, He gave us the instructions to pray properly. This is our means
of communication. We come into this world like any other baby having to learn how to talk.
This is the same with God; we come to Him as a baby having to learn how to talk to Him
because He lives in a different realm; the spirit realm. It takes time to develop communication
skills for that realm. As a baby starts to crawl He or she will point to things that they want and
make sounds and the parents will give the baby what it wants. But that only works for so long;
as the baby learns to speak it is expected to ask properly for the things it wants. Then, “please”
and “thank you” are required from the now growing child because it is now being fed meat and
not just milk. The same is true with God; He will only allow you to remain a child for so long
then you must start to show maturity. He knows exactly what to put in you and what you are
capable of, and that is why He gave us these tools. Both are for our growth in Him, to be like
Him; like Father, like Son!
Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you: Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.
“if ye forgive men their trespasses;” Since this is instruction in prayer Jesus zeros-in on the
only thing that this format requires of us: we must forgive anyone that owes a debt. (This applies
to both real and imaginary offences.) After these two verses He moves on to the subject of
fasting.
Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Vs. 22
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy
times seven.
The implication here is 490 times daily. In other words we are to stay in a constant state of
forgiveness.
This does not mean that after confessing your belief in Christ Jesus something might happen and
you end up holding a grudge that you would lose your salvation. You will however, lose the
benefit offered by the daily cleansing of your sins. It is like not washing your feet, eventually
you can develop infections and lose one or both of your feet. Remember Peter at the Last Supper
and Jesus’ explanation to him? Your feet are the only part of you that has contact with the
corrupt earth and therefore need to be washed, daily; like your soul.
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Matthew 6:16
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say
unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine
head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy
Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee
openly.
“when ye fast;” under Mosaic Law the only fast was in connection with the Day of Atonement.
However, the Pharisees had added two days every week for fasting, Mondays and Thursdays as a
public display of piety. With the right attitude fasting can be an effective weapon against
temptation (see Isaiah 58:3-6).
“a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces;” it’s like they put on a mask; they’re
phony! It’s all an act to get your attention like the comedian does.
The sad part is that proper fasting is supposed to be part of the Christian’s life, like prayer (see
Isaiah 61:3).
Teachings About The World’s System
Matthew 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves
do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also.
“Lay not up . . . But lay up;” these two contrasting verses show the difference between the
temporal earth and the eternal Heaven. And verse 20 does not mean that it is wrong to have
savings accounts, insurance, or retirement plans; Proverbs 13:22 requires us to save for our
children.
“for yourselves;” the only guaranteed investment is in the Kingdom of God; any earthly
investment is bound to be as shaky as the San Andreas fault near Los Angles. Remember the
guy who tried to take it with him by getting buried with his Cadillac? Well that Caddy will still
be in the ground when he is standing before God in judgment. Once you have taken care of your
children, spend it forward into heaven.
Matthew 6:22
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy
whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall
be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is
that darkness!
“light of the body is the eye;” this is talking about your conscience being the headlights for
what and how we see things. If your conscience is clean and pure then your head lights will
mark the road brightly for you to see your direction. But if your conscience is seared and full of
darkness then your headlights will be dim or completely out and you will have to guess as to
where the road is; and you will end up in the pit.
To the church at Laodicea Jesus writes: Revelation 3:17 “. . . knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. . . . 18 I counsel thee to . . . anoint thine eyes with
eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” This is after conversion that their consciences had been searedto
the point of becoming lackadaisical about God and their salvation. There have been many
ministers that have started off righteously preaching the proper Gospel and somehow got off the
track and ended up preaching the prosperity gospel, or ended up disgracing themselves and all of
Christianity with a sexual scandal. This has been said to show that it can happen to the best of
us. Always be vigilant to keep your eyes focused on Christ, His Word, and His Kingdom. The
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prosperity gospel is a perversion of the true Gospel because it takes the words of Jesus out of
context and twists them to suit the preacher’s message; usually to his benefit.
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love
the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
God and mammon.
“Ye cannot serve God and mammon;” Mammon refers to all the earthly stuff like money,
property, wealth and the pleasures that they can buy. We’ve already covered the fact that you
cannot take your riches with you when you die. And now Jesus tells us that we cannot have it
both ways: riches now and in the Kingdom of God also; it’s an either - or situation. What God
really wants, is for us to live comfortably now and invest the rest in the Kingdom. If we just
keep in mind that all of this here is God’s and He is just letting us use some of it for a while and
then returning it back to Him, we will have a brighter outlook.
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life
more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for
they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father
feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking
thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
“Take no thought;” Strong’s . “to be anxious about:— (be, have) care (-ful), take thought.”
{2} From our dictionary: characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about
some contingency. To be blunt, it is the opposite of faith. So don’t give needless thought
about these things.
“your heavenly Father feedeth them;” this does not condone just lying around and waiting for
God to feed you; that’s sin. You still have to go out and earn it for yourself.
“can add one cubit unto his stature;” cubit is the length of a man’s forearm or about 18 inches.
Stature can mean size or age: Strong’s . “hay-lik-ee´-ah;maturity (in years or size):— age,
stature.” {2} By worrying about any of these things you will probably shorten your life and end
up being bent over from your anxiety.
Matthew 6:28
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That
even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if
God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the
oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
“Solomon in all his glory;” Solomon’s court in all its splendor and glory was world renown (see
2 Chronicles 9).
“O ye of little faith;” Jesus used this rebuke of the disciples week faith several more times (see
Matthew 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20; Luke 12:28).
Matthew 6:31
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we
drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the
Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these
things.
“Gentiles;” these are those people that are living outside the promise and blessing of God.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for
the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof.
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“the kingdom of Godand his righteousness;” this is salvation and it comes with its own
provisions, that of God. (See Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:19; 1 Peter 5:7)
“Take therefore no thought;” this is the fourth time in this sixth chapter that we are warned
about taking thought: verses 25, 28, 31, and here in 34. Why do you think that it so important
that Jesus had to repeat Himself four times? This is faith that He was talking about here and He
needed to drive the point home; especially with his sometimes thick-headed disciples; not to
mention us.
Luke 6:37
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be
condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Matthew7:2 For with what judgment ye
judge, ye shall be judged.
“Judge not . . . condemn not;” this does not preclude discernment necessary for all Christians
to live in this world (see Matthew 7:3-6).
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the
same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
“good measure, pressed down, and shaken together;” if you have ever watched loose grain or
other type material poured into a container, the container is then shaken or vibrated to cause the
material to arrange itself in an aligning order so that more material can fit into the container.
“men give into your bosom;” or poured into your lap. This was a long apron type garment that
could be used to catch the overflow of grain (see Psalm 79:12; Jeremiah 32:18).
Luke 6:39
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they
not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one
that is perfect shall be as his master.
“blind lead the blind;” remember just who Jesus is directing His comments at, His disciples.
This is a warning that they must be able to see clearly in order to pass it on to others.
“shall be as his master;” The implication here is to be careful who your teacher is.
Matthew 7:3
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but
considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy
brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine
own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then
shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
“mote;” this is an Anglo-Saxon word that means a speck or particle of dust.
“beam;” is a long piece of heavy timber suitable for use in construction.
“see clearly;” once you are no longer blind and can see the light (Matthew 6:22-23), now you
can deal with your brother and his problem.
Matthew 7:6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls
before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
“Give not . . . unto the dogs . . .swine;” this is not an oxy-moron of Matthew 6:27 above where
Jesus told us not to judge; this is discernment of good and evil. Jesus avoided the Scribes and
Pharisees as much as possible because He knew that they were enemies of the Gospel. Jesus
stood silent before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin. The same thing when He stood before
Herod Antipas who had beheaded John the Baptist, Jesus said nothing to him because He saw
him as an enemy of the Gospel. Enemies of God and His Gospel will turn on you and run you
out, if that is all that they do to you. This does not come in conflict with Matthew 5:44 either;
you can do good to your enemies but if they are hostile to the gospel don’t bring the subject up,
it’ll just make them angry.
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Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
“Ask, seek, knock;” these three are in the present tense you are asking, seeking, knocking.
Naturally when you are asking someone for something it is in the present tense When you are
standing at someone’s door knocking it is a present thing at that moment. When you are seeking
after something you don’t stop for a cup of coffee, you seek until you find what you are looking
for. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says to the Church at Laodicea “Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with
him, and he with me.” He stands at the door to our hearts knocking just waiting for us to answer.
He desires to be with us and for us to be with Him; and that’s an eternity thing.
Matthew 7:9
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him
a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil,
know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your
Father which is in heaven give good things (Luke 11:13 give the Holy Spirit him?)
Matthew 7:11
to them that ask him?
“If ye then, being evil;” Jesus is calling upon the fact that all men are by nature corrupt and in
need of salvation. (See Jeremiah 17:9)
“how much more shall your Father;” not only all the good things that we ask for and some
that we don’t ask for but He includes His Holy Spirit as a free gift. That’s the how much more!
Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, Luke
6:31
do ye also to them likewise: Matthew 7:12 for this is the law and the prophets.
“do ye also to them likewise;” The Golden Rule which has been around since long before Jesus.
It goes way back in Hinduism and Buddhism. Jesus presents it here in a positive fashion and
tells us that for us it summarizes the law and prophets. {4}
Matthew 7:13
Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it.
“the strait (narrow) gate;” A.R.T.B. calls this the “prod-poking door.” {7} When livestock are
brought in they pass through a narrow gate so that they can be counted. But the livestock don’t
like to go through narrow passageways so they have to be “prodded” (poked in the hind Quarter)
through. From Strong’s: . “sten-os´;narrow (from obstacles standing close about):—
strait.” {2}
“few there be that find it;” like the scribes and the Pharisees most people believe that good
works makes for righteousness and that translates into right standing with God. Here is what
God has to say about it: Isaiah 64:6 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses
are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us
away.” Jesus takes the law to a whole new level as far as His followers are concerned by taking
it to the heart He internalizes the law. But by so doing, He leaves all that trust in their good
works out in the cold; and like He says here; “many be they.”
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Matthew
7:16 17
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree
cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Luke
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6:44
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs,
nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Matthew 7:19
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into
the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Luke 6:45 A good man out
20

of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man
out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
“Beware of false prophets;” before Israel entered the promised land God gave instructions
regarding the discerning and responding to false prophets: Deuteronomy 13:1–11; 18:20–22.
“come to you in sheep’s clothing;” they will come looking like a teacher or pastor, i.e. a
shepherd.
“by their fruits;” The way to determine false teachers and prophets from those who spoke the
truth was by their fruits. Fruits is more than deeds, although that’s part of it; it is their doctrine,
how does it hold up to the scriptures – God’s Word? Bad men can’t produce good fruit and
neither does a good man produce a bunch of bad fruit.
“cast into the fire;” this is a reference to the lake of fire of Revelation 20:10. All those that
produce bad fruit to the end are useless to the kingdom and therefore are thrown into the lake of
fire.
“of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh;” and here is where the rubber meets the
road. It doesn’t matter how eloquent of a speaker one is, or even if they have memorized the
Bible cover to cover; does their doctrine match up with the Word of God without being lifted out
of context? Do they love like Jesus loved? Do they exhibit the Beatitudes?
Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,
ye that work iniquity.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord;” just because you recognize Jesus as Lord
doesn’t mean that you’re going to heaven; the devils recognize Him as Lord and tremble (James
2:19).
“he that doeth the will of my Father;” recognizing Jesus as Lord is just lip service if you don’t
back it up with genuine faith which will produce obedience. It’s the obedience; the doing the
things that He said (Luke 6:46) that shows that you really understand that He is LORD.
“done many wonderful works;” the devils can do many “wonderful works” that might appear
to be righteous but are only designed to suck you in to their lies.
2 Corinthians 11:13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be
according to their works.
“ye that work iniquity;” this is flat out rebellion against the law of God.
Note: God’s Law is very clear that the Word of God is far above any miracle and if the miracle
and the message behind it was not in agreement with the Word of God both were to be rejected
and the false teacher stoned to death. (See Deuteronomy 13)
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Matthew 7:24
Therefore Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and
doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: Matthew 7:24 I will liken him unto a
wise man, which built his house Luke 6:48 and digged deep, and laid the foundation
on a rock: Matthew 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, Luke 6:48 the
stream beat vehemently upon that house, Matthew 7:25 and the winds blew,and beat
upon that house; Luke 6:48 and could not shake it: Matthew 7:25 and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock.
“heareth my sayings, and doeth them;” Jesus’ brother James had a pretty good grasp on what
Jesus was saying: James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his
natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth
what manner of man he was.”
“his house;” this represents your spiritual or religious life.
“digged deep, and laid the foundation;” he went below the frost line: 1 Corinthians 3:11 “For other
foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
“on a rock;” Jesus said that upon this rock I will build my church (Matthew 16:18). What rock
was He talking about? What Peter had said about Him: “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living
God.” (verse 16) That’s the rock that Jesus was talking about. He is the Christ, the Son of the
living God, the rock that you lay your foundation on. Your foundation is your faith in and
obedience to Him and His Word.
“rain descended, and the floods came, the stream beat vehemently, winds blew,and beat
upon;” from The Companion Bible: “down came the rain on the roof. Floods at the foundation.
Winds at the sides broke upon, dashed against with great violence.” {3}
Matthew 7:26
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Luke 6:49
without a foundation Matthew 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, Luke
6:49
the stream did beat vehemently, Matthew 7:27 and the winds blew, and beat upon
that house; Luke 6:49 and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
“upon the sand: without a foundation;” if you have no or a poor foundation then you are not
obeying God and your righteousness is like that of the Pharisees, zip.
Matthew 7:28
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people
were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and
not as the scribes.
“ended these sayings;” thus ends the sermon on the mount which covered three chapters in
Matthew.
“not as the scribes;” Jewish teachers would always refer to tradition or what some other teacher
or rabbi had said and still do so today. This became a major issue because Jesus challenged this
about them and they of course felt threatened.
The Centurion’s Servant Is Healed
Luke7:1
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, Matthew 8:1
[and] when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him
[and] Luke7:1he entered into Capernaum.
“he entered into Capernaum;” remember Capernaum is His home base for now.
Luke7:2
And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and
ready to die. 3 And when he heard of Jesus, Matthew 8:5when Jesus was entered into
Capernaum, Luke7:3 he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he
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would come and heal his servant. Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at
home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
“certain centurion’s servant;” this is a Roman military officer that commanded one hundred
men.
“he sent unto him the elders of the Jews;” there is more than just a sense of protocol here; this
man recognizes Jesus as a holy man and although he might not be a believer in Judaism, he
respects any holy man especially one that he hears that does miracles. And you had better
believe that a centurion stationed in that area will know all about Jesus and His miracles; it’s his
job to know these things. There is also verse seven below; this is why he goes through the
elders.
“sick of the palsy, grievously tormented;” the servant was paralyzed and in excruciating pain.
Luke7:4
And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he
was worthy for whom he should do this: 5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath
built us a synagogue. John 4:48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and
wonders, ye will not believe. Matthew 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and
heal him. Luke7:6 Then Jesus went with them.
“he hath built us a synagogue;” although this centurion had a good heart, it was also the policy
of the Roman government to regard synagogues as a stabilizing influence that helped to maintain
order because of their moral teaching. This centurion probably went out of his way to procure
the funds to build a nice synagogue for this area.
“Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe;” from this verse you get the idea that
Jesus was a little miffed. But that was mainly at the crowds.
“I will come and heal him;” notice the positive attitude “I WILL heal him.”
Luke7:6
And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to
him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou
shouldest enter under my roof: 7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to
come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8 For I also am
a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and
he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and
he doeth it.
“I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof;” the centurion was most likely
aware of the Jewish tradition that a person who entered a Gentile’s house would be ceremonially
unclean and didn’t want Jesus to suffer such a hardship on his account.
“neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee;” this is a humble man.
“but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed;” he also has the faith to know that Jesus
has authority in the spirit world which knows no boundaries of space, matter, or time.
Luke7:9
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about,
and said unto the people that followed him,
“he marvelled at him;” this man was a well traveled man and his faith didn’t come as a result
of being exposed to the people of Israel. This is only one of two times that Jesus is said to
“marvel;” the other is in Mark 6:6 when He visited Nazareth and His own townsfolk rejected
Him.
Matthew 8:10
Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit
down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the
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children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel;” by uplifting this Gentile Jesus was
rebuking the Jewish people.
“come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham;” Gentiles will sit down and
eat with Abraham before you blood Israelites who have no faith. The blood of Abraham does
not get you into the Kingdom of God, only faith and obedience will.
“outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth:” imagine the moment that
you have just heard the judgment from God that you are going to be deprived of most of the
advantages of the Kingdom; what would be your reaction? Weeping? Yes, and more. Grinding
your teeth? Oh yea!
Matthew 8:13
And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed,
so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Luke7:10
And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had
been sick.
“as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee;” most of the time faith was involved in Jesus’
healings. There were only three recorded healings where faith didn’t come into play: Mathew
8:14-16, the fever of Peter’s mother-in-law, Luke 7:11-15 the widow’s son in Nain, and Luke
22:51, the healing of high priest’s servant’s ear that Peter had cut off.
Jesus Raises A Widow’s Dead Son In Nain
Luke 7:11
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and
many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came
nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son
of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
“a city called Nain;” is a little village southeast of Nazareth and about 25 miles southwest of
Capernaum which was a good days walk. They would be arriving about dusk which was the
common time for a Jewish funeral. After the anointing of the body, the funeral was held the day
of death because keeping a body overnight rendered a house unclean. (See Numbers 19:14)
“the only son of . . . a widow;” losing one family member is one thing but to lose a second is
almost unbearable; the whole village would have turned out and wept with this widow.
Luke 7:13
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her,
Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still.
“he had compassion on her;” the word translated “compassion” here is the strongest Greek
word that can express this deep kind of feeling toward a person. Form Strong’s Greek .
“splangkh-nid´-zom-ahee; to have the bowels yearn, i.e. (fig.) feel sympathy, to pity:— have (be
moved with) compassion.” {2}
“touched the bier;” There was no casket, especially no closed casket. The body would have
been wrapped in a burial shroud, the face exposed. And the men would take turns sharing the
honor and pious privilege of pall bearer. They were on their way to the burial grounds in some
caves a few miles outside of town where all their dead were buried. {34}
By touching the bier Jesus would have been ceremonially unclean for seven days (see Numbers
19:11, 16). But, Jesus’ power over death also transcends defilement; there is no power in the
universe that can lay hold of Him unless it be His will.
And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Luke 7:15
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to
his mother.
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“he that was dead sat up;” there’s no two ways about it, this miracle was a true restoration to
life. There are two others recorded in the Scriptures: Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:40-56) and
Lazarus (John 11:38-44). There is only one negative thought about these three miracles, they
had to die again.
Luke 7:16
And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great
prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this
rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region
round about.
“a great prophet is risen up among us;” coupled with the miracles that the crowd had seen and
heard about this raising of the dead they started to compare Jesus to the great prophets of Elijah
(1 Kings 17:17-24) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37). When something as spectacular as raising
someone from the dead happens, keeping it quiet is like trying to hold a lid on a nuclear bomb;
it’s impossible.
Jesus Replies To John The Baptist
Luke 7:18
And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. Matthew 11:2 Now
when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, Luke 7:19 And John calling
unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should
come? or look we for another?
“disciples of John shewed him of all these things;” even though he was in prison John kept
informed of Jesus’ ministry through his own disciples.
“Art thou he that should come;”when John first introduced Jesus as the Messiah he said that
He would bring judgment, “purge His floor and . . . burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
(Matthew 3:12) John’s confusion centered around Jesus not showing the signs of the political
and conquering Messiah that everybody expected. Instead He was the humble healer.
Luke 7:20
When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us
unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? 21 And in
that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits;
and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
“in that same hour he cured many;” John’s disciples found Jesus hard at work doing exactly
what Jesus was about to tell them He was about.
Matthew 11:4
Jesus answered and said unto them, Luke 7:22 Go your way, Matthew 11:4 and
shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 5 The blind receive their
sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are
raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he,
whosoever shall not be offended in me.
“Go your way, and shew John;” in pointing out to the disciples of John what they should report
to John, Jesus quotes Isaiah 35:5-6 and 61:1. By the way, Isaiah 61:1 and the first half of verse
two is what Jesus read when He was rejected by the Nazareth Synagogue (see Luke 4:19). The
disciples of John were to report back that Jesus was doing; exactly what the Scriptures
prophesied about the Messiah. He sent them back to John after being eyewitnesses to many
miracles so that they could tell John that He was indeed the Messiah (see Isaiah 26:19; 29:18-19;
35:5-7). {72}
“blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me;” you are truly blessed if My not being
the conquering Messiah doesn’t bother you. That’s because you understand that My mission this
time is to forgive man’s sin. The other will come later.
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“Offended;” Strong’s . “skan-dal-id´-zo (“scandalize”); to entrap, i.e. trip up (fig. stumble
[tran.] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure):— (make to) offend.” {2}
Jesus Testifies About John And Himself
Luke 7:24
And when the messengers of John were departed, Matthew 11:7 Jesus began to
say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to
see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man
clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
Luke 7:25
Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in
kings’ courts. 26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you,
and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send
my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
“A reed shaken with the wind;” there are plenty of reeds and winds around the Jordan River
where John was preaching and baptizing. So Jesus asks “Did you go down to the river to see the
reeds shaken by the winds?
“A man clothed in soft raiment;” John dressed in scratchy camel skins and the only bathing
that he got was in the Jordan River.
“what went ye out for to see? A prophet;” Jesus asks these rhetorical questions then He
answers them as a bit of sarcasm. You went out there to see a prophet.
“more than a prophet;” John was a very special prophet in that he got to prepare the way for
the Messiah.
“Behold, I send;” Jesus quotes from Malachi 3:1. Jesus was also declaring that He was the
Messiah.
Matthew 11:11
Verily I say unto you, Luke 7:28 Among those that are born of women there
is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom
of God is greater than he.
“there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist;” the single greatest that any mortal
could aspire to is to be the forerunner to the Messiah.
“he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he;” the least born of the Kingdom of
God is greater than the greatest born of this earth. Why? Because all born of the Kingdom of
God are born of the Holy Spirit of God and automatically makes us greater.
Matthew11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven
suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the
law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for
to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
“from the days of John the Baptist until now;” this is a timed thing starting with John the
Baptist who was thrown into prison and eventually beheaded.
“the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence;” the kingdom suffered violence; even the King
Himself was going to be crucified.
“all the prophets and the law prophesied until John;” since these pointed to the Messiah and
John’s ministry was the forerunner of the Messiah then these pointed to him as well.
“this is Elias, which was for to come;” remember when Gabriel told Zechariah that John would
“Go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the children unto their fathers”
(Luke 1:17)? Gabriel was quoting Malachi 4:6 concerning the forerunner of the Messiah. John
the baptizer even admitted himself that he wasn’t Elijah in John 1:21.
The prophecies in Malachi were two: John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah and
prepared the way for the first coming of the Lord (Malachi 3:1). Now since Elijah himself did
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not die, he will come back before the return the great and terrible day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5-
6) as one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3.
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear;” the coming of Elijah and the Messiah were lumped
together as a total of one continuous event in the minds of the Israelites. Jesus now explains that
they are two separate comings which takes some adjustment of the minds.
Luke 7:29
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being
baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the
counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
“justified God;” declared God to be just and righteous, by submitting to the baptism of
repentance of John. {3}
“rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him;” they had
rejected the Baptism of John which was God’s desire (His counsel) for them. They felt that they
were already righteous and not in need of repentance. But having rejected John they could not
recognize Jesus’ message as being from God so they reject Him also. By doing so they rejected
God in addition.
Luke 7:31
And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation?
and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace,
and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not
danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
“the men of this generation;" He is talking about the church leaders.
“They are like unto children;” they are acting very childishly with a stubbornness not to be
pleased.
“ye have not danced; . . . ye have not wept;” you did not leap... you did not weep {3} refers to
Jesus’ rather joyous style of ministry with eating and drinking with sinners verses John the
Baptist’s ministry with a call to repentance and a solemn life style. No matter what tune was
played if you weren’t following them, the church leaders, they were against you. Sounds like the
great inquisition doesn’t it?
Luke 7:33
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye
say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say,
Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
35
But wisdom is justified of all her children.
“wisdom is justified of all her children;” and what is wisdom? Fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). All who fear the Lord are the children of
wisdom and will receive the rewards of the kingdom; wisdom is therefore justified.
Judgment Upon The Cities Of The North
Matthew 11:20
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works
were done, because they repented not:
Matthew 11:21
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty
works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would
have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be
more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And
thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell:
for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom,
it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
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“Chorazin;” mentioned here and in the corresponding chapter in Luke is a small town on a hill
about two and a half miles above Capernaum. Bethsaida is just past where the Jordan River
enters the Sea of Galilee six miles from Capernaum.
“Tyre and Sidon;” these two were Gentile cities. But as we saw in Jonah so was Nineveh. He
condemned these cities that He had performed many of His miracles in because they hadn’t
repented despite the signs and wonders.
“Capernaum;” was Jesus’ Galilee headquarters and although the people never really did
anything against Him, they never supported Him either despite all the miracles. This
indifference in the face of these miracles is worse than the terrible wickedness of Sodom.
Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in
thy sight.
“O Father, Lord of heaven and earth;” now we see some of the power structure within the
God structure: The Father is the Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus said so.
“the wise and prudent . . . babes;” with sarcasm the wise and prudent are the church leaders
who follow after the traditions of men and turn a blind eye to the Word of God while the babes,
those who come to Christ as a child, teachable and humble accept the truth of Him being the
Messiah.
“it seemed good in thy sight;” this is a powerful declaration of a sovereign God that He rules
over the affairs of men and that He will choose whomever He will choose.
Matthew 11:27
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the
Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to
whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
“no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the
Son;” Many people today think that they know the Father but their concepts are flawed; where
they lacked or had holes the people filled them in with their own thoughts, thus making God in
their own image an image that they can live with. That is idol worship.
“he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him;” no one knows the Father unless the Son reveals
Him to you. Pray that the Son will reveal the Father to you; then you will be a true son of the
Father.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
29
you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.
“Come unto me, . . . Take my yoke;” these are not just suggestions from Jesus; there’re
commands: “Come.” “Take.” Both sentences start with these commands indicating that they are
not statements. If we don’t set aside our stressful, worrisome, striving lives and “learn ofme”
then we will find it impossible to follow Him. The kingdom will not come by these methods; all
that these will do is kill you.
“for I am meek;” this is not the same word for “meek” that Jesus used in the Beatitudes
Matthew 5:5 Strong's . “prah-ooce´; appar. a primary word; mild, i.e. (by impl.) humble:—
meek. See also .” {2}
Matthew 11:29Strong's . “prah´-os; a form of , used in certain parts; gentle, i.e.
humble:— meek.” {2}
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The difference is in the two bolded words of “mild” and “gentle.” When you think of mild it’s
like mild taco sauce, it has no bite to it. When you think of gentle you think of a baby all soft
and cuddly. In the Beatitudes He said blessed are you if you have no bite to you; no chafing; no
pushing back. Here in verse 11:29 Jesus is saying that you will find rest for your rundown
heavy-laden souls in this soft cuddly heart of His. These two are just a couple of the aspects of
the attitude of Meek.
“ye shall find rest unto your souls;” if you are in Christ and He is in you, you don’t have to
strive or worry or get stressed about anything, for the grace of God covers everything including
your worse sin. So relax in Him and take His yoke of obedience upon you and you will see just
how free life can be.
Jesus At Pharisee’s House, Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet; Parable Of Creditor
& Two Debtors
Luke 7:36
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he
went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in
the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the
Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet
behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them
with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the
ointment.
“one of the Pharisees;” this Pharisee’s name was Simon (verse 40). The Bible story is unclear
as to his motive for inviting Jesus, whether it was because he was just curious or seeking cause to
accuse Him. It is possible that he had heard Jesus’ words that He had just spoken and was open
enough to want to hear more.
“sat down to meat;” A meal with a religious figure in the ancient world was arranged so that
the invited guest was at the main table while others were along the outside wall of the room
listening to the conversation. {5} And they didn’t sit down in chairs; “Literally, He lay
down; This was the usual position in the East and in this case we have to remember it in order to
understand the narrative.” {35}
Note: a similar incident of being anointed will happen in the house of Simon the leper in the
week before Jesus’ death; albeit He will be among friends and not those that want to test Him.
“alabaster box of ointment;” the word alabaster is Strong’s . “(of uncert. der.), the name of
a stone; prop. an “alabaster” box, i.e. (by extens.) a perfume vase (of any material):—
(alabaster) box.” {2} It is a sealed vial as in 1 Samuel 10:1 when Samuel poured oil from a vial
to anoint Saul to be king. The translators just grabbed “box” because it was in their concordance
as a container; remember, this is old 1611 English. Alabaster is a very fine translucent marble
from Egypt that can be carved into beautiful containers for storing expensive perfumes and oils.
It is quite expensive in itself.
“stood at his feet behind him;” as He laid there facing the table she came up behind Him where
His feet where.
“weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears;” it takes a tremendous amount of tears to wet
someone’s feet so that they get washed of the dust from walking with sandals on. This nameless
woman had gotten so convicted of her sin that when she saw the omission of the customary
water for washing of the feet, verse 44, and the oil for the anointing of the head of all guests,
verse 46, she was moved to minister to Jesus.
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Luke 7:39
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within
himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what
manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.
“he spake within himself;” these were thoughts within his mind but not spoken.
“if he were a prophet;” this woman is weeping at the prophet’s feet which is exactly what she is
supposed to do. This Pharisee obviously has no experience around penitent people; he only
travels with those of the upper class and anyone that is not of that class is usually shunned.
“what manner of woman;” she ain’t in his class that’s all. It’s just plain old Bigotry with a
capital “B.” And what does God say about that? “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” And you
can’t do that from your ivory tower; you have to get down among them to do it right. Just
throwing money at them isn’t enough either. You got to love them like Jesus did.
Luke 7:40
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto
thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
“Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee;” Si, I got a word from God for you! Jesus knew
Simon’s thoughts and was about to demonstrate it.
“Master, say on;” notice that Simon does call Him “Master,” for now giving Him the respect of
a prophet, teacher, or rabbi.
Luke 7:41
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five
hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he
frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43
Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he
said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
“There was a certain creditor;” but first a riddle! This was not a test; He knew that Simon
knew the right answer to this simple situation posed to him. It was to show Simon the
Forgiveness of God in the Son of Man.
“hundred pence;” one pence (also called denarii) was one day’s wage; so 500 of them would be
about a year and a half.
Luke 7:44
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman?
I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath
washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou
gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss
my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed
my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are
forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
“he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon;” He’s looking at the woman while talking to
Simon to really make His point.
“no water for my feet;” this custom is all throughout the Old Testament starting in Genesis
18:4; 19:2; Judges 19:21; 1 Samuel 25:41. This was so ingrained in the Israelite society that
either it was a tremendous oversight that Jesus alone did not have His feet washed or nobody had
their feet washed because this party was a last minute throw together thing and somebody forgot
the water.
“head with oil thou didst not anoint;” you will find this is in Psalms 23:5 & 45:7. But they
also forgot the oil and the Kiss. This Simon is a walking social faux pas; either he forgot or he’s
being ignorant. Either way the title sticks.
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“she hath washed my feet; hath not ceased to kiss my feet; this woman hath anointed my
feet with ointment;” she took up the slack where you screwed-up. She filled the love wholes
that you completely missed.
“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven;” she was the debtor who owed the hundred and fifty
days wages in Jesus’ story above.
“little is forgiven, the same loveth little;” Simon is going to have very few of his sins forgiven
because he loves very little.
Luke 7:48
And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat
with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50
And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
“Thy sins are forgiven;” this is like which came first the chicken or the egg? Let’s break this
down step by step; first Jesus was speaking to the crowds. And Simon heard Him, but so did the
woman (assumed). Simon decides to invite Jesus to dinner along with some of his friends (verse
49). But the usual Israelite customs were not offered to Jesus. The woman, who having heard
Jesus in the field, sees the neglect by Simon and comes in, and despite her knowing that she
could probably be arrested she performs three acts of love omitted by Simon. Her faith came as
a result of hearing the words of Jesus in the field. Her acts of love and weeping for her sins
became the expression of that faith despite the fact that she spoke no words to Jesus. The result
was: “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
“to say within themselves,Who is this that forgiveth sins also;” unless you become truly
broken because of your sin like this woman, you cannot perceive nor except the reality of who
Jesus is and receive the forgiveness of your sins nor the healing of your heart. These were blind
by their own tradition and could not see the goodness that was presenting itself right in front of
their faces.
Luke 8:1
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and
village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the
twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits
and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And
Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which
ministered unto him of their substance.
“he went throughout every city and village;” throughout the Galilee region which incidentally,
was part of Herod’s territory (tetrarch).
“and the twelve were with him;” which includes Judas.
“certain women, . . . and many others;” Jesus had a regular entourage with Him. You can just
see them going down the road from town to town almost a whole bus load moseying down the
road.
“Mary called Magdalene;” was most likely from the town of Magdala about 6.3 miles south of
Capernaum down the coast. She had seven demons cast out of her and was probably fairly
wealthy.
“Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward;” her having some wealth speaks for itself. Luke
is the only one that mentions her; here and in 24:10. {4}
“Susanna;” this is the only time that she is mentioned in Scripture. It is speculated that her and
Joanna might have known Luke. {4}
“which ministered unto him of their substance;” if you ever wondered how Jesus and the
disciples were fed during those three and one half years here’s how; these women and the many
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others gave of their possessions to feed and house Jesus the twelve and the entire following for
that matter. This was a Jewish custom to support rabbis in this manner.
Mark 3:19
And they went into an house, (or home). 20 And the multitude cometh
together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 And when his
friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside
himself.
“went into an house, (or home);” This is probably the house or home in Capernaum which is
Jesus’ headquarters. This portion of verse 19 should have been made by the translators as the
beginning of verse 20.
“they could not so much as eat bread;” if you put a bus load of people in a small house plus all
the neighbors, nobody is going to be able to move much less get to the table to eat.
“his friends;” Should read His kinsfolk (i.e. His brethren, and His mother) see Mark 3:31. {3}
Demoniac Healed; Pharisees Blaspheme
Matthew 12:22
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb:
and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And
all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
“Is not this the son of David;” is another name for the Messiah. This was well known and
taught within the Jews that the Messiah was promised to be raised to be raised up of David’s
seed and to spring from David’s loins; the Son of David. The light-bulb has been turned on, they
are no longer looking for a free meal; their faith has been enlightened.
Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees Mark 3:22 And the scribes which came down from
Jerusalem Matthew 12:24 heard it, they said, Mark 3:22 He hath Beelzebub, Matthew 12:24 This
fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
“He hath Beelzebub;” Strong’s .“of Chaldean origin [by parody on 1176]; dung-god;
Beelzebul, a name of Satan:— Beelzebub.” {2}
1176. “Baal of (the) Fly; Baal-Zebub, a special deity of the Ekronites:— Baal-zebub.” {2}
He started off as the lord of the flies; now he’s the god of the dung-heap where the flies hang out.
Matthew 12:25
And Jesus knew their thoughts, Mark 3:23 And he called them unto him, and
said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? Matthew 12:25 Every
kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house
divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided
against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
“Jesus knew their thoughts;” In verse 15 we see that Jesus knew what they planning. Now
here in verse 25 He knows their thoughts
“he called them unto him;” first of all, even if he ridicules you, you don’t call out the scribes
and Pharisees like this and talk back to them; why they could kick you out of the Synagogue or
worse. But Jesus did!
“How can Satan cast out Satan;” how do you kick your own butt? You can’t. Well this is the
same question! Their premises is ludicrous; it’s a Paradox. Jesus handles it with three perfect
arguments: first; any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. Second any family divided by
feuding will fall apart. And lastly, if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting against himself and
his kingdom will not stand.
Matthew 12:27
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast
them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the
Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one
enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the
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strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 30 He that is not with me is against
me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
“by whom do your children cast them out;” children, i.e. disciples; the Pharisees believed in
and practiced exorcism. {3}
“the kingdom of God is come unto you;” and that is exactly what was happening; the
sovereign power of God the Holy Spirit in Jesus was binding Satan and his demons thus
representing the Kingdom of God in their presence.
“enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods;” Satan is the strong man (see Isaiah
49:24) but Christ is stronger and binds the strong man so He can free (Spoil) people, (his
house).
“He that is not with me is against me;” there is no middle of the road here, no center stripe, no
fence to ride; either you are for Jesus and that is 100% thing or you are against Him and that too
is a 100% thing. If you think that you will jump in the band wagon when you get ready; or
anything like that then you are against Him. Just showing up at a building once a week and
reciting the same words as others and singing the same hymns doesn’t make you for Him. It
might make you a robot!
“he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad;” because the Pharisees were against the
work of Jesus they were on the side of Satan. They opposed God’s harvest of souls and as a
result they were scattering and wasting the harvest by their traditions.
Matthew 12:31
Wherefore Mark 3:28 Verily I say unto you, Matthew 12:31All manner of sin and
blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost
shall not be forgiven unto men Mark 3:29 but is in danger of eternal damnation. Matthew
12:32
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven
him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him,
Mark 3:30
neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Because
they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
“blasphemy against the Holy Ghost;” Jesus was attacking the Pharisees sin of deliberately
rejecting the work of God and attributing it to Satan. As seen earlier in the diagram of the
concentric circles of God the Holy Spirit is the center of God and is therefore the Powerhouse of
God with the power radiating outward through the soul – the Father, to the body – Jesus.
“shall not be forgiven unto men;” whenever a person knowingly maligns the Holy Spirit with
regard to the redemptive work of Christ they blow any chance of forgiveness of their sins
because they have rejected the only means by which God has provided for them to be forgiven,
i.e. the Holy Spirit’s power in redemptive work of Christ.
“it shall be forgiven him;” the key word is “knowingly.” These Pharisees not only witnessed
the miracles of Christ, but heard His word of truth, heard the testimony of John, heard Jesus’
own testimony, and still profaned the Holy Spirit by attributing the work of Christ to the devil
and thus rejecting all the truth of God. But the opposite is also true: when the Pharisee Saul of
Tarsus heard the word of truth he repented of his persecutions against Christ and His followers,
and his sins were forgiven. His forgiveness was granted because his rejection of the truth of God
was during a time of ignorance; once he heard the truth of God, he repented and became an
ardent apostle, the one called Paul. (See Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:29)
Matthew 12:33
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree
corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of
vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the
heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart
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bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth
evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt
be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
“make the tree good, and his fruit good;” since you and your disciples cast out demons it must
be a good work, then the power behind this work must be good also. Good works do not come
from a corrupt power source.
“generation of vipers;” in ancient times it was believed that viper eggs hatched inside their
mother’s stomach. The then baby vipers would eat their way out of the mother in order to be
born killing the mother in the process. This was believed to be an act of vengeance because the
mother had bit off the father’s head during the mating act that impregnated the mother. The
murder of one’s parents or any blood relative for that matter was considered to be terribly
wicked. By calling these Pharisees and Scribes a “generation of vipers” Jesus was comparing
them with parent murderers making them terrible wicked. Remember in verse 14 of this chapter
they “held council against Him, on how they might destroy Him.” They’re a bunch of snakes
getting all coiled up ready to strike. Snakes in religious robes with power and authority claiming
righteousness on their side. Is there anything worse?
“every idle word that men shall speak;” how many extra adjectives do we throw into our
speech every day that are absolutely superfluous. For example: “What in the Sam hill are you
doing?” Instead of just asking what are you doing, we have to throw in the extra words “in the
Sam hill” because we think it needs emphasis. Remember Matthew 5:37: “But let your
communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
There is no better indication that a tree is bad than it bare the fruit of bad speech. For by thy
words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Verse 37 above)
[Seven chapters same verse later and the same subject.]
did not die he will come back before the return the great and terrible day of the Lord (Malachi
4:5-6) as one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3.
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear;” the coming of Elijah and the Messiah were lumped
together as a total of one continuous event in the minds of the Israelites. Jesus now explains that
they are two separate comings which takes some adjustment of the minds.
Luke 7:29
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being
baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the
counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
“justified God;” declared God to be just and righteous, by submitting to the baptism of
repentance of John. {3}
“rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him;” they had
rejected the Baptism of John which was God’s desire (His counsel) for them. They felt that they
were already righteous and not in need of repentance. But having rejected John they could not
recognize Jesus’ message as being from God so they reject Him also. By doing so they rejected
God in addition.
Luke 7:31
And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation?
and to what are they like? 32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace,
and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not
danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
“the men of this generation;" He is talking about the church leaders.
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“They are like unto children;” they are acting very childishly with a stubbornness not to be
pleased.
“ye have not danced; . . . ye have not wept;” you did not leap... you did not weep {3} refers to
Jesus’ rather joyous style of ministry with eating and drinking with sinners verses John the
Baptist’s ministry with a call to repentance and a solemn life style. No matter what tune was
played if you weren’t following them, the church leaders, they were against you. Sounds like the
great inquisition doesn’t it?
Luke 7:33
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye
say, He hath a devil. 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say,
Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! 35
But wisdom is justified of all her children.
“wisdom is justified of all her children;” and what is wisdom? Fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). All who fear the Lord are the
children of wisdom and will receive the rewards of the kingdom; wisdom is therefore justified.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.
“Come unto me, . . . Take my yoke;” these are not just suggestions from Jesus; there’re
commands: “Come.” “Take.” Both sentences start with these commands indicating that they are
not statements. If we don’t set aside our stressful, worrisome, striving lives and “learn of me”
then we will find it impossible to follow Him. The kingdom will not come by these methods; all
that these will do is kill you.
“for I am meek;” this is not the same word for “meek” that Jesus used in the Beatitudes
Matthew 5:5 Strong's . prah-ooce´; appar. a primary word; mild, i.e. (by impl.) humble:—
meek. See also .
Matthew 11:29Strong's . prah´-os; a form of , used in certain parts; gentle, i.e.
humble:— meek.
The difference is in the two bolded words of “mild” and “gentle.” When you think of mild it’s
like mild taco sauce, it has no bite to it. When you think of gentle you think of a baby all soft
and cuddly. In the Beatitudes He said blessed are you if you have no bite to you; no chafing; no
pushing back. Here in verse 11:29 Jesus is saying that you will find rest for your rundown
heavy-laden souls in this soft cuddly heart of His. These two are just a couple of the aspects of
the attitude of Meek.
“ye shall find rest unto your souls;” if you are in Christ and He is in you, you don’t have to
strive or worry or get stressed about anything, for the grace of God covers everything including
your worse sin. So relax in Him and take His yoke of obedience upon you and you will see just
how free life can be.
Jesus Refuses To Perform A Sign & Predicts His Seventy-Two Hour
Resurrection
Matthew 12:38
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,
Master, we would see a sign from thee.
“Master, we would see a sign from thee;” are you joking? He just exorcised a demoniac and
told you and your crowd that you’re a bunch of terrible wicked individuals; and you want a sign
from Him? You guys got more brass than a Kansas City fire truck! (All the fittings on fire
trucks used to be made out of brass because brass didn’t rust.)
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Matthew 12:39
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the
prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly;
so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
“evil and adulterous generation;” He is speaking about spiritual adultery here; unfaithfulness
to God; in their case going after tradition. (See Jeremiah 5:7-8)
“three days and three nights;” from the Companion Bible Appendix 144:
“The fact that "three days" is used by Hebrew idiom for any part of three days
and three nights is not disputed; because that was the common way of reckoning,
just as it was when used of years. Three or any number of years was used
inclusively of any part of those years, as may be seen in the reckoning of the
reigns of any of the kings of Israel and Judah.
But, when the number of "nights" is stated as well as the number of "days", then
the expression ceases to be an idiom, and becomes a literal statement of fact.” {3}
We are talking 72 hours here from the time that He enters “the heart of the earth” till the time
that He leaves it. And you know that when God says something like that, He’s going to be very
precise about it, not a second too soon or too late. And if you don’t believe that God isn’t that
precise, just take a good look at creation: the cycles of the moon are so precise that God
schedules His Holy Days around them. And David cried out how fearfully and wonderfully we
are made in Psalm 139:14. There is nothing haphazard about God, He is precise about all that
He does, including His love for you. If He wasn’t precise, then you would only be able to say
that maybe the Blood of Jesus saves or maybe it doesn’t. Pretty ludicrous isn’t it?
Matthew 12:41
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and
shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a
greater than Jonas is here. 42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts
of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon
is here.
“men of Nineveh . . . repented;” the threatened destruction of Nineveh was postponed for two-
hundred years until the Babylonians came. Their destruction came because the revival only
lasted one generation. The next generation returned to their old pagan ways.
“this generation;” He’s talking about this generation of vipers here.
“a greater than Jonas is here;” this claim and the one of being greater than Solomon are very
remarkable claims; but ones that He has already backed up with His miracles.
“queen of the south;” in 1 Kings 10:1-13 you will see that the Queen of Sheba came to check
out Solomon’s fame “concerning the name of the Lord.” (Verse 1) She was so impressed by the
glory that God had lavished upon Solomon and Israel (verse 9) that she, among other valuable
gifts gave him one hundred twenty talents of gold. (verse 10) According to Google, an October
2019 price for a talent of gold at 33 kg or 75 lb. would be $1,733,150.30. Multiply that times
one-twenty $207,978,036.00; and that’s just the gold that she gave him.
Matthew 12:43
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house
from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and
garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more
wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that
man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
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“he walketh through dry places, seeking rest;” Revelation 18:2 “And he cried mightily with a
strong voice, saying, Babylon . . . is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul
spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.”
“he findeth it empty;” remember this whole thing started back up in verse 22 when Jesus healed
a demoniac. Then is verse 38 they wanted to see a sign from Him. Jesus tells them that they are
a lot like this demoniac that I just healed; when the demon was expelled he will eventually seek
to return to his former home. And he will find his it all clean and ready for his homecoming so
he gathers seven others that are more wicked than he and they party hardy in their latest abode.
“so shall it be . . . unto this wicked generation;” even if I gave you a sign, performed a
miracle, did you a trick (which I just did in healing the demoniac) it wouldn’t last. Eventually
you would return to your old wicked ways. It didn’t work when John the Baptist preached to
you, what makes you think that it will work this time.
Jesus’ Spiritual Family
Matthew 12:46
While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren
stood without, Luke 8:19 and could not come at him for the press. Mark 3:31 and, standing
without, sent unto him, calling him. Matthew 12:46 Desiring to speak with him. Mark 3:32
And the multitude sat about him.
Matthew 12:47
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand
without, desiring Luke 8:20 to see thee. Matthew 12:47 To speak with thee.
“thy mother and thy brethren stand without;” that’s Mary, James, Joses, Juda, and Simon; 5
boys in all. (Note: they were half brothers and sisters.) The bible never gives us the names of
His sisters (see Mark 6:3). These were all His physical earthly family, His father being passed
on. It must noted, that up to the time of the Feast of Tabernacles which was six months before
His Crucifixion, His brothers didn’t believe that He was the Messiah. (See John 7:2-5)
Matthew 12:48
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother?
and who are my brethren?
“Who is my mother? and who are my brethren;” Jesus wasn’t necessarily denying His earthly
family, He wanted to show that there was a more important family membership at stake.
Mark 3:34
And he looked round about on them which sat about him, Matthew 12:49 And he
stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my
brethren! 50 For whosoever shall Luke 8:21 hear the word of God, and do it, Matthew 12:50
[and]do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and
sister, and mother.
“hear the word of God, and do it, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother;” by
hearing the word of God and doing it, the will of the Father, you become a member of the
spiritual family of God which is far greater than being a member of the earthly family of Jesus.
The earthly people will die off in 60 or 70 years, but the family of God is forever. But you must
be committed to do the will of the Father for life.
Matthew 13:1
The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. Mark 4:1
And he began again to teach. Matthew 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered
together unto him, Luke 8:4 and were come to him out of every city, Matthew 13:2 so that
he went into a ship, Mark 4:1 and sat in [it on] the sea; Matthew 13:2 and the whole
multitude stood on the shore.
“out of the house, and sat by the sea side;” He is still at His base camp at Capernaum and He
just had to stroll down to the sea and climb into a fishing boat.
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In chapter 12 of Matthew’s Gospel we see the unbelief of Israel come to a head in the
unforgivable sin of their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. In chapter 13 we will see that because
of this rejection Jesus closes off His teaching from them by using parables and then explaining
them only to His disciples
Mark 4:2
And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his
doctrine,
“parables;” It was a common thing for rabbis and teachers to use parables to teach. A parable is
nothing more than a graphic allegory put in story form. Up until now in His ministry Jesushad
made their meaning pretty clear. However from now on He hid the real meaning from the
multitudes and would privately explain to His closest followers the hidden truths.
Mark 4:3
Hearken; Matthew 13:3 Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Luke 8:5 his seed: Matthew
13:4
And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, Luke 8:5 and it was trodden
down, Matthew 13:4 and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony
places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because
they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched;
and because they had no root, Mark 4:5 no depth of earth: Matthew 13:6 they withered
away; Luke 8:6 it lacked moisture. Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the
thorns sprung up, Luke 8:7 with it, and choked them: Mark 4:7 and it yielded no fruit.
Matthew 13:8
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an
hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Luke 8:8
And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let
him hear.
“sower;” this is the one who teaches by word and deed the Gospel and the different responses
that they get to it. Some, like the Pharisees reject it. Others accept it for a while but then drop
away. But there are those that will believe and cause others to believe also.
“he sowed, some seeds;” back in those days they didn’t have big tractors for sowing their seeds,
it was all done by hand, throwing the seed across the plowed field.
“by the way side;”Now as he approached the edges some of the seed would land or be blown
onto the path where the soil is hard and compacted and the seed couldn’t grow. This is anyone
that is in full rejection and will not allow the word of God in. So the word of God was just left
hanging in the air.
“stony places;” this is generally places where there is just enough soil on top of a rock
outcropping to support life for a while but not enough moisture to sustain prolonged life. This is
the person who receives the Gospel but when persecution comes along it’s “Hey, I didn’t sign on
for this!”
“thorns;” thorns and thistles are part of the curse of the ground that was brought for Adam’s
sake because of his sin. (See Genesis 3:17-18) Like the stony places they accept the word for a
while but the earthly desires become too much for them to ignore and carry them off away from
the kingdom into the flames of divine wrath.
“good ground;” according to Taras Pasternak of the University of Freiburg,Breisgau,Germany,
the normal number of ears of barley per plant per harvest is 15 – 20 ears; and if you got 30 it was
very good. {36} Jesus starts at that 30 and works His way up through 60 to 100 fold. These are
yields that are unbelievable.
Note: Luke skips the 30 and 60 fold increases of harvest; any reason that might be offered would
be purely speculative.
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“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear;” to the average person who heard this and walked
away saying: “Yea, I know what He’s talking about; I heard Him; He knows farming.” Even the
disciples were scratching their heads saying: “What’s this got to do with the Kingdom?” If you
don’t have spiritual ears you won’t know. If you are a spiritual babe like the disciples at this
time, you will have to be taught. But if you are truly well trained in the spirit you will getit right
away. That’s what it means to have ears to hear. (See Revelation 2:7; 11; 17; 29; 3:6; 13; 22)
Parable Of The Sower Explained
Mark 4:10 Luke
And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve
8:9 Matthew 13:10 Mark 4:10 Luke 8:9
his disciples came, and asked of him the parable
Matthew 13:10
saying, What might this parable be? Why speakest thou unto them in
parables?
“they that were about him with the twelve;” in Luke 8 verses 2, 3 above we saw Mary
Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and many others that followed Jesus not only to take of His needs
but these were true disciples.
Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because Luke 8:10 Unto you it is given to
know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others Mark 4:11 that are without,
Matthew 13:11
it is not given Mark 4:11 all these things are done in parables. Matthew 13:12 For
whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but
whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore
speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear
not, neither do they understand.
“Unto you it is given to know;” Jesus makes it very clear here that this is a gift of God
bestowed upon the elect to understand the mysteries of the kingdom. But those of reprobate
minds are not offered this gift. Paul did a real good job of explaining this in Romans 1:
Vs.19
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath
shewed it unto them. . . .22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
. . . 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, . . . 28 God gave them over to a
29
reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; . . . Being
filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
30
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things,
disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without
natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of
God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the
same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
In verse 28 where “God gave them over” this is the same term that was used when Pilate turned
Jesus over to be crucified. God is turning them over to further punishment; in this case a
reprobate mind. He did it in verses 24 and 26 also; so verse 28 is the final punishment. He is
going to ignore them and let them do their thing straight into the lake of fire. You see these folks
chose to go in this direction; God didn’t force or coarse them. Satan probably did, but God
didn’t. It was their choice!
“the mysteries of the kingdom of God;” the mysteries that Jesus is speaking about here are
ones that were not revealed by the Old Testament. Many of the New Testament mysteries that
are now looked upon as doctrines were revealed in the letters of Paul: such as Romans 11:25; 1
Corinthians 15:51; Ephesians 5:32, 6:19; Colossians 1:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 Timothy
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3:9, 16. Such mysteries Jesus revealed to the ones who believed and concealed to the ones who
rejected Him and the Gospel.
“to others that are without, it is not given;” those who do not believe, the non followers of
Christ.
“they seeing see not;” they see the agricultural aspect of Jesus’ story of the soils and say “Yea,
that makes sense!” But they don’t see how it relates to the Gospel or anything spiritual for that
matter. In their minds, this carpenter would make a pretty good farmer.
Matthew 13:14
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing
ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not
perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with
their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and
should be converted, and I should heal them, Mark 4:12 and their sins should be
forgiven them.
“the prophecy of Esaias (Isaiah);” this is a quote from Isaiah 6:9-10.
“waxed gross;” Strong’s . “(mean. thick); to thicken, i.e. (by impl.) to fatten (fig. stupefy or
render callous):— wax gross.” {2}
“lest at any time they should . . .understand with their heart, and should be converted;”
because of their obstinate, willful ignorance that refuses to look at the truth because the truth
leads to conviction and that leads to conversion. The ignorant is too in love with the darkness to
even look upon the light because of their evil deeds. John 3:19-20 says it best: “And this is the
condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to
the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to
see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things
which ye hear, and have not heard them.
“blessed are your eyes;” he is speaking to His small company of followers here and although
they might see dimly and be slow to understand, they at least had eyes that looked for the light
and ears that were open to the voice of God. They were open and willing to God; and that’s the
key.
“many prophets and righteous men have desired to see;” see John 8:56; 1 Peter 1:9-12.
Mark 4:13
And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye
know all parables? Matthew 13:18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Luke
8:11
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Mark 4:14 The sower soweth
the word. 15 And these are they Matthew 13:19 which received seed Mark 4:15 by the way
side, where the word is sown. Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the
kingdom, and understandeth it not, Luke 8:12 the devil Mark 4:15 cometh immediately,
Matthew 13:19
and catcheth away Mark 4:15 the word that was sown in their hearts, , Luke 8:12
lest they should believe and be saved. Matthew 13:19 This is he which received seed by
the way side.
“how then will ye know all parables;” this question is only found in Mark’s Gospel and says
that understanding the parable of the sower is the key, it sets the pattern for discerning the
meaning of the rest of Jesus’ parables of the Kingdom. The parable of the sower is where Jesus
starts to hide the mysteries of the Kingdom in parables so He now gives His disciples the key to
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discerning the meaning of the parables. They didn’t need it before but they will now. God
usually doesn’t give us something until the time that we need it.
“the sower;” this is anyone that proclaims the Gospel of Christ – the Word of God.
“word of God;” the way to God’s Kingdom, the word of salvation, the message of obedience to
the law of God; these three together make up the Gospel.
“the devil;” has hardened the hearts of these people so the word of the Gospel bounces off these
people like water off a duck’s back or the tin roof of a barn.
Mark 4:16
And these are they likewise Matthew 13:20 that received the seed Mark 4:16 on
stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with
gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, Luke 8:13 which for a while believe, and
in time of temptation, Matthew 13:21 tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the
word, Mark 4:17 immediately they are offended Matthew 13:21 [and]by and by he Luke 8:13
fall away.
“stony ground;” these are shallow people who make commitments real easy; they “receive it
with gladness.” But when there comes a price to pay for the commitment they run away like it
was the plague.
“no root;” the shallow person’s heart is hard like the stony ground. The message that made
them glad never takes root in them; they seem to be transformed for a while but all of a sudden
you won’t see them anymore because their change was only surface.
“time of temptation, tribulation or persecution;” now we’re not talking about everyday events
that everybody goes through in life here; this is something that comes about as a result of the
commitment to, and association with God and the Gospel. They might even tolerate some level
of negativity for the Gospel’s sake but eventually you’ll hear “Hey, I didn’t sign on for this crap;
I’m out of here!
“they are offended;” offended is Strong’s . “skan-dal-id´-zo (“scandalize”); from ; to
entrap, i.e. trip up (fig. stumble [tran.] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure):— (make to)
offend.” {2}
. “skan´-dal-on (“scandal”); a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (fig. cause of displeasure
or sin):— occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumbling block.” {2}
They are enticed to sin; the sin of walking away from the Gospel. The cause, the skandalon
#4625, was their own shallow commitment to the Gospel; having no depth, no root, like a tumble
weed blown by the winds of the earth, they roll away.
Matthew 13:22
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word;
and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, Luke 8:14 pleasures of this
life, Mark 4:19 and the lusts [inordinate desires] of other things entering in, Matthew 13:22
choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful, Luke 8:14 and bring no fruit to
perfection.
“seed among the thorns;” keep in mind what the thorns represent and what the Gospel
represents; the thorns are man’s sin and the Gospel is the word. The word is sown in the middle
of the thorns and man tries to change. But he, being caught up by the distractions of this age and
in the middle of the world’s system of money, pleasures, great desires for the things of this
world; after a while these choke off the word so that it brings no fruit.
Matthew 13:23
But he that received seed into the good ground Luke 8:15 which in an honest
and good heart, having heard the word, Matthew 13:23 and understandeth it, Mark 4:20
receive it, Luke 8:15 keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience: Mark 4:20 some thirtyfold,
some sixty, and some an hundred..
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“the good ground;” just as there were three soils that bore no fruit there are three soils that bear
good fruit; some thirty, some sixty, some one hundred. (Remember this is way above normal
barley harvest.)
“in an honest and good heart;” a humble heart. This is the key to everything with God; with
your decision to be humble before God and desire to hear Him, He will speak mysteries to you
and grant you understanding in such a manner that you will accept it. You must then keep it
over the long haul then through obedience in order to bear much fruit, which is good works.
Mark 4:21
And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or
under a bed? Luke 8:16 But setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may
see the light. Mark 4:22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. 23 If any man
have ears to hear, let him hear.
“there is nothing hid . . . be manifested;” If you hide something it is to reveal it sometime
later. Jesus didn’t intend for His teachings to be hidden except for His disciples; it was for His
disciples to spread to the rest of the world.
“neither was anything kept secret. . .it should come abroad;” this should read “does a secret
thing take place, but that it should come into [the] light.” All the secret mysteries of God will be
revealed and so too will the secret sins of man be brought into the light.
“have ears to hear, let him hear;” this is the fourth time that we have seen this expression:
Luke 8:8; Matthew 11:15; 13:9. One’s response to the words of life is critical; as explained to
the disciples from the parable of the sower God is only going to gather unto Himself those that
bear fruit.
Mark 4:24
And he said unto them, Take heed what [and] Luke 8:18 how Mark 4:24 ye hear:
with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear
shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath
not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
“with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you;” this is still talking about ears to
hear; the amount of effort and time that you put into hearing, studying, praying, listening to the
Holy Spirit is the same measure by which you will receive.
“unto you that hear shall more be given;” if you do all that you can to hear (study, pray,
listen) God will give you more.
“he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath;” those that put forth no
effort or spurn the word of God will lose what little common sense that they have. (See Romans
1:18-32)
Four Parables About The Kingdom
Mark 4:26
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into
the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should
spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of
herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when
the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest
is come.
“cast seed;” this one is only recorded by Mark as a follow-up to the parable of the sower to
show in detail what happens in good soil. The seed of course is the Word of God planted in our
hearts. As we hear, study, pray, listen day by day we grow; we can’t see it but we grow in the
grace and knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. And as first you see the blade,
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then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear, so also will we bear fruit from sowing God’s
word in our heart.
“when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle;” when we have
brought forth the fruit that God wanted us to bear, He will harvest us both individually and
collectively. Remember that this life is temporary and we are put here to bear fruit for the
Kingdom; once we have done that our job is done and we can go home. Always keep in mind
the parable of the sower that we do not get entangled in the things of this world and end up not
bearing the right kind of fruit.
Matthew 13:24
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven
is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept,
his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when
the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou
sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them,
An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go
and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root
up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the
time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind
them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
“a man which sowed;” is the Son of Man, i.e. Jesus (see Matthew 13:37).
“good seed;” represents the true children of the kingdom of Heaven.
“in his field;” the world
“sowed tares;” this plant is known in Palestine today as “zewan”. Zewan, when growing will
look just like wheat until it is full grown when the ears will be long, and the grains will be almost
black, whereas the wheat will be golden. The worst part about it is that it must be removed from
the harvest before grinding because it is not only bitter but it is poisonous.
“An enemy hath done this;” this could bankrupt a farmer if he didn’t know how to handle it,
and even he does, he will still have a somewhat reduced harvest.
“ye root up also the wheat with them;” both of these plants are classified as grasses and as
such their roots will intertwine so that if you tried to pull up one plant you will pull up others
with it.
“time of harvest;” when you reap you just cur off the stalks near the ground so it will be easy to
separate out the ones having black grains on them from the ones bearing golden wheat.
“the tares, burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn;” the tares are useless so they are
burned stalks and all. However the golden wheat is brought into the master’s barn.
Matthew 13:31
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, Mark 4:30 Whereunto shall
we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Matthew 13:31
The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man
took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds Mark 4:31

in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh Matthew 13:32
a
Mark 4:32 Matthew 13:32
tree greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches so that
Mark 4:32
the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof under the
shadow of it.
“grain of mustard seed;” this is referring to the common black mustard plant. While the leaves
were an herb, the seeds were used as a condiment and a medicinal.
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“the least of all seeds;” it wasn’t the smallest of all the seeds that God made, but it was the
smallest that the Jews sowed in their fields. Jesus started off by Himself; then He added 12 who
became His apostles. But by Pentecost 3 ½ years later, there were 120 in that upper room that
received the Holy Spirit. And from those small beginnings Christianity has spread all over the
world.
“a tree . . . so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof;” the tree
which represents the Family of God born into the Kingdom (the seed) becomes so huge that it
benefits all mankind and blesses the world. The idea of birds building their homes in the trees
can be found in the Old Testament: (see Psalm 104:12; Ezekiel 17:22-24; Daniel 4:10-12).
Matthew 13:33
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto
leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole
was leavened.
“leaven;” this is old fermented sourdough. It represents the Kingdom as it spreads and
permeates all that it comes in contact with. This parable is a parallel to the parable of the
mustard seed.
“a woman;” usually always refers to a church.
“hid in three measures of meal;” measure is Strong’s . “sat´-on;of Hebrew origin [5429];
a certain measure for things dry:— measure.” {2}
Hebrew 5429. “seh-aw’; a seah, or certain measure (as determinative) for grain:— measure.”
{2}
According to The Companion Bible Appendix 51, III, 3, (11), (5) a seah is about a peck. {3}
A peck is equal to two gallons. {8} So three measures is tree pecks or six gallons; that’s a lot of
flour! This is roughly 30 plus pounds of flour in addition to the weight of the starter (the leaven).
So she divides it into three - two gallon sets kneading one set in at a time until all is mixed. Then
she will cover and let set for 24 hours till the whole is leavened. Out of the small beginning of
the small hunk of leavening came the large 30 plus pound of leavened dough ready to be divided
into loaves and baked into bread. Out of the 120 in the upper room on Pentecost will come that
great multitude that no man can count; who will come out of the great tribulation and have
washed their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9-15)
Both this parable and the one preceding it, the parable of the mustard seed share the same
meaning of from small beginnings comes a remarkable outcome, namely The Kingdom of God.
Both teach patience and the unstop ability of God’s Kingdom and purpose here on earth.
Matthew 13:34
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; Mark 4:33 as
they were able to hear it; Matthew 13:34 and without a parable spake he not unto them:
35
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open
my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the
foundation of the world.
“as they were able to hear it;” remember what we said before about he that has ears to hear let
him hear? This is the same thing: “as they were able to hear it.”
“I will open my mouth in parables;” this is a quote from Psalm 78:2.
Jesus Explains The Parable Of The Tares
Mark 4:34
And when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Matthew 13:36
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his
disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the
field.
“went into the house;” He is stillat His base camp at Capernaum.
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Matthew 13:37
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the
Son of man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the
kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39 The enemy that
sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are
the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it
be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they
shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42
And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing
of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
“the end of this world;” or the end of the age when the Messiah will reign over the kingdoms of
this world. (See Daniel 7:13-14,18)
“The Son of man shall send forth his angels;” notice that it is God’s holy angels that gather the
unholy and dirty ones that offend
“a furnace of fire;” this is the “lake of fire” of Revelation 19:20; 20:10, 14-15
“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear;” for the fifth time we see this expression: Luke 8:8;
Matthew 11:15; 13:9, & Mark 4:23
The following chart will summarize this parable. {from Kings Chapel Bible Study}
Symbol The Real Thing
The Sower The Son of Man
The Field The World
Children of the
The Good Seed
Kingdom
Children of the Wicked
The Tares
One
The Enemy The Devil
End the World (aion,
The Harvest
earth age)
The Reapers The Angels
Additional Kingdom Parables
Matthew 13:44
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the
which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all
that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Matthew 13:45
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking
goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold
all that he had, and bought it.
“the kingdom of heaven is like;” these two parables have the same meaning. They both present
the Kingdom of God as something hidden from most people, but it is so valuable if someone
should happen to find it they would be willing to give up everything to posses it.
Matthew 13:47
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the
sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore,
and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So
shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the
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wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there
shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
“like unto a net;” some fishermen use a weighted dragnet that is pulled along the bottom of the
sea to pull in every kind of fish that the sea has to offer. Then they just separate the assortment
when they get ashore. This parable is similar to the parable of the tares where the separation of
the good and the bad is withheld until the harvest. But the outcome is the same.
Matthew 13:51
Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say
unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which
isinstructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder,
which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
“bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old;” the new things that are revealed to
you today must be put in balance with the old things that you have already learned, old and new
together in balance making the total picture.
Jesus Calms The Sea
Matthew 13:53
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he
departed thence.
Mark 4:35
And the same day, when the even was come, Matthew 8:18 when Jesus saw great
multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. Matthew
8:23 Luke 8:22
And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
And he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they
launched forth. Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him
even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. . Luke
8:23
But as they sailed he fell asleep.
Matthew 8:24
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the
ship was covered with the waves: Mark 4:37 and the waves beat into the ship, so that it
was now full, Luke 8:23 and [they] were in jeopardy. Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder
part of the ship, asleep on a pillow. Matthew 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and
awoke him, saying, Luke 8:24 Master, master, Mark 4:38 carest thou not that we perish?
Matthew 8:25
Lord, save us:
Mark 4:39
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the Luke 8:24 raging Mark
4:39 40
sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? 41
And they feared exceedingly, Luke 8:25 wondered, saying one to another, What
manner of man is this! For he commandeth even the winds and water, and they
obey him.
“it came to pass;” three of the gospel writers are about to show us another demonstration of
Jesus’ authority over the physical world.
“depart unto the other side;” they were at Capernaum on the western shore and were now
taking off for some R&R to the eastern shore of Galilee where there is only one heavily
populated town of Bethsaida which is easy to avoid.
“also with him other little ships;” it is not just the twelve that are with Him but all the women
and the entire entourage.
“behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea;” the topography of the area of the Sea of
Galilee is important to understand here; the sea is surrounded by hills with the entrance of the
Jordan River in the north and its exit in the south. All that has to happen is for a cold front to
sweep in from the north while the south winds are still blowing in. The two opposing winds
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being confined by those hills on a 33 mile circumference warm lake could form a cyclonic action
into a gale or even a hurricane. And they do quite often between the months of May and
October. The storm will last until the cold front has cleared the region.
“he was asleep on a pillow;” if you ever wondered whether Jesus was a man with a physical
body the answer is right here, YES! He got so exhausted from all that preaching and healing that
even this storm couldn’t wake Him up. Didn’t you ever sleep through a thunder storm?
“Lord, save us;” have you ever been so scared that you thought that you were going to die?
You actually go into a panic. You’ll say all kinds of things to get out of the mess that you are in.
“Peace, be still;” Peace means to be silent. Be still is Strong’s . “(a muzzle); to muzzle:—
muzzle.” {2} As stated above normally a storm would clear the region and gradually subside.
But here when the Creator of the Universe gives a command the physical elements obey His
voice and neutralize immediately.
“Calm;” Psalm 65:7 “Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the
tumult of the people.”
Psalm 89:9 “thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.”
“they feared exceedingly;” this was not the fear that they had a moment ago when they thought
that they were going to die. No, this was the kind of fear of having seen that great hurricane
brought under control instantaneously by the power of the words of the one in the boat with you.
You had seen Him perform miracles before but to control the powerful storm of nature like that;
UNBELIEVABLE!
“What manner of man is this?” indeed. Everyone on those boats was wondering this very
thing.
“even the winds and water, and they obey him.” In addition to the above Scriptures here’s a
few more:
Psalm 29:3
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth:
the LORD is upon many (or, great) waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Psalm 93:4
The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than
the mighty waves of the sea.
Psalm 107:25
For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the
waves thereof. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths:
their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a
drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their
trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29 He maketh the storm a
calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
The disciples were raised in these and they still had a hard time getting the connection.
Men With Demons Named Legion
Mark 5:1
And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the
Gadarenes, Luke 8:26 which is over against Galilee. Mark 5:2 And when he was come out
of the ship, immediately there met him two Matthew 8:28 [men]possessed with devils,
coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
“other side of the sea;” remember that this is the eastern shore of Galilee somewhere south of
Bethsaida.
“the country of the Gadarenes;” Matthew 8:28 calls it the “the country of the Gergesenes.”
Today, it is the modern El-Koursi. {8}
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“so that no man might pass by that way;” these two guarded the road that went by the
cemetery and wouldn’t let anybody pass by because they were so scary.
Luke 8:27
And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain
man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house,
but in the tombs. Mark 5:3 And no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4
Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had
been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any
man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the
tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off,
he ran and worshipped him, Luke 8:28 he cried out, and fell down before him, and
with a loud voice said, Matthew 8:29 What have we to do with thee, Jesus, Mark 5:7 thou
Son of the most high God? Matthew 8:29 art thou come hither to torment us before the
time? Mark 5:7 I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
“there met him two [men]possessed with devils . . . a certain man, which had devils long
time;” there were two men in Mark 5:2 that came out and here in Luke 8:27 there is only one.
Apparently there was one that was dominant and the other didn’t speak.
“in the tombs;” because the demon has taken over the life of the one he possesses that one is
closer to death than life. Sometimes they prefer to live in caves and dark places.
“no man could bind him, no, not with chains;” Mark uses multiple negatives here to put the
emphases on the physical strength of the possessed.
“Crying;” more like screeching continually with monstrous howlers except when trying to speak
words and even then it was a harsh scream.
“cutting himself with stones;” probably with flint or granite or any sharp rock. Self mutilation
is common for a possessed person.
“he saw Jesus . . . he ran and worshipped him;” of course all the demons know exactly who
Jesus is and they fear Him.
“What have we to do with thee;” knowing that their future is judgment by Jesus and the lake of
fire they wondered why He is appearing now.
“Jesus, thou Son of the most high God;” now all demons knew that Jesus (Yeshua) was the
one and only God-Man backed up by the Father. The title “Most High God” goes way back to
Genesis and it speaks of the only true, living God and separates Him from all false Gods and
idols. (See Genesis 14:18-20; Numbers 24:16; Deuteronomy 32:8 Psalms 18:13; 21:7; Isaiah
14:14; Daniel 3:26) {4}
“torment us before the time;” all demons know that there is a divinely appointed time for their
judgment and that Jesus (Yeshua) is going to be that judge. But here they recognize that this is
not that time.
“I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not;” Mark includes the fact that the demons ask
not to be judged at this time.
Luke 8:29
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For
oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters;
and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
“the unclean spirit;” Luke adds the fact that these were unclean spirits in the men (remember
there are two). These spirits are morally and physically filthy and that is in addition to the self
mutilation and the damage caused by the breaking of the chains and fetters.
Mark 5:8
For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he
asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for
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we are many; Luke 8:30 because many devils were entered into him. Mark 5:10 And he
besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Luke 8:31
[nor]command them to go out into the deep.
“Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit;” very simple command and all of the demons must
obey.
“What is thy name;” the demon had already struck up the conversation with Jesus so Jesus asks
him his name; not that it was necessary. Jesus wanted to show the how big the mess was that
these fellows were in.
“My name is Legion: for we are many;” that’s not to say that there were 6000 demons
infecting these two or even one of them. But there were enough of them that would allow for
this spokesman to say this exaggeration. Remember that they are liars too. In Jesus’ time it was
common to use the term legion to describe a large number of beings.
“he besought him much;” these demons know that Jesus has complete authority and power
over them and can send them anywhere that He wants to.
“send them away out of the country [nor]command them to go out into the deep [abyss];”
the demons wanted to remain in this wild Gentile country that they considered their own; and
certainly not go into the abyss which is the prison for all bound demons and disobedient spirits.
Mark 5:11
Now there was there nigh unto the mountains Matthew 8:30 And there was a
good way off from them Mark 5:11 a great herd of swine feeding . 12 And all the
devils besought him, saying, Matthew 8:31 If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into
the herd of swine Mark 5:12 that we may enter into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave
them leave [and] Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go.Mark 5:13 And the unclean
spirits went out, and entered Matthew 8:32 And when they were come out, they went
into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a
steep place into the sea, Mark 5:13 (they were about two thousand;) were choked in
the sea. Matthew 8:32 and perished in the waters.
“a great herd of swine;” this is further proof that this is Gentile country. In Mark 5:13 tells us
that the herd was about 2000 head of pigs. That’s a lot of bacon!
“Jesus gave them leave [and] said unto them, Go;” Jesus exercises His sovereign rights and
lets the demons to enter the swine and destroy them. This is a very vivid picture of the enormity
of evil that these two had been delivered from.
“were choked in the sea, and perished in the waters;” . It didn’t take but a few minutes for
those demons to kill those pigs after entering them. After the pigs died the demons were free to
roam the countryside and find someone week to inhabit. That was 2000 years ago on the Jordan
side of the Sea of Galilee. If Jordan were to punch a well there now they would probably find oil
from those decomposed pigs.
Luke 8:34
When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told
it in the city and in the country; Matthew 8:33 and told every thing, and what was
befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to
meet Jesus: Luke 8:35 and found the man, Mark 5:15 that was possessed with the devil,
and had the legion, Luke 8:35 sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right
mind: and they were afraid.
“sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed;” he was at peace; the direct opposite of what he was like
before; you wouldn’t hardly recognize him.
“in his right mind;” all demonic control was gone; no longer the screeching, howling demonic
voice.
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Luke 8:36
They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of
the devils was healed, Mark 5:16 and also concerning the swine. Luke 8:37 Then the
whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to
depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the
ship, and returned back again.
“They which saw it told by what means he that was possessed of the devilswas healed,also
concerning the swine;” there were at least the disciples and the herdsmen of the pigs that were
witnesses.
“besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear;” these were
Gentiles that worshiped many gods and had gotten used to these two men that were possessed.
Now they are in their right mind and the swine that was profitable to them had been drowned
into the sea. To this bunch of superstitious pig eating Gentiles these events scared the bejeebers
out of them. “We don’t care who you are, just leave us alone!”
Luke 8:38
Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he
might be with him: Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go
home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee,
and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in
Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
“besought him that he might be with him;” wouldn’t you want to after being delivered from
all of that follow Him that delivered you?
“Go . . . tell them how great things the Lord hath done;” Jesus says instead why don’t you
become an evangelist for Me?
“Decapolis;” literally means “ten cities” all of which are east of the Jordan River and the Sea of
Galilee. The largest of these cities was Scythopolis (ancient Bethshan), and included Damascus
in the far north and Philadelphia (modern Amman, Jordan) on the southern extreme. The other
seven cities were Pella, Abila, Gerasa (Jerash), Hippos, Dion, Raphana, and Gadara. {5}
Mark 5:21
And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much
people gathered unto him: Luke 8:40 people gladly received him: for they were all
waiting for him; Mark 5:21 and he was nigh unto the sea.
“unto the other side;” Jesus and the disciples are back on the northwestern shore of the Sea of
Galilee most likely around Capernaum because “much people gathered unto Him.” “They
were all waiting for Him.”
The whole episode across the sea probably took less than a day: figure 2 hours to cross; 2 hours
for the deliverance and haggle with the townsfolk; then 2 hours back. You still have plenty of
daylight left; remember they got there at sun-up after Jesus had calmed the storm on the way
over. So they got there at six a.m.; and left two hours later at eight and got back at ten in the
morning.
Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter & Woman With Issue Of Blood
Matthew 9:18
While he spake unto them, behold, Mark 5:22 one of the rulers of the
Matthew
synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
9:18
and worshipped him, Mark 5:23 And besought him greatly, Luke 8:41 that he would
come into his house: Mark 5:23 saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I
pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall
live. Luke 8:42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a
dying. Matthew 9:19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. Luke 8:42
But as he went Mark 5:24 much people followed him, and thronged him.
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“While he spake unto them, behold;” in Matthew’s Gospel this line actually reads: “While he
spake these things unto them, behold.” Matthew’s Gospel was coming off the parable of the
wineskins right into this story of Jairus’ daughter hence the phrase “While he spake unto these
things . . .” While Mark and Luke’s Gospels are both have Jesus returning from the country of
the Gadarenes. Remember Luke’s Gospel being the most chronologically correct. But this line
was included so that no detail would be left out.
“Synagogue;”literally means “a place where people gather together.” Strong’s 4864. After the
destruction of the Temple in 552 B.C. synagogues slowly appeared in towns and villages where
worship and teaching of the law took place. However the word used by Mark 5:22 here is
different; it is Strong’s 752, “director of the synagogue services:— (chief) ruler of the
synagogue.” {2} Jairus oversaw all the affairs including the arranging of the services of the
synagogue.
“Jairus by name;” Jairus was familiar with Jesus because earlier He had cast a demon out of a
man in Jairus’ synagogue (see Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37).
“much people followed;” curiosity seekers more than anything else.
“thronged;” Strong’s . “to compress, i.e. crowd on all sides:— throng.” {2} It was like
being chocked by the crowd; they were so thick that Jesus couldn’t hardly move.
Mark 5:25
And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had
suffered many things of many physicians, Luke 8:43 neither could be healed of any,
Mark 5:26
and had spent all that she had, Luke 8:43 all her living, Mark 5:26 and was nothing
bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press
behind, Luke 8:44 and touched the border of his garment: Matthew 9:21 For she said within
herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. Mark 5:29 And straightway
the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was
healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue
had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my
clothes? Luke 8:45 When all denied, Peter and Mark 5:31 disciples Luke 8:45 that were with
him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who
touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that
virtue is gone out of me.
“an issue of blood twelve years;” any number of things could be responsible for her condition
including: Endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, hormonal imbalance, fibroids, obesity,
and many other things. But the sad part about this is her physical condition was not only serous
but made her ceremonially unclean.
Leviticus 15:25
And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of
her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the
issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be
unclean. 26 Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her
as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as
the uncleanness of her separation. 27 And whosoever toucheth those things shall be
unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean
until the even.
She would be avoided, shunned like she had the plague. Anyone that knew her would walk
around her. And the really bad part is that she could not attend synagogue much less the temple
or holy days.
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“suffered many things of many physicians;” it’s not uncommon even today to go from one
doctor to the next to find relief from a chronic condition when the remedies that a doctor
prescribes for your ailment aren’t working. And over twelve years you could spend a lot of
money and even run across a few quacks all in trying to get relief. Remember there was no such
thing as health insurance back then to pick-up the tab.
“came in the press behind, and touched;” remember Leviticus above; anyone that she touched
would be unclean. It had the opposite effect, Jesus cleansed her!
“the border of his garment;” these were tassels ordered by God to be sewed to the bottom of
one’s garment.
Numbers 15:38
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them
fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they
put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue: 39 And it shall be unto you for
a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the
LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own
eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: 40 That ye may remember, and do all my
commandments, and be holy unto your God.
Deuteronomy 22:12
Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters (wings) of thy
vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
“If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole;” now that’s faith; pure and unadulterated!
“the fountain of her blood was dried up;” the healing went right to the source of the problem.
“virtue had gone out of him;” normally Jesus would knowingly cause virtue to proceed from
Himself to someone. However this time the virtue left Him by the power of someone else’s faith
drawing it out almost like a vacuum.
“Who touched my clothes;” now it isn’t like He didn’t know who touched Him; He wants to
pull her out of the crowd so that she can acknowledge her faith in God that He be lifted up.
Mark 5:32 Luke
And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
8:47
And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came Mark 5:33 fearing and
trembling, knowing what was done in her, Luke 8:47 and falling down before him, she
declared unto him before all the people Mark 5:33 all the truth- Luke 8:47 for what cause
Mark 5:34
she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he
Matthew 9:22
said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee
whole. Mark 5:34 go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Matthew 9:22
And the
woman was made whole from that hour.
“fearing and trembling;” remember she was unclean and not supposed to be touching anybody.
“she was healed immediately;” the blood dried up immediately as if it had never happened.
She would still have to wash herself and after seven days offer the sacrifices prescribed in
Leviticus 15:29. (Note: the offering of sacrifices was done away with at the cross when Jesus
became the perfect sacrifice for all time.)
Luke 8:49
While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s
house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; Mark 5:35 why troublest thou the Master
any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the
ruler of the synagogue, Luke 8:50 Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Mark 5:37
And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the
brother of James, Luke 8:51 and the father and the mother of the maiden. Mark 5:38 And
he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, Matthew
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9:23
the minstrels and the people making a noise, Mark 5:38 and them that Luke 8:52 wept,
and bewailed her Mark 5:38 greatly.
“Fear not: believe only;” belief is the opposite of fear and here it is a command. Jairus has to
maintain the faith that he originally had when he came to Jesus with or all is lost. Jesus was
confident of the outcome if Jairus only maintained his faith.
“save Peter, and James, and John;” this is the first time that these three are singled out for the
privilege of a special witness. Peter and John became the Church leaders after Pentecost and
James became one of the earliest martyrs.
“the minstrels and the people making a noise;” the minstrels were professional mourners and
when mixed with the friends and relatives what they maid was a noise. It sure wasn’t anything
that you could consider intelligible; more like a din.
“wept, and bewailed her greatly;” since burial occurred soon after death, usually within 24
hours, relatives and friends only had a very short time to mourn publicly. So they would hire
these professional mourners to help vent their grief.
Mark 5:39
And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and
weep? Luke 8:52 Weep not; Matthew 9:24 Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth.
Luke 8:53 Mark 5:40
And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. But
when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel,
and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41 And
he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being
interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
“maid is not dead, but sleepeth;” this is a biggie so take a big deep breath:
Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing,
neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Remember we are made in the image of God. So do you remember that chart of the concentric
circles of God and how He is constructed? When we die our spirit, the power of life, leaves us
and goes back to God. Our soul, our will, mind, and emotions go into a thoughtless sleep; we
“know not anything.” Our bodies return eventually to the dust from what they were made from.
We then await the resurrection either to life in God’s Kingdom or to the second death of the lake
of fire. It could be a thousand years or a day till then, only God knows. For Adam it has been
5000 years or so but he doesn’t know it, he’s been asleep that long. Throughout the New
Testament death is likened unto sleep: here in this incident of Matthew 9:24; John 11:11-14;Acts
7:60; 13:36; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 15:6, 18, 20, 51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 5:10.
NOW NOTICE WHAT HAPPENS HERE NEXT IN LUKE 8:55:
“they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead;” their scorn of Jesus just points out
their complete lack of faith to the point of ridicule. On one hand they were paid to come here to
mourn and then this guy says it is all in vein. Just who does this guy think he is, God? YEP!
“put them all out;” by the authority of God, Jesus evicts them from the building. Instead of
scorning they could have watched and had their faith bolstered by witnessing a miraculous
resurrection.
“Talitha cumi;” talitha; Strong’s . “tal-ee-thah´; of Chaldean origin [comp. 2924]; the
fresh, i.e. young girl; talitha (O maiden):— talitha.” {2}
Cumi; Strong’s . “koo´-mee or koom´;of Chaldean origin [6966];cumi (i.e. rise!):— cumi.”
{2}
6966. (Chald.), “koom; corresp. to 6965:— appoint, establish, make, raise up self, (a-) rise
(up), (make to) stand, set (up).” {2}
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Mark is the only writer that quotes the words that Jesus spoke.
Mark 5:42
And straightway Luke 8:55 her spirit came again, Mark 5:42 the damsel arose, and
walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. 43 And [He] commanded that
something should be given her to eat. Luke 8:56 And her parents were Mark 5:42
astonished with a great astonishment. Luke 8:56 But he charged them that they should
tell no man what was done.
Matthew 9:26
And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
“straightway her spirit came again;” BAM! Her spirit came back into her and so did her life;
she woke-up.
“damsel arose, and walked;” proving the miraculous event that had just been accomplished
before their eyes.
“should be given her to eat;” what’s the first thing that a baby wants to do after being born? It
wants to eat!
“tell no man;” it would be impossible to keep the news of this miracle a secret for very long; the
professional mourners and neighbors would know in a day or so as soon as the young girl
popped her head outside and someone saw her the news would be all over town almost as fast as
the internet of today. Jesus didn’t want His advisories to have a reason to seek Him out to kill
Him prematurely for one, and also He didn’t want the Gospel to become known only for its
miraculous works. The Gospel is much more than that; the miracles are there to just get, and
sometimes keep your attention. We are all sometimes like mules; we get distracted and have to
get kicked with something out of the ordinary to get our attention.
Jesus Heals Two Blind men
Matthew 9:27
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying,
and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
Matthew 9:28
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and
Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him,
Yea, Lord.
Matthew 9:29
Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto
you.30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See
that no man know it.31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame
in all that country.
“when Jesus departed thence;” Jesus is leaving the house of Jairus when this happens. He is
still in Capernaum.
“two blind men followed him;” they had to be following the noise and staying literally in touch
with the crowd.
“Thou Son of David, have mercy on us;” there is a very similar but separate event that happens
as Jesus is leaving Jericho recorded in Matthew 20:29-34. The phrase “Son of David was
covered back in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus.
Matthew 9:32
As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed
with a devil. 33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the
multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. 34 But the Pharisees
said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
“As they went out;” they left the blind men’s house and then this possessed men was brought to
Him.
“the prince of the devils;” the Pharisees had seen more than enough of Jesus miracles to know
that it was the power of God, namely the Holy Spirit that was the power behind Jesus’ miracles.
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But through willful, stubborn unbelief they attribute these miracles to the power of Satan; they
are blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Last Visit To Nazareth
Mark 6:1
And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his
disciples follow him. 2 And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in
the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Matthew13:54 Whence
hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Mark 6:2 What wisdom is this
which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
Matthew13:55
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his
brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Mark 6:3 And are not his sisters
here with us? Matthew13:56 Whence then hath this man all these things?
“he went out from thence;” He left Capernaum
“came into his own country;” His boyhood hometown.
“and his disciples follow him;” this isn’t personal, it is business; Gospel business.
“many hearing him were astonished;” beyond belief; literally. They stumbled (Greek:
scandalon) and ended up criticizing Jesus.
“Whence hath this man this wisdom;” “How’d He get so educated all at once? Where’d He
come up with this stuff? He’s had since birth!
“Is not this the carpenter’s son? He was supposed to be a carpenter just like His step-dad. This
was His lot in life, He wasn’t supposed to rise above that, like being the Messiah. These narrow
minded people had a hard time accepting that.
is not his mother called Mary;” “Wait a minute, isn’t this the carpenter’s and Mary’s little boy
Yehshua? Jesus is being identified by His mother’s name Mary, as if His father was unknown; a
supposed insult to the legitimacy of His birth.
“his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas;” after Joseph died Mary married
Joseph’s brother Cleophas and had these four boys and two girls by him before he died.
“his sisters;” possible names for these two are Mary and Salome.
Mark 6:3
And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not
without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own
house.5 And he could there do no mighty work, Matthew13:58 because of their unbelief
Mark 6:5
save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he
marvelled because of their unbelief.
“they were offended at him;” they were “scandalized” Strong’s 4624, they “stumbled” and
became “ensnared” in their own preconceived ideas about Jesus and sinned. After all He has no
credentials to be doing what He is doing. The mere fact that He is doing these miracles and
preaching the Kingdom of God is His credentials.
“A prophet . . . among his own kin, in his own house;” this is really a case of familiarity
breeds contempt. They knew Him as a boy growing up; they saw Him working at His father
Joseph’s trade of a carpenter; they saw nothing this special in Him that now He is claiming
Messiahship and doing miracles? Think of it; they had seen the more of Him than anybody and
yet they profited the least of everybody. John 7:5 records that Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe
Him at this time.
“he could there do no mighty work;” this is not to say that His power weakened by their
unbelief; it was just limited in its usage. You see, it takes faith to come to Jesus and ask for a
healing and if you don’t come and ask then you won’t get His healing power upon you and
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become well. You’ll have to fight the sickness on your own and maybe die, miserably; when
you could live happily many more years.
“he marveled because of their unbelief;” He probably walked away shaking His head saying “I
don’t believe it. These people have heard and seen more miracles than anybody. These should
know me better than any of the other towns. My first miracle was right down the road at Cana.”
But those who knew Him best, rejected Him the most. And like He said, that’s always the way it
happens with men.
Jesus Commissions The Twelve
Matthew 9:35
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness
and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was
moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (or, were tired and lay
down), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he
unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his
harvest.
“all the cities and villages;” it is assumed that the disciples went with Him as He made a sweep
through all the towns and villages in the area ending up near where He started.
“healing every sickness and every disease;” this total irradiation of all sickness and disease
was an awesome display of His Messiahship making the rejection at Nazareth and by the Jewish
leaders all the more ludicrous and sinful. It is also a warning for ministers of today, the proof is
always in the pudding; i.e. what are the results of the healing ministry? What miracles are
performed?
“moved with compassion;” Strong’s # 4697 says that compassion means: “to have the bowels
yearn, i.e. (fig.) feel sympathy, to pity:— have (be moved with) compassion.” {2} This is being
moved from the pit of the stomach; it is so deep that you feel it in your extreme lower digestive
tract.
“were scattered . . . as sheep having no shepherd;” there was no one providing them with the
real truth. And that was going to take many more laborers.
“Pray ye therefore;” pray in agreement with God’s plan to send more laborers.
Luke 9:1
Then he called his twelve disciples together, Mark6:7and began to send them
forth by two and two; Luke 9:1 and gave them power and authority over all devils,
Matthew 10:1
to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of
disease. Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God. Mark6:8 And
commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff
only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and
not put on two coats.
Matthew 10:2
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is
called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his
brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James
the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the
Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
“disciples . . . apostles;” a disciple is a student, one who is being taught by a teacher. An
apostle is one who is qualified field representative who is sent of a specific mission.
“send them forth;” A.R.T.B. says “dispatching them two by two.” {7} Picture Him calling each
pair up and giving them instructions and blessing them and then sending them on their way.
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“by two and two;” this meets the legal requirement for testimony (see Deuteronomy 19:15).
And history has born it out as a common sense practice (see Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). John the
Baptist used it (Luke 7:19); Jesus used on several other occasions (Mark 11:1; 14:13; Luke
10:1); and even the early church used it (Acts 13:2-3; 15:39-41; 19:22). As the quote from
Ecclesiastes says this practice gives the partnership mutual aid, encouragement, and support.
Keep in mind that beyond anything any else this is a training exercise, what you might call on
the job training, O.J.T. Jesus is training them for what their life’s work will be in the near future.
Remember what He said in Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my
name, there am I in the midst of them.” Their power (miraculous ability) and authority
(jurisdiction) is delegated to them as a team to work together. This is probably why He paired
them together with someone that they knew: Peter and Andrew were brothers; James and John
were brothers; and James and Thaddaeus were brothers.
“gave them power and authority;” in Genesis God delegated power to Adam and Eve to
overcome and to tame and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28). But they sold out to Satan; so
nowJesus is again delegating power to men, this time to tame and subdue Satan and the effects of
sin that Adam started. But also to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God; it had been 4000
years since Adam sinned, men need to know that God has a plan and that plan is on schedule.
The Twelve Apostles
Simon, Peter (Cephas) Fisherman from Bethsaida, (John 1:44) Andrew’s brother,
son of Jonah, Crucified upside-down, c. A.D. 68
Andrew Fisherman from Bethsaida, (John 1:44) former disciple of
John the Baptist (John 1:40) Simon’s brother, son of Jonah,
died A.D. 69, tied to a cross
James Fisherman from Capernaum, John’s brother, son of Zebedee,
died by the sword Acts 12:1-2, A.D. 44
John Fisherman from Capernaum, James’ younger brother, son of
Zebedee, died of natural causes, c. A.D. 120
Philip Possibly a fisherman from Bethsaida, (John 1:44; 21:2), died
by crucifixion at Hierapolis, A.D. 62
Bartholomew, Nathanael Possibly a fisherman from Cana, in Galilee, (John 21:2)
friend of Phillip (John 1:45), first to recognize Jesus as the
“Son of God” (vs. 49), was skinned alive, A.D. 72
Thomas, Didymus (Twin) Possibly a fisherman, (John 21:2) died in India, A.D. 72, was
run through with a spear
Matthew, Levi Tax collector in Capernaum, son of Alphaeus, (Mark 2:14),
died in Ethiopia, A.D. 74, was beheaded
James Son of Alphaeus, (Acts 1:13) brother of Lebbeaus, was
stoned and clubbed to death, A. D. 62
Lebbeaus, Thaddaeus Son of Alphaeus & brother of James, (Acts 1:13), beheaded
(Judas) c. A.D. 67 in Beirut. (Although these two were brothers,
Acts 1:13, there is no proof that Matthew was a brother to
them also; there could have been two men named Alphaeus.
Why doesn’t Acts 1:13 say that Matthew is their brother
also?)
Simon (The Cananite) From Cana in Galilee, one of the Zealots: Jewish rebels that
opposed Roman rule. Was crucified c. A.D. 67 in Edessa
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Judas Iscariot From Kerioth, the only Judean of the twelve, betrayed Jesus,
he died before Jesus by hanging himself while Jesus was still
on trial. (Mat.27:5)
Mathias Matthias, Judas’ replacement, had been with Jesus from the
baptism of John until his resurrection; died in Aethiopia (by
the region of Colchis, now in modern-day Georgia) and was
crucified.
{8, 39, 40}
“save a staff only;” this was a walking stick that everybody had unless you were rich and
traveled by horse or cart. It also provided some protection against wild animals or thieves.
“no scrip;” Strong’s . “a wallet or leather pouch for food:— scrip.” {2} They can’t even
carry a lunch bag.
“shod with sandals;” these were the basic footwear of the day and very necessary for the
protection of the feet. They consisted of wood or leather soles bound to the ankle and instep of
the foot by leather straps.
“not put on two coats;” also called tunics they were the outer layer of clothing worn by men of
that day. Wealthy people wore two at a time. Jesus wanted the apostles to empathize with the
common people.
Matthew 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into
6
the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But
7
go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying,
The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the
dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Luke 9:3Take nothing for
your journey, Matthew 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10
Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves (a cane
or staff);Luke 9:3neither bread, neither money: Matthew 10:10 for the workman is worthy of
his meat.
“Go not into the way of the Gentiles, . . . any city of the Samaritans;” they were not to go
into the cities of the Samaritans and Gentiles but if they ran across one they were to surely
preach to them and if necessary heal them.
“go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel;” Jesus calls them the “lost sheep” (see
Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 50:6-7). Remember that the house of Israel consist of the fact that Jacob
had twelve sons and then he adopted Joseph’s two sons Manasseh and Ephraim as his own
(Genesis 48); so now there are fourteen tribes of Israel:
Genesis 48:5
And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto
thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben
and Simeon, they shall be mine. 6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them,
shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their
inheritance.
Vs.15
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and
Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, 16 The Angel
which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on
them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a
multitude in the midst of the earth.
“neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves (a cane or staff);” don’t be confused here just
keep in mind what Mark said above that they were not to pack anything not two coats, two pairs
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of shoes, or two staffs, just the clothes on their backs; don’t pack anything. The only thing in
your hand is one walking staff and the only thing on your back is one coat; with nothing around
your waist.
“the workman is worthy of his meat;” meat: Strong’s . “nourishment; by impl. rations
(wages):— food, meat.” {2}
Matthew 10:11
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is
worthy. Mark6:10 In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye
depart from that place. Matthew 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13And
if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let
your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your
Luke 9:5
words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the
Matthew 10:14 15
very dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
“enquire who in it is worthy;” they needed to find places with good reputations for the sake of
their testimony.
“abide till ye depart from that place;” don’t be like rabbits jumping from one hole to the next;
let your happiness with your only host and his provisions serve as a testimony to others during
your time there.
“salute it;” this doesn’t mean to raise your fingertips to your forehead like they were an officer
and you were an enlisted man and shout: “Yes Sir.” It means to pronounce “Shalom to this
house and all in it.” Shalom means peace, blessing, prosperity, and well being all wrapped in
one package.
“if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you;” if the people of the home reject the
message of the apostles then the apostles were to remove their pronounced Shalom.
“shake off the verydust of your feet;” this outward sign of protest against a place showed a
total repudiation from them who had already rejected them and their message and thus rejected
Christ.
“the land of Sodom and Gomorrha;” (see Genesis 19:24) those at these two towns only
suffered physical death; but those who reject the Gospel will suffer eternal death in the lake of
fire. To reject the Gospel is to reject Jesus’ blood as atoning for your sins. That means that your
sins aren’t forgiven yet and you still owe God a sin debt that you can’t pay; not now, not ever!
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore
wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will
deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony
against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought
how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye
shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which
speaketh in you.
“as sheep in the midst of wolves;” wolves are cunning and ravenous and sheep are dumb. The
wolves are the men that would destroy the apostles and the message of the Gospel.
“wise as serpents;” serpents have always been thought of as being wise (Genesis 3:1).
“harmless as doves;” harmless is Strong’s #.“unmixed, i.e. innocent:— harmless, simple.”
{2} This may indicate their innocence and purity like doves.
“they will deliver you up to the councils;” Strong’s #3860 “to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust,
transmit:— betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison,
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recommend.” {2} This is the same word (here and in verse 21 below) that is used when Pilate
handed Jesus over to be crucified.
“But beware of men;” this puts the explanation point on the word “wolves.” Jesus’ emphasis
on persecution here seems to centered on the period of the tribulation prophesied in the Old
Testament in Daniel 9:26-27 and Jeremiah 30;4-6.
“they will scourge you in their synagogues;” there will be opposition to the true Gospel
coming mainly from church leaders all the way up to the return of Jesus.
Matthew 10:21
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the
child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put
to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that
endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee
ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of
Israel, till the Son of man be come.
“brother shall deliver up the brother;” Jesus is projecting into the tribulation period at the end
of the church age which is something that is not revealed in the Old Testament. Jesus is
presenting events as though they were imminent even though there might be a greater time span
to them much like Old Testament prophets. A good way of viewing this concept is, it is like
seeing two mountain ranges off in the distance but not seeing the huge valley in between them
(compare Isaiah 61:1-2 with Luke 4:16-21. When Jesus quotes Isaiah in Luke, He leaves off the
second half of verse two. In the reading of it, He fulfills verse one and the first half of verse two.
The second half will be fulfilled during the tribulation). The hidden mystery of the 2000 year
church age is the valley hidden between the first and second comings of Christ that were not
revealed in the Old Testament. {5}
Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, in your fleeing you will not have exhausted all
the cities of Israel till I come back.
Matthew 10:24
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It
is enough for the disciple that he be as 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 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing
covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
“disciple is not above his master;” you’re going to be bucking the world’s system and those
running it. Since they have come against Me, you can darn well believe that they will come
against you. You will be persecuted for My name’s sake.
“Beelzebub;” Strong’s # .“dung-god; Beelzebul, a name of Satan:— Beelzebub.” {2} This
name came to be used for Satan, the prince of demons. Jesus was accused of being in league
with Satan under that disgusting name (Matthew 12:24-26).
“Fear them not therefore;” don’t be intimidated by them, I got your six!
“there is nothing covered, . . . that shall not be known;” Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every
work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Matthew 10:27
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in
the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not them which kill the
body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy
both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of
them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of
your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than
many sparrows.
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“What I tell you in darkness;” I’ve been training and teaching you in these sessions and time
alone that we have had together so that you can go out and do what I do.
“what ye hear in the ear;” Jesus was referring to a custom whereby a doctor of the law would
whisper softly what he said in the ear of an interpreter who intern spoke aloud what had been
whispered to him.
“preach ye upon the housetops;” whatsoever I have spoken to you is for the benefit of all
mankind, hold nothing back, proclaim the entire counsel of God; Shout it from the House-tops.
According to Deuteronomy 22:8 houses were built with flat roofs that were ringed with a parapet; and
were used for taking in a breath of fresh air, prayer, meditation, ant for announcing things of a public
manner. (See Joshua 2;6; Judges 9:5; 2 Samuel 11:2; 2 Kings 23:12; Nehemiah 8:16; Isaiah 15:3;
Jeremiah 32:29; Acts 10;9)
“fear not them which kill the body;” first of all, that’s the worst that anybody can do to you; and this
life is very temporary; it only last but a short while. Even if you live to be 100 what’s that compared to
eternity?
“fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell;” now He’s talking about eternity; your
body and soul being destroyed, in other words, you don’t exist anymore, you just got destroyed, along
with the memory of you. It’s as though you never existed. Now that’s something to be concerned about!
And this isn’t the only time that you are going to hear this because Jesus is going to repeat this discourse
in Luke 12:2-12 where He warns His disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy.
“two sparrows sold for a farthing;” According to The Companion Bible Appendix 51. I. 2 (2) one
farthing is worth about ½ cent American. Remember the King James Bible was translated in England in
1611, long before the United States of America was a twinkle in anyone’s eye; so they used English terms
for currency. {3}
“without your Father;” i.e. without His knowledge or will. {3}
“hairs of your head are all numbered;” what Jesus is getting at is that the very minutest detail of the
universe God has under His control; from the numbers of the hairs on your head to the time and
conditions of the death of the smallest sparrow. Jesus is testifying to the totality of the sovereignty of
God. (See Psalm 102:23-27; 103:14-16: 119:90; 139:13-16;)
“Fear ye not therefore;” you are more precious than any sparrow because you are made in His image.
Sparrows come and go; they are like window dressing, nice to look at, but you are the real attraction, the
apple of God’s eye.
Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him
will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send
peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at
variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law
against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He
that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or
daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and
followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that
loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
“confess me;” the good thief that was crucified with Jesus, Dismas by name according to the Gospel of
Nicodemus, {8} confessed Jesus in front of the other thief and all those that witnessed the crucifixions
that day. He pulled off the greatest job of all time, he stole heaven for himself with precision timing, the
last minutes of his life. Now we know that the apostles confessed Jesus to the public because of all the
suffering and eventual death that they went through.
“him will I also deny before my Father;” picture this: you’re standing before the throne of Almighty
God thinking “Oh boy, I made it into heaven!” and Jesus says “I don’t know this person.” And then an
angel comes and escorts you away. What’s running through your head?
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(Pause)
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Do you live the life of Christ? Or, are you just playing like a Christian? Are you just a reactionary to
life? Do you obey His commandments with enthusiasm? Do you love others with gusto? Is your life
more about others than self? What’s running through your head?
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(Pause)
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“not to send peace, but a sword;” as with many prophecies this is twofold: first, Jesus is
speaking about the conflict that will arise in a convert’s life once they have professed Jesus as
their Lord; persecutions will arise, and in the case of the disciples just about all of them were
martyred for their beliefs. The second part is national: “Think not that I am come to bring peace
(prosperity, quietness, rest that you think the Messiah is supposed to bring by forcing out the
Romans), but a sword (not just the Roman sword against a rebellious nation, but the sword of
His Spirit to destroy sin).
“set a man at variance against his father;” this is prophesied in Micah 7:6.
Micah 7:6
For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her
mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the
men of his own house.
“is not worthy of me;” look, whomever you love the most, that’s the one that you will strive to
please the most; they will have your greatest attention. Believe it or not, they have become your
idol because you have placed them between you and God; you can’t see God clearly because
they are blocking your view; and you have violated the first commandment; you have another
god between you and God or before God. You will please them before God, and that’s a no-no.
“taketh not his cross;” this is the first time that Jesus mentions the word cross to His disciples.
The custom was that a criminal had to carry his own cross to the place of crucifixion. However
in Jesus’ case they had beat Him up so bad that He couldn’t carry it all the way, so they grabbed
Simon to carry it for Him. You have to be willing, if necessary to endure this kind of suffering
because of your relationship with Jesus. That’s all He is saying!
“he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it;” it’s real simple: if you gain temporal life at
the expense of the Gospel during this physical existence you lose eternal life. Therefore the
reverse is true: if you give up even a portion of this temporal life for the Gospel’s sake you gain
eternity; provided you don’t renounce it later.
Matthew 10:40
He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth
him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall
receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a
righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whosoever shall
give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of
a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
“receiveth me . . . receiveth him that sent me;” Jesus lives in His people. Therefore if you
receive (take in) one of His ambassadors, you receive (take in) Him and His message and the
whole package that comes with it. And, that includes the Father and the Holy Spirit; you take in
the whole God!
“in the name of a prophet . . . in the name of a righteous man;” if you receive a prophet or a
righteous man because he is a prophet or a righteous man, you will receive the same reward as a
prophet or righteous man.
“little ones;” believers, i.e. disciple (see Matthew 18:3-10; 25:40)
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Matthew 11:1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his
twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and Luke 9:6 preaching the gospel, Matthew
11:1
in their cities. Mark 6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
13
And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and
healed them Luke 9:6 every where.
“when Jesus had made an end;” this entire verse one belongs at the end of the previous
chapter.
“in their cities;” mainly in the Galilee region.
“preached that men should repent;” without repentance there is no forgiveness of sin and that
means that you did not receive the Gospel and therefore did not receive Jesus.
“they cast out many devils;” since Jesus had given His authority to them, exorcising evil spirits
from people was part of their charge.
“anointed with oil many that were sick;” the anoint of the sick with oil is spoken of here and
in James 5:14 only. Oil was used symbolically to represent supernatural healing. As an actual
physical healing agent olive oil (see Luke 10:34) was something tangible that the people could
identify with as the disciples ministered to them.
“healed them every where;” remember their commission? They were to go to the lost Tribes of
Israel scattered abroad and no-where else. They went everywhere. There is conjecture as to how
long the apostles were gone, but considering the territory that they had to cover the estimates are
three to six months; and they probably only scratched the surface of the lost tribes.
The Death Of John The Baptist
Matthew 14:1
At that time Mark 6:14 king Herod Matthew 14:1 the tetrarch ( governor over four
provinces) heard Luke 9:7 of all that was done by Jesus, Mark 6:14 (for his name was
spread abroad:) Luke 9:7 he was perplexed, Matthew 14:2 And said unto his servants, Luke 9:9
John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things?
Luke 9:7
It was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; Mark 6:15 others said,
That it is Elias. And others said, That it is [The] prophet, or as one of the
Luke 9:8
old prophets was risen again. Mark 6:16 But when Herod heard thereof, Matthew
14:2
said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; Mark 6:16 whom I beheaded: he is
risen from the dead, Matthew 14:2 and therefore mighty works do shew forth
themselves in him. Luke 9:9 And he desired to see him.
“At that time;” John the Baptist had already been executed: the complete story of how that
happened is recorded in the following verses. {5}
“king Herod;” Herod Antipas (see diagram above pg. 162) governor of Galilee. In Matthew
14:9 he is referred to as king.
“the tetrarch;” actually it is four different governors over one region each having a different
section to rule over. Herod the Great had four sons that survived and each one was given a
section to rule over.
“Heard . . . for his name was spread abroad;” between what Jesus had done and what the
apostles were doing word got back to Herod that somebody was out there and it sounded like
John all over again. This was one of the reasons that Jesus told the people not to spread it around
that He had performed a miracle for them. He didn’t want the publicity; especially getting into
the wrong ears.
“John was risen from the dead;” Herod, being weighed down by his intense fear brought on by
his almost unending guilt, is jumping at almost everything. He murdered God’s prophet!
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“[The] prophet . . . one of the old prophets;” opinions run the whole gambit as to who Jesus
was; Herod thought that He was John the Baptist reincarnate. Others some Old Testament
Prophet; still others thought that He might be the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 18:15 the prophet
that would be like Moses and lead His people. They all thought that He was something special,
but most missed the mark.
“This is John the Baptist;” the one who prepared the way for the Messiah.
“he desired to see him;” yea, he’s got guilt tearing him apart; he’s got to find out just who this
guy is and how he is doing these miracles. He gets his chance the night that Jesus is arrested.
Mark 6:17
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him
Matthew 14:3
and put him Mark 6:17 in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife:
for he had married her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to
have thy brother’s wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and
would have killed him; but she could not: 20 For Matthew 14:5 when he would have put
him to death, Mark 6:20 Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an
holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard
him gladly. Matthew 14:5 He [also] feared the multitude, because they counted him as a
prophet.
“John, and bound him and put him in prison;” Herod had him imprisoned at a place called
Machaerus (see Antiquities 18:119) which is a fortress sitting on a hilltop about 16 miles
southeast of the mouth of the Jordan River on the eastern side of the Dead Sea. He only had
John imprisoned because of Herodias’ wrath and he was trying to protect him from her.
“Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife;”Aretas IV Philopatris was the King of the
Nabataeans from roughly 9 BC to AD 40. His daughter Phasaelis was married to, and then from
divorced from, Herod Antipas. Herod then married his brother's wife, Herodias with her daughter
Salome tagging along. It was opposition to this marriage that led to the beheading of John the
Baptist. After he received news of the divorce, Aretas invaded the territory of Herod Antipas
and defeated his army. Aretas ruled Damascus at the time of the conversion of the Apostle Paul.
{8} What we are about to cover is an after the fact report of the death of John the Baptist with
most of the detail supplied by Mark.
“John had said . . . It is not lawful;” John just didn’t say something to Herod once and walk
away; this was a repeated over and over thing between him and Herod that Herod was violating
Mosaic Law:
Leviticus 18:16
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy
brother’s nakedness.”
Leviticus 20:21
“And if a man shall take his brother’s wife, it is an unclean thing: he
hath uncovered his brother’s nakedness; they shall be childless.”
Again, there are your two witnesses.
“Herod feared John;” the Greek word used here for fear is Strong’s #5399 and it has a
connotation of “to be in awe of,” or “a reverence of” someone or something. {2}
“knowing that he was a just man and an holy;” deep down inside, way back in some small
corner of Herod’s heart he admired holiness and rightness. And this conflicted with his lust for
Herodias.
“observed him . . . heard him gladly;” Herod admired John and wanted to hear more.
Note: A.R.T.B. has Mark 6:20 reading:
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“For Herod was fearful from knowing that the fellow had been a righteous and
holy-one. He had kept him, for he had heard much about John and his service and
he had rejoiced to hear him.”
“he did many things;” he, Herod, did many things. He was convicted by John of his sin but
part of him didn’t want to give it up. His struggle lay between his guilty conscience and his lust
for Herodias. There has been many men that have been brought to ruin by a good looking
woman: Samson with Delilah, King Ahab with Jezebel, David with Bathsheba, now Herod with
Herodias; and that’s just four prominent ones in history. Physical beauty last but for a while just
like this life with its pleasures; compared to eternity it is one drop in the ocean; poof, and it is
gone forever. God’s kingdom will supply you with more than just pleasure; a complete and total
fulfillment that can never be achieved in this physical existence.
Mark 6:21
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a
supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; 22 And when the
daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, Matthew 14:6 before them, Mark
6:22
and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel,
Matthew 14:7
Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. Mark
6:23
And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee,
unto the half of my kingdom.
“when a convenient day was come;” when an opportune time or moment when she, Herodias
knew that Herod would be full of alcohol and at his weakest.
“Herod on his birthday;” there are some Bible scholars that believe that this was the
anniversary of Herod’s receiving his office as tetrarch after the death of his father Herod the
Great. Jewish tradition holds the date of Herod the Great’s death as Shevat 2 which corresponds
to January 26. This was only six weeks before the celebration of the feast of Purim on the 14 th of
Adar; the celebration of how Queen Esther and the rest of the Jews had victory over Haman who
wanted to destroy them. This will have some significance in a little bit.
“his lords;” the Greek word for “lords” Strong’s #3175 is only seen three times, here as “lords”
and twice in Revelation as “great men.” {2}
“high captains;” Strong’s #5506 “(“chiliarch”), i.e. colonel; commander of 1000 men.” {2}
“chief estates of Galilee;” this would be the leading social leaders of Galilee.
Note: the Machaerus Fortress was at the southern edge of Herod’s territory so they had to come
quite a distance to celebrate the king’s birthday. (Consult map)
“the daughter of the said Herodias;” we’ve already shown much about both Herodias and
Salome, but needless to say they were more than good looking; they could kick start a Harley
just by walking by.
“danced;” of course it was a solo act with her legs and arms all moving in suggestive manners to
entice arousal the viewer similar to a modern striptease.
“before them;” Yea, and she did it before the whole crowd.
“pleased Herod and them that sat with him;” she was so provocative that all that were present
were pleased.
“he promised with an oath . . . he sware unto her;” in front of the entire crowd of course and
they all heard it loud and clear.
“unto the half of my kingdom;” what kingdom? Herod you are one four governors of a large
territory; that makes you a tetrarch under Roman authority. You ain’t got no kingdom, or half
kingdom to give. (See also Esther 5:3, 6; 7:2)
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Mark 6:24
And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she
said, The head of John the Baptist. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto
the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the
head of John the Baptist.
“What shall I ask;” when she went out there she didn’t know that she was going to get this
promise from him, she went out there to be erotic and enticing just for fun, for kicks.
“she came in straightway;” for such parties the women were kept in a separate room so she had
to leave the main room go to her mother in another room then come back to the main room
where Herod and the nobles were.
“in a charger;” Strong’s #4094; “platter.” {2} This is where the expression comes from “his
head on a platter.”
Mark 6:26
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their
sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. 27 And immediately the king
Matthew 14:9
he commanded it to be given her. 10 And he sent Mark 6:27 an executioner,
and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the
prison, 28 and brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the
damsel gave it to her mother.
“for his oath’s sake;” Herod should have heard Jesus when He said in Matthew:
Matthew 5:33
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou
shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say
unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35 Nor by the
earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great
King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one
hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
He swore by half of his kingdom and was put into a position of embarrassment if he didn’t kill
someone that he didn’t want to kill.
“an executioner;” Strong’s #. “Only used here in the entire Bible “of Latin origin; a
speculator, i.e. military scout (spy or life-guardsman):— executioner.” {2} According to the
Companion Bible they served as Roman emperors’ body-guard during the emperor’s banquets.
Herod adopted many Roman customs. {3}
Mark 6:29
And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and
laid it in a tomb, Matthew 14:12 and went and told Jesus.
“went and told Jesus;” and probably became Jesus’ disciples.
Spring, AD 29
Jesus Feeds The 5000
Luke 9:10
And the apostles, when they were returned, Mark 6:30 gathered themselves
together unto Jesus, and Luke 9:10 told him all that they had done Mark 6:30 and what
they had taught.
“the apostles, when they were returned;” time wise this would be after John’s death, his
disciples have told Jesus and maybe joined Him, and now the twelve come straggling in two by
two as they went out.
“told him all;” just a standard debriefing of their mission.
John 6:1
After these things Jesus Mark 6:31 said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart
into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and
they had no leisure so much as to eat. Luke 9:10 And he took them, and went aside
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privately. Mark 6:32 And they departed John 6:1 over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea
of Tiberias Mark 6:32 by ship privately Luke 9:10 into a desert place belonging to the city
called Bethsaida.
“After these things;” between John 5:47 and 6:1 there is over a six month gap in time that he
doesn’t cover in Jesus’ life including the death of John the Baptist. But unlike Luke, John did
not set out to record a Chronological gospel. However, as we saw, the other three fill in the gap.
In chapter five John shows that the Jews rejected Him in Judea and around Jerusalem. And here
in the sixth chapter he shows that Jesus will receive that same rejection up here in the Galilee
region. Both chapters’ events happen during a Jewish feast and end up having Jesus giving a
discourse on His deity.
“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place;” Jesus knew that they needed rest after their
deployment into the missionary field. Remember that He is God; the same being that gave us the
Sabbath in Genesis 2.
Note: this invitation was for the twelve only that had been out on the mission field.
“they departed . . . by ship privately;” trying not to advertise that they were leaving, they left
headquarters Capernaum and went to deserted place that belonged to the city of Bethsaida,
uncultivated ground used for grazing. This was probably in the plain of el-BaTeichah, with its
rich soil and where the grass is green and plentiful (See John 6:10 below)
John 6:2
And a great multitude Mark 6:11 when they knew it, John 6:2 followed him, because
they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. Mark 6:33 Many knew
him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them.
“a great multitude when they knew it,followed him;” they didn’t have facebook back then but
they apparently had a very good grapevine because Jesus and His apostles no more than got out
of town when they were noticed. Of course, you can see a boat load of people and almost
identify them even when they are quite a distance from shore. (They should have snuck out at
night and then maybe they would not have been seen.)
“because they saw his miracles;” they wanted to see more and maybe even gain personal profit
themselves from one of His miracles. But despite their selfish and crass attitude Jesus had
compassion on them and healed them (Matthew 14:14 & Luke 9:11 below) and then He fed them
fish sandwiches on barley bread.
“ran afoot;” the word spread, the people out ran them by foot; too bad Jesus and the apostles
didn’t have a motor on their boat. Overland it was six miles between the two towns.
Themultitude following on foot along the northern shore of the lake would cross the Jordan by
the ford at its mouth which is used by foot travelers to this day. {42}
Mark 6:34
And Jesus, when he came out, John 6:3 went up into a mountain, and there he
sat with his disciples. 4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. 5 When
Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, Matthew 14:14
and was moved with compassion toward them, Mark 6:34 because they were as sheep
not having a shepherd. Luke 9:11 And he received them, Mark 6:34 and he began to teach
them many things. Luke 9:11 and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed
them that had need of healing.
“Jesus, when he came out;” of the boat.
“went up into a mountain;” this was just a hill that rises above the plain of el-BaTeichah.
“was moved with compassion toward them;” as long as we are moving toward God with at
least a partly open mind He will have compassion toward us. The Pharisees minds were closed
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to Jesus and therefore there could be no compassion toward them. They couldn’t receive it
anyhow because their minds were closed to anything Jesus.
“they were as sheep not having a shepherd;” Mark is the only Gospel writer that presents this
Old Testament picture (See Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; 2 Chronicles 18:16; Ezekiel 34;5) of
being starving both physically and spiritually, helpless, and totally lacking in any spiritual
guidance, totally unprotected from sin and spiritual destruction. This is how Jesus saw this
crowd; the leaders from Jerusalem were of no help; all that they were good for was “tradition of
the elders.” That, and a buck will buy you a cup of coffee now-a-days (at McDonalds;
Starbucks, is more expensive).
Mark 6:35
And when the day was now far spent, Matthew 14:15 and when it was evening,
Luke 9:12
the twelve, Mark 6:35 disciples came unto him, and said, Matthew 14:15 This is a
desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go
into Mark 6:36 the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves
bread: Luke 9:12 and lodge, and get victuals: Mark 6:36 for they have nothing to eat.
“when it was evening;” it is right at six in the evening; remember it is Passover time and that
comes two weeks after the spring equinox.
“send the multitude away;” you get the idea that the disciples just didn’t want to be responsible
for the hungry crowd. By sending them away they probably thought they being compassionate.
But Jesus had other ideas.
Matthew 14: 16
But Jesus Mark 6:37 answered and Matthew 14:16 said unto them, They need not
depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And John 6:5 he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy
bread, that these may eat? 6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew
what he would do.
“They need not depart; give ye them to eat;” “Hey, they don’t gotta’ go; you feed them! Phil,
where can we buy enough dread to feed this crowd?” First of all, these guys had just come off a
missionary journey where they had power over demons and to heal the sick; miraculous powers.
Now Jesus tells them to do something different but it still requires miraculous powers. It’s one
of those ideas that you don’t even think about because it is out of the box, it doesn’t fit the
parameters of what you were told.
John 6:7
Philip answered him, Mark 6:37 Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth
of bread, and give them to eat? John 6:7 Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not
sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. Mark 6:38 He saith unto
them, How many loaves have ye? go and see.
“two hundred pennyworth;” it should read “two hundred denarii;” that’s two-hundred days’
wages. And that still wouldn’t been enough to feed this crowd.
John 6:8
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, 9 There
is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are
they among so many? Luke 9:13 And they said, We have no more but five loaves and
two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. 14 For they were
about five thousand men. And he said Matthew 14:18Bring them hither to me.
“Andrew;” if you follow Andrew he is always bring people to or informing them about Jesus.
He has been doing it from the time we have been introduced to him as a disciple of John the
Baptist.
“five barley loaves;” more like a flatbread about the size of a small tortilla. These with the two
small fishes would have been the young lad’s lunch. (Sure hope Andy said please when he took
this lad’s lunch from him!)
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John 6:10
And Jesus said, Luke 9:14 to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a
company.15 And they did so, and made them all sit down Mark 6:39 by companies
upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
John 6:10
Now there was much grass in the place.
“sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties;” the arrangement was in table parties: i.e.
three sides of a square, like in Roman or Jewish dining-room; the guests were seated on the
outside and served from the inside. In this case each party had fifty or a hundred guests.
“there was much grass in the place;” as stated above this was an uncultaved ground used for
pasture so there is plenty of green grass especially in spring.
“there was much grass in the place;” Psalm 23:2 “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.”
Sheep won’t ordinarily lie down in any pasture unless they have full bellies. This is to chew the
cud. These people had been filled spiritually with the Word of God and now recline in green
pastures for a physical meal to digest what they had heard.
Luke 9:16
Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven;
John 6:11
and when he had given thanks, he Mark 6:41 brake the loaves, and gave them to
his disciples John 6:11 and the disciples to them that were set down; Mark 6:41 and the
two fishes divided he among them all. 42 And they did all eat, John 6:11 as much as
they would Matthew 14:20 and were filled.
“looking up to heaven;” Jesus told us that the Father’s dwelling place was in heaven (Matthew
6:9). And we all, even Jesus Himself consider that to be in an upward direction (see Mark 7:34;
Luke24:35; John11;41; 17:1).
“as much as they would and were filled;” Jesus will completely satisfy everybody that looks to
Him.
John 6:12
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments
that remain, that nothing be lost. 13 Therefore they gathered them together, and
filled twelve baskets Matthew 14:20 full John 6:13 with the fragments of the five barley
loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Matthew 14:21 And
they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
John 6:14
Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is
of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
“twelve baskets full;” these were small wicker baskets of the same size that the young lad had
to carry his lunch in of five loaves and two fishes. But, twelve baskets for twelve apostles; the
count came out right. Jesus knew what He was doing all along.
“five thousand men, beside women and children;” Matthew is the only one that mentions the
women and the children. Needless to say, there were anywhere from ten to twenty thousand
people total there that day. (2 Kings 4:42–44 is a type and prophecy of this miracle where Elisha
fed 100 with 20 loaves of bread.)
Note: Apart from the resurrection, this is the one miracle found in all 4 Gospels. It sets the stage
for his testimony that he is the bread of life (John 6:22-40). Both creative miracles that Jesus
performed, the water into wine at Cana (John 2;1-10), and the multiplying of bread (John 6:1-14)
direct to us the Last Supper and the symbols of bread and wine of the New Covenant, a part of
the Last Supper that John does not cover.
“that prophet that should come;” this is a reference to Deuteronomy 18:15:
Deuteronomy 18:15
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst
of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
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Miracle-watching had become a form of entertainment. But this meant that the people were only
looking at the physical and not the spiritual; they had just gotten healed and fed, whoopee let’s
make him king. All they wanted was a Messiah that would take care of their physical needs and
get rid of Rome. They had no idea that they needed spiritual repentance and to prepare
themselves for the kingdom of heaven.
John 6:15
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by
force, to make him a king, Mark 6:45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to
get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto (over against Bethsaida)
Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
“take him by force, to make him a king;” this was totally against God’s will. Jesus main
mission is to die for our sins. If they make Him king that ain’t going to happen.
“to go to the other side before;” ahead of Jesus
“over against Bethsaida;” they were leaving Bethsaida and according to John 6:17 below they
were headed toward Capernaum.
“he sent away the people;” neither Mark or Matthew tell us how Jesus did that; but they were
ready to make Him king and He just says go on home? Very interesting!
Jesus Walks On Water
Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain
apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
John 6:16
[Meanwhile] His disciples went down unto the sea, 17 And entered into a
ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus
was not come to them. 18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
Mark 6:47
The ship was Matthew 14:24 now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for
the wind was contrary; Mark 6:47 and he alone on the land. Mark 6:48 And he saw them
toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them:
“went up into a mountain;” the whole eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee had steep hills once
you get away from the shoreline itself.
“the sea arose by reason of a great wind;” the Sea of Galilee averages about seven hundred
feet below sea level. Much cooler and dryer air from the northern mountains and surrounding
high plains will come rushing down into the warm moist air of the sea and create a whirling
action that stirs the waters into a tempest.
“The ship was now in the midst of the sea;” instead of the short little jaunt to Capernaum
where they would have stayed a mile or so from shore, they were now in the middle of the Sea
by reason of the great wind.
“for the wind was contrary;” they were rowing in one direction and the wind was blowing
them in another, and the wind was winning.
Mark 6:48
and about the fourth watch of the night John 6:19 when they had rowed about
five and twenty or thirty furlongs, Matthew 14:25 Jesus went unto them, walking on the
sea. Mark 6:48 and would have passed by them. 49 But when they saw him walking
upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 For they all saw
him, and were troubled.
“the fourth watch of the night;” this is from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
“about five and twenty or thirty furlongs;” a furlong is an eighth of a mile. So 24 of them is 3
miles. {8} They had rowed more than three miles and were still in the middle of the Sea of
Galilee with no hope in sight of reaching shore in the foreseeable future.
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“walking on the sea;” even though the waves are going up and down Jesus is walking in a
straight line; He has suspended gravity for Himself and several other laws, like the wind doesn’t
push Him around like that boat that the disciples are in. This isn’t just a whimsical act on Jesus’
part: “Oh, I think I’ll just walk out there to them.” He was demonstrating to the twelve His
identity as the master of all creation. (See John 1:3) This was all part of their training to become
true apostles.
“would have passed by them;” a better rendering would be that “He wished to pass along side
of them.”
“they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out;” in their fear and the darkness they thought
that they were seeing a ghost or something like that and cried out. The word for spirit here is
Strong’s 5326; “fantasmah which is where we get our word phantom from.” {2}
Matthew 14:27
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I;
be not afraid.28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come
unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down
out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the
wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save
me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said
unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
“Be of good cheer;” these words of comfort of Jesus here in Matthew 14:27 are actually a
command and every time that they appear in the New Testament it is always a situation of fear
and apprehension (see Matthew 9:2, 22; 14:27; Mark 10:49; Luke 8:48; John 16:23; Acts 23;11)
provoking His disciples to be of good courage.
“it is I;” literally “I am (He)” with the He being understood. This is another affirmation of Jesus’
deity (See Exodus 3:14).
“Peter answered . . . bid me come unto thee on the water;” Peter, in his characteristically
impulsive manner decides that walking on water looks like fun.
“Come;” but Pete is way out front of the rest in thinking that as long as Jesus is there he can do
anything; even walk on water. That’s why Jesus says “come.”
“he walked on the water, to go to Jesus;” everybody else is still in the boat; ole Pete is walking
on the water toward Jesus.
“he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink;” he saw the wind. That
was his first mistake, he took his eyes off of Jesus, and that was enough. As long as he was
looking at Jesus he was connected to the power of the deity of Christ. When he got distracted by
the boisterous wind he lost his connection to Christ. Matthew is the only one that records this
miracle of Peter walking on the water and it became a valuable lesson for all the apostles to
learn. We can do the humanly impossible with the power of Christ.
“Lord, save me;” even in our failure God rescues us from those failures so that we can learn
from them.
“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt;” even though it may sound like it, this is
not a reprimand from Jesus; it is a it is constructive information to show Peter and the rest there
where he failed so he won’t do it again. If you are going to be a leader, you are going to have to
learn from your mistakes. That is all that Jesus is doing here is showing Pete where he failed.
Mark 6: 51
And he went up unto them into the ship; John 6:21 and they willingly received
Matthew 14:32
him. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. John 6:21
Mark 6:51
and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. And they
52
were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they
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considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Matthew 14:33
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou
art the Son of God.
“they were come into the ship, the wind ceased;” oops! Another miracle; the wind stops upon
Jesus climbing into the boat.
“immediately the ship was at the land;” Another miracle! Instantly they appeared near the
town of Capernaum.
“they considered not the miracle of the loaves;” the disciples were absolutely blown away by
what Jesus had just displayed. The afternoon’s miracle of the loaves and fishes went right over
their heads like it didn’t even happen. They weren’t getting a hold of the idea of Jesus’
supernatural character.
“their heart was hardened;” the word for hardened here Strong’s 4456 means “to render stupid
or callous:” {2} through the idea of the habitual state. {3} In other words, it was just hard for
them to except the concept that Jesus was supernatural in nature; that He had control over all
creation. After all, there had never been anybody like Him before; not even Moses. So it is both
ignorance and skepticism, which is a form of rebellion that held them back.
“thou art the Son of God;” see Matthew 8:29, 16:16, 27:54; Mark 1:1, 3:11, 15:39; Luke 4:41;
John 1:34, 6:69, 11:27, 20:31. These, and the transfiguration, and Jesus’ baptism where the
Father Himself testifies that Jesus is His son gives us more than ample proof of Jesus’ deity. If
you don’t believe these then believe the works that He has done.
Mark 6:53
And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret,
and drew to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway
Matthew 14:35
when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all
that country round about, Mark 6:55 and began to carry about in beds those that were
sick, where they heard he was. 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or
cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they
might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him
(or it) were made whole.
“they had passed over. . . into the land of Gennesaret;” apparently they passed by Capernaum
and went the extra three miles south down the coast to Gennesaret.
“had knowledge of him;” recognized Him.
“the border of his garment;” we covered this back with the woman with the issue of blood
back starting in Mat. 9:20; Mark 5:25 and Luke 8:43. These were tassels ordered by God to be
sewed to the bottom of one’s garment.
Numbers 15:38
Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them
fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they
put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue: 39 And it shall be unto you for
a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the
LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own
eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: 40 That ye may remember, and do all my
commandments, and be holy unto your God.
Deuteronomy 22:12
Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters (wings) of thy
vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
“as many as touched him (or it) were made whole;” again, reaching out and touching the deity
of God or even His vesture has an amazing effect on you because you draw on His virtue.
Passover A.D. 29
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Jesus Is The Bread Of Life

John 6:22
The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the
sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples
were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his
disciples were gone away alone; 23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias
nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given
thanks:) 24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his
disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. 25
And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him,
Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
“The day following;” this is the day after Jesus walked on the water. This is Jesus’ great
discourse on the bread of life. It is the first of seven “I AM” statements in John’s gospel
(6:25&48; 8:12; 10:7&9; 10:11&14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1&5). These statements of Jesus establish
Him as not just the miracle worker, but as the Son of God who came to save man from his sin.
(See John 3:16)
“there came other boats from Tiberias;” Tiberias is about six and a third miles south down the
coast from Capernaum. These had heard about the healings and the feeding of the five thousand
and came to investigate.
“the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there;” these were some of the crowds that were
there for the feeding of the five thousand and all the healings that took place on the east side of
the Lake. And now they want more.
John 6:26
Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me,
not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were
filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which
endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him
hath God the Father sealed.
“because ye did eat of the loaves;” this is not so much a rebuke as it is a attempt to correct the
attitude of the people and open their eyes to the real purpose of Jesus’ ministry.
“the meat which perisheth . . . that meat which endureth unto everlasting life;” by giving
the contrasting views of the materialistic that perishes verses the spiritual that is everlasting, He
shows the crowds that He is the Messiah of everlasting life that they should partake of.
John 6:28
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works
of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye
believe on him whom he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What sign
shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 31
Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from
heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses
gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread
from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and
giveth life unto the world. 34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this
bread.
“What shall we do, that we might work;” this would be better if it read “What do we do that
would serve the work of God?” {11}
“the work of God, that ye believe;” The only thing that we can do to please God is to believe
on the Christ, His Son whom He sent as a sacrifice for our sins.
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“What sign shewest thou then;” are you joking? Feeding 20,000 a day or so ago isn’t enough
for you? Not to mention all the miracles that He did? You are so shallow and dense at the same
time; how can you miss that these alone demonstrate His deity?
“Our fathers did eat manna;” they quote Exodus 16:4-35. They logically assumed that
because Jesus fed the five thousand, that in order to compare Him to Moses he would have to
feed the nation and perform some great sign, like cast out the Romans.
“bread from heaven;” the manna that the Israelites ate in the wilderness was temporary and
was a foreshadowing of the true bread from heaven that God would one day send down in the
form of Jesus Christ. He would offer eternal life for all mankind.
“Lord, evermore give us this bread;” this is just like the Samaritan woman at the well that
wanted the water of everlasting life so that she would never get thirsty again. The spiritual
aspects of the teaching at first went right over her head like flock of birds (see John 4:4-43).
These guys were thinking physical bread just like she was thinking physical water. Jesus’
allegory went right over their heads also.
John 6:35
And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall
never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you,
That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall
come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came
down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39
And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given
me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is
the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on
him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
“I am the bread of life;” just like when He told the Samaritan woman that He was the Messiah
in plain language (4:26) He now says in plain language that He is the spiritual bread of life that
comes down from heaven. Those that ate of the manna were hungry the next day. If you partake
of Jesus you will not be spiritually hungry or thirsty ever again.
“ye also have seen me, and believe not;” they have seen Him work miracles, they have heard
Him preach, yet they do not believe. This is a rather condemning statement!
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;” some may think that this implies
predestination for those who will be saved. In all actually, the Father knows exactly who will
respond positively to the gospel message and who won’t; the ones who will He gives to Jesus’
care. God has never taken away our free will to decide how we will respond to His calling. We
can sear our own conscience with regard to that matter but God will not interfere with our free
will.
“of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing;” there is a security here that once you
believe in and partake of Jesus He will protect you from getting lost.
“every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him;” but it does require the exercising of
the faith that is a gift of God to you. You do have to act.
“I will raise him up at the last day.” And this is the part that went over everyone’s head: if He
is going to raise them up on the last day, it has to mean that they were in need of raising: like
dead. He was saying that their souls would live forever, not their bodies.
John 6:41
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which
came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph,
whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from
heaven?
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“The Jews;” this is a term that is mentioned 71 times in John’s Gospel and it points to their
rejection of the Messiah, when God would call them “Lo Ammi” which means “not My people.”
They are no longer regarded as Israel but as “Jews,” the name given to them by the Gentiles. {3}
This rejection was apparent by their often display of hostility toward Jesus every time that they
saw Him. Because of their already rejection, God hardened their hearts even further to become
openly hostile toward Him. (See Isaiah 6:10; 53:1; Romans 1:18-32)
“murmured at him;” He was alright just as long as He was healing people and not making
these bold statements but to declare the He is the “bread of life” and that “He came down from
Heaven” and that we have to “eat of Him;” well, this crowd from the synagogue at Capernaum
just can’t handle all of that. They reject Him on two counts: first, that He said that He was bread
that we have to eat. Second, that He came down from heaven thus making Himself equal with
God. Both the Jews from Jerusalem and from the Galilee area rejected Him for these reasons.
“whose father and mother we know;” a, a, a, we know Mary and Joe, and they never said
anything about Jesus coming down from heaven. And some of us remember when your mother
Mary was pregnant with you. So, how exactly DID you come down to here from heaven?
Enquiring minds want to know!
John 6:43
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among
yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw
him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And
they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath
learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father,
save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your
fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which
cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the
living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall
live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the
life of the world.
“draw him;” to draw is Strong’s # 1670 and it has the implication of “to drag” {2} (see Acts
16:19; 21:30). Man is totally enslaved to sin, he is completely depraved and unable to believe
except that God draw (drag) him along. (See Genesis 6:5) God sends out His message and
“whosoever will” may come by exercising their free will choosing to take God’s course.
However not all hear the massage of God and then many hear the message distorted. (Review the
parable of the soils with Jesus’ explanation Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-25; Luke 4:4-18.) God
already knows which hearts are stony, which hearts are in the thorn patch, and which are of
fertile deep soil that will receive and nourish the gospel message. “To day if ye will hear his
voice, Harden not your heart,” (Psalm 95:7-8; Hebrews 3:7-8; 15; 4:7)
“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God;” this is a paraphrase of
Isaiah 54:13 and Jeremiah 31:34. When one comes to faith and repentance God doesn’t just
leave them out there in la-la land; He teaches them and brings them along so that they can mature
in their faith and shed themselves of that depravity. Make no mistake about it, all true
knowledge comes from the Father of Light even God Himself.
“save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father;” once again Jesus asserts His deity: He is
“of God” and “He has seen the Father.” Not even Moses could claim that he had seen the father;
only the hinder parts of God.
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“Your fathers did eat manna;” the manna that came down from heaven in the wilderness only
sustained the Israelites physical lives, it could not impart anything spiritual or eternal even
though it was miraculously supplied. And every week on Friday and Saturday they got a double
miracle because only on Friday could they collect a double portion for the Saturday Sabbath.
But here again it was all physical and the proof is the fact the fathers who ate the manna in the
wilderness all died. Jesus is presenting the “bread of life” that came down from heaven to meet
their spiritual needs as the Messiah. Only not the Messiah that they expected. And this is
probably where a lot of them had their quarrel with Jesus, He wasn’t the conquering Messiah and
king that they envisioned would throw out the Romans.
“the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world;” if you
believe with all your heart that Jesus sacrificed his body and died for your sins then you are
partaking of His flesh; absorbing His flesh by your belief. And the result of that, for you is
eternal, abundant, God like life!
John 6:52
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man
give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no
life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and
I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is
drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me,
and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he
that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down
from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of
this bread shall live for ever. 59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught
in Capernaum.
“Jews therefore strove among themselves;” Mosaic Law said that any mammal that you ate
had to chew the cud and had to have split hooves. (See Leviticus 11:3; Deuteronomy 14:6) now
Jesus wants them to eat His flesh and drink His blood of which all blood consumption was
strictly prohibited by Leviticus 17:10-14; Deuteronomy 12:16. They have totally missed the fact
that He is using these items of His flesh and blood as symbols in an illustration of how His death
and resurrection will cleans people from their sins if they believe.
“eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood;” this happened just about every time that Jesus gave
a spiritual metaphor rather than putting it in plain Hebrew to them. Their spiritual understanding
was at a subterranean level and they refused to even try to understand.
Word of caution here: these verses are not in any way referring to the ordinance of Communion
and there are two reasons: (1) Communion hadn’t been instituted yet. That didn’t happen until
the last supper. (2) If Jesus was referring to Communion then all someone had to do to receive
eternal life is receive Communion. How preposterous! {72}
“he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum;” Jesus’ timing on this is very interesting,
this “I am the bread of life” discourse was given during the Feast of Passover, which is also
called the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
John 6:60
Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an
hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples
murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall
see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that
quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are
spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus
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knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray
him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me,
except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his
disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
“of his disciples;” disciples is Strong’s . “a learner, i.e. pupil:— disciple.” {2} Here it is
talking about all of Jesus’ followers except the twelve.
“murmured at it;” Murmur: a half-suppressed or muttered complaint: GRUMBLING. {30}
It’s like they were afraid to let Jesus hear them complain so they kept it to a whisper.
“It is the spirit that quickeneth;” Quicken: Strong’s . “to (re-) vitalize (lit. or fig.):—
make alive, give life, quicken.” {2}
“Jesus knew from the beginning;” those who were just following Him because of the miracles
and the food, the physical things and couldn’t grasp the spiritual significance of His teaching.
The idea of Him being the Messiah or the Son of God was in their minds objects of total
rejection.
“no man can come unto me;” this might sound like God has already determined who is going
to get saved and who is going to the lake of fire and we ain’t got no say-so in it. WRONG! Romans
12:3
“. . . God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” It is what you do with that faith that
counts. These people were presented with the message and rejoiced for a while but because they
were shallow and had no depth to them, when the going got tough they wither away. (Compare
to the parable of the soils.)
“many of his disciples . . . walked no more with him;” they abandon Him and went home. It
is not known if or how many returned after the resurrection.
Note: not all left Him, other than the twelve there were many others that stayed (see Luke 10;1-
16).
Peter’s First Confession
John 6:67
Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?68 Then Simon Peter
answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69
And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
John 6:70
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a
devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should
betray him, being one of the twelve.
“Lord, to whom shall we go;” this is one of the most poignant questions in all of the Gospels.
After two years of walking with Jesus, of being in constant contact with Him, in an intimate
relationship, hearing Him every day, where else could they go? NO-WHERE!
“we believe and are sure;” Peter is not being presumptuous here, he just knows how all the
other eleven feel about Jesus; after all, he is in constant contact with them.
“Have not I chosen you twelve;” I chose you because I knew that you would stick by Me.
“one of you is a devil;” the word devil is Strong’s Greek .“dee-ab´-ol-os; Satan[comp.
7854]:— false accuser, devil, slanderer.” {2}
Hebrew 7854. “saw-tawn’; an opponent; Satan, the arch-enemy of good:— adversary, Satan,
withstand.” {2}
Jesus is saying point blank that Judas was not some misguided fool trying to force Jesus to use
His power to drive out the Romans and set up His Kingdom; but he was a possessed agent of
Satan himself.
John 7:1
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry,
because the Jews sought to kill him.
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“After these things;” there is a six month gap in John’s gospel between John 6:71 and 7:1;
however Matthew, Mark, and Luke fill in the gap.
“Jesus walked in Galilee;” now that He has separated the sheep from the goats Jesus will spend
the rest of His ministry perfecting what remains of His disciples.
Mark 7:1
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes,
which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread
with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the
Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the
tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash,
they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold,
as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the
Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the
tradition of the elders, Matthew 15:2 for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
“the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, from Jerusalem;” possibly at the behest of the
Pharisees of Galilee and the Jerusalem gang wanted to find out what was going on since they had
received many reports about Jesus.
“defiled;” it’s not like they went out and touched a dead pig; they just didn’t wash their hands
like as described below in “wash not their hands.”
“except they wash their hands oft;” the word wash is Strong’s 3538. “nip’-to; to cleanse
(especially the hands or the feet or the face); ceremonially to perform ablution: - wash.” {2}
“come from the market, except they wash;” but here the word is Strong’s . “bap-tid´-zo;
to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N.T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially
of the ordinance of Christian baptism:— baptist, baptize, wash.” {2} They would wash their
whole bodies. Can you imagine that; you are part of a religion that has a regulation that says that
you have to take a bath after you come back from the store before you can eat? But you only
went there for a jug of milk!
“the tradition of the elders;” this was a group of laws that were made up after the Babylonian
captivity and committed to writing about the end of the second century A.D. in the Mishnah and
had no biblical authority. {8} (Before this it was all oral.) The church leaders of Jerusalem had
made them the law of the land. However, the disciples' non-observance may indicate that hand
washing before eating was not practiced by everybody at the time. Perhaps, hand washing was
practiced by some Pharisaic schools of thought like those in Jerusalem and not others like those
in Galilee.
“wash not their hands;” the word for wash here is nip’-to and it has more to do with ceremonial
washing than dirty hands. Someone would pour water from a two handled cup onto another’s
both hands whose fingers were pointing up and the water dripped off the wrist. Then the water
was poured over both hands with the fingers pointing down. Then each hand was rubbed with
the fist of other hand. If one were alone they would use the two handled cup and wash one hand
at a time the same way for the first two steps. Now, do you see the ritual in this?
Matthew 15:3
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the
commandment of God Mark 7:9 that ye may keep your own tradition? Matthew 15:4 For
God Mark 7:10 [through] Moses Matthew 15:4 commanded, saying, Honour thy father and
mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
“But he answered . . . Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God;” notice again
the redirection; He gets right to the point, they are not following the Law of God handed to
Moses. They are only interested in their petty traditions that have no basis in God’s Law.
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“Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the
death;” these are quotes from Exodus 20:12; 21:17; Deuteronomy 5:16.
Matthew 15:5
But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by
whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; Mark 7:11It is Corban, that is to say, a
gift, 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13
Matthew 15:6 Mark 7:13
Making the commandment of God of none effect through your
tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. Matthew 15:7 Ye
hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh
unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far
from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men.
Mark 7:8
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as
the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
“It is a gift; It is Corban;” Corban is Strong’s . “kor-ban´; a votive offering; a consecrated
present (to the Temple fund);— Corban, treasury.” {2} Here’s the way that it worked: if a person
got angry with his or her parents they would just declare their money and properties “Corban.”
Now since he or she has made a vow to God that can’t be violated (Numbers 30:2) the monies
and properties cannot be used as a source of assistance for their parents. But they would find
excuses to use them for things that didn’t have anything to do with the Temple; like going out to
buy a new camel. And of course that camel would be dedicated to God; and the country house
that they bought. “Making the commandment of God of none effect through your
tradition;”
“Ye hypocrites;” Strong’s . “an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (fig.)
a dissembler (“hypocrite”):— hypocrite.” {2} An actor knows that he or she is playing a part and
is doing it deliberately. It is one thing to not know the truth and lead others astray; it is quite an
unholy thing to know the truth and lead others astray from it. It is Jesus’ strongest condemnation
of anyone to call them a hypocrite because they are knowingly leading others astray.
“well did Esaias prophesy of you;” Isaiah 29::13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people
draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart
far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Jesus’ quote is just about an exact word for word from the Septuagint. {72}
Mark 7:14
And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them,
Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from
without a man, Matthew 15:11 which goeth into the mouth Mark 7:14 that entering into him
can defile him: but the things which come out of him, Matthew 15:11 the mouth, Mark
7:15
those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
“There is nothing . . . which goeth into the mouth . . . can defile him;” that’s right! It might
kill your body, but can’t defile you. Strychnine is a poison that can kill you pretty quick. Eating
pig meat will kill you real slow with its cholesterol. But neither one will defile you. Defiling is
a spiritual matter not a physical one.
“things which come out of him, the mouth, those are they that defile the man;” it is what
comes out of your mouth, your words, and your actions these reflects the condition of your heart
and soul, they defile you or exalt you.
“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear;” He repeats this seven times in the gospels and
eight times in the Book of Revelation; Can you dig it? Do you understand? Here he had called
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the people and said “Harken unto me every one of you, and understand.” It is a special calling to
some special understanding. And it is here for all time.
Matthew 15:12
Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the
Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and
said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the
blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
“Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying;” the Pharisees “stumbled” at your
saying.
“Every plant, . . . Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up;” they are not rooted in God
and God’s way; and this is done by choice for they have the Holy Scriptures right in front of
them. They have chosen man’s made-up way over God’s way.
“Let them alone;” don’t go out and argue with them for God’s judgment in the form of
abandonment has already started (see Romans 1:18-32; Hosea 4:17).
Mark 7:17
And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples
asked him concerning the parable. Matthew 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto
him, Declare unto us this parable. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without
understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the
mouth Mark 7:18 [of] the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it entereth not into his
heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
“purging all meats;” this should read “carrying off all that is eaten.” {3} This in no way
overturns the dietary laws of Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Violating God’s health laws
cannot defile you as a person. It can damage your body which is a temple of the Holy Spirit (See
1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19). God’s health laws work that we might live long in the land.
Word of caution: this is where the churches have made a serious error thinking that Jesus
overturned the dietary laws of the Old Testament. What those animals eat and the way that they
digest it and the way that we humans digest food didn’t change with Jesus’ words. God made
certain animals to be the garbage disposals of the earth to keep it clean and to prevent disease.
But He saved the best for us to eat, only the clean should we eat. When people stoop to eat the
garbage eaters it’s an abomination to God. If we belong to God and He truly dwells in us then
our bodies are His Temples and we should not defile them with garbage. He told us what to eat
and what not to eat, why do men want to go against what He said to do?
Mark 7:20
And he said, Matthew 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth Mark
7:20
of the man, Matthew 15:18 come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries,
fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, Matthew 15:19 false
witness, Mark 7:21 lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All
these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Matthew 15:20 But to eat with
unwashen hands defileth not a man.
These words need understanding: “Adulteries;” voluntary sexual intercourse between a married
person and someone other than their spouse. {30}
“Fornications;” consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other;
usually associated with prostitution. {30}
“Lasciviousness;”inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd: unrestrained sexual behavior, or a
habitual inclination to such behavior. {www.dictionary.com}
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“an evil eye;” this is that look that you can see in a person’s eyes of envy or jealousy or anger
(see Deuteronomy 28:54; Proverbs 23:6).
“evil things come from within;” these will reflect the condition of the soul of a person, their
heart.
The Syrophenician Woman
Mark 7:24
And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon,
and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be
hid.
“the borders of Tyre and Sidon;” these are both on the Mediterranean Coast and about 35
miles from Capernaum to Tyre and about 50 to Sidon.
“would have no man know it;” He needed some time off.
Matthew 15:22
And, behold, a woman of Canaan Mark 7:25 whose young daughter had an
unclean spirit, heard of him, Matthew 15:22 [and she] came out of the same coasts, Mark
7:25
and came and fell at his feet Matthew 15:22 and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy
on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Mark 7:26
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him
that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
“a woman of Canaan;” a descendant of the Canaanites.
“The woman was a Greek;” she was a non-Israelite in both language and religion.
“Syrophenician;” Phoenicia was a region that was part of the province of Syria. It covered a
good portion of the coast of Syria including the cities of Tyre and Sidon. The Phoenicians were
fierce and very lucrative traders on the entire Mediterranean.
Matthew 15:23
But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought
him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I
am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
“sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel;” these are the fourteen tribes of the House
of Israel, twelve were the sons of Jacob and two were the sons of Joseph that Jacob adopted in
Genesis:
Genesis 48:5
And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto
thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben
and Simeon, they shall be mine. 6 And thy issue, which thou begettest after them,
shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their
inheritance.
Verse 15
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham
and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, 16 The
Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be
named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them
grow (Heb. as fishes do increase) into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
Remember his name had been changed by God to Israel. So their last name was Israel and each
formed their own tribe.
Matthew 15:25
Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. Mark 7:27 But
Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the
children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. 28 And she answered and said unto
him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.
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“Let the children first;” the word “first” implies that there would come a time that God’s
blessings would be offered to the Gentiles but as for now Jesus’ first responsibility was to the
Lost House of Israel.
“cast it unto the dogs;” these are like your puppies, your house pets. It is still quite insulting to
be called a dog by a Rabbi. If Jesus is called first to the House of Israel then the Gentiles will be
let in then they will have a lesser role in the Kingdom; after all, they are the family pets.
“Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat;” the woman demonstrates her knowledge of her
place and her humility and faith to except any Divine Supplement that might fall her way. She
has no pride; she is begging Jesus even after being insulted.
Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be
it unto thee even as thou wilt. Mark 7:29 For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone
out of thy daughter. Matthew 15:28 And her daughter was made whole from that very
hour.
Mark 7:30
And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and
her daughter laid upon the bed.
Healing At Decapolis
Mark 7:31
And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he Matthew 15:29 came
nigh unto the sea of Galilee; Mark 7:31 through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
“nigh unto the sea of Galilee;” Decapolis stretches from Damascus all the way down to
Philadelphia on the western side of the Jordan. The Sea of Galilee is about right in the middle.
“coasts;” coasts and boarders are the same thing
“through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis;” Jesus went twenty miles north from Tyre to
Sidon then turned right and went east crossing the Jordan River. This is all deep in Gentile
country and way out of Herod Antipas’ territory. He then turned south along the Jordan bank
and the Sea of Galilee shore passing Mount Hermon to the area of Decapolis (Ten Cities), a
predominately gentile region. {72} This is what happened there:
Matthew 15:29
And [He] went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great
multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb,
maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them.
“And great multitudes came unto him;” this happened throughout His ministry; there seemed
to be some sort of a magnetism that would draw people to him instinctively without any modern
communication. They put today’s internet and facebook to shame.
Mark 7:32
And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his
speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside
from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his
tongue; 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha,
that is, Be opened. 35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his
tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36 And he charged them that they should
tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they
published it;
“they bring unto him one that was deaf;” Mark is the only writer that records this miracle.
“put his fingers into his ears;” you wouldn’t put your fingers on the man’s knees to heal his
hearing would you? Jesus goes right after the problem.
“he spit, and touched his tongue;” the type of healing required Jesus’ actual physical contact
for the healing to be accomplished.
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“Ephphatha, that is, Be opened;” the translators decided to leave the original Aramaic word in
the context and then translate it. It should just read: “and saith unto him, ‘Be open.’”
“the string of his tongue was loosed;” this was more than bad speech because of bad hearing;
something had him tongue-tied.
“he charged them that they should tell no man;” why? Because His hour and place had not
yet come. There was an hour and place for Jesus to be proclaimed Messiah and it hadn’t arrived
yet; He was constantly looking forward toward that hour.
Matthew 15:31
Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to
speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they
glorified the God of Israel. Mark 7:37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying,
He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to
speak.
“the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see;” these
are fulfillments of Isaiah 35:5, 6.
“the multitude wondered . . . And were beyond measure astonished;” it is the natural thing to
do when you hear, see, or have something good happen to you that you want to shout it from the
housetops. You’ve been wowed beyond measure and now you get a gag order from the very
person that wowed you. It don’t make any sense. But remember this, in obedience comes the
greater blessing.
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand In Decapolis
Mark 8:1
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat,
Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, 2 I have compassion on
the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing
to eat: 3 And Matthew 15:32 I will not send them away fasting, Mark 8:3 to their own
houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
“the multitude being very great;” Jesus having performed miracle after miracle for three days
and the crowd staying to hear and see more; it had to get big.
“they havenow been with me three days;” In the feeding of the five thousand the crowd was
only with Him one day. Here they had already been with Him three days and hadn’t had
anything to eat except what they brought with them.
“I have compassion on the multitude;” this is the only time that we actually hear Jesus express
the term “I have compassion;” even though He was moved with compassion many times He just
never expressed it.
Matthew 15:33
And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread
in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them,
How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 35 And
he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
“Whence should we have so much bread;” well you grab some flour and mix in some oil and
yeast, throw it in an oven and out pops bread! Of course, you forgot to bring your oven with you
into the wilderness; not to mention the flour and the oil and yeast. You also forgot how Jesus fed
the five thousand not too long ago. Quit asking God how; just present Him with the situation
and what is your supply and say “here, do your thing.” Know that He can take care of any
situation that might arise in your life. One other thing, don’t go putting down the disciples for
being so slow to pick up on this and other spiritual things; they actually learned the whole
shooting match in three years. It takes most of us a lifetime, and we still don’t get as far as they
did, they became apostles.
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“the wilderness;” Decapolis was an area of ten small villages scattered across a wilderness
region east of the Jordan River and most of the villages were south of the Sea of Galilee.
“How many loaves have ye? Seven, and a few little fishes;” “Alright, how much do you have?
Seven and a few more.” (Seven is the number of spiritual perfection. {3}) Jesus has them admit
to the small supply of food in comparison to the large crowd in order to make it clear in their
minds the miracle that He was about to perform to show His Messiahship.
“loaves;” these would have been loaves of flat bread about ½ inch thick and could have been
easily broken or torn apart.
Matthew 15:36
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake
them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples Mark 8:6 did set them before the
people. Matthew 15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the
broken meat that was left seven baskets full. 38 And they that did eat were four
thousand men, beside women and children.
“he took . . . and gave thanks . . . and brake;” in a constant action of giving thanks He broke
the bread.
“seven baskets full;” these are not the small baskets that were used in the feeding of the five
thousand in Mark 6:43. Those were Strong’s 2894 “of uncert. der.; a (small) basket:— basket.”
{2} These here are Strong’s 4711; “a hamper or lunch-receptacle:— basket.” {2} These are the
same type of baskets that were used to lower Paul over the wall of Damascus in Acts 9:25.
“four thousand men, beside women and children;” Matthew and Mark were the only two that
record this miracle while all four record the feeding of the five thousand. If there were four
thousand men that means that there were at least sixteen thousand in attendance.
Note: Jesus closed His ministry to the Galileans by the feeding of the five thousand. (Matthew
14:13-21) He now is closing out His brief ministry to the Gentile areas with the feeding of the
four thousand. He will finish His Jerusalem ministry by feeding His devout-full twelve in the
upper room just before His death.
Jesus Second Refusal To Give A Sign
Matthew 15:39
And he sent away the multitude, Mark 8:10 And straightway he entered into
a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha [near] Magdala.
Matthew 16:1
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came Mark 8:11 forth, and began to
question with him, Matthew 16:1 and tempting desired him that he would shew them a
sign from heaven.
“he entered into a ship with his disciples;” they came down from the mountain and had to
cross the eight miles of the Sea of Galilee.
“Dalmanutha [near]Magdala;” this would be along the western shore of Galilee south of
Gennesaret; like it says, toward Magdala.
“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came forth;” like a bunch of locusts that you can’t get
rid of, up pop these guys with no good on their so called minds.
“a sign from heaven;” these non-believing Pharisees were not satisfied with Jesus’ miracles,
they wanted a “sign from heaven” to prove His Messiahship. And even that probably won’t
matter, because they are hell bent on not believing on Him. Because in their eyes He is their
competition and no amount of signs will convince them of His righteousness. To them, they are
the only righteous ones.
Mark 8:12
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and Matthew 16:2 He answered and said unto
them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And
in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye
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hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of
the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; Mark 8:12 verily
I say unto you, Matthew 16:4 and there shall no sign be given unto Mark 8:12 this
generation, Matthew 16:4 but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and
departed.
“fair weather: for the sky is red;” broken clouds means that the humidity is low and the sun is
getting through and what humidity is there is refracting the light to show an almost pinkish red.
“sky is red and lowring;” lowring is Strong’s # G . “to render gloomy, i.e. (be overcast
with clouds, or sombreness of speech):— lower, be sad.” {2} Now you have a deeper red and a
lot more humidity causing the clouds to lower down. It won’t be long before you have rain.
“can ye not discern the signs of the times;” these are the church leaders of the Jews and they
are supposed to know the signs of the times that they are living in. But it seems as though
everything in the Old Testament blew right past them because of their preconceived ideas of
what the Messiah was going to do. How blind are we today about the signs of our times and the
coming of the Messiah? Do we have any preconceived ideas? Will it be pre-millennial or post-
millennial? Or maybe mid-millennial? It doesn’t matter because in some circles only 144,000
get to go anyhow, and you are not Hebrew? How much do you really know? Jesus is the Word
of God (John 1:1); just how intimate are you with Him? Better get ready; then stay ready!
“no sign be given . . . but the sign of the prophet Jonas;” this was originally given in Matthew
12:39-40 and now is our second witness of this truth: just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for
72 hours, so Jesus will be in the heart of the earth for the same period of time.
Important Note: since Jesus died at three o’clock in the afternoon and was buried before
sundown that day, He had to rise before sundown three days later; not in the morning. It’s
simple math!
“he left them, and departed;” when your enemy confronts you like this, it is usually best to just
turn around and walk away.
The Leaven Of The Pharisees
Matthew 16:5
And when his disciples were come to the other side, Mark 8:14 the disciples
had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one
loaf. 15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.16 And they reasoned among themselves,
saying, It is because we have no bread. 17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto
them,
“the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod;” Leaven has always been the
symbol for evil. Back then you always kept a small portion of your dough unbaked as a starter
for the next batch of bread making. This small part was mixed into a new dough and then
allowed to set and permeate the whole dough; this is called fermentation. This picture was, to
the Jews, a very good symbol of how evil, when tolerated can permeate and corrupt a whole
system. Jesus was warning His disciples about the evil of the Pharisees and of Herod and how it
had infected others and not about bread itself.
Matthew 16:8
O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have
brought no bread? 9 Do ye not yet Mark 8:17 perceive ye not yet, neither understand?
have ye your heart yet hardened? 18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear
ye not? and do ye not remember? 19 When I brake the five loaves among five
thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him,
Twelve.
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“why reason ye . . . no bread;” yea, they completely missed the point. These men had lived
their entire lives in the physical reality and now Jesus is trying to teach them something brand
new, at least to them. It is spiritual, and it is a whole different way of life and looking at things.
They are naturally a little slow on the up-tic.
“heart, eyes, ears, remember;” like any good teacher Jesus runs through the litany of rapid-fire
questions to try to jog their thinking caps into hyper mode.
Mark 8:20
And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of
fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Matthew 16:11
How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning
bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the
Sadducees?12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the
leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
“I spake it not to you concerning bread;” all of a sudden the light bulbs went on, ding, ding,
ding! Oh, you’re not talking about bread, you’re talking about the doctrine of the Pharisees and
the Sadducees and all the other sees.
NOTE: don’t even think about comparing yourself to the disciples saying I could have done
better; I’d have gotten that right off the bat. No you wouldn’t have; not under the same
circumstances that they lived under. Besides Jesus picked them because they had certain
humility about them that made them trainable. By comparing yourself to them you show a lack
of that humility.
“the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees;” Luke 12:1 declares “In the mean time,
when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode
one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the
Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” The whole policy of these guys centered around external things
like ceremonies and what looks good while the things of the spirit and the heart took second and
third place if any concern at all.
Matthew 23:23
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint
and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law,
judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the
other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Verse 25
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the
outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and
excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and
platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Verse 27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited
sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead
men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear
righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Verse 29
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the
tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If
we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with
them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves,
that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the
measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape
the damnation of hell?
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Verse 34
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes:
and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in
your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may
come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous
Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the
temple and the altar.
Jesus pretty well nailed down what these guys were all about, looking good on the outside but
were full of cancer on the inside. They were just good looking corpses that hadn’t fallen down
yet.
Jesus Heals The Blind Man In Bethsaida
Mark 8:22
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and
besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him
out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he
asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees,
walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up:
and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his
house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
“he cometh to Bethsaida;” this is the second of two miracles that are only recorded by Mark
(See 7:31-37). In and around Bethsaida is where Jesus performed a good portion of His
miracles.
“took the blind man . . . and led him out of the town;” in both miracles Jesus takes the person
away from the crowds and performs the miracle in private.
“he had spit on his eyes;” the liquid contact of Jesus’ spit coupled with His hands provided the
necessary flow of power to heal this man’s eyes.
“and put his hands upon him;” verse 25 reveals that His hands were upon the man’s eyes.
“I see men as trees, walking;” his eyesight was still blurred and that’s what the people afar off
looked like to him: instead of walking sticks they were walking trees.
“he was restored, and saw every man clearly;” this is the only gradual healing that we have
recorded in the ministry of Jesus.
“Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any;” unlike others (Mark 1:45; 7:36) this one
apparently complied with Jesus’ command.
Peter’s Second Confession Of Jesus As The Christ
Matthew 16:13
When Jesus Mark 8:27 and his disciples, Matthew 16:13 came into the coasts of
Caesarea Philippi, Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his
disciples were with him: Mark 8:27 and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto
them, Matthew 16:13 Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
“the coasts of Caesarea Philippi;” the Caesarea of Philip is located at the southern edge of the
base of Mount Hermon about twenty five miles north of Bethsaida. Mount Hermon had long
been a place associated with idol worship. The site of pagan worship was centered upon this
humongous exposed rock face that Jesus will use in His play on words concerning the word
“rock” in verse 18. This is not to be confused with the town of Caesarea built by Herod the Great
some sixty miles north-west of Jerusalem on the Mediterranean coast near the city of Tyre.
“as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him;” that might sound a little confusing;
either He was alone or His disciples were with Him and He isn’t alone. The more modern
translations read a little clearer: “as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him.”
(English Standard Version)
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Matthew 16:14
And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and
others, Jeremias, Luke 9:19 others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
Matthew 16:15
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter
answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
“John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias;” that is how great John was; he is ranked with Elijah and
Jeremiah.
“Elias (Elijah);” see Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14; Mark 6:5; Luke 1:17.
“But whom say ye that I am;” this is the pregnant question! Who is Jesus to you? Just how far
reaching into your life have you allowed Him to go? Have you totally surrendered to Him? Is
He the Son of the living God that you bow down to one minute and turn around the next and bow
to the world and its pleasures and desires? What do you spend most of your time thinking about?
The Pharisees spoke tons of pieties but didn’t back them up with the appropriate actions; and we
all know that actions speak louder than words. The answer to this question written in your
actions will determine you eternity.
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God;” good ole’ Pete! He probably had been
convicted for some time now but hadn’t spoken up about it. This was his quiet, private decision
on a deep spiritual matter; but now it was the time to bust loose with it. After all, it was Jesus
Himself asking about it; and he had heard the others talking about it and therefore could speak on
behalf of the twelve.
“the Christ;” the promised Messiah of Daniel 9:25-26.
“the living God;” this is an Old Testament name for Yahweh (see Deuteronomy 5:26; Joshua
3:10; 1 Samuel 17:26,36; 2Kings 19:4,16; Psalm 42:2; 84:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 6:26; Hosea
1:10) as opposed to the idols that can’t speak, or hear, or walk because they are dead (Jeremiah
10:8;18:15). {72}
Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon
Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is
in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I
will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt
bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven.
“Simon Barjona;” Simon Son of Jona. Bar means son of at the beginning of any name in
Hebrew.
“flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee;” Peter didn’t just stumble upon this, or wake
up one day and say “Yep, He’s the Messiah.” God the Father had to reveal this to him.
John 6:65
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me,
except it were given unto him of my Father.
“given unto him of my Father.” And in Peter’s case it probably wasn’t easy. But once
convinced, no mountain or storm could change him. He even died hanging up-side down on a
cross for his belief. This is something that is not just a decision of the mind, but it permeates the
whole spirit and soul of a person.
“thou art Peter, and upon this rock;” some people think that Peter and rock are the same
thing; after all doesn’t Peter mean rock? Not quite; from Strong’s Concordance: “. pet´-
ros; appar. a primary word; a (piece of) rock as a name, Petrus, an apostle:— Peter, rock.” {2}
Rock on the other hand is a different word: “. pet´-ra; fem. of the same as ; a (mass
of) rock (lit. or fig.):— rock.” {2}
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Peter is a small rock or stone; a chip off the ole block as it were. The word rock is like the
humongous exposed rock face at the base of Mount Hermon just behind them; a massive
immoveable, unchangeable rock that Jesus is using as a metaphor for the rock solid fact that He
is the Son of the Living God. Peter himself acknowledges this is his first letter: the church is
built with Jesus as the “chief corner stone” (1 Peter 2:5-7 1; Corinthians 3:11).
Stone vs. Rock
Stone – Peter - #. “pet´-ros; appar. a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than ); as
a name, Petrus, an apostle:— Peter, rock. comp. .” {2}
#. “lee´-thos; appar. a primary word; a stone (lit. or fig.):— (mill-, stumbling-) stone.” {2}
. “kay-fas´; of Chald. or. [comp. 3710]; the Rock; Cephas (i.e. Kepha), a surname of Peter:
— Cephas.” {2}
#3710. “kafe; from 3721; a hollow rock:— rock.” {2}
#3721. “kaw-faf’; a prim. root; to curve:— bow down (self).” {2}
Stone – Rock - #. “pet´-ra; fem. of the same as ; a (mass of) rock (lit. or fig.):— rock.”
{2}
Stone – Stone – John 8:7 The stoning of the woman # . “lee´-thos; appar. a primary word; a
stone (lit. or fig.):— (mill-, stumbling-) stone.” {2} [This is also the same word used for the
stone that was rolled across Jesus’ tomb.]
Stone – Stone – John 10:31-33 #.“lith-ad´-zo; from ; to lapidate:— stone.” {2}
[Lapidate means to kill with stones.]
Conclusion: the word stone, leethos, a primary word can be anything from a pebble to millstone
depending upon its usage and context. Petros, a primary word for rock, is larger than a millstone
and therefore called rock and not stone. Petra is a rock also, only larger than Petros, like the
Rock of Gibraltar.
Mount Everest is the world’s tallest petra being made of solid granite; which is the type of petra.
If you were to carve off a piece of that mountain about the size of a school bus you would have a
petros, or a boulder. If you were to take a couple of pounds of ammonium-nitrate and blow that
bus into a million pieces you would then have a million pieces of leethos, or stone. The
substance hasn’t changed, only the size, weight, and shape.
“I will build;” two things here: one, it is Jesus that builds the church; He don’t need anybody’s
help. Two, it was future from the time that He was speaking to the disciples.
“my church;” notice that Jesus emphatically says that it is “MY church” pointing to the fact that
He is designer, builder, owner and Master of His church. The word church according to Strong’s
. “ek-klay-see´-ah; a calling out, i.e. (concr.) a popular meeting, espec. a religious
congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Chr. community of members on earth or saints in heaven or
both):— assembly, church.” {2} The official beginning of the church was at Pentecost with the
coming of the Holy Spirit by whom all believers are baptized into the church which is His Holy
Body. (See Acts 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13) By the way, Matthew is the only gospel that the
word church appears.
“the gates of hell;” this is the entrance to the place of punishment for those that refuse to
believe, and it is called death. Even the Jews believed this. It is Satan’s most powerful weapon
(Hebrews 2:14-15) and yet it has no power to stop the church.
“the keys of the kingdom of heaven;” these are like having keys to your house; they give you
ownership, authority, and privileges; and He is not just speaking to Peter but to everyone that
believes that He is the Son of the Living God. With that belief comes all that ownership,
authority, privileges, and responsibilities of the Kingdom of God.
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“whatsoever thou shalt bind . . . whatsoever thou shalt loose;” these principles of binding and
loosing are promised to the apostles here in chapter sixteen and explained in chapter eighteen.
Let’s take peek:
Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his
fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in
the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he
shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the
church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto
you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
What is Jesus talking about? Forgiving others that have wronged us. We’ll talk more about this
when we get to chapter eighteen.
Matthew 16:20
Then Luke 9:21 he straitly charged them, and commanded them Matthew
16:20
that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
“tell no man;” He hadn’t even started to teach them about the suffering Messiah and the cross,
which they were going to have a hard time grasping (see Matthew 16:21 below). And, with the
national leaders against Him, it was a good idea to keep this under the vest for a while.
Jesus Predicts His Future Suffering And Glory
Matthew 16:21
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he,
Mark 8:31
the Son of man Matthew 16:21 must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things
Mark 8:31
and be rejected of Matthew 16:21 the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be
killed, and be raised again the third day. Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly.
“From that time;” this saying of a new direction in Jesus’ ministry appears twice in Matthew,
here and in 4:17 where Jesus begins His ministry and announces the Kingdom of God. Here He
will prepare the apostles for His death. {5}
“must . . . suffer many things;” in Matthew 20 is a more precise description of these sufferings:
Matthew 20:17
And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the
way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man
shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall
condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to
scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Let’s break this down: first, He is betrayed by one of His own, Judas. Then He is arrested in the
middle of the night and taken to the house of the former High Priest Annas; this was illegal to be
arrested at night for a capital crime for one, and have one of the associates of the arrestee present
for two. While at Annas’ house He is slapped by one of the officers during questioning. Then
they take Him to Caiaphas’ house for trial, where all the chief priests and the elders and the
scribes were assembled, the Sanhedrin; still at night, still illegal. Then they bring up a bunch of
false witnesses who can’t keep their story straight. He doesn’t say anything to their lies because
the lies don’t convict Him of anything. But, when He does speak the truth they all want to kill
Him. They mocked Him, they spit in His face, then they covered His face and some hit Him
with their fist and some with the open hand then said “Prophecy, who hit thee?” And you know
all about the beatings and the crown of thorns and the humiliation that He received as a result of
the next three trials under the Roman rule. And then to think, after all the miracles, and all the
people that He fed in the wilderness, and those that He raised from the dead; the whole crowd
cried “crucify Him!” They chose Barabbas instead.
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“be killed;” this is the first of three times in Matthew’s Gospel that Jesus predicts His death.
The others are 17:22-23; 20:18-19. {5}
“and be raised again;” whenever Jesus spoke of His death He always also spoke of His
resurrection (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; Mark 9:31; 10:34; Luke 9:22; 18:33). {72}
“the third day;” thus repeating His sign of Jonah prophecy of Matthew 12:40.
“he spake that saying openly;” He didn’t use stories, or parables, or “the kingdom of heaven is
like;” He told them straight out: “Guys, them mean old Sanhedrin and Chief Priest are going to
grab hold of me and torture me and kill me. But be of good cheer, I will “be raised again the
third day!” And it was as though this last phrase went in one ear and out the other without
stopping; all comprehension went out the window.
Matthew 16:22
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from
thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and
looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Matthew 16:23 Get thee behind me,
Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of
God, but those that be of men.
“Peter . . . began to rebuke him;” this human, who had just expressed the deity of Jesus, now
expresses his love for Him by wishing in his total lack of understanding that this disaster not
befall Him.
“looked on his disciples;” because He knew that Peter was speaking for the whole group; so the
following rebuke is not just Peter’s alone but all of theirs.
“Get thee behind me, Satan;” Satan was using Peter, pure and simple. A few moments ago
Peter was highly commendated for boldly proclaiming Jesus’ deity; that swelled his ego and left
him wide open to Satan using him against Jesus. This bold fisherman had a lot of lessons to
learn. He was still learning them as Paul was evangelizing (see Galatians 2:11-14).
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus Mark 8:34 called the people unto him, with his disciples also, Luke
9:22
[and] said to them all, Matthew 16:24 If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, Luke 9:23 daily, Matthew 16:24 and follow me. 25 For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my
sake Mark 8:35 and the gospel’s, Matthew 16:25 shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if
he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Luke 9:25 and lose himself, or
be cast away? Matthew 16:26 or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:38
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous
and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he
Matthew 16:27
cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. For the Son of
man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward
every man according to his works.
“the people . . . with his disciples also;” He called the whole crowd that wants to follow Him.
From this point forward He is going to separate the sheep from the goats, the “tag-a-longs” from
the earnest, the real believers.
“deny himself;” If you can’t set yourself completely aside for Christ then you are not worthy of
Him. This is what true discipleship calls for.
“take up his cross;” death is the ultimate end of self denial if required. After all, Jesus died for
you, why won’t you die for Him? When He went to the cross He took our sins which bare the
death sentence, and made them all go away for all sense and purposes. So if we have to give-up
our physical life for Him it actually is a great bargain.
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“whosoever will lose his life . . . shall find it;” this is just an extension of dying or giving up
your physical life i.e. walking away from all the luxuries of this life to follow Jesus. And yes, it
could mean actually being executed for your beliefs. And just is it that you will find? Eternal
glory with the Father and Christ Jesus in the Kingdom of God forever. (See Revelation 21:5-7)
“his own soul;” Your soul is your will, mind, and emotions; this is the real person that makes
you up. Your spirit is the power of life that will go back to God when your body dies. Your soul
goes to sleep at that time to await its resurrection either to glory or to judgment.
NOTE: your soul is not immortal at this time; it will only become immortal if it is resurrected to
glory: 1 Timothy 6:14 “That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and
only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in
the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be
honour and power everlasting. Amen.”
And if you did not chose to believe in Jesus? Revelation 20:15 says you will be cast into the lake
of fire where the devil, the beast, and the false prophet already have been cast. Fire is an all
consuming thing; it devours everything that it touches. It will be as though you never existed.
But what Jesus offers us is: Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for
the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all . . .
things . . . new.”
“in exchange;” If you didn’t go God’s way and come to judgment what can you say? You are
really worthless in front of God. You have nothing, not even the Blood of Christ to stand on;
you should have done that in this life. This is why Jesus gave us so many parables about the
worthless things being tossed away or into the fire. What are you going to be worth?
“shall be ashamed of me and of my words;” are we scared to do what He said because of what
others might say? Or are just too stubborn and set in our ways because that’s not the way we
were taught when we were kids? There are a lot of reasons and excuses for people not following
Jesus’ teachings, none of which are valid and all will get you burned to death permanently.
“he shall reward every man according to his works;” this is a sword that cuts both ways:
good for good, and bad for bad.
Mark 9:1
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them
that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of
God come with power.
“Verily I say unto you;” whenever you see this in the Gospels it will be spoken by Jesus and it
will be introducing a very profound statement of truth.
“some of them that stand here;” all three of the synoptic Gospels place this statement of Jesus
as it says below, six to eight days before the Transfiguration.
“shall not taste of death;” the key here is that some of them were going to experience this.
They all were at Pentecost so that gets ruled out. And James was martyred early in the first
century after Pentecost; (see Acts 12:2) and there was no other event that has happened that
would qualify since they are all dead and gone. And since He is announcing this you had better
believe that He would include the actual event in the Gospels somewhere.
“have seen the kingdom of God come with power;” the word “power” here is Strong’s .
“doo´-nam-is;force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):—
ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength,
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violence, mighty (wonderful) work.” {2} Notice how the Greek word “doo´-nam-is” is close to
the English word “dynamic.”
Jesus’ Glorious Transfiguration
Luke 9:28
And it came to pass about Matthew 17:1 six [to] Luke 9:28 eight days after these
sayings Matthew 17:1 Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth
them up into an high mountain apart Mark 9:2 by themselves Luke 9:28 to pray.
“about six [to] Luke 9:28 eight days;” the reason for the difference between Matthew and Mark
verses Luke’s number of days is that Luke most likely counted both the day of the prediction and
the day of the transfiguration itself. {72}
“after these sayings;” so six days have lapsed since He had made that promise and we are now
on the seventh. By now the disciples have probably forgotten what He said; after all, it is a week
later!
“Peter, James, and John;” Jesus had chosen these three as His church government; triune, just
like the eternal Godhead. Although James, John’s brother, was martyred early; another James
would take his place, Jesus’ brother James. These three witnessed the raising of Jairus’ daughter,
the transfiguration, and Jesus’ agony in the garden.
“an high mountain;” this was most likely one of the foothills of Mount Hermon. Hermon itself
is snow covered at over 9200 feet and is the highest point in all of Palestine.
Luke 9:29
And as he prayed, Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured before them: Luke 9:29 the
fashion of his countenance was altered, Matthew 17:2 [and] did shine as the sun, and
his raiment Mark 9:3 became shining, Luke 9:29and glistering, Mark 9:3 exceeding white as
snow; Matthew 17:2 was white as the light, Mark 9:3 so as no fuller (launderer) on earth
can white them. Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias
Mark 9:4
and they were talking with Jesus. Luke 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake
of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
“And as he prayed;” Jesus was also praying at His baptism when He heard the Father’s voice
(see Luke 3:21).
“He was transfigured;” the word in ‘Strong’s for transfigured is : “met-am-or-fo;to
transform (lit. or fig. “metamorphose”):— change, transfigure, transform.” {2} The Greek is
where we get the word “metamorphose” from. Jesus was there in a manifested form of some of
His divine glory. They had confessed that they believed that He was the Christ, the Son of the
Living God so now they get to see just a taste of His glory. Remember when God showed His
back side to Moses because the glory of His face was too much for Moses to see? Well, it is the
same thing here.
“shine as the sun . . . exceeding white as snow;” God didn’t want to blind them with too much
glory; after all they were there to observe and later bare witness of this event. Being able to see
God’s presence is represented many times in Scripture by brilliant light: Psalm 104:2; Daniel
7:9; 1 Timothy 6:16; Revelation 1:14; 21:23.
“and glistering;” used here and in 1 Chronicles 29:2; Strong’s . “to lighten forth, i.e. (fig.)
to be radiant (of very white garments):— glistening.” {2} It’s like light glistening off individual
flakes of snow, yet all in one smooth garment.
“Moses and Elias;” first of all, they recognize Moses, who has been dead for what; some 1400
or so years. Like they had no pictures of him; and he wasn’t in the movies. And no, he doesn’t
look like Charlton Heston. And to top that they also recognize Elijah; but he’s only been dead for
some 750 years. This is divine revelation folks. Moses represented the Law while
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Elijahrepresented the prophets, both had predicted His death as the Messiah. This is what Luke
says they were talking about in Luke 9:31.
“his decease;” this word decease has a strange origin: Strong’s .“ex´-od-os; an exit, i.e.
(fig.) death:— decease, departing.” {2} Like Moses brought the Israelites in a mass exodus out
of Egyptian bondage, Jesus, by His own exodus was going to bring mankind out of the bondage
of sin.
Luke 9:32
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when
they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And
it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is
good for us to be here: Matthew 17:4 if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles;
one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. Luke 9:33 Not knowing what he
said; Mark 9:6 for he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
“heavy with sleep;” we don’t know what time of day this was, but these guys are always going
to sleep at the wrong time; they go to sleep during the climax of the movie when all the shooting
is going on. Actually don’t you find that when you purpose to pray that the next thing you find
is that you are getting sleepy?
“let us make here three tabernacles;” sometimes called booths (see Leviticus 23:34-42) these
were tent like structures that a person could be sheltered in and somewhat protected from the
elements. Peter’s comment could have been borne out of a desire to prolong the event. But it
also equated Jesus with Moses and Elijah.
“Not knowing what he said;” whereas Luke makes it sound like a rebuke, Mark is more like
Peter just didn’t understand what was happening. What is necessary for us to understand is that
Jesus is training the twelve to be the foundation stones of the church that will be initiated at
Pentecost (see Acts 2).
“they were sore afraid;” Mark is the only writer that records this. Put yourself in their shoes,
for the first time you see the Glory of God and it is in your master. About a week ago you had
proclaimed Him to be the Messiah, the Son of God; but you didn’t really know what that meant.
Now to top that, you have this divine revelation of Him with Moses and Elijah all in this
splendid Glory that you can’t explain. Two years ago you were just a fisherman, a man of this
world; now you see things that you were only told about from the Scriptures; scary stuff!
Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud Luke 9:34 came [and] Matthew 17:5
overshadowed them: Luke 9:34 and they feared as they entered into the cloud. Matthew 17:5
And behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they
fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
“a bright cloud came [and] overshadowed them;” this was the visible cloud of the Shechinah
Glory of God; the same cloud that was the symbol of His presence in the Old Testament. (See
Exodus 13:21; 16:10; 19:9, 16-19; 24:15-16; 33:18-23; 34:5; 40:34-35; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers
9:15-23; 14:14; and many others) He appears to us in a cloud for now because His glory is so
great that if we beheld it in its fullness we would die instantly. When we are glorified then we
will behold Him face to face as a child beholds its loving father.
“they feared as they entered into the cloud;” they entered into the Shechinah Glory of God;
not in its fullness, but just to be on the fringe of it is a privilege beyond compare. It is not known
if they walked into the cloud or the cloud came and surrounded them; either way they were
engulfed by the Glory of God.
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“a voice out of the cloud;” keep in mind that this starts while Peter is rambling on about three
tents and such.
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;” these are the very same words that the
Father spoke at Jesus’ baptism confirming His love of the Son and the Son’s divinity. Peter
repeats these words in 2 Peter 1:17.
“hear ye him;” this is an addition to the baptism line because there is a proper audience:
Hebrews 1:1
"God, who at sundry times and in diverse ways spoke to our fathers by the
prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His own dear Son"
This is how this all ties together:
Matthew 22:35
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting
him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus
said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all
thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And
the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two
commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
With this He connected all the dots of the law and the prophets; this is why
He appeared with Moses and Elijah.
“they fell on their face;” this is the typical response for someone when they realize that they are
in the presence of the Holy God that is the Creator of all things. (See Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28;
Revelation 1:17) Daniel did it twice before the angel Gabriel: Daniel 8:17; 10:9.
Luke 9:36
And when the voice was past, Matthew 17:7 Jesus came and touched them, and
said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, Mark 9:8
when they had looked round about, Matthew 17:7 they saw no man, save Jesus only Mark
9:8
with themselves.
“saw no man, save Jesus only;” pretend that you are Peter for a minute: “Hey Jimmy, are you
all right? Look at John; he’s white as a ghost! Man, that was wild! I’m still shaking. Can you
believe that voice? We actually heard Yahweh!” Jimmy replies: “Hey man that was the
Master’s Father, Yahweh Himself! You think the others will believe us?”
Matthew 17:9
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying,
Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
Mark 9:10
And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another
what the rising from the dead should mean.
“until the Son of man be risen again from the dead;” there He goes with that dead stuff
again. Even at the last supper Peter is trying to keep Jesus from dying. At Jesus’ arrest Peter
tries to stop it by drawing his sword and cutting off the ear of the servant of the High Priest.
None of the apostles understood the concept of the suffering Messiah. But this was a major part
of His coming to earth.
Both Peter and John were profoundly affected by Jesus’ transfiguration as both mention it in
their writings:
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
2 Peter 1:16
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known
unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses
of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when
there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son,
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in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard,
when we were with him in the holy mount.
“questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean;” If Jesus dying
was hard for them to comprehend, then His imminent resurrection wasn’t even in their ballpark.
It wasn’t like they didn’t believe in resurrection, they did. It’s just His doing it pretty soon
escapes their capacity to assemble in proper thought.
Matthew 17:10
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias
must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first
come, and restore all things. 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and
they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed, Mark 9:13 as it is
written of him. Matthew 17:12 Likewise Mark 9:12 how it is written of the Son of man, that
he must Matthew 17:12 also Mark 9:12 suffer many things, Matthew 17:12 of them Mark 9:12 and be set
at nought.
Matthew 17:13
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the
Baptist.
“Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come;” the Scribes teaching was based on the
Old Testament Book of Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6.
Malachi 3:1
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before
me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the
messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the
LORD of hosts.
Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great
and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the
children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the
earth with a curse.
Malachi 3:1 says that God will send His messenger to prepare the way before me. That was
John the Baptist. “and the Lord ,whom you seek, shall suddenly come into His temple, even the
messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in.” Who came after John the Baptist? Jesus the
Messiah, the one whom that they were looking for. And He suddenly appeared in the temple,
and He had this message of “the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;
he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening
of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” (Isaiah
61:1)
Malachi 4:5-6 says that God will send Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. This
is the day of vengeance of God on unrepentant mankind. In prophecy a day is reckoned for a
year. This will take place during the last year before the return of Jesus to set up the Kingdom of
God here on earth. However before that, God will send Elijah (who along with Enoch never
tasted death) to the church; the Laodicean Church (see Revelation 3:14-22) to “turn the heart of
the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.”
What the Scribes didn’t understand was that these are two separate and distinct events that are at
least two thousand years apart. The first is for the forgiveness of our sins and the establishment
of the church. The second is for the cleansing of the church in preparation for the establishment
of the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Now to answer their question, they had just seen Elijah; was this that first appearance? They
wondered. Jesus’ response was that John the Baptist fulfilled that role; mind you that He told
them in an indirect manner. But they caught on.
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“Elias is come already;” as said above John came in the spirit and power of Elijah; he was not
Elijah himself.
“they knew him not;” they didn’t recognize him because they were combining the two
scriptures into one appearance.
“have done unto him;” the church leaders rejected John the Baptist (see Matthew 212:25; Luke
7;33), and of course as you know, Herod had him killed.
“as it is written of him;” here is nothing mentioned in the scriptures about the death of the
forerunner of Jesus. However:
1 Kings 19:1
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had
slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah,
saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of
one of them by to morrow about this time.
Matthew 11:11
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath
not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the
kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist
until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by
force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will
receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
If you look at these two scriptures you get the idea that John suffered the fate that Jezebel had
meted out for Elijah.
“it is written of the Son of man . . . suffer many things . . . be set at nought;” the word
“nought” is Strong’s . “to make utterly nothing of, i.e. despise:— set at nought. See also
.” {2}
. “a var. of  and mean. the same:— contemptible, despise, least esteemed, set at
nought.” {2} He will be slapped, spat upon, and while hanging on the cross He will be made fun
of; our Messiah, our Saviour, the son of God. And the Old Testament foretold of this suffering
Messiah in such passages as Psalms 22; 69:20-21; and Isaiah 53.
Jesus Heals A Demon Possessed Boy
Luke 9:37
And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from
the hill, Mark 9:14 he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and
the scribes questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the people, when they
16
beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he
asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
“on the next day;” so this was an overnight trip going up there and back.
“come down from the hill;” this is Luke 9:37 but in Matthew 17:1 it says mountain. This is a
case of different translators of the same Greek word Strong’s :” a mountain (as lifting
itself above the plain):— hill, mount (-ain).”
“he came to his disciples;” these were the nine that didn’t go up the mountain.
Luke 9:38
And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech
thee, Matthew 17:15 have mercy on my son Mark 9:17 which hath a dumb spirit; Luke
9:38
for he is mine only child. Matthew 17:15 He is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes
he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. Luke 9:39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him,
and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising
him hardly departeth from him. Mark 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth
him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away. Matthew 17:16 And
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I brought him to thy disciples, Mark 9:18 that they should cast him out; Matthew 17:16 and
they could not cure him.
“they could not cure him;” between Matthew, Mark, and Luke they give a pretty good
description of what possessed this kid: even though he couldn’t speak he would throw himself
into the fire; and into the waters like the river. Any one that did those things would be labeled as
a “lunatic.” He was “sore vexed” which means that he was constantly being agitated by this
demon. Then the spirit would take him, because he could not speak he would yell or howler; and
cause him to convulse like in an epileptic seizure. In Luke 9:39 above “it teareth him;” the
word teareth is Strong’s . “to mangle, i.e. convulse with epilepsy:— rend, tear.” {2}
Foaming at the mouth is part of one of these seizures; and while thrashing about the person gets
bruised. In Mark 9:18 above the word teareth is Strong’s . “to “break”, “wreck” or
“crack”, i.e. (espec.) to sunder,disrupt, lacerate; by impl. to convulse (with spasms); fig. to give
vent to joyful emotions:— break (forth), burst, rend, tear.” {2} The gnashing of teeth is all part
of these seizures. “pineth away;” is another way of saying withering away. And the nine
couldn’t get the job done despite the power given them by Jesus in Mark 3:15; 6:7.
Mark 9:19
He answereth him, and saith, Matthew 17:17 O faithless and perverse
generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him
hither to me. Luke 9:41 Bring thy son hither.
“O faithless and perverse generation;” this was a rebuke of everybody; the father, the nine, the
crowd that was present, the scribes who were probably snickering because the nine couldn’t heal
the boy, and Israel in general. {72}
Mark 9:20
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, Luke 9:42 as he was yet
a coming, the devil threw him down, Mark 9:20 straightway the spirit tare him; and he
fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
“when he saw him, . . .the devil threw him down;” the minute the spirit came near Jesus he
convulsed violently; Jesus has that kind of reaction around devils. When pure good meets pure
evil the evil is convulsed by the good; it can’t stand it. It’s like when you present light, darkness
dissipates into nothing.
Mark 9:21
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And
he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the
waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and
help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him
that believeth.24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with
tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
“How long . . . Of a child;” that’s since childhood! This boy is lucky to be alive yet.
“to destroy him;” this devil was a dangerous and violent one. Through numerous attempts it
tried to kill the boy by fire, by drowning, by throwing him to the ground and thrashing him
around. The boy and his father were most likely shunned not only because of his behavior, but
because of the numerous injuries and scars he was most likely disfigured.
“all things are possible;” at issue here is not Jesus’ power to heal but the father’s faith or lack
thereof. More importantly is that this is a teaching lesson for the disciples as part of their
grooming for apostleship. He will get into it after He heals the boy.
“I believe; help thou mine unbelief;” the cry of a desperate father admitting his weakness of
faith not knowing how to strengthen it. He begs Jesus to help him grow his faith to meet the
standards required of him.
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Mark 9:25
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul
spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of
him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and
came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27
But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. Luke 9:42 And
delivered him again to his father. Matthew 17:18 And the child was cured from that very
hour. Luke 9:43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.
“the people came running;” when He saw the crowds coming He acted without delay; first to
avoid the father further disgrace, and second to deny the thrill seekers any satisfaction. {72}
“I charge thee, come out of him;” the word charge should read command. Jesus’ authority
over demons was absolute (see Mark 1:32-34; 5:1-13;Luke 4:33-35) {72}
“enter no more into him;” Jesus said this because of the principle of:
Matthew 12:43
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house
from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and
garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more
wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that
man is worse than the first.
His command precludes this.
Mark 9:28
And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately,
Why could not we cast him out? Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of
your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard
seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall
remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Mark 9:29 And he said unto them,
Matthew 17:21
HowbeitMark 9:29This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and
fasting.
“Why could not we cast him out;” they had been given authority to cast out demons in
Matthew 10:6-8.
“Because of your unbelief;” well we got two reasons here: one is your faith, it ain’t there yet.
Two is prayer and fasting. Understand that there are ranks of demons, and this one required the
exorcist to draw on a closeness with God to prevail; hence the fasting and prayer. This is not
something for amateurs to go out and try or to dabble with; you’ll get your butt kicked at the
very least.
Acts 19:13
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had
evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14
And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the
evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in
whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that
they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks
also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was
magnified.
Jesus’ Second Prediction Of His Death And Resurrection
Mark 9:30
And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not
that any man should know it. Matthew 17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Luke
9:43
while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, Mark 9:31 For he
taught his disciples, and said unto them, Luke 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into
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your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men, Matthew 17:23
And they shall kill him.
Mark 9:31
And after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. Matthew 17:23 And they
were exceeding sorry, Luke 9:45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid
from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
“passed through Galilee;” remember that they were up in the area of Caesarea Philippi about
twenty-five miles north of Bethsaida. Their destination is Capernaum (see Matthew 17:24
below). This is their Journey toward Jerusalem that will result in Jesus’ crucifixion in just a few
months.
“would not that any man should know it;” His purpose during these last months is to prepare
His disciples for His death; something that He couldn’t do with the crowds pushing in around
Him. So He sought solitude with them.
“Let these sayings sink down into your ears;” even though it is Jesus speaking them, the idea
that these words contain will bounce off these guys brains like they were brick walls.
“shall be delivered;” betrayed by Judas Iscariot (see Matthew 26:47-50).
“it was hid from them, that they perceived it not;” by the power of God as part of His plan
(see Luke 24:44-46).
Jesus Pays The Tribute With Coin From Fish
Matthew 17:24
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute
money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith,
Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What
thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute?
of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus
saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we should
offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first
cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of
money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
“into the house;” this is most likely the same house that Jesus always used when in Capernaum.
Whether it was Peter’s house or not in unknown.
“tribute;” this was a half-shekel which was equivalent to about two days wages and was
actually the temple tax collected from every male over the age of twenty, for the upkeep of the
temple (see Exodus 30:13-14; 14:2; 2 Chronicles 24:9). Since kings didn’t make their sons pay
taxes, and since Jesus was God’s son, He should not have had to pay the tax either. But there
would have been a heck of an uproar if He didn’t. Since Judas held the bag (see John 12:6;
13:29) he must have been somewhere else as Jesus and Peter were alone.
Jesus Rebukes The Disciples Rivalry
Luke 9:46
Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be
greatest. Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, Mark 9:33 And
being in the house Matthew 18:1 saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Matthew 18:2
And Jesus Mark 9:33 asked them, What was it that ye disputed among
yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had
disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and
called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall
be last of all, and servant of all.
Mark 9:36
And he Luke 9:47 perceiving the thought of their heart, Mark 9:36 took a child, and
set him Luke 9:47 by him, Mark 9:36 in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in
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his arms, he said unto them, Matthew 18:3 Verily I say unto you, Except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Mark 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such
children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not
me, but him that sent me. Luke 9:48 For he that is least among you all, the same shall
be great.
“they held their peace;” Oh! Oh! Did we screw-up again?
“who should be the greatest;” this could have been brought on by the fact that twice now Peter,
James, and John have been singled out for special events (see Mark 5:37-43; Matthew 17:1-7).
Jesus’ teaching on humility went right over their heads and kept on going (see Matthew 5:3).
“he sat down;” this is how rabbis usually taught. It beats standing up shouting from a pulpit.
Because when you’re relaxed, your audience is relaxed and more receptive to what you have to
say.
“If any man desire to be first;” and these guys sure did (see Mark 10:35-37).
“be last of all, and servant of all;” the disciples’ idea of leadership and greatness came from the
kings and church leaders of their day; the exact opposite of what is required in the Kingdom of
God: Humble service!
“become as little children;” as pictured in the beatitudes, faith comes as a simple trusting
helpless dependence of the one that has nothing of themselves; no achievements or
commendations that can be offered on their behalf. As a infant depends upon others for
everything, so the greatest depend upon God for everything.
“receive one of such children in my name;” children here is a metaphor for true believers -
those who have humbled themselves like little children. {72}
“he that is least . . . the same shall be great;” the way to superiority in God’s Kingdom is
through humility and self denial. {72}
Warning Against Stumbling Blocks
Mark 9:38
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in
thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not
us.
“John answered;” this is the only time in the three synoptic Gospels that John alone speaks.
This is probably in response to the rebuke recorded in Mark 9:35-37 above. The man was a true
believer but John just didn’t like it because he wasn’t an official member of their group.
Mark 9:39
But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle
in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on
our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name,
because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Matthew 18:6
But whoso shall offend (entice to sin) one of these little ones which
believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of
offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom
the offence cometh!
“Forbid him not;” it is only logical to assume that if someone is doing good in your name that
He will not turn against you readily or “speak evil of” you, but is very dedicated to you. This is
why He said: “He that is not against us is on our part.” Luke 11:23 makes it clear that there is
no neutral ground here; you can’t be lackadaisical about Christ saying “Oh, I’ll jump on the band
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wagon some day.” You are either with Him or you are against Him and there is no in-between.
If you are going to jump on the band wagon some day, you are against Him because you are not
with Him now. And your being with Him has to be 100%. Anything less is withholding from
Him and therefore being against Him.
“because ye belong to Christ;” any act of kindness to His followers Jesus considers it to have
been done to Him personally:
Matthew 25:37
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a
stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee
sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto
them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of
these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
“his reward;” “inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Vs 34
“whoso shall offend (entice to sin);” and this can be done just by leading a bad example. If we
use bad language just once and some young one hears it and thinks that it is alright to use, woe
be to us for their sin is on us.
“a millstone;” this was a large round stone used for grinding grain that weighed closed to a ton
or better and was turned by a donkey or an ox. The Gentiles would sometimes use it as a form of
execution, so it was naturally repugnant to the Jews. But the Christian’s attitude should be that
he would rather suffer that death that rather than lead a young one into sin. {72}
“Woe unto the world;” the expected behavior of the world is to cause the Christians to stumble,
and sin.
“it must needs be that offences come;” otherwise Christians would not be challenged and
would not grow; they would remain as children.
“but woe to that man;” if he does not come to God at Great White Throne (see Revelation
20:11-15).
Matthew 18:8
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast
them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than
having two hands or two feet to be cast Mark 9:43 to go into hell, Matthew 18:8 into
everlasting fire that never shall be quenched: Mark 9:44 Where their worm dieth not,
and the fire is not quenched.
Matthew 18:9
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better
for thee to enter into Mark 9:47 the kingdom of God Matthew 18:9 with one eye, rather than
having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Mark 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and
the fire is not quenched.
“cut them off;” this is just a continuation of the same theme only now He personalizes it. And
no, Jesus in not advocating self-mutilation for dealing with sin. Sin is a problem of and in the
heart, the soul.
“life . . . hell;” these are the two things that all men will face; either eternal life or eternal death
in the fire of hell. Revelation 20:14 calls it the second death.
“fire;” is an all consuming thing; it reduces everything it touches to its basic physical elements.
But hell’s fire will consume the whole being into nothingness, as though they never existed.
That’s why it is called the second death. God is not a sadist that He would torture those that
didnot chose Him for eternity. He is even merciful to those that chose not to go His way
granting them a swift death.
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“never shall be quenched;” this is the permanency of that second death; once there, there’s no
getting out of it; you’re dead for ever. Of course you don’t know it because there is no you to
think this.
“worm;” this is the same principle as fire; whereas fire consumes so does the worm eat away at
the decaying body of the dead until it is all gone, no longer exist.
NOTE: if these sound familiar it is because they are repeats of Matthew 5:29-30 only in reverse
order.
Mark 9:49
For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted
with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye
season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
“every one shall be salted with fire;” salt is a preservative and fire purifies. So we will all be
purified be persecutions and sufferings that strengthens us and thus preserves us till the end.
“every sacrificeshall be salted;” is in Leviticus 2:13 and is done to assist burning the
Deuteronomy 29:23. {3}
“Salt is good;” refrigeration wasn’t invented until the late 1800’s so in Jesus time salt was their
was about the best food preservative that they had.
“Have salt in yourselves;” what causes you to endure through those persecutions and sufferings
mentioned above? Faith; pure and simple faith. And this produces Godly character; which in
turn preserves the society around us by having “peace one with another.”
Matthew 18:10
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you,
That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in
heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
“despise not one;” do not look down your nose at anyone for any reason: “there but for the
grace of God go I.”
“their angels;” the word is plural and refers to “their servants” (Hebrews 1:14). God’s angels
are always looking towards God for His command to assist or intervene in a believer’s life when
God deems it necessary. Angels don’t act on their own; only on the authority of God.
Matthew 18:12
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone
astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and
seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto
you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not
astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of
these little ones should perish.
“not the will;” it is not the desire of our Father that any one should perish. But, there is still that
free will thing that He gave us. This is why the angels above.
Teaching On Binding And Loosing And Forgiveness Explained
Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his
fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in
the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he
shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the
church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
“if thy brother shall trespass;” He is talking about a fellow believer here; this is church
discipline and is tied to the parable of the lost sheep above in verses 12–14, hence the
“Moreover” at the beginning of this instruction to tie them together.
“go and tell him . . . alone;” this should be done in love trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide you.
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“if he will not hear thee;” he don’t think that he did anything wrong. So you take two or three
with you to confirm everything that you say and he says.
Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for
any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth
of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
“tell it unto the church;” meaning the whole assembly. It’s now become a very serious matter
because he refuses to repent of a sin.
“if he neglect to hear the church;” he is no longer a member in good standing of the church. In
other words he is like he never was a member and needs to be evangelized all over again. Only
this time it will be much harder because of his stubbornness.
Matthew 18:18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound
in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
vs.19
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any
thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in
heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in
the midst of them.
“bind . . . loose;” remember back in Matthew 16:19 Jesus gave them the “keys of the kingdom”
that whatsoever they bound on earth would be bound in heaven and whatsoever they loosed on
earth would be loosed in heaven; well this whole thing of forgiveness of others is what binding
and loosing is all about.
“two or three are gathered;” is not necessary for God to be present; any Christian has access to
the throne of grace by them self. This is promise from God to claim wisdom for the church to
restore an errant brother. Here are three witnesses for the church: (Remember Deuteronomy
19:15 above)
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there
is safety.
15:22
Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
24:6
For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there
is safety.
Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Matthew 18:22
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until
seventy times seven.
“how oft shall . . . I forgive him;” Peter might be too quick to speak at times, but this time HE
GETS IT! It’s all about forgiveness of your brother.
“till seven times;” he probably thought that he was being generous in light of the fact that
Jewish tradition arising from Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13 taught that God only forgives three times. If
it is good enough for God then it is good enough for Israel. Very presumptuous!
“seventy times seven;” that is four-hundred ninety times; but who’s counting? Listen, if you’re
forgiving someone that many times a day, you are in the spirit of forgiveness and that’s where
God wants you. Stay there; and the instant that someone offends you, you will have already
forgiven them. And the next time you need forgiveness it will be right there.
Matthew 18:23
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which
would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was
brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he
had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children,
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and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down,
and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
27
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt.
“his servants;” the king does not take account of his household servants; no these were most
likely something like provincial governors or something like that who were in charge of taxes
and other monies.
“ten thousand talents;” a talent was the largest denomination of currency and ten thousand of
them was almost too high to count. But here’s the breakdown: a talent was 3000 shekels; and a
shekel equaled two days wages or 2 denarii. So that multiplies out to six million days wages.
That’s 16,666 and two thirds years, and when you consider that since Adam’s creation it has only
been about 6,000 years, that’s ten thousand plus more years to go. This was an insurmountable
debt.
“commanded him to be sold;” this was a way for the king to recover at least some of his losses
was to sell the whole family into slavery.
“moved with compassion . . . forgave him the debt;” remember that this is “the kingdom of
heaven likened unto” and God is the “king” here and we are the “servants” who have the
unpayable debt that God our King forgives. That debt is our sin that we can’t ever repay; it’s
like those sixteen thousand plus years accumulated wages that the servant in Jesus’ story can’t
repay.
“and loosed him;” notice that loosing is forgiving, binding is not forgiving or holding them
bound to their debt. This is the principle of binding and loosing of chapter sixteen.
Matthew 18:28
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants,
which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the
throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his
feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30
And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31
So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came
and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called
him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because
thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy
fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered
him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Matthew 18:35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your
hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
“he laid hands on him . . . took him by the throat;” you know that this is not going to turn out
very good when it starts out with violence. You think that the guy might have a case for assault?
“an hundred pence;” this is the same as a hundred denarii, a hundred days wages; a little over
three months. This is pocket change compared to what the one servant had just been forgiven by
the king.
“Have patience . . . I will pay thee all;” this is the same thing that the first servant had told the
king in his case; only this time he doesn’t have any compassion or generosity.
“cast him into prison;” this was a widespread Greco-Roman-Egyptian custom {3} called
debtors prison. How a person was supposed to pay off their debt while in prison is a little
sketchy.
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“Fellowservants . . . they were very sorry;” lack of forgiveness will affect the whole
community of believers. But most of all God is offended and He will severely chastise anyone
who does not forgive.
“his lord was worth;” does God get angry? You-betchem! But His anger is always righteous;
this guy was totally unrighteous for not forgiving his fellow servant. God always judges
righteously and fair. Besides who can argue with Him? Nobody!
“the tormentors;” notice that it doesn’t say prison. It doesn’t say executioners either; not a
final condemnation. It says torturers, severe discipline from where we get the word disciple
from.
“till he should pay all that was due;” the original unpayable debt has been reinstated and now
he has no resources. His master will exact payment of the debt in the form of chastening until he
is ready to forgive others.
NOTE: our sins have been forgiven and forgotten forever (see Psalm 103:12; Jeremiah 31;34;
Hebrews 8:12). This parable teaches us that it is our duty to forgive others (see Matthew 6:12,
14-15; 2 Corinthians 2:10; Ephesians 4;32). If we will mirror the forgiveness that has been
granted us then we will remain in a constant state of forgiveness of others (Matthew 18;22). {5}
Fall A.D. 29
Jesus Mocked By His Half-Brothers
John 7:1
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry,
because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at
hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea,
that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man
that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou
do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in
him. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway
ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that
the works thereof are evil. 8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this
feast; for my time is not yet full come. 9 When he had said these words unto them,
he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also
up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
“because the Jews;” John is talking about the church leaders here not the common people; the
common people received Him with joy (see Mark 12;37).
“Feast of Tabernacles;” was given by God in the Old Testament (see Exodus 23:16; Leviticus
23:23-36, 39-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-15). It was a seven day celebration after the fall harvest
and it pointed to the millennial reign of Christ with the eighth day a High Holy Sabbath pointing
to the Great White Throne Judgment which happens after the thousand years are up in
Revelation 20. This feast, all eight days, is “a statute forever” (Leviticus 23:41). Since we live
by every word that comes out of the mouth of God, why doesn’t the church celebrate this
important feast now? It and the other feasts were thrown out by the Council of Nicaea in the
early fourth century A.D. along with Passover, Trumpets, and Atonement. Passover and
Atonement are both statutes forever according to Leviticus 23; read the whole chapter and you’ll
find that God made these forever laws for all who believe.
“His brethren;” Jesus’ brothers were James, Joses, Simon, and Judas (or Jude) (see Matthew
13:55). Since the Holy spirit sired Jesus these men were only half-brothers of His. James and
Jude wrote New Testament books that bear their names. James became the leader of the
Jerusalem Church.
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“to be known openly . . . shew thyself to the world;” since His brothers weren’t believers yet
they needed proof of His Messiahship. And their idea of the Messiah was like the rest of the
people that He should take over the government and wipe out the Romans. And Jerusalem was
where He could do that.
“neither did his brethren believe in him;” They didn’t become believers till after the
resurrection. Like Jesus said “A prophet is not without honor except in His own country and in
his own house.” (See Matthew 13:57)
“My time is not yet come;” this is the same response that He gave to His own Mother at the
wedding feast at Cana (See John2:4). Jesus knew that He was set to die at Passover in the spring
not in the fall; that is part of the purpose of the Holy Days to point to an event in God’s plan for
our redemption. As the children of Egypt died so the children of Israel could be set free, so the
child of God, Jesus will die so that the children of men can be set free. In the mind of God it is a
very simple plan. So the mindset of Jesus was committed to the sovereign timetable of the
Father.
“your time is alway ready;” because of their ignorance and unbelief they were ready for Him to
prove Himself: “If you’re the Messiah, come on; let’s get it done! We have had three years of
hearing about this thing that you do.” They were trying to force the issue; Judas Iscariot took it
even further. But at least the timing was exactly right on. Imagine what would have happened if
the brothers of Jesus had been successful: Jesus would not have died on the cross and we would
not have forgiveness for our sins. When we, in ignorance try to force the issue, catastrophes can
happen.
“The world cannot hate you;” they were part of the world and the world loves its own.
“me it hateth, because I testify of it;” a true Christian will be living a life that glorifies God and
therefore will automatically draw the antagonistic hatred of the world. {72}
“as it were in secret;” this is one of those three times a year that all men were to appear before
the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem (see Deuteronomy 16:16). He just went without any fanfare
and maintained a low profile so the crowds wouldn’t know where He was.
Jesus’ Last Feast Of Tabernacles
Jesus Goes To The Feast Secretly
Luke 9:51
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received
up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his
face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready
for him.
“he should be received up;” this speaks ofHis ascension.
“stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem;” this marks a major shift in Jesus’ ministry from
Galilee to the Jerusalem area. And although He would make a return trip to Galilee it was only a
short visit. He did not stay in Jerusalem but made short trips into there for the feasts; the last
one of which was to be for His death at the next spring Passover.
“sent messengers;” these guys were to make reservations for accommodations in the Samaritan
village. He didn’t do this for Jerusalem. {72} Most Jews avoided the high road that went
through the Samaritan Country and took the Jordan River Road because they despised the
Samaritans.
Luke 9:53
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go
to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord,
wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them,
even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not
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what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy
men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
“because his face was . . . he would go to Jerusalem;” going to Jerusalem to worship was a
rejection of the temple on Mount Gerizim and a slap-in-the-face for Samaritan worship. There
was an intense rivalry between the Samaritans and the Jews about this. {72}
“James and John . . . command fire to come down;” this is why in Mark 3:17 they are called
“Boanerges,” that is “Sons of Thunder.” This is John’s second misstep in a short time (see Luke
9:49). They were quoting from 2 Kings 1:10.
“rebuked them;” His rebuke of James and John was for their overreaction to the Samaritans
rejection of Jesus’ choosing Jerusalem over Mount Gerizim. Jesus was the only one that was
right here: Mount Gerizim worship was part pagan. And God had put His Name and Temple in
Jerusalem. The Samaritans are being religiously intolerant because they won’t let Jesus and
crew spend the night. James and John want to destroy them for it; like they have never spent a
night out on the ground.
“Son of man;” this is the name that Jesus uses more than any other name, 83 times in the
Gospels and always by Jesus Himself. According to Daniel 7:13-14 it is a messianic title
referring to the humble humanity of the Christ who also lives in everlasting glory.
Daniel 7:13
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of
heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him nearbefore him. 14 And there was
given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should
serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom
that which shall not be destroyed.
Luke 9:57
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, Matthew 8:19 a certain scribe
came, and said unto him, Luke 9:57 Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but
the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Matthew
8:21
of his disciples Luke 9:59 Follow me. But he said Matthew 8:21 unto him, Luke 9:59 Lord,
suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury
their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:61
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them
farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man,
having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of
God.
“a certain scribe came;” this guy was going way out on a limb and against his fellow scribes by
declaring a willingness to follow Jesus. But he didn’t realize what the physical cost were going
to be.
“not where to lay his head;” Jesus didn’t have the Holiday Inn Express with its beauty-rest
mattresses and goose-down pillows to sleep on at night. A lot of the time He and the disciples
slept on the ground. He and the disciples had no permanent address or place to call home. They
were a bunch of vagabonds.
“suffer me first to go and bury my father;” this aspiring disciple was placing family
responsibilities and possibly an inheritance ahead of following Jesus.
“Let the dead bury their dead;” Jesus is referring to the spiritually dead taking care of the
routine matters of this world like burring the dead. The true disciple has to prioritize his
ministry.
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“looking back;” if you keep looking back you will run off the road because your eyes are not on
the road in front of you. Lot’s wife looked back and she turned into a pillar of salt in Genesis
19:26. God wants you to keep your focus on the mission ahead of you, not what’s behind you;
He’s got your back covered.
John 7:11
Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there
was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a
good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. 13 Howbeit no man spake
openly of him for fear of the Jews.
John 7:14
Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15
And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never
learned?
“the Jews;” these are the church and now civil leaders that sought Jesus that were headquartered
in Jerusalem.
“murmuring among the people;” this is the main crowd that knew anything about Him and all
had varying opinions about Him. One thing they all had in common was that they all feared the
church and civil leaders “for fear of the Jews.”
“about the midst of the feast;” the Feast of Tabernacles begins on the fourteenth of the seventh
month on God’s calendar which is called Tishri. ( It is the first month on their civil calendar).
Jesus could have arrived in time for the Feast of Trumpets which is on the first of this month.
The Scriptures don’t say. In any regards He remained in seclusion and avoided a premature
triumphal entry that could have forced upon Him a political Messiahship.
“Jesus went up into the temple, and taught;” despite the animosity and opposition of the
church leaders Jesus boldly entered into the Temple and taught knowing that His time had not
yet come. Now mind you, this is the middle of the Feast of Tabernacles when Israelites from all
over had migrated into Jerusalem per the command:
Deuteronomy 16:16
Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy
God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in
the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before
the LORD empty:
“marveled;” Jesus was brought up as a carpenter; He had never attended a rabbinical school. So
how did He learn to teach like this; with authority? And with knowledge? His teaching is
farbetter than anyone else.
John 7:16
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent
me. 17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of
God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own
glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no
unrighteousness is in him. 19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you
keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
“his that sent me;” this is why Jesus’ doctrine was far superior to the rabbis’ doctrine, Jesus’
came from God the Father whereas the rabbis relied upon the traditions of men passed down
from generation to generation. Jesus was God and He received His doctrine from God. It
doesn’t get any more authoritative or accurate than that.
“If any man will do his will, he shall know;” if you will do His will then you have an open
heart, and only an open heart can receive His message. And His message will be confirmed by
the Holy Spirit. This is the total Godhead in action (see the concentric circles of God diagram
above).
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“he that seeketh his glory that sent him;” this was the test of the true Messiah; other false
messiahs had come and gone acting in self glorification. Jesus didn’t seek to glorify Himself, He
glorified God the Father.
“kill me;” because I’m not breaking the law with you? Is that why you want to kill Me?
Because I tell people to keep the law, is that why you want to kill Me? You are in the world and
you hate anything that is not of the world. I came from God and therefore you hate Me because I
am not of you.
John 7:20
The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill
thee?
John 7:21
Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all
marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of
Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23 If a
man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be
broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the
sabbath day? 24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous
judgment.
“The people answered;” this is an unspecified group of attendees who happened to hear Jesus
speak.
“one work;” that one work is the following verses of 22 and 23 and they refer to when Jesus
healed a paralytic on a Sabbath (see John 5:1-16) which started all this persecution of Him by the
authorities. This came after Jesus had thrown out the money changers for the first time in John
2:13-17. The High Priest wanted to go after Him for clearing the Temple but needed an excuse;
by healing on the Sabbath they had one thing that the whole church leadership would get behind.
“but of the fathers;” God instituted the sign of circumcision through Abraham some five-
hundred years before Moses (see Genesis 17:10-14). It was later included in the Mosaic
covenant at Mount Sinai (see Exodus 4:26; 12:44-45).
“on the sabbath day;” if a male child were to be born on a Sabbath day, then he was supposed
to be circumcised on the eighth day of life which was the next Sabbath day.
Leviticus 12:1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of
Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she
shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her
infirmity shall she be unclean. 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin
shall be circumcised.
They do the good work of circumcising on the Sabbath thus breaking the no work policy of the
Law, and yet object to Jesus doing the good work of healing on the Sabbath; How hypocritical!
“I have made a man every whit whole;” Jesus puts up a comparison to them: if the ceremonial
cleansing of just one part of the body is ok under the law; then why isn’t the much greater
healing of the whole body permitted on the Sabbath? {72}
“judge righteous judgment;” exercises proper moral and theological discernment. Judging by
appearances is going by your own set of righteous guidelines and they are always askew.
John 7:25
Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to
26
kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers
know indeed that this is the very Christ? 27 Howbeit we know this man whence he
is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
“said some of them of Jerusalem;” these are obviously not the church leaders.
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“he speaketh boldly;” He openly declared that He was sent from God and He directly
challenged the Scribes and Pharisees on healing on the Sabbath question. He almost challenged
them to arrest Him in front of the crowds.
“Do the rulers know indeed thatthis is the very Christ;” the word “indeed” should read “of a
surety.” In other words the question is “Do the rulers know whether or not this is the Christ?”
Nobody knows for sure; none of them really believed in Him, and all had their doubts, hence
verse twenty seven.
“no man knoweth whence he is:” except for Micah 5:2 which tells where He is to be born.
Daniel 9:24-26 gives the timing of the Messiah. So now you know where and when He was
born. However in Malachi 3:1 it does say that He will appear suddenly in the temple which
speaks of His second coming for the millennial reign of Christ here on earth.
John 7:28
Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and
ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true,
whom ye know not. 29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
John 7:30
Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his
hour was not yet come. 31 And many of the people believed on him, and said,
When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath
done?
“cried Jesus in the temple as he taught;” this indicated a very strong emotion by proclaiming
something loudly.
“Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am;” in the earthly sense but not in the spiritual
sense. Why? Because they didn’t have a spiritual bone in their bodies!
“whom ye know not;” Jesus told them that He had been sent by God, was from God, that He
knew God, and that God was His Father. But because of this, they couldn’t know Him because
they didn’t know God, who is Spirit.
“his hour was not yet come;” God’s timetable for Jesus to be arrested was still a half year
away, He was to die at Passover.
“many of the people believed on him;” there was a mixed bag of conviction there; some
believed that Jesus was the Messiah; some weren’t sure; and some were on the side of the
Pharisees.
“do more miracles;” this shows how shallow their faith was of those that did believe; only
centered on the physical and not the spiritual.
Jewish Leaders Try To Arrest Jesus
John 7:32
The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him;
and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. 33 Then said Jesus
unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34
Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
John 7:35
Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not
find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the
Gentiles? 36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and
shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
“Pharisees and the chief priests;” these two groups were like fire and ice in their relationship
with each other. The chief priest were mainly, not all, Sadducees. Most of them were wealthy,
aristocratic, and conservative. The Pharisees were the progressives who had their own
interpretation and application of both the Scriptures and the Law, both written and oral.
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“officers;” of the temple guard composed of Levites who were the police for the temple and
surrounding area. This group was responsible for the arrest of Jesus and for guarding His tomb.
“Yet a little while am I with you;” this was the Feast of Tabernacles in early fall, Jesus died on
the day of Passover in mid spring, then He ascended forty-three days later just before Pentecost
in early June.
“where I am, thither ye cannot come;” at least not yet. Jesus is referring to going back to the
Father in heaven. Of course none of us is ready for that.
“unto the dispersed;” not only the Jews, but all the lost Tribes of Israel scattered abroad?
“teach the Gentiles;” is He going to teach all the nations? These are the questions that the those
in the crowd were asking; mostly nonbelievers.
“What manner of saying;” so in their ignorance they mock Jesus for His manner of speech:
“What kind of talk is this? He don’t make any sense at all.”
John 7:37
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If
any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the
scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this
spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy
Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
“the last day;” this is on a day after the events above. The last day is the eighth day of the
feast , 22 Tishri, is also the anniversary of Jesus’ circumcision thirty-three years ago.
“Jesus stood and cried . . . If any man thirst;” on the prior seven days the High Priest would
take a golden vessel containing water from the pool of Siloam and in a procession carry it back
to the Temple as the crowds chanted from the 118 th Psalm. As they came to the water gate there
would be three trumpet blasts to mark the joy of the day as they cried out form Isaiah 12:3. They
waved willow, palm, and myrtle branches toward the altar to remind God of His promises.
However on this last day they would shake their branches to pieces in an uncontrolled state of
revelry. Then suddenly a voice cries out: “If any man thirst,”
“let him come unto me, and drink.” That’s it folks; the Gospel in its simplest terms. If you
have a thirst, a need for satisfaction, for peace of mind, for peace in your soul He says to come to
Him; and He will satisfy your thirst and give you peace.
“as the scripture hath said;” He was probably referring to these scriptures: Isaiah 58:11;
Ezekiel 47:1-9; Zechariah 13:1; 14:8.
“living water;” a foreshadowing of the river of life of Revelation 22:1.
“spake he of the Spirit;” the Holy Spirit is the source of Holiness and spiritual power.
“Jesus was not yet glorified;” that doesn’t happen until His resurrection.
John 7:40
Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth
this is The Prophet. 41 Others said, This is the Christ.
John 7:41
But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture
said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem,
where David was? 43 So there was a division among the people because of him. 44
And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
John 7:45
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto
them, Why have ye not brought him?
John 7:46
The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
John 7:47
Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? 48 Have any of
the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? 49 But this people who knoweth not
the law are cursed.
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John 7:50
Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of
them,) 51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he
doeth?
John 7:52
They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and
look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
John 7:53
And every man went unto his own house. John 8:1 Jesus went unto the mount
of Olives.
“The Prophet;” Moses predicted that the prophet would come in Deuteronomy 18:15, 18.
“Christ cometh of the seed of David;” 2 Samuel 7: 14-17 says that He will be of the linage of
David.
“out of the town of Bethlehem;” is from Micah 5:2. They even knew when He would be born
from Daniel 9:24. What they didn’t realize was that after His birth He moved to Galilee and
grew up there. Does that really matter? Does that disqualify Him from being the Messiah
because He got moved to Galilee when He was a small kid?
“Division . . . taken him . . . laid hands on him;” as seen in verses forty and forty-one the
people were so divided on just what Jesus was: some saw Him for what He really was, the
Spiritual Messiah (although they didn’t understand what that meant). Some would have taken
Him and made Him the Political Messiah and over throne both Herod and the Romans. Others
wanted to lay their hands on Him and stone Him to death.
“the officers;” were Levites that had been trained in all religious matters of modern Judaism;
but when they came up against Jesus’ compelling teaching it penetrated their souls.
“answered;” they could have said that they feared that the crowd would riot.
“Are ye also deceived;” the Pharisees and Sadducees didn’t believe in Him therefore He
couldn’t be the Messiah. So in their arrogance they mock these Levites that are serving as police
for the Temple saying that they were being seduced by a deceiver.
“this people;” the Pharisees arrogance reaches new heights by accusing the common people of
ignorance of the law and especially failure to follow the Pharisees’ “oral traditions.”
“are cursed;” the Pharisees are saying that the common people are cursed because they don’t
follow God’s Law according to Deuteronomy 28:15. What’s so ironic is the fact that it is the
Pharisees that are under God’s wrath for rejecting His Son (John 3:36).
“Nicodemus;” makes a plea for justice by raising a procedural point of law that gets rejected
hands down.
“Doth our law judge;” he was speaking about the Talmud Law.
“out of Galilee ariseth no prophet;” now their ignorance and arrogance shows its ugliness
again because first of all Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Second, the prophets Jonah, Hosea,
Nahum, and perhaps Elijah, Elisha, and Amos were from Galilee or close to it. {5}
“every man went unto his own house;” It was the end of the Feast so everybody went home;
all except Jesus.
“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives;” to pray (see Luke 9:58).
Jesus Forgives The Woman Caught In Adultery
John 8:2
And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people
came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees
brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the
midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very
act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what
sayest thou?
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John 8:6
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus
stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them
not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto
them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
John 8:8
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which
heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning
at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing
in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he
said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned
thee?
John 8:11
She said, No man, Lord.
John 8:11
And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
NOTE: there is some controversy over this section of John: verses 2-11. Many say that it was
not part of the original contents of John. Some even say that it was in Luke’s Gospel right after
Luke 21:38. Somehow it made it here as a part of John’s Gospel in the King James Bible which
what we are working with; so we will include it here.
“early in the morning he came again;” the Feast is over with but a lot of people are still
hanging around.
“Moses in the law commanded us . . . be stoned;” this law, Deuteronomy 22:24 referred only
to a “betrothed damsel.” Damsel is Strong’s 5291. “a girl (from infancy to adolescence):—
damsel, maid (-en), young (woman).” {2} And Leviticus 20:10 doesn’t apply here because they
didn’t bring the male adulterer to be stoned. But we are talking about another man’s wife here
and not a young virgin. Therefore the Scripture is Numbers 5:11-31.
“tempting him . . . to accuse him;” if Jesus ignores the Law of Moses then all of His credibility
goes out the window.
“Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground;” and this is what He wrote:
Numbers 5:21
“Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say
unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD
doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell.”
“He that is without sin;” this is commanded by Deuteronomy 13:9 and 17:7 where the
witnesses of a capital crime are to initiate the execution, then the rest of the community were
compelled to join in. Everybody participated so that they all agreed in riding the evil from Israel
(17:7).
“again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground;” but He is using this as more than a
delaying tactic; again He writes: Numbers 5:23 “And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and
he shall blot them out with the bitter water.” This He wrote as the Pharisees left one by one till it
was just He and the woman. This sin, this curse was being blotted out.
“go, and sin no more;” leave your life of sin. This is probably the first time that she has ever
been showed compassion in her life.
Jesus Is The Light Of The World
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he
that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 8:13
The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy
record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of
myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye
cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no
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man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the
Father that sent me. 17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men
is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth
witness of me.
“spake Jesus again unto them;” this section is not connected to verse 7:52 above, but to a
subsequent occasion that happens in the treasury (see verse 8:20).
“I am the light of the world;” the “I am” harkens back to Exodus 3:14 when God identified
Himself as “I am that I am.” In John’s Gospel Jesus calls Himself seven different metaphors: I
am the bread of life 6:35; the light of the world 8:12; 9:5; the door of the sheep 10:7,9; the good
shepherd 10:11,14; the resurrection and the life 11:25; the true and living way 14:6; the true vine
15:1,5 all with the “I am” preceding them. By the way, seven is the number of spiritual
perfection (see The Companion Bible Appendix 10). He is not only spiritually prefect in all
these things, but these spiritual things are the attributes of Him that show us the way to the light
of life.
“he that followeth me;” the word “followeth” means to be a disciple. If you are a disciple of
Christ you will always walk in light and never in darkness. That doesn’t mean that you won’t
stumble once in a while, you just won’t walk in darkness.
“Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true;” “not true” doesn’t mean “false” here
it just means “not sufficient.” Jesus’ words required not one but multiple witnesses for the
establishment of the truth of a matter. Of course the Pharisees were ignoring John the Baptist
and others that followed Jesus and saw His miracles and believed in His teaching.
“Jesus answered and said unto them;” my record is true because I know where I came from
and where I am going, and you don’t.
“Ye judge after the flesh;” secondly, you judge based upon outward appearance, but I don’t
judge anybody. And even if I did judge My Father would be with Me in that judgment.
“It is also written;”and He fires their own law back at them: Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15.
“Father . . . beareth witness of me;” twice now since He’s been Human Jesus has heard His
father’s audible voice from heaven, and not just in prayer.
John 8:19
Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither
know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father
also.
John 8:20
These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no
man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.
John 8:21
Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and
shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
John 8:22
Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye
cannot come. 23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye
are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall
die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
“Where is thy Father;” the Pharisees couldn’t get out of their thick heads that Jesus was not
talking about His earthly Father. One tends to wonder if they ever had a spiritual thought.
“if ye had known me;” and this is it in a nutshell; they didn’t know just who Jesus really was.
They didn’t want to know; all they knew was that He did not follow their traditions so that
disqualified Him automatically. Their thoughts were “Until you step in line we don’t care who
you think you are. And if you go too far we will kill you.” Which is exactly what they did.
“ye should have known my Father;” In John 14 Philip says:
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John 14:8
“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus
saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known
me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then,
Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in
me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the
Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.”
The works the words were all from God but the Pharisees ignored them and that became their
sin; the rejection of God because of pride and arrogance.
“the treasury;” this is a part of the Temple in the court of the women. {3}
“laid hands on him;” arrested him.
“his hour was not yet come;” Jesus’ death was etched in prophecy and had to be fulfilled to the
letter as prophesied. So until that time He was untouchable. One other thing here: Jesus went to
the cross voluntarily; He could have avoided it but He went for our sakes, for our sins.
“I go my way;” literally: withdraw Myself; I’m going away. He said the same thing in 7:33-34
regarding His death, resurrection, and ascension. This just gives us the second witness.
“die in your sins;” this is the result of rejecting Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. And
this will happen because of their self righteousness, their willful ignorance, their worldliness, and
their flat-out unbelieving. Any one of these will cause you to die in your sins but the Scribes and
Pharisees had all four.
“Will he kill himself;” the comment “die in your sins” must have went right over their heads
like a flock of birds with no droppings. They come back with “What’s He going to do, kill
Himself?” In their tradition, suicide was such a heinous sin that it would get the person sent to
the deepest part of Hell. But Jesus was “delivered by the counsel and foreknowledge of God” to
be crucified (Acts 2:23). Also Jesus laid down His own life of Himself (John 10:18).
“Ye are from beneath;” Jesus is speaking in a spiritual context here about this fallen, sinful
world that is under the domination of Satan. Although invisible, his influence dominates the
world that man was supposed to be in charge of. This influence is in direct opposition to God
and all that He represents. It is by this domineering influence that he has spiritually blinded the
Scribes and Pharisees.
“ye shall die in your sins . . . ye shall die in your sins;” so they don’t miss the point Jesus
repeats this phrase two more times so that it will sink in.
“if ye believe not;” refusal to believe after being exposed to the truth is the fatal sin that will get
you the Lake of Fire. All other sins can be forgiven of once repented of.
“I am he;” the “He” was added by translators. Jesus was flat-out saying that He was the
Yahweh of the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14) thus claiming deity for Himself. Of course the
Pharisees jumped right on that with the question in the next verse:
John 8:25
Then said they unto him, Who art thou?
John 8:25
And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the
beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is
true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
John 8:27
They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. 28 Then said Jesus
unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am
he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these
things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I
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do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words, many believed
on him.
“Who art thou;” He said that He is not of this world (verse 23 above); well then just who are
you? Their willful ignorance despite Jesus’ own words and actions and multiple witnesses is
absolutely baffling.
“I said unto you from the beginning;” hello, is anybody home? Jesus has been saying the
same thing from the very start of His ministry among the People. But because He doesn’t
conform to their concept of Messiah they are turning a deaf ear.
“When ye have lifted up the Son of man;” Jesus is talking about His crucifixion.
“then shall ye know that I am he;” having crucified Him in their willful ignorance, they will
wake up one day to the horrific realization that that they should have worshipped Him instead of
rejecting Him. After His resurrection and ascension many who had initially rejected Jesus ended
up believing in Him as the Messiah (see Acts 2:36-41) including His half-brothers.
Jesus’ Relationship To Abraham
John 8:31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my
word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.
John 8:33
They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to
any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
John 8:34
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth
sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but
the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free
indeed.
“which believed on him;” belief in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God is the first step in
becoming a disciple of Christ. This is directed to new converts.
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;” the word continue is Strong’s
. “a primary verb; to stay; abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry
(for), × thine own.” {2} Abide, dwell, endure, remain, all say what Jesus is saying here: this is
the second step in your true discipleship. You must persevere in obedience to the Scriptures so
that you might “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17) By doing this the Father, Son
and Holy Spirit will dwell in you.
“the truth;” Jesus said to the Father “Thy word is truth.” John put it this way in chapter one:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the
Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1,14) That truth is everything about
Jesus being the Messiah, the Son of God, and the message that He brought. Knowing the truth
will make you free from the bondage of sin.
“They answered him;” throughout this eighth chapter the Pharisees have engaged in an
exchange with Jesus (see verse 13). They are also called by the noun “Jews” (see verses 22, 48,
52, 57) and the pronoun “they” (see verses 19, 25, 27, 33, 39, 41, 59). However in verses 30-32
above there is a bright spot as we see those in the crowd who are called Jews that heard what
Jesus said to the Pharisees and were converted. BRAVO! But now we hear the bad guys speak
again as they object to what He said to the new believers about being free in verse 32.
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“never in bondage to any man;” they couldn’t have been talking about political bondage
because they had been in some form of bondage over the past eighteen hundred years to Egypt,
Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Syria, and now Rome. They did have several hundred years of non-
bondage just before, through, and just after the Saul, David, and Solomon era.
“Whosoever committeth sin;” everyone who practices a lifestyle of sin. It becomes part of
your nature to sin and thus rebel against God. It is a thing from deep within your soul, not a
physical thing. Oh, it usually manifest itself in a physical manner but it is born out of the soul.
“the servant of sin;” this is a spiritual slavery that the slave himself cannot break away from; he
must have someone else set him free.
“the servant abideth not;” the servant, the slave is not a permanent resident of the house with
all privileges. But the “Son” is always a family member with all its privileges forever.
(Remember the story of prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. No matter what he did he was still a
member of the family.) And as a family member, He could bestow those family privileges on
others. So here Jesus, as the Son of the God Family bestows upon us who believe all the
privileges of the God Family.
John 8:37
I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my
word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and
ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
“Abraham’s seed;” Abraham acted in faith and obedience to the word of God. These
opponents of Jesus are acting out of neither, when both are required for forgiveness and entry
into God’s Family. Abraham was a Son of God and acted like one.
John 8:39
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto
them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But
now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of
God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father.
“the works of Abraham;” What Jesus is saying is that in order to be Abraham’s child you have
to not only have his genes, but also act like he did. These were doing just the opposite; when
they heard the word of God they set out to kill first John the Baptist and now Jesus proving that
their father is not Abraham but Satan the murderer.
John 8:41
Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father,
even God.
John 8:42
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I
proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43
Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth
in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the
father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
“We be not born of fornication;” of course this is a slap in the face about Jesus’ birth being
illegitimate because Mary came home pregnant after being away for three months while she was
betrothed to Joseph. This is taking place in Jerusalem so some of these Pharisees must have been
from the Galilee area.
“If God were your Father, ye would love me;” we were all created by God and that makes us
physically his children. But since we all die physically that ends at the grave. However, if we
love God and His Son according to the criteria that He has set forth, then it changes to a whole
new dynamic, it goes spiritual; and that’s forever! And so are we.
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“your father the devil;” spiritually speaking, whose son you are depends on your conduct; for a
son will repeat what he sees in his father. You can claim anything, but the proof is in the
conduct as to whom you belong. And this is where the saying applies: “You can fool some of
the people all of the time; and all of the people some of the time. But you can’t fool all of the
people all of the time.”
“He was a murderer from the beginning;” a manslayer, because death came through him. His
temptation of Adam and Eve brought about their spiritual death and thus physical death to all
mankind. His influence on Cain fomented into the murder of Abel, and in the same way it will
bring about the death of Jesus.
“he is a liar, and the father of it;” when you have such negative conduct it is natural that you
would lie to cover it up. After all, pride is at stake here; we don’t want to admit that we are evil.
In Job when God asked Satan what he was up to he responded: “From going to and fro in the
earth, and from walking up and down in it.” (Job 1:7) He said that he was just taking a walk
when in reality he was responsible either directly or indirectly, for all the death and mayhem that
was transpiring on the earth.
John 8:46
Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not
believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not,
because ye are not of God.
John 8:48
Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a
Samaritan, and hast a devil?
John 8:49
Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do
dishonour me. 50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and
judgeth. 51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never
see death.
“convinceth me of sin;” who convicts Me of sin? Only the perfectly Holy God-Made-Man
could ever utter these words in all honesty. The Pharisees couldn’t come up with a single piece
of evidence or honest testimony that Jesus had ever sinned against God.
“thou art a Samaritan;” the Pharisees are getting heated now and their emotions are running so
high that rational thinking is out the window. So they start name calling Him even though they
knew that He was a Galilean. This all started because Jesus said that they were not legitimate
children of Abraham (verses 39-40) but were of the devil (verse 44). The narrow minded
Pharisees claimed exclusive right for all Israelites to be called Abraham’s children. Both the
Samaritans and Jesus challenged that viewpoint as bigoted and wrong. After all, Abraham had
other children and so did Isaac.
“ye do dishonour me;” despite the fact that their eternal destiny was at stake they dishonored
Jesus though their insults and their trying to kill Him.
“never see death;” obviously Jesus is talking about eternal life here; something that physical
death can’t stop.
John 8:52
Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil.
Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he
shall never taste of death. 53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is
dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
John 8:54
Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father
that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: 55 Yet ye have not known
him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto
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you: but I know him, and keep his saying. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see
my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
John 8:57
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou
seen Abraham?
John 8:58
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I
am.
“Abraham is dead;” once again the Pharisees continued to think in the physical earthly realm
and not the spiritual. The biblical definition of physical death is when a person’s consciousness
separates from their body as the body decays. Spiritual death on the other hand is when a
person’s consciousness separates from God.
“whom makest thou thyself;” just who do you think you are? You’re being awfully conceded
here as far as we’re concerned.
“Your father Abraham rejoiced;” Abraham did see Jesus’ day as Hebrews 11:13 confirms:
“having seen them afar off.” He believed that through Isaac would be the fulfillment of the
covenant (see Genesis 112:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-8; 22:8) that would ultimately end in the Messiah.
“Abraham was, I am;” before Abraham was born, I existed. I am Yahweh, the voice of God
who spoke to Abraham. The “I am” here (Strong’s 1510) is the same as in Exodus 3:14 where
God tells Moses who He is: “I AM THAT I AM” (Strong’s 1961). Both have the same meaning:
“I exist.” And He always has, from eternity past.
John 8:59
Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out
of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
“took they up stones;” the Pharisees were angered over Jesus’ claim which in their eyes
violated Leviticus 24:16 and charged them to stone Him to death. (Funny thing: where did all
these loose stones come from? Did they keep buckets of loose stones around for occasions like
this? Or was the Temple in a bad state of repair that if had so many loose stones?)
“Jesus hid himself . . . through the midst of them;” Houdini should have taken lessons from
Jesus. Jesus just disappeared and passed right through the crowd like they weren’t even there.
And they are left standing there holding their rocks. His hour had not yet come.
Jesus Commissions And Sends Out The Seventy
Luke 10:1
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them
two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would
come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers
are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth
labourers into his harvest. 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs
among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by
the way. 5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn
to you again. 7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as
they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8And
into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set
before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom
of God is come nigh unto you. 10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they
receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 11 Even the
very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you:
notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto
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you. 12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom,
than for that city.
“appointed other seventy also;” this commissioning of seventy additional disciples to be “sent
out” is only recorded here in Luke. These also account for part of the one-twenty in the upper
room on Pentecost.
“sent them two and two;” this is the same as the twelve were sent (see Ecclesiastes 4:9,11).
“harvest truly is great;” suggest that a positive response awaited those being sent.
“lambs among wolves;” this was a popular expression in Judaism. {5} In this case it meant that
the disciples would face danger and hostility.
“purse, nor scrip, nor shoes;” nothing extra, just the clothes on your back; no luggage; and yes
you can wear your sandals.
“salute no man by the way;” in that culture it could become a big deal to meet someone on the
road; it could turn into a meal. In the canon of the Jews it says that if a man is doing any sacred
work they are exempt from all civil obligations for that time since obedience to God is for more
important than the returning of civil compliments. {44} Jesus gave them this exemption to stress
the urgency of the Gospel.
“Go not from house to house;” whatever house you start at stay there as your headquarters and
don’t waste time moving around.
“dust of your city . . . wipe off against you;” when leaving a heathen city an Israelite would
always shake the dust off their clothes and feet so as not to bring any of that polluted ground
with them. But to do that to an Israelite city would equate that city with the Heathen.
“more tolerable in that day for Sodom;” these towns that would not receive the preachers of
the Gospel and are to be punished more severely than Sodom. Imagine what going is to happen
to those who outright voice against it, abuse those that preach it, water it down with lies, or
render it useless with tradition and ceremony.
Luke 10:13
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty
works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a
great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it shall be more
tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 15 And thou,
Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 16 He that
heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that
despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
“Woe unto thee, Chorazin;” stood on a plateau above the Sea of Galilee about two and a half
miles north of Capernaum.
“woe unto thee, Bethsaida;” was located east of the Jordan River in the low lands just north of
the Sea of Galilee.
“Tyre and Sidon;” on the Mediterranean coast in Lebanon.
“He that heareth you heareth me;” with these words Jesus puts His full authority behind their
preaching and amplifies the seriousness of rejection.
The Seventy Returns
Luke 10:17
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are
subject unto us through thy name.
Luke 10:18 19
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the
20
power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
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Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather
rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:21
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord
of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and
hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
22
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son
is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will
reveal him.
Luke 10:23
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the
eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and
kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and
to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
“returned again with joy;” the length of their mission is not recorded. They probably came
staggering in two at a time over a course of a few days and when they were all assembled they
had this conversation with Jesus.
“devils are subject unto us;” and the key was “through thy name;” only in the name and
authority of Jesus will any of Satan’s world be subject to you (see Acts 19:13-17).
“I beheld Satan as lightning fall;” “why are you surprised that devils are subject to you? I
watched as the chief devil was thrown out of heaven. So all of his followers were cast out with
him. And I have authority over all of them and have delegated that authority to you.” Jesus was
letting them know that it was by HIS authority that those deliverances were performed, lest they
be prideful; which was the reason that Satan fell. {72}
“power to tread on serpents and scorpions;” these are symbols for Satan the serpent in Garden
of Eden, and demons which are symbolized as scorpions in Revelation 9. This is authority over
their powers.
“in this rejoice not;” the whole message of Jesus was the Kingdom of God. The healings and
deliverances were just a part of it; they made the person whole again so that they could enjoy the
kingdom to the fullest. So don’t get so excited that you can do these things, keep your eyes
focused on Jesus and the Gospel.
“your names are written in heaven;” this is what you should rejoice in. Earthly people have
their names written in earth’s books and are lauded over. Your’s are written in heaven’s book.
“thou hast hid these things;” one has to have an open heart in order to receive God’s message.
The Pharisees and Scribes had idolized their own wisdom to the point that their hearts were
hardened and could not receive anything. A humble heart is soft and open to God. Jesus makes
a similar statement on another occasion in Matthew 11:25-26.
Parable Of The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master,
what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luke 10:26
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
Luke 10:27
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and
thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 10:28
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt
live.
Luke 10:29
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my
neighbour?
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“Lawyer;” Matthew in 22:35 and Luke here and 11:45-46 are the only gospel writers that use
the term “lawyer.” And it usually refers to a scribe, a doctor or teacher of the law.
“what shall I do to inherit eternal life;” any doctor or teacher would know this if he knows
anything.
“he answering said;” since this was a test, Jesus made him answer his own question by quoting
Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. These are the same two scriptures that Jesus uses on
another occasion in Matthew 22:37-40. {72}
“this do, and thou shalt live;” God gave us His Law and if we do we shall live (See Leviticus
19:18; Ezekiel 20:11). But somewhere along the line this guy picked up a guilty conscience
because he now feels the need to justify himself.
“who is my neighbor;” as far as the Scribes and Pharisees were concerned a person’s neighbor
was anybody that was righteous, and that was few and far in-between. Everybody else was to be
hated; especially tax collectors, prostitutes, Gentiles, and especially Samaritans. This was a
spiteful personal hatred of individuals. What Jesus teaches is to hate the sin but love the sinner
no matter what their background.
Luke 10:30
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to
Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded
him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a
certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and
passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came
where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to
him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own
beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow
when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto
him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I
will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto
him that fell among the thieves?
Luke 10:37
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.
Luke 10:37
Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
“down from Jerusalem to Jericho;” is not an easy road to travel. It is seventeen miles of
rocky, twisty, robber infested road that has about a thirty-three hundred foot drop. The thieves
like to hide in caves that dot the winding switch-backs.
“a Levite;” from the tribe of Levi but not of the descendants of Aaron the priests. The Levites
assisted the priests in the work of the temple. Both of these that passed by intentionally avoiding
this injured fellow countryman by walking on the other side of the road and pretending that they
just didn’t see thus violating Deuteronomy 22:1-4.
Deuteronomy 22:1
Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide
thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. 2 And
if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring
it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it,
and thou shalt restore it to him again. 3 In like manner shalt thou do with his ass;
and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother’s,
which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not
hide thyself. 4 Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way,
and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.
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“Samaritan;” it was rather unusual for him to be traveling on this road between two Jewish
cities. Not only was he subject to the same things that the others were but he would face the
hostilities of Jews that hated Samaritans.
“oil and wine;” back then many travelers carried these as a first-aid kit and here’s why: if you
beat both of them together they form a medicine for flesh wounds. To bind up a fresh cut
immediately bind it up in a soft rag or lint and then moisten with wine–oil mixture, the cut will
heal faster than by any other means.
“two pence;” the word “Pence” is Strong’s . “day-nar´-ee-on; of Latin origin; a denarius
(or ten asses):— pence, penny [-worth].” {2} This is two days wages (see Matthew 20:2; 22:19)
which would have been more than enough to allow the man to recover.
“neighbour unto him;” Jesus turned the tables on the lawyer by reversing his question (verse 29
above). Jesus proves to him that “Any person in need is a neighbor in deed.” The moment that a
person if in need or distress is near you they have a claim on your compassion, mercy, and
kindness, as you would on theirs if the circumstances were reversed.
Jesus Visits Martha And Mary
Luke 10:38
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village:
and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a
sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
Luke 10:40
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her
therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:41
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful
and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath
chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
“a certain village;” called Bethany which was located on the east slope of the Mount of Olives
about two miles from the Temple in Jerusalem. {72}
“Martha received him into her house;” apparently it was Martha’s house and her sister Mary
and Brother Lazarus (See John 11:1) lived with her. Martha’s name means “mistress” and was
most likely a widow.
“cumbered;” running all around with much serving. After all, it wasn’t just Jesus that
appeared on her doorstep, the disciples came with him. She was busy providing hospitality to
Jesus and company, so there was at least seventeen of them.
“Lord, dost thou not care;” Martha asks Jesus to intervene in the affairs of the relationship
between her and her sister; not good.
“Martha, Martha;” you can just see Jesus standing there as He puts His hand on Martha’s
shoulder with that tender smile on His face and sighs “Martha, Martha.” Just picture the beauty
of that.
“one thing . . . good part;” but Jesus says that the good part, the better part for Mary is listening
to and learning the Gospel. Jesus’ answer is not a rebuke of Martha so much as it is a lesson that
Martha learned very well as seen in John 11:27 when she recognizes Jesus’ ability as Christ to
raise her brother from the dead.
Further Teaching On Prayer
Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he
ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also
taught his disciples.
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Luke 11:2
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in
earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also
forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but
deliver us from evil.
Luke 11:5
And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto
him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of
mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he
from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my
children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though
he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his
importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luke 11:9
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and
he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son
shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask
a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he
offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto
your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to
them that ask him?
“Lord, teach us to pray;” we know that Andrew, and most likely John were disciples of John
the Baptist. And he had taught his disciples prayers; so Jesus’ disciples were asking for the same
thing. This was not uncommon for rabbis to teach their disciples certain prayers to recite.
Having observed Jesus praying they knew that it was more than just speaking words.
“Our Father;” this is almost the same prayer model that Jesus gave in Matthew 6:9-13 in the
Sermon on the Mount. It’s a prayer model; that’s why there is variations in the two versions.
Don’t recite this prayer verbatim as it reads in scripture, use it as a format to pray to God. Just
talk to God like you would talk to your daddy one on one. Just keep in mind that this is a
commandment to call Him Father and nothing else.
“Hallowed be thy name;” but unlike your earthly daddy, God is the ultimate in uniqueness for
He is holy, set apart, unmatched in His character and attributes; which is what Hallowed means.
Just keep this in mind and approach Him with reverence. (See Psalm 8:1,9; 9:10; 22:22; 29:2;
52:9; 86:12; 96:8; 105:3; 115:1)
“my children are with me in bed;” one room houses were very common in Israel in those days
and therefore there was a common sleeping area for the whole family. If you lit a candle it
would wake-up the whole family, and you just got the kids put to sleep. {72}
“because of his importunity;” to press or urge with troublesome persistence. {30}
“being evil;” that is by nature
Pharisees Make Blasphemous Claims Again
Luke 11:14
And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass,
when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But
some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the
devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
Luke 11:17
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
18
If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because
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ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out
devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
20
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is
come upon you. 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in
peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he
taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. 23 He
that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
“it was dumb;” that is the devil was dumb; either wouldn’t or couldn’t speak.
“the dumb spake;” the one who had the devil cast out of him.
“But some of them said;” of course these are the Judean Pharisees and they are just as self-
righteous and hypocritical the ones up in Galilee. Jesus tells them the same thing that He told the
ones up there.
“Beelzebub the chief of the devils;” in Second Kings 1:2 the king of Samaria calls upon this
god of Ekron to see if he will survive an illness. This god is the “Lord of the Flies” especially
those of a stinging nature.
“a sign from heaven;” what do you want? Do you want me to rearrange the stars for you; put
the moon on a different course; as if casting out a demon isn’t enough for you?
“knowing their thoughts;” Jesus knew that they were trying to tempt them because He was
God in the flesh and knew all things.
“kingdom divided against itself;” by them saying that Jesus miracles were done by the power
of Satan was illogical. If Satan cast out a demon he would be destroying his own work. Also, if
you look beneath the surface there is a poke at the Nation of Israel which had been divided since
just after Solomon’s death. That was over seven hundred years ago.
“by whom do your sons cast them out;” if by the power of God , why then do you dream up
this illogical accusation? In point of fact, Acts 19:13-16 bears out that many of the Jewish
exorcists were charlatans. The word “sons” indicates disciples or younger Rabbis.
“they be your judges;” if you are accusing Jesus of being in league with Satan, then what about
them? Are you accusing them also of being in league with the devil? You would be judging
them as false while they respect you as holy men.
“the finger of God;” the Pharisees were very familiar with this term because it was steeped in
their history: when Moses performed great wonders before Pharaoh, at first the magicians were
able to duplicate them. Then came the plague of the lice. Aaron stretched his rod upon the land
and the dust of the earth became lice in both man and beast (Exodus 8:17). When the magicians
tried to do this they failed, and went and told Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19).
By using the phrase “the finger of God” here Jesus emphasizes the supremacy of His miracles
over that of so-called cures performed by the sons of the Pharisees.
“a strong man;” i.e., Satan
“a stronger than he;” i.e., Christ
“armour wherein he trusted;”the Greek word for “armour” is the word that we get “panoply”
from. Panoply is something that forms a protective covering. Now remember, we are talking
about the spirit world here. So every time that Jesus cast out a demon He was putting a dent in
Satan’s panoply. One day it will be stripped completely off and Satan will be cast into the Lake
of fire.
“divideth his spoils;” to the conqueror goes the spoils. Jesus is the conqueror, the one who
drove out the evil one; therefore it is He that gets to dwell in its stead. But the person that was
delivered also shares in this good fortune and so does their family and friends.
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“He that is not with me is against me;” the Gospel forces everyone to chose, you can’t remain
neutral. Either God comes first in your life or He doesn’t. There is no second or third place; He
has to be numero-uno or whatever is has become an pagan idol.
Luke 11:24
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house
whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26
Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself;
and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the
first.
“the unclean spirit is gone out;” although this is a repeat of Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus takes the
opportunity to show what happens with the phony exorcisms of verse 19 above that in the end
the one to whom the demon was cast out has seven others infect him in verse 26. Not good!
Luke 11:27
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the
company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare
thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are
they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
“Yea rather;” Jesus in His gentle way reproves this woman who is the first in the New
Testament to fulfill the prediction in the Magnificat that “All generations shall call me blessed”
(Luke 1:48). Once again, not denying the reference to His mother, He points out that spiritual
kinship is more important than the physical relationship to Jesus.
Luke 11:29
And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is
an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the
sign of Jonas the prophet. 30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall
also the Son of man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the south shall rise up in
the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came
from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a
greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of
Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
“they seek a sign;” Jonah preached to Nineveh, a heathen city, and even the king repented as a
result of his word. Jesus came preaching and all that leaders of the people wanted was miracles
and tricks to prove His authenticity; and even then they said that He was the Devil. (See Luke
16:31)
“Jonas was a sign;” Jonah would have never have been believed except for his experience of
the three days and nights in the belly of the great fish was after all, such an astounding miracle
that the “word came unto the king of Nineveh” (Jonah 3:6). Jesus was telling them (in verse 30)
as He did in Matthew 12:40, that He would do something similar by being in the belly of the
earth for three days and three nights; but He too would come out of the earth, be resurrected.
This would be His sign to the this evil generation.
Luke 11:33
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither
under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. 34
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole
body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of
darkness. 35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. 36
If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall
be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
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“light of the body;” there should be a paragraph change here because there is a change of
subject. Light here is the Word of God and eye represents your absorbing that Word.
“when thine eye is evil;” these people had an evil eye. The light was all around them; Jesus had
performed all kinds of miracles and preached to show the light. They refused to except any of it
because of evil eyes.
The First Six Woes To The Scribes, Pharisees, And Lawyers
Luke 11:37
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he
went in, and sat down to meat. 38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that
he had not first washed before dinner. 39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye
Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part
is full of ravening and wickedness. 40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is
without make that which is within also? 41 But rather give alms of such things as
ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
“had not first washed before dinner;” the Greek word for “washed” is Strong’s . bap-tid´-
zo; to makeoverwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial
ablution, espec. (tech.) of the ordinance of Chr. baptism:— baptist, baptize, wash.” {2} This was
a ceremony that the Pharisees had practically turned into a law. But the Pharisee “marvelled”
because this great religiousteacherdidn’t follow this “tradition of the elders.” Come on now,
don’t you think that Jesus knew about this washing thing when He accepted the invitation to
dinner? He sat down without washing purposely to teach this very lesson that He is teaching
here.
“inward part is full of ravening and wickedness;” Here are Strong’s definitions of these two
words: Ravening “. Pillage, extortion, ravening, spoiling.” {2} Wickedness “.
depravity, i.e. (spec.) malice;plots, sins:— iniquity, wickedness.” {2} Jesus was calling this guy
out as being a plotting thief. This Pharisee, and all the others were stealing the spirituality of
God’s law and burying it in a bunch of man-made rituals and making it sound like God
commanded them. What’s worse, is that they believed them themselves to be the truth and
righteous.
“Ye fools;” for laying down these rules that only skirt around physical defilement while
permitting all manner of wickedness. Didn’t the same God that create the outside also createthe
soul? The list of people that Jesus called “fools” were probably some well known folks: the man
who built his house on sand (Matthew 7:26); the rich farmer who mistakenly took his body for
his soul (Luke 12:20); and the foolish virgins of the parable (Matthew 25:1). God’s definition of
a fool is anyone that neglects the needs of their soul for salvation in favor of the body.
“alms of such things as ye have;” your alms should be compassion, mercy, and justice and then
you will be clean.
Luke 11:42 Matthew
But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and
23:23 Luke 11:42 Matthew 23:23
anise (dill) and cummin, and all manner of herbs,
and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, Luke
11:42
and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other
undone.
Luke 11:43
Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the
synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
Luke 11:44
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves
which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
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“ye tithe . . . all manner of herbs;” these were not the kind of farm produce that Leviticus
27:30 had in mind. These folk had a little herb garden out back for seasoning their meals and
were tithing off of it to the point that they would count dill seeds.
“greetings;” these were showy, egotistical, almost to the point of being ceremonial depending
upon the person’s rank.
“graves which appear not;” to touch a grave would make a person ceremonially defiled for
seven days (Numbers 19:16). So the graves were whitewashed to prevent people from walking
on them. However here Jesus says that the Pharisees are like graves that unmarked so that they
can defile men. Their hypocrisy hides their true nature, so that men are taken in and corrupted
without even being aware of it.
Luke 11:45
Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying
thou reproachest us also.
Luke 11:46
And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens
grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your
fingers.
Luke 11:47
Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your
fathers killed them. 48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your
fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. 49 Therefore
also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of
them they shall slay and persecute: 50 That the blood of all the prophets, which
was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51
From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between
the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this
generation.
Luke 11:52
Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye
entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
Luke 11:53
And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began
54
to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they
might accuse him.
“one of the lawyers;” this one was probably a scribe because Jesus specifically mentions
“scribes” in verse 44.
“thou reproachest us;” “you literally insulted us.” He’s talking about the word “Hypocrites” in
verse 44 that Jesus had just delivered. He didn’t like that so Jesus immediately gives him three
“woes” to consider.
“ye build the sepulchres of the prophets;” in Matthew 23:30-31 they admit that their fathers
killed the prophets and here Jesus says “Yea, and you build a memorial to it!” The prophets
foretold of Jesus; so by their opposing Him they were doing the same kind of action of killing the
prophets that their fathers did.
“the wisdom of God;” ARTB reads: “Bcause of this, the wisdom of God also says: ‘Behold I
have dispatched to them the prophets and the Sent-Representatives. 50 The blood of all those
prophets was splashed from the creating of the world will-be sought from this generation.’” {7}
It is the wisdom of God, (and who’s going to challenge that?) to keep sending prophets and
apostles into this world to shine the light in the darkness. Here He pronounces judgment upon
the unbelieving generation. Within forty years Rome laid siege to Judea and scattered the
survivors.
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“the key of knowledge;” through their traditions they had replaced the true way of interpreting
the scriptures which point to the kingdom of the Messiah. This kept people in ignorance with
regards to the Messiah and hindered them from entering into His Kingdom.
“to catch;” to lay snares like men who catch birds.
Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable
multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say
unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is
hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid,
that shall not be known. 3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall
be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be
proclaimed upon the housetops.
“innumerable;” Strong’s 3461, a “myriad” or indefinite number. {2}
“the leaven;” beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees because in the end, there is nothing that
will not be exposed – both good and evil.
Luke 12:4
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and
after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall
fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say
unto you, Fear him.
“Fear him;” Have a healthy child-to-father fear (respect) for God. If you follow the two great
commandments you already have the necessary fear of God.
Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is
forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
“five sparrows;” these two verses, six and seven, are repeats of Matthew 10:20.
“two farthings;” two assaria or an eighth of a Denarius. That’s an eighth of a day’s wage.
“not one of them is forgotten before God;” even the most minute detail of His creation God is
in full awareness of and sees to its needs.
“hairs of your head are all numbered;” the average head has anywhere from 75,000 to
150,000 hairs depending upon age, sex and heritage.
“Fear not therefore;” If He knows what happens to each and every sparrow, how much more
does He attend to you the pinochle of His creation.
Luke 12:8
Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the
Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before
men shall be denied before the angels of God.
Luke 12:10
And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be
forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be
forgiven.
Luke 12:11
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and
powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall
say: 12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
“before the angels of God;” He is confessing to the Father before, that is in front of, the whole
company of holy angels in the day of judgment.
“he that denieth me before men;” now we are not talking about the bad judgment that Peter did
in trying to stay close to Jesus after His arrest. Peter went out and wept bitterly and then returned
to Jesus. We’re talking about the persistent denials and conduct that denies the Word of God.
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“blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost;” this must be done with full knowledge; you cannot be
in ignorance of what you are doing or who God is or who Christ is. The Holy Spirit was the
power in and behind everything that Jesus; every miracle, every time He knew their thoughts it
was the Holy Spirit in action. Referring to our diagram of the concentric circles of God you can
see that the Holy Spirit is the center of God and is therefore the power and the source of
Holiness. So to call the source of the holiness of God evil is something that God cannot tolerate.
Besides, if you have sunk that low you will never chose to return to Christ (see Hebrews 10:26).
“take ye no thought;” but that doesn’t mean that first Peter doesn’t apply: 1Peter 3:15 “But sanctify
the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you
a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear or, reverence.” In other words, study
the scriptures: 2Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” When you face the test the Holy Spirit will
bring to mind the appropriate words for you to speak. This is part of your faith, to be kept in the
pocket of your heart at all times.
Luke 12:13
And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that
he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a
judge or a divider over you?
Luke 12:15
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a
man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Luke 12:16
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich
man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What
shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This
will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all
my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods
20
laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God
said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose
shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
Luke 12:21
So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
“speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance;” the firstborn son had the right of a
double portion of the inheritance (see Deuteronomy 21:17). The Scripture doesn’t give the
details of what the situation was but Jesus would have no part of it: “Hey Man, I’m a teacher, not
a Judge.” (See John 12:47)
Luke 12:22
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought
for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23 The
life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24 Consider the ravens:
for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God
feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25 And which of you
with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26 If ye then be not able to do
that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27 Consider the lilies
how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon
in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the
grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much
more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Luke 12:29
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of
doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and
your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye
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Matthew 6:33
first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; Luke 12:31 and all these
things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the
kingdom. 33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax
not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth,
neither moth corrupteth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also.
“he said unto his disciples;” the instructions here in verses 22-34 are part of the sermon on the
mount of Matthew 6:26-33.
“your Father’s good pleasure;” any good father will provide his child with a good inheritance.
Our heavenly Father is providing us with the perfect inheritance, His Kingdom. All we have to
do is show up through the Jesus gate.
“Sell that ye have, and give alms;” God is not advocating giving away everything and living
out on the street. That just makes another poor person. But just how much is enough? There are
people with two homes. They could sell one and use the proceeds to provide a homeless family
with a place to live. Or two cars, or too big of a house; do you get the idea? God gave people
wealth to distribute to others without a finder’s fee or anything like that.
“provide yourselves bags which wax not old;” you’ve heard of “pay it forward.” Well this is
the real version of it. God invented it six thousand years ago and He wants everybody to play.
He’s the bookkeeper/accountant who never makes mistakes. It is the best investment scheme
that you ever heard of or ever will. The returns are so far off the charts that you can’t calculate
them.
“there will your heart be also;” whatever you hold near-and-dear in your heart will be reflected
by how you spend your money.
Warning To Be Ready For The Master’s Return
Luke 12:35
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; 36 And ye
yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the
wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him
immediately. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall
find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to
sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 38 And if he shall come in
the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those
servants. 39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour
the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to
be broken through. 40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an
hour when ye think not.
“loins be girded;” the men wore long robes so in order to run or do an heavy work they would
pull up the hem of the robe and tuck into the waist; this was girding.
“your lights burning;” lights were needed at night but light also represents the truth of the
Gospel shinning in you.
“when he will return;” and that’s the big question, when will He return? When He does, you
had better be ready with torches, i.e. the light of the Gospel shining brightly through your good
works.
“shall find watching;” doing the works of the Gospel.
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“he shall gird himself;” in this beautiful statement Jesus that He will take on the servant’s role
and minister to us upon His return. But this is only right because He will be our newly wedded
Husband.
“the second watch;” was from 9:00 p.m. to midnight.
“the third watch;” was from midnight to 3:00 a.m.
“an hour when ye think not;” if you stay prepared at all times doing to work of the Gospel then
you will not be caught off guard and most of all will not be concentrating on “will this be the
day?” Then you will hear: “Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful
over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Matthew 25:21&23 paraphrased.
Luke 12:41
Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even
to all?
Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his
lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due
season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so
doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he
hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and
shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be
drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for
him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will
appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his
lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be
beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy
of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given,
of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him
they will ask the more.
“Blessed is that servant;” as stated above the true believer will be, at His coming, found doing
the acts of the Gospel, whatever that might be for that believer.
“to beat the menservants and maidens;” in contrast to the good and faithful servant we now
have the slack servant who really is Laodicean (see Revelation 3:14-22). “I got all the Master’s
stuff at my disposal; what the heck, eat, drink, and be merry, the master ain’t coming back!”
“cut him in sunder;” the word “cut” is Strong’s 1371and it means “to flog severely.” {2} This
ties in with the next verse where it says “shall be beaten with many stripes.”
“shall be beaten with few stripes;” God is fair in all things and will not hold someone
accountable for knowledge that they didn’t have. However conscience does play a role in our
actions and God has placed in our conscience a sense of right and wrong. He will hold us
accountable for our actions in relation to that.
NOTE: in Revelation 3:19 Jesus says “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous
therefore, and repent.” All who repent and ask in faith for their sins to be covered by the Blood
of Jesus will be forgiven and avoid any chastening by God.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: many people confuse chastening with trials that come our way that God
allows to perfect us. The answer is real simple: if you are a devout Christian then your sins are
forgiven, past, present, and future. What you are experiencing is not chastening; it is trials to
prefect you. And just how do you know if you are a devout Christian? Read and see if you can
pass the test of the seven Churches of Revelation 2&3; remember there are only two that Jesus
can find no fault with. It is a good mirror to hold yourself up to.
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Coming Division And Call To Readiness

Luke 12:49
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already
kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it
be accomplished! 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you,
Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house
divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided
against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter,
and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in
law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Luke 12:54
And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west,
straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 55 And when ye see the
south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 56 Ye
hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye
do not discern this time?
Luke 12:57
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? 58 When thou
goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence
that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the
judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 59 I tell thee,
thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
“I am come to send fire;” this is how this verse reads in ARTB: “I came to lay-down a fire on
the land, and if desired, I-have more-than sufficient kindling.” {7} You’ll see in verse 51.
“a baptism to be baptized;” the word baptism means to be wholly covered with a fluid.
However Jesus is using it here as a metaphor whereas he will be wholly covered in the pain of
death, the earth of burial, and He will be wholly covered in glory in His new spiritual body in
His resurrection.
“how am I straitened till it be accomplished;” as the time grew closer Jesus became more
keenly aware of the separation from the Father that would take place as a result of Him
becoming our sin. (See notes on Agony in the Garden). Yet He was bound and determined to
accomplish the task that the Father sent Him here to do.
“Nay; but ratherdivision;” this is the fire of verse 49 that has happened upon the earth because
of Jesus. (See Matthew 10:34).
“When ye see a cloud rise out of the west;” since the Mediterranean Sea was west of Jerusalem
and the only massive body of water that could produce consistent weather, it seemed only logical
that when you’re in Jerusalem and you see a good sized cloud out of the west, it’s probably
going to rain.
“as thou art in the way;” we don’t have debtor’s prison like they had back then but you could
still get the hurt put on you if you let a matter get to the courts. Always try to settle out of court.
(See Matthew 5:25).
“very last mite;” a mite was 128th of a day’s wage.
Repent Or Parish
Luke 13:1
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans,
whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said
unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans,
because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall
all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and
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slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
“the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices;” Luke is the only
writer that records this incident and the parable that follows. According to legend these
Galileans were followers of Judas of Galilee (see Acts 5:37) who said that it was not lawful
topay taxes to Caesar. So Pilate waited until Passover and caught them while offering their
sacrifices and slew them right there at the altar. Of course their blood mixed with the blood of
their sacrifices. But this extreme blasphemy enraged the Jews and also made an enemy of Herod
because Galileans were his venue. (See Luke 23:12).
“sinners above all;” which is exactly what they thought. They had prejudices that go all the
way back to the Book of Job, where his friends accused him of sin and the resulting calamity was
what he was going through. (See Job 22:5). Also there’s the idea that Jesus sees an underlying
tone of “holier than thou” in their question; since they hadn’t gone through such calamity as the
Galileans. Besides, what’s the difference between the way that those Galileans died and just
dropping dead of a heart attack? You suddenly get dead both ways and both are somewhat
painful for a brief time.
“I tell you, Nay;” their sins were not more grievous than anybody else in God’s eyes.
“except ye repent;” now He turns into spiritual death for it is appointed for all men once to die
(see Hebrews 9:27). Everybody get to die physically because we have corruptible bodies. The
question is whether or not you’re going to die body and soul in the lake of fire; “except ye
repent.”
“tower in Siloam;” located in southeast Jerusalem (see John 9:7,11).
“ye shall all likewise perish;” Jesus was not only warning them of spiritual death but of the
calamitous destruction that would occur in 70 A.D. at the hands of the Romans because of their
rejection of Him as the Messiah.
Luke 13:6
He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his
vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he
unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on
this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he
answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it,
and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it
down.
“this parable;” only appears in Luke.
“a fig tree;” here represents Israel that has been blessed by God; the man represents God.
“sought fruit;” righteous works.
“the dresser of his vineyard;” represents Jesus who intercedes for us.
“these three years;” represents the three years to date of Christ’s ministry among the Jews that
produced no fruit from them, only rejections.
“why cumbereth it the ground;” why clutter up the ground with useless items. Why clutter up
the ground with useless Israel?
“let it alone this year also;” only through the intercession of Christ are they given time to start
bearing fruit. Remember the seven letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation?
They were all warnings that “he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him
will I give power over the nations:” (Revelation 2:26)
“shalt cut it down;” this is what happens for failure to be fruitful. In verse 35 of this chapter
Jesus declares that the nation’s house is desolate, judgment comes; and it came in 70 A.D.
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Jesus Heals A Woman On The Sabbath

Luke 13:10
And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And,
behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was
bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her,
he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine
infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight,
and glorified God.
Luke 13:14
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that
Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days
in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on
the sabbath day.
Luke 13:15
The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one
of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to
watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom
Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the
sabbath day? 17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were
ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by
him.
“synagogues on the sabbath;” this was Jesus’ usual pattern and where He stirred up the most
friction with the Pharisees over their traditions, not the Law of God, their traditions.
“a spirit of infirmity;” an evil demon causing an infirmity. However in this case there was no
exorcism performed. All Jesus had to do is declare her loosed of her infirmity which makes her
case somewhat different than most of the rest that we see in the Gospels. {72}
“he called her to him;” it’s amazing that in front of the synagogue ruler and whatever Pharisees
were there, Jesus without any prompting from her takes the initiative to call her up so that He can
heal her. Of course she was probably hoping that He would.
“thou art loosed from thine infirmity;” with this declaration Jesus frees her from the power of
Satan.
“and glorified God;” she was so filled of thankfulness for the mercy that God had shown her,
that she gave Him all the glory.
“the ruler of the synagogue;” now this guy is not an ordained minister of the church or
anything like that. He is a layman with custodial duties that include conducting the meetings,
caring for the building, and supervising the teaching in the synagogue. {72}
“Thou hypocrite;” now them’s fighting words. But Jesus is about give him an explanation that
causes him to realize that he was being hypocritical.
“loose his ox or his ass;” wait a minute; you take care of your animals on the Sabbath don’t
you?
“being a daughter of Abraham;” well then she, being a daughter of Abraham she deserves all
the more better treatment than your animals. Proclaiming her to be a daughter of Abraham also
said that she was righteous.
“whom Satan hath bound;” Jesus lays the blame directly on Satan that had her bound up those
eighteen years.
“lo, these eighteen years;” this was three times six. She had completed six years three times
over and no one could lose her; so it was just that she be loosed by God on the ‘seventh’ day, the
Sabbath, on a day when God was at work.
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“loosed;” this word exhibits Jesus’ commission to “loose those who are oppressed” and to
“loose the captives” (see Isaiah 61:1).
Luke 13:18
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall
I resemble it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into
his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in
the branches of it.
“what is the kingdom of God like;” Jesus made many similar comparisons about the Kingdom
of God and this one He is almost a repeat of the one in Matthew 13:31-32 when He was still in
Galilee. However for this one here in Luke He is in Perea.
Luke 13:20
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is
like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole
was leavened.
Luke 13:22
And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying
toward Jerusalem.
“Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God;” the Kingdom of God here on earth started off
small, hidden; Jesus at Cana wedding was reluctant to show His power: “mine hour is not yet
come.” And yet it will grow to rule the whole earth.
“three measures of meal;” about fifty pounds of flour.
“the cities and villages;” these are the cities and villages of Perea, the land east of the Jordan
River (see Matthew 19:1; Mark 10:1; John 10:40).
“journeying toward Jerusalem;” this journey started when Jesus left the Galilee area to attend
the Feast of Tabernacles secretly. He then left Jerusalem and started this trek across the East
Side of the Jordan. He will make several other forays into Jerusalem before the final one for His
death and resurrection.
Jesus Gives Sight To A Man Born Blind
John 9:1
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And
his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that
he was born blind?
John 9:3
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the
works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him
that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long
as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 9:6
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the
spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto
him,Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went
his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
“as Jesus passed by;” Jesus is back in Jerusalem again for a brief stay for the Feast of
Dedication (see verse 22). John’s gospel is not in chronological order until we get to the last
couple of days of Jesus’ life.
“blind from his birth;” this man who from birth has had no sight will have the Creator Himself
create his sight.
“who did sin;” it was a common belief that sickness was brought on by sin; and while sin can
bring on illness, and illness can be punishment for sin, these are not engraved in stone. In this
particular case, Jesus tells us that this is for the glory of God, option three.
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“Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents;” Jesus doesn’t deny the connection between
sin and illness, just that in this case it wasn’t the cause of the suffering of this man. God had a
particular purpose in mind for this man’s life as He did for Job (see Job 1,2). {72}
“while it is day;” first of all there shouldn’t be a coma break before this phrase. Jesus is using
this phrase as a metaphor for his life and ministry: while He is still alive and ministering He will
do all that He can to relieve the suffering of the people and bring the Gospel to them.
“the night cometh;” same metaphor but applied to the time when between His crucifixion and
resurrection when He would be out of commission.
“when no man can work;” a continuation of the metaphor in that in death He could do no work.
And even after his resurrection all He did was to commission His disciples and then ascend back
to His Father. But the metaphor also applies to us: after our death we shall do no work; for in the
grave “the dead know not any thing.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5)
“I am the light of the world;” Jesus is not only the spiritual light of the world, but in this case
He will give physical light to one who had never seen it. {72}
“made clay of the spittle;” using the ground from which man was made (see Genesis 2:7) and
some of His own physical substance Jesus fashions an ointment for the eyes for this blind man.
The use of saliva for eye infections was a common practice.
“wash in the pool of Siloam;” the word “Siloam” means “sent.” John emphasizes this in a
parenthetical because Jesus had just proclaimed that He was sent by God in verse 4. In 2 Kings
20:20 and 2 Chronicles 32:30 Hezekiah had a tunnel cut through solid rock to divert the water
from Gihon, the Virgin’s Fountain, to the Pool of Siloam in southeast Jerusalem. Water from
this pool is used for the pouring rites on the Last Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
“He went his way;” How did he find his way to the Pool of Siloam? He can’t see a thing! You
know it is funny how a blind person can find their way around even in a crowd. He had probably
been to that pool many times and didn’t need sight.
John 9:8
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was
blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said,
He is like him: but he said, I am he.
John 9:10
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered
and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said
unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I
received sight.
John 9:12
Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
“he that sat and begged;” people of those times believed that illnesses and deformities were
brought on by sin and therefore they wouldn’t help them out. So they were left to become
beggars. Many of his neighbors, having little or no faith at all doubted if this was the same guy.
{72}
“Where is he?” how is he supposed to know? He only dealt with Jesus when he was blind; if he
ran into Jesus on the corner he wouldn’t recognize Him in less by voice.
Pharisees Put Former Blind Man Out Of Synagogue
John 9:13
They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was
the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the
Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He
put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
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John 9:16
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he
keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such
miracles? And there was a division among them.
John 9:17
They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath
opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe
concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called
the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is
this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
John 9:20
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that
he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath
opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
John 9:22
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews
had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be
put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 24
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the
praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
John 9:25
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing
I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What
did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
John 9:27
He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore
would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and
said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God
spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
John 9:30
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing,
that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31 Now we
know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and
doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any
man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he
could do nothing.
John 9:34
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and
dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
“They brought;” that is his neighbors from verse 8. {72}
“to the Pharisees;” because this had been done on the Sabbath they knew that the Pharisees
would react strongly against it because in Pharisees’ eyes it violated the Sabbath. {72}
“the Pharisees;” John includes this dialog with the healed blind man to show the blatantly
willful unbelief of the Pharisees and how they responded: rejecting the facts; always wanting
more evidence which is never enough; setting false standards; does all their research on a
prejudiced basis; and totally self-serving. This formerly blind man was the first known person to
be thrown out of the Synagogue due to his belief in Jesus. {72}
“This man is not of God;” “This man couldn’t be of God because He don’t follow our beliefs
about the Sabbath; there’s no way He could be a prophet of God” (see Deuteronomy 13:1-3).
{72}
“there was a division among them;” there was a division in the crowds about who Jesus was
back in John 7:40-43 and now there is a division among the Pharisees (see Luke 12:51-53). {72}
“He is a prophet;” now who’s the blind one? This man who was born blind and given his sight
by Jesus can see the spiritual far better than those who are supposed to guide the nation in that
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regard. Blindness in the scripture can be a metaphor for spiritual darkness, which is a lack of
ability to understand God’s truth.
“they called the parents;” in their tunnel vision, because the now sighted man didn’t agree with
what they wanted to hear, they throw out his testimony and call in his parents. If we call in
enough witnesses sooner or later we will find somebody that will agree with us.
“the Jews had agreed already;” talk about a conspiracy; these guys are up to their noses in it.
It is dictatorial government, fascism, pure and simple.
“Give God the praise;” in other words say that it was God that healed you and not this Jesus
guy. And there is the crux of the matter; Jesus was stealing all their thunder. He was performing
miracle after miracle and when He spoke it was with authority. The Pharisees could see that
after a while everybody would flock to Him and they would have nobody. Right now they had
control of things, but for how long?
“we know that this man is a sinner;” there was a consensus among the Pharisees that Jesus
was a sinner and that since the sighted man refused to give God the glory, that no miracle had
taken place. {72}
“will ye also be his disciples?” if I tell you guys again how He opened my eyes will you all
become His disciples? Of course this was met with a resounding “hell no, ‘we are Moses’
disciples.’” Now the meeting digressed into a big argument between the Pharisees and the
former blind man.
“The man answered . . . a marvellous thing, that ye know not;” “I think that it is an
absolutely marvelous thing that you guys can’t see that this Man that opened my eyes is sent
from God. I mean it really blows my mind.”
“Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?” in their refusal to step out of
their box of comfort that they had built called tradition, they insisted that his blindness was
caused by sin; something that Jesus had denied (verse 3). So they got insulted and infuriated at
his guy trying to teach them; after all, they’re teachers and leaders of the congregation. But they
failed to remember the prophet Isaiah had predicted that the messiah would be evidenced by the
restoring of sight to the blind (see Isaiah 29:18; 35:5; 42:7).
“And they cast him out;” he got disfellowshipped, excommunicated, shunned, or whatever
term you are familiar with; he got kicked out of the Synagogue. To a practicing Jew that was a
pretty big thing. It meant that he couldn’t go to the Temple either to offer his sacrifices as the
law required.
Former Blind Man Receives Spiritual Sight
John 9:35
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said
unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
John 9:36
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And
Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
John 9:39
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which
see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
John 9:40
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and
said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye
should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
“Jesus heard;” in the first 34 verses of this chapter Jesus dealt with giving this man physical
sight. Now Jesus is going to deal with getting the man to see spiritually. {72}
“when he had found him;” Jesus actually went out looking for this man.
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“Dost thou believe on the Son of God;” this is the great invitation; “behold I stand at the door
knocking; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with
him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) Also of great importance was the public confession of
who He is and of faith in Him. Note: some Pharisees were standing right there: verse 40.
“Who is he, Lord;” now remember this guy has never seen Jesus, he’s only heard his voice; so
he wasn’t positive that this is the one that healed him. The term “Lord” here is actually a term of
respect like the word “sir.”
“Lord, I believe;” it didn’t take much convincing, the man was almost already there as seen by
his argument with the Pharisees.
“For judgment I am come into this world;” Judgment would fall on those that rejected Him;
but condemnation was not His purpose, salvation was. {72}
“they which see not;” these are they that realize that they are in darkness and start seeking the
truth. They don’t yet see the light because God hasn’t shown it to them.
“that they which see might be made blind;” Just like the light of the sun blinds some creatures
like bats and owls, so some people are blinded by the light of the truth of the Gospel and is their
judgment because of their willful unbelief (see Isaiah 6:9–10; 42:19).
“Are we blind also?” the Pharisees weren’t following the man they were following Jesus around
trying to trip Him up. They were always on Him like flies on a chocolate cake at a picnic.
“your sin remaineth;” they were happy as a clam at the bottom of the ocean with their belief
that they were in the light and that Jesus was a nobody. In actuality, they walked in darkness;
and Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Sort-a reminds you of the situation like today where
they call right, wrong and wrong, right. Everything is turned up-side down and inside out. For
they that do such things “your sin remaineth.”
Jesus The Good Shepherd
John 10:1
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the
sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But
he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter
openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and
leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before
them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will
they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you;” this is just a continuation of the discourse in John 9:41. So the
chapter break here is to divide the idea of the self appointed false shepherds who were drawing
the people away from the true knowledge of the Messiah; and Jesus who declares Himself to be
the “Good Shepherd” who was appointed by God. {72}
“the sheepfold;” this was an enclosure or high fence having one door or gate; this was often a
cave. The shepherd would enter through the gate; but those that wanted to steal the sheep would
enter another way, either by climbing over the fence, or door, or “some other way.” The
Pharisees had gotten their power by illegitimate means. The Israelites and the Church of God are
often referred to as a flock (See Jeremiah 23:1-4; Zechariah 13:1-9)
“a thief and a robber;” a thief will steal in secret while a robber plunders in the open with
violence.
“the porter;” or doorkeeper was a hired assistant shepherd who knew the voice of the true
shepherd and would open the gate for Him. He assisted in caring for the flock and guarding
them at night. {72}
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“he calleth his own sheep by name;” He is so intimate with each member of His flock that He
can call each by name.
“and leadeth them out;” He and He alone is their leader; not the porter. Although the sheep are
familiar with the porter’s voice they will only follow the lead of the Shepherd.
“the sheep hear his voice;” and each member of the flock know His voice and will not follow
another but will flee from them.
John 10:6
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things
they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me
are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that
they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
“This parable spake Jesus;” Jesus spoke the preceding words to them as parable and of course
they didn’t understand them; what’s new? Further explanation needed.
“I am the door of the sheep;” first He tackles the door of the sheep; nobody gets into the
Kingdom of God except through Him. This is number three of the seven “I am” statements of
Jesus that John records.
"by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved;" thus giving spiritual life and access to spiritual
food.
"The thief cometh . . . to steal . . . to kill . . . and to destroy;" as the exact opposite of the life
that Jesus gives, the thief takes what he can get away with; if he can't kill completely, he will
destroy the quality of life.
"might have life . . . more abundantly;" this not only speaks of the eternal life of the kingdom,
but the healing and spiritual nourishment that comes with salvation.
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not,
seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth
them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling,
and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and
am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I
lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one
fold, and one shepherd.
John 10:17
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I
might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I
have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment
have I received of my Father.
John 10:19
There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20
And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21 Others
said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes
of the blind?
"I am the good shepherd;" number four on the list of "I am" statements by Jesus. Where verse
ten refers to eternal life, here in verse eleven Jesus , the Good Shepherd laid down his physical
life for us.
Title Referenc Context Implication
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e
I am the 6:35, 41, Right after having fed the five Just as bread helps sustain our
bread 48, 51 thousand the crowd still wanted physical lives, so Jesus sustains
of life. more free food. our spiritual lives. The
difference is that His
nourishment is satisfying and
permanent.
I am the 8:12 During the Feast of Tabernacles a With the world blindly fumbling
light of the large candelabra was lit in the their way in the darkness of sin,
world. woman's court of the Temple to Jesus offers Himself as a
remind the people of the pillar of guiding light to holiness.
fire that guided the Israelites
during their journey to the
promised land.
I am the 10:7. 9 Jesus told the religious leaders Shepherds would guide their
door of the that they were not fit to be the flocks at night into caves and
sheep. shepherds of the nation. lay down in the opening to
guard and protect the sheep.
Jesus was describing His role
for those that are His.

I am the 10:11, 14 Same as above. When the lion or a pack of

good wolves appear a hireling might
shepherd. run for cover, after all, he's a
mercenary, they’re not his
sheep. With Jesus we belong to
Him and He gave His life for us.
I am the 11:25 Lazarus had died. Death is not the final word for
resurrection those that are in Christ Jesus for
and the life. He is the Lord of all life; those
that are in Christ will live
forever.
I am the 14:6 The disciples didn't understand Jesus offers to the spiritually
way the Jesus' statements about the way dead the very life of God. He is
truth and to Heaven. the only way to the Father and
the life. the source of all truth and all
knowledge.
I am the 15:1, 5 Jesus' upper room discourse on Old Testament Scriptures show
true vine. the night of the last supper. that Israel has been God's
fruitless vine (see Psalm 80:8;
Isaiah 5:1-7; Ezekiel 15; Hosea
10:1). In the metaphor that
Jesus presents we are grafted
into the main vine and draw life
so that we can bring forth fruit.
{5}
"giveth his life for the sheep;" Jesus' death for us is called "substitutionary death." {72}
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"seeth the wolf coming . . . fleeth;" the mercenaries, the religious leaders of Jesus' time, would
not stick their necks out against the Romans or any other authority for the people. Jesus spread
His arms out and allowed nails to be driven into them onto a cross for His sheep.
"not of this fold;" here Jesus is speaking of the Gentiles which will hear His voice and become
part of the church (see Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians12:13; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:11-22);
there shall be one body and one church.
"my Father love me, because I lay down my life;" especially because of the fact that I lay
down My life for the life of the world that My Father loves Me.
"No man taketh it from me;" I lay it down voluntarily and to prove it I shall take it again after
three days.
"This commandment have I received of my Father;" this is all part of the divine plan that
God put in place before the foundations of the earth were laid.
"a division therefore again among the Jews;" this is the same thing that happen in 9:16 when
some believed and some didn't.
In Exodus 3:14 God revealed Himself to Moses as the Great "I Am." In the Gospel of John Jesus
reveals Himself as seven "I Am’s;" seven being the number of spiritual perfection.
December A.D. 29
Jews Attempt To Stone Jesus
John 10:22
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round
about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make (hold us in suspense) us
to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
John 10:25
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in
my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are
not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which
gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my
Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
"the feast of the dedication;" or Hanukkah which starts the 18th of December continuing for
eight days, and which celebrates the Israelite victory in 164 BC over the ruler of the Seleucid
Empire Antiochus IV Epiphanes who desecrated the Temple by sacrificing a pig and sprinkling
its blood all over the altar. This is also known as the Feast of Lights where a candelabra of eight
candles known as a Menorah is lit in Jewish homes.
"temple in Solomon’s porch;" which was on the east side of the Temple and acted as a shelter
because it was winter. There were probably some there that surrounded Jesus.
"tell us plainly;" after all the miracles, and all the teachings these guys were still not convinced.
Actually some of them wanted Him to declare Himself as Messiah so that they could grab Him.
{72}
"I told you, and ye believed not;" what do I have to do, take out a billboard?
"as I said unto you;" at the Fast of Tabernacles. He had told them that they were not His Sheep
(see John 8:42-47).
"I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish;" the reward for repentance and
following Jesus.
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. . . no man is able to pluck them out of
my Father’s hand. There is probably no other scripture in the entire Bible that expresses the
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security of the believer stronger than verses 28 & 29. Jesus as the Good Shepherd verses 11 &
14, will protect us from the thieves and robbers, verses 1 & 8, and wolves, verse 12. And the
Father who is even in control of the evil one, Job 1 & 2.
"which gave them me;" this is shows that God has chosen those who will be His sheep for now.
{72}
I and my Father are one. Ok, there I said it. Now, do you understand? One in mind, and
purpose, and spirit to bring about the security and growth of the flock. {72}
John 10:31
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them,
Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works
do ye stone me?
John 10:33
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but
for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
John 10:34
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If
he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot
be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the
world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the
works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me,
believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I
in him.
John 10:39
Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand.
"took up stones again to stone him;" this is the third time that John records that the Jews try to
stone Jesus (See John 5:18; 8:59). Some folks just can't stand the truth; they have to kill the truth
messenger. Certain Old Testament laws permitted stoning for some cases (e.g. Leviticus 24:16).
However the Romans reserved the right of all capital punishment to themselves. But Jesus' bold
claims prompted a "mob action" that circumvented legal proceedings (see Acts 7:54-60). {72}
"thou, being a man, makest thyself God;" to the Jews this flesh and blood man was claiming
to be God, something that they considered to be pure blasphemy. {72}
"Is it not written;" in Psalm 82:6 the word "gods" is the same Hebrew word as in Genesis 1:1,
Eloheem; Strong's 430. But here God is referring to judges who violate the law. If God can
apply that name to men then it should apply to the Son of God Himself.
"the scripture cannot be broken;" set aside, rendered of none effect, or not for our time. No
self-respecting Jew would ever doubt the veracity of any Holy Scripture and neither should we.
Here Jesus is affirming the absolute authority and accuracy of Scripture. This is as far as God is
concerned and all spiritual applications.
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the
man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Something else to think about; according to John 1:1&14, Jesus is the word of God; He is the
Holy Scriptures. If we try to set aside, render of none effect, or not for our time any of the
Scriptures, we are doing that to Jesus, the Word of God, our Salvation. We are limiting Jesus'
effect in our life.
"But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works;" Jesus offered His own testimony
and the performance of the works of the Father as the two witnesses of His authenticity.
"they sought again to take him;" they might have dropped their stones but they were still not
converted.
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Jesus Ministers In Judea And Perea

John 10:40
And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first
baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did
no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many
believed on him there.
"went away again beyond Jordan;" having escaped again the hostile self righteous Jews,
Jesus, knowing that His time is not yet come, leaves Judea for the less populated area east of the
Jordan called Perea.
"into the place where John at first baptized;" according to John 1:28 this would be at
Bethabara which is north of the Dead Sea on the east side of the Jordan River opposite Jericho.
Later on He would be at Aenon near Salim which is on the west side of the Jordan and up north
near the Galilee region (see John 3:23). This is not only the region where John began, but also
the region that Jesus would last stay before leaving for Jerusalem to be crucified. {72}
“many believed on him there;” and this is another thing that is sticking in the throat of the
Pharisees, Jesus is winning over the hearts of the common people. Why? Because He feeds the
people, He heals the people, He delivers the people all without cramming a bunch of religion and
regulation down their throats. As a matter of fact He tells the people to beware of the Pharisees
(Mark 8:15).
Luke 13:23
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said
unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will
seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is
risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at
the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you,
I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and
drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell
you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves
thrust out. 29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the
north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And,
behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
“arethere few that be saved?” this is a very astute person; he is picking up on Jesus’ message
that goes against the common Jewish belief that most Jews would be saved; except for tax
collectors and super bad sinners. {72} The crowd is also picking-up on a tone of urgency in
Jesus’ voice; He knows that this will be the last time that they will have the opportunity to hear
Him again.
“Strive;” the Greek is where we get the word “agony” from. The word strive indicates that there
is a cost to entering; one must give up their human pride. Also the word has an ongoing
connotation to it in that we must constantly be working to that perfection and overcoming our
sinful propensities.
“to enter in at the strait gate;” or narrow gate is hard to find and it is small in size; it won’t
tolerate any excess baggage like pride, immorality, hatred, or any of the other sins listed in the
Bible (see Romans 1:29-31; Revelation 21:8; 22:15).
“Many . . . will seek to enter in;” at the time of the judgment, when many will say that they
were descendants of Abraham; and others because they had eaten with Jesus or heard Him speak
or received a miracle from Him.
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“I know you not whence ye are;” most of them rejected Him; there were only 120 that received
the baptism of the Holy Spirit in that upper room on Pentecost. That in itself is a sad
commentary on human nature.
“weeping and gnashing of teeth;” did you ever cry so hard that your teeth chattered and maybe
even did some grinding against each other? Well that’s what Jesus is talking about here, there
will be some folks that thought that they were going to be in God’s Kingdom and will find
themselves locked out, i.e. excluded from salvation. Try to imagine that disappointment. (Note:
this phrase is repeated by Jesus seven times in the Gospels here in Luke 13:28 and in Matthew
8:12; 13:42; 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30.)
“they shall come;” this is conformation of the Old Testament Scriptures regarding the Gentiles
and completely opposite of contemporary teaching (see Psalm 107:3; Isaiah 66:18-19: Malachi
1:11).
“Last . . . first . . . first . . . last;” the last ones to be called are the Gentiles and yet because the
Israelites, who were the first ones called rejected God and Jesus; the Gentiles will be the first
ones to enter the Kingdom of God. The Israelites will not be left out but will be last to enter the
Kingdom; first called, last to enter. The Gentiles were the last called but the first to enter.
Jesus Mourns Over Jerusalem
Luke 13:31
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get
thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
“depart hence;” this is some strange advise, especially coming from some Pharisees! But when
you stop and look at it, the fog starts to clear. Herod rules Galilee and Perea where Jesus
happens to be at the present time. Now the Pharisees and Herod are not friends at all, but this is
really out of left field. Even though the Scriptures don’t say it, Jesus knew their thoughts and
that they just wanted to scare Him back into Jerusalem’s jurisdiction so that the Sanhedrin could
kill Him. Keep in mind that when Jesus appeared before Herod; Luke 23:6-12; Herod could
have had Jesus killed then but didn’t. He just sent Him back to Pilate.
Luke 13:32
And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils,
and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
33
Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it
cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
“tell that fox;” ordinarily we are not supposed to curse or profane our rulers (see Exodus 22:28;
Ecclesiastes 10:20. However, Jesus was speaking as a prophet, and prophets are speaking for
God and therefore commissioned by Him to rebuke leaders (see Isaiah 1:23; Ezekiel 22:27;
Hosea 7:3-7; Zephaniah 3:3). The term “fox” in Jewish parlance meant that Herod was both
crafty and worthless. Of course the Pharisees cowered at Herod’s power, but Jesus knew that He
was God and the source of all power. {72}
“to day and to morrow, and the third day;” this is a Hebrew-ism, a figure-of-speech in the
Hebrew language. He is on His own timetable and it is not three days long. Expressions like
this were common among the Semitic peoples and what it really meant was: “I’ll be out of here
when I’m damn good and ready, and not a moment before.”
“I shall be perfected;” just before Jesus died He said “It is finished.” (John 19:30) He had
perfect His work; no one could kill Him before His time, and He knew it.
“it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem;” this statement is only partly true. Most
of the Old Testament prophets were killed by the Israelites, not by foreign enemies. There were
at least three that we know of that did died of old age: Samuel, who was buried in Ramah,
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Jeremiah and Daniel; but both of whom died in foreign lands, Jeremiah in Ireland and Daniel in
Babylon.
Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that
are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a
hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 35 Behold, your
house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me,
until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of
the Lord.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem;” with a welling up of emotion Jesus weeps over the City of Peace
where God had placed His name. He would love to gather unto Him its inhabitants with His
arms but they pulled away and said no.
“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate;” Luke’s account here takes place while Jesus is
still in Perea. He will repeat these words verbatim in the Temple during His final days in
Jerusalem. This prophecy, like many is twofold: first, their spiritual house, the Temple was
deserted by God when the curtain was torn in two at Christ’s death (see 2 Chronicles 36:17).
The second came when the Romans destroyed the Temple and sent most of the Jews into exile in
70 A.D.
“Blessed is he . . . ;” this quote from psalm 118:26 is only the first half of that verse.
Psalm 118:26
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed
you out of the house of the LORD.
The Israelites, God’s original chosen people would not see Jesus (Yehshua) again until they were
ready to receive Him and recognize that He was sent from God.
Jesus Heals A Man Of Dropsy On The Sabbath
Luke 14:1
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees
to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a
certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto
the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And
they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;
Luke 14:5
And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen
into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 6 And they
could not answer him again to these things.
“he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread;”imagine that! One of His
chief antagonist invites Him to dinner.
“on the sabbath;” was a very special dining experience every week; special food, drink, deserts,
the best that you could afford. And the Pharisees could afford the best. Luke records more
healings by Jesus than any of the other Gospel writers and Jesus seemed to prefer the Sabbath for
showing His acts of mercy; a prelude to the millennial reign to which the Sabbath points.
“they watched him;” ah; now comes their motivation, they’re going to feed Him first to get His
guard down then try to trick Him. These are not very honorable men. {72}
“the dropsy;” now called Edema is the swelling caused by the retention of fluid. This usually
occurs in your feet, legs, or ankles; but can show up in your face, hands, or any part of your
body. Fluid retention can be especially dangerous when occurring around the heart, called
congestive heart failure. This condition is often caused by kidney or liver ailments.
“And Jesus answering;” Jesus read their minds and answered their minds.
“the lawyers;” (see Luke 10:25) for the most part had become then and even today are the bane
of man’s existence.
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“Is it lawful;” it’s almost like He is asking permission to heal on the Sabbath (He says tongue-n-
cheek). Repeatedly He had healed on the Sabbath (see Luke 6:9-10; 13:14-17). And in Luke 6:9
like here He consulted the Scribes about the legality of healing on the Sabbath before He actually
did it. But:
“they held their peace” like in Mark 3:1-4. Why? Because there was no legal reason to prevent
the healing on the Sabbath according to the Law of Moses. They had made up all kinds of
regulations about what was work on the Sabbath. Many similar regulation are still in effect in
the Jewish Community today: like you can’t plug in a coffee machine on the Sabbath or fill it
with water. This has to be done the day before just like all food hast to be prepared the day
before. By the way, if they don’t have a coffee machine with a timer on it they just use instant
coffee. {13}
“and healed him;” of course He did. There is no record of where all that fluid went, it probably
just disappeared otherwise there would have been a big mess on the dining room floor of that
Pharisees house.
“ass or an ox fallen into a pit;” According to ARTB this should read “Who of you, that if his
son or his bull falls into a well on the day of the Sabbath would not elevate him out at-once?”
That puts a whole different perspective on it if it is your son that falls in a well. You’d call out
the National Guard and everybody else regardless of the day of the week.
“they could not answer him again;” that’s because it is the same thing: whether it is giving
mercy to your son or bull by getting them out of the well; or relieving the suffering of a person
with dropsy by healing them, it is called mercy. It is all about the people; minister to the people;
show mercy to the people; that is what you hold office for. These Pharisees and lawyers had
long lost sight of that.
Parables Of The Wedding Dinner
Luke 14:7
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked
how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8 When thou art bidden of
any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable
man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to
thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10
But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that
bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou
have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever
exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
“the chief rooms;” back in those times there would be a couch that fit three for reclining
semicircle around a table called a triclinium. The center position was the place of honor at the
table. The closer to the center of the room that your triclinium was the higher in honor you were.
Jesus had observed how the people jockeyed for the positions of highest honor and places of
note. {13}
“whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; . . .” Jesus drives home His point by
paraphrasing Proverbs 25:6-7.
Proverbs 25:6
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7
For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in
the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
Luke 14:12
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a
supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich
neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But
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when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And
thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be
recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
“call not thy friends, nor thy brethren;” now keep in mind that this is still in the house of one
of the Chief Pharisees; but as long as He was invited there is no time like the present to make a
convert out of someone like this guy. He’s not saying that you can’t invite your friends and
family over for a dinner. What He’s saying is don’t expect anything in return (see Deuteronomy
14:28-29). And above all, don’t forget the poor folks! By sharing with them you know that they
can’t repay. {72}
“shalt be recompensed at the resurrection;” you will be paying it forward into an account in
the Kingdom of Heaven.
Luke 14:15
And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said
unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he
unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his
servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are
now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said
unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray
thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I
go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have
married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed
his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant,
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor,
and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is
done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the
servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that
my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were
bidden shall taste of my supper.
“Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God;” isn’t wonderful when someone
gets a flash of God’s Kingdom? This guy, while still at a Pharisees’ table just blurts this out
without even thinking as to where he is at. But he’s right; at God’s table there are no
unimportant people, for all are one in Christ Jesus. We will all share in the glory and honor of
the Kingdom.
“a great supper;” the one who is doing the inviting here is God; and the invite is to the
Marriage Supper of the Lamb. And here are some of the excuses of the “bade many” to come.
“bought a piece of ground, . . . needs go and see it;” what fool buys a piece of ground sight
unseen? Besides it will still be there after the banquet. {72} This one was busy with commerce.
“bought five yoke of oxen, . . . go to prove them;” this man is wealthy to own five yoke of
oxen and has allowed his wealth to take precedence over the kingdom. Would you buy a car
without first giving it a test drive? Again, they will be there after the feast.
“I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come;” according to Deuteronomy 24:5 a
newly married man was excused from business travel and military service. But you can bring
her to a party. {72} There is a difference between the reasons; but they all asked to be excused!
“the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind;” these are the kind of people that the
Pharisees looked down their nose at as being unworthy and unclean. {72} These are the ones that
should have been invited to begin with instead of the snobs that turned Him down.
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“yet there is room;” God’s banquet hall, His Kingdom is without end. He wishes for all to
enter in: 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but
is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance.”
“Go out . . . that my house may be filled;” Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by preaching the
Gospel to the poor and the apostles fulfilled the rest of it by going out to the highways and
hedges to reach the rest of the world.
“none of those men which were bidden;” this is talking about the Jewish nation of that time to
whom the Christ had been offered and rejected by them. They will not get to sit down at the
banquet of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. A physical divine judgment fell upon them in A.D.
70 at the hands of the Romans. {72}
Cost Of Following Jesus
Luke 14:25
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto
26
them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and
children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my
disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be
my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first,
and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after
he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to
mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or
what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and
consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against
him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he
sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise,
whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple.
“And there went;” it is at this point that Jesus probably left the supper.
“great multitudes with him;” Jesus didn’t want nor need big crowds following Him. What He
wanted were true disciples; so He would always declare the high cost of discipleship in order to
discourage those that had doubts.
“hate;” this is one of those lost-in-translation-words that happen every so often. We have no
one English word for “love-a-whole-lot-less.” That’s what the real feel and meaning of the
Hebrew word is. Jesus is calling for a devotion to Him that is so far above one’s attachment to
anyone or anything else. (See Luke 16:13)
“bear his cross;” this isn’t just loving your life a whole lot less. No. It is saying that you might
have to suffer physical death for your faith in Jesus. And the way that things are going on this
earth today that’s not a far-fetched idea.
“build a tower;” back then they would build towers in the middle of their orchards and
vineyards so that they could look over the land and make sure that no one was stealing from
them. These towers had living quarters on the lower lever and you would go up to the upper
lever to observe the land. {13}
“counteth the cost;” think before you leap! This is the most important decision that you will
ever make; so don’t just jump in. Jesus isn’t trying to start a popular movement here; He’s really
trying to thin the crowd down to the real dedicated ones.
“forsaketh not all that he hath;” unless you are willing to give up everything that you know of
on this earth you can’t be a follower of Jesus.
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Luke 14:34
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be
seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it
out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
“Salt is good;” Jesus used this same imagery in Matthew 5:13 and Mark 9:50. Back then salt
was impure because of contamination, and therefore could lose its potency over time and become
useless.
Second Telling Of The Parable Of The Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1 2
Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and
eateth with them.
Luke 15:3
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an
hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the
wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath
found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he
calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me;
for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall
be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just
persons, which need no repentance.
“Then drew near unto him;” now that He has left the house of the Pharisees guess who shows
up.
“all the publicans and sinners;” these are the people that really want to hear Him. They are
ready to give up all to gain the forgiveness that Jesus preaches about. On the other hand, the
religious leaders feel like they don’t need forgiveness and grew more and more antagonist
toward Him to the point that they are looking for ways to grab Him and kill Him. They coveted
their positions of power so much that they felt threatened by Jesus who had crowds following
Him.
“murmured;” their complaining was loud enough to be heard over the crowd to Jesus’ ears, so
He gives three parables to show God’s joy when a sinner repents. (These Parables are only fund
in Luke).
“This man receiveth sinners;” from Adam Clarke’s commentary “He receives them cordially,
affectionately - takes them to his bosom; for so the word implies. What mercy! Jesus receives
sinners in the most loving, affectionate manner, and saves them unto eternal life! Reader, give
glory to God for ever!” {44}
“an hundred sheep;” this was a medium size herd back then. Herd sizes ran from twenty to
about two-hundred; anything over that was considered very large.
“go after that which is lost;” in the first two parables we see God being the one that does the
seeking of the sinners. The Rabbis taught that God would receive sinners if you would seekHim
hard enough and long enough. However, in Jesus’ parables it is God who is the seeker. A
shepherd is responsible for each and every sheep that it doesn’t get lost, killed or even injured
(see Matthew 18:11-14; 2 Peter 3:9). {72}
“layeth it on his shoulders;” He loves His sheep so much that He carries it on His shoulders
back into the fold. Only a Pharisee or Satan himself could find something wrong with the
shepherd that goes out to rescue His sheep from harm and death.
“rejoicing;” over the return of the lost is the thing that sticks out the most in all three parables
(Luke 15:7; 10; 32). {72}
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“joy shall be in heaven;” it wouldn’t be just the angles rejoicing, but God Himself will be
jumping up and down with joy along with the angles every time someone repents.
“which need no repentance;” those that think that they don’t. They have deceived themselves
with a little help from Satan.
Parable Of The Lost Coin
Luke 15:8
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth
not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And
when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together,
saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I
say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that
repenteth.
“ten pieces of silver;” this is the Drachma in Greek or the Denarius in Roman. In that culture
when a woman became engaged she was often given a headband with ten pieces of silver in it.
To lose one of the pieces meant that she was careless about her engagement.
“light a candle;” most people lived in one room houses that had no windows so the only light
was the light that came through the door. So she lit-up an oil burning lamp (see Companion
Bible Appendix 130. 4).
“sweep the house;” with a broom made out of palm twigs {5} in a frantic search to find her lost
coin.
Parable Of The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11
And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said
to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he
divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered
all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his
substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty
famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself
to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he
would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man
gave unto him.
“A certain man had two sons;” this parable has many lessons in it but keep in mind Jesus’
audience, the Pharisees and a bunch of sinners. The father represents God who is eager to
forgive and receive the repentant sinner. The elder brother will show the wickedness of the
Pharisees with their one-sidedness, and their holier-than-thou attitude. And of course the
younger brother represents the sinner who repents and comes home. But the main point of this
chapter with its parables is the rejoicing of God and heaven over the sinner that repents. {72}
“give me the portion of goods that falleth to me;” spoiled little rich kid doesn’t want to wait
for his father to die, he wants his inheritance now like his daddy was J. G. Wentworth: “It’s my
money and I want it now!” The Pharisees are already foaming at the mouth over this request.
His older brother was entitled to a double portion of the inheritance per Deuteronomy 21:17. So
the younger gets 1/3 of the estate. This is the picture of a typical sinner who ends up with all the
neat things that they have as a child of God and then turn their backs on any relationship with
Him wanting instead to go their own way. Many end up denying the existence of God or
minimalizing Him.
“the younger son gathered all together;” he took everything that he now owns and headed for
the lights of town leaving his father and brother in the dust.
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“wasted his substance with riotous living;” the word “prodigal” is not in the King James Bible.
So here are a few definitions that might help the average person: riotous: Strong’s # . adv.
from the same as ; dissolutely:— riotous. {2}
#.unsavedness, i.e. (by impl.) profligacy:— excess, riot. {2}
Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary 10th Edition: profligate: 1: completely given up to
dissipation and licentiousness. 2: wildly extravagant: prodigal. {30}
Prodigal: one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly. {30}
So he blew through his inheritance in a very short time on wine, women, and song till he found
himself on the outside looking in. (See Proverbs 28:7)
“he began to be in want;” then as luck would have it, a famine hits the land and he can’t even
find a decent job.
“to feed swine;” keep in mind that Jesus is presenting this parable to a crowd of Jews so feeding
pigs is the worst job imaginable for anyone. {72}
“he would fain have filled his belly;” he was longing to fill himself . . .
“husks;”. “ker-at´-ee-on; something horned, i.e. (spec.) the pod of the carob-tree:— husk.”
{2}
These are also known as locust bean pods. These are merely the pods that carry the beans not the
beans themselves. The pods have very little nutritional value other than some starch and sugar.
{8}
“no man gave unto him;” he wasn’t even permitted to eat them.
Luke 15:17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my
father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise
and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one
of thy hired servants.
Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off,
his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed
him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy
sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
“he came to himself;” there is a promise from God that goes like this: Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child
in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Now that doesn’t mean
that he won’t stray from the right path in his youth and sow some wild oats; the promise is that
he will return and become righteous for the rest of his life. This son represents the sinners that
were turning to Jesus in verse 15:20 above. As we said the father represents God; so guess who
the other son represents?
“will say unto him;” he chooses his words recounting the cost of his sin and repentance, as he
rehearses what he will say to his father. He had gone to a foreign land, so it is a long walk home
and he has a lot of time to think.
“I have sinned against heaven;” like Matthew many Jews will use the word Heaven instead of
God in order to avoid using His name in vein; the third commandment. He had come to realize
the full implications of transgressing against both God and his earthly father.
“no more worthy to be called thy son;” just total reliance upon the Father’s mercy like all
sinners do because we have nothing to offer.
“his father saw him;” it is plain as the nose on your face that the father knew that the son would
be back; he just didn’t know when. You see, he trusted in the God of Proverbs 22:6.
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“ran;” he has anticipating the day that his son would return and seeing him afar off he is filled
with joy unimaginable. Even though God knows everything, including the day of our repentance
He is filled with joy when it happens.
Luke 15:22
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on
him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the
fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead,
and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
“But;” the son doesn’t even get to finish the repentance speech that he had rehearsed before his
father interrupts him to grant forgiveness. You think that maybe God is chomping at the bit to
forgive us? You darn Skippy! {72}
“the father said to his servants;” note that the father has absolutely no criticism to the son for
his past life, only a pouring on of love and an expression of joy for his return. Each of the gifts
has a significance. {72}
“the best robe;” was always reserved for the guest of honor. {72}
“a ring on his hand;” the ring bore the family seal {5} and was a symbol of full family
authority. {72}
“shoes on his feet;” this was a sign of restoration to full sonship; slaves didn’t wear shoes. {72}
“the fatted calf;” these were specially fed and reserved for Holy Days and special occasions of
great celebration. This symbolizes the tremendous blessings that come with repentance. {72}
“dead … alive … lost … found;” these two contrasts sum up the change that took place in the
younger son. It’s the reason to celebrate. It’s also the reason that Jesus hung around the
publicans and sinners. {5} To make it plain, God loves to celebrate, party; especially when
someone turns to Him in repentance. Heaven is going to be one, never–ending celebration; but
not like what any human can conjure up in their mind.
Luke 15:25
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the
house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and
asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and
thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Luke 15:28
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and
intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I
serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou
never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as
this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast
killed for him the fatted calf.
Luke 15:31
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is
thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother
was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
“his elder son;” first of all, when the father gave the younger son his portion he also gave the
older son his Luke15:12 “. . . And he divided unto them his living.” So even though he chose not to
separate from his father he could have done so any time he wanted to do so; therefore his protest
is totally unrighteous. His protest symbolizes the protest of the Pharisees who stay with the
temple like he stayed with his father; all the while having no conscience about sin, and could
care less about the father (not wanting to share in his joy), and having a distain about repenting
sinners. {72}
“he was angry;” just like the scribe and Pharisees who thought that they were the only ones that
had a lock on salvation.
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“neither transgressed I . . . any time thy commandment;” yea, right! You’re totally
righteous. And pigs fly over the moon daily. You just refused to partake in your father’s party
for your brother’s return. You don’t even recognize your own sin. He’s like the Pharisee in
Luke 18:11. {72}
“never gavest me a kid;” he was more interested in what he could get for himself than serving
his father. His self-righteous attitude was just as dishonoring to the father as the younger son’s
riotous living. {72}
“harlots;” although his lifestyle could lead to it, there is no actual proof of this charge.
“thy son was come;” you can almost hear it in his voice; he’s not only angry, he’s hurt. He
feels that he has been dealt an injustice. In his mind when the younger brother left and
squandered his inheritance and he had no right to come back to this place and claim anything.
“all that I have is thine;” this, the older son had lost sight of the fact that everything on the
place belonged to him. He didn’t need to ask permission for anything. But he gets angry
because of the love that the father shows his younger brother. He is just like the scribes and
Pharisees who never experience the joy that a repentant sinner has.
“It was meet (right) that we should make merry;” over repentant sinners. This is the main
point of all three parables of Luke 15. {72}
Parable Of The Unjust Steward
Luke 16:1
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which
had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
2
And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an
account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
Luke 16:3
Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh
away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. 4 I am resolved
what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into
their houses.
Note: This is a continuation of the same dissertation five parables.
“he said also unto his disciples;” although the Pharisees are still there Jesus is directing this one
to His disciples.
“a steward;” this person was the chief of all the servants and managed all the household affairs
that concerned the servants and provisions. Remember Joseph in Genesis 39:4-5 when he was
the overseer over the house of Potiphar; this is the same thing. Joseph had complete authority to
conduct business in his master’s name.
“had wasted his goods;” like the younger son in the parable above who wasted his goods, his
inheritance, this guy wasted his master’s goods; not all of them, but enough to be noticed. But
when he caught at it he was shrewd enough to not wallow in it. He quickly worked out scheme
to keep himself from ending up feeding pigs like the young lad in the story above.
“give an account of thy stewardship;” get your records up to date and bring them here that I
may examine them.
“thou mayest be no longer steward;” not the smartest move on the master’s part. It’s like
telling your enemy which city you’re going to bomb next so he can evacuate and move all his
defenses there. He must have thought the guy was just incompetent and didn’t suspect any
illegalities. {72}
“I cannot dig;” I’m not strong enough to dig ditches. He’s had a real cushy job for a while just
telling others what to do and now his muscles are gone to flab.
“to beg I am ashamed;” ashamed to beg, but not ashamed to embezzle! {3}
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“I am resolved what to do;” I got it! I’ll use my master’s goods to buy my way into the hearts
of his debtors. That way they will owe me.
“they may receive me into their houses;” so he actually makes his master’s debtors
accomplices to his embezzlement since he has the authority to make deals for his master. By
reducing their indebtedness to his master they now owe the about ready to be out-of-work
servant a place to live.
Luke 16:5
So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the
first, How much owest thou unto my lord? 6 And he said, An hundred measures of
oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
7
Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred
measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
8
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the
children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
“sit down quickly;” this was done in a secret, hurried transaction because it was unauthorized
by the master. Now the debtor becomes a co-conspirator. {72}
“An hundred measures of oil;” according to The Companion Bible Appendix 51, III 3 (11) (7)
a measure is about six gallons liquid. {3} So we are looking at six hundred gallons to start with
being reduced to three hundred.
“An hundred measures of wheat;” appendix 51, III (3) (4) a measure of wheat is about eight
bushels. {3} So we start off with eight hundred bushels being reduced to six hundred forty.
“And the lord commended the unjust steward;” this verse would be better if it read “The
master applauded the servant for his shrewd dealings.” This shows that he too was not an honest
man because he admired someone’s dishonesty. All of the individuals in this parable are of
questionable character. {72}
“wiser;” all that He is saying here is that once you start to follow Jesus you lose the ways of the
world and gain the ways of the light.
Luke 16:9
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of
unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting
habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and
he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been
faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true
riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who
shall give you that which is your own?
Luke 16:13
No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love
the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve
God and mammon.
“Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness;” use the wealth of this
world to make friends for yourselves so that when you die, those that you have helped will
welcome into eternal houses.
“true riches;” if you take care of what you are supposed to do here on earth repeatedly, then you
will accumulate treasure in heaven. (See Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:33; 18:22)
“which is another man’s;” this should read “which is another’s.” This is talking about the
relationship between God and the believer and the believer’s stewardship over what God has
given him to manage. {72}
“Ye cannot serve God and mammon;” Jesus isn’t condemning wealth here; what He is saying
is don’t fall in love with it. This was repeated by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:9–10, 17–19. The
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Pharisees taught that devotion to money and devotion to God were good bedfellows. Wealth
meant that you had divine blessing. That meant that rich people were regarded as God’s
favorites (see Matthew 19:24). {72}
Lazarus And The Rich Man
Luke 16:14
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and
they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves
before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed
among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of
God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and
earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Luke 16:18
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth
adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband
committeth adultery.
“they derided him;” the Pharisees began to sneer, ridicule, and scoff at Jesus because He just
attacked their most precious belief of equal devotion to God and wealth.
“Ye are they which justify yourselves;” they also believed that their own goodness justified
them (see Romans 10:3). This is called “self righteousness” and it is always external and very
thin at that. {72} The fact that they derided Jesus and wanted to kill Him shows the thinness of
their skin. God knows their hearts even if many men are fooled into thinking that they are
righteous. That’s because that is their only audience; God ain’t listening! (See Luke 7:29)
“until John;” as far as redemptive history is concerned, the Law and the Prophets were the sole
teachers until John the Baptist who proclaimed the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God. John
actually introduced the King Himself in John 1:29; 36. Now this all pointed to Jesus’ coming
and it blew right over the heads of the Pharisees who fancied themselves the sole authorities on
the Law and Prophets. And even now that they are confronted with the reality of Him that the
Law and Prophets pointed to, they are in full denial. {72}
“every man presseth into it;” the word “presseth” here suggests violence; but in context it
actually means that they were knocking down the gates to get into heaven, so to speak.
“one tittle of the law to fail;” He used similar language in Matthew 5:18; the law is here and
still in full effect with all its divine principles as written by the prophets and will be till heaven
and earth pass away.
“committeth adultery;” unless there were legal grounds. Matthew gives a more complete
version of this teaching in Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9 which makes it very clear that divorce may
be permitted in cases where one of the spouses is guilty of adultery. The rabbinical doctrine of
that time was far more liberal permitting divorce for almost any reason; almost like our no-fault
divorce of today.
Luke 16:19
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen,
and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named
Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with
the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and
licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by
the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And
in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and
Lazarus in his bosom.
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“There was a certain rich man;” let’s pick this apart from God’s point of view. First of all he
was a rich man; he was clothed in purple and fine linen; and he fared sumptuously every
day. In other words he got all that he could, and he kept it to himself. the rich man also died,
and was buried.
“Lazarus;” this is not the same Lazarus of John 11 the brother of Martha and Mary who dies
later on and Jesus resurrects only to die again. This beggar is the only character in all of Jesus’
parables that He identifies by name. {72}
. lad´-zar-os;of Hebrew origin [499]; Lazarus (i.e. Elazar), the name of two Isr. (one
imaginary):— Lazarus. {2}
499. el-aw-zawr’; from 410 and 5826; God (is) helper; Elazar, the name of seven Isr.:—
Eleazar. {2}
He is also identified by the facts that he is a beggar; who laid at the gate of the rich man; (and
the rich man wouldn’t take him in.) He was full of sores; he desired to be fed with the crumbs
from the rich man’s table; and the dogs came and licked his sores; and eventually the beggar
died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom
“Crumbs . . . dogs;” the whole idea of table scraps, sores, and dogs liking wounds made this
poor beggar so repulsive to the Pharisees that they probably viewed him as despised by God.
{72}
“Abraham’s bosom;” this is the only place in Scripture that this phrase is found. However, it is
used as a figure for heaven in the Talmud. {72} For the rich man this is the first incidence in the
stages of his punishment; there are five.
“hell;” the idea that the rich man is not in heaven is an outrage to the Pharisees (see Matthew
19:24); especially when they hear that the beggar is in the place of honor next to Abraham. You
will sometimes hear this called “Hades” or “Sheol.” (See Psalms 16:10; 86:13) It is the place of
the dead. {72}
Note: it’s time that we tackle what happens when we die according to the Scriptures:
Ecclesiastes 9:4
For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is
better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead
know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of
them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now
perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done
under the sun.
When your body dies, it returns to the dust that it was made from (Genesis 3:19). Your spirit,
which is the power of life goes back to God because it no longer has a living body to dwell in.
Your soul, which your will, mind, and emotions; that’s the real you goes into a thoughtless,
dreamless sleep. That happens because it no longer has the power of life with it. Your soul will
remain in this state until its resurrection either to glory or to damnation. So for Abel, the first
recorded man to die some six thousand years ago, (see Genesis 4) he went to sleep one split
second and the next split second he will be awakened in the resurrection to glory because God
called him righteous. He does not know that these six thousand years have gone by. That is why
Jesus said in John 11:11 “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of
sleep.” The Old Testament is loaded with the phrase “slept with his fathers;” meaning that they
died and were buried (see 1 & 2 Kings). Both Paul and Peter liken the grave to sleep in
1Corinthians 11:30;15:5;20 1Thessalonians 4:14-18; 2Peter 3:4. (See also Matthew 27:52)
So this story that Jesus is telling here in Luke 16 is just a real good allegory or parable with a
name this time for realism.
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Luke 16:24
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send
Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I
am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy
lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he
is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you
there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you
cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
“send Lazarus;” isn’t is amazing that the rich man knows the beggar’s name but wouldn’t help
him in this life.
“have mercy on me;” an infinite desire to escape from evil, and an equally strong desire to be
swallowed up in a supreme good coupled with the realization that those are both now impossible
to him is the second incidence in the stages of his punishment.
“I am tormented;” the unquenchable flames of a guilty conscience and opportunities missed
and the permanent separation from God and all things good {72} are the third and fourth
incidences in the stages of his punishment.
“between us and you there is a great gulf;” there is no escape or alleviation of the misery that
he is in is the fifth incidence in the stages of his punishment.
Luke 16:27
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to
my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest
they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have
Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham:
but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto
him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded,
though one rose from the dead.
“send him to my father’s house;” now the rich man wants Lazarus to run an errand for him.
Relying on father Abraham instead of father God, the now sufferer tries to pull on Abraham’s
sympathy strings. Maybe it’s guilt because he laid down a bad example; or maybe he feels that
he didn’t get the right upbringing in the field of right and wrong.
“They have Moses and the prophets;” (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Isaiah 3:14-15; Micah 6:10-
11).
“neither will they be persuaded;” here’s where the allegory becomes real: Jesus rose from the
dead and yet many that still don’t believe or just give it mental ascent. The problem is not a
mental one but a moral one; it is a matter of the will consenting to obey a God that can’t be seen
and yet governs the entire universe. His law doesn’t have to be written on some document for us
to know what is right and wrong; these things are written deep in our consciences by God, unless
a person has already seared theirs.
Note: it has been suggested that this allegory is an direct attack on Caiaphas, his father-in law
Annas, and his five brothers-in-law. {48}
Woe To The One That Causes Others To Sin And Forgiveness
Luke 17:1
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come:
but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a
millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should
offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass
against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass
against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee,
saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
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“It is impossible but that offences will come;” ARTB reads “Nothing is possible without a
stumblingblock coming.” The Companion Bible calls it “inevitable” and “stumblingblocks.”
Strong's. skan´-dal-on (“scandal”); a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (fig. cause of
displeasure or sin):— occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumblingblock.
{2}
“millstone;” this is a large round stone that was pulled around in a circle over grain by a donkey
to grind the grain.
“little ones;” He’s not just talking about little children here; this also includes newly converted
Christians who are “babes” in Christ.
“rebuke him;” if our brother sins against us he is sinning against the Holy Spirit in us; call him
out for it; let him know his sin so that he can repent and be right with God and you.
“if he repent, forgive him;” if he is truly a Christian his repentance will be sincere and with all
humility.
“seven times in a day;” this is not a literal figure, but the way it is used here it now becomes an
infinite number, being the number of ordinal perfection. The person might be a constant screw-
up every waking hour, but you still got to love him.
Faith And Faithfulness
Luke 17:5
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said,
If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree,
Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey
you. 7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto
him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And
will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself,
and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and
drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were
commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those
things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have
done that which was our duty to do.
“apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith;” in light of what Jesus had just said the
twelve felt that they were not strong enough in this area that they should neither offend nor be
offended. {72}
“a grain of mustard seed;” back in Matthew 13:31-32 Jesus described the mustard seed this
way:
Matthew 13:31
. . . The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a
man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but
when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the
birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
“sycamine tree;” a mulberry tree. Remember this is the King James Version published in 1611
A.D. That’s 400 years ago; the English language has changed quite a bit.
“a servant;” you are a servant of God and your fellow man; don’t expect a reward for doing
what you are supposed to do. {72} When you put the key into the ignition of your car and turn it
you expect the car motor to run; no more and no less. Its only reward is more gasoline and
scheduled maintenance like oil changes. They asked for increase of faith in lieu of the saying
that Jesus gave them about forgiveness because this is what is expected of God’s servants.
“unprofitable servants;” not note worthy. It’s like going to college and just graduating but
without honors. You did your job.
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Lazarus, Brother Of Martha And Mary Gets Sick And Dies

John 11:1
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary
and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment,
and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his
sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
“Now a certain man was sick;” John is the only gospel writer that records this, the greatest of
all of Jesus’ miracles. As we read on we will find that Lazarus was in the ground four days
where as the others He resurrected immediately after death.
“named Lazarus . . . brother Lazarus;” this of course is not the same Lazarus of the allegory
in Luke 16 above. It is only by coincidence that they have the same name; like how many men
are there named John, or Peter. or Paul?
“Bethany;” there were two Bethany’s; this one was about two miles east of Jerusalem on the
slope of the mount of olives.
“the town of Mary and her sister Martha;” John writes as though his readers are familiar with
the sisters and the anointing event in John 12 but not acquainted with the brother.
“sent unto him;”at the time Jesus was on the east side of the Jordan river and the message
would have taken at least a day to get to Him telling of Lazarus’ condition which Jesus already
knew. But He stayed there two more days (verse 6 below) and then went to Bethany another
day’s journey; that’s four days. So Lazarus must have died just after the messenger left to find
Jesus east of the Jordan. {72}
“he whom thou lovest is sick;” apparently Jesus and Lazarus had developed a close relationship
during Jesus’ last visit (see Luke 10:38-24).
John 11:4
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the
glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. 5 Now Jesus loved
Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was
sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was. 7 Then after that
saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
John 11:8
His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee;
and goest thou thither again? 9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the
day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of
this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no
light in him. 11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend
Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
John 11:12
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus
spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14
Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your
sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto
him.
John 11:16
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let
us also go, that we may die with him.
“the Son of God might be glorified;” this was the whole reason for Lazarus getting sick and
dying that the Son of God would be glorified through his. Lazarus’ resurrection.
“he abode two days still in the same place;” Lazarus didn’t die because Jesus stayed there an
extra two days; he was already dead by the time that Jesus got the message and Jesus knew it.
The delay would strengthen every bodies faith because he will have been dead for so long.
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“Jews of late sought to stone thee;” even the disciples had picked up on the murderous
intentions of the Jewish Leaders. {72}
“Are there not twelve hours;” remember this is right after the spring equinox.
“If any man walk in the day;” He is referring back to what He said in John 9:4-5: “I must work
the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As
long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” He was God made-into-man living and
walking on this earth. As long as He was alive and doing so we had light. When He died
darkness came for those three days. Then on Pentecost He sent the Holy Spirit to take His place
that light in our hearts.
“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth;” we’ve already covered this in Luke 16:19-31 when we read
about the other Lazarus and the rich man.
“Howbeit Jesus spake of his death;” here it is, in plain and simple English translated from the
pen of John, even Jesus likens death unto sleep. And you can be assured that with so many
testimonies of so many prominent individuals in the Bible that it is true. Oh, and it was not lost
in translation either. You might say that this is the first of three miracles that Jesus performs;
knowing that Lazarus was dead when no one had come to announce it. The second is to raise a
person from the dead rather than heal a sick person. The third will be to raise a person that has
been dead four days when the body is starting to decay and putrefy “Lord, by this time he
stinketh;” as spoken by Martha. (verse 39)
“I am glad for your sakes that I was not there;” so that your faith can be bolstered. This was
not only in light of the strong opposition from the Jewish leaders, but they were going to need a
very strong faith to face Jesus’ death.
“Thomas, which is called Didymus;” both names have the same meaning, Didymus is just a
nickname:
Strong’s . tho-mas´; of Chald. or. the twin; Thomas, a Chr.:— Thomas. {2}
Strong’s . did´-oo-mos;double, i.e. twin; Didymus, a Chr.:— Didymus. {2}
This guy is a pessimist from the word go. He figured that they would be arrested and executed
along with Jesus. The Jews hostility is aimed at Jesus not His followers. They figure “smite the
shepherd and the sheep will scatter.” (See Zechariah 13:7) And that’s pretty well what happened
the night that Jesus was arrested because Jesus protected them (see John 18:8). Only Peter and
John followed Him till Peter failed. Then it was only John. Even at the cross it was John and
some of the ladies but none of the rest of the twelve.
Jesus Raises Lazarus From The Dead
John 11:17
Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days
already. 18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off
(about two miles): 19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort
them concerning their brother.
John 11:20
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met
him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou
hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now,
whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
John 11:23
Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.24 Martha saith unto him, I
know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in
me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth
in me shall never die. Believest thou this?27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I
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believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the
world.
“in the grave;” this probably was a cave that had been carved out a stone hillside with many
shelves to hold family members like a modern mausoleum. And they usually had a huge stone
rolled in front of it to keep out wild animals and thieves. {72}
“four days already;” Lazarus probably died shortly after the messenger was dispatched to Jesus
telling Him that Lazarus was sick. Travel time for him was one day. But Jesus stayed in place
two days more “he abode two days still” (verse 6) and then He traveled the one day journey to
Bethany, about twenty miles. This gives us a total of four days from the time that messenger was
dispatched till Jesus arrives at Martha and Mary’s. It was not Jewish custom to have any of their
dead bodies embalmed so by this time Lazarus’ body was in a pretty good state of
decomposition: “Lord, by this time he stinketh” (verse 39 below). {72}
“many of the Jews came . . . to comfort them;” it was obvious that this family was very well
liked in the community. John lets us know that Jesus is taking a pretty big chance at coming
within two miles of Jerusalem where He is not liked at all; at least by the leaders, and they’re the
ones that hold the power. {72}
“Martha . . . went and met him; but Mary sat still in the house.” Here again we see the
contrast between the two sisters: Martha, the woman of action going to Jesus and chew His butt
out for not getting there in time to save her brother: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my
brother had not died.” (verse 21) Then there’s Mary: she sits still in the house meditating.
Now no one knows what she was thinking; but here are two thoughts: one she was mourning the
loss of her brother; only natural. Two, she was contemplating what Jesus might do; having sat at
His feet and learned so much from Him.
“even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God;” even though she says this, Martha still doesn’t
believe that Jesus can resurrect Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus tells them to roll away the
stone she tells Him not to do that because after four days ole Laz is going to smell like hell (verse
39 below).
“Thy brother shall rise again . . . in the resurrection at the last day;” these two verses 23 &
24 are very telling about Martha’s faith. Jesus asks her if she believes that Lazarus will rise
again after suffering death. Where does she go? She doesn’t even look at the one that is staring
in the face, she goes straight to the last day resurrection.
“I am the resurrection, and the life;” this is the sixth time that Jesus invokes the title “I AM”
as recorded here in John’s Gospel (see John 6:35 “I am the bread of life.” 8:12 “I am the Light
of the world.” 10:7 “I am the door of the sheep.” 10:9 “I am come that they might have life, and
might have more it more abundantly.” 10:11: 14 “I am the good shepherd.”) [Actually it is seven
times because He uses “I am the Good shepherd” twice.] What He is telling Martha is “IAM
that resurrection. I have the power to give life right now.” ATRB reads: “ 26 And anyone that
lives and believes in me will never die forever. Are you believing this?”
“Believest thou this?” Jesus asks the poignant question upon which Martha’s and all our faith
hangs.
“She saith unto him;” she didn’t say yes; she responded with the answer of Peter’s confession
in Matthew 16:16 in believing that He was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Knowing that
He’s the Son of the Living God and believing that He is willing and able to raise your brother
from the dead are two different things. She proves that in verse 39.
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John 11:28
And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister
secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard
that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
John 11:30
Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where
Martha met him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and
comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out,
followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
John 11:32
Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down
at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not
died. John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping
which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:34
And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and
see. Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37 And some
35

of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused
that even this man should not have died?
John 11:38
Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a
cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the
sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he
hath been dead four days.
“Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” The hour that Lazarus died the two
sisters said the same thing: “If Jesus had been here Lazarus wouldn’t have died.” So the minute
that they laid eyes on Him that’s what they said to Him.
“the Jews also weeping which came with her;” these are the professional mourners who get
paid to play-act like they are in deep sorrow over the death of this “loved one” that they might
not have even knew. This puts on a good show in case the deceased didn’t have many family or
friends or wasn’t that well liked.
“he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled;” the word “groaned” from Strong’s: “ . (to
snort with anger); to have indignation on, i.e. (tran.) to blame, (intr.) to sigh with chagrin, (spec.)
to sternly enjoin:— straitly charge, groan, murmur against.” {2} This group is acting like a
bunch of pagans that have no hope; thus denying the resurrection that the Scriptures promised.
Their ignorance being displayed at this time of Martha’s and Mary’s time of loss is inexcusable.
“Jesus wept;” shortest verse in the Bible. The word “wept” from Strong’s: “ . dak-roo´-o;
to shed tears:— weep. comp. .” {2}
“. of uncert. aff.; to sob, i.e. wail aloud (whereas  is rather to cry silently):— bewail,
weep.” {2} Jesus wept silently; He was filled with compassion for the pain that Martha and Mary
were going through and the fact that Lazarus had to suffer through sickness and death because of
this corrupt world that they lived in; something that He came to conquer.
“Then said the Jews;” even His enemies take notice.
“Jesus therefore again groaning;” this is the same snorting with anger and indignation as
before and this time it is because of the Jews left handed comment about Him not being there in
time. But mostly at Satan for causing this death of His good friend.
“It was a cave;” this would indicate that the family was some-what wealthy
“Take ye away the stone;” this would prove to everyone, especially those that removed the
stone that Lazarus was indeed dead by the smell of decay.
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“by this time he stinketh;” as stated above it was not the custom of the Jews to embalm their
dead. They would wrap their bodies in linen cloth and aromatic spices to help retard the odors of
decomposition. {72}
John 11:40
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe,
thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the
place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I
thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but
because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast
sent me.
John 11:43
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come
44
forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes:
and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him,
and let him go.
“Said I not unto thee;” this is in reference to verses 25, 26 and in reply to the messenger in
verse 4.
“Father, I thank thee;” Jesus was just thanking the Father for this miracle further validating
Him as the Messiah and the Son of God. {72}
“he that was dead came forth;” this will actually happen on a large scale when at the sound of
the voice of the Son of God all the righteous dead will come out of their graves to a new life.
{72} Only they will not be bound by old grave clothes, but they will be adorn with their new
glorified bodies that will never die. Lazarus and all that had been raised from the dead had to die
again.
Jewish Leaders Plot To Kill Jesus
John 11:45
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things
which Jesus did, believed on him. 46 But some of them went their ways to the
Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
John 11:47
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What
do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48 If we let him thus alone, all men will
believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and
nation.
John 11:49
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year,
said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us,
that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. John
11:51
And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he
prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only,
but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were
scattered abroad.
John 11:53
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
54
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a
country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued
with his disciples.
“But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees;” stool pigeons, rats, snitches, and many
other names could be attached to these guys. But the sad part is that Jesus didn’t do anything
wrong, what He did was good; He restored life to a dead man. But that scares some people;
especially the ignorant, and those who are intentionally blind.
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“a council;” called the Sanhedrin composed of 70 members consisting of the chief priests, with
the scribes and the elders, and a president who was the current High Priest; 71 in all. They had
authority over civil jurisdiction according to Jewish law; also to some degree criminal matters. It
was the final court of appeal for all questions regarding Mosaic law, and all inferior courts. Even
king Herod was subject to its authority. {45}
“named Caiaphas.” Joseph ben Caiaphas was appointed High Priest by the Roman
procurator Valerius Gratusin AD 18. {46} He was the son-in-law of Annas; the former High
Priest (John 18:13); and a Pharisee by politics. But on the matter of Jesus even the Sadducees
and the Herodians were in agreement with him. The Essenes who kept to themselves, were not
consulted; neither were the Zealots, many of whom were Essenes.
“one man should die for the people;” Caiaphas was only trying to save his own skin and
maybe the nation from Roman reprisals; but he unknowingly said that someone should be
sacrificed for all. He thus foretold Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice for all our sins, which saves us
from the lake of fire. {72}
“he prophesied;” just as God played Pharaoh like a cheap fiddle back in the time of Moses, He
is now playing Caiaphas like one also. He has hardened his heart, which didn’t take much doing.
He is being used by God here as a prophet to utter the words that God has chosen as a prophecy
regarding God’s plan of salvation.
“gather together in one the children of God;” now the prophecy is extended to all the lost
tribes of Israel that are scattered abroad will be re-gathered back into one nation by the Messiah
(see Isaiah 43:5; Ezekiel 34:12). But this also includes the Gentiles (see John 12:32) that will be
included into the church along with the Israelites. {72}
“from that day forth;” their minds were made up. Jesus had to die. The trial was just to be a
formality; He was already judged to be guilty of blasphemy, even though there was no trial yet;.
they had already passed sentence (see Mark 14:1-2). {72}
Note: Caiaphas and the council know that Pilate can’t and won’t execute someone for violating
Jewish laws. But, if someone calls themselves the Messiah, the King in the Davidic line; now
that’s an act of sedition and a challenge against Caesar and Rome. Later they tell Pilate thatthey
have no king but Caesar (John 19;15); thus slapping God in the face and nullifying all faith.
“walked no more openly among the Jews;” among the inhabitants of Judea, especially those at
Jerusalem who are were properly called Jews.
“a city called Ephraim;” noted Bible scholar William Hendriksen places the fortress city called
Ephraim about fourteen miles north-northeast of Jerusalem, and roughly the
same distance west of the Jordan River, and about eighteen miles south of
Jacob's well in the hill country.
“there continued with his disciples;” it’s late winter now and Jesus wants to spend the last
weeks of His time before His death teaching and preparing His closest disciples.
Jesus Heals Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the
midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met
him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their
voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
“it came to pass,as he went to Jerusalem;” several weeks have passed now, and Jesus is going
to make a final swing through the north by way of Samaria and Galilee before heading south to
Jerusalem; and this He will do by going by way of the Jordan and Jericho to Bethany.
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“lepers,which stood afar off;” anyone with leprosy were ceremonially defiled and forced to
lived outside the village (see Leviticus 13:46; Numbers 5:2-3). They had to “lift up their
voices” in order to get Jesus to hear them. {72}
“have mercy on us;” it became pretty common for Jesus to hear these words from someone
seeking healing (see Matthew 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; 20:31; Mark 10:47-48; Luke 16:24; 18:38-39).
{72}
Luke 17:14
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the
priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of
them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice
glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he
was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:17
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the
18
nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this
stranger.19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee
whole.
“Go shew yourselves unto the priests;” according to Leviticus 13:2-3 & 14:2-32 you went to
the priest in order to be declared clean. The only way that the healing could take place is if they
obeyed His command. And when they did the healing was sudden, complete, and visible. {72}
“And one of them . . . turned back;” this man put thanksgiving above the official declaration of
his being clean. In 2 Kings 2:15 Naaman, a foreigner, returned to Elisha to give thanks for his
healing after he had dipped himself in the Jordan seven times and was healed.
“he was a Samaritan;” the others were most likely Jews; and Jews and Samaritans normally
didn’t get along. However, their misery had made brothers out of this group. With this particular
Samaritan we can be pretty well sure that after he gave his thanks to Jesus, he fulfilled his
obligation to show himself to the priest as Jesus had directed.
“save this stranger;” it is curious that Jesus would call this Samaritan a stranger; especially
after talking to that Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well (see John 4:1-26).
“thy faith hath made thee whole;” the word “whole” is Strong’s . “to save, i.e. deliver or
protect (lit. or fig.):— heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.” {2} The Samaritan
got healed and saved because of his faith.
Note: the Jews believed that leprosy was inflicted upon a person as punishment for some
particular sin and more than any other disease, it was the mark of God’s wrath. Therefore Jesus,
who came to take away sin and turn away wrath, made sure to cleanse any lepers that came His
way. {49}
Luke 17:20
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God
should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with
observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the
kingdom of God is within you.
“when the kingdom of God should come;” there was a big difference between what the
Pharisees believed and the reality of what Jesus was going to bring about. They were expecting
a conquering Messiah that would throw off Roman rule and set up the glorious Kingdom of God
ruling the world from Jerusalem. (See Joel 2:28-32) But what Jesus was setting up was totally
different: God would rule in the hearts of men through faith in Jesus. This kingdom would not
be located or confined to any specific location of the earth; and it would not be visible except in
the actions of men. Jesus was not nullifying the Prophecy of Joel 2; that will take place at
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another time (see Revelation 20:1-6). So the Pharisees were just off in the timing for the event
that were expecting; you might say that they got the cart in front of the horse on this one.
Note: note trying to pass judgment here but, these men had already developed a supplement to
God’s law and had become “holier than thou” about it; (actually downright arrogant lording it
over the people). So God used that and caused a blindness in them about the Messiah’s real
mission.
“the kingdom of God is within you;” this word “within” is a curious word. It is Strong’s
“. en-did-oos´-ko; to invest (with a garment):— clothe in, wear.” {2} We are clothed in the
Kingdom of God; it is part of us; not like the shirt that we wear or our pants, we wear it in our
changed character, and attitudes, and thought processes. This is who we really are; and what you
wear shows which kingdom you belong to.
Jesus Teaches About His Second Coming
Luke 17:22
And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to
see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. 23 And they shall say
to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24 For as the
lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other
part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
Luke 17:25
But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until
the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought,
they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of
Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even
thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
“The days will come;” these next three topics are Jesus’ last words to the Galileans before
departing for Jerusalem.
“ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man;” you will desire to have Him present
to make things right because the whole world has gone to hell in a hand basket (see Revelation
6:9-11; 22:20).
“they shall say to you, See here; or, see there;” there will be many false prophets, false
teachers, and false messiahs come on the scene and try to lead you astray.
“Lightning;” is instantaneous and it lights up the whole sky; that’s the way it will be when Jesus
comes; He will cover the whole earth with His brightness.
“first must he suffer;” the cup of the iniquity of the leaders of the people shall be overflowing
till He is humiliated and then beaten within an inch of His life. Then, they demand that too (see
Isaiah 53:3-5; Psalm 22:1; 7-8; 12-18).
“in the days of Noe;” this is a repeat of Matthew 24:37-38. Remember it took a hundred years
to build and stock the arc.
“in the days of Lot;” the point that Jesus in making is that in the days of both Noah and Lot, the
people were just going about their lives living on a day to day basis not thinking about any future
judgment for the sins that they might be committing. {72}
Luke 17:31
In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the
house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him
likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save
his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you,
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in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the
other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be
taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken,
and the other left.
Luke 17:37
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto
them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
“In that day;” this will happen instantaneously all over the world like lightning; for some it will
be daytime for others it will be nighttime. But it will happen at the same time all over the world.
“the housetop . . . in the field;” it is the same for both. If you see a tornado coming you
wouldn’t run inside your house just save your beloved pictures of mom and your favorite dog.
No, you are going to run like hell for the storm shelter and hope that you beat the storm. The
storm is the revealing of the Son of God (verse 30 above) to unrepentant mankind.
“Remember Lot’s wife;” whose name was Edith, {8} and who took a longing look back at the
life that she was leaving and the town where she was born in; whose pillar of salt remains to this
day in southern Jordan.
“whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it;” lose yourself in Christ and you will find a
whole new life in Him. The obeying of His commandments alone brings about so much joy and
peace that it can hardly be contained; not to mention the love for others that grows inside of you
and makes you want to serve them. And this is only a sample of your eternity.
“one shall be taken, and the other left;” one will be taken in judgment; but it’s the one that’s
left that counts; there’re the ones with faith that put their trust in the saving blood of Jesus. They
will enjoy eternity with Him.
“Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered;” this whole teaching is
centered around the return of Christ and the resulting judgment. All the birds of prey will be
gathered to feast upon the carcasses of those taken in judgment (see Revelation 19:21)
Parable Of The Unjust Judge
Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to
pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God,
neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto
him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but
afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet
because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming
she weary me.
Luke 18:6
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God
avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with
them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of
man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
“he spake a parable;” these two parables are only found in Luke.
“to this end;” added by translators to emphasize what He had just said.
“men ought always to pray;” if nothing else be in praise and thanksgiving for all things and all
situations.
“a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man;” Jesus describes him in verse 6 as the
unjust judge so don’t compare him to God. God is ready and willing to answer your request; all
you have to do is dial His number with faith and a right cause.
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“weary me;” the word “weary” is Strong’s . “to hit under the eye (buffet or disable an
antagonist as a pugilist), i.e. (fig.) to tease or annoy (into compliance),subdue (one’s passions):
— keep under, weary.” {2} The widow annoyed the unjust judge into compliance.
“Hear what the unjust judge saith;” did you hear what the unjust judge said? Now let Me tell
you how My Father works.
“shall not God avenge his own elect;” verses 7&8 from the N.I.V. “And will not God bring
about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them
off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. . . ”
“speedily;” with compassion. If He does delay it’s for a good reason (see 2 Peter 3:8-9). {72}
There are those that calculate that Job’s trials lasted at least six, to possibly nine months. In the
end he was rewarded with twice as much as he had before in offspring and riches.
“shall he find faith on the earth;” Jesus will return after a time of great persecution, which
tends to either cause men to strengthen their faith or abandon it. Remember the example of Noah
when only eight were found with faith.
Parable Of The Justified Publican
Luke 18:9
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that
they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to
pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and
prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are,
extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week,
I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not
lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be
merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified
rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he
that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
“parable unto certain which trusted in themselves;” Luke nails the intention right off the bat
so the reader knows what Jesus is talking about. Trusting in yourself and your righteousness
while despising others is a slippery downward slope that leads to you becoming eagle food (see
17:37 above). If there were any Pharisees present they had to be offended by this one. If you
listen to his prayer, it is telling God how good he is; like God is a dummy and doesn’t know what
this guy has been doing. How arrogant!
“fast twice in the week;” by Jesus’ time there were two weekly fasts during certain times of the
year: between Passover and Pentecost, and between Tabernacles and Dedication (see Zechariah
8:19). Aside from that there were four other annual fasts. {3} These were required fasts by God
so this guy wasn’t bragging on much.
“tithes” a tithe is ten percent; which is about the same percentage of the amount of brain that we
all use. That ten percent is tied up in this world: what we to eat; what are to wear; this bill is
due; the car is about to break-down; and so on. What God says is “Give me that ten percent of
your brain, the part that is wrapped up in this world and I will show you how to use the other
ninety percent.” That is real tithing!
“of all that I possess;” the law only required corn, wine, oil, and livestock (see Deuteronomy
14:22-23). Notice that he doesn’t mention a word about his sins, like if he doesn’t say anything
God won’t know (see Proverbs 28:13).
“Publican;” most likely a tax collector for the Romans.
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“standing afar off;” His behavior is the exact opposite of the Pharisee. {72} This guy knows
that he’s a sinner and doesn’t want anybody to know him or see him. He is standing in the dark
back corner of the Temple desperate to make contact with God to get forgiveness for his sins.
“God be merciful to me a sinner;” this tax collector was seeking mercy through an atonement
for sin. And because this is the only way that God has established for man to be forgiven of his
sin the Pharisee was rejected because he chose to come on his own merit.
“Justified;” God imputed righteousness to him, {72} his sins were forgiven and cast into the sea
of forgetfulness; God will remember them no more.
Spring, AD 30
Jesus’ Final Journey To Jerusalem For Passover
Jesus Teaches About Divorce
Matthew 19:1
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, Mark 10:1 he
arose from thence, and Matthew 19:1 he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts
of Judaea beyond Jordan; Mark 10:1 and, as he was wont, he taught them again. Matthew
19:2
And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
“departed from Galilee,” Jesus won’t be in Galilee again until after His resurrection.
“the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;” heading southeast into Perea on the east side of the
Jordan River, which is technically not part of Judaea. But since both territories were ruled by
Herod the Great they were referred to that way. This stay in Perea was only for a short time as
He had an appointment in Jerusalem.
Matthew 19:3
The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is
it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? Mark 10:2 tempting him. 3
And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?4 And they
said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. Matthew 19:4
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them
at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a
man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be
one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God
hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
“The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him;” it’s no accident that the Pharisees are
here, they are close to Herod Antipas’ castle where John the Baptist was murdered for raising
questions about Herod’s relationship with His brother’s wife. So the Pharisees are going to ask
Jesus about His view on marriage, divorce, and remarriage.
“Is it lawful;” they’re basing their question on Deuteronomy 24:1. “When a man hath taken a
wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath
found some uncleanness (Heb. matter of nakedness) in her: then let him write her a bill of
divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.” During Jesus’ time there
were two schools of thought on this: Rabbi Shammai said that only grounds for divorce was
adultery. Rabbi Hillel on the other hand said that anything that displeased the husband was
sufficient grounds for a divorce. {5} The Pharisees figured that Jesus would take one side and
therefore lose the support of the other. The rest of that reads: “ vs.2 And when she is departed out
of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. vs.3 And if the latter husband hate her, and
write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if
the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; vs.4 Her former husband, which sent her
away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination
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before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee
for an inheritance.”
“What did Moses command you;” He puts away all the Rabbis’ interpretations of what they
think is right and cuts right straight to the Scriptures. {5}
“Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement;” the word “suffer” here means that it was
begrudgingly allowed. And the bill of divorcement was a scroll of the written accusation against
the woman. {3} It’s what He says next that is the whole argument.
“made them male and female;” Jesus is using quotes from Genesis 1:27 and 5:2 to show the
Pharisees that God never intended for any marriage to be broken.
“For this cause;” when God removed that “rib” from Adam in Genesis 2:21 He wasn’t just
removing a bone:
Rib Genesis 2:22 Strong’s #6763;from 6760; a rib (as curved), lit. (of the body) or fig. (of a
door, i.e. leaf); hence, a side, lit. (of a person) beam, board, chamber, corner, leaf, plank, rib,
side.
Strong’s #6760. a prim. root: prob. to curve; used only as denom. from 6763, to limp(as if one-
sided):— halt.
This is a spiritual term; what God was removing was all the nuances that makeup a women, and
make her different from a man. Then He formed a physical body around these like unto the rest
of nature that would suit man. Now man is not complete without woman, and woman is not
complete without man. So man seeks after a woman and woman seeks after a man so that each
might be complete. This is why two men don’t work together as a marriage and two women
don’t work together as a marriage. Neither can you have a three-fer: that is two of one and one
of the other. God’s math is “the twain shall be one flesh;”one man and one woman! But
ever since the Garden of Eden men have been trying to get around what God has told them to do
and what He says is right. And by the way, these principles are creation ordinances and apply
even if you don’t know God.
Note: There are those today that say that they identify as the sex of the opposite of what they
were born to. That is like saying that God put the wrong nuances in your body, or He put the
wrong body together with your nuances. Either way you’re saying that God made a mistake.
HOGWASH! God don’t make mistakes; you might (see Genesis 1:31). What you really have is
Satan blowing smoke up your backside and you’re believing it just like Eve did in the garden.
Get together with God and thank Him for what He gave you. Then tell Satan to get behind you
and kiss what he sees.
“What therefore God hath joined together;” and this is the ultimate reason why there should
not be any divorce; God joined them together. He made the union, therefore man has no right to
break that union. {72}
Matthew 19:7
They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of
divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the
hardness of your hearts suffered Mark 10:5 he wrote you this precept [and] Matthew
19:8
you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
“Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement;” this was not a
“command” of Moses; it was tacked on to the law as an afterthought. But God’s ideal from the
beginning is, and always has been lifetime marriages (see verse 8). And the Pharisees
completely misunderstood this precept of the law: they took it to mean that they could divorce
for anything that their hearts desired. Today it is called “No Fault Divorce” and lawyers are
getting rich off of it because here in America both men and women can file for it. It is not a
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coincidence that this chapter 19 on divorce comes right after chapter 18 on forgiveness; God
planned it that way!
“because of the hardness of your hearts;” this was permission only because of their obstinate
human hearts and under only one condition. But they turned it into license for any reason when
God’s ideal was not to have it at all.
“from the beginning;” to repeat: God’s original plan was that one man was to be married to one
woman for life. {72} Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall
cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Following what we learned about the word
“rib” above, to divorce is to sever your flesh in half. This is the trauma that you are putting both
of your beings through when you divorce. When you marry it is for life: “As long as ye both
shall live!” Those words are a part of the vows of every wedding; and both parties getting
married agree to them by saying “I do.” So when you divorce you are not only breaking your
word, that vow, to the person that you are divorcing, but also to God, before and to whom you
made that vow.
Mark 10:10
And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. 11 And
he saith unto them, Matthew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his
wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery:
Mark 10:11
against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married
to another, she committeth adultery; Matthew 19:9 and whoso marrieth her which is put
away doth commit adultery.
Matthew 19:10
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it
is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying,
save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born
from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made
eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for
the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Luke
16:18
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery:
and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth
adultery.
“except it be for fornication;” Matthew covers this also in 5:32 and is the only Gospel writer
that covers this exception. Fornication: Strong’s . “por-ni´-ah; harlotry (incl. adultery and
incest); fig. idolatry:— fornication.” {2} We get the word pornography from this word. With
this exception the innocent party would be free to remarry without committing adultery. {72}
“shall marry another, committeth adultery;” against his former wife. According to Jesus’
seventy times seven rule applies; if your spouse commits adultery forgive them. If they just keep
on doing it unrepently, then divorce is the only option for they have already broken the marriage
vow and have severed the oneness of your flesh. As far as the marriage is concerned, the spouse
that commits adultery is dead. The same thing applies to an unbelieving spouse that leaves a
believing spouse because of their beliefs: the believing spouse is free to remarry (see 1
Corinthians 7:15).
“whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery;” provided that the one that is
put away is the guilty one. If the husband is the guilty one and puts his wife away so to marry
another, then once he has remarried he has become one flesh with another and the first wife is
free of all bonds of her marriage; she can remarry without any guilt upon her or her new
husband. However if she is the guilty one then she can never remarry; the stigma of her vow to
her first husband is always with her and can only be broken by his or her death.
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NOTE: although this might be written from a male standpoint God’s law applies to both
maleand female alike; He is not a respecter of persons. Notice also that all three synoptic Gospel
writers cover this subject; it is that important to God.
“it is not good to marry;” the disciples were now catching on to the fact that Jesus was telling
them that God’s standard was very high, and that divorce was only for extreme situations. {72}
But they were missing the fact that marriage is for the good of both men and women (see
Genesis 2:18, 24).
“there are some eunuchs;” they have no sexual or marital desire; either because they were born
that way, they choose that way, or it is forced upon them. In the doctrine of the Essenes it says
that in the upper classes one should not be married, but devote themselves to meditation and
prayer to God and serving others. Only in the lower classes if one can’t control their passions is
marriage permitted. Which is identical to what Paul taught.
“He that is able . . . let him receive it;” Jesus is not saying that celibacy is better than marriage
(see Genesis 2:18 & 1 Timothy 4:1-3). He is saying that celibacy is for those to whom it is
destined to be, either by calling or by force.
Jesus Teaches About The Kingdom
Mark 10:13
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and
his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was
much displeased, and Luke 18:16called them unto him, and said, Mark 10:14 Suffer the
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of
God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as
a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his
hands upon them, and blessed them Matthew 19:15 and departed thence.
“that he should touch them;” there was a custom back then for parents to bring their children
from about one year and up to the rabbi to be blessed. So this is what they were doing so that
Jesus might touch and therefore bless the little children. But the disciples in an effort to protect
Jesus tried to prevent the parents from bringing the little ones up. {13}
“forbid them not;” the disciples were stepping a little out of their pay grade; they had no right
to decide who had access to Jesus. {72}
“for of such;” when a child is born they are innocent and as they grow they see creation about
them and learn about God.
Romans 1:19
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God
hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of
the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his
eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
It isn’t until later on that they end up learning about atheism. Then they have to make a choice
as to whether to believe their conscience that is God instilled, or the evil that man is saying and
doing. You should read the rest of Romans one to see the judgment that happens to the ones that
reject God and the way of innocence that they were born with that can be had through faith.
“as a little child;” Jesus is preparing His disciples, and that includes us, for ruling in His
Kingdom. And the attributes of child are what? Innocence, a trusting attitude, sincerity,
eagerness, and a total dependence upon their parents.
Mark 10:17
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came Luke 18:18 a certain
Mark 10:17
ruler running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what
shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest
thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Matthew 19:17 But if thou wilt
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enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said,
Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal,
Thou shalt not bear false witness, Mark 10:19 Defraud not, Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father
and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mark 10:20
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed
from my youth. 21 When Jesus Luke 18:22 heard these things, Mark 10:21 beholding him,
loved him, and said unto him,Luke 18:22 Yet Mark 10:21 One thing thou lackest: go thy
way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure
in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Matthew 19:22 But when the
young man Luke 18:23 heard this, Mark 10:22 he was sad at that saying, and went away
grieved: Luke 18:23 for he was very rich Mark 10:22 [and] he had great possessions.
“Good Master;” this rich young ruler was just being respectfully formal in greeting a renown
religious teacher. He meant nothing else by it.
“what shall I do;” although this guy is super sincere, he is also ingrained in the legalism of the
day that says that if you do A,B,C, X,Y,Z, you’ll get into heaven. He must have had some doubt
about his convictions and the system so he is here asking Jesus; which is the smart thing to do.
When in doubt, ask God!
“eternal life;” this is much, much more than living forever; it is an infinite quality of life that
goes beyond anything that we could imagine. It begins the moment that you accept Jesus as your
savior and His blood as the atonement for your sins.
“Why callest thou me good;” there is only good and that’s God; and you are calling me good,
so you must be calling me God. Actually, He is trying to get this guy to think in terms of Jesus’
deity because He is the only one that was good and sinless. {72}
“if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments;” isn’t it amazing that the first thing that
Jesus points to is the law.
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not
come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth
pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Heaven and earth have not passed away yet, so the law still applies. The only things that have
been fulfilled are the sacrifice laws; we no longer shed the blood of bulls, goats, sheep, and birds.
But you can’t enter into eternal life just by keeping the commandments; that’s salvation by one’s
own merit. Pay attention to what Jesus says next.
“Thou shalt not;” Jesus quotes five of the six commandments that deal with human relations
(see Exodus 20:12-16; Deuteronomy 5:16-20). But instead of the tenth commandment dealing
with covetousness, He inserts Leviticus 19:18 which is a summation of the law that deals with
human relations: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (see also Romans 13:8-10) {72}
“Defraud not;” Mark is the only one of the three that records this phrase. The word Defraud is
Strong’s . “(to deprive); to despoil:— defraud, destitute, kept back by fraud.” {2} This seems
to be the stealing part of covetousness with subterfuge; i.e. stealing by deceit or sleight of hand.
“all these have I observed from my youth;” you can tell by Jesus’ reaction that this guy was
totally honest and sincere; he really did A,B,C, X,Y,Z, as best as any human possibly could. But
he is here asking Jesus because he knows he lacks something: “What shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life?” You see, there is a hollow, empty feeling when you’ve done all the “works,”
because you are still not satisfied. Because works are just that that, physical works that don’t
satisfy the spirit. You must satisfy the spirit first with a relationship with God. Then, and only
then can you produce the Godly works that satisfy.
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“Jesus . . . beholding him, loved him;” you couldn’t help but love this guy. He’s honest,
sincere, and he’s seeking the truth. He’s got everything going for him except . . .
“One thing thou lackest;” no one on this earth is perfect, except Jesus of course. If you lack
this one thing it will keep you out of heaven. You have to keep the law in addition to what He
says next.
“sell whatsoever thou hast;” now the rich young ruler comes to a fork in his road: do I choose
my riches or follow the Christ. He apparently chooses his riches. Jesus had warned in Mark
4:19 about “the deceitfulness of riches,” knowing the power and ultimately fatal attraction of
riches as a substitute for God. He had also said in Matthew 6:24 that no one can serve both God
and money; you have to choose between the two. That doesn’t mean that God condemns
prosperity; or even having great wealth. It all depends on what you do with it. You’ve heard of
the expression “You can’t out give God.” In most cases, the more that you give to others, the
more that God will give to you to give to others. Stay faithful because it’s not yours, it’s God’s.
He’s the one that owns everything anyhow, even you.
“treasure in heaven;” this is that eternal life that we spoke of above that goes into effect the
very moment that you accept Christ and become obedient to Him (see Matthew 13:44-46).
“come . . . follow me;” and be My disciple. This is the ultimate answer to the young men’s
question of “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” But he probably didn’t even hear
these words after hearing that he must sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor.
{72}
“went away grieved;” After Jesus had spoken the word “poor” everything that He said was like
it was muted and in a fog. The man’s face went from a smile to a frown; his shoulders sagged,
and his whole body started to go semi-limp. This young man who thought that he was going to
get the knowledge of eternal life found out that it required more than he was willing to give, at
least at this time. The Scriptures don’t tell us what became of this young man whether he
changed his mind later, or died in his wealth. But for now, he has rejecting this opportunity to
receive eternal life. We can only hope that he will respond to: “Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with
him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) So far he has said no; but God is very patient.
Luke 18:24
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he Mark 10:23 looked round
about, then said Jesus unto his disciples, Matthew 19:23 Verily I say unto you, That a
rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:24
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again,
and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter
into the kingdom of God! Matthew 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the
kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:25 Mark
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed,
10:26 Matthew 19:25 26
saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? But Jesus
beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all
things are possible.
“a rich man shall hardly enter;” those that have riches tend to trust in those riches; they
become their whole world. The thought of giving them up is repulsive to them. When the stock
market crashed in 1929, a lot of those that had gotten rich off the roaring twenties committed
suicide because they had lost all of their riches. They couldn’t imagine the thought of living
without them or starting over. That is what the riches of this world and this world’s system will
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do to you; it will make you dependent upon it. You’ll be hooked like a junkie on dope; the more
that you have, the more that you’ll want; never being satisfied. And the worst part of it is you
become a hoarder, not wanting to share it with hardly anyone except those that can get you more.
You’ll associate with people like yourself, rich and stingy with your nose in the air trampling on
those that have nothing; you know like a bunch of Pharisees.
“how hard is it;” the word “hard” is Strong’s . “doos´-kol-os (peevish), i.e. (gen.)
impracticable:— hard.” {2} But not impossible with God.
“Camel . . . the eye of a needle;” in order to drive the point home, Jesus uses an illustration that
He knows that the disciples won’t miss. To paraphrase: “Riches will corrupt, and abundant
riches will corrupt abundantly.” Riches corrupt a person, and this man was no different because
he couldn’t give them up. That’s why Jesus uses this impossible scenario of the camel and the
needle’s eye. As said above, riches are like an addictive drug that once you’ve had a good taste
you’re hooked, and only divine intervention can free you.
“Who then can be saved;” the prevailing thought of the day was that the rich had it made as far
as salvation was concerned. And now Jesus just blew that out of the water. {72}
“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible;” there ain’t no way for
man to save himself; it is impossible. That’s straight from the mouth of Jesus Himself. When
Jesus was in the garden He said “Father, all things are possible unto thee; take this cup from me .
. .” (Mark 14:36). If man could have been saved by any other means other than Christ suffering
like that, don’t you think God would have done it that way?
Matthew 19:27
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all,
and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them,
Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when
the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands,
for my name’s sake, Mark 10:29 and the gospel’s, Luke 18:29 for the kingdom of God’s
sake, Matthew 19:29 shall receive an hundredfold Mark 10:30 now in this time houses, and
brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and
in the world to come Matthew 19:29 shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are
first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
“we have forsaken all, and followed thee;” Peter, the bold one pops up and says that they have
met the requirements that Jesus had given to the rich young ruler and wondered what was in
store for him and the rest of the disciples. Jesus does not rebuke him because his perception was
right on. {72}
“in the regeneration;” Jesus is talking about the earthly kingdom that is described in Revelation
20:1-15 when all believers will “sit on . . . thrones” with Jesus (see Revelation 3:21). {72}
“judging;” Governing like the Judges of the Old Testament.
“now in this time . . . and in the world to come;” the rewards start now and go on through this
age and into His Glorious Kingdom and on into eternity.
“first shall be last; and the last shall be first;” a full explanation of this in the next Parable of
the Equal Wages where everybody gets the same wage, i.e. all the blessings of the kingdom.
{72}
Parable Of The Equal Wages
Matthew 20:1
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder,
which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And
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when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his
vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in
the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and
whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
Matthew 20:5 6
Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith
unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no
man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and
whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
“an householder;” not necessarily the owner of the land but the one who is responsible for it.
“a penny a day;” that’s a Roman Denarius a day which was the standard for a full day’s wage
back then.
“about the third hour;” the day started at six, so the third hour would be nine A.M. They were
“standing idle in the in the marketplace” because no one had hired them. {72}
“whatsoever is right;” it’s already three hours into the workday, so these men were just happy
to get hired.
“the sixth and ninth hour;” that’s noon and three P.M. respectively.
“the eleventh hour;” it is now five P.M. and these men are desperate for anything, and would
take anything. {72} The work day is only twelve hours long so these guys are only going to get
one hour’s work in.
Matthew 20:8
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward,
Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9
And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received
every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should
have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when
they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying,
These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us,
which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them,
and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14
Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because
I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but
few chosen.
“I do thee no wrong;” “didn’t you agree to one penny for a full day’s wage? Just because I
choose to be generous to these men, it is no concern of yours.” This is what we all agree to from
the very beginning when we accept Christ, we accept His eternal life and all that goes with it.
The person that accepts Christ on his death bed gets the same eternal life as one that lived a good
Christian life for seventy years (see Luke 15:7).
“the last shall be first, and the first last;” remember the thief on the cross next to Jesus who
stole eternal life as he was dying? The apostles had to work the rest of their lives to get what he
got! {72} That doesn’t mean that you can say that “Oh, I’ll catch the band wagon as it is leaving
town.” That kind of flipped attitude ends in the lake of fire; because you won’t even recognize it
as it passes you by on the way out of town; you’ll be too busy doing something else.
“many be called, but few chosen;” this is repeated in 22:14. With today’s modern media the
Gospel is being preached around the whole world; so the whole world is being called to Christ.
The thing is, comparatively few are responding. And even fewer are staying the course. You
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have to stay the course in order to be chosen. Reader beware, examine your soul, be sure of your
eternity. Many are called, but few are chosen!
Jesus Prophesies His Death And Resurrection Again
Mark 10:32
And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before
them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took
again the twelve, Matthew 20:17 disciples Mark 10:32 and began to tell them what things
should happen unto him, 33 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; Luke 18:31 and all
things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be
accomplished; Mark 10:33 and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests,
and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him
to the Gentiles: 34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit
upon him, Luke 18:33 they shall Matthew 20:19 crucify him; Mark 10: 34and shall kill him: and
the third day he shall rise again. Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things:
and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were
spoken.
“going up to Jerusalem;” leaving Perea, they cross the Jordan River headed for Jerusalem by
way of Jericho. Jericho is 847 ft. below sea level, and Jerusalem is 2474 ft. above sea level. {8}
That’s a difference of 3322 ft across the seventeen miles between the two cities.
“Jesus went before them: and they were amazed;” Jesus’ whole fixation was upon Jerusalem
and His mission there. The “them” was not only His apostles, but a large group of disciple
followers.
“they were afraid;” His followers see His fixation and drive, and it is something that they have
never seen before; and it scares them because they don’t understand it.
“he took again the twelve;” taking again only those that would be the church leaders and
instructing them.
“all things that are written by the prophets;” Luke is the only writer that mentions the
Prophets: Psalms 22:1-32; 69:1-36; Isaiah 53:1-12; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 13:7.
“they shall condemn him to death;” keep in mind that it is only the twelve that He is telling
this to, and it is the third and last time that He is going to do it. Peter, James, and John got to
hear some of it at the Transfiguration but not with all the detail that He is giving them now; i.e.
the attempts to humiliate Jesus by spitting on Him, slapping Him, then mocking Him and
scourging Him. {72}
“shall deliver him to the Gentiles . . . crucify him;” that means the Romans; and this is the first
time that He has brought them up in regard to this subject. {72} As a matter of fact, He very
rarely spoke anything about the Romans. As He said: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of
the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24)
“the third day he shall rise again;” Jesus knows that His disciples are going to be terrified and
scattered by what is about to happen to Him. By forewarning them the third time He might give
them the hope that they will need to get through it. (Three is the number of divine perfection and
completeness.)
“this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things;” the word “hid” is Strong’s
G. “kroop´-to; a primary verb; to conceal (prop. by covering):— hide (self), keep secret,
secret [-ly].” {2} Their understanding was purposely kept from them temporarily. As a matter of
fact, they didn’t fully understand until the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, then the
light bulbs came on. In the mean time they would squabble about who gets to sit next to Jesus in
His Kingdom, and how and when His earthly rule would be set up (see Acts 1:6).
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Jesus Gives Warning Against Selfish Ambition

Matthew 20:20
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons,
worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her,
What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one
on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
Mark 10:35
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master,
we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said
unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant
unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in
thy glory.
“the mother of Zebedee’s children;” her name is Salome and she is the half-sister of Jesus’
mother. Do you think that being Aunt Salome is going to get her some special favor? NOT!
(Compare Matthew 27:56, Mark 15:40, and John 19:25)
Note: Mark 10:35 doesn’t mention Salome at all and that it was James and John that posed the
question. It is possible that the three of them individually posed the question at different times,
and when the mother posed it, like Matthew says, she took the boys with her.
Salome Strong’s G. “sal-o´-may; prob. of Hebrew origin [fem. from 7965]; Salome` an
Israelites:— Salome.” {2]
H 7965. “shaw-lome’; safe, i.e. (fig.) well, happy, friendly; also (abstr.) welfare, i.e. health,
prosperity, peace:— × do, familiar, × fare, favour, + friend, × great, (good) health, (× perfect,
such as be at) peace (-able, -ably), prosper (-ity, -ous), rest, safe (-ty), salute, welfare, (× all is,
be) well, × wholly.” {2}
Salome, whose name comes from the word in Hebrew that means “peace,” is sure stirring up a
hornet’s nest by this going to Jesus with this request.
“Grant that these my two sons;” according to Luke 19:11, the disciples thought that the
Kingdom of God would appear “immediately.” So still thinking in worldly terms, they thought
that they had better secure their positions of authority now. This type of thing went on even at
the table of the Last Supper. {72}
“in thy kingdom;” what Jesus just told them about His death just flew over their heads like a
flock of birds. He was going to Jerusalem to die; not to set up His Kingdom. And all His
teachings on humility and servitude must have went in one ear and out the other, because there
was nothing in there to stop it. But these twelve are just a microcosm of us without the Holy
Spirit. We are the same way; Deacon Boards fighting over money raising projects; brothers and
sisters at odds over political views; and so on. This ought not to be so; Christian people need to
be people of peace, humility, and most of all love. These terms are not self serving or self
gratifying. They seek to look after God first, others second, and self last.
“sit, . . . on thy right . . . left hand;” these are the highest places of honor to sit next to the
throne of anyone that is great. They were asking for places of honor only, not for positions of
servitude: “We just want to sit back in those thrones and give orders while we basque in your
wonderful glory.” Even after three years of following Jesus these two were blind as bats
concerning the Kingdom; they had their minds set on a temporal kingdom with all its fancy
colorful robes, and pomp and ceremony. Jesus told Pilate that “My kingdom is not of this
world . . .” (John 18:36).
“in thy glory;” this is basically the same thing that Matthew wrote with “in thy kingdom.” And
it will be in the most glorious and majestic thing that is beyond human imagination.
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Matthew 20:22
But Jesus answered and said Mark 10:37 unto them, Matthew 20:22 Ye know not
what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are
able. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized
with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my
left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of
my Father.
Matthew 20:24
And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the
two brethren Mark 10:41 James and John. Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him,
and said Mark 10:42 unto them, Matthew 20:25 Ye know that Mark 10:42 they which are
accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great
ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but
whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of
you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came
not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
“Ye know not what ye ask;” Jesus directs His answer not at mom, but at the two boys who
prompted her to ask in the first place. God reserves the greatest reward of glory for those that
suffer the most for the kingdom. What’s funny is that along with Peter, James and John were
Jesus’ closest disciples. John was the one that He loved (John 21:20-24); and yet these were the
ones that received the most reproving; whom He loves He reproves the most (see Revelation
3:19).
“Ye shall drink indeed;” here Jesus prophesies what will happen to these two: James was
beheaded at the order of Herod in Acts 12:2. John was tortured and then exiled to the island of
Patmos (Revelation 1:9) for the sake of the Gospel. {72}
“not mine to give;” and therefore you shouldn’t be asking for it, or even have any knowledge
about it.
“given to them for whom it is prepared;” But this is telltale itself; it lets us know that there are
degrees of glory in heaven, for there will be some on His right and some on His left, the highest
places. But the father will dispense these according to His sovereign, divine will.
“the ten . . . were moved with indignation;” this is pure open jealousy: “Can you imagine the
nerve of those guys; they even enlisted the help of Jesus’ Aunt Salome! They flat out beat us to
it.” Yes, they were all guilty of the same conduct (see Mark 9:33-34) and would do it again at
the Last Supper (see Luke 22:24). It’s called human nature; and can only be overcome with the
help of the Holy Spirit, which comes with salvation.
“Jesus called . . . unto them;” Jesus calls them to His presence in love and with tenderness
reproves them using instruction rather than harsh, outright rebuke. He had dealt with this sin
before (Matthew 18:3-6) and told them that they had to be as little children to qualify for His
Kingdom. But they seem to fall into the same trap again and again. So, He gently reproves them
again and again until they get it right.
“exercise lordship over them . . . exercise authority;” it is like having a dictator hovering over
you like a gloomy cloud.
“so shall it not be among you;” God’s church has no room for dictators, oppressors, or tyrants.
(See Matthew 23:8-12; Mark 9:35; 1 Peter 5:3-6; 3 John 9-10) {72}
“whosoever will be great;” the way of greatness is the way of humility and to be the servant. If
you want to be great, be willing to do what Jesus did, wash the feet of others, then go out and die
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for them. Greatness is not measured here on earth, it is measured in heaven by God where it
really counts.
“not to be ministered unto;” He was God, and yet He washed the feet of His friends. He was
God, and yet He went out and died for all mankind who is made a little lower than the angels
(Psalm 8:4–5). He did this to show us how to be great and serve God.
“to give his life a ransom for many;” the Greek word for “ransom” is Strong’s . “loo´-
tron;” and it means the price paid to free slaves, hostages or others. {5} The word “for” is the
Greek word “anti” and in this context means “in place of others” pointing to the substitutionary
nature of Jesus’ death. {3} The word “many” here does not have any limitations, it merely
points out the idea of one for many; Jesus died for the sins of all.
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus And Another Blind Man
Mark 10:46
And they came to Jericho: Luke 18:35 And it came to pass, Mark 10:46 as he went
out of Jericho with his disciples Matthew 20:29 a great multitude followed him. 30 And,
behold, two blind men sitting by the way side Luke 18:35 begging: 36 And hearing the
multitude pass by, Mark 10:46 blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus Luke 18:35
asked
37
what it meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
“they came to Jericho;” leaving Perea, they would have crossed the Jordan River immediately
where it is narrower and shallower and then traveled down the west bank of the river to Jordan
reaching Jericho just a few miles from the river and seventeen miles down hill from Jerusalem.
“as he went out of Jericho;” Jericho was divided into two districts: Residential Jericho, which
sits on the ruins of Old Jericho of Joshua’s day; and separated by about a mile and a half toward
Jerusalem is Municipal Jericho which was built by the Hasmoneans and the Herodians.
Bartimaeus and his companion were healed just as Jesus was leaving Residential Jericho.
Zacchaeus lived in Municipal Jericho. {52}
“two blind men;” Matthew counts two blind men being healed at the same time. While Mark
and Luke only focus on one, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. In Hebrew “Bar” in front of any
name means “son of” whatever follows; in this case Timaeus. {72}
G. tim´-ah-yos; prob. of Chaldean origin [comp. 2931]; Timaeus (i.e. Timay), an Israelite:—
Timaeus. {2}
H2931. taw-may’;foul in a religious sense:— defiled, + infamous, polluted (-tion), unclean. {2}
Knowing his name caused Mark to concentrate on him; and since Luke’s gospel was after
Mark’s it stands to reason that Luke would follow the writings of his old companion (see 2
Timothy 4:11).
“sitting by the way side;” they had staked out a real good location for begging, it was the only
road between the two sections of Jericho that was also the road to Jerusalem. {72}
Matthew 20:30
When they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Mark 10:47 Jesus,
Matthew 20:30
Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31 And the multitude
rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more,
saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Matthew 20:31
And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace:
but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Matthew 20:32
And Jesus stood still, Luke 18:40 and commanded Matthew 20:32 them Luke 18:40

to be brought unto him: Mark 10:49 And they call the blind [men], saying unto Matthew
20:32
them, Mark 10:49 Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And Matthew 20:33 They,
Mark 10:50
casting away [their] garments, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus
answered and said unto Matthew 20:32 them, Mark 10:51 What wilt thou that I should do
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unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that [we] might receive [our]
sight.
Matthew 20:34
So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: Mark 10:52 And
Jesus said, Luke 18:42 Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. Mark 10:52 Go thy
way; thy faith hath made thee whole. Matthew 20:34 And immediately their eyes
received sight, and they followed him Mark 10:52 in the way, Luke 18:43 glorifying God:
and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.
“they heard . . . cried out;” unless you initiate the contact with God in prayer you’re going no
were.
“Son of David;” this is a messianic term and it is only found in the three synoptic gospels. {72}
So how did these two blind men know that Jesus was the “Son of David” the “Messiah?” When
you sit at the entrance of a city year after year begging you hear a lot of things, especially those
about a Rabbi from Nazareth called Jesus and the miracles that He performed.
“multitude rebuked them;” now here is the only sad part about this whole story; why does the
crowd do this? Why doesn’t the crowd want these two shabby, begging, blind men to be heard
by Jesus? Is it because they are a poor representation of the town? Is their pride interfering with
the good that these two are seeking? Or is it that they have decided that this wonderful Rabbi
can’t be bothered with these wretched two? In either case, weather pride, or out of their pay
grade, they didn’t have the right to make a decision for somebody else. The lesson for us is
when you see someone seeking for help, don’t stand in their way, help them get the help that
they need.
“Jesus stood still;” He stopped dead in His tracks. He had heard their cry for help: “Have
mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.” You want to get heaven’s attention? Just do what
they did: “Have mercy on me, oh God, in the name of Jesus.”
“commanded them to be brought unto him;” there is an implied rebuke of the crowd in Jesus’
command here. Notice the crowd’s response: “Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.”
Now they are all nice and conciliatory having been put down by Jesus. It makes you wonder
how they felt towards these two after they had received their miraculous eyesight. Once
hypocrisy is there, unless you receive the spiritual healing touch of God, it is almost impossible
to shed hypocrisy out of your life.
“that [we] might receive [our] sight;” this is the second that Mark records the healing of blind
men (see Mark 8:22-26). {72} It is also the second for Matthew whose record is in Matthew
9:27-31; albeit a different healing than Mark’s first. Luke only records this one blind healing of
Bartimaeus.
“Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes;” in the previous case (Mark 8:22)
Jesus had to spit into the man’s eyes and rub them. Then the man could only see “men as trees
walking.” So Jesus had to repeat the rub therapy for the man to get Technicolor. Here it’s just a
one touch and done for two men, the same as in Matthew 9:27-31.
“thy faith hath saved thee. . . thy faith hath made thee whole;” Jesus first deals with the spirit
by opening their spiritual eyes; which in turn opens their physical eyes.
“all the people . . . gave praise unto God;” this is the same crowd that tried to stop these two
men from getting to Jesus in the first place. They have now been given a lesson in humility and
hypocrisy that they will not forget.

Friday April 21, AD 30

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(Our Thursday sunset to Friday sunset)

Jesus’ Encounter With Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
2
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the
publicans, and he was rich.
3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he
was little of stature.
4
And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to
pass that way.
5
And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto
him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy
house.
Luke 19:6
And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And
when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a
man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold,
Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from
any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Luke 19:9
And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house,
forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek
and to save that which was lost.
“entered and passed through Jericho;” it’s still Thursday now in the late afternoon. As stated
above, Zacchaeus lived in Municipal Jericho which was on the road to Jerusalem, about a mile
and a half above Residential Jericho. {52} This is where the more affluent people lived. Luke is
the only writer to record this incident.
“Zacchaeus;” Strong’s # G. of Hebrew origin [comp. 2140]; Zacchaeus, an Israelite:—
Zacchaeus. {2}
H2140. from 2141; pure; Zakkai, an Israelite:— Zaccai. {2}
“the chief among the publicans;” the word “publican” is the High Hebrew name for a tax
collector; and this one was so prosperous that he had others working for him, and he was the
“chief among” them. This of course made him a very wealthy man. In the previous chapter in
Luke, he had recorded Jesus’ statement about “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into
the Kingdom of God!” (Luke 18:24) Well here, he is going to record Jesus showing how that
with God, nothing is impossible (Luke 18:27). {72}
“for the press;” this doesn’t mean a bunch of reporters and paparazzi. The crowd following
Jesus included but not limited to His disciples, the curious followers, and all those that were on
the road to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.
“a sycomore tree;” the name sycamore is used to identify at least three different species of
flowering trees, Ficus sycomorus, Acer pseudoplatanus, and all members of the genus Platanus.
Ficus sycomorus is the sycamore (or the sycomore) of the Bible, and it is a fig tree native to the
Middle East and eastern Africa. It is also called the sycamore fig or the fig mulberry. {53}
These trees have low hanging branches that hover over the street so that a person little of stature
could easily climb up and have a bird’s eye view of the street.
“Zacchaeus . . . I must abide at thy house;” this is tantamount to a command, not a request.
{72} This is upper Jericho where the rich folks live; howbeit that He demands to spend the night
with the chief tax collector? Well, that’s Jesus for you; He sees something in Zacchaeus that’s
worthy of saving. Jesus will end up spending Thursday night there at Zacchaeus’ house.
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“received him joyfully;” Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, he was prepared for that; and now he
is going to sup with Him. You might say that his cup runneth over with joy. His heart was that
fertile ground needed for salvation.
“they all murmured;” of course they did; the hypocritical know-it-alls are always bashing one
thing or another. That’s because they don’t know a man’s heart, God does! Complaining,
murmuring, and any negativity is not of God, it’s of Satan because it tares down and destroys.
Purpose in your heart today to shun all negativity and only let positivity reign in your heart; God
is positive: “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God
by us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) Imitate God and His character, not the other guy. As far as this
incident is concerned, all the people hated Zacchaeus because he collected the taxes out of their
pockets for the Romans. And now this miracle working rabbi is going to eat supper with him?
How disgraceful! But as we shall see, Jesus knows Zach’s heart, Zach is seeking salvation; he
just needs to hear the words.
“I give to the poor . . . I restore him fourfold;” this is not how he got to be the wealthy chief
tax collector. Apparently this came upon him recently and he has turned his life around even
before this day. Now he confesses to Jesus that he makes restitution above what the law
requires: 1/5 extra for money (Leviticus 6:5; Numbers 5:6-7). In the case of an animal, fourfold
was only required if the animal was dead (Exodus 22:1); if still alive only two fold (verse 4).
This, on top of the fact that he was giving half of all that he owned to the poor. He must have
heard Jesus’ message on how hard it is for a rich man to get into heaven (Luke 18:18-24). {72}
“salvation come to this house;” Jesus is that salvation; He came to save all mankind. As the
head of the house went, so the whole house went, religiously speaking.
“he also is a son of Abraham;” he was an Israelite of the tribe of Judah the ones that Jesus was
sent to first to save (see Matthew 1:21; 10:6; 15:24; John 4;22). {72}
“Son of man;” Jesus’ title as a human on His mission.
“to seek and to save that which was lost;” and this is one of the parts of that mission, “to seek
and save that which was lost.”
Ezekiel 34:2
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say
unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds
of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
vs. 3
Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but
ye feed not the flock.
vs. 4
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was
sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought
again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but
with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
vs. 16
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away,
and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick:
but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
vs. 22
Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will
judge between cattle and cattle.
vs. 23
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my
servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
The following is from Wikipedia: The later Apostolic Constitutions identify "Zacchaeus the
Publican" as the first bishop of Caesarea (7.46). {8}
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Parable Of The Pounds

Luke 19:11
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he
was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should
immediately appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far
country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten
servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
14
But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not
have this man to reign over us.
Luke 19:15
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the
kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he
had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by
trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
17
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful
in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying,
Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou
also over five cities.
Luke 19:20
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have
kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou
takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And
he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant.
Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and
reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the
bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
Luke 19:24
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it
to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten
pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and
from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But
those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither,
and slay them before me.
Luke 19:28
And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
“a far country;” those that rule Roman provinces had to go to Rome itself to receive their ruler
ship, their kingdom; Herod the Great did this. And Archelaus, the son of Herod the Great,
actually did this; he left money with his servants, Philippus was in charge of financial affairs.
{3} This parable is speaking about how Christ was going to leave and go to a place to be given
His Kingdom to return sometime in the future to rule it. It is similar to the parable of the talents
in Matthew 25:14-30; albeit with major differences. That one, the talents, was told during the
Olivet discourse in Matthew 24:1-25:46. This one is being told before then in time, on the
Jericho road before He reaches Jerusalem. {72} Another thing is that in this one, each servant is
given a certain amount of “pounds.” A pound is equal to a mina; Strong’s . “mnah; of Lat.
or.; a mna (i.e. mina), a certain weight:— pound.” And a mina is one-sixtieth of a talent. {2} It is
also equal to about four months wages; so the guy that got ten, got three and a third years worth
of wages to invest. The guy with five only got slightly under two years worth. {73}
“sent a message after him;” actually an ambassador to represent the people’s complaint. This
happened in the case of Archelaus; the Jews appealed to Augustus Caesar because of the
cruelties of Archelaus and the Herods in general. It eventually led to him being deposed 9A.D.
{3} He was replaced by a long succession of what was called procurators, of whom Pontius
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Pilate was number four (26-36 A.D.). {8} This parable tells exactly what the Jewish leaders did
to their Messiah because they hated Him. {72}
“when he was returned;” of course this pictures what will happen when Christ will return and
His Kingdom will be manifested here on earth with all its glory. {72}
“thou hast been faithful in a very little;” it doesn’t matter how much you are given if you are
faithful to use it to the fullest God will reward you in His Kingdom accordingly.
“ten cities . . . five cities;” the reward is commensurate with what was given to invest. Each
servant is given according to their capabilities; and only God is the judge of that, for He is the
creator of us all. Keep in mind that there is noncompetition in the Kingdom of God.
“For I feared thee;” this is not the reverential fear of respect like we fear God; no, this is the
contemptuous type that is borne out of hate: “I ain’t going to make a dime for this no good ruler.
If he thinks that I’m going to make money for him he’s got another thing coming.” {72}
“Thou knewest;” what the real trouble is that there are a lot of people that view God in this very
same way, i.e. a harsh task master who has a whip in one hand and a list of commandments in
the other, barking out orders; and woe to the one that doesn’t do them right. This is the very
same lie that Satan fed Eve in the garden: “God just doesn’t want anything good for you. He’s
with-holding that for Himself.” And this crock of dung people all over the world believe despite
the wonderful things that He has already given us and put around us to enjoy in creation. And
not to mention the fact that He sent His Son to die for our sins so that we can enjoy eternal life
with Him. That’s how good God is! Unless God intervenes, they will carry that negative image
of Him right into the Judgment room; and only then, find out how wrong they were.
“those mine enemies;” He was speaking about those that actually opposed Him like the scribes,
the Pharisees, the High Priests, you know, the ones that would lose their jobs if the Kingdom of
God were established.
“slay them before me;” this not only has reference to the destruction of Jerusalem that was
coming in the near future, {72} but the coming judgment at the end of Christ’s millennial reign
when those that opposed Him will cast into the lake of fire.
“he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem;” It’s now Friday morning as He proceeded
forward leading His disciples on the long assent up to Jerusalem. This was the end of a long
journey that that started way back in Luke 9:51, right at ten chapters ago. {72}
Jesus Makes His First Grand Entry Into Jerusalem
Matthew 21:1
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage,
unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go
into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a
colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought
unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send
them.4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the
prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto
thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the
disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the
colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great
multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the
trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that
followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in
the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
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“Bethphage;” is a village even smaller than Bethany on the east slope of the Mount of Olives
which is east of Jerusalem. Its name means “house of unripe figs;” see Strong’s G967; H1004 &
H6291. {2}
“ass tied, and a colt with her:” this is a mare (female) donkey and its colt, her male offspring.
Matthew is the only writer that mentions the mere; while all four mention the youth of the colt,
{72} and Mark and Luke mention that no one has ever sat on the colt before, which would be
especially suited for holy purposes.
“if any man say;” Mark records in 11:5–6 that when the disciples tried to release the two
animals they ran into opposition.
“spoken by the prophet,” see Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9.
“brought the ass, and the colt,” two animals.
“and put on them their clothes,” to protect the animals’ backs.
“strawed them in the way.” this was a way of paying homage to royalty (see 2 Kings 9:13) and
a way of proclaiming Him as “King of the Jews.”

COMPARISON OF THE ACCOUNTS

IN ALL FOUR GOSPELS

Mt 21:9 Mk 11:9-10 Lk 19:38 John 12:13

“Hosanna to the Son of

“Hosanna! “Hosanna!
David;
BLESSED IS HE “BLESSED IS BLESSED IS THE
BLESSED IS HE
WHO COMETH IN THE KING WHO KING OF ISRAEL
WHO COMETH IN
THE NAME OF THE COMETH IN THE THAT COMETH IN
THE NAME OF THE
LORD; NAME OF THE THE NAME OF THE
LORD;
LORD; LORD,
Blessed is the
Hosanna in the kingdom of our father
highest! David, that cometh in
the name of the Lord
Peace in heaven and
Hosanna in the
glory in the
highest!
highest!”
“saying, Hosanna;” the word “hosanna” is supposed to be an exclamation of adoration you
would think. But when you put the two Hebrew words of origin that it is from it takes on a
whole different meaning:
Strong’s G. “ho-san-nah´;of Hebrew origin [3467 and 4994]; oh save!; hosanna (i.e.
hoshia-na), an exclamation of adoration:— hosanna.” {2}
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H3467. “yaw-shah’; a prim. root; prop. to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by impl.) to be safe; caus.
to free or succor:— × at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring
(having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory” {2}
H4994. “naw;a primary particle of incitement and entreaty, which may usually be rendered
I pray, now or then; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interj., occasionally
to an adv. or conjunc.:— I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh.” {2}
The Hebrew origins of the word “hosanna” have the meaning of: “We beseech thee oh king to
save us from everything.” (See Psalm 118:25-26) And it automatically elevates the person to
that high status of supremacy over all. The following is from McClintock and Strong Biblical
Cyclopedia:
“It is further to be observed that Hosanna was a customary form of acclamation at
the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast was celebrated in September, just before the
commencement of the civil year, on which occasion the people carried in their
hands bundles of boughs of palms, myrtles, etc. (Josephus, Ant. 13, 13, 6; 3:10,
4). They then repeated the 25th and 26th verses of Psalm 118, which commence
with the word Hosanna; and from this circumstance they gave the boughs and the
prayers, and the feast itself the name of Hosanna. . . . The psalm from which it
was taken, the 118th, was one with which they were familiar, from being
accustomed to recite the 25th and 26th verses at the Feast of Tabernacles. On that
occasion the Great Hallel, consisting of Psalm 113-118, was chanted by one of the
priests, and at certain intervals the multitudes joined in the responses, waving
their branches of willow and palm, and shouting as they waved them Hallelujah,
or Hosanna, or "O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity" (Ps 118:25).” {51}
Keep in mind that Jesus, Who is our Hosanna, the one that brought our salvation, was born on
the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, and died bringing us salvation on Passover.
“the Son of David:” this is a Messianic title.
Jesus’ Second Cleansing Of The Temple
Matthew 21:10
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying,
Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of
Galilee. Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them
that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the
moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is
written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den
of thieves.14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed
them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he
did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of
David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these
say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of
babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And he left them, and went out
of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
“when he was come into Jerusalem;” Jesus came triumphantly riding into Jerusalem five days
before His death. With this being the tenth of Abib (Nissan), the day that the Passover lamb
should be taken up and set apart for that service (Exodus 12:3); Jesus, who was to be our
Passover sacrifice was shown publicly: “This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”
“the temple;” the temple courts and outer areas but not the Holy of Holies which only the
Priests could enter.
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“Hosanna to the Son of David;” now from what we have learned about the word “hosanna” we
can see that the crowds were lifting Jesus up to be the King in the line of David; which is exactly
what He was.
“the chief priests and scribes . . . were sore displeased;” if this goes on it could put them out
of a job; and in the Temple, of all places.
“looked round about upon all things;” The King is on an inspection tour observing all
conditions of His Temple.
“city into Bethany;” was just far enough outside of Jerusalem that He would be safe from a
sudden arrest and He would be among friends. {72}
Jesus Arrives In Bethany
John 11:55
And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the
country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then sought
they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What
think ye, that he will not come to the feast? 57 Now both the chief priests and the
Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he
should shew it, that they might take him.
“the Jews’ Passover;” after the revival of Nehemiah and Ezra, corruption became rampant and
the Lord found the nation just like it was described in Malachi. So what were once called the
“feasts of Yahweh” became talked of as the “feasts of the Jews” (see John 5:1; 6:4; 7:2; 11:55;
19:42). The calling of this people “the Jews” is the consequences of their rejection of the
Messiah , when they would be “Lo Ammi,” not My people (Hosea 1:9); no longer regarded as
Israelites but as “Jews,” a name given to them by Gentiles. {3} This Passover is the third and
last of Jesus’ ministry for He will die at the same time that the Passover lambs are being
slaughtered; giving His life as our Passover lamb. {72}
“before the passover, to purify themselves;” as it was a long dusty journey, the Jews would
purify themselves by washing both their bodies and their clothes so that they could enter the
Temple for worship clean.
“sought they for Jesus;” many of those that came were looking for Jesus; some out of loyalty,
some out of curiosity, but the chief priests and Pharisees, well, they wanted to arrest Him. {72}
“if any man knew;” the chief priests set up a network of informants and spies to locate and
turn-in Jesus; they were to drop a dime on Him. {72}
Saturday April 22, AD 30
(Our Friday sunset to Saturday sunset)
Jesus Is Anointed
John 12:1
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus
was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him
a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table
with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and
anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was
filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas
Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold
for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared
for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put
therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she
kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
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“Jesus six days before the passover;” the Jews would eat the Passover on Wednesday after
sundown, six days hence; but Jesus would be dead and buried by then.
“Bethany;” is a bit larger village on the east slope of the Mount of Olives and closer, about two
miles east of Jerusalem. Its name means “date house” and it is the home of Martha, Mary, and
their brother Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. {72}
“an alabaster box of very precious ointment;” alabaster is a very fine translucent marble from
Egypt that can be carved into beautiful containers for storing expensive perfumes and oils. It is
quite expensive in itself. A similar incident happened to Jesus in His first year of ministry
recorded in Luke 7:36-38. But the timing, the location, outcome, and many other details show
that this was a separate incident. So this is the second time that a woman has anointed Him {72}
and the first of three sit-down suppers.
“a pound;” actually it’s about twelve ounces. {72} This word comes from the Latin and looses
something in the translation; about four ounces. (See Strong’s G3046)
“spikenard;”According to Eastman’s Bible Dictionary, it is the oil from the root of a plant from
India called Nardostachys jatamansi, from the family of Valeriance; and it only grows in the
Himalayan Mountains. It can be recognized by the many hairy type spikes growing out from one
root. As you can imagine, since it is so rare, and hard to harvest, in the Himalayans, that it cost a
ton of money.
“anointed the feet of Jesus;” anointing Jesus’ feet was an act of devotion. {72}
“the house was filled with the odour;” the aroma of spikenard is said to be a woody, spicy, and
musty scent with earthy tones to it. In addition to its perfume qualities spikenard has some
medicinal benefits also in that it is both an anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties.
{54} It is sometimes combined with frankincense, or lavender, or any number of aromatics for
effect.
“three hundred pence;” a pence, or denarius, was a day’s wage for a laborer; so three-hundred
pence equals a year’s wages for this anointing of Jesus. But nobody should care about that;
everybody should have Mary’s frame of mind. (Remember 52 weekly Sabbaths plus all the Holy
Days when no work can be done so no pay will be given.) {72}
“given to the poor;” the disciples that were following Judas’ lead just as if were following the
Satan bug, like they had a ring in one ear and out the other and being lead around by it. The
deceit of money can be that powerful that they could even turn on their Master. Judas was a
thief, as recorded by John in verse six, and three hundred pence put a gleam in his eyes. He had
no intention of giving it to the poor, except to poor little ole Judas! {72}
“had the bag, and bare what was put therein;” Judas was the treasurer for the band of
disciples and according to what we just learned from John he was an embezzler, siphoning off
funds for his own ambitions. {72}
“For ye have the poor with you always;” now remember that Jesus is operating out of the Old
Testament, and the book of Deuteronomy 15:11, which is the book of the Law says “For the poor
shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand
wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”
“But me ye have not always;” All Jesus was doing was teaching the disciples the importance
of there is a time and a place for everything (Ecclesiastes 3). He was there now and should be
ministered to since His death was so close; something which the disciples still didn’t grasp. And
that might be the reason for their not seeing the importance of His being ministered to at this
time. In their eyes, even the cost of the alabaster flask was wasted.
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“against the day of my burying hath she kept this;” although Mary didn’t know that in six
days they would be burying Jesus, in her un uncanny sense of devotion her anointing did
anticipate that very burial. {72}
“for a memorial of her;” the fact that it is told in three of the four gospels, and this gospel, with
modern technology, is preached across the entire world; which is evidence enough of the truth of
Jesus’ words. The very fact that two thousand years and over sixty-four hundred miles later we
are discussing her in this commentary verifies what Jesus said.
John 12:9
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came
not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised
from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also
to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and
believed on Jesus.
“went away, and believed;” maybe it was Jesus presence, or Lazarus presence; the fact that
everybody knew that he was dead for four days and then resurrected, by Jesus, the seeing is
believing; i.e. Thomas.
“and believed on Jesus.” There just seems to be no end to the chief priests’ jealousy!
Note: this was the first of three suppers and two anointing.
John 12:9
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came
not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised
from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also
to death; 11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and
believed on Jesus.
“went away, and believed;” maybe it was Jesus presence, or Lazarus presence; the fact that
everybody knew that he was dead for four days and then resurrected, by Jesus, the seeing is
believing; i.e. Thomas.
“and believed on Jesus.” There just seems to be no end to the chief priests’ jealousy!
Note: this was the first of three suppers and two anointings.
Sunday April 23, AD 30
(Our Saturday sunset to Sunday sunset)
Jesus Presents Himself As King Riding A Colt
John 12:12
On the next day, Mark 11:1 when they came nigh to Jerusalem; he sendeth
forth two of his disciples, 2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village
over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied,
whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. 3 And if any man say unto you,
Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will
send him hither. 4 And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door
without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. 5 And certain of them
that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? 6 And they said unto
them even as Jesus had commanded: Luke 19:34 The Lord hath need of him. Mark
11:6 7
And they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their
garments on him; and he sat upon him. John12:12 that were come to the feast, when
they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees, and
went forth to meet him Mark 11:8 And many spread their garments in the way; others
cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
John 12:14
As it is written, 15 Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh,
sitting on an ass’s colt.
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“came nigh to Jerusalem;” as Jesus approaches Jerusalem He can only think: “It’s almost over;
I only have a few more things to teach them after which the Holy Spirit can take over. Then all I
have to do is die for their sins just as my Father and I have planned it from the beginning.”
“the village over against you;” now remember they had spent the night at the house of Martha,
Mary, and Lazarus in Bethany. So He must be sending them to the village of Bethphage which
was just off the main road to Jerusalem.
“whereon yet never man sat;” there was a high reverence with the Jews for animals that had
never been ridden; they considered them set aside for holy purposes (see Numbers 19:2;
Deuteronomy 21:3; 1 Samuel 6:7). {72}
“if any man say unto you;” because this could be considered stealing, and Jesus knew that they
would be challenged, and what the owners would say, He showed His divine omniscience. And
it happened exactly as He said it would. {72}
“they set Jesus thereon the colt;” the never before ridden young ass. Note: one animal this
time, not two as on Friday.
“they spread their clothes in the way;” this was a way of paying homage to royalty (see 2
Kings 9:13) and a way of proclaiming Him as “King of the Jews.” {72}
“by the prophet . . . sitting on an ass’s colt.” this is recorded in Zechariah 9:9 {72}
Note: Israel’s kings rode mules and donkeys (see 1Kings 1:33-44; 2 Samuel 13:29); while horses
were reserved for soldiers and military use.
John12:16
These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was
glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that
they had done these things unto him.
Luke 19:38
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in
heaven, and glory in the highest. Mark 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father
David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
John 12:17
The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his
grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 18 For this cause the people also
met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. 19 The Pharisees
therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the
world is gone after him.
Luke 19:37
And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of
Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples Matthew 21:9 that went before, and that
followed, Luke 19:37 began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the
mighty works that they had seen; 38 Saying, Matthew 21:9 Hosanna to the Son of David:
Luke 19:38
Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven,
and glory in the highest. Mark 11:10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that
cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest
Luke 19:39
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him,
Master, rebuke thy disciples. 40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you
that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
“These things understood not his disciples at the first;” this isn’t the only thing that the
disciples didn’t understand; they didn’t grasp the whole idea of Him being the suffering Messiah
to save us from our sins. Even after His resurrection they still were asking if He was going to set
up His Kingdom and drive out the Romans.
“a very great multitude;” a great many of these were not residents of Jerusalem but had come
from all over Judea, Galilee, and the whole world to celebrate the Passover. And, because they
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had heard that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, they wanted to make Him king. This is
most likely the day that Daniel spoke about in Daniel 9:25 for the coming of the Messiah after
173,880 days from the time that Cirrus would sign the declaration to rebuild Jerusalem to the
coming, or presentation of the Messiah.
“peace in heaven, and glory in the highest;” this is similar to the message that the multitude of
heavenly host sang to announce the birth of Christ. Luke is the only one that records this one
(see Luke 2:13-14). {72}
“the Son of David;” this is a messianic title; for God promised David that he would never want
for someone of his lineage to be sitting on the throne governing Israel. (See 2 Samuel 7:12-17)
“Blessed be . . . that cometh in the name of the Lord;” (see psalm 118:26). The Hebrew word
for “blessed” means “to bless God as an act of adoration.” {2} This is part of the Hallel, which
is comprised of Psalms 113-118 and were sung at all religious festivals of the Israelites,
especially Passover. (See Companion Bible notes on the 113 Psalm for more insight on the
Hallel.)
“the kingdom of our father David;” this is another messianic accolade in which the crowd
acknowledges that Jesus as ushering in the Messiah’s Kingdom promised to David’s Son. It is a
paraphrase of Psalm 118:26. Mark is the only writer that records this one. {72}
“rebuke thy disciples;” the Pharisees are acting like a bunch of little children: “Make um’ stop
Jesus, they’re hurting my ears!” Oh, what a testimony against the Pharisees and for Jesus is this
wonderful praise of the crowd!
“the stones would immediately cry out;” even if Jesus were to silence them all of creation
would break out in joyful praise at His arrival and presence (see Psalm 19:1-6; 96:11; 98:7;
114:7; Isaiah 55:12).
Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem And Heals All Brought To Him
Luke 19:41
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which
belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall
come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass
thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the
ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone
upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
“wept over it;” the only other time that Jesus weeps in the Gospels is over the grave of Lazarus
in John 11:35, which is the shortest verse in the Bible. There, He wept because one that He
loved had to go through the pain of being in the grave; and would have to go through it again.
Here in Luke He weeps over the headquarters of the nation for rejecting Him, the Messiah; and
because of that they would suffer worse than the grave.
“If thou hadst known, even thou;” Jesus is uttering the words of the deepest human sorrow that
Jesus had ever known as the Son of Man as He prophecies the fate of Jerusalem and its
inhabitants.
“in this thy day;” the day that the Messiah is presented to them.

483 years in Daniel 9:25-26

49 years 434 years

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453 BC 30 AD
404 BC the rebuild of the Jesus presents Himself to
Cyrus gives order to Temple is completed
rebuild the Temple the people as Messiah
7 weeks 62 weeks

483 years

“the things which belong unto thy peace;” these are repentance, reformation, righteousness.
“are hid from thine eyes;” they are blinded to the truth because they have rejected Him as the
savior from their sins; only to try to make Him the physical savior of their little world governed
by Rome.
“the days shall come upon thee;” Jesus is about to describe how Titus will lay siege to
Jerusalem and overcome it in 70 A.D.; some forty years from when He is speaking. {72}
“cast a trench about thee;” According to an article in the Catholic Encyclopedia, Titus began
his siege on the 14th of Abib (also called Nissan) which corresponds to our March 31, 70 A.D. by
taking up positions on the hills surrounding Jerusalem; thus trapping in many thousands that had
come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Many of them died in the siege. {8}
The siege was purposely timed to catch as many of the Jews as possible in Jerusalem there to
celebrate the feast. The 14th of Abib was the beginning of Passover and everybody was already
there.
“shall lay thee even with the ground;” The temple was burned to the ground in August, and
the conquest of the entire city was complete on September 8, 70 A.D. {8} But not before the
slaughter of tens of thousands of men, women, and children who had come to the feast. Oh, yea
there were several thousand Zealots that had fomented rebellion, and they too suffered the same
fate; but was it necessary for it to be that brutal?
“shall not leave in thee one stone upon another;” with the exception of the western wall of
temple mount, commonly referred to as the Wailing Wall, and a couple of towers and the fortress
at Antonia; the city got leveled. It looked like a bulldozer ran through it with meticulous
precision. The Israelites would not possess it for another 1897 years; and that would be by the
1967 Arab-Israeli Six Day War.
“because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation;” they didn’t recognize nor accept the
Christ in His role as forgiver of sins. They said that this isn’t what we want; so they killed Him,
the one that forgave them their sins. {72}
Mark11:11
And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: And when he had
looked round about upon all things, with the twelve now the eventide was come,
he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
“with the twelve;” notice that He has trimmed His closest down to just the twelve.
“the eventide was come;” it’s the evening, just before sunset; the time after three o’clock p.m.
when the Temple closed after the offering of the evening sacrifice at three o’clock. {55} Is it
just coincidence that the evening sacrifice was offered at the same time of day that Jesus died on
the cross? NOPE! With God there are no coincidences; period.
April 24, AD 30
(Our Sunday sunset to Monday sunset)
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Jesus Curses The Fig Tree And Cleanses The Temple Again
Mark 11:12
And on the morrow, Matthew 21:18 in the morning as he returned into the city,
Mark 11:12
when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig
tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and
when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14
And Jesus answered and said unto it, Matthew 21:19 Let no fruit grow [and] Mark
11:14 Matthew 21:20
No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
And presently the fig tree withered away.
“in the morning;” this is most likely around 6:00 A.M. or sun-up.
“he was hungry;” in view of the fact that He, Jesus, was hungry; it appears that that they
probably camped outside the night before and didn’t have a big supper last night either. This
shows His humanity.
“for the time of figs was not yet;” now Passover always comes in March or April, but the fig
season isn’t until May or June. But fig trees will produce some edible buds in March, Leaves in
April, and the ripe fruit in the following months. Jesus was looking for these edible buds; and
because this tree didn’t have any meant that it would be fruitless, sterile. {5}
“Let no fruit grow . . . No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever;” the tree should have had
edible buds on it if it had leaves; after all it’s late April. Jesus’ condemnation of the tree was a
result of the tree not producing edible fruit but promising it by its appearance, i.e. having leaves
at this time of the year. The tree mislead by promising productivity by its appearance but not
providing it. This is an excellent object lesson that parallels Israel’s fruitlessness and hypocrisy.
(See Isaiah 5:1-7)
“presently the fig tree withered;” the word “presently” is a relative term when we consider
Mark 11: 20-21 below that suggest that it wasn’t noticeably withered until the next morning.
The fig tree was employed by many of the Old Testament Prophets as sort of a barometer of the
health of the nation – in times of punishment the fig trees were barren, and they flourished during
times of restoration. (See Hosea 9:10; Joel 1;7; Habakkuk 3:17; Haggai 2:19) {72}
Mark 11:15
And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to
cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the
moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer
that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying
unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of
prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 11:18
And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they
might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at
his doctrine.
“the temple;” there was no mention of these money changers being in the Temple yesterday.
“began to cast out;” this is the third time that Jesus has done this (see John 2:14-16). The first
time was at the beginning of His ministry. The second was just the other day. The word used for
“cast” here is the same word that Mark used for casting out devils in 1;34; 39: 3:15; 6:13; 7:26;
9:28; 16:9; and that’s just in Mark. Matthew and Luke used the same word for casting out
devils. So you can see what Jesus’ opinion was of these low-life’s.
“them that sold and bought;” both the sellers and their customers were guilty of desecrating
the Temple. As stated before, animals were needed by worshippers for sacrificial offerings. And
not only was it more convenient for the worshippers to buy one at the Temple, but thepriest
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would see to it that the one that you brought from home would not pass inspection of being
“flawless” and “without blemish.” So you had to buy one from the Temple vendors anyhow.
“the moneychangers;” this has to do with the Temple tax (see Exodus 30:13-14) which was
required of every male that was twenty years of age or older. The Temple half-shekel was its
own unique coin and was the only one that acceptable for this purpose; the Roman coins or any
other currency would not be accepted. So the moneychangers had a captive market. Well, it
didn’t take long for greed and corruption to take over, and the rate of exchange went through the
roof; as high as 10 – 12 %. And naturally the High Priest got his cut.
“them that sold doves;” the dove was the normal offering for the poor (see Leviticus 5:7) and
for other purposes ( see Leviticus 12:6; 14:22; 15:14,29). But in some cases the same bird was
sold over and over and never sacrificed. It was handed out the back door to the merchantmen for
resale the next day; who’s to know? Then you consider the filth, the odor, and of the noise of the
animals in a stockyard type environment in God’s Temple; on top of the robbery, corruption,
chicanery, and bilking of the poor; well that was more than enough to make Jesus nauseated.
{56}
“carry any vessel;” this was the outer court of the Temple and people would sometimes use it as
a shortcut to get to another part of Jerusalem. Jesus forbade even that because it was part of
God’s house and you don’t use God’s house as a shortcut. Or carry your groceries inside for a
short prayer on your way home. {72}
“And he taught;” the first time He did this He was confronted by church officials. But this time
He started right in to teach them. {72}
“Is it not written;” Jesus had drawn a crowd with His actions; and by quoting exerts from these
two scriptures He immediately quells the crowd and gets them on His side.
Isaiah 56:7
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my
house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon
mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Jeremiah 7:11
Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in
your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
“shall be called of all nations the house of prayer;” this was all taking place in the outer court
of the Temple grounds which is called The Court of the Gentiles.
Isaiah 56:3
Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD,
speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let
the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
vs.4
For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose
the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
vs.5
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a
name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name,
that shall not be cut off.
vs.6
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him,
and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the
sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
vs.7
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my
house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon
mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
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What had been meant as a place of preparation, prayer, and worship of God, had become
completely secularized into a bustling commercial atmosphere. And what’s worse, is that it had
developed into a complete shearing the pilgrims like they were sheep.
“a den of thieves;” Jesus is flat-out calling the religious leaders who are responsible for this a
bunch of highwaymen like those on the road to Jericho. The only difference is, and this is the
worst part, this is being done under the guise of religion. The People of God who had come to
worship Him were being bilked out of their money by a Mafioso that was headed and protected
by the High Priest. And the High Priest, well he was appointed by the Roman
legate Quiriniusand protected by Pilate.
“chief priests;” these are Jesus’ main enemies and the principle leadership of the Sanhedrin. By
entering the Temple Jesus was walking right into the Lion’s Den so to speak.
“sought how they might destroy him;” the word “destroy” here is interesting: it comes from
the same word whose root also gives us the word “Apollyon” i.e. Satan the destroyer. Just like
today’s mob they got to hold a sit-down to discuss why, how, and when to kill someone: in other
words, put out a contract on Him.
The Son Of Man Must Be Lifted Up
John 12:20
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the
21
feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee,
and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. 22 Philip cometh and telleth
Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them,
saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it
abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life
shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my
servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
“certain Greeks;” John is the only writer to record this incident. These Greeks were converts to
Judaism that had come to town to celebrate the Passover. It appears that they had heard about
Jesus and inquired if they might gain audience with Him. They probably had no idea of the strife
between Him and the church leaders. {72}
“came therefore to Philip;” they probably came to Philip because his name is Greek:
Alexander the Great’s father’s name was Philip II.
“Philip cometh and telleth Andrew;” Andrew seemed to be Jesus’ personal secretary because
he was always introducing people to Jesus.
“The hour is come;” this refers to Jesus’ death, resurrection, and glorification (John 13;1–17:1).
Up until this point it had always been “My time is not yet come” (see John 2:4; 7:6; 30; 8:20).
Well, now it “is come.” {72} This whole discourse seems to be a strange way to answer Andy
and Phil about seeing the Greeks.
“die;” the great illustration of nature parallels not only His death and resurrection to new life but
when we die to self we take on the abundant life that is in Christ Jesus now and the everlasting
life of God’s Kingdom; talk about multiplication!
“it bringeth forth much fruit;” like the sown kernel of wheat that dies and produces a hundred-
fold in return Jesus’ death produced the salvation of many. Our dying to self and taking on the
life of Jesus will produce a great harvest.
“He that loveth his life shall lose it;” if you love the life in this world and would rather have it
than the life that Jesus offers; then you will only have this life, and then it will be gone.
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“he that hateth his life in this world;” what Jesus is talking about with these two is your life in
this corrupt world with these corrupt bodies that try to pull us into sin. If you love this then you
will lose eternal life. If you hate this then you will gain eternal life.
“If any man serve me, let him follow me;” if you want to serve Him, follow Him. You don’t
have to hang on a cross; just do the things that He told you to do, i.e. serve others.
John 12:27
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this
hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then
came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify
it again.29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered:
others said, An angel spake to him. 30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came
not because of me, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now
shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
will draw all men unto me.
John 12:33
This he said, signifying what death he should die. 34 The people answered
him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest
thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus
said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the
light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not
whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the
children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself
from them.
“Now is my soul troubled;” now as He starts to contemplate everything that He must go
through, the horror of it all starts to get to Him; not just the human side of Him but also the God
side of Him. Remember He is about to become the sin of all mankind which is so detestable that
God the Father will desert Him (see Psalm 22). {72}
“Father, save me . . . but for this cause;” this is similar to the same wrestling prayer that He
will have in the Garden in a few days, only then it will be much more intense.
“glorify thy name;” to glorify the Father; that’s what Jesus lived for, and what He will die for
(see John 7:18; 8:29; 50). {72}
“I have . . . and will glorify;” God the Father hears the emotion welling up in Jesus’ voice and
reassures Him audibly. This is the third time that we have heard the Father’s voice: first at
Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:17; second at His transfiguration in Matthew 17:5; and now here in
John 12:28. {72} Of course it serves a second purpose for the disciples.
“the prince of this world be cast out;” the prince of this world is Satan; remember when Jesus
was tempted in the wilderness, Satan offered all the Kingdoms of this world if only Jesus would
bow down and worship him (see Matthew 4:8-9). You know, Satan probably thought that he had
succeeded when Jesus died on the cross; he might have even celebrated. But then three days
later got the shock of his short life when that tomb opened up.
“lifted up from the earth;” this was a saying that most of the people would recognize as Roman
crucifixion (see John 18:31-32). {72}
“will draw all men unto me;” this includes those Greeks that had requested an audience with
Him.
“Christ abideth for ever;” they were using the term “law” to mean the entire Old Testament, so
they could say that the law included all the Prophets. (See Psalm 89:35-37; Isaiah 9:7; Ezekiel
37:25) {72}
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“Then Jesus said unto them;” this is the last time that Jesus is going to invite this crowd to
believe in Him as the Messiah, the Son of God. {72}
“and did hide himself from them;” this is only temporary because He reappears in verse 44.
The Jews Unbelief
John 12:37
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed
not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he
spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord
been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40
He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see
with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should
heal them. 41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
John 12:42
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but
because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of
the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:44
Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on
him that sent me. 45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46 I am come a
light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not
to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not
my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall
judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which
sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50
And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak
therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
“yet they believed not on him;” despite the fact that Jesus had performed so many miracles and
claimed to be the Messiah, He didn’t fit their mold of what the Messiah should be; the
conquering king on the shiny white horse that would come in and set everything right. No this
guy came in on a donkey and said that He was going to die for them.
“the saying of Esaias the prophet;”Isaiah 53:1 “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the
arm of the LORD revealed?” Isaiah 6:9 “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but
understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and
make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,
and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” This was widespread unbelief
across the entire nation. Yes, He did have a core group of believers, but you have to keep in
mind that there were only one-hundred and twenty in that upper room on Pentecost.
“Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him;” in Isaiah 6:1: “In the year that king
Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the
temple.” Remember our diagram of the concentric circles of God where Jesus was the body of
God? Well, all throughout the Old Testament it was that same body with its mouth that spoke to
the prophets; He was called Yahweh then; He is called the Word of God, Yehshua, and Jesus
now that He has been revealed.
The Concentric Circles of God
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Holy
SpiritssSpi
spirit

mind

Father
will

emotions

physical Jesus

“Nevertheless . . . many believed on him;” these were men like Nicodemus and Joseph of
Arimathaea who were secret followers of Jesus. Getting put out of the Temple was a very big
deal; it meant that you would be shunned not only religiously, but in all businesses to the point
that it would be difficult for you to even buy groceries. Yes, the religious leaders had that much
power. But on the other side of that coin, Jesus did say that one must be willing to give up all to
be His disciple.
“he that seeth me seeth him that sent me;” why? Because if you see the body of God you also
are looking at the soul and spirit of God which are revealed in the body. Far as He said, “I and
the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
“one that judgeth him, the word that I have spoken . . . in the last day;” his eternity will be
pronounced in the last day, when all the books are opened and all that have rejected Him will be
judged. (See Revelation 20:12-13)
“as the Father said unto me, so I speak;” this isn’t just part of a Messianic claim by Jesus; it
speaks to the oneness of Jesus and the Father. As Jesus says to Philip in John 14:9 “he that hath
seen me hath seen the Father;” and in 10:30 He says “I and my Father are one.” Remember
Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:” (See also Mark 12:29)
Matthew 26:1
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said
unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and
the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. 3 Then assembled together the chief
priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high
priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And consulted how they might take him by
craft, and put him to death. 5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an
uproar among the people, Luke 22:2 for they feared the people.
“after two days;” this is a good example of a Hebraism, an approximation of time. It was
already into the daylight hours of Monday, and Passover began at sundown on Tuesday
(remember that’s when their days began and ended). But He chose to include all of Monday,
some of which had already expired, and the whole of Tuesday in His prediction instead of saying
“In a day and a half is Passover;” which would have been closer to the truth. Also two days
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before the feast the women would go through their houses and purge them of all leaven. Leaven
is a type for sin.
“and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified;” you can almost sense the urgency in His
voice as He tells His disciples that this is all going to happen on Passover.
“the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people;” in other words, the
Sanhedrin. Of course, certain of the members were left out like Nicodemus, and Joseph of
Arimathaea, and anyone else that might have had leanings toward Jesus.
“the palace of the high priest;” this guy lives in a palace. He does pretty good for a guy that
has no inheritance among the children of Israel (see Numbers 18:20-14).
“Caiaphas;” Joseph ben Caiaphas was the son-in-law of his predecessor Annas son of Seth.
Caiaphas served as high priest form A.D. 18 to 36, being appointed by the then Roman
procurator Valerius Gratus who preceded Pontus Pilate. In A.D. 36 both Caiaphas and Pilate
were dismissed from office by the Syrian governor Vitellius. {46}
“Not on the feast day;” the word “day” was added by the translators. A.R.T.B. correctly
translates this as “Not in the festival-period.” {7} Jerusalem was going to be loaded with up to a
couple million people in town to celebrate the Passover and the days of unleavened bread. Many
of them would be from the Galilee region where Jesus had many followers. To wait a couple of
weeks seemed to be the prudent thing to do. However, God had something else in mind for this
Passover. {72}
“they feared the people;” and rightly so. If the people had gotten wind of their plot to kill
Jesus, Pilate would have had to call out the troops. And that would have been the end of their
jobs and high priests of anything.
Mark 11:19
And when even was come, Matthew 21:17 he left them, and went out of the city
into Bethany; and he lodged there.
“went out of the city into Bethany;” this will be the last time that He will spend the night in
Bethany. The rest of the nights till His death He will spend in the Garden of Olives. (See Luke
21:37)
Jesus Anointed Again At The House Of Simon The Leper
Matthew 26:6
Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, Mark 14:3
as he sat at meat, Matthew 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box
of very precious ointment Mark 14:3 of spikenard, and she brake the box, and poured
it on his head, Matthew 26:7 as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had
indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have
been sold Mark 14:5 for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the
poor.
“in the house of Simon the leper,” this is the second of three meals that Jesus eats this week
that are recorded and the third time that He has been anointed (see Luke 7:37-50). It is now only
two days before Passover. The first meal was at the house of Lazarus on Friday evening, six
days before Passover.
“came unto him a woman;” Matthew is writing this account, for the most part and you would
think that if Martha’s sister Mary were the woman that had this box of ointment he would
recognize her since he was there when Jesus wised Lazarus from the dead. No, this a completely
different house, on a different day, with a few different people, with almost identical
circumstances. John wrote the account of the other event (see John 12:2-11).
Note: During the last week of Jesus’ life, Scripture records three suppers that Jesus ate: the first
was at Lazarus, Martha, and Mary’s house where He is anointed by Mary for His burial with
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spikenard. This is the second at the house of Simon the Leper where He is anointed by an
unnamed woman for the same reason with the same ointment. He will eat one other supper
according to the Scriptures, on Tuesday evening, the Passover with His disciples. Jesus was
anointed one other time during His ministry: In Luke 7:38 an unnamed woman anoints Jesus’
feet at the house of Simon the Pharisee. So during His ministry Jesus was anointed three times
and during the last week of His life He ate three special suppers.
“his disciples saw it,” if it were Judas he would have ben named because he held the money bag.
But this was more than one disciple and Judas was off making his deal with the chief priests.
Matthew 26:10
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the
woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor
always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this
ointment on my body, Mark 14:8 she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the
burying. Matthew 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be
preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be
told for a memorial of her.
“ye have the poor always with you;” Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy 15:11 “For the poor
shall never cease out of the land.”
Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus
Luke 22:3
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of
the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and
captains, how he might betray him unto them. Matthew 26:15 And said unto them, What
will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him
for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity Mark 14:11how
he might conveniently Luke 22:6 betray him unto them in the absence of the
multitude.
“Judas surnamed Iscariot;” he was actually Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. But look at what the
word Iscariot means: Strong’s # . “is-kar-ee-o´-tace; of Hebrew origin inhabitant of
Kerioth; Iscariotes (i.e. Keriothite), an epithet of Judas the traitor:— Iscariot.” {2} Kerioth was a
small town in the far south of Judea. He was the only Judean of the twelve and he never had any
interest in the spiritual side of Jesus’ teaching. But Jesus knew it from the very beginning and
that’s why He chose him to be one of the twelve; to fulfill God’s plan.
“Then;” Judas’ meeting with the chief priests most likely took place while Jesus was eating at
Simon’s house above
“entered Satan;” Satan got into Judas because Judas allowed it to happen. Judas was so hell-
bent on seeing Jesus take over the government and throwing off Rome that he now is going to
force Jesus’ into it rather than this being crucified junk. By trying to stop the plan of God, he
was unwittingly walking right into Satan’s realm. And he was just what Satan needed, a
scapegoat. He became in agreement with Satan that Jesus had to be stopped. Satan wasn’t sure
what Jesus was up to, but He had to be stopped; and Judas was SO willing to be used.
“he went his way, and communed with the chief priests;” notice that in Matthew 26:8 above
that it was the disciples that got “indignant” over the expensive ointment that was being used to
anoint Jesus; meaning Judas wasn’t there as in the previous occasion four days earlier. He had
already snuck off to make his deal with the chief priests.
“captains;” these are captains of the temple guard consisting of Levites. {72} They will be the
ones that will be arresting Jesus, not Romans
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.
“thirty pieces of silver;” this is the price of a slave in Exodus 21:32. {72} The word
“manservant” means “bound manservant,” Strong’s #5650.
“he sought opportunity;” in his mind, no one knew what he was about to do not even Jesus; so
he thought. So he had to sneak around looking for the right opportunity to force Jesus’ hand to
take over, first the Sanhedrin, then Pilate and the Roman Garrison with His miraculous powers.
The confrontation can’t start with the crowds around. {72}
Tuesday, April 25, AD 30
(Our Monday sunset to Tuesday sunset)
The Withered Fig Tree
Mark 11:20
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from
the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the
fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto
them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, Matthew 21:21 If ye have faith,
and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye
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shall say unto this mountain, Mark 11:22 Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the
sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he
24
saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say
unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them.
“dried up from the roots;” a disease called tree blight could account for the tree not having any
fruit but still having leaves. {72} But to be totally dried up from the roots in one day is unheard
of. (Note: in Matthew’s account the tree totally withered away the moment that Jesus spoke the
words; indicating how miraculous the event was.)
“Have faith in God;” the disciples still seemed to be astonished at the power that they had
under the authority of the name of Jesus and by faith in Him. The removal of a mountain is just
the imagery needed to convince these doubters of the power that exists in faith.
“If ye have faith, and doubt not;” this is assuming that your request is within God’s will; and
only God given faith is doubt-free. {72}
“Mountain . . . cast into the sea;” meaning the Mont of Olives. By the use of this old Hebrew
hyperbole Jesus demonstrates that it is not the size of the mountain that is being moved but the
quality of the faith of the believer. If you don’t have the faith, then you won’t even move a
single grain of sand. But as He said, it only takes faith the size of the grain of a mustard seed to
move a mountain. Just keep in mind that moving mountains around is rearranging God’s
creation and probably not within His will. (See 1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23)
“whatsoever he saith;” what we are doing when we pronounce something in faith is, we are
making a request of God to perform this task that we ourselves cannot perform because of our
limitations of space, matter, and time. And it is by our faith that we believe that He will perform
what He has promised even though to us, it is impossible. The trouble was that the church
leaders wanted Jesus to give them a “sign” by performing a demonstration of His Messianic
power, which would be a misuse of God’s authority; clearly an abomination before God. This is
why Jesus refused.
“What things soever ye desire, when ye pray;” there are those that think that this is God’s
check book full of signed checks; or His credit card. Well let’s see; you want a Mercedes, a
summer house in the Hamptons, and a winter house in the Caymans; right? Well, that is not a
true disciple. What did Jesus say about being a true disciple? First of all, you must deny
yourself, then take up your cross, and then follow Him. A true disciple doesn’t pray for anything
of this earth, for God supplies all his needs (see Philippians 4:19). A true disciple of Christ is
usually praying for others; and if they mention themselves in prayer it’s a request for forgiveness
for their sins and betterment of their character.
Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that
your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye
do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your
trespasses.
“stand praying;” standing was the usual posture while praying for all Israelites (see 1 Samuel
1:26; 1 Kings 8:14; 22; Nehemiah 9:4; Matthew 6:5; Luke 18:11; 13) except for extreme
conditions when they would lie on the ground face down (see 1 Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5; Daniel
6:10; Matthew 26:39; Acts 7:60). {72}
“forgive, if ye have ought against any;” here it is again; the forgiveness that we must grant
willingly to others for wrongs that they have done to us weather real or imaginary. This is a vital
part of our salvation; without it our sins are not forgiven. The words “ought against” include the
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idea of even your dislikes; i.e. if you don’t like someone because of their looks or personality,
turn it over to God; He’ll either change them or change you. {72}
“forgive;” this is not just something that is a moment that is done in your prayer closet. This is a
permanent attitude change toward that person that requires faith because you are trusting God to
forgive you now that you have forgiven permanently all others anything and everything that you
were holding in your heart. {72}
“trespasses;” Mark uses this word twice here and this is the only place that he uses it. {72}
Trespasses is Strong’s . “a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or
(willful) transgression:— fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass.” {2} It doesn’t matter if it is
intentional or not, or real or not; it is still a violation of our own neat little world. And from
God’s point of view, our holding on to it is worse than sin committed against us.
Jesus’ Authority Challenged Again
Luke 19:47
And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and
the chief of the people sought to destroy him, 48 And could not find what they
might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.
Luke 20:1
And it came to pass, that on one of those days, Mark 11:27 And they come
again to Jerusalem: Matthew 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, as he taught
the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, Mark 11:27and as he was walking in
the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
Matthew 21:23
of the people came unto him as he was teaching, Luke 20:2 And spake unto
him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that
gave thee this authority?
Mark 11:29
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one
question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.31 And they
reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why
then did ye not believe him? 32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the
people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. 33 And they
answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto
them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
“he taught daily in the temple;” He would be on Solomon’s Porch (see John 10:23) which is
sometimes called Royal Porch. This is on the south side of the Court of the Gentiles. {72}
“chief priests;” notice the plurality of the words chief priests. That meant both Annas and
Caiaphas were there along with the other church leaders. {72} This is a family affair where
nothing happens without the approval of Papa Annas the Don. In Acts 4:6 we see two more of
the family, John and Alexander at the trial of the Apostles Peter and John.
“by what authority;”in other words, “We’re the ones that give out authority around here by the
permission of Rome; and we don’t recall giving you any authority to do the things that you are
doing.”
“these things;” this is in response to what Jesus did yesterday: and all the miracles, and
preaching that was contrary to the doctrine of the Pharisees. Hence the vague nature of “these
things.” {72}
“who is he that gave thee this authority?” after being confronted by the many powerful
miracles, and hearing the authoritative words of His teaching they recognized that somebody or
something was behind Him. {72} And then after yesterday’s claim of the Temple being “My
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Father’s House,” they were hoping for a direct claim of Messiahship so they could arrest Him for
blasphemy.
“The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?” you guys don’t know it but, you just
tried to out-whit God; He turned it around on you and now you are caught in your own trap. You
see, Jesus’ authority came from the same place as John’s: God. And as a matter of fact, John
recognized Jesus as “lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world” (John 1:36). Of course,
they weren’t too happy with John either because he didn’t walk down their road and he called
them a generation of vipers (Luke 3:7).
“answer me;” Mark is the only one of the three that records this challenge which indicates that
some of the church leaders might have been reluctant to give a straight and forward answer. {72}
“Why then did ye not believe him?” this is the dilemma that they were in. John was a national
hero and martyr; and to say that his doctrine and baptism was of his own making would bring
down the wrath of the people. And if they say that he was from God then they have to admit that
Jesus is also because John said that He was. Their only out of the dilemma was to play dumb.
{72}
“We cannot tell;” and if you are one of the Jews that hear this you now know that your church
leaders are dumber than a box of rocks.
“Neither do I tell you;” and Jesus says “You’re too dumb to understand; even if I were to tell
you, so I’m not going to waste my breath.
Parable Of The Two Sons
Matthew 21:28
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first,
and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not:
but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said
likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them
twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto
them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the
kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of
righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed
him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe
him.
“But what think ye?” Jesus is still directing this to the church leaders.
“Whether of them twain did the will of his father?” now He has them in another trap. The
point of the parable is that actions speak louder than words (see Matthew 7:21-27; James 1:22);
and their actions were downright hypocritical. They were going to unwittingly acknowledge this
and fall into Jesus’ trap of condemning themselves. {72}
“publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you;” this just heaps more
coals on to the fires of their indignation against Jesus because these were the most despised of
the Jewish society and they, the church leaders, considered themselves the most holy. Matthew’s
gospel repeatedly puts forth the theme of tax collectors and harlots entering the kingdom before
these hypocritical church leaders (see Matthew 5:20).
“the way of righteousness;” being in the presence of righteousness, you can either accept it or
reject it, the choice is yours. They came to John and they rejected him; actually his
righteousness, and therefore rejected God the source of that righteousness. They did this because
they felt that they were already perfect and didn’t need what John was selling.
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Parable Of The Landowner

Luke 20:9
Then began he to speak to the people this parable; Matthew 21:33 Hear another
parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it
round about, and digged a winepress in it, Mark 12:1 (with) a place for the winefat,
Matthew 21:33
and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far
country Luke 20:9 for a long time.
“Then began he to speak to the people;” now He is addressing all gathered there and not just
the church leaders. Luke is the only writer that notes this.
“planted a vineyard . . . a winepress . . . a tower;” there is no doubt that Jesus is referring to
Isaiah 5:1-2 here and everybody knows it.
Isaiah 5:1
Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his
vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: 2 And he fenced
a
(or, made a wall about) it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it
with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a
winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought
forth wild grapes.
The hillsides of Israel were covered with vineyards. Here the landowner is represented by God
who brought forth the vineyard with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. The vinedressers here
represent the Jewish leaders. {72}
“hedged it round about;” most likely with a combination of those stones that were gathered out
of it and a hedge row of thorny briars for protection. {72} This has spiritual implications for this
parable, i.e. a wall of protection around Israel and Judah as long as they kept to the bargain made
in verse 33 above.
“the winefat;” winefat is Strong’s . “vessel or receptacle under the press, i.e. lower
winevat:— winefat.” {2} There is a natural yeast that forms on the skin of the mature grapes
before harvest. That yeast flows with the juice out of the press into the wine-vat, then into the
bottles or wineskins where it will work with the sugars in the juice to form alcohol, which
preserves the juice almost indefinitely. If this didn’t happen then the juice would turn into
vinegar; which happens when there isn’t enough yeast.
“a tower;” provided a high vantage point to keep watch over the vineyard to protect it from
enemies and also a possible shelter for tools, supplies, and workers. {72} This too has spiritual
implications; the tower was for them to keep an eye on the vineyard and a symbol of the fact that
He was keeping an eye on them.
“let it out to husbandmen;” these are the vinedressers in a deal like a sharecropper
arrangement; they would prosper if the vineyard bore much fruit.
Matthew 21:34
And when the time of the fruit drew near, Mark 12:2 he sent to the
husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of
the vineyard. 3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
Luke 20:11
And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, Luke 20:11 and
entreated them shamefully, and sent them away empty. Luke 20: 12 And again he sent
a third: Mark 12:4 and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, Luke
20: 12 Mark 12:4 5
and cast him out and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he
sent another; and him they killed, and many others; Matthew 21:36 Again, he sent other
Mark 12:5
servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise,
beating some, and killing some.
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“time of the fruit;” the first harvest would take place in the fifth year after planting according to
Leviticus 19:32-25. {72}
“servant;” all the servants spoken of in this parable represent the Old Testament Prophets. {72}
“beat him, and sent him away empty;” all of God’s servants, His prophets, suffered terrible
treatment at the hands of both Israelite and Jewish leaders. {72} Elijah went up in the chariot of
fire and Jeremiah was the only one to die of old age in Ireland as a hero. Ezekiel and Daniel died
in the Babylonian captivity. (See 1 kings 22:23; 2 Chronicles 24:20-21; 36:15-16; Nehemiah
9:26; Jeremiah 2:30) Being a prophet of God is no picnic, but the rewards are so great.
“he sent other servants more than the first;” Jesus is stressing the point about the patience of
God; over and over again He sent His servants to Israel and Judah but they would not have their
message of “Give God His due.”
Luke 20:13
Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved
son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. Mark 12:6 Having yet
therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They
will reverence my son.
Luke 20:38
But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This
is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. Mark 12:7and the
inheritance shall be ours. Matthew 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the
vineyard, and slew him.
Luke 20:40
When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto
those husbandmen?
“my beloved son;” now here is where the parable differs from reality; the lord of the vineyard
assumes that they will respect His Son wherein reality they killed Jesus the Christ. {72}
“the inheritance shall be ours;” in their greed for the entire harvest they think that by killing
the son that they can seize the land, crops, and the whole kitten caboodle. Because Jesus had
gotten such a tremendous popularity with the people they figured that the only way to maintain
control and power over the people was to kill Jesus. {72}
41
They say unto him, Luke 20:16 He shall come and Matthew 21:41 He will miserably
destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen,
which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Luke
20:16
[Indeed] He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the
vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. 17 And he
beheld them, and said, Matthew 21:42 Did ye never read in the scriptures, Luke 20:17 that is
written, Matthew 21:42The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the
head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
“He will miserably destroy those wicked men;” out of their ownmouths they prophecy the
doom of their future: in 70 A.D. came the destruction of Jerusalem. {72}
“let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen;” and again out of their mouths comes the words
that foretells God’s actions: He turns the mission of showing God’s way over to primarily
Gentiles, i.e. the Church. {72}
“God forbid;” Luke records that the crowd understands the meaning of the parable and is really
taken aback by it. {72}
“The stone which the builders rejected;” the word for stone here in Matthew has a different
meaning than the one in Psalm 118:22-23 that He is quoting: stone from Matthew is Strong’s
#G. “lee´-thos; appar. a primary word; a stone (lit. or fig.):— (mill-, stumbling-) stone.” In
Psalm 118: #H68 eh’-ben; to build; a stone:— + carbuncle, + mason, + plummet, [chalk-, hail-,
 444

head-, sling-] stone (-ny), (divers) weight (-s).” {2} Jesus was a stumbling stone for the Jewish
leaders of His time so they rejected Him.
“The stone which the builders rejected;” when putting up a building, the masons will reject
any stone that they find that is not perfectly straight, with all its angles in the proper order so to
serve as the cornerstone. This position is very critical to the appearance and stability of the
building. In quoting these two verses from Psalm 118 Jesus is calling Himself that stone rejected
by the Jewish leaders but He will become the cornerstone when He is resurrected. {72}
“the head of the corner;” the great leaders of Israel were at first rejected; Moses, David, of
course all the prophets, John the Baptist, and now the great and final one, the Messiah. “There is
no new thing under the sun.” (See Ecclesiastes 1:9)
“this is the Lord’s doing;” you have to keep in mind that God is in control here, this is all part
of His plan to save mankind.
“it is marvellous in our eyes;” as we are able to look in retrospect and see His plan unfold
through the Scriptures and in History, we are truly in awe, and stand in total worship of His
Glory, Power, and love for us.
Matthew 21:43
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you,
and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall
on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to
powder.45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they
perceived that he spake of them. 46 But when they sought Luke 20:19 the same hour
Matthew 21:42
to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him
for a prophet. Mark 12:12 They left him, and went their way.
“nation bringing forth the fruits thereof;” that nation is referring to the Church of Christ (not
any denomination) that “holy nation.” (See 1Peter 2:9) {72} But this doesn’t mean that the
kingdom is removed from Israel forever; that would be a breach of the promises God made to
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. The church is only the temporary custodian of the vineyard
until the restoration of Israel.
“whosoever shall fall . . . on whomsoever it shall fall;” this paradoxical saying is a loose
quotation of Isaiah 8:13-15. It pointed to the now Christ who is that “stone” that if you fall on
Him you will be broken with repentance and fellowship with Him. But if He falls on you
because you reject Him, then He will grind you to the powder of Daniel 2:25; 44; and 45. This is
an either or thing; you will either have Him as you savior or your judge, there is no in-between.
{72}
Note: go onto YouTube and listen to the song Scandalon by Michael Card, it’s about this very
subject.
“they perceived that he spake of them;” first His cap on the parable of the two sons was a slap
in the face to them; second He tells them that their vineyard will be turned over to others, and
they knew just exactly what He was talking about. Third, He uses the quote from Psalm 118
about the Stone that the Builders rejected which is direct at them because they are supposed to be
the builders. And now He uses the Stumbling Stone of Isaiah 8 and they are assured that it all is
pointed directly at them and nobody else. Why? Because the crowd accepts Him as a prophet,
not the Messiah, but at least a prophet. There’s one other thing too, the imagery in most of this is
messianic in nature and pointing to Jesus, and they are definitely opposed to that.
Parable Of The Wedding Invitation
Matthew 22:1
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his
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son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding:
and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them
which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings
are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light
of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the
remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But
when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and
destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
“Jesus answered and spake unto them again;” He’s still talking to the chief priests and the
Pharisees because they were looking for an opportunity “to lay hands on him.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like;” in this series of parables this is the first one that compares
“the Kingdom of Heaven is like.”
“a certain king, which made a marriage;” Jesus continues His discourse on the same theme:
again we see the offer of the gospel of the Kingdom; we see the rejection of that message; the
abuse of the servants; the punishment of those originally invited; and the invitation to the
foreigners. Jesus told a similar parable back in Luke 14:15-24 but there were considerable
differences. {72}
“call them that were bidden;” now these people had invitations just like today; maybe not on
embossed paper with fancy scroll work, but they all knew to set aside this particular date for the
King’s son’s wedding feast. Besides, where are you going to get a free meal like this one?
“they would not come;” that’s a bad move! Psalm 95:7 “. . .To day if ye will hear his voice, 8
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation” (also Hebrews 3:8; 15; 4:7). 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he
saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured (helped)
thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation) (from Psalm 49:8).
If you get an invite from the King, God, it’s because He is either calling you to salvation or to a
greater work. It might be a good idea to answer that call, and with great exuberance.
“Again, he sent forth other servants;” he is still sending out servants today.
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I
will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” This is a perpetual thing for Christ
to be doing He is constantly standing at the door of your heart knocking; if you will only open
the door and let Him in He will dwell with you; and you will dwell in His house forever.
But they made light of it;” it is one thing to ignore God’s call, but to treat it with a flippant
attitude is so wrong.
“the remnant took his servants . . . slew them;” the servants are the representatives of the king;
killing the servants was like killing the king, pure treason.
“he was wroth;” patience, it’s gone, it’s out the window. It’s punishment time! After all, this
king sent out invitations in advance, prepared this lavish meal and celebration the likes of which
the people have never seen before; and now they rudely refuse to come and slay your servants.
“destroyed those murderers . . . burned up their city;” this was a prophecy of what would
happen to Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and divine retribution for rejecting and killing the Messiah. {72}
Matthew 22:8
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were
bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye
shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways,
and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the
wedding was furnished with guests.
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Matthew 22:11
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which
had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou
in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the
king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him
into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are
called, but few are chosen.
“as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage;” the king now offers his free banquet to all that
will come and take part in the wedding feast of his son. There is an exact parallel between this
parable and the wedding feast of the Lamb in Revelation 19.
“both bad and good;” when you swing a wide net like that there are going to be some fish that
are going to get into your net that you don’t want. Just like there are some supposed Christians
who aren’t really Christians at all, just pretenders.
“a wedding garment;” now it stands to reason that the people out in the highways were not
dressed for a wedding. So we have to presuppose that the king furnished some wedding clothes
for these new guests. But along comes this clown who says “Nope, I ain’t gonna’ wear them
things, I look good enough as is.” He is one of the so-so Christians; he likes to hang out with
them, but righteous acts are few and far in-between. (See Revelation 19:8). {5}
“he was speechless;” when called out for it; he really has no excuse.
“weeping and gnashing of teeth;” this expression is used by Jesus in Matthew four times and in
Luke only once. The other two writers don’t use it at all. It portrays the indescribable grief of a
person that realizes that they has missed out on the wedding feast; he was not going to be
allowed to participate in the festivities of the wedding. This is not the loss of the salvation of
God; after all, he accepted the invite to the wedding by the king. This person failed in their
discipleship, so their participation in all of the joyous advantages of the millennial reign of Christ
will be limited. {5}
“For many are called, but few are chosen;” many are called; but not all at this time. This is
the call to all that hear the Gospel; “many” hear it, “few” respond to it (see Mathew 7:13-14).
It’s what you do with, how you respond to the Gospel that determines if you are chosen. There
are many millions of people that have lived that have never heard the Gospel, their time is
reserved for the Great White Throne of Revelation 20:11-15. But God is in charge of all things,
it is He that determines if you are even called to hear the Gospel to begin with. It is by His grace
in choosing you and then drawing you that you accept the Gospel and thus the Kingdom.
Pharisees And Herodians Test Jesus
Matthew 22:15
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him
in his talk. Luke 20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should
feign themselves just men, Mark 12:13 the Pharisees Matthew 22:16 sent out unto him their
disciples with the Herodians, Mark 12:13 that they might take hold of his words, Luke
20:20
that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
Mark 12:14
And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou
art true, and Luke 20:21 rightly Matthew 22:16 teachest the way of God in truth, neither
carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us
18
therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
But Jesus perceived Luke 20:23 their craftiness, Mark 12:15 and knowing their hypocrisy,
said unto them, Matthew 22:18 Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Mark 12:15
bring
Matthew 22:19
me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought unto him a penny. 20
And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? Luke 20:24 They
 447

answered and said, Caesar’s. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto
Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.
26
And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they
marvelled at his answer, and held their peace Matthew 22:22 and left him, and went
their way.
“the Pharisees . . . took counsel . . . with the Herodians;” the following is from Matthew
Henry’s Commentary:
1. They took counsel. It was foretold concerning him, that the rulers would take
counsel against him (Psalms 2:2); and so persecuted they the prophets. Come, and
let us devise devices against Jeremiah. (See Jeremiah 18:18; 20:10). Note, The
more there is of contrivance and consultation about sin, the worse it is. There is a
particular woe to them that devise iniquity, (Micah 2:1). The more there is of the
wicked wit in the contrivance of a sin, the more there is of the wicked will in the
commission of it.
2. That which they aimed at was to entangle him in his talk. They saw him free
and bold in speaking his mind, and hoped by that, if they could bring him to some
nice and tender point, to get an advantage against him. It has been the old practice
of Satan's agents and emissaries, to make a man an offender for a word, a word
misplaced, or mistaken, or misunderstood; a word, though innocently designed,
yet perverted by strained innuendos: thus they lay a snare for him that reproveth
in the gate (Isaiah 29:21), and represent the greatest teachers as the greatest
troublers of Israel: thus the wicked plotteth against the just, (Psalms 37:12; 13.)
{49}
“the Herodians;” this was mainly a political party composed of Jews, mainly Sadducees, that
supported the Roman-backed Herodian dynasty. On the other hand, the Pharisees were a
religious group that hated Roman rule with its Herodian influence. With these two groups
getting together that hate each other so bad lets you know how much they feared Jesus and
wanted Him even dead. Even Herod himself wanted to kill Him (see Luke 13:31). Now with
their joint effort they are bound to succeed. {72}
“regardest not the person of men;” shows no personal favoritism. Even though it was true,
when people start with flattery; they usually have a hidden agenda.
“Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou;” this is the second time that He has been asked a
question that could lead to a death sentence. The first was “By whose authority do you do these
things”? This one is about taxes to Rome.
“Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not;” A.R.T.B. translates this as: “Is it authorized
to give the head silver to Caesar or not?” At issue was the thorn in every Jew’s side, the pole tax;
something that every adult male Jew had to pay every year as a part of heavy taxation assessed
by Rome. And the slap in the face was that these funds were used to finance the occupying
garrison right there Judea. To add insult to injury, it made them feel like they were owned by the
Romans instead of being possessions of God. The question itself, well, it’s a trap; it was
designed that way: if He answers in favor of the tax, then the Pharisees can say that He is
disloyal to the nation and He will lose His audience. If He says no to the tax, then He can be
charged with insurrection against Rome. {72} Pretty cute, right?
“Tribute;” Strong’s . “of Latin origin; prop. an enrollment (“census”), i.e. (by implication)
a tax:— tribute.” {2}
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“their hypocrisy;” was blatant; first they butter Him up with flattery, then try to sucker Him
into a trap with what appears to be a no-win question.

{56}
“Why tempt ye me;” He knew their motives all along and called them “ye hypocrites,” after
which He gets around their question.
“Penny;” Strong’s “of Latin origin; a denarius (or ten asses):— pence, penny [-worth].”
English: Group 4 Denarius (18 AD – 35 AD) of Tiberius (Roman emperor (Emperor 14 AD –
37 AD), also sometimes referred to as a Tribute Penny.” {2}
Obverse: TI[berivs] CAESAR DIVI AVG[vsti] F[ilivs] AVGVSTS (Caesar Augustus Tiberius,
son of the Divine Augustus) {8 & 56}
Reverse: PONTIF[ex] MAXIM[us] (The greatest bridge-builder) - Livia seated holding inverted
spear and olive branch. Livia was Tiberius’ mother. {8 & 56} Pontifex Maximus also means
“Chief Priest.”
The Jews considered these as graven images and therefore idolatrous and a violation of the
second commandment (Exodus 20:4); so by paying this tax they were handling this idolatrous
thing and supporting an emperor that considers himself a god both of which offend the true God.
{72}
“which be Caesar’s . . . which be God’s;” It is a rule in the Jewish Talmud, that "he is the king
of the country whose coin is current in the country." {49} All Jesus is saying is “It’s his country
and his money; so give it back to him because he protects you from those other countries that
would come in and invade you, and pillage you, and even kill most of you. Rome, although they
occupied Judea and appointed the High Priests for political expediency, they didn’t interfere with
the individual’s rights to worship God for the most part. Their tax rate was 1/297 th of a man’s
wages. This was equivalent to their income tax, which is not bad when held up against today’s
tax rates. Of course, the annual tax wasn’t the only tax; there were customs taxes, import and
export taxes, crop taxes, sales tax, property taxes, and toll bridges; about like today.
“held their peace . . . and went their way;” first came the chief priests, and the scribes, and the
elders to test Jesus on where He got His authority; that was round one. Then came the Pharisees
disciples with the Herodians on the question of taxes to Rome; that was round two. So who’s
next? Who’s left? The Sadducees and the Essenes are all that’s left, and the Essenes keep to
themselves.
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Sadducees Put Jesus To The Test

Matthew 22:23
The same day came to him Luke 20:27 certain of Matthew 22:23 the Sadducees,
which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Mark12:19 Master, Moses
wrote unto us, Matthew 22:24 If a man die, Mark12:19 and leave his wife behind him, and
leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his
brother.
Matthew 22:25
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had
married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26
Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the
woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the
seven? for they all had her.
Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the
scriptures, nor the power of God. Luke 20:34 The children of this world marry, and are
given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that
world, and the resurrection from the dead, Mark 12:25 For when they shall rise from
the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; 36 Neither can they die any
more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the
children of the resurrection.
“the Sadducees;” were the upper crust; they had the most money, the most influence, and they
held most of the Jewish Aristocracy. All of the high priests, the chief priests, and most of the
Sanhedrin were Sadducees. This meant that they were all Levites and had gotten rich off of the
Temple. (See Deuteronomy 18:1-8) They were strict conservatives; they held that only the law
of Moses, the Pentateuch, had any authority, anything else was to be ignored as of man. {72} In
today’s world they would be called constitutionalist.
“say that there is no resurrection;” since Moses didn’t mention it in the five books, it probably
don’t exist was their thinking. Since there is no after-life, and this is all that there is, we may as
well get all that we can and enjoy this life because tomorrow we might be dead. That was their
thinking; and they were very successful at it: they controlled the Priesthood; and as such, all of
the business that happened in, and around the Temple. {72}
“asked him;” this is round three; these guys don’t give up very easy. This is a very curious
question coming from people that don’t believe in the resurrection.
“Moses wrote;” of course this instantly validates their question as long as it is in the Scriptures
by Moses. And they know also that Jesus will go along with it for that reason. {72}
“his brother should take his wife;” the Sadducees are referring to Deuteronomy 25:5-6 which
is called a levirate marriage. God had Moses write this law to preserve names, families, and
tribal inheritances. {72} By the way, it seems as though the woman had no say-so in the matter;
if she didn’t like the brother-in-law, too bad.
“Therefore in the resurrection;” wait a minute! These guys don’t believe in the resurrection
and now they are asking about it; is the question tongue-in-cheek, or do they really want to be
educated? It’s the first; they’re not about to give up their beliefs: this is just a ruse to trip Jesus
up in His words.
“Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures;” the rebuke of “Ye do err,” is quite mild because they
error out of ignorance.
“the power of God;” because of their ignorance of the Scriptures they had a gross lack of
understanding about the power of God. First of all, in Genesis God created man in God’s image,
but man took on death. But if God is powerful enough to create man, surely He is powerful
 450

enough to resurrect him from the dead. {72} But they were so stuck in the law that they got lost
in it and ended up ignoring the rest of Scripture.
“neither marry;” in Genesis 2:18 God decided that man should have a companion that would
not only help him but be a partner in repopulating the earth. What Jesus was trying to get across
was that earth is physical and heaven is spiritual. In heaven we won’t have physical bodies, the
relationships will all be spiritual and with everybody. {72}
“the angels;” the Sadducees also didn’t believe in angels.
(NOTE: the word angel(s) does not appear in the original Hebrew; it appears as
“messenger(s).”) Angels; Strong’s 4397 “from an unused root mean. to dispatch as a deputy; a
messenger; spec. of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher):— ambassador, angel,
king, messenger.” {2} According to A.R.T.B. the word “angel(s)” was not used at all in the
Bible; the word 4397 appears as “messenger(s).”{7}
NOTE: the following is a quote from the author of the Ancient Roots Translinear Bible, used
here with permission: “Moses and the scribes who wrote the Hebrew text only used the word
MESSENGER.
The Scribes who wrote the Greek text much later thought there was a difference between human
and angelic messengers and used the word ANGELOS in some places in the text. That got
carried through to the Latin and ultimately English.
The Sadducees disagreed.
Take your pick. My orientation is not to do a TRANSLATION according to my thoughts, but
simply to record consistently what is in the text.
One other point. The word APOSTOLOS in Greek for Apostles in the NT also means
MESSENGER. GK 632 in Strong’s. God sends out both human and angelic messengers.” {7}
Mark 12:26
And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read Matthew 22:31 that
which was spoken unto you by God, Mark 12:26 in the book of Moses, how in the
bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob? Luke 20:37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses
shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living:
for all live unto him. Mark 12:27 ye therefore do greatly err. Luke 20:39 Then certain of
the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
“in the book of Moses;” the word “book” would best be rendered ”writing” or “record” of
Moses. This is of course the complete writings of the Pentateuch as a whole that which the
Sadducees held in such high authority. {72}
“in the bush;” this is in reference to the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-4:17, where God first
appears to Moses and calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by using the phrase “I
Am,” present tense; not I was the God of . . . He still is because they are not dead; {72} they
are asleep like Lazarus went to sleep, but they will be awakened at the resurrection.
“How . . . God spake unto him, saying, I am;” God didn’t say “I was the God of . . .” past
tense; He still is their God, and always will be. He established His covenant with them when
they walked this earth. That covenant is eternal, just as God is eternal.
“he is not a God of the dead;” when God said that He was “I Am” in Exodus 3:6 He was telling
us that He was our God for all eternity. And this blows the Sadducees argument right out of the
water. They didn’t have any after-life to look forward to; they were worse off than a dog. A dog
doesn’t have the reasoning that we have; it lives and dies, and that’s it. The Sadducee lives
knowing that he will eventually die and tries to avoid it and is scared of it because he doesn’t
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have anything to look forward to, no hope. He figures that he is here for his three-score plus ten
(Psalm 90:10) for God’s amusement and then he’s a throw-a-way. What a sad commentary of
their view of God.
“all live unto him;” although their bodies are gone to dust and they are asleep, Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob are still alive in another dimension and God is still their God.
“ye therefore do greatly err;” this is one of the more gentler rebukes that Jesus gives in all of
His ministry. This was a doctrinal error that Jesus was trying to correct, not one of blatant
hypocrisy or attack of Satan (see Matthew 16:23; Mark 8:33).
“the scribes . . . Master, thou hast well said;” the scribes; now we have all four of the
antagonist groups represented: the Pharisees had teamed up with the Herodians earlier; then the
Sadducees came in with their misbelieve, and it just so happens that some Scribes were hanging
around to hear it all and render an opinion. But there is no denying Christ’s argument here about
the resurrection; and the Scribes, who normally opposed Jesus, whole-heartedly agreed with
Him.
A Lawyer Of The Scribes Questions Jesus
Matthew 22:34
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to
silence, they were gathered together. Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes Matthew 22:35
which was a lawyer, Mark 12:28 came, and having heard them reasoning together, and
perceiving that he had answered them well, Matthew 22:35 asked him a question,
tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment Mark 12:28 of
all?Matthew 22:36 in the law?
Mark 12:29
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O
Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength: Matthew 22:38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is
like unto it, Mark 12:31 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other
commandment greater than these. Matthew 22:40 On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets.
“the Pharisees . . . were gathered together;” with one accord for the purpose of ensnaring him
in his words.
“one of the scribes;” one of the Scribes had just commented on how right Jesus was with the
Sadducees question, so now another one is going to actually ask a question to tempt Jesus.
“a lawyer;” was an educated and therefore more strict Scribe, rejecting all traditions of the
elders and admitting nothing but the written word. He would have stuck even more tightly to the
spiritual meaning of the law and prophets than even the normal Scribe, not to mention the
Pharisees who were even farther away. {44}
“tempting him;”Trying him; presenting a question to test his knowledge of the law.
“which is the great commandment;” the Scribes had divided all the commandments up in to
Affirmative ones (248 of them), and the negative ones (365 for the number of the days of the
year); giving a total of 618. That’s the number of the letters in the ten commandments. These
commandments were either great (important) or least ( not as important). The question was
which one was the greatest. {3}
“Hear, O Israel;” God gave Moses in Deuteronomy 6;4-5; “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God
is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy might.” And it is actually part of the Shema Yisrael that that is recited by every
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pious Israelite every morning and evening. The whole Shema Yisrael is comprised of
Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21; Numbers 15:37-41. {8}
“thou shalt love the Lord;” this is an affirmative commandment; a positive; “thou shalt do.”
Eight of the ten commandments were negatives, thou shalt not do this or that. In a nutshell this
is the answer to the Lawyer’s question of what is the greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love
the Lord.”
“Heart . . . soul . . . mind . . . strength;” the original said heart, soul, and might; but what’s the
difference? You get the idea; we are to love God with all of our entire being to the maximum of
our abilities. The Bee Gees song asked “How deep is your love?” God’s commandment says
that it had better be “All the way.”
“the second;” Jesus had already given the first and greatest commandment but now He reveals
the second; which is actually part of the first. Leviticus 19:18 “thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself.” You can’t love God unless you love your neighbor and everybody else too: 1 John 4:20 “If a
man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom
he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we
from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” Brother and neighbor are synonymous
here because in God’s eyes we are all family. Besides, if God can love everybody on this planet
who are we not to do likewise? By loving them we are fulfilling part of the first and greatest
commandment of loving with all because you can’t love God with all without loving your
neighbor/brother.
“neighbour;” in Luke 10:29-37 Jesus gives us the Parable of The Good Samaritan which pretty
well defines who is our neighbor.
“all the law and the prophets;” that’s it! All ten of the commandments are summed up into
these two: the first four are summed into love God with all; and the last six are summed up into
love everybody else. Loving our fellow man must be easier because it takes six commandments
to deal with him. Whereas loving God takes the whole ten since we must also love our fellow
man and Him together at the same time.
Mark 12:32
And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for
there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the
heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the
strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt
offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he
said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that
durst ask him any question Luke 20:40 at all.
“the scribe said unto him;” his answer was spot on: knowing the supremacy of the moral
aspects of the law over the ritual (see 1 Samuel 15:22; 1 Isaiah 11-17; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8).
{72}
“to love his neighbour as himself;” he even threw in a paraphrase of Leviticus 19:18 which
some believed was a commandment for self love. NOT! It is the golden rule of Matthew 7:12
only with different words. You are to love others by the same standard that you want for
yourself; {72} and most people are pretty greedy about love for themselves.
“burnt offerings;” these were mainly animal sacrifices that were totally consumed by fire on the
altar (see Leviticus 1:1-17; 6:8-13). {72}
“Thou art not far from the kingdom of God;” this Lawyer Scribe now knows the truth that he
must live the God centered life and that includes putting his neighbor ahead of himself, and Jesus
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commends him for it. Now he lacks one thing; to go out and put it into practice; then he will be
in the Kingdom.
“no man after that durst ask him any question;” Jesus had shown a perfect understanding of
how the law is supposed to work; that left no room for any other questions to be asked by these
custodians of the law. Jesus had finally become their teacher!
Jesus Is Both David’s Son And David’s Lord
Matthew 22:41
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Mark 12:35while he taught in the
temple, Matthew 22:41 Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose
son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
Matthew 22:43
He saith unto them, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David?
Mark 12:36
For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, Luke20:42 in the book of Psalms,
Mark 12:36
The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine
enemies thy footstool. Matthew 22:45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
And the common people heard him gladly.
Matthew 22:46
And no man was able to answer him a word.
“Jesus asked them;” Jesus had answered all their questions and now it is His turn to probe
them and lecture them. {72}
“What think ye;” this is a phrase peculiar to Matthew (17:25; 18:12; 21:28; 22:42; 26:66).
Now He has all four of the antagonistic groups represented; the Pharisees, the Herodians, the
Sadducees, and the Scribes all in one place. So He is going to ask a question that will show forth
all their ignorance about the nature of the Messiah. {72}
“What think ye of Christ?” Christ is a New Testament word for the word Messiah:
Strong’s #.“from ; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:— Christ.” {2}
. “khree´-o; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by impl.) to consecrate to an office or relig.
service:— anoint.” {2}
The word Messiah is used only two times in the entire Bible; both are in chapter nine of Daniel:
Strong’s #4899. “from 4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint);
spec. the Messiah:— anointed, Messiah.” {2}
4886. “a prim. root; to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by impl. to consecrate; also to paint:—
anoint, paint.” {2}
In both cases it refers the anointed one, depending upon its usage.
“Whose son is he?” the answer to this question may be found in 2 Samuel 7:12–16; Psalms
89:3-4; 34–36; Isaiah 9:7; 16:5; 55:3-4.
“Son of David;” this is not only a Messianic title, but it was the most common one in use during
Jesus’ time. It is what was taught by all the religious leaders of the time. This reply indicates
that they believe that the Messiah will only be a mere man. {72} Jesus lets them know that David
was talking about God himself.
“David himself said by the Holy Ghost;” David himself said that he wrote by direction of the
Holy Spirit (see 2 Samuel 23:2). {72}
“in the book of Psalms;” this is a quote from Psalm 110:1. {72}
“The LORD said to my Lord;” A.R.T.B. this verse reads:
“Yahweh said to my Lord, Dwell to my right, until I establish your enemies as a stool for your
feet.”
Yahweh is God’s covenant name. According to The Companion Bible the word “Lord” is
“Adonai, ” which is a name for God that is related to blessings in the earth. {3}
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LORD 136. “ad-o-noy’; am emphat. form of 113; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only):
— (my) Lord.”{2}
113. “aw-done’; or (short.) aw-done’; from an unused root (mean. to rule); sovereign, i.e.
controller (human or divine):— lord, master, owner. comp. also names beginning with “Adoni-”.
{2}
Here in this Psalm, David pictures God speaking to the Messiah who is responsible for all the
blessings here on the earth, who also David calls his Lord. The religious leaders of Jesus’ time
might have recognized this Psalm as messianic, but did they really understand it? {72}
“David then call him Lord;” In that patriarchal society, the father always ruled. As long as he
was alive, he ruled. His word was law. Even if his sons were sixty or seventy years old, as long
as the father was still alive his word was the law. And in that culture there would be no way that
a father would ever call his son Lord. That would be in total contradiction to the culture and
society itself. So, if the Messiah is the Son of David, how is it that David called Him Lord? Keep
in mind, he’s under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. How can He be a Son? {13}
By just asking the question, Jesus interprets the Psalm for them: He points out that David would
not have called any human descendant “Lord.” Since the word used is the one that is God that
relates to the blessings in the earth, he has to be talking about the “Son of God.” Therefore the
Messiah is more than the “Son of David,” He is also the “Son of God.” Jesus is pronouncing the
Messiah’s deity, and thus His own. {72}
“the common people;” remember this just a few days before Passover, so there is quite a crowd
gathering in and around the Temple what heard all of this and they were quite pleased.
Beware Of The Pharisees
Luke 20:45 Mark 12:38
Then in his doctrine, Luke 20:45 in the audience of all the people he
said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long
robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues,
and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew
make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
“he said unto his disciples;” this is to His disciples but in earshot of the main audience.
“Beware of;” or “guard against” the evil influence of the scribes. {72}
“the scribes;” first Jesus exposes their evil practices alone.
“long robes;” this was a long flowing cloak that announced that the wearer was a devout and
noted scholar. Of course, they got all kinds of attention and praise.
“love greetings;” all kinds of titles of honor and accolades, {72} some of which was false rump
kissing just to stay in the loop; you never knew.
“highest seats in the synagogues . . . chief rooms at feasts;” in the Synagogue, the best seat in
the house was near the sacred scrolls were housed. This area was reserved for the upper class
and the leaders of the people. {72}
“devour widows’ houses;” here Jesus blows the lid off the Scribes practice of going after
widows in their time of woe and shaking them down for money for the Temple or the Scribe’s
work; like God is going broke or something like that. In any case, the poor widow gets robbed
of the future and security that her husband had left her. {72}
“long prayers;” they thought that this was a demonstration of their piety before the people.
Maybe some of the people were impressed, but God wasn’t!
Matthew 23:1
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The
scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid
you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say,
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and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them
on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their
fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries (pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law), and enlarge
the borders of their garments, 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the
chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of
men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even
Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for
one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is
your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your
servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall
humble himself shall be exalted.
“Moses’ seat;” Jesus now directs His speaking to both His disciples and the crowd to correct the
misbelieves that both had regarding the Scribes and Pharisees, by showing their true colors, and
by removing the misconception that some of the multitude had fostered against Jesus and His
doctrine; because it was opposed by men of their church that called themselves the people’s
guides; they sat in Moses’ Seat.
Deuteronomy 4:2
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye
diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your
God which I command you.
Deuteronomy 12:32
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not
add thereto, nor diminish from it.
But the Scribes and Pharisees had added to it, way to it (see Matthew 15:3-9) by putting on the
burden of the traditions of men. Their motivation had started off with good intentions; they
wanted to make sure that they would never suffer captivity or the humility that Antiochus IV
Epiphanes put them through. So the religious leaders made up some “harmless regulations” to
make sure that God’s law would never be even close to being violated again. They grew into a
burden upon men that God never intended His Law to be. And because you had regulations,
somebody had to enforce them. This lead to authoritativeness in church leadership, who began
to crack the whip at the people who in-turn began to resent the law.
“observe and do;” out of the Word of God; everything must be in line with the Word of God.
Everything else is of man.
“phylacteries (pieces of parchment containing sentences of the law);” stuffed into little leather
boxes and bound on their wrist and on their forehead as per Exodus 13:1-16; and Deuteronomy
6:4-21. Each box had four compartments, and each compartment contained a scroll that had four
passages of scripture on it. They were the same scriptures for both hand and forehead. Six days
a week; not on the Sabbath because you can’t bear a burden on the Sabbath; but six days a week
they would go through the ritual of binding these boxes on their arms and foreheads when they
go to the Temple for morning prayer. But the Scribes and Pharisees made sure that their boxes
were bigger and fancier than anybody else in the Temple.
“enlarge the borders of their garments;” i.e. the tassels. These borders were commanded in
Numbers and Deuteronomy:
Numbers 15:37
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 38 Speak unto the children of
Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments
throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a
ribbon of blue: 39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it,
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and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek
not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: 40
That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your
God.
Deuteronomy 22:12
Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters (wings) of thy
vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.
Of course the Scribes and Pharisees made them bigger so that they would be
thought of as being holier than thou. {72}
“Rabbi . . . Father. . . Master;” titles, sought after for their wearing. It isn’t wrong to be a
Rabbi, Father, or Master – Teacher; they are needed in the church for church growth. But as
usual, the Scribes and Pharisees would seek to be called these out of a sense of pompous,
unwarranted spiritual authority like they come-up with all this spiritual truth on their own with
no help from God. The sad part is that they were in error on so much of their teachings. There is
at least one Christian denomination that insist that some of their ministers be called “Father.”
This certainly flies in the face with this commandment of Jesus.
Eight More Woes To The Pharisees
Matthew 23:13
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the
kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye
them that are entering to go in.
Matthew 23:14
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’
houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater
damnation.
Matthew 23:15
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and
land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the
child of hell than yourselves.
“woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees;” Jesus was always good to those who were
acknowledged sinners. He would always receive and never turn away the repentant sinner. But
to the ones that put up a false sense of spirituality, of righteousness, and superiority; He would
get right in their face about their real lack of all three.
“hypocrites;” this is woe number one of eight, same as the beatitudes: a hypocrite is a stage-
player in religion. While they live, their religion is vain; when they die, their ruin is great. {13}
“neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in;” this is probably the worst of Jesus’
condemnations of the S & P’s. They have left off from God’s true righteousness and created
their own; and also caused all the people to follow them into this false righteousness that leads to
nowhere (see Romans 10:3). With great effectiveness they are steering people away from the
narrow gate of Matthew 7:13-14.
“proselyte;” is a gentile that has converted to Judaism. {72}
“child of hell;” in this case, he is so indoctrinated in the false religion of the Pharisees that there
is no sense of the real God and His ways. Saul, who became Paul, is a prime example: he went
out murdering Christians just because they believed in Jesus and His resurrection.
Matthew 23:16
Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by
the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he
is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple
that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing;
but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and
blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso
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therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And
whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22
And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him
that sitteth thereon.
“ye blind guides;” woe number four: where in the world did they come up with such an absurd
rationalization as this? “It’s O.K. to swear by the temple, altar, and heaven but don’t you dare
swear by the gold of the temple, the gift on the altar, or God Himself.” It sounds like a George
Carlin routine! He had seven things that you couldn’t say on television. A holy God says
“Don’t even hint at these things; everything about me is holy, so don’t swear at all. Let your
word be ‘yes’ for positive or ‘no’ for negative; anything else is superfluous!” When the
Pharisees made this distinction they flat out lied; regardless of their motivation, they went
against what their conscience should have been telling them what was right. Here Jesus accuses
them of being “blind guides,” meaning that they did it out of ignorance and stupidity rather than
something more deviously evil.
Matthew 23:23
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint
and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law,
judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the
other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
“tithe of mint and anise and cumin;” woe number five. Mint, anise, and cumin were spices
that were not of the farm variety that the tithe was designed to cover (see Leviticus 27:30). They
were the kind of thing that you grew in your back yard garden for seasoning your meals. But
the Pharisees would count every leaf and seed to see to it that they sent one tenth to the Temple.
{72}
“weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith;” their actions weren’t governed by
these three (see Micah 6:8). Jesus wasn’t saying that tithing was not important; He was saying
that the Scribes and Pharisees were putting emphasis on one while ignoring the others.
“strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel;” gnats are the smallest of the unclean animals (see
Leviticus 11:21-23) so the Pharisees would strain their drinks through a fine cloth to prevent
accidently swallowing a gnat. The camel, on the other hand, is the largest of all the unclean
animals that may not be eaten (see Leviticus 11:4). {72} So Jesus is saying that they are so blind
that they would end up swallowing a camel while they were straining their gnats.
Matthew 23:25
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the
outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and
excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and
platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
“Woe unto you . . . full of extortion and excess;” woe number six, and Jesus is really hitting
the hammer on the head. In Revelation three Jesus has John write a letter to the church at
Laodicea; and this is the one that He finds the most fault with. He says “Because thou sayest, I
am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, an naked.” (Rev. 3:17) This is what Jesus is
talking about here with the Scribes and the Pharisees, blindness, self ignorance; the worst, most
shameful, and hurtful ignorance of all; because they are the leaders of the nation.
“ye make clean the outside;” they would do everything outwardly so that everybody would
think that they were the most pious in the world, when all the while their hearts were full of
deceit, envies, competitions, and hatreds.
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“cleanse first that which is within;” if you cleanse the inner man first, the outer man will
probably not need any cleaning up then.
Matthew 23:27
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto
whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of
dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear
righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
“whited sepulchers;” is woe number seven, and these are graves that they would paint over with
a whitewash to make them visible especially at night. If you stepped on one even touched a
grave it caused you to be ceremonially unclean for seven days (see Numbers 19;16). A freshly
painted grave really looked good; however it was full of stench, and decay (compare with Luke
11:44).
Matthew 23:29
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the
tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If
we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with
them in the blood of the prophets.
Matthew 23:31
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of
them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33
Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and
some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your
synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all
the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the
blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the
altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which
are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as
a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your
house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me
henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
“ye build the tombs of the prophets;” woe number eight; they are just like their fathers who
killed the prophets.
“I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes;” the same thing as disciples,
evangelists, and preachers who followed the prophets. Just before they killed Stephen he laid the
charge, “you killed the One of whom all the prophets spake.” (See Acts 7:52) And by their
killing him they proved his and Jesus’ point; they will kill anybody that disagrees with them.
“some of them shall ye scourge;” notice the future tense, Jesus is prophesying here.
“righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias;” Abel was the first martyr and
Zacharias was the last; and what Jesus is saying is that they are responsible for them all. It is as
though they are Cain, and he is them.
Barachias Strong’s # . “bar-akh-ee´-as; of Hebrew origin [1296]; Barachias
(i.e. Berechijah), an Israelite:— Barachias.” {2}
1296. “beh-rek-yaw’; or beh-rek-yaw’-hoo; from 1290 and 3050; knee (i.e.
blessing) of Jah; Berekjah, the name of six Israelites:— Berachiah, Berechiah.
{2}
Remember how the name of the prophet Jonah became Jonas in Matthew’s and Luke’s Gospels,
well the same thing happened here, Berechiah of the Old Testament became Barachias in
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Matthew’s Gospel. Zacharias’ name is the same; his name has an “h” on the end and not an “s.”
His name is Zachariah.
“ye slew between the temple and the altar;” the following is from Wikipedia:
“In rabbinical literature, Zechariah was the son-in-law of the king, and, being also a priest,
prophet, and judge, he dared censure the monarch. He was killed in the priests' courtyard of
the Temple on a Sabbath which was likewise the Day of Atonement. Later, when Nebuzar-adan,
the captain of Nebuchadnezzar's body-guard, came to destroy the Temple, he saw Zechariah's
blood which had been boiling since his murder. The Assyrian asked the Jews what that
phenomenon meant, but when they replied that it was the blood of sacrifices, he proved the
falsity of their answer. The Jews then told him the truth, and Nebuzar-adan, wishing to appease
Zechariah's blood, slew in succession the Great and Small Sanhedrins, the young priests, and
school-children, till the number of the dead was 940,000. Still the blood continued to boil,
whereupon Nebuzar-adan cried: "Zechariah, Zechariah! for thee have I slain the best of them;
wouldst thou that I destroy them all?" And at these words the blood ceased to effervesce.” {8}
“All these things shall come upon this generation;” what things? What He is about to say:
“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” That generation had not expired before the
Romans burned Jerusalem to the ground in A.D. 70. But God left the Temple the day that Jesus
was crucified when the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom signifying God’s Spirit
leaving the holy of holies and the building, never to occupy them again. From henceforth He
will dwell in the hearts of men. Some religions still have God locked up in a little box on the
altar and only open it up for services. They have confined Him to their own version of the Arc
of the Covenant
“how often would I have gathered thy children together . . . and ye would not!” they were
opposed to Christ’s will for them (see Psalm 91:4).
“Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say;” All of Israel’s hopes are residing in that one
word “till.” One day the whole nation will repent (see Zechariah 12:10–14)
The Widow’s Mite
Mark 12:41
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast Luke
21:1
their gifts Mark 12:41 money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in
much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites,
which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto
them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they
which have cast into the treasury: Luke 21:4 For all these have of their abundance cast
in unto the offerings of God: Mark 12:44 but she of her want did cast in all that she
had, even all her living.
“the treasury;” was in the easternmost court which was the Court of the Women. Against the
wall of the court were thirteen trumpet shaped chests for the contributions were placed.
Numbers 1 and 2 were for the half-shekel Temple tax and were placed at the Gate of Susan.
Number 3 was for those who had to bring turtledoves for a burnt and sin offering.
Number 4 was for the value of the offerings of young pigeons.
Number 5 for the contributions for the wood used in the Temple.
Number 6 for the incense.
Number 7 for the golden vesselsfor the ministry were deposited. If a man had put aside a certain
sum for a sin-offering, and any money was left over after its purchase, it was cast into number 8.
Numbers 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 were for left over from trespass offerings, bird offerings, offerings of
the Nazarite, the leper cleansing, and voluntary offerings. {57}
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{58}
“poor widow;” because you could tell by which trumpet that they dropped their offering in, and
the sound of their coin, how much they were offering. Just by the two words “poor widow” you
can picture this woman in her disheveled state, yet wanting to honor God.
“two mites;” at the time of Jesus the word “mite” did not exist in the English language; it was
called a “lepton;” (see Strong’s # 3016 {2}). One lepton was the smallest denomination in use;
it was worth about an eighth of a cent.
“which make a farthing;” or 1/64 of a denarius, or a quadrans, the smallest Roman coin.
{72}Any way that you put it, it is worth about twelve minutes of a day’s wage.
“cast more in;” twelve minutes of a day’s wage; that’s all she had to not only give, but as Jesus
observed, live on.
“of their abundance;” they could afford it; there was no sacrifice in what they did. {72}
“all her living;” she wasn’t going to be able to eat until she got some more money. {72}
The Olivet Discourse: The Beginning Of Birth Pangs
Matthew 24:1
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples
came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple Luke 21:5 how it was adorned
with goodly stones and gifts. Mark 13:1 one of his disciples saith unto him, Master,
see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said
unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be
left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
“the buildings of the temple;” Solomon built the first Temple in 957 B.C. The second Temple
was completed under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua (see Haggai 1:1-2) in 516 B.C.
However, in 20 B.C. Herod the Great undertook the complete refurbishment and expansion of
the Temple grounds that was not finished until A.D. 64.
“goodly stones and gifts;”Gold, and lots of it; along with many offerings.
“what buildings are here;” keep in mind that the expansion was still under construction, but
what buildings were there were absolutely magnificent, lined with gold and jewels, and all
precious stones. The idea that such a complex could be “left desolate” is incomprehensible (see
Matthew 23:38). {72}
“Jesus said;” the disciples were so enamored by the temple and its annex buildings that He had
to bring them back down to the ground by telling them that it would all be wiped out. And about
forty years later it was in 70 A.D. when the Romans completely sacked Jerusalem, killed about a
million people, and destroyed the Temple leaving only the western retaining wall that supports
the mount itself.
“not be left here one stone upon another;” 30 August, 70 A.D. Roman legions under Titus
seized and destroyed much of Jerusalem and the entire Second Temple. {59} All the buildings
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were completely destroyed. Aside from what “keepsakes” the soldiers smuggled in their pockets,
all the gold and jewels went to Rome.
Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, Mark 13:3 over against the temple,
Peter and James and John and Andrew Matthew 24:3 came unto him privately, saying,
Luke 21:7
Master, Matthew 24:3 Tell us, when shall these things be? Mark 13:4 And what shall
be the sign when all these things Luke 21:7 shall come to pass? Matthew 24:3 And what
shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
“he sat;” this is the last of the great discourses recorded by Matthew. It was delivered to His
disciples only, and was prompted by His prediction of the destruction of the Temple and what
will happen in the end times. {72}
“the mount of Olives;” The mount of olives is a little over a half mile east outside Jerusalem
across the Kidron Valley. The Garden of Gethsemane is at the bottom of this hill. {72}
“Peter and James and John and Andrew;” here we have the two sets of fishermen brothers;
although we don’t know why Mark separated Andrew from Peter by putting James and John in
the middle. These four were more-or-less the spokesmen for the twelve.
“when shall these things be?” the disciples figured that Jesus was going to bring about His
Kingdom pretty soon now; maybe during this Passover. And He just told them that they would
see the destruction of the Temple (Matthew 24:2). But they don’t realize that these are two
different, unrelated events. As already stated, the Temple will be destroyed in 70 A.D. from
their time. The setting up of the Kingdom hasn’t happened yet as of our time.
“what shall be the sign of thy coming;” this is a “what” question and it is separate from the one
about the Temple: “When shall these things be?” They had it figured that these two events were
all lumped into one, or would at least happen at the same time. This is not about the end of the
world, but the end of the age, the age of man’s rebellion against God and his sinfulness. Verses
4 – 35 of this chapter give us the picture of events leading up to 70 th week of Daniel, the Great
Tribulation. The timing of these events starts at verse 36.
Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive
you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; Luke 21:8 and the time
draweth near: Matthew 24:5 and shall deceive many. Luke 21:8go ye not therefore after
them. Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars Luke 21:9 and
commotions: Matthew 24:6 see that ye be not troubled: for all these things Luke 21:9 must
first come to pass; Matthew 24:6 but the end is not yet.
Luke 21:10
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines,
and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Matthew 24:8
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
“Take heed;” keep your eyes and ears open and attuned to the Holy Spirit. When Jesus tells
you to beware you know that it is mighty important, because He don’t say something just to hear
His teeth hit each other.
“I am Christ;” down through history there have been a ton of people that have claimed to have
the answer to the world’s problems; some have even claimed to be the messiah. Guess what?
They are all dead and we still have the world problems. But for everyone that puts their trust in
Jesus Christ, their problems don’t seem to matter. It’s not like they don’t have problems, for in
the world you will have tribulation (John 16:33). It is just because of Christ in their lives their
burdens are lifted because He carries the load.
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“but the end is not yet;” this is the first time marker that Jesus gives. {5} False messiahs and
prophets, wars and rumors of wars and commotions (unrest) have been going on since Cain
killed Abel. It’s just that they have grown in frequency and size. Man now has the capability to
wipe out all of mankind in the matter of hours. But the end of the age is not yet.
“All these are the beginning ofsorrows;” the second time marker. {5} The great earthquakes,
the famines, the pestilences, and the fearful sights and great signs from heaven are the beginning
of sorrows. Like a woman in labor, creation is having great contractions trying to vomit out
allthis accumulation of sin that has only been getting worse with each passing moment of time.
Mark 13:9
But take heed to yourselves: for Luke 21:12 before all these, they shall lay their
hands on you, and persecute you, Mark 13:9 for they shall deliver you up to councils;
Luke 21:12
and into prisons, Mark 13:9 and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten. Matthew 24:9
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be
hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Mark 13:9 Ye shall be brought before rulers
and kings for my sake, Luke 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Mark 13:11 But
when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye
shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: Luke 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts,
Mark 13:11
not to meditate before what ye shall answer: whatsoever shall be
given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy
Ghost. Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries
shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
“But take heed to yourselves, for before all these;” before all what? Before the beginning of
sorrows happens, this paragraph is going to happen.
“persecute you;” subject you to harassment and hostile treatment in a manner designed to injure
you.
“councils;” a group of local judges attached to the local synagogue that tried cases of heresy,
and infractions of the law. {72}
“beaten;” these councils could issue thirty-nine stripes according to Deuteronomy 25:2-3.
“in the synagogues;” This all took place in the synagogues, which is the place of law
enforcement and judgment.
“it shall turn to you for a testimony;” it shall become for you an opportunity for you to give
your testimony (witness) about Jesus.
“what ye shall answer;” the temptation will be great under the intense physical, emotional, and
spiritual persecution that they will put you through to want to defend and justify yourself before
them.
“for it is not ye that speak;” but if you remain calm and faithful and allow God to defend you,
He’ll do a much better job of it, and you will be vindicated; as “your adversaries shall not be
able to gainsay nor resist.”
Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall
hate one another. Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the
father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause
them to be put to death. Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and
brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; Mark 13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for
my name’s sake: Luke 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Matthew 24:11
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And
because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Mark 13:13 He that
shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Luke 21:19 In your patience
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possess ye your souls. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom . Mark 13:10 must first
be published Matthew 24:14 in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then
shall the end come.
“then shall many be offended;” the word for “offended” is Strong’s #. “(“scandalize”); to
entrap, i.e. trip up (fig. stumble [tran.] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure):— (make to)
offend.” {2} This persecution will cause many to be offended or stumble and say: “This is too
much; I didn’t sign on for all of this.” And once they give in, they will fall into all sorts of
treachery.
“and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another;” these that do this were never in
Christ to begin with; {72} they had never experienced Him in their heart. Once you have
experienced Christ in your heart you can’t hate anyone. You will hate their sin, but the person,
you will love with the love of God. You will pray for them so that they will experience Christ.
If they were Christ’s, then He would have protected them as in Luke 21:15 above.
“not an hair;” this is not a promise of physical preservation; after all, eleven of the apostles
were martyred; it is a guarantee of no eternal loss. Again God takes care of His own! {72}
“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved;” He who keeps his course, shall
keep his salvation. What has this discourse been talking about? The persecution to come and
our endurance of it. The only way we are going to get though it is to keep our eyes and faith
focused on God. That’s where salvation is anyhow!
“published in all the world;” according to Paul in Colossians 1:23 “and the gospel as it is come
to you, as it is in all the world.” He said this only thirty years after the birth of the church. Now
that is to say, all the known world at that time: the two Americas had not been discovered yet.
“then shall the end come;” this is the third time marker; {5} the end is the great tribulation, the
time of the hard and final birth contractions, the ones that are so painful, as the earth gives its
hardest efforts to vomit out the sins of mankind.
The Olivet Discourse: The Great Tribulation
Luke 21:20
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that
the desolation thereof is nigh. Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the
abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, Mark 13:14 standing
where it ought not, Matthew 24:15 in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him
understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Luke 21:21
and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that
are in the countries enter thereinto. 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come
down Mark 13:15 into the house, neither enter therein, Matthew 24:17 to take anything out of
his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Luke 21:22
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may
be fulfilled.
“Jerusalem compassed with armies;” this happened in 70 A.D.
“abomination of desolation;” we must look at Daniel to see this:
Daniel 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the
midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for
the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the
consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Daniel 11:31
And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of
strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the
abomination that maketh desolate.
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This will be far worse than what Antiochus IV Epiphanes, King of Syria did in 167 B.C.: he
erected an altar to Zeus in the temple and offered swine there. {8} The abomination of desolation
is going to happen in the future when the leader, probably of a large group of European nations,
makes a treaty, a covenant, with Israel guaranteeing its safety for seven years. A prefab temple
will be built quickly and the daily sacrifices will be reestablished. However, as we discussed
before, God has left the temple, it is just another building. But what is of the most importance is
that Jesus has already made the perfect sacrifice for all the sins of all mankind:
Hebrews 10:1
“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very
image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by
year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not
have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have
had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance
again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of
goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith,
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In
burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy
will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and
offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are
offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh
away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are
sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And
every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same
sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered
one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”
Because of what Jesus and God have done, any sacrifice of any animal to God is just the
destruction of an innocent animal and creation of God.
But these sacrifices will only go on for three and a half years when the leader of the European
nations group will stop them, declare himself to be the messiah; actually it will be Satan
disguised as this leader that will stand on the pinnacle of the temple (God’s church) and perform
all sorts of miracles and most of the world will bow down to him, including most “Christians.”
He will be that believable! And, unless you have such a good relationship with God and Jesus
that you recognize them verses this, you will fall for this deception too.
What is the pinnacle of the temple? The pinnacle was a platform at the top of the southwestern
corner of the temple mount. It was 64 feet off the ground. This is the location where at regular
intervals each day a Jewish priest would blow a loud horn to capture everyone’s attention in the
city to remind them to engage in worshipful prayer. This was the location from where Jews
would receive regular reminders of their dependence on God, of His saving mercy.
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{60}
“
standing where it ought not, in the holy place;” “standing,” meaning an ongoing thing; a
three and one half years long standing in the holy place, the temple, the church claiming to be
God the messiah. (See Daniel 12:11) {72}
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition;
Vs. 4
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that
he is God.
“(whoso readeth, let him understand:);” Jesus is speaking directly to us of these end times
knowing that we would have to read about this and prepare ourselves for the tribulation to come.
{72}
“them which be in Judaea flee;” all that are in Judea are to flee to the mountains not just the
Christians; there’s going to be a blood bath like never before.
“into the mountains;” south of Jerusalem and especially over in Jordan toward Petra there are
plenty of mountains to shelter in.
“in the countries;” the countryside or rural areas; if you are out there , don’t come into the city.
“into the house;” time is of the essence; don’t take the time to do anything but run like you were
being chased by a lion.
“take his clothes;” even if your cloak is at the opposite end of the field from which you have to
flee, forget the cloak, just flee.
“the days of vengeance;” God, through Jesus, paid the price for our sins. So now God is
exacting His pent-up vengeance against all those that will not accept that price.
Matthew 24:19
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in
those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the
sabbath day: Luke 21:23 for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon
this people. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away
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captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until
the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
“are with child, and to them that give suck;” not only is the journey much harder on them, but
they are usually the victims of the greatest atrocities during times like these. {72}
“in the winter;” the fields are void of food to glean; and since it is the rainy season, the rivers
and creeks are running too high to ford. {72}
“neither on the sabbath day;” from Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary:
“Christ still bids his disciples to pray for themselves and their friends, that,
whenever they were forced to flee, it might be in the most convenient time. Note,
When trouble is in prospect, at a great distance, it is good to lay in a stock of
prayers beforehand; they must pray, First, That their flight, if it were the will of
God, might not be in the winter, when the days are short, the weather cold, the
ways dirty, and therefore travelling very uncomfortable, especially for whole
families. Secondly, That it might not be on the sabbath day; not on the Jewish
sabbath, because travelling then would give offence to them who were angry with
the disciples for plucking the ears of corn on the day; not on the Christian sabbath,
because being forced to travel on the day would be a grief to themselves. This
intimates Christ's design, that a (the) weekly sabbath should be observed in his
church after the preaching of the gospel to all the world.” {49}
“wrath upon this people . . . shall be led away captive into all nations;” Jesus is talking about
the 70 A.D. event again when Titus came in and killed 1,100,000 Jews and carried off another
97,000 more as captives to all nations. {13} Israel ceased to be a nation and Jesus’ prophecy
was fulfilled.
“the times of the Gentiles;” thus began the times of the Gentiles which lasted until June of 1967
when Israel regained control of Jerusalem which had been “trodden under foot by the Gentiles.”
Mark 13:19
In those days Matthew 24:19 shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the
beginning of the world Mark 13:19 which God created Matthew 24:19 to this time, no, nor
ever shall be. Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh
should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened
the days. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is
there; believe him not: Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false
prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:26
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not
forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. Mark 13:23 But take ye heed:
behold, I have foretold you all things. Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of
the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of
man be. 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered
together.
“shall be great tribulation;” and now, “Back to the Future.” Jesus has chosen to interweave
these two events into one discourse so that only His true Disciples would understand. This is
Daniel’s Seventieth week, the time of Jacob’s trouble (see Jeremiah 30:7). The phrases “has not
since the beginning of the world” and “nor shall ever be” indicate that this is a one-time event
and that it will be the worst that can ever be. This is the Great Tribulation that marks the end of
the age.
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“shortened;” Daniel 7:25 and Revelation12:14 both tell us that God has set the length of the
beast’s reign to no more than three and one half years. {72} But that don’t mean that He can’t
shorten it.
“no flesh should be saved;” what did we say earlier about how now man can destroy all of
mankind in the matter of a few hours? It’s true; we can do it with nukes, or we can do it with
chemical or biological weapons. Only God has held us back from doing just that.
“for the elect’s sake;” there is a bit of confusion about just who the elect are. They are God’s
chosen ones, His “elect,” Israel, whom He has called back from where they have been scattered
to their homeland. This will be all fourteen tribes, the twelve sons of Jacob and the two sons of
Joseph that Jacob adopted in Egypt, Manasseh and Ephraim (see Genesis 48:5; 16). Plus
countless multitude of those that “wash their robes in the blood” during the Great Tribulation.
“Lo, here is Christ;” all of these are designed to draw the people out or their hiding places to
view the “great signs and wonders” that he employs to support his claims of being the messiah
(see 2 Thessalonians 2:9) {72}
“ifit were possible, they shall deceive the very elect;” Jesus makes it very clear that it is not
possible for the elect to be deceived (see John 10:4-5). {72}
“believe it not;” when Christ returns, everybody will see it and know it; there will be no secrets
about it and you won’t be able to hide from Him. {72}
“take ye heed;” another one of those “bewares.” Jesus is saying “Beware, I have told you
everything that you need to know to keep from being deceived by Satan, the false messiah or his
minions.” {72}
“shineth even unto the west;” what He is saying here is that one bolt of lightning will light up
the whole sky so that everybody will see it no matter where you are. His coming will be the
same way; no matter where you are standing you will know that He has returned.
“the eagles be gathered together;” you can see eagles circling a carcass for miles away; and
you know where the carcass is. Christ’s return will be the same way, it will be clear to all from
near and far. The fact that Jesus speaks of a carcass here also lets us know that there will be
judgment along with His return (see Ezekiel 19:17-20; Revelation 19:21). {72}
The Olivet Discourse: The Coming Of The Son Of Man
Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened,
and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens shall be shaken: Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun,
and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with
perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear,
and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers
of heaven shall be shaken.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days;” at the end of the tribulation period here’s
what is going to happen:
“the sun be darkened;” the beast is still reigning; but these signs start to appear of the coming
of Jesus the real Messiah. This is the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (see Isaiah 13:9-10;
Ezekiel 32:7-8; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Amos 8:9). The sun and the moon will go dark as the
universe starts to collapse just before His return (see Revelation 6:12; 8:12). What follows is
from the book called “The Two Apocalypses” by Daniel W. Alt
Revelation 6:12
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a
great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon
became as blood;
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These words of Revelation 6:12 are the fulfillment of Joel 2.

Joel 2:31
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the
great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
So Joel’s prophecy gives us the timing of the sixth seal as “before the great and the
terrible day of the LORD come.” But of course that would stand to reason because the
Great and Terrible Day of the Lord is the last year before the return of Christ.
Revelation 6:13
And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth
her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
These verses are talking about the appearance of the two Messiahs, the false one first and
then the true Christ of God. Remember from chapter one that stars are symbolic of
angels, sons of God. Satan brings his fallen angels with him and Christ brings His Saints
now Sons of God with Him. Observe that Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven as
“untimely figs,” not ripe, not in the harvest time. Now recall that Jesus said in both
Matthew and Mark that we are to see that we “pray that our flight not be in winter,” out
of season, not the correct harvest time. These stars, angels appear out of season,
BEFORE the harvest time of the appearance of Jesus. And that is what the mighty wind
is about; it is the wind of a storm, the commotion of Michael slam-dunking Satan out of
heaven. {61}
Note: The word “earthquake” is from Strong’s . “sice-mos´; a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a
gale, (of the ground) an earthquake:— earthquake, tempest.” {2}
This portion of Revelation is regarding the seven seals, while 8:12 takes place during the
blowing of the trumpets.
“powers of the heavens shall be shaken . . . shall be signs;” as the definition for earthquake
suggests, there will be a commotion in the cosmos all the way to the ground and into the sea,
everything will be shaken. The moon and the stars have been put in place “for signs, and for
seasons, and for days, and for years.” (Genesis 1:14) The word “seasons” means “appointed
times for assembly of the congregation.” God gave us His calendar in Exodus 12:1-2 and the
list of His holy days in Leviticus 23. But these have been violated for so long, the calendar that
we follow is called the Gregorian Calendar. They were put in place for a purpose, and as long as
that purpose was being fulfilled they could remain in place. But now they are not being fulfilled,
and therefore have not the purpose for which they were designed; so they start to lose the energy
that holds them in place. And God has decided not to sustain them, for the time of Christ is at
hand. Note: as the moon and stars go, so do the seas go.
Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then
shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in
the clouds of heaven with Mark 13:26 great Matthew 24:30 power and great glory. 31 And he
shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather
together his elect from the four winds, Mark 13:27 from the uttermost part of the earth
to the uttermost part of heaven. Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to
pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
“the sign of the Son of man in heaven;” His appearing in the heaven is the sign (see Daniel
7:13; Revelation 19:11-21). {72}
“all the tribes of the earth mourn;” especially the three tribes that made up Judah, Judah,
Benjamin, and Levi, because they rejected the Messiah (see Zechariah 12:10-12). The Northern
ten tribes had been taken off into captivity 750 years before Christ. But all tribes of the earth
will mourn because of their rejection of God’s way.
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“coming in the clouds . . . with great power and great glory;” this is not going to be a secret
event; the whole world is going to see Him coming with great power and glory to catch away
His elect.
“his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect;” this
is the sound of the seventh trumpet, the last trumpet. It also signifies the beginning of the last
year of the pouring out of the wrath of God upon unrepentant mankind, the seven bowl
judgments. This is why the elect are gathered together and taken up to the Son.
“the four winds;” or four corners of the earth. there isn’t a hidden place on this earth that that
will be missed in gathering God’s elect.
“the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven;” all the elect from the past
will be united with the elect of today for the marriage feast of the Lamb in heaven (see
Revelation 19:7-9). This will happen during the last year here on earth while the Great and
Terrible Day of the Lord is going on.
“then look up, and lift up your heads;” you are to look up when? “when these things begin
to come to pass.” That is, at the beginning of these things; “when you see Jerusalem
compassed with armies, and the abomination of desolation,” it’s time to look up and keep
your eyes focused on Heaven and your redemption.
“redemption;” this is the eternal reuniting with Christ; pure ecstasy!
The Olivet Discourse: Watch And Pray
Luke 21:29 30
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
When they now shoot forth, Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When
his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, Luke 21:30 ye see and know of your
own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye
shall see all these things, Luke 21:31 know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh, Matthew
24:33
even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till
all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words
shall not pass away.
“parable of the fig tree;” in most climates the fig tree will get its leaves in late spring just
before summer starts. But summer is not here yet; it is like those last labor pains that must be
endured before the birth of His Kingdom. {72}
“when ye shall see all these things;” when you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, together
with the abomination of desolation, and persecutions, and false prophets, signs in the heavens; all
these things put together, then you know that the Kingdom of God is near.
“This generation shall not pass;” He is not speaking about the generation that is in front of
Him, but the one that sees all these things happen. {72}
“Heaven and earth shall pass away;” after the thousand year reign of Christ here on earth God
will make a new heaven and new earth (see Revelation 21:1). {72}
“my words shall not pass away;” Hebrews 6:18 “in which it was impossible for God to lie.” Neither
can His word be destroyed, negated, or altered in any way. {72}
Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven,
Mark 13:32
neither the Son, but the Father Matthew 24:36 only. 37 But as the days of Noe
were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were
before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came,
and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then
shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women
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shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch
therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that
if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he
would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man
cometh.
“that day and hour;” remember what we said about the word “offended” and the beginning of
the judgment. God has set in a hidden season of time these events so that all that do not watch
will be offended.
“knoweth no man;”They will not know it, just like the people of Hiroshima didn’t know it until
they were suddenly, and violently blown away. A man was standing there and a brilliant flash of
light blinds him and five seconds later he is blown through a concrete wall as the blast hits him;
like this is all a cartoon. But it ends being very real: and so will the coming of the Son of God!
“not the angels of heaven;” as close as they are to the throne of God, ministering to Him and
serving Him, yet He has not revealed to them this information. {72}
“neither the Son;” at the time of His speaking these words He was still a man. He had set aside
all of His divine attributes relying strictly on John 5:19 “. . . The Son can do nothing of himself, but
what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew
him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.” But the Father has withheld certain things
from men at this time because we are still in this mortal flesh, just as Jesus was at the time of His
speaking these words.
“the days of Noe;” in case there is any doubt, we are talking about Noah here, the guy with the
big boat.
“They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage;” life was going on as
usual, nothing exciting here. Jesus doesn’t mention the wickedness of that time (Genesis 6:5).
Life went on with nothing new except Noah building something big down at his place for 55 to
75 years; and even that got old. For the most part they ignored the five hundred year old crazy
man with all his animals; despite, or maybe because of his preaching righteousness throughout
his entire life (see 2 Peter 2:5). They just lived their lives until the waters swept them away.
“one shall be taken;” as in taken away in judgment by the flood and drowned. It is the ones
that are left, i.e. Noah and his family, that are left behind to go onto the kingdom of the
millennium.
“the thief;” if you knew when the thief was going to come, you would be standing there with a
shotgun in your hands waiting for him. But, since there is no way that you can know, because
you don’t know his mind; neither do you know the mind of God regarding the return of Christ.
Don’t worry about the thief, God’s got you covered there; just focus on Christ and be ready for
His return at all times.
“an hour as ye think not;” when the people of Noah’s time saw him building that boat and
preaching repentance they should have known that something was going to happen. Righteous
people don’t just do their deeds for nothing. They are under God’s instruction. But even if you
can’t read the signs of the times, you should always have a good relationship with God.
Mark 13:33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 And
take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with
surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the
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whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the
Son of man.
“ye heed, watch and pray;” another “beware,” “Warning! Warning!” two warnings: one for
watch; to watch and stay vigilantly alert for threats to our security. The second is to pray;
without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). If you stay in constant contact with God in one form or
another He can keep you in His guidance.
“that day;” it’s going to happen one of these days; Christ is going to return and there will be no
help for you if you are caught napping.
“that ye may be accounted worthy;” but if He catches you doing His work, then you will hear
“Well done Thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.”
Mark 13:34
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house,
and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded
the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the
house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say
unto all, Watch.
“porter;” we ordinarily think of porter as one who tends to our baggage at the train station or in
a hotel. Here is how it if used from Strong’s # . “from  (a watcher); a gate-warden:—
that kept the door, porter.” {2}
. “appar. a primary word [comp. “door”]; a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure,
lit. or fig.):— door, gate.” {2} A porter is a keeper of the portals, or gates, or any entrances.
“even, midnight, cockcrowing, morning;” these are the names of the four night watches from
6:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. The name identifies the end of the period instead of the beginning. {72}
“I say unto all, Watch;” not just the porter, but ALL, everybody watch!
Matthew 24:45
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler
over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant,
whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That
he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say
in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his
fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant
shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not
aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the
hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“that evil servant;” this is really a nonbeliever who makes light of God and the Bible. Since he
doesn’t believe in God he doesn’t believe that he will have to give account of his service time.
Jesus is saying that everybody will have to give an account of themselves for all their time,
talents, wealth, and possessions that God has put in their trust. {72}
“there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth;” this phrase is used through-out Matthew
(Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 50; 22:13; 25:30). It describes the gut wrenching distress arising from the
guilt for past wrongs that one gets as a result of suffering a tremendous loss. These will not
share in all of the blessings of the millennial Kingdom.
The Olivet Discourse: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which
took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were
wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no
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oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the
bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:6
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and
you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they
went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to
the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the
Son of man cometh.
“Then shall;” when? At the time of His second coming, whenever that is!
“the kingdom of heaven be likened unto;” Jesus gives us a parable to emphasize the
importance of being ready even if His coming is put off longer than expected. They that come in
second place get no prize. {72}
“ten virgins;” these were the bridesmaids. In this parable, the virgins denotes the purity of the
Christian doctrine and character; the bridegroom is representative of Jesus Christ. The
marriage is the union that will take place with Jesus to His true followers. These virgins truly
enjoy the purity and holiness of their religion. The oil represents the grace and salvation of God
and the faith that works by love. The lamp is the shining light of the Gospel of Christ beaming
out from the virgin.
“They went in with him to the marriage;” represents the wise getting to enjoy and partake of
the wedding feast of Jesus.
“five of them were wise;” the word “wise” is Strong’s # . “fron´-ee-mos; thoughtful, i.e.
sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character;— wise (-r).” {2} It was in their attitude;
they took their relationship with God seriously and were not about to take chances.
“five were foolish;” the word “foolish” is Strong’s # . “mo-ros´;dull or stupid (as if shut
up), i.e. heedless, (mor.) blockhead, (appar.) absurd:— fool (-ish, × -ishness).” {2} They didn’t
take their honor of being a bridesmaid seriously; so what makes you think that they will take
their salvation seriously?
“their vessels with their lamps;” the vessels represents their souls that the wise had oil in them
while the foolish had none. Do you see the picture here? The foolish had no light of the Gospel
shining out of their souls. They barely had enough light to see where they were going for a little
while. But that too ran out.
“the bridegroom tarried;” the delay could mean the time from a person’s birth till their death;
or from Christ’s resurrection till the end of the world, a time which nobody knows.
“they all slumbered and slept;” in the scriptures, sleep is often likened to death: “Lazarus
sleepeth.” (John 11:11) In their human weakness they all first slumbered, then fell asleep. They
did grow weary at their job, for he was way over due.
“at midnight there was a cry;” as one age is closing and another about to begin, there will be
the sound of an angel’s trumpet crying out. All who bare the light of Christ will rise from their
sleep. Here He came at midnight, when He was least expected. So will His real coming be!
“the bridegroom cometh;” your whole purpose for being here has arrived. Make ready to
receive Him.
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“all those virgins arose;” they were resurrected from their deep sleep.
“trimmed their lamps;” adjusted the wicks for more light only to find that the lamps were out
of oil. The wise poured from the abundance of their vessels refilling their lamps while the
foolish had no vessels to refill their lamps.
“there be not enough for us and you;” “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
(See Romans 12:3) That measure is just enough for your salvation but not enough for you to
pass on to others. You can witness to them, but they must exercise their own God given measure
of faith for salvation. If they lose their measure of faith, you can’t give them some of yours’.
This is what has happened here: they have lost some of their faith and acted carelessly. They had
just enough faith in the gospel to keep their lamps glowing for a few hours. But when the
bridegroom delayed His arrival; their amount of faith ran out.
“they that were ready went in with him to the marriage;” only those that are prepared will go
in with Jesus and be married to Him and reign with Him for a thousand years. All others will be
left out.
“Lord, Lord;” this same scene is a repeat of Matthew 7:21-23.
“I know you not;” remember what we said about this moment when Christ rejects you? As you
turn and are escorted from His presence; what’s going through your mind?

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The Olivet Discourse: The Parable Of The Talents

Matthew 25:14
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who
called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he
gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to
his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received
the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that
had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a
long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
“the kingdom of heaven is as;” this parable is about the misfortune of not taking advantage of
the opportunities that God gives you; and every day of life is an opportunity. Always keep in
mind what happens to the servant that bares no fruit; i.e. produces no increase. This means that
every day should produce an increase in you.
“a man travelling into a far country;” of course this is Christ, gone up and is sitting at the right
hand of the Father (see Ephesians 4:8).
“talents;” one talent is about six thousand denarii. A denarius represented the day’s wage for a
typical working man (Matthew 20:2). So this guy, the one who got handed five talents, just got
handed 30,000 day’s wages to take care of for his master. To put that in today’s perspective: if a
person is making $20 per hour, and working 8 hours a day, that’s $4,800,000 in today’s money.
The guy that was handed two, got 12,000 days wages which equals $1,920,000. The guy that
only got one, got 5,000 days wages which equals $800,000. This comes to a grand total of
$7,520,000 in today’s money that the master was putting into his servants hands for, not only
safe-keeping, but He did expect some kind of return on the investment. For the purpose of this
parable the talent represents a spiritual gift that is used to spread the Gospel.
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“every man according to his several ability;” since God is discriminatory in the dispensing of
abilities as to spirit, soul, and body; it stands to reason that He will also discriminate in the
dispensing of spiritual gifts, talents. Every believer has at least one talent, a soul with a
conscience that is entrusted to them.
Matthew 25:20
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five
talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained
beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good
and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee
ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had
received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents:
behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him,
Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I
will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:24
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew
thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering
where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in
the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Matthew 25:26
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant,
thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at
my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the
talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one
that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not
shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable
servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“ruler;” this is describing millennial rewards; remember these parables are about the Kingdom
of God ruling here on earth.
“the joy of thy lord;” notice that both servants, the one that had five and the one that had two
received the same reward; this means that the reward is based on faithfulness and not results.
{72}
“an hard man;” from the very beginning you could tell that this guy had no real concept of the
character of his master. He paints a picture of a thief that reaps and gathers where he had no
right to. This wicked and slothful servant is not a true believer because he does not have true
knowledge of his Master. {72}
“thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not;” not that the master is actually admitting that he
does do this, but if I did, you should have feared me so much that you put my money to work in a
bank where it would at least make me some usury. By your own words you have condemned
yourself.
“unto every one that hath shall be given;” they get eternal life in the kingdom of God and
fellowship with Him
“the unprofitable servant into outer darkness;” for those that prefer the riches of this earth,
and think that God is just a fairytale, and bury their conscience so that it won’t bother them, they
will lose even what they have in this world. Their congregation is those of the weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
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The Olivet Discourse: The Son Of Man’s Judgment

Matthew 25:31
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be
gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd
divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand,
but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was
thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and
ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto
me.
Matthew 25:37
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a
stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee
sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto
them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of
these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an
hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was
a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in
prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:44
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not
minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And
these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life
eternal.
“When the Son of man shall come;” up till now Jesus has been talking about His return before
the millennial reign; now He shifts to after that reign to the final Advent, the vision of Daniel
7:13. The “Throne of His Glory” is the same throne that He shares with “the Ancient of Days,”
the throne of Yahweh, surrounded by all that Shechinah Glory. {35}
“his sheep;” these are true believers (see Matthew 10:16; Psalm 79:13; Ezekiel 34) will be
seated at the place of honor “on his right hand.” {72}
“the goats;” these are the unbelievers, and they will be assigned to the place of shame and
rejection. {72}
“blessed of my Father;” Jesus’ address tells why they were found in the practice of all
righteousness, and are now brought to this state of glory.
“inherit the kingdom;” inheritance is for the children of the family only; and only they shall
enjoy the Father’s estate.
“prepared for you from the foundation of the world;” When God was dreaming up his plan
for man, before he created anything, this was put into His plan for those who have received
the blessing of the Father, and were holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners. {44}
“least of these my brethren;” Jesus is referring specifically tothose on His right hand (see
Matthew 25;34).
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“everlasting punishment . . . life eternal;” whereas the ones on the right were “blessed of My
Father” with the Kingdom and “life eternal;” those on the left are “cursed.” They do not get
to partake of the Kingdom and that eternal life. They have sold themselves, and have laid
themselves under the curse (see Isaiah 50:1) by not attending to the “least of these” Jesus’
brethren. Therefore He says to them “Depart from Me. I will never have anything more to say
to you or to do with you.” You will never meet up with the God of the universe or His son again
because they have rejected you by reason of your own fault. You have had your one and only
chance in this physical life to try to do what is right, and you have said no to that way of life.
And now they say no to any kind of reward for you but direct you to the place of total rejection.
It’s only fitting; you rejected His brethren so now he rejects you. Was it worth it? Again, what’s
going through your mind?

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Luke 21:37
And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went
out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. 38 And all the
people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.
Luke 22:1
Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
“the day time;” during the final week here before His death. {72}
“when Jesus had finished all these sayings;” Jesus was finished speaking to the crowds forever
and thus finished His ministry as prophet. He now turns to His disciples and starts in earnest His
ministry as priest.
“feast of unleavened bread;” this feast commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt
(see Exodus 23:15). It starts the day after Passover on the fifteenth of Nisan and goes to
thetwenty-first. During that time no bread with leaven is eaten because when they left Egypt
they didn’t have the time to allow the bread to rise; so they ate the bread of haste. {72} The first
and last days of unleavened bread are high holy Sabbaths; and there will be a weekly Sabbath in
there also. (see Leviticus 23:6-8). (Note: Exodus 12:17-18 make the observance this an
ordinance forever.)
“which is called the Passover;” commemorates the night that the angel of death came upon
Egypt killing all the first-born, yet Passed over all the Israelites because they had lambs blood on
their door posts and lentils. Exodus 12:14 says “Ye shall keep it a feast by ordinance for ever.”
But this particular Passover is a very special Passover, it is the one that God has chosen for
Christ to die for our sins. He shall become the true “Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the
world” (John 1:29).

Wednesday, April 25, AD 30

(Our Tuesday sunset to Wednesday sunset)
The Beginning Of The Final Passover
`Luke 22:7
Then came Matthew 26:17 the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, Luke
22:7 8
when the passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go
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and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Mark
14:12
Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? Luke
22:10
And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a
Mark 14:14
man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him And
wheresoever he shall go in, Luke 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the
house, The Master saith unto thee, Matthew 26:18 My time is at hand; Luke 22:11 Where is
Matthew 26:18
the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover at thy house
Luke 22:12
with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished:
there make ready Mark 14:15 for us.
Matthew 26:19
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; Luke 22:13 they went, Mark
14:16
and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made
ready the passover.
“first day of the feast of unleavened bread;” in the minds of the Jews, the terms “unleavened
bread” and “Passover” are almost interchangeable. {72} But clearly here Matthew is referring to
Passover. Normally the Passover lamb is brought into the house on the tenth of the month and
then killed on the fourteenth (See Exodus 12:3-6). But for out-of-towners, local residents with
extra rooms would take care of this for them. The Days of Unleavened Bread followed
immediately after the Day of Passover on the fifteenth through the twenty-first; the fifteenth and
the twenty-first being High Holy Sabbaths. Of course, there would be a weekly Sabbath in there
also.
“the passover must be killed;” according to Ellicott's Commentary for English
Readers in the fourteenth day of the first month, which is called Abib in the
Pentateuch and Nisan in the books of Nehemiah and Esther; at noon all
handicraftsmen, with the exception of tailors, and laundresses were to cease all
work. The slaughtering of the Passover animals would commence at three
o’clock, or in the case of Passover falling on a Friday the slaughter began at two
o’clock. {35}
The following is the record of Jesus last hour before He died:
Matthew 27:46
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli,
lama sabachthani? Mark 15:34 which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why
hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard
that, said, Mark 15:35 Behold, Matthew 27:47 This man calleth for Elias.
John 19:28
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the
scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.29 Now there was set a vessel full of
vinegar: Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled
it with vinegar, and put it on a reed [of] John 19:29 hyssop, and put it to his mouth,
Matthew 27: 48
and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias
will come to save him [and] Mark 15:36 take him down. John 19:30 When Jesus therefore
had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished.
Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy
hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, John 19:30 he bowed his head, and
gave up the ghost.
Notice that it was the Nineth hour of the day. They reckoned that their day started at six o’clock
in the morning. The nineth hour would put you at three o’clock in the afternoon. The point is
that this was NOT a Friday. God timed it so that Jesus, the real Passover lamb would die at the
precise time that the Passover sacrifices were being slaughtered and their blood being spilled. If
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it had been Friday, everything would have been moved up an hour earlier to two o’clock in the
afternoon. Whoever came up with the fairy-tale of a Friday death and a Sunday morning
Resurrection was not aware of this, and many other things.
“he sent Peter and John;” Jesus sent Peter, who was strong of character and faith; who
proclaimed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the Loving God.” He also had the faith enough
to climb out of the boat and start walk on the water while everybody else stayed in the boat.
John, who was about ten years younger than Jesus, {8} was the disciple that Jesus loved and the
one that lived the longest. Since Jesus and His disciples were considered out-of-towners they
had to rely on a local hospitality room to have everything furnished for them to celebrate their
Passover. So a senior and a junior disciple are sent to make the arrangements.
“Go and prepare us the passover;” according to Google, a one year old lamb that weighed 90
lbs. would only yield about 34 lbs. of meat after the wool, hide, internal organs, and blood have
been removed. A survey of butcher shops produced the information that with bone-in meat you
should figure one pound of meat per adult; in this case that’s thirteen pounds for the thirteen
men, Jesus and the twelve. That’s just a little more than half of one lamb dressed-out. This had
to be figured close because none of the Passover lamb could be leftover till morning per Exodus
12:10. {55} This meant that they would each have to have only a portion of the one lamb.
Because of the language in His answer to them, you can see that He had already made some
preliminary arrangements probably with the owner of the place that He was sending them to.
{72} (Note: these two were the first two to rush to the tomb on the first day of the week after
Mary Magdalene informed them that the tomb was empty.)
“shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water;” there’s going to be a guy that is going to
meet you and as a sign that he is the right guy, he’ll be carrying a pitcher of water. Normally,
that’s a woman’s job, that’s why he’ll stand out. It has been suggested that Jesus did all this in
order to keep Judas from betraying Him too early, like there at the last supper if he knew the
arrangements. But Jesus is the Lord of even His own crucifixion. {4}
“the goodman of the house;” this would be the master, owner, or head of the house depending
upon the situation. But he was in control of everything.
“the guest chamber;” since Jerusalem was where the Temple was, and every male had to
appear before the Temple three times a year Exodus 23:17, the city was loaded with buildings
that had guest rooms that were furnished with couches so that the guest could recline for the
meal at the feasts and a banquet table depending upon the size of the room. Many had stairs on
the outside of the building.
“a large upper room furnished;” this would have been a housetop room built on the roof of a
building.
“make ready for us;” although the master of the house would see that they had everything that
they needed, Peter and John had to prepare the meal and arrange everything.
(In Jewish time, Wednesday starts at sundown on Tuesday; so they are eating
this Last Supper on their Wednesday and after 6:00 PM. on our Tuesday.)
Abib 14, the first month of the sacred year
The Events In The Upper Room On The Night Before Jesus’ Death
Mark 14:17
And in the evening Luke 22:14 when the hour was come, he sat down, and the
twelve apostles with him. Luke 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have
desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will
not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
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“in the evening;” in you look closely at Exodus 12:8-14,&29 you will see that the passover
meal had to be eaten between sundown (just after 6 P.M.), and midnight when the Lord smote all
the firstborn in the land of Egypt but passed over the houses of the Israelites. This will be the
third and last supper eaten by Jesus that is recorded in the Gospels before His death.
“when the hour was come;” the official beginning of Passover is marked by sundown of the
previous day. {72}
“he sat down;” the first Passover was eaten hurried fashion, hence the unleavened bread, the
eating it with your shoes on, your loins gird, your staff in your hand, “and you shall eat it in haste
. . .” (Exodus 12:11). But by Jesus’ time they reclined to a half sitting – half laying position at a
low set table.
“the twelve apostles with him;” the group was now united, at least for a while. It is finally time
for Jesus to perform His priestly mission.
“With desire I have desired to eat this passover;” with a tremendous longing in my heart I
have earnestly sought to eat this Passover with you. Why? Because this is the beginning of the
end of His earthly ministry, and the culmination of why He came here to begin with. But He
must also let them know that this ain’t going to be no picnic.
“fulfilled;” in 21 hours Jesus would be dead, thus fulfilling all the symbolism of that original
Passover meal. You see, Passover was and is both a memorial of the deliverance out of Egypt (a
type for sin), and a it is a prophetic type of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. {72}
“in the kingdom of God;” Jesus will dine with His disciples again in the Kingdom of God (see
Revelation 19:9).
Jesus Washes The Disciple’s Feet
John 13:1
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was
come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his
own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being
ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to
betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands,
and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and
laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
“he loved themunto the end;” this meaning is not just time, but also “totally and completely.”
That is based on the following verses of 1-11 which Jesus shows His complete love by washing
their feet of them even though one would betray Him, another would deny Him, and the rest
would desert Him for a while, and He knew all that going in.
“supper being ended;” should have been rendered supper having been served. Notice verse 4,
that it was during supper that Jesus rose up to wash the disciples feet. John’s writing is not out
of order, the translation is.
“the devil having now put into the heart of Judas;” as shown before Judas disagreed with
Jesus’ direction and ministry and therefore agreed with Satan’s. By agreeing with Satan he gave
Satan a path to possess him. If you don’t agree with God, you are agreeing with Satan, which is
not only a dangerous thing to do; but it is down-right stupid.
“went to God;” this should read “He was going back to God.” Yes, He would face all the
emotions of betrayal, the physical pain inflicted by the cruel torturers, and worst of all, because
He was taking on the sins of the world, separation from the Father. He would be returning to the
Glory that He had with the Father “before the world was.” (See John 17:4-5) In Hebrews 12:2 it
says that Jesus “for the Joy set before Him endured the cross.” {72} With all our human
imagination and strength we could not even come close to understand the exuberation that He
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felt when He rejoined the Father in His glory, knowing that He had saved us from our sins.
wouldn’t you have loved to have been a fly on the wall to witness when Jesus returned; there
must have been some kind of a heavenly party.
NOTE: Jesus is not the only one to ever die of Roman crucifixion; several of the apostles did,
and many Christians did. The point is, that the physical suffering that Jesus did is not peculiar to
Him. But in His suffering He was carrying the weight of the sins of the world. All the
recompense of every sin ever committed He carried with Him; and in His Death put that
recompense to death. Was His physical pain greater than any other person that was crucified?
Probably not! Since it was a spiritual thing that He did, it was a spiritual pain that He suffered.
“He riseth from supper;” before any eating took place, Jesus got up to wash their feet; a task
that would have ordinarily been done before they sat down as they were coming into the room.
“his garments;” His outer robe so that He could work more freely.
John 13:5
After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’
feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he
to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus
answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt
know hereafter.8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus
answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith
unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to
him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit:
and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said
he, Ye are not all clean.
“wash the disciples’ feet;” normally, because of the dirty, dusty roads, a servant would wash
your feet upon entering a room such as this. It was the lowest, nastiest job of the house hold.
Here we see Jesus take on that lowest, nastiest job of the servant. {72} He was about to serve
mankind by doing a job much harder and nastier than just washing people’s feet; He would take
the people’s sin upon Himself and sacrifice Himself for them because of that sin. Here is the big
object lesson for the disciples; to humble yourself to serve God and your brothers in Christ and
do anything that is needed at the time. It doesn’t matter what the job itself is or who it is for; you
do it for the sake of the job and Christ, whom you truly serve. He even washed Judas’ feet who
He knew would betray Him.
“Peter saith unto him;” good ole foot-in-the-mouth Peter, gonna’ jump right in and put a stop
to all this; after all, “we should be washing His feet.” What Peter didn’t understand is the
spiritual cleansing that was also taking place along with the physical cleansing. Jesus’ response
is that unless you accept the spiritual cleansing, pictured by the physical feet washing, you have
no part in me. We must all be cleansed by Jesus and His blood, which is better than any
detergent, because it cleanses the soul. Without His cleansing, we have no part with Him.
“save to wash his feet;” there is never any need to repeat the cleansing that Christ did for you at
the time of salvation; the atonement for all your sins; past, present, and future was complete at
that point. The feet are the symbol of the thing that is in contact with the earth, our flesh. With
all its desires and lusts that we battle daily, this is where we need to be cleansed daily. This is
the simple feet washing that Christ gives.
“ye are clean, but not all;” this is the second time that Jesus mentions a traitor in their midst
(John 6:70), and like the first it goes right over their heads, like nobody is listening. He had
washed Judas’ feet, but Judas’ heart was dark with the devil, and would not come clean until
repentance would come.
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John 13:12
So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set
down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me
Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master,
have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have
given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I
say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent
greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do
them.
John 13:18
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture
may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19
Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I
am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send
receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
“ye also ought to wash one another’s feet;” this is why we wash each other’s feet at Passover.
“an example;” I’ve given you a pattern to imitate so that you can show a loving humility
towards one another. {72}
“happy are ye if ye do them;” the word “happy” here is the same word that is translated
“blessed” in the beatitudes. There is going to be a positive spiritual reaction for your humility
and service to others.
“I know whom I have chosen;” (see John 15:16) Jesus chose the entire twelve including Judas;
He even commissioned Judas along with the others to perform miracles of healings and casting
out of demons. But this was not good enough for him, this would not overthrow Rome. And
Jesus knew all this all along and yet chose Judas so that the prophecy of Psalm 41:9 might be
fulfilled. He even paraphrased it: “He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against
me.”
Jesus Identifies His Betrayer
John 13:21
When Jesus had thus said, Mark 14:18 as they sat and did eat, John 13:21 he was
troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Luke 22:21
behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
“they sat and did eat;” they reclined at the table with Jesus in the center; John was on either His
right or left side. Peter was within whispering distance to John (verse 24). Next to Jesus, on the
other side, or across the table, was probably Judas. He had to be close enough to be handed the
sop and dip at the same time as Jesus (see Mark 14:20 & John 13:26 below). They were eating
the Passover meal. It wasn’t until after Judas was dismissed that they ate Jesus’ Last Supper,
which were the symbols of the upcoming breaking of Jesus’ Body and the shedding of His
Blood. {5}
“the hand of him that betrayeth me;” and they all pulled their hands off the table! This is the
second time Jesus has mentioned a traitor (verse 18 above). But because it was mixed in with
the receiving message, the first one probably went right over the disciples heads like a flock
ofbirds. But now, here it is undiluted, and they get it. It is a terrible shock to them; they thought
that were one big happy family.
John 13:22
Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Luke
22:23
And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that
should do this thing. Matthew 26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began
every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? Mark 14:19 and another said, Is it I?
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“the disciples looked one on another;” they looked suspiciously on each other. That was a
heck of a bombshell that Jesus dropped; it shook them to the core. They start looking at
everybody including themselves.
“Lord, is it I?” let’s get something straight right now, Peter did not betray Jesus in any way!
When he followed Jesus on the night that He was arrested, Peter was wanting to make sure that
Jesus would come to no harm. Yes, he lied about knowing Jesus so he could accomplish his
mission, but that was so he could stay near Jesus and not get arrested himself. In his heart he had
good intentions. Judas, on the other hand, conspired with those that hated Jesus to try to force
Jesus to do what Judas wanted; to overthrow the Roman government. His heart was bent on
selfish intentions. The results: Luke 22:62 “Peter went out, and wept bitterly.” Matthew 27:3 “Then
Judas, . . .5 went and hanged himself." Peter was restored by Jesus in John chapter 21.
John 13:23
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus
24
loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should
be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who
is it? 26 Jesus answered Mark 14:20 and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that
dippeth with me in the dish, John 13:26 to whom I shall give a sop (morsel), when I
have dipped it. Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but
woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if
he had never been born. Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and
said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
“one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved;” the term “whom Jesus loved” is mentioned by John
at the cross (John 19:26-27),at the empty tomb (20:2-9), by the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee)
(21;1,20-23), and in the next to the last verse of John’s gospel He is called the author of the
Gospel (21:24) {72}
“that dippeth with me in the dish, to whom I shall give a sop;” there were several bowls of
olive oil on the table, and they would dip pieces of unleavened bread or meat in the oil and eat.
Jesus and Judas shared one such bowl; so Jesus took a piece of bread or meat (it doesn’t matter)
and dipped it and gave it to Judas. {72}
“as it is written of him;” God’s plan to provide for the salvation of man was determined before
creation (see Revelation 13:8). It was spoken about in the Old Testament in the Book of Psalms
#22 and Isaiah 53. Every detail about Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection was under the divine
control of God and for His holy purpose (see Acts 2:23; 4:26-28). {72}
“but woe to that man;” God’s sovereignty will never get in the way of man’s free will. For
three years Judas heard Jesus’ teaching about greed and selfishness leading to damnation; he
could have allowed those teaching to penetrate into his heart and become a man that Satan could
not inhabit. But his hatred was so strong that it kept him in the dark side. Hatred is adecision
that you make; a thing of the will, not emotions. This is what God did on the first day of
creation, He presented His character and glory; and that light dispelled the darkness left by
Satan’s form of government. Judas had the light of life right before him day in and day out for
three years, and he still chose darkness.
“good were . . . he had never been born;” this is one of the strongest statements in all of
Scripture about the use of Christianity for personal gain apart of Godly intents. {72} If Judas had
just rejected Jesus and walked away saying “He’s too radical for me” and not betrayed Him; that
would have been far better than what he faces for betraying Him (see Hebrews 10:29).
“Master, is it I?” this seems like a rhetorical question since by now he has already been paid for
the contract to betray Jesus.
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John 13:26
And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of
Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him,
That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he
spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that
Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast;
or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop
went immediately out: and it was night.
“he gave it to Judas Iscariot;” as a matter of friendship and honor a host would pass a choice
morsel of food to a guest. In a last gesture of love, Jesus reaches out to Judas giving him one last
chance to save himself. {72} All he had to do is cry out “Jesus, save me.”
“after the sop Satan entered into him;” Satan himself possessed Judas; he wasn’t going to
leave this one up to some junior demon, this was too important.
“That thou doest, do quickly;” Jesus wasn’t talking to Judas, he was talking to the devil that
had taken over Judas.
“and it was night;” according to The Companion Bible this would have been about the third
hour of night, 9 p.m. {3} Theologically speaking, Judas had entered into the power of darkness.
Rivalry Among The Disciples Again
Luke 22:24
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be
accounted the greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles
exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called
benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be
as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For whether is greater,
he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am
among you as he that serveth.
Luke 22:28
Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29 And I
appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may
eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.
“And there was also;” now that Judas in gone, Jesus is left with the eleven disciples that
remain. {72}
“a strife among them;” They had a spirit of competition among themselves and that was right
straight from Satan. You see. Satan started this competition thing back in Genesis when he told
Eve that God didn’t have her best interest at heart (see Genesis 3:4-5). But what’s amazing is
that these guys had just spent three and a half years with Jesus and still are doing this (see
Matthew 20:20-24; Luke 9:46).
“benefactors;” what most of them were was ruthless tyrants who could care less about anybody
but themselves. They liked the name because it made them look respectable. {72}
“he that doth serve;” Jesus had just given them the best example of service, being the leader he
did the labor of the lowest servant by washing their feet. Now anyone of them might have
washed Jesus’ feet, but none of the others. And that’s the point; unless you are willing to wash
the feet of everybody in the congregation, then you are not His. {72}
“my temptations;” from the time that Jesus started His ministry He had temptations (Luke 4:1-
13); hardships (9:58); sorrows (19:41); and the sufferings that He was facing the next day. {72}
“I appoint unto you a kingdom;” the word “appoint” has the idea of bequeathing by will this
Kingdom. Now the timing was something that the disciples were not going to be made privy to,
only that it was in the future and that they would have a major role in it. {72}
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“judging the twelve tribes of Israel;” according to Revelation 20:4, this is a promise of the
millennial reign of Christ. {72}
Jesus’ Prediction Of Peter’s Denial
John 13:31
Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of
man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God be glorified in him, God shall
also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. 33 Little children,
yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews,
Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give
unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one
another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one
to another.
“glorified;” with Judas sent out to betray Him, the entire sequence of events is set in motion and
nothing can stop it now. That is why Jesus is glorified because of His appointment to be the
savior of the world. He will be further glorified when He returns to the Father and the Glory that
He had with Him. The Father is glorified in the Son because the Son lays down His life for all
mankind. How great a glory it is for God to save mankind from his sin, rescuing him from
destruction. He didn’t just write man off and say: “Awe, I’ll just write that one off and start over
with something else.” He saved us despite ourselves; Glory to God!
“yet a little while I am with you;” there are some hours left to be with you and I still have some
things to say to you now that the betrayer is gone.
“as I said unto the Jews;” see John 8:21 {72}
“Whither I go, ye cannot come;” it’s not your time. The Jews will die in their sins having
committed spiritual suicide by their own faithlessness. But you will die in the truth being
martyrs to the Lord.
“so now I say to you;” Here’s what I expect out of you after I’m gone, Love and Serve.
“A new commandment . . . as I have loved you;” there were three things that marked Jesus’
love: service, love of enemies, and willingness to lay down His life for His fellow man. He now
makes this kind of love a command for the disciples to practice. But He also promises then the
Holy Spirit to help them practice it.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples;” all that He is saying here is that the
mark of a true Christian is Love; love for each other, love for our enemies, love for everybody,
especially God.
John 13:36
Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him,
Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37
Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my
life for thy sake. Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee,
that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And
he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
John 13:37
I will lay down my life for thy sake.
“whither goest thou?” Peter was speaking for the others too; the Master was going to leave
them, where is He going? After three and a half years of close relationship, all of a sudden is this
the end?
“thou canst not follow me now;” the work that Jesus was leaving to do was not any of the
disciples work to do; nor were they capable of doing it. It was Jesus’ work alone, for He alone
could be the sinless sacrifice for the sins of the world that could go to the cross and die for them.
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He alone would then qualify to sit at the right hand of God to share the glory that He had before
His incarnation.
“but thou shalt follow me afterwards;” they will all follow into Jesus’ glory. But that time is
not now.
“why cannot I follow thee now;” he almost sounds like a little boy wanting to follow his daddy
off to work. First of all, their faith isn’t strong enough that they would die for Him. Second,
they haven’t done any work yet, but they will. Then they will suffer and die defending the truth.
“Simon, Simon;” Jesus, who had renamed him Peter, now reverts back to his earthly name as a
bit of a rebuke because of Peter’s presumptuous conceit in the matter. {72}
“Satan hath desired to have you;” the phrase “hath desired” means “to obtain by asking.” {3}
This shows you what Satan has to go through to even touch any of God’s chosen people; he has
to ask for permission. Note: the word “you” here is plural; meaning all the disciples in the room.
{3} He says “When thou art converted,” by the Holy Spirit; “Strengthen thy brethren.”
Meaning, you’re the leader; let the strength you receive from the Holy Spirit disseminate down
to all the rest.
“that he may sift you as wheat;” put you through the trial like Job.
“I have prayed for thee;” Jesus prayed for all His disciples; but He had special prayers for this
impulsive, strong willed, loveable fisherman.
“that thy faith fail not;” as stated above, Peter’s faith was never overcome by Satan that night;
he did fail morally.
“when thou art converted;” basically Jesus was restoring Peter even before his fall, and in
telling him to “feed my sheep” by strengthening them. (see John 21:15-17) He also used Peter’s
original name of Simon there too. But Peter’s main conversion came when he received the Holy
Spirit on Pentecost.
“I am ready . . . into prison . . . to death;” this was an affectionate love that Peter had for Jesus
“I will lay down my life for thy sake,” who could do more?
Matthew 26:31
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this
night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall
be scattered abroad. Mark 14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into
Galilee. Luke 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, Mark 14:30 That this day, even in this
night, before the cock crow twice, Luke 22:34 before that thou shalt thrice deny that
thou knowest me.
“for it is written;” Jesus is quoting Zechariah 13:7
“thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me;” this had to be a blow to Peter, especially after
he had made those bold claims. Peter said no more. This is the first time that Jesus predicts
Peter’s denial, the second time will be on the way to Gethsemane. {72}
Luke 22:35
And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and
shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them,But
now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath
no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this
that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the
transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord,
behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
“But now;” “When I sent you out before, I provided for you. But this time I won’t be there.”
As easy as it was before, it will be just as hard as that. What they did to me they will do to you,
and worse.
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“this that is written;” Jesus is referring to Isaiah 53:12.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide
the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he
was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made
intercession for the transgressors.
“two swords;” Strong’s number for sword is . “a knife, i.e. dirk; fig. war, judicial
punishment:— sword.” {2} A dirk is a long strait bladed dagger. These weren’t swords like we
think of swords; since they were fishermen, they were probably more like skinning knives used
for all kinds of work like mending nets, they would be used for everything from scissors, to
carving, to preparing and eating food. All Jesus is saying is pack enough supplies for a long
trip including a knife, not for violence against people, but for all the other purposes that you
carry a knife for. The Romans had disarmed the nation Judea long ago in order to tax them
without a rebellion. {63}
“It is enough;” two swords are enough for those that don’t need any. They have God as their
shield and sword, nothing else is needed (see Deuteronomy 33:29). {49}
Jesus Institutes The New Symbols Of Passover
Matthew 26:26
And as they were eating, Luke 22:17 he took the cup, and gave thanks, and
said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will
Matthew
not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
26:26
(Then) Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the
disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body Luke 22:19 which is given for you: this
do in remembrance of me.
Luke 22:20
Likewise also [He took] the cup after supper, Mark 14:23 and when he had
given thanks, he gave it to them: saying, Matthew 26:27 Drink ye all of it; Mark 14:23 and
they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, Luke 22:20 This cup is the new testament
in my blood, Matthew 26:28 which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I
say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day
when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.
“And as they were eating;” Judas has left the building, and the fellowship of Jesus and the
others forever. With only the faithful present, Jesus will now change the symbols of the
Passover of the Old Covenant replacing them with the Lord’s Supper of the New Covenant. Thus
adding to the feast of Passover a memorial of God’s deliverance from sin which is far greater
than from Egypt. {72} But we are not to forget the command of Exodus 12:17 to celebrate the
Passover with its days of unleavened bread every year.
“they were eating;” from Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible:
“he took the cup, and gave thanks” - This was not the "sacramental" cup, for that
was taken "after" supper, Luke 22:20. This was one of the cups (4) which were
usually taken during the celebration of the Passover, and pertained to that
observance. "After" he had kept this in the usual manner, he instituted the supper
which bears his name, using the bread and wine which had been prepared for the
Passover, and thus engrafted the Lord's Supper on the Passover. {55}
Both Matthew and Mark agree that Jesus established the bread portion of the Lord’s Supper
during the eating of the meal (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22). However, Luke states that the cup
portion of the Lord’s Supper happened “after supper” (Luke 22:20).
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“until the kingdom of God shall come;” Jesus didn’t partake of this cup or any of the rest of
the other cups that night or ever again as a man. He even refused the wine turned into vinegar on
the cross. This is the first reference to the millennial Kingdom coming.
“this is my body;” Jesus is speaking in metaphorical language here; He’s saying that this
breaking of this bread represents the breaking of His body which would actually happen in a few
more hours. And by our consuming it we are partaking, metaphorically, in that brokenness over
our sins that Jesus is dying for. In the Passover, the unleavened bread symbolized the separating
from Egypt and their old life of enslavement, false religion; and beginning a new life of holiness
and purity. In the Lord’s Supper the unleavened bread is broken which symbolized not only His
sacrifice, but their participation as members of that body. {72}
“given for you;” “given” seems like such a weak term; “offered” or “granted” seems stronger,
more to what happened. Jesus offered His body as a sacrifice for us. Mind you, this is a
translator’s choice of words here; Look up given in Strong’s Concordance, it’s number G1325.
“this do;” Jesus establishes the observance of this sharing of unleavened bread as an ordinance
for all Christians. {72}
“in remembrance of me;” the Passover was not only a remembrance of deliverance out of
Egypt but a looking forward to the sacrifice of Christ. That is what the slaughtering of a lamb
was all about, His sacrifice; He is the permanent, once-and-forever sacrificial lamb. Now, when
we celebrate Passover, we celebrate Christ in the new forms that He gave us; the unleavened
bread and wine.
“he took the cup after supper;” after supper was over with, there always was a final cup of
wine that they drank. Since Jesus had already said that He would not drink of the fruit of the
vine until the Kingdom comes; He gives this final cup to His disciples and says:
“Drink ye all of it;” not a drop was to be wasted or left behind.
“they all drank of it;” every one there drank of it and no one was left behind.
“This cup is the new testament;” the cup and its contents only represent the New Testament or
Covenant between God and man. {72} The word Testament is Strong’s G12142 and should be
rendered “covenant.” {7}
“in my blood,” since man could not satisfy the requirements of the Old Covenant, Jesus, by
shedding His blood satisfies all the atonement requirements of that covenant; and in the process,
establishes a New Covenant between God and man, and ratifies it with His own blood.
“for many;” this is for all who believe; there is a criteria here; not just everybody will get their
sins forgiven; you must believe.
NOTE: in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 Paul said that he had received from Jesus Himself that Jesus
said: “do ye this, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
“I will not drink;” there is conjecture about when Jesus said this: Luke has it after the cup
during the meal while Matthew has after the last cup after the meal. Regardless, this not only
was going to be His last Passover, but His last drink of wine, and His last meal. Until He comes
back and rules over the millennial Kingdom, all believers are to share in this meal; “do this in
remembrance of me.” {72}
“I drink it new;” this serves as proof that Jesus will return and establish an earthly kingdom.
For He will come and eat and drink the new Passover of unleavened bread and wine with the
faithful.
“my Father’s kingdom;” His second reference to the millennial Kingdom, {72} but this time
He includes the disciples being there with Him.
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Jesus Comforts The Disciples

John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In
my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
John 14:5
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how
can we know the way?
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my
Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
“Let not your heart be troubled;” “are you kidding me Master? First you tell us that one of us
is a betrayer. Then you tell us that we will all desert you. Then you present this bread and wine
thing like a going away ceremony. You have been telling us for weeks that you are going to die;
and we’re not suppose to let our hearts be troubled? Master, we’re all about to have heart-attacks
worrying about you, and we don’t even know what that means.” Jesus’ heart is troubled too
about all that He is going to go through in the next eighteen hours or so. But He stops, because
His disciples hearts are troubled, and they need ministering to. So He speaks to their hearts for
these next four chapters.
“be troubled;” what calms the angry seas of a troubled heart? Faith in God! Just believing that
God is there can cause the troubled heart to quiet down from its anger. He is like the warm soft
blanket in the winter and the cool refreshing drink in the summer.
“mansions;” Strong’s . “mon-ay´; a staying, i.e. residence (the act or the place):— abode,
mansion.” {2} In verse 23 they use the same Greek word for the word “abode.” Remember, God
is spirit, and we will also be by that time. The spiritual world is completely transcendent; it
knows no boundaries. The idea is that God is so big, that He can accommodate abiding with and
in all of the billions of people that He created, and they in and with Him. We will be dwelling in
and with the limitless God; that’s why our human finite minds cannot come up with words to
describe exactly what it will be like. All we know is that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has
it entered into the heart of men what God has prepared for those that love Him. (Isaiah 64:4;
1Cor. 2:9) You just have to have faith; believe Him and it will happen.
“I go to prepare;” if He goes to prepare a heavenly home for them, then He’s going to return to
take them to that heavenly home. You don’t have to read between the lines to know that it’s a
promise of the rapture. The rest of the verse tells you: “I will come again, and receive you
unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.” This is for all disciples of Jesus through
all the ages.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life;” this is a biggie, so let’s break it up: first, there’s the “I
am” statement for the sixth time, (see John 6:35 the bread of life; 8:12 the light of the world;
10:7,9 the door of the sheep; 10:11 the good shepherd; 11:25 the resurrection and the life; 15:1,5
the true vine). Next is “the way;” Thomas wanted directions, (John 14:5) well here they are,
Jesus is the way, and the only way to God. Notice that He didn’t say that He is one of the ways;
He said that He is the (only) way to God. {72} And there is a very good reason for it: Jesus is
the only one who could take away the sins of the one that would approach the Kingdom of God,
a requirement for entry. Shinto, Buddha, Mohammad, none of these could take away your sins.
Why? Because only God can provide the perfect sacrifice for your sins. Next is “the truth;”
“Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) and since Jesus is the word of God (John 1:14) He is that truth.
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And then there is “the life;” which is actually the life of God poured into you (John 1:4; 3:15;
11:25). Since Jesus is the body of God, (see the concentric circles of God chart) it was He that
breathed into the nostrils of Adam the breath of life, the God kind of life.
“from henceforth ye know him;” because they had come to know Jesus in His ministry and in
a few hours in His death and soon His resurrection. {72} In John 10:30 Jesus had already said
in front of the Jews that “I and the Father are one.” If you will recall the concentric circles of
God chart, whatever the Father thought up the Son would do. So if you have seen one, you have
seen both for they are one.
John 14:8
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
John 14:9
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou
not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest
thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and
the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the
Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the
Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
John 14:12
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do
shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my
Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
“shew us the Father;” way to go Phil! “If any lacks wisdom let him ask of God.” (James 1:5)
we can all be slow on the uptake sometimes, but Phil was smart enough to ask the right question.
“he that hath seen me hath seen the Father;” notice that He didn’t say that He was the Father.
His identity was wrapped-up in being the Son, that outer ring of our chart. But as we said above,
seeing one is to see the entire Godhead because Father, Son, and Spirit are in complete
agreement. And, are one in being.
“the Father that dwelleth in me;” by means of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus became our sin on
that cross, the Father left Him because the Father cannot dwell in sin. That’s why Jesus cried out
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” That was far worse than all the beatings and
insults that He had taken. He had always been one with the Father, and now, He was all alone
and covered in sin. Death was actually a welcome sight.
“the Father . . . he doeth the works;” the Father is the brain and Jesus is the body that responds
to what the brain is telling it to do.
“greater works than these shall he do;” when Jesus said greater works He wasn’t talking about
outdoing His power, nobody could do that. He meant scope; they would become witnesses to the
whole world because of the power that they received by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And it
is still going on today. Now this is not to say that they would not perform some miracles along
the way to support their preaching. They would; but the miracles would not be the main focus of
their ministry. {72} The trouble is today, everybody, like in Jesus’ time, was looking for the
spectacular, the miraculous. Get into the power of the Gospel first, the miraculous will follow;
conversions, inner healings, and reconciliations; these are the real miracles.
“because I go unto my Father;” in John 7:39 tells us that Jesus has to be glorified first in order
for the Holy Spirit to be given. {72} His glorification only happens when He shall sit down at the
right hand of the Father in Heaven. This whole celebration will take ten earth days in heaven;
from the time that Jesus ascends to Pentecost.
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Note: Pentecost is the celebration of the wave loaf offering. The loaf not only represents the
Church, but the now Glorified Jesus being presented for all the heavens to see: the finished
product of our salvation.
“whatsoever ye shall ask in my name;” no, this is not a credit card on God’s bank account; and
He did not buy Janis Joplin a Mercedes Benz. If she got one it’s because she bought it. Jesus
was fixing to leave them and He knew that they would need all kinds of things to accomplish
their task without His physical presence, things that they had become reliant upon. But this must
never be misconstrued as something that you just tack on to the end of your prayer thinking that
you have put God in some kind of bond to fulfill your request. You’ll be waiting for a long time.
Your prayer should always be concerned with the Kingdom and the glory of God.
Promise Of The Holy Ghost (Spirit)
John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and
he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17
Eventhe Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not,
neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in
you.
John 14:18
I will not leave you comfortless (orphans): I will come to you. 19 Yet a
little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye
shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me,
and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that
loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him,
and will manifest myself to him.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments;” this is actually the only proof of the love of Christ
is obedience; and it is an automatic thing not a mechanical one. It is the giving up on the rest of
the world to do what He has told you to do. You’re a child of God and you always try to do what
your daddy says that you should do. One other thing, the Holy Spirit is the center of God, the
center of His holiness. If we are not keeping His commandments, we are not holy and therefore
not a place for the Holy Spirit to dwell.
Note: by “My commandments” Jesus is not only referring to specific “Thou shalt” or “Shalt not”
that God has spoken; no, He is referring to “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
God,” Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4. Look, God is creating a race of beings that want to be
like Him; so every word that proceeds out of His mouth speaks of His character and we should
want to follow it so that we can be like Him. For those that don’t want to be like Him, then He
will see to it that you don’t live at all.
“I will pray the Father;” as a part of Jesus’ priestly ministry to intercede not only for the
disciples then, but for all that believe and keep His commandments that the Father would send
the Holy Spirit to indwell all those of faith. {72}
“another;” just like me to comfort you. There are only two that could fill those shoes, the
Father and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is mobile and therefore He gets the call.
“Comforter;” John uses three different prepositions to describe the relationship of the Holy
Spirit to the believer. 1). He is with them for fellowship (v. 16), to dwelleth beside them to
defend them (v. 17), and to be in them as a source of power (v. 17). {5}
“the Spirit of truth;” remember what we said about truth up in John 17:17: “Thy word is truth.”
And that Jesus is the word of God and therefore is the truth. So the Spirit of Truth is the Spirit of
Jesus, which really is the Holy Spirit; remember our diagram. He is the provider of supernatural
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help (verses 15-17); a supernatural life (verses 18-19); a supernatural union (verses 20-25);
supernatural teachings (verse 26); a supernatural peace (27-31). {4}
“for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you;” notice the tense here: He dwells now with
them. After Pentecost He dwelt in them for a more intense ministry. From Pentecost on, they
were going out into the world with the Gospel and needed the full power of the Holy Spirit.
“comfortless;” this word only appears here in scripture and is Strong’s # . “or-fan-os
´;bereaved (“orphan”), i.e. parentless:— comfortless, fatherless.” {2} The idea is to be stranded
like an orphaned child with little or no hope. He had started something with these eleven that
was part of God’s plan for man and it will be accomplished to its end. This indwelling of the
Holy Spirit was all part of it.
“I will come to you . . . ye (will) see me;” after His death the world would see Him no more.
But the disciples saw Him in the upper room and in Galilee when He commissioned them. And
after that they saw Him by means of the Holy Spirit.
“ye shall live also;” because of Jesus’ resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, all
believers have eternal life. {72}
“At that day;” this refers to the resurrection and the times that He manifested Himself to them.
{72}
“hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me;” this is the second time
that He has mentioned the keeping of His commandments and tied that to loving Him.
John 14:22
Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest
thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my
words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our
abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word
which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
“If a man love me, he will keep my words;” and this is the third time that He ties obedience to
love. Do you get the idea that it might important to God to keep His commandments? Look,
these words of His are because He loves us and show His character. He only has our best
interest at heart. He knows that any other way leads to our destruction. So if we love Him, we
will want to stick around for a few eons or so to do just that, love Him, and not go to our
destruction.
“keepeth not my sayings: . . . the word which ye hear is . . . the Father’s;” this will be the
Father’s final words to you, the words of judgment; and you won’t like them.
John 14:25
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I
have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the
world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid. 28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you.
If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my
Father is greater than I.
John 14:29
And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to
pass, ye might believe. 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of
this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31 But that the world may know that I
love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let
us go hence.
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“teach you all things;” although the disciples had been with Jesus for over three years, they
were still a little behind on what they needed to know about evangelizing this thing called the
Gospel. The Holy Spirit would provide them with their needed on-the-job training, and He
would “Bring all things to your remembrance, what soever I have said to you.”
“my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth;” the distinction is, His peace, not the
Shalom of the world. His peace brings comfort and control in all circumstances, even joy (see
Philippians 4:7). The world thinks that peace is the absence of war; yet there lies hatreds
seething behind the scene. In God’s world the only hatred there is, is of sin. And He has
provided a way out of that.
“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid; these are some of the most tender
words that Jesus spoke; as though they were little children. They had been told some very
shocking things that night; Jesus was calming their anxieties.
“my Father is greater than I;” He’s not backtracking on what He said earlier about being equal
with the Father; He will sit at the right hand of the Father and therein lies His equality.However
at the moment of His speaking those words He had shed all His glory to become man and die for
our sins. So at that time the Father was greater than He, but only temporarily. {72}
“the prince of this world cometh;” compare Luke 4:13 with 22:53. Satan would appear in the
body of Judas.
“hath nothing in me;” A.R.T.B. reads “There-is-not anything for him on me.” {7} Jesus had
overcome all of Satan’s temptations in the wilderness just after being baptized; He was without
blame. So Satan “departed from Him for a season.” (Luke 4:13) But Satan can’t give up; he has
to get rid of Jesus one way or another. Jesus is in his, Satan’s territory; he had shrewdly talked
Adam out of it. So he’s out to kill Jesus, and it doesn’t matter who he uses; one of the apostles
will do nicely, since he already has the high priests and the Pharisees in his pocket.
“Arise, let us go hence;” as Jesus and the eleven leave the upper room and slowly head for the
garden of Gethsemane, He continues His instruction of them.
The Vine And The Branches
John 15:1
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me
that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he
purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word
which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in
me.
John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the
same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man
abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather
them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my
words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples.
“I am the true vine;” as we have seen six other times in John’s Gospel, Jesus uses the phrase “I
am” which is a claim of His deity (see 6:25; 8:12; 10:7,9; 10:11; 14:11; 14:6; see comment on
14:6 “I am” for a breakdown of what He said “I am” was in each verse).
“true vine . . . the husbandman;” The Companion Bible notes read that the word “true” should
read “real” vine. This is a fulfillment of verse 17 of Psalm 80, where Jesus, as “the son of Man”
is the vine planted by God. And the Father is the one that planted and prunes by means of
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judgment. Anyone that doesn’t bear fruit, i.e. not really connected to the vine, salvation didn’t
take place and they’re just faking it; those will be cut off and cast into the fire.
“he taketh away;” anyone that has had any experience in gardening can tell you how they know
which branches are bearing fruit and those that are just taking up space without producing fruit.
They are removed from the body of the plant for decomposition.
“he purgeth it;” He prunes it. Anything that gets in the way of fruit-bearing He removes. He
chastises us to cut sin away from us and any other hindrances that pull us away from a spiritual
life. {72} If you are not being pruned by God on a regular basis, then you are not one of His and
you are headed for the compost pile (see Hebrews 12:3-11).
“Abide in me;” the word Abide is Strong’s . “a primary verb; to stay (in a given place,
state, relation or expectancy):— abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry
(for), × thine own.” {2} To stay or remain in a given relation with Christ, that is, keep up our
union with Him by faith is what we are after. This is the key to fruit bearing, abiding in Him.
But how do we abide in Him? By keeping His commandments (verse 10) we shall abide in His
love. So if you keep His commandments you will abide in Him; and by abiding in Him you have
the ability to bear much fruit.
“cast them into the fire;” if a branch is broken off from the main trunk, it will wither and die
and then the vinedresser will throw it into the fire to be burned. So it will be for those that are
not attached to the main vine, Christ at the judgment (see Revelation 20:10-15).
Note: in verse 14 of Revelation 20 in calls the Lake of fire the “second death.” According to
Strong’s death is # . “han´-at-os;from ; (prop. an adj. used as a noun) death (lit. or
fig.):— × deadly, (be...) death.”
. “thnay´-sko; a strengthened form of a simpler primary: than´-o (which is used for it only
in certain tenses); to die (lit. or fig.):— be dead, die.” {2} Verse 10 says that the lake of fire
burns with fire and brimstone. According to google.com; brimstone boils at 832.28 degrees
Fahrenheit. So the temperature of the lake of fire would be just below that. When God
destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah it was with this same fire and brimstone, and the destruction
was complete and total. If you are cast into the lake of fire and brimstone the destruction of you
will be complete and total; there will be nothing left of you, not even the memory of you. God
will not have those in His Kingdom weeping over the memory of a relative or friend that was
cast into this lake. In chapter 21 verse 4 He says that there will be no more weeping nor sorrow
for those that are in His Kingdom.
“If ye abide in me and my words abide in you;” you will be centered on doing His will and as
a result your prayers will bear fruit (see John 14:13-14), which in turn glorifies God because He
answered your prayers. Look folks, this is real simple: the more that you practice the words of
God, the more that you will act and be like God; which is God’s aim that you be, just like Him.
John 15:9
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my
Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and
that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one
another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay
down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command
you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his
lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my
Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen
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you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit
should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may
give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
“If ye keep my commandments;” this is the fourth time in this discourse that He has tied the
keeping of the commandments with love of Him. Whoever says that the commandments and the
law are done away with doesn’t know what they are talking about.
“ye shall abide in my love;” the kind of love that Christ had to die for us.
“your joy might be full;” you just heard the words of judgment “Well done my good and
faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.” What’s running through your head?

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Joy unspeakable!
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That’s the endgame; and you get to experience a measure of that in this life now also. With this
at stake, who would not want to serve the Lord? Who would not want to do their best to obey
the commandments of Jesus? Who would not want to abide in the words of Jesus?
“a man lay down his life for his friends;” you might be called to do just that, die so that
someone else can live. But most of the time we are called to set aside our life, to give time or
substance for others.
“friends;” verse 14 says that “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” Our
dictionary says under friend: “one attached to another by affection or esteem.” We are attached
to Jesus by reason of our obedience, with a mutual affection and esteem. We both want this
relationship and are willing to do, Jesus has already done His part, whatever it takes to make it
work.
“I call you not servants;” yet we are called to serve the rest of the world in His name until He
comes back. But we know what He is doing, we know the game-plan.
“I have chosen you, and ordained you;” Jesus chose and ordained; that is, He appointed to a
special commission, these eleven for a certain task of bearing fruit. He has been doing this ever
since He created man close to six thousand years ago, and is still doing it today.
“bring forth fruit;” you should be abounding in good works. The New Testament points out
that fruit is first spreading of the Gospel (Romans 1:13-16), Godly attitudes (Galatians 5:22-23),
righteousness (Philippians 1:11), praise (Hebrews 13:15). {72}
Hatred From The World
John 15:18
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye
were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the
world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his
lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept
my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you
for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come
and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke (excuse)
for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I had not done among
them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have
they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that
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the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a
cause.
“If the world hate you;” they would be alone; and could expect opposition from all directions
and all peoples. But they were to keep their eyes on Christ and His example.
“The servant is not greater than his lord;” the world hated Jesus because of His doctrine, so it
will hate you because you are of His doctrine. The more the world likes you, the less you are of
His doctrine. But don’t pull back from your work because they hate you, rejoice in it.
“they had not had sin;” they would still have sin, for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s
glory (Romans 3:23). It’s just that they would not have committed the grievous sin of rejection
the messiah and trampling underfoot the power of His Blood; that is the Holy Spirit. Even after
all the words that He spoke and the miracles that He performed; they, especially the church
leadership, said that He was of the devil. Another point here, because they didn’t recognize Him
as the Messiah, they didn’t understand that their hatred was of God Himself because Jesus was
God (John 1:1-14). But for them, ignorance is not bliss; it’s stupidity! For them who had
studied the scriptures all their lives and not see Jesus for who He was, became a flagrant and
willful act of defiance to ignore all the signs in favor of their present circumstances. At least
Nicodemus had the courage to come at night to find out if Jesus was the real deal.
“They hated me without a cause;” just as David had served Saul with his harp and sword only
to have Saul turn on him and seek his life without cause; so Jesus came and served the people
only to have their leaders turn on Him and seek His live without cause. Here Jesus quotes from
Psalms 34:19; 69:4.
Jesus Emphasizes The Coming Helper
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the
Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify
of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the
beginning.
“when the Comforter is come;” the word comforter is Strong’s . “par-ak´-lay-tos; an
intercessor, consoler:— advocate, comforter.” {2} A.R.T.B. reads “When the Defense-attorney
himself comes . . .” {7} As we begin Jesus’ discourse on the Holy Spirit that He has only
mentioned to them a few other times: 7:39 where He is spoken of as bringing “rivers of living
waters;” 14:16-17 where He is the “Spirit of Truth;” 14:26 where He will teach you and put all
things in remembrance;” and here in this discourse 16:7-8 where He is the reprover of sin,
righteousness, and judgment; and 16;13-14 where He will guide you in truth and show you of
things to come and all things of the Father.
“he shall testify . . . ye also shall bear witness;” they had been with Jesus from the very
beginning of His ministry and at the present moment they could not remember all things. But the
Holy Spirit would testify of those things that were needed at the time and they would bear that
testimony to the people.
John 16:1
These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever
killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do
unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things
have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you
of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with
you.
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“These things have I spoken;” this is just a continuation of the theme that Jesus had in the
previous chapter (John 15:18-25) about the resistance of the world and the hatred that they would
endure. Now He will add the work of the Holy Spirit in comforting the disciples, convicting
men, and guiding the believers into all truth. {72}
“ye should not be offended;” if we know in advance that something bad is going to happen;
then when it actually takes place, we are not surprised and the value of its negativity is virtually
nil. That’s what Jesus is doing here; He’s telling them that the worst imaginable treatment that
the world can throw at them is going to happen. So I’m going to send you the Holy Spirit to help
and guide you through this time.
“think that he doeth God service;” you don’t have to think very hard to remember that Paul
was once called Saul of Tarsus who persecuted the church and was at the stoning of Steven (see
Acts 7:54-8:3; 9:1-16).
“because I was with you;” “I didn’t tell you these things in the beginning because as long as I
was with you, you didn’t need protection from them. But because I am leaving you now, that I
am telling you now.
John 16:5
But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me,
Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath
filled your heart.
“none of you asketh me;” because He just said that He was going “to Him that sent me.” In
John 14:28 He said that He was “going to the Father.” So they knew where He was going.
“sorrow hath filled your heart;” like all people, their hearts were saddened by the prospect of
Him being gone because they loved Him that much and had come to rely upon Him.
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for
if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send
him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of
righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of
righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment,
because the prince of this world is judged.
“the Comforter will not come unto you;” the disciples didn’t understand how God works.
Jesus is the physical side of God and that’s the side that He works from; that’s why it was Jesus
that died on the cross and not the Holy Spirit. Whereas the Holy Spirit is the Spiritual side of
God and therefore works on the spirit of things with the power of God. You see, the Holy Spirit
is the power of God. Everything that Jesus did was because He had the Holy Spirit dwelling in
Him. When Jesus goes to the Father, then the Father sends the Holy Spirit; all things in proper
order.
“when he is come;” remember they are still living on the Day of Passover, and the Day of
Pentecost was fifty-three days away.
“reprove the world;” convince the world that they have sinned and need a savior. The Holy
Spirit does not bring condemnation; it is the Son that judges, by the consent of the Father.
“sin;” verse nine tells us what this singular sin is: “Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
This is the one that will get you sent to the lake of fire. Why? Because without believing that
Jesus is the Messiah that cleanses from all sins, you are still in your sins and cannot enter into
heaven. So, in the end, there is only one other place that you can go. {72}
“righteousness;” while Jesus walked on this earth, He was the standard bearer of true
righteousness. With Him leaving, the Holy Spirit will take over that job of convicting people of
self-righteousness.
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“judgment;” Satan has been judged; he was judged at the cross. So anyone that sides with him
will be judged with him and suffer the same sentence. The Holy Spirit, when He came, is here to
convince people of the judgment to come: a person is either a child of God or of Satan.
John 16:12 13
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for
he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of
mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine:
therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
“all truth;” this is whatever is necessary to discharge their office, they will have full
understanding of, so that they can both explain and defend (see John 14:26).
“He shall glorify me;” from beginning to end, the Bible is all about how God created man
through Jesus in His office as the Word; and then saved man through His office as the Messiah.
As explained above, the Holy Spirit is taking up the job where Jesus left off and doing the
spiritual work with the apostles for the spreading of the Gospel to turn the inner man back to
God. God is glorified then, in that man is tied to God in Jesus now, by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Speaks Of His Death And Resurrection Again
John 16:16
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye
shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among
themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see
me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18
They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell
what he saith.
“ye shall not see me . . . ye shall see me;” first of all, this is not talking about His death and His
post resurrection appearances; “because I go to the Father.” That’s talking about His ascension.
But this is not so much an enigma as it might seem. As we said before, in 43 days Jesus would
ascend into heaven to be with the father. Ten days later the Holy Spirit would come; “you will
see Me;” thus proclaiming that He and the Holy Spirit were one (see Romans 8:9; Philippians
1:19; 1Peter 1:11; Revelation 19:10). Jesus Christ dwells in all true believers by means of the
Holy Spirit; it is in that sense that they see Him. {72}
John 16:19
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them,
Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see
me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you,
That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be
sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in
travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of
the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into
the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your
heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
“your sorrow shall be turned into joy;” they found out what He meant on Pentecost when the
Holy Spirit came upon them and they saw three thousand converts in one day (Acts 2;41). Not
bad for a bunch of fishermen. In that Spirit they knew the presents of Christ.
“I will see you again;” yes He did see them during the forty days after His resurrection (John
20:19-29; 21:1-23; Acts 1:1-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). But He was permanently with them by
means of His Spirit. {72}
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John 16:23
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto
have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be
full.
John 16:25
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh,
when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of
the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I
will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have
loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the
Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
“ye shallask me nothing . . . ask the Father in my name;” although Jesus would be present in
the form of His Spirit, He is telling them that they are to just ask the Father in His, Jesus’ name
for anything. Way back in Matthew 6:9 He told us to address our prayers to “our Father.”
“that your joy may be full;” it is the whole process of asking the Father because we are in
Jesus, and receiving the answer, that is the joyous fulfillment. There is joy in just knowing the
Father and being able to ask Him; and then receiving the answer on top of that. In this life it
don’t get any better than that!
“in proverbs;” Strong’s  calls the word “proverbs” a “fictitious illustration:” {2} meaning
that He would use made-up stories to illustrate points and principles about God and His
Kingdom: i.e. “The Kingdom of God is like unto . . .” (see Matthew 13:24; 31; 33; 44; 45; 47;
52; 19:14; 20:1; 22:2; 25:1; 25:14; Mark 4:30-31; 10:14.15; Luke 13:18-19; 20; 18:16-17).
“I say not unto you;” speaking in straight, plain language here, Jesus makes sure that there is no
misconceptions about this; we are to pray to the Father, not to Jesus. Jesus is not the go between
for the Father and us. The Father loves us because we are in Jesus Christ; and because we are in
Him we are in His name. So when we pray we are automatically praying in His name, we don’t
have to remind the Father of that. The minute we raise our voice to pray He knows who we are
and who we are in. And we don’t have to tack it on at the end of our prayer either, like some
footnote.
John 16:29
His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no
proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any
31
man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
32
Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now
come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone:
and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have
spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have
tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
“ye shall be scattered;” this is the second time that He has told them that they will be scattered:
Matthew 26:31
Then saith Jesus unto them,“All ye shall be offended because of me this
night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall
be scattered abroad.”
Knowing this, He still loved them anyway.
“tribulation;” Jesus isn’t so much referring to the Great Tribulation as He is to the tribulation
that accompanies the spreading of the gospel; because the world hates the Gospel.
“overcome the world;” the world, which is governed by Satan, has no claim on the Christian
because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The world will try to bully the Christian around a bit
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while you are in it; but in the end, which is heaven, the world can’t touch you there. The
Christian will come back some day to rule the world with Christ in all His Glory.
Jesus Prays The High Priestly Prayer
John 17:1
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father,
the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou
hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as
thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the
earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father,
glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before
the world was.
“These words spake Jesus;” they are still walking through the streets of Jerusalem in the
stillness of the night, as they make their way toward the Garden of Gethsemane. We don’t have
too many times of hearing Jesus praying to the Father and this is probably the best of them all.
Jesus has already given His final instructions to His chosen eleven, and now, for their hearing,
He prays to the Father His mission ending statement.
“the hour is come;” starting in Cana of Galilee where He said “My hour is not yet come;” all
through His ministry Jesus has been aware of a certain “hour.” He avoided being stoned to death
because His hour had not yet come. Well now it is Passover going into His fourth year, and His
“hour is come.”
“that thy Son also may glorify thee;” from Smith’s Bible Commentary: “How is the Father
glorified? By Jesus granting to you eternal life, citizenship in the heavenly kingdom. “Father, the
hour is come; now glorify Me. Let Me go ahead and bear the cross, let Me die in order that
through My death I might grant eternal life to those who will believe, as many as You have given
Me.’” {13}
“this is life eternal;” we’ve covered this before about this not just being living forever, but an
eternal quality of life. Here Jesus defines it as knowledge of the Father and the Son. But this
knowledge is not a head type of knowledge; it’s the type of intimate knowledge that a husband
and wife have between each-other. Adam knew Eve and that produced an offspring. We know
the Father and Jesus which should produce offspring out of this world’s population.
“glorify thou me with thine own self;” Jesus now looks beyond His ascension to return back to
the glory that He shared with the Father. {72} This is another proof of His deity and position in
the Godhead.
“before the world was;” further proof that He has existed for eternity.
John 17:6
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the
world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7
Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8
For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have
received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have
believed that thou didst send me.
“I have manifested thy name;” His name is Yahweh, not God or Lord. God is His designation,
and Lord is His title. And we already discussed Jesus’ name at the top of this commentary which
means Yahweh saves. This is how Jesus has manifested God’s name by the men that were given
to Him out of this world. Name includes all the attributes and character traits of God that Jesus
made known to these men.
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“thine they were;” all humans belong to God by creation and by His keeping. Therefore He has
the right to do with us what-so-ever seems right in His eyes. He chose these men to be the
Apostles of the Saviour; and committed them to the life that they would go through.
“they have believed;” Jesus testifies to the Father about the faith of the apostles being genuine.
John 17:9
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given
me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am
glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the
world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those
whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with
them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept,
and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be
fulfilled.
“I pray for them . . . not for the world;” this is for all disciples of Christ for all time and not
just the disciples of that time.
“I am no more in the world;” in anticipation of His death in a few hours, Jesus prays for His
disciples; knowing what the world would throw at them and He would not be there to protect
them. {72}
“I kept them in thy name;” we are protected by Christ from the world as He said in John 6;37-
40, 44. All disciples have been drawn to Christ by the Father’s will and are protected now by
Him; we are secure forever (see John 10:28-29). A prime example of Jesus’ protection can be
seen in John 18:1-11.
“son of perdition;” the word perdition is Strong’s # . “ap-o´-li-a; from a presumed der. of
; ruin or loss (phys. spiritual or eternal):— damnable (-nation), destruction, die, perdition, ×
perish, pernicious ways, waste.” {2}
. “ap-ol´-loo-mee; to destroy fully (refl. to perish, or lose), lit. or fig.:— destroy, die, lose,
mar, perish.” {2} The word Perdition is derived from the word that means “to destroy fully.”
“that the scripture might be fulfilled;” Jesus did not fail where Judas was concerned; this had
been foreordained in the Scriptures: Psalm 41:9; Psalms 69:25; Psalms 109:8.{72}
John 17:13
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they
might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the
world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the
world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou
shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not
of the world.
John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me
into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes
I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
“I have given them thy word;” since Jesus is the word of God. He is saying that He had given
them all the communication of God which He embodied. In other words, He gave them Himself;
and not just them but all who believe. Stop for a moment. Picture the embodiment of the Word
of God in Jesus Christ permeating into you.
“keep them from the evil;” protect them from the evil one, Satan, and all that is evil in general,
from apostasy, from sinking in temptation. Grant them the grace that they may be victorious in
all trials and be comforted in them.
“Sanctify them;” the word “sanctify” means to set apart for a holy purpose. As believers, we
are set apart for exclusive service to God in that we obey His commands and walk in holiness
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(see Leviticus 11:44-45; 1 Peter 1:16). This sanctification is accomplished by being immersed in
the truth to where it is imbedded in you. {72}
“thy word is truth;” Jesus is that truth of God; that word that if you are immersed in to where
he is imbedded in you, and you truly believe, then you are truly sanctified and preserved for His
service. The truth is that great separating force; it divides, tells the difference between good and
evil. The truth does this by showing how magnificently glorious good is, thus putting evil to
shame.
Word of Caution Here: you may NOT pick and choose what you are going to believe or not
believe; Jesus is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. You either take all of Him
or nothing of Him! This is what happened to Judas Iscariot, he believed only what he wanted to
believe, and that became a distorted truth. Distorted truths are the same as a lie. You can take
Adam’s word on that, he found out the hard way.
“I sanctify myself;” another word here might be consecrate, He was set Himself apart for the
Father’s will (see 4:34; 5:19; 6:38; 7:16; 9:4). {72} He had no sin to separate Himself from, so
He set Himself exclusively to the work of redemption.
John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me
through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast
sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may
be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made
perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved
them, as thou hast loved me.
“That they all may be one;” as children of the same God and Father we should all feel like we
are members of one family. We have been redeemed by the same blood, will be living in the
same heaven, we should have the same spiritual wants, we have the same enemies, the same
joys, and will share in the same glory. We are tied together by the truth of the Gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ which binds us in Him and the Father making us members of one family.
“the glory which thou gavest me;” the honor that I enjoyed by being in union with You, I have
conferred upon them by placing them in union with Me.
“may be made perfect in one;” that they be made into one perfect union; that there would be no
discords, or contentions; no competitions, envying, or jealousies. And after a few glitches the
early church became just that (see Acts 4:32-35; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 2:20-22;). And now
with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in these last days, it is becoming that again.
John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I
am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst
me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world hath not
known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love
wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
“be with me where I am;” in heaven which is where He can be seen in His glory. Someday all
believers will not only see Him in His Glory, but will share in that glory. But for now, we can
only participate in it spiritually. {72}
“that they may behold my glory;” this is the third and fourth things that Jesus requests of the
Father for His disciples: to be kept from the evil one (verse 15), to be sanctified through the truth
(verse 19), and here in verse 24 that they might be with Him, so that they may behold His glory
that He had from the foundation of the world.
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“O righteous Father;” as Jesus wraps up His prayer to the Father here in Chapter 17, He
promises the ongoing indwelling of His presence and love. {72}
Peter’s Denial Predicted For A Second Time
John 18:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an
hymn, John 18:1 he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, Matthew 26:30
Luke 22:39
they went out into the mount of Olives, as he was wont, and his disciples
also followed him.
“sung an hymn;” the Psalms 113 – 118 are known as the Hallel, the Psalms of praise; and were
required by the Talmud to be sung at Passover. {72} Since they were leaving Jerusalem proper it
was only fitting that they sang the last of those Psalms, the 118th.
“he went forth;” He could have stayed in town, or kept on going to Bethsaida, the home of
Lazarus, Martha, and Mary knowing the fate that awaited Him. But knowing all things, still “He
went forth”.
“Cedron;” called Kidron elsewhere. Today it is known as Wady-en-Nar. {3} It ran north to
south on the east side of Jerusalem, through the Kidron valley, between the Temple amount and
the Mount of Olives to the east.
“wont;” this is an old English word that is not often spoken in today’s modern Americanese. It
means accustomed, or used, or in the habit of doing something. In this case, Jesus was in the
habit of going to the Garden of Gethsemane in the late evening to pray. And of course Judas
knew this.
Matthew 26:31
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this
night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall
be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
33
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of
thee, yet will I never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Mark 14:30 Verily I say unto
thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny
me thrice.31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not
deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said Matthew 26:35 all the disciples.
“be offended;” meaning that they would take offence to being called a disciple of Jesus. Peter
did three times as Jesus is about to predict. This is not a full blown denial of their faith in Jesus
Christ, but a temporary set-back in the flesh that each one would deal with according to their
own convictions. This is not to be confused with the falling away that will occur in the last days.
{72}
“smite the shepherd . . . flock shall be scattered;” this prophecy is found in Zechariah 13:7.
“into Galilee;” His promise to meet them in His post resurrection form goes right over their
heads. All they heard getting “offended” and “scattered.” Peter jumps right on that in the next
verse.
“the cock crow twice;” the cock crowing marked the beginning and the end of the third Roman
watch which was from midnight till 3:00 a.m. That was the time when the roosters usually
would crow. {72}
Around Nine P.M. Tuesday, April 25, AD 30
Jesus Prays In Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36 John
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane,
18:1
where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
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“Gethsemane where was a garden;” the garden was actually a grove of olive trees with an
olive press. The word Gethsemane means “the olive yard of the pressing of oil.” It was
sometimes referred to as “the garden of the olive press.”
An olive tree is very forgiving. It can live thousands of years under cruel conditions and come
back with a little care and attention.
The crushing of olives to remove the oil is a great allegory to the crushing that Jesus went under
from the weight of our sins and the turning away of the Father. He took that crushing because
He loves us that much. Think about it for a minute, just as the olive sweats out through its pours
its life’s blood, its oil, under the weight of the pressing stone; Jesus sweated out His life’s blood
through His pours under the weight of our sins. And all that before He was arrested. {74}
Matthew 26:36
And saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, Mark 14:33 James and John,
“I go and pray yonder;” He leaves eight of the disciples behind and takes the three with Him
deeper into the Garden.
“he took with him Peter and James and John;” it is interesting that Jesus is always separating
these three out for special duty; the three most out-spoken of the twelve; Peter and the “Sons of
Thunder.”
Matthew 26:36
and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
“began to be sorrowful and very heavy;” the thoughts of what He is about to go through are
just now starting to set in and they ain’t pretty; and what’s bad is they’re going to get worse,
much worse.
Matthew 26:38
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto
death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Luke 22:40 Pray that ye enter not into
temptation.
“My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death;” the taking on of our sin He does out of
love; but, facing the Father’s wrath toward that sin is scaring Him to death, literally. He was just
talking about how He and the Father were one and the love between them; and now He is
thinking about the Father’s fierce wrath.
“Pray that ye enter not into temptation;” now He only says this whole thing about being
sorrowful and waiting watching here and praying to just these three. Jesus knows that the battle
that He is about to go through will also affect these three. Unfortunately His imploring them to
pray went right over their heads; they’d rather sleep. Notice that He tells these three to pray and
didn’t say anything like that to the other eight.
Matthew 26: 39
And he went a little further, Luke 22:41 about a stone’s cast, and kneeled
Mark 14:35
down, on the ground, Matthew 26: 39 and fell on his face,
“he went a little further, about a stone’s cast;” about several yards but within earshot of a loud
cry. This prayer was for them to hear. {72}
“and kneeled downon the ground,and fell on his face;” Our Saviour was so filled with
emotion that as He walked on a little further His legs became weak and then His knees gave out
and He stumbled down falling face first to the ground. And with great tears in His eyes and His
face covered in fear He cries out . . .
and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. Mark 14:36 And he
said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; Luke 22:42 Father, if thou be
willing, remove (Gr. willing to remove) this cup from me: nevertheless not my
will, but thine, be done.
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“the hour might pass from him;” Jesus isn’t just sorrowful; for the first time in His human
existence He is experiencing fear. Not of death; not of the physical pain He is about to
experience; but of being separated from the Father by the Father’s wrath. As He said, He and the
Father were one. They had been together for eternity past. Now, He and the Father were going
to be separated, because Jesus was going to become sin and the Father was going to turn His
head away from the Son. He, Who has always been the purity of white snow is now going to
become the black ugliness of all of man’s sin. Fear was one of the first things that Adam
experienced after eating of the forbidden fruit; fear and shame (See Genesis 3:7-9). Now it is
one of the Messiah’s last experiences before atoning for all sin including theirs. This fear
becomes so intense that “. . . . His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the
ground.” (Luke 22:44 below) He will ask the Father three times to be relieved of this
responsibility. This is the kind of fear that a soldier under intense fire might know; or a first
responder in an intense situation. But these usually only last for minutes, Jesus’ lasted for many
hours; from the time they entered the garden, till the time that Jesus yielded up His Spirit over
fifteen hours later.
“the hour;” this included everything; His betrayal by one of His own, the trials, the mockery,
the crucifixion, {72} His sacrificial death all decreed by God. This was all part of God’s wrath
toward sin.
“Abba;” is an Aramaic term of endearment that a child would call His Father. Its English
replacement would be “Daddy.” (See Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). {72}
“this cup;” a cup, or in Revelation 15 & 16 a vial, is frequently used as a symbol of God’s wrath
against sin especially in the Old Testament (Psalms 11:6; 75:7-8; Isaiah 51:17, 22; Jeremiah
25:15-17; 27-29; Lamentations 4:21-22; Ezekiel 23:31-34; Habakkuk 2;16). {5} In the sixteenth
chapter of Revelation the seven angels pour out seven vials, the number of perfection, of the
prefect wrath of God upon unrepentant mankind. Here the man Jesus was going to have to be
subjected to all that wrath in addition to the separation from the Father brought on by that wrath
and Him becoming the sins of mankind. Do you really think that He is worried about what man
is about to do to Him? NOT! Jesus is not the only person to ever go through Romancrucifixion,
the number is probably more than you would want to count. The uniqueness of His death is that
He suffered the wrath of God and total separation from the Father that He had never known; no
other human being can ever lay claim to that. The fore-knowledge of these two things is a
double edged sword slicing through His emotions like hot knife through butter just tarring Him
apart.
“not my will, but thine, be done;” you can call it an advantage or a disadvantage, because Jesus
knew full well what the wrath of God was like. So with that knowledge, His humanness reacts
with what you might call common sense; Fear (with a capital F). The total being of Jesus is not
in conflict with the Godhead here; the humanity that He has taken on is just shaking in His
sandals over the knowledge of what is about to happen. The fear that His humanity feels is
intense enough to sweat blood, Verse 44 below. But the God that Jesus is says “not my will, but
thine be done;” thus overriding His humanness. But He must do this three times in order to
absolutely conquer that human nature. Maybe there is a lesson for us in that.
Luke 22:43
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were
great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
“his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Hematidrosis is a
condition in which capillary blood vessels that feed the sweat glands rupture, causing them to
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exude blood, occurring under conditions of extreme physical or emotional stress. Severe mental
anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system to invoke the stress-Fight-or-flight response to
such a degree as to cause hemorrhage of the vessels supplying the sweat glands. It has been
suggested that acute fear and extreme stress can cause hematidrosis. {8}
45
And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them
sleeping for sorrow.
“sleeping for sorrow;” this is the three, Peter, James, and John (see Mark 14:37 below). Their
emotions too, having been spent, they yield to the sleep that their bodies are calling for; thus
ignoring the command of their Master to “watch” and “pray.”
Luke 22:46
And said Matthew 26:40 unto Peter, What, Mark 14:37 Simon, sleepest thou? Matthew
26:40
could ye not watch with me one hour? Luke 22:46 Why sleep ye? Rise Mark 14:38
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, (Matthew
26:41
the spirit indeed is willing,) Mark 14:38 but the flesh is weak.
“Simon;” is Strong’s . “of Hebrew origin [8095]; Simon (i.e. Shimon), the name of nine
Israelites:— Simon.” {2}
8095. hearing; Shimon, one of Jacob’s sons, also the tribe descendant from him:— Simeon. {2}
Jesus uses his old earthly name which means “hearing” as a rebuke that he wasn’t living up to
the new name of the “stone.” He had commanded them to “watch with me (and) pray.” If they
had done that, they would not have deserted Him. (For further information on Simon Peter’s
name please consult pages 184-185)
“one hour;” He had prayed for an hour agonizing over what was to come, experiencing and
angel from heaven, and the hematidrosis, only to find His closest disciples sleeping from grief.
All the negative emotions are very strong and can wear you out, sap all your energy and
makeyou seek rest. The positive on the other hand, will make you want to stay in the moment
and they always use less energy.
“Rise;” they were obviously either in a prone position, or sitting leaning on each other or some
object. In either regard, Jesus was calling them to an upright posture so that they could stay
awake.
“Watch;” is Strong’s #. “to keep awake, i.e. watch (lit. or fig.):— be vigilant, wake, (be)
watch (-ful).” {2} Stay awake! Stay alert; the enemy is seeking to tempt you because of your
self- confidence.
“pray;” because their faith was going to be put to the extreme in His rejection and death. Their
faith would be tried because, although they believed that He was the Messiah, they had virtually
no understanding of the necessity of His death, or little comprehension that He was to rise again.
They were stuck on the belief that He would establish a kingdom while He was alive. So when
they should see Him rejected, tried, crucified, and dead; and apparently having no power to
deliver Himself, their faith would be put to the maximum test. This is why He exhorts them to
pray that they not be overcome by temptation. {55}
“the flesh is weak;” Jesus knew that they loved Him, but despite that, He also knew that they
would scatter when He got arrested. Their own human nature, fear, would take over; it’s called
fight or flight; battle it out or run like hell.
Matthew 26:42
He went away again the second time, and prayed, Mark 14:39and spake the
same words. Matthew 26:42 saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from
me, except I drink it, thy will be done. Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found
them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist (knew) they what to
answer him.
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Matthew 26:44
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time,
saying the same words. 45 Then cometh he to his disciples, Mark 14:41 the third time
Matthew 26:45
and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: Mark 14:41 it is
Matthew 26:45
enough, behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into
the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray
me.
“Sleep on now, and take your rest . . . Rise, let us be going;” to be sure this is an oxymoron:
first He tells them to take their rest and sleep; then in the next verse He says “Rise, let us be
going:” That’s hard to do, rise up and go while you are sleeping. Now if you paraphrase this
and take a little latitude and say “Sleep on now, take your rest. For it is getting close to the time
for the Son of Man to be betrayed.” That makes sense, doesn’t it?
Around Eleven P.M. Tuesday, April 25, AD 30
Jesus Is Arrested
Mark 14:43
And immediately, while he (Jesus) yet spake, Luke 22:47 behold Matthew
26:47
came a great multitude with swords and staves, Luke 22:47and he that was called
Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus.
John 18:2
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft times
resorted thither with his disciples. John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of
men and officers from the chief priests Mark 14:43 and the scribes John 18:3 and Pharisees,
Matthew 26:47
and elders of the people, John 18:3 cometh thither with lanterns and torches
and weapons.
“with swords and staves;” these swords were more like daggers and fisherman’s utility knives.
No one was allowed to carry a sword, not even the Temple guard. The Romans had disarmed
the nation of Judea long ago in order to tax them without a rebellion. {63} The staves are
sticks or clubs made from wood; Strong’s #3586.
“And Judas, one of the twelve;” the fact that he was one of the twelve makes his crime all the
more treacherous.
The Talmud forbade that no one involved in the arrest can be associated with the accused. This
is because if the accused is guilty then so are his followers. The Talmud is their book of made-
up law in addition to the Law of Moses: Talmud violation number one.
“a band of men;” Strong’s (#4686) was “a squad of Levitical Janitors,” i.e. Temple Guard. The
Romans would not have put at the High Priest’s disposal a contingent of Roman Soldiers to be
used at the discretion of the High Priests. The officers Strong’s (#5257) were some low ranking
members of this Temple Guard. This band probably numbered around two-hundred by the time
you include some of the servants of the chief priest, the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders of
the people.
“the chief priests . . . scribes . . . Pharisees, and elders of the people;” were seizing upon the
opportunity of Judas’ betrayal to snatch up Jesus without the crowds around as witnesses. They,
the Sanhedrin, wanted to arrest Jesus secretly, find Him guilty of a religious crime so that the
crowds would turn against Him, then they could get rid of Him. The secret arrest, away from the
crowds, was part of the contract that Judas had to fulfill for his thirty-three pieces of silver. The
Romans would not be involved with this until it was time for the execution; secrecy is of the
utmost importance.
“with lanterns and torches and weapons;” it was the full moon but they don’t know what to
expect; will He be hiding? Will He come quietly? Will He run?
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The Talmud strictly forbade the arrest of anyone for a capital crime at night. Such arrests must
be made during daylight hours: Talmud violation number two.
Mark 14:44
And he that betrayed him had given them a token, A sign saying,
Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
“I shall kiss;” how despicable can you get? The height of hypocrisy shows its ugly head as
Satan himself appears in the form of Judas. This had been a prearranged token, a sign normally
used to show affection of a pupil for his teacher in this case. But to be used to betray by kissing
on the left cheek is the greatest form of treachery. {72}
“Don’t let any harm come to Him;” Notice Judas’ concern here? “Lead Him away safely.”
Don’t let any harm come to Him. Judas was trying to force Jesus’ hand into taking over as King
of the Jews and conquering Rome. He had seen Jesus’ miraculous power and was wanting Him
to use it to force Rome out of power. Remember Judas was a Zealot.
Mark 14:45
And as soon as he was come, Matthew 26:49 And forthwith he came to Jesus,
and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend,
wherefore art thou come? Luke 22:48 Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a
kiss?
“Hail;” this was an expression of joy over seeing a friend after an absence. Even though he’d
only been gone a couple of hours, he was supposedly joyful at finding his master and being “with
Him” again.
“kissed him;” kissed is Strong’s #2705 and it means to kiss earnestly. So this wasn’t just a peck
on the cheek, it was a prolonged kiss of what was supposed to express sincere affection. {72}
“Friend;” despite what Judas is in the middle of doing, Jesus offers him friendship. Despite our
sins, Jesus offers us His friendship, and more.
John 18:4
Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth,
and said unto them, Whom seek ye?5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with
them. 6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and
fell to the ground. 7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said,
Jesus of Nazareth. 8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye
seek me, let these go their way: 9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he
spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Matthew 26:50 Then came they,
and laid Mark 14:46 their hands Matthew 26:50 on Jesus, and took him.
“Whom seek ye;” a question that He has to ask twice because the first time the entire multitude
falls back out of reverence. By asking this question and their answer, He makes them
acknowledge that they had no authority to hold His disciples. {72} But this is also tacit approval
for the disciples to leave and scatter. Notice that the word “he” in “I am he.” is in italics. That’s
because it was added by translators. Jesus actually said “I am,” the name of God. That’s why
they all fell back. This was another claim of His deity. Jesus is in complete control here; after
they all fall to the ground, He could have just walked away. Instead He asks again “Whom seek
ye?” Not that He needed clarification, but He wanted them to admit that they were only after
Him.
“Judas also . . . stood with them;” the subject here is “They answered Him.” “And Judas
stood with them.” The only plurality here is “they,” the leaders of this band of men and now
John says that Judas is standing with them. It looks like he has chosen his side after all.
“let these go their way;” it’s amazing that they’ve come to arrest Jesus, and He’s the one giving
orders.
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“I lost none;” we’ve already discussed Judas and how he was foreordained to betray Jesus; here
Jesus is saying how He protects His own. He knew how weak and vulnerable the disciples were
so He protects them from being arrested and possibly worse. {72}
Luke 22:49
When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto
him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a
sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.
“what would follow;” the disciples knew that if the high priests and their cronies ever got a hold
of Jesus, they would kill Him.
“Simon Peter;” was most likely trying to sever Malchus’ head in defense of His Lord, however
misguided it was. {72} Remember Luke 22:35 above:
Luke 22:35
And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and
shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them,
But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that
hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that
this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among
the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said,
Lord, behold, here are two swords (daggers). And he said unto them, It is enough.
Pete probably figured that this is the right time to use the sword (dagger), after all, they are trying
to take away my Master.
“the high priest’s servant;” the word used here is Strong’s #1401 and it means slave or bond-
servant. Malchus must have been the later to be sent out of the house without supervision.
“cut off his right ear:” Malchus had the misfortune of being the closest to Peter at the time.
Although all four Gospels record the ear severing, only John records that it was Peter, and
Doctor Luke is the only writer that records the healing. {72}
John 18:10
The servant’s name was Malchus. Luke 22:51 And Jesus answered and said,
Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
John 18:11 Matthew
Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath:
26:52
for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
“Suffer ye thus far;”Let them do this; don’t give any resistance; this is the only way that the
Scriptures can be fulfilled. (See John 18:11 below) {72}
“he touched his ear, and healed him;” this was the last physical healing and the most unusual
healing that Jesus ever did: first of all it was a fresh wound; the recipient didn’t ask for anything,
Jesus just did it; the recipient was an enemy; he had no faith; it came on the heels of Jesus’ words
that made the crowds fall backwards to the ground; and in the end they arrested Him anyway.
{72} A flock just flew over that coo-coo’s nest!
“they that take the sword shall perish with the sword;” all of the Apostles lived lives of non-
violence and self sacrifice. There is no record of even one of them that fought or even tried to
fight their way out of their fiery trials either for themselves or for others with swords. They
ended up embracing the non-violent way of Jesus’ model for their life.
Matthew 26:53
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall
presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the
scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? John 18:11 The cup which my Father hath
given me, shall I not drink it?
“more than twelve legions of angels;” In the Roman Army a legion was comprised of 6000
soldiers, so twelve legions of angels would be 72,000 of them. In 2 Kings 19:35 a single angel
of the Lord struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrian Army in a single night. Our
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limited minds can’t even imagine what 72,000 of them could do. {72} Jesus had all the power of
Heaven and the Father at His disposal but He had resigned Himself instead to the cross and the
Father’s will.
“how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled;” If Jesus had called for the interference of just one
angel’s aid, which was all that would have been necessary, the Scriptures of Prophecies
thatforetold His betrayal, His death, and His resurrection would not have been fulfilled. And this
particular point is so important that Jesus repeats it in just two more verses in verse 56.
“The cup . . . shall I not drink it;” Peter still didn’t understand that Jesus came to die. In the
Old Testament the “cup” is associated with judgment and God’s wrath: Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17,
22; Jeremiah 25:15; Ezekiel 23:31-34; see also Revelation 14:10; 16:19. {72}
Matthew 26:55
In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Luke 22:52the chief priests,
Matthew
and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him,
26:55
Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat
Luke 22:53
daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me; ye
stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of
darkness. Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might
be fulfilled.
“against a thief;” they came out as if He was an armed robber or highwayman with daggers,
clubs, and torches at night. He was a well known religious teacher of peace and love thy
neighbor. They could have arrested Him with 20 men and a rope.
“teaching in the temple;” the most public place in all Jerusalem. {72} But that’s the point; they
want this arrest to be private.
“but this is your hour, and the power of darkness;” the nighttime, the time of darkness and
the one who is the source of darkness. During the daylight hours when He was teaching in the
Temple with the crowds around, they wouldn’t dare touch Him. They wanted no witnesses
except those that were on their side.
“the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled;” Jesus fulfilled over 350 prophecies in the
Old Testament and well over half of them about His dying for our sins. That’s way too many to
enumerate here, and we’ve already covered a good quantity of them. Here are just a few for
example:Genesis 3:15; Psalms 22:15-18, 34:20; Isaiah 53:12; Daniel 9:24, 26; Zechariah 12:10;
13:7. Jesus was foreordained by God to die on that cross for our sins, and every action taken by
Him and everyone around Him was planned by God from the foundation of the earth. And Jesus
was part of that planning as the physical outer ring of God in full agreement with the plan. Why?
Because the Spirit, the Soul, and Physical of God in unity had that much love that they wanted to
share with a race of beings that want to be like them; that’s us. So it was schemed up by the
Unity of God to create us, put us to the test, and only the ones that wanted to be like God, get to
be like Him. Now here’s the part that a lot of people have a hard time believing; it cost God to
send that physical portion of Himself down to earth as one of us and actually suffer the worst that
we could throw at Him including our form of death so that we would have the opportunity to
make that choice. That’s how much love He has to share with us. This entire scheme was then
shared bit by bit with the prophets to foretell of God’s great love.
John 18:12
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and
bound him, Matthew 26:56 Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
“all the disciples forsook him, and fled;” this was a fulfillment of prophecy: Zechariah 13:7;
Matthew 26:31. Then in verse 35 they all said that they would not deny Him. Jesus’ response in
verse 41 was “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Their faith melted as they
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watched Him what seemed to be willingly allowing Himself to be arrested. And they figured
that they were next; so they put it in “B” for boogie and split.
Mark 14:51
And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast
about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the
linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
“there followed him a certain young man;” there is a lot of speculation as to who this young
man is; but we will not get into that. Suffice it to say that he followed Jesus for a short distance
after He had been taken onto custody. Then the younger men at the rear of the posy noticed him
and grabbed him by the cloth that he was covering himself with.
“a linen cloth;” most likely sheet that he had wrapped around himself from being in bed. {72}
“fled from them naked;” startled by being woke up, and now by being grabbed he too puts it in
“B” for boogie and splits; only he leaves behind what he’s wearing.
Jesus’ Trial Before Annas; Peter’s First Denial
Luke 22:54
Then took they him, John 18:13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was
father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year (And Annas
sent Christ bound unto Caiaphas the high priest). 14 Now Caiaphas was he, which
gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the
people.
There would be six trials: the first three were Jewish; before Annas, then Caiaphas, and then the
Sanhedrin. The second three were Roman; before Pilate, then Herod then the second before
Pilate where Jesus was condemned to death.
“led him away to Annas first;” Why Annas; He was the former High Priest, and that is a
lifetime appointment. And he was the father-in-law of the reigning High Priest, and his palace
was the closest and they needed to get Jesus out-off the street as soon as possible. The fear was
that His apostles might rally His supporters and spring Him free; and then the Romans would get
involved; and who knows what would be the end of it.
“father in law to Caiaphas;” who is the current High Priest and the same guy who said that it
would be better for Jesus to die than maybe the Romans to come in and take away the
Sanhedrin’s authority back up in John 11:50. The problem is that this is all being done at night.
The Talmud makes it clear that no trial can be held at night, but must be held during the day light
hours. “The members of the court may not alertly and intelligently hear the testimony against
the accused during darkness.”Talmud violation number three.
Word of caution here: do not think that these men are the cause of Jesus’ death. We are all
responsible for Jesus dying on the cross because of our sin.
1 Peter 1:18
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,
as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your
fathers;
vs.19
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot:
vs.20
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was
manifest in these last times for you.
This has been God’s plan all along; just as He played Pharaoh like a cheap fiddle to harden and
soften his heart to do God’s will, so He has hardened the hearts of these Jewish leaders to not
recognize Jesus as the Messiah and have nothing but hatred for Him. You see if Jesus does not
die on the cross then we don’t have forgiveness for our sins, and all that we have to look forward
to is the lake of fire. So you might say that they did us a HUGE favour.
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John 18:15
And Simon Peter followed Jesus, Matthew 26:58 afar off unto the high priest’s
palace, John 18:15and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high
priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood
at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the
high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter; 17 Then
saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s
disciples? He saith, I am not. Matthew 26:58 and he went in, and sat with the servants, to
see the end.
“Simon Peter followed Jesus, afar off;” all four gospels record this about Peter. But only John
records another disciple most likely himself that also followed. {72}
“known unto the high priest;” John mentions Nicodemus (John 3:1) and Joseph of Arimathaea,
two prominent members of the Sanhedrin, it stands to reason that he would be known to the High
Priest. {72}
“damsel that kept the door;” as they are going through the door into the courtyard this certain
servant girl asks Peter if he is one of Jesus’ followers. Of course he denies it (denial number
one). Strange how the young kid John just cruses in and out like he owns the place, and nobody
pays any attention to him. But bring in this unsophisticated fisherman from Galilee and it seems
like everybody has their senses tuned to that prejudice.
“He saith, I am not.” Now it is important for us to understated Peter’s mindset here: he has
followed Jesus, his master, and the one whom that he believes is the Messiah. It is like he
promised a few hours ago that he would follow Jesus any-where and everywhere no matter what
the cost. He is now in tunnel-vision; all he can see is that “I got to stay with my master.”
Anybody that interferes with that must be brushed aside with whatever it takes to “stay with my
master.”
Luke 22:55
And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set
down together, Peter sat down among them. John 18:18 And the servants and officers
stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed
themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. Mark 14:66 And as Peter
was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: Mark
14:67
And when she saw Peter warming himself, Luke 22:56 as he sat by the fire, and
earnestly looked upon him, and said, John 18:17 Art not thou also one of this man’s
disciples? Mark 14:67 And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. Matthew 26:70 But he
denied before them all, saying, Luke 22:57 Woman, John 18:17 I am not. Luke 22:57
I
Mark 14:68
know him not. neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out
into the porch; and the cock crew.
“for it was cold;” you have to picture this: it’s a round midnight in late April; yea, it gets a little
chilly, especially in the Mideast.
“beneath in the palace;” in the courtyard which was lower than the apartments surrounding it.
“one of the maids;” just one of the preteen-girl servants coming by on her routine duties.
“thou also wast with Jesus;” she had apparently seen him with John who, remember was well
known in the High Priest’s house; hence the word “also.”
“But he denied before them all;” in the light of the fire she recognizes him. Now you have to
understand in that culture, a man’s word will be taken over woman’s every day of the week and
twice on Sunday. This is actually Peter’s second denial; if you’re keeping score.
“neither understand I what thou sayest;” in other words: “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever
heard; I don’t even know why you said it!” That’s what Peter was saying to the young girl.
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“of Nazareth;” this was a show of contempt at the town of Jesus’ upbringing; like He had any
say-so in it. Remember earlier we discussed how Nazareth had a Roman brothel in it; and that
even Nathanael said “Can there any good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) Its reputation was
not very good to say the least. {72} But God takes that thing that is despised of man and turns it
around into that which is the greatest thing that you ever beheld.
“Porch;” the porch was the arched entry into the lowest courtyard off the street. {72} Peter
moved to there, out of the light and heat; he’d rather be cold than be caught.
“the cock crew;” this is the first crowing of the rooster which usually happens
around midnight. {55} Either Peter didn’t hear it or pay any attention to it.
John 18:19
The high priest [Annas] then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his
doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the
synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I
said nothing. 21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said
unto them: behold, they know what I said. 22 And when he had thus spoken, one of
the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying,
Answerest thou the high priest so? 23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil,
bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? 24 Now Annas had sent
him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. Luke 22:54 Then took they him, and led him,
and brought him into the high priest’s house.
“The high priest;” as stated before High Priests were appointed for life. Despite the fact that
Rome interfered here, all the Jews recognized Annas as the High Priest along with his son-in-law
Caiaphas.
“asked Jesus of his disciples and of his doctrine;” they were grasping at straws at first, trying
to see if they could charge Him with sedition, or treason, or subverting Mosaic law. When that
didn’t work they went after His main claim of being the Son of God. But Jesus knew the law
and demanded witnesses be called (verses 20-21). This was a rebuke of Annas, and that’s why
the officer struck Him (verse 22). {72}
“why smitest thou me?” Jesus had just demanded a fair trial as required by the law. But the
High Priests and the Sanhedrin had already decided to put Him to death (see John 11:47-57).
{72} Talmud violation number four; There is to be no punishment before conviction.
“Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas;” since they were have to go to Pilate in order to
put anyone to death, he would have to be presented by the current or reigning High Priest;
Caiaphas. {72}
Jesus’ Trial Before Caiaphas
Matthew 26:57
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high
priest, where Mark 14:53 all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes Matthew
26:57 Mark 14:55
were assembled. And the chief priests and all the council sought Matthew
26:
false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: Mark 14:56 For
many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
“
all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes . . . and all the council;” this wouldhave
been most of the Sanhedrin with only a few exceptions: we know that Joseph of Arimathaea and
Nicodemus were not invited to this illegal gathering because of their views about Jesus.
Remember, this is a lynching and you don’t invite the friends of the victim to the party. Talmud
violation number five; Trials in capital cases must be held at the Temple and in public.
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“bare false witness against him;” violating the nineth commandment; but in this environment
of crime what’s one more violation? It’s like they’re gorging themselves in this feast of
wrongdoing.
“many bare false witness . . . their witness agreed not;” in their hastily disorganized put-
together assembly they forgot to prep their witnesses on which lies they were going to tell.
Matthew 26:60
At the last came two false witnesses, Mark 14:57and bare false witness
against him, saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple Matthew 26:60 of
God, Mark 14:58 that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another
made without hands.
“came two false witnesses;” here come two more getting sucked into this orgy of hate and lies
just to get revenge. Well at least these two told the same story. If He actually said that He
would destroy the Temple in Jerusalem then He could be condemned. And if He said that He
would build another in three days without hands, that would be blaspheming God.
“destroy this temple;” the witnesses only heard His words and not His meaning. He was
speaking of His temple, meaning His body; which is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. {72} Even
His disciples didn’t understand this until after His resurrection (see John 2:19-22)
Mark 14:59
But neither so did their witness agree together. 60 And the high priest stood
up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it
which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace.
“the high priest stood up;” with the witnesses not agreeing, and this trial not going anywhere,
and Jesus just standing there without saying a word, Caiaphas attempts to bring some order by
speaking directly to Jesus. {72} (Note: pay attention to the words in Italics because they were
added by translators.)
“But Jesus held his peace;” any answer by Jesus would have legitimized the questions and false
testimony. {72}
Matthew 26:63
And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the
living God, that thou tell us Mark 14:61 Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: Mark 14:62 I am: Matthew
26:64
nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on
the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
“I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us;” Caiaphas was ordering Jesus to swear
under oath if He was the Christ. Jesus is now legally obligated to reply. If He keeps silent now
He will probably be beaten to death for disrespecting the High Priest.
“Art thou the Christ;” “Are you the Messiah?”
“the Son of the Blessed;” this is the only New Testament use of this expression, “Son of the
Blessed.” Caiaphas was avoiding the use of God’s name which was common among the Jews
(see Matthew’s Gospel). He was hoping that Jesus would answer in the affirmative so that he
could bring a quick end to these proceedings with at charge of blasphemy. {72}
“Thou hast said:I am.” The N.I.V. translates this as: “Yes, it is as you say,” it don’t get any
plainer than this; Jesus flat-out is saying that He is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.
“the Son of man;” this Messianic title that Jesus uses for Himself is found over eighty times in
the Gospels; and here He backs up His answer by applying two Messianic passages to Himself:
Psalm 110:1; and Daniel 7:13 (also see Revelation 1:13; 14:14). {72}
“sitting on the right hand of power;” to sit at the right hand of a earthly ruler was the chief
place of honor. How much more is it to sit at the right hand of God Almighty, the source of all
power and majesty.
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“the clouds of heaven;” you will see Him returning to judge the world.
Matthew 26:65
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy;
what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his
blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67
Then did they spit in his face, Mark 14:65 and to cover his face, and to buffet him,
Matthew 26:67
and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy
unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? Luke 22:65 And many other things
blasphemously spake they against him.
“the high priest rent his clothes;” these were his ordinary clothes or the ones that he wore as
the president of the Sanhedrin. He was forbidden by law (Leviticus 10:6; 21:10) from tearing
those of his priestly office. But it was a common practice for Jews to tear their clothes as an
expression of great grief; just as long as you didn’t tear the wrong ones.
“rent his clothes;” this too was concocted, Caiaphas could care less about God’s name being
dishonored. {72} But he now had what he wanted, something that he could use to get rid of
Jesus.
“He hath spoken blasphemy;” not really, according to Leviticus 24:10-23; to blaspheme is to
curse God. {72} Jesus was God, how could He curse Himself? Of course they didn’t understand
that.
“What think ye?” all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes agreed to what Caiaphas
said.
“He is guilty of death;” He was accused of blaspheming God’s name by saying that He was
God’s Son. The sentence for this was stoning to death according to Leviticus 24:16.
“they spit in his face;” this was the highest form of contempt and insult that you could do to an
Israelite (see Numbers 12:14; Deuteronomy 25;9; Job 30;10; Isaiah 50:6). {72}
“buffet him;” A.R.T.B. says that it was “temple-ushers” that covered His face and “flogged”
Him. Most translations read that they hit Him with their fists. This was the first of many
beatings that Jesus would have to endure for our sins.
“Prophesy;” this mockery was the just pure disrespect and if Jesus had succumbed to it, it
would have a gross misuse of His divine powers.
“many other things blasphemously spake they against him;” they were speaking
blasphemously against the Son of God whom they had accused of blasphemy; a charge that they
could not legally prove. But since He really was the Son of God; now they’re the ones that are
guilty of the blasphemy.
Peter’s Second And Third Denials
Luke 22:58
And after a little while Matthew 26:71 when [Peter] was gone out into the porch,
Mark 14: 69
And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is
one of them. Matthew 26:71 Another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there,
This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. Luke 22:58 Another saw him, and said,
Thou art also of them. John 18:25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They
Luke 22:60
said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? And
Peter Mark 14:70 denied it again Matthew 26:72 with an oath, John 18:25 and said, Luke 22:58 Man, I
am not. Matthew 26:72 I do not know the man.
“Peter was gone out into the porch;” by moving out onto the porch at Caiaphas’ house, Pete
figures that he might escape discovery; WRONG.
“a maid;” probably the gatekeeper that let him in at John’s behest (see John 18:17).
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“Another maid saw him;” now we have two that saw him (notice that the word “maid” is in
Italics here).
“Another saw him;” this one is a man (Luke 22:58) but Peter ignores him.
“Art not thou also one of his disciples?” then they gang-up on him and the group confronts
him in rapid fire, each one firing at him in turn: “Aren’t you of His disciples?” And this
timewith an oath he denies knowing Jesus (Luke 22:58; Matthew 26:72). It is counted as denial
number two in the Gospels; but it is actually number three: remember “the damsel that kept the
door” (John 18:17). This happened around 2 A.M. (see Luke 22:59 below).
Mark 14:70
And a little after, Luke 22:59 about the space of one hour, Matthew 26:73 came unto
him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; Mark 14:70
Matthew 26:73
for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto [and]
Luke 22:59
bewrayeth thee. another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this
fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. John 18:26 One of the servants of the
high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in
the garden with him? Mark 14:71 But he John 18:27 denied again: and Mark 14:71 began to
curse and to swear, saying, Luke 22:60 Man, I know not what thou sayest; Mark 14:71 I
know not this man of whom ye speak. Luke 22:60 And immediately, while he yet
spake, the cock crew Mark 14:72 the second time.
Luke 22:61
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the
word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Mark 14:72 Before the cock crow twice,
thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, Luke 22:62 Peter went out,
and wept bitterly.
“one hour;” things calm down for about an hour, then all hell breaks loose.
“they that stood by;” this is some of the same bunch that confronted him earlier with some
added.
“a Galilaean . . . thy speech agreeth . . . bewrayeth thee;” the people of the Galilee had a
dialect all their own and it stuck out like a sore thumb in downtown Jerusalem. It would be like
taking someone from the Boot-heel of Missouri and putting them in New York City. It’s just
like this old English word “bewrayeth:” it means to betray, and it used four times in the bible:
Proverbs 27:16; 29:24; Isaiah 16:3; and here in Matthew 26:73. {64}
“for he is a Galilaean;” his appearance would have been different too. Remember they were a
vagabond troop of wandering evangelists from up north.
“But he denied again;” this group of denials becomes Peter’s third (for the Gospel’s count and
fourth in actual count). And now he is losing his cool:
“began to curse and to swear;” the old Simon came out and he began to use profanity while
swearing to God that he didn’t know Jesus.
“the cock crew the second time;” remember what we said earlier about the cock crow being at
the beginning and end of the third Roman watch at 3:00 a.m.
“the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter;” can you imagine that look of tender love in
Jesus’eyes? It wasn’t a look of “I told you so.” His love is what convicts us of sin.
“went out, and wept bitterly.” This alone shows repentance. Peter had a good heart; he wanted
to follow Jesus all the way to the end, but he let his arrogance, which is a part of pride get in the
way. Because of his repentance, the risen Christ restored Peter to ministry (see John 21:15-17).
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Wednesday, April 26, AD 30

The Sanhedrin Confirms The Verdict Upon Jesus
Mark 15:1
And straightway Matthew 27:1 When the morning was come, Luke 22:66 as soon as it
was day, Mark 15:1 the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes
and the whole council. Luke 22:66 [They]came together, and led him into their
council, saying, 67 Art thou the Christ? tell us.
“and led him into their council;” after waiting a span of two hours till daylight to reconvene
the council, the Caiaphas can now continue with his illegal proceedings. They have already
found Jesus guilty, the rest of the Sanhedrin now must put their stamp of approval on His death
sentence.
“as soon as it was day;” thinking that doing it in daylight might lend some legitimacy to what
they were doing. {72} And here are a couple more of their Talmud violations: meeting on the
morning of a feast; Talmud violation number six; trying a defendant without defense; Talmud
violation number seven.
“Art thou the Christ?” this is the same question that Jesus was asked a couple hours ago in the
trial they held when it was still dark. The answer hasn’t changed since then. {72}
Luke 22:67
And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 68 And if I also ask
you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. 69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on
the right hand of the power of God. 70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of
God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.71 And they said, What need we
Matthew
any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.
27:1
[And] all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death:
The Talmud says that after hearing testimony no judgment or action may be taken. The entire
Sanhedrin must go home for two days and for at least one of those days eat light food and drink
light wine, sleep well, then come back and hear the testimony again and then they can vote. In
Jesus’ case, judgment and sentencing were rendered in the matter of hours. Talmud violation
number eight.
“nor let me go.” If Jesus had just stopped there, they would have had not enough evidence to
convict Him on. But by saying verse 69 He made Himself equal with God by saying that He was
God’s Son, which He was. But they didn’t believe Him in that regard.
“Ye say that I am;” this is a “Hebraism, denoting a strong affirmation.” {3} The N.I.V.
translates it this way: “You are right in saying I am.”
“all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel;” that is all the members of the
Sanhedrin that were present. They had to take counsel as how to present this to Pilate. He will
not put a man to death for blasphemy against the Jewish God.
Judas Repents Of His Betrayal Of Jesus
Matthew 27:3
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was
condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the
chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the
innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast
down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged
himself. 6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for
to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. 7 And they took
counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore
that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that
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which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces
of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did
value; 10 And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
“repented himself . . . I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.” None of us
is Judas’ judge, only God is; because only God knows his heart when he truly repented and his
guilt got to him so bad that he hanged himself. In Acts 1:16-19 we are told of a purchase of
property that Judas had made with money that he had stolen from the bag (see John 12:6). The
place that Judas bought is the place where he died: “and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the
midst, and all his bowels gushed out.” This place is called the “Place of Blood.” {3} (See Psalm
69:25; 109:8)
“It is not lawful;” it’s ironic how they pick and choose which of the laws that they are going to
obey.
“bought with them the potter’s field,” this is the second property purchase centered around
Judas; it is called the Field of Blood (Matthew 27:8). These are two separate places!
“was spoken by Jeremy the prophet,” see Zechariah 11:12-13 for a similar quote.
5 A.M. Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus’ Trial Before Pilate
Matthew 27:2
And when they had Mark 15:1 bound Jesus, Luke 23:1 And the whole multitude
of them arose, and led him Matthew 27:2 away, John 18:28 from Caiaphas unto the hall of
judgment: Matthew 27:2 and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. John 18:28 And it
was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should
be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
“from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment;” this is only about a quarter of a mile walk
because the Antonia Fortress sits just outside of the north Outer Court Temple wall. The trial
should have been held in the Temple Court anyhow.
The Great Sanhedrin convened every day except festivals and the sabbath day (Shabbat).
“lest they should be defiled;” what a bunch of hypocrites! They just got finished walking all
over the Talmud, the book of the law, and are about to bare false witness against Jesus; but are
worried about defiling themselves for the Passover, which was against their oral law. Jesus was
right about them, they are blinder than lump of coal.
“And it was early;” this was probably before Pilate’s normal wake-up time.
John 18:29
Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against
this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we
would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye
him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is
not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 That the saying of Jesus might be
fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
“What accusation bring ye against this man?” let the proceedings begin. {72} “Why did you
drag me out of bed so early in the morning, isn’t this supposed to be one of your Holy Days?”
“It is not lawful;” it was in the best interest of the Jewish leaders that Jesus be put to death by
Rome so that they would not appear to be responsible for His death. The Jew’s way was stoning
(see Acts 7:58-59); the Roman way was crucifixion.
“signifying what death he should die;” see John 3:14; 8:28; 12:32-33.
Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the
nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a
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King. John 18:33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus,
and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
“forbidding to give tribute to Caesar;” now that’s a bald face lie! In Luke 20:20-25, when
asked by spies of the chief priest and scribes, Jesus expressly upholds the right of the
government to exact taxes. {72}
“saying that he . . . is Christ a King.” This was an insinuation that Jesus was fomenting
insurrection against Rome. Again, a bald face lie! {72}
“Then Pilate . . . called Jesus . . . and said unto him;” Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin just wanted
Pilate to rubber stamp their death sentence and get on with it. But, after taking one look at Jesus,
he realized that Jesus didn’t look anything like the usual claimants to the Jewish throne that were
brought before him.
“Art thou the King of the Jews?” From Pilate’s standpoint, this is the only accusation that he
could take seriously; for to proclaim to be the King of the Jews was rebellion against Rome.
{72} Rome had already appointed kings over the Jews.
Matthew 27:11
And Jesus stood before the governor: John 18: 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest
thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I
a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what
hast thou done?
“did others tell it thee of me?” the reason for the question is twofold; first, to reveal if Pilate is
speaking on his own behalf, or if others have prompted him to charge Jesus in this manner.
Second, to establish if he is using the word king in the Roman sense of a political ruler; or king in
the Jewish sense of the Messianic King. {5}
John 18:36
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of
this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the
Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.37 Pilate therefore said unto him,
Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end
was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness
unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John 18:38
Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went
out again unto the Jews, and saith Luke 23:4 to the chief priests and to the people, John
18:38
I find in Luke 23:4this man John 18:38 no fault at all.
“My kingdom is not of this world;” at this point, Pilate should have given recognition to the
fact that he was in the presents of a foreign royalty and given the proper royal protocol its due.
Christ’s Kingdom, the Kingdom of God, is of another realm that is not confined by space, time,
or matter. Because of this, He was of no threat to Roman security in Judea, or anyplace for that
matter. As a matter of fact this Kingdom delegated its authority to Rome to govern wherever it
had conquered, and put a limit to the lands that it could conquer. (Daniel 9:25). So Roman rule
of Judea was in obedience to the Kingdom of God.
“then would my servants fight;” the very fact that there was no military in Jesus’ entourage,
and no real fighting to prevent His arrest, is the very proof of what He is saying.
“Thou sayest that I am a king.” “Yes, I am a King in a certain sense. I was born to reign to
bear witness to the truth. This is the nature of My kingdom. I do not collect armies, or subdue
nations in battle. I simply present the truth to men.” {5}
“What is truth?” consider this; they were alone in the judgment hall, and as soon as Pilate had
asked the question, without waiting for an answer, “he went out again to the Jews.” This shows
that his question was rhetorical and filled with cynicism. He was convinced that there was no
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real answer the question. And therefore he was not among those whom the Father had given to
the Son; because of John 18:37 and 10:1-5 shows that His know His voice. {72} The answer to
Pilate’s question is “Thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) the Word of God is truth; and since Jesus is
the word of God, Jesus is truth. This is because He only speaks what the Father shows Him to
speak. And the Father can only show Him what the Holy Spirit reveals to the Father.
“I find in this man no fault at all;” this is the first of three times that Pilate says this; proving
that Jesus is innocent and thus qualified to be the unblemished sacrifice for our sins. TheFather,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit are perfect in every way! Pilate was satisfied that Jesus, although
He claimed to be “a king,” yet His kingdom was not of this world, and therefore His claims did
not interfere with those of Caesar.
Luke 23:5
And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching
throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. Matthew 27:12 And when he
was accused Mark 15:3of many things: Matthew 27:12 of the chief priests and elders, he
answered nothing. Mark 15:4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou
nothing? Matthew 27:13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things
they witness against thee? 14 And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that
the governor marvelled greatly.
“they were the more fierce;” at the prospect of seeing their cause slip away they began to press
harder on Pilate with a subject that would most likely affect him. Since he had already acquitted
Jesus of the charge of being an enemy to Caesar, they pushed the other charge as hard as they
could.
“He stirreth up the people;” this is another lie; Jesus taught His followers to live at peace with
everyone; not to strive against them.
“from Galilee to this place.” The entire country of Judea.
“Answerest thou nothing?” to Pilate’s amazement, Jesus remained silent in fulfillment of
prophecy (Isaiah 42:1-2; 53:7), because Pilate had already acquitted Him. {72}
Jesus’ Trial Before Herod Antipas
Luke 23:6
When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. 7
And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to
Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
Luke 23:8
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to
see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped
to have seen some miracle done by him. 9 Then he questioned with him in many
words; but he answered him nothing.
“Herod’s jurisdiction;” Jesus had spent most of His life and ministry in the Galilee and Perea
area, Herod’s Jurisdiction, with trips to Jerusalem only for the feast days three times a year.
“he sent him to Herod;” Jesus had become a political hot potato that was burning his hands.
“Oh, He’s a Galilean; send Him to the one that He belongs to, Herod.”
“for he was desirous to see him;” Jesus reminded Herod too much of Jesus’ cousin John the
Baptist, whom Herod had beheaded. He had at one time threatened to kill Jesus (Luke 13:31-
33). But now Jesus was in Judea, not Galilee or Perea where Herod ruled. So now his concerns
have turned into curiosity. {72}
“he hoped to have seen some miracle;” do me some magic trick and I can set you free.
“but he answered him nothing.” It’s sad commentary when a man's condition is so bad that
Jesus won’t even speak to him! And it is even sadder when you recall that Jesus spoke to all the
others; He spoke to Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, and Pilate. But to Herod, nothing. {72}
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Luke 23:10
And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. 11
And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed
him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
Luke 23:12
And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together [ Strong’s’240
withone another]: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
“vehemently accused him.” Wrongly accused Him of sedition in Herod’s territory.
“Herod with his men of war;” his traveling bodyguard that attended to him daily.
“set him at nought, and mocked him;” they treated Jesus with contempt and ridicule, using the
occasion to perpetrate a joke on Him for Pilate’s entertainment. {72}
“arrayed him in a gorgeous robe;” this would have been a white shining robe whose shine
came from interwoven tinsel or silver. The Roman princes wore purple robes which is what the
Roman soldiers put on Jesus when they mocked Him (see John 19:2 below). The Jews and the
Romans each decked Jesus in the manner of their own country for purposes of mockery. All this
was done to an innocent man.
“sent him again to Pilate.” In Herod’s eyes, Pilate sending Jesus to him was a token of respect,
and maybe, a hope to ending their quarrel.
“made friends together:” the commonly held belief is that the rift between the two leaders was
caused by Pilate’s slaying of the Galileans in Jerusalem (see Luke 13:1-2). As a result of
Herod’s seeing Pilate paying him the respect of sending him the Galilean; and Pilate being
entertained by the joke of the white robe; the breach that had separated them was healed.
7 A.M. Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus Sentenced To Death By Pilate; Barabbas Set Free
Matthew 27:15
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a
Mark 15:6
prisoner, whomsoever they desired. Matthew 27:16 And they had then a notable
John 18:39
prisoner, a robber named Barabbas, Mark 15:7 which lay bound with them that
Luke 23:19
had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in a
Matthew 27:17
certain sedition made in the city, Therefore when they were gathered
together, Mark 15:8 the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had
ever done unto them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, John 18:39 ye have a custom,
that I should release unto you one at the passover: Matthew 27:17 Whom will ye that I
release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? Mark 15:9 Will ye that I
release unto you the King of the Jews? 10 For he knew that the chief priests had
delivered him for envy.
“at that feast;” the Feast of Passover.
“governor was wont;” the word “wont” is Strong’s #. “a primary verb; to be used (by habit
or conventionality); neut. perfect part. usage:— be custom (manner, wont).” {2} So the governor
was in the habit of, or accustomed to “releasing unto the people a prisoner.”
“a robber . . . that had made insurrection . . . committed murder . . . in a certain sedition;”
this is one bad hombre! By combining all four Gospels we get a vivid picture of this notorious
gangster who committed murder during a rebellious uprising right there in Jerusalem.
“Barabbas;” this is Strong’s #. “bar-ab-bas´; son of Abba; Bar-abbas, an Israelite:—
Barabbas.” {2} His name means “son of the father.” {7} And he was released instead of the real
Son of the Father. On the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, two goats are presented; one is
slaughtered as a sin offering for the people, and the other is released into the wilderness. Do you
understand the imagery here?
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Leviticus 16:15
Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and
bring his blood within the vial, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of
the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
vs. 16
And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the
uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all
their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth
among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
vs. 17
And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he
goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have
made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the
congregation of Israel. vs. 18 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the
LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock,
and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.
vs. 19
And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and
cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
vs. 20
And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the
tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
vs. 21
And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and
confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their
transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall
send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
Barabbas was released into the wilderness while Jesus was slaughtered bearing the punishment
for the sins of the congregation of mankind. Barabbas represents Satan upon whose head the
responsibility all the sins of mankind shall rest (verse 21). The wilderness is the bottomless pit;
the fit man is the angel of Revelation 20:1-3 (probably Michael).
Please read Leviticus 16:1-34 for the full instructions for the Day of Atonement, for it is
prophecy.
“which is called Christ . . . the King of the Jews;” Matthew calls Him Christ i.e. the Messiah;
whereas Mark calls Him the King of the Jews and adds the part about the chief priests delivering
Jesus out of envy.
“had delivered him for envy.” Jesus’ popularity with the crowds had grown by leaps and
bounds. In just three and a half years He had become so popular that the Pharisees feared a loss
of their power, which would result in a revolt. What’s so ironic about that is Jesus had
absolutely no intention of fomenting any kind of revolt against Rome.
Matthew 27:19
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him,
saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many
things this day in a dream because of him.
“his wife sent unto him . . . that just man;” even Pilate’s wife confirms Jesus’ spotlessness.
Luke 23:13
And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and
the people, 14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that
perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have
found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: 15 No,
nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto
him. 16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him. 17 (For of necessity he must
release one unto them at the feast.)
“called together;” with the intention of acquitting Jesus of all charges in a public forum.
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“Ye have brought this man . . . one that perverteth the people:” Pilate’s tone is accusatory
towards the chief priests and rulers.
“I . . . have found no fault in this man;” this is the second of three times that Pilate says this;
proving that Jesus is innocent and thus qualified to be the unblemished sacrifice for our sins.
“No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him;” and he confirms that Herod could not condemn
Him. That’s two additional witnesses to Pilate’s judgment of Jesus.
“chastise him;” what a sham! Herod says that He is innocent; Pilate says that He is innocent;
even Pilate’s wife says that He is innocent. But you’re going to punish Him anyhow just for
being innocent. Oh yea, the chief priests and elders of the people say He’s guilty. Who’s in
charge here, Rome, or a bunch of Jews? In the end the Jews win out.
“release him.” Pilate’s hope was that by punishing Jesus he could win the sympathy of the
crowd and that would be enough for His release.
Matthew 27:20
But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should
ask [for] Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto
them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? Luke 23:18 And they cried
out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: John 18:40
Not this man, but Barabbas. Luke 23:20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus,
spake again to them, Matthew 27:22 What shall I do then with Jesus which is called
Christ Mark 15:12 Whom ye call the King of the Jews? Luke 23:21 But they Matthew 27:22 all
Luke 23:21
cried, saying, Matthew 27:22 unto him, Let him be crucified. Luke 23:21 Crucify
him, crucify him. 22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he
done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let
him go.
“the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude;” if Pilate was to release anyone it
would be to the multitude, not to the chief priests. Among the people of Jerusalem, Galileans
were held in contempt, so persuading the multitude to ask for Barabbas over Jesus was easy.
“what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him;” this is the third time that
Pilate says this; proving that Jesus is innocent and thus qualified to be the unblemished sacrifice
for our sins. It is absolutely amazing that sum total of all the trials and all the accusations levied
against Jesus, His Glory shone as bright as ever as affirmed these three times by Pilate, his wife,
and Herod.
John 19:1
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2 And the soldiers
platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple
robe, 3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
4
Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth
to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
“scourged him.” This was very cruel in itself. The scourging whip was made of thongs to
which had attached to it sharp pieces of metal and bone. Prisoners were beaten across the back,
having the flesh and sometimes the bones and organs ripped out. Many prisoners died from this
cruel punishment.
“crown of thorns, and put it on his head;” this crown would have been mane from long spikes
of a date palm formed into a radiating crown. {72} In Genesis 3:17-18 God says that the Ground
is cursed because of man’s sin and will produce thorns and thistles. By Jesus wearing this
Crown of thorns on His head He is paying the penalty of that curse. The head is where the
thought process is and the decision making happens. Adam made a wrong decision to eat of the
forbidden fruit and sinned. Now Jesus is paying the penalty for that decision.
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“they put on him a purple robe;” the symbol and color of Roman royalty; and now with the
fake crown of thorns, the mocking begins of the one who spoke the universe into existence.
“I bring him forth to you . . . I find no fault in him.” For the fourth Pilate says “I find no fault
in him.” There is no telling what the chief priests and elders would have done if Pilate had
released Jesus instead of Barabbas.
John 19:5
Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe.
And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! 6 When the chief priests therefore
and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith
unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.
“Behold the man!” Jesus must have looked a pathetic sight; all bruised up, swollen, bleeding,
could hardly see because the blood from the crown wounds running in His eyes. Pilate’s
thinking this loathsome sight can’t be no king; surely the crowd will let me release Him. The
reply that he got back stunned him.
“Crucify him, crucify him.” Pilate overestimated the effect of his presentation of the beaten
down Jesus. Caiaphas and his crowd were adamant; they wanted nothing less than Jesus on a
cross, and that is the least that they would settle for. Notice the word “him” is in Italics both
times. They just shouted the word “Crucify, crucify!
“Take ye him, and crucify him:” “and suffer the consequences of Roman law for killing an
innocent man; because I am telling you for the fifth time now that I find no fault in Him.”
John 19:7
The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die,
because he made himself the Son of God. 8 When Pilate therefore heard that
saying, he was the more afraid; 9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith
unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate
unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to
crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest
have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore
he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
“We have a law;” they were talking about Leviticus 24:16: “He that blasphemeth the name of
the LORD, he shall surely be put to death.” They say, that because Jesus said that He was the
“Son of God,” that He blasphemed God in that He made Himself, a mere mortal, equal with God,
thus dragging down the name of God. But this was not the original charge that they had brought
before Pilate; they had charged Jesus with sedition. On that charge Pilate had examined Jesus
and found Him innocent. So now they hastily switch to plan “B,” hit him with claiming to be
God.
“he was the more afraid;” oops! Pilate just had someone scourged and tortured who had divine
powers and could enact severe vengeance upon him. Remember the Romans were very
superstitious about such things. {72}
“Whence art thou?” Where are You from? Remember that Jesus had told Pilate that His
kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Pilate’s mind is going a mile a minute; he needs to
know just who he is dealing with. {72}
“Jesus gave him no answer.” even though Pilate was convinced of Jesus’ innocence, he still
had Jesus beaten and mocked, so Jesus had no reason to expect any justice at his hands. This
fulfilled Isaiah 53:7 to the “T.” “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his
mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter . . .”
“no power;” the only power that you have is the power that is given to you; and no more; it has
limits.
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“except it were given thee from above:” kings and those in high government office very often
get a pride about them that they were the ones that got them all this power and this is theirs’ to
do as they see fit. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon found out about this pride in Daniel chapter
Four where God had to show him the error of his ways. All authority and power to govern
comes from God; He causes kings and nations to rise and fall according to His indisputable will.
Whenever a person is allowed to sit in a position of authority, it is to serve whatever they are in
authority over.
“he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” This is for both Judas and Caiaphas, for
both knew or should know that Jesus is the Son of God and still delivered Him up to be killed.
Both did this deliberately and with premeditation; which makes their sin so terrible. {72}
John 19:12
And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out,
saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh
himself a king speaketh against Caesar. 13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying,
he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called
the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 And it was the preparation of the
passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
15
But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith
unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no
king but Caesar. Luke 23:23 And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
“thou art not Caesar’s friend:” what a bunch of hypocrites! They hated Caesar so much it
made their blood boil. But when it suits their purposes they’ll invoke his name. That’s because
they knew that Pilate feared Caesar more than they did. Pilate had already caused the Jews to be
on the verge of revolt with a couple of blunders; one more could spell the end of his reign. This
could actually be interpreted as an accusation of sedition against Rome. {72}
We were never in bondage to any; (see John 8:33) and confirmed what afterward they said, “We
have no king but Caesar.” It is a rule in the Jewish Talmud, that "he is the king of the country
whose coin is current in the country." {49} By swearing allegiance to Caesar, they were giving
up on God to rescue them from the tyranny of Rome and accepting him as their god. They thus
violated the first commandment.
“it was the preparation of the passover;” the Jews were preparing for their Passover meal, for
the next day was a High Holy Sabbath, the First Day of Unleavened Bread, no work could be
done.
“about the sixth hour:” this, according to John is 6 A.M. because he is writing to Gentiles and
therefore using Roman time. Keep this in mind when we talk about the crucifixion time of
9 A.M.
“Behold your King!” Pilate gets in on the mockery but his is directed at the Jews more than at
Jesus that they would call such a pathetic looking person as their king. He even carries on with it
by putting on the placard on Jesus’ cross. {72}
Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult
was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am
innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the
people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Mark 15:15 And so Pilate,
willing to content the people, Luke 23:24 gave sentence that it should be as they
required. 25 And he released unto them Mark 15:15 Barabbas Luke 23:25 that for sedition
and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to
their will.
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“His blood be on us, and on our children.” The Jews in the crowd accepted the responsibility
for blood of Jesus; and that blood is also on their children, who have been the most despised in
all the earth.
“And so Pilate . . . gave sentence;” in the parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18:2-5) Jesus points
out that persistence can wear an unjust person down to the point that they cave in and give you
what you want. That’s what happened here: Pilate, the unjust judge, was worn down by a bunch
of Priests led Jews that wanted an innocent man murdered.
Additional Mockery From Roman Soldiers
Matthew 27:26
When he had scourged Jesus, he delivered himJohn 19:16 unto them Matthew
27:26
to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor John 19:16 took Jesus, and
led him away Mark 15:17 into the hall, called Praetorium [or, the palace, or, hall of
audience]; and they call together the whole band. Matthew 27:27 of soldiers. 28 And
they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. Mark 15:17 And they clothed him
with purple, Matthew 27:29 and (put) a reed in his right hand: Mark 15:18 And began to
salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! Matthew 27:29 And they bowed the knee before him,
and mocked him, Mark 15: 18 [and] worshipped him. Matthew 27:30 And they spit upon him,
and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
“When he had scourged Jesus;” this was the second whipping (John 19:1-5) and usually was
given prior to crucifixion. It was designed to weaken the victim (Isaiah 53:5). {72}
“he delivered him;” this word “delivered” is an interesting word; it means to be “led,” not
driven or dragged like you would think one would have to do to get someone to the cross. It is
the same word that is used in Romans chapter 1 verses 24; 26; & 28 where God “gave them
over.” This is the same Greek word Strong’s #G3860. In both cases they went willingly; Jesus
to the cross and in Romans one the sinners to deeper sin. Isaiah 53:7 says the same thing using a
different word: “he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.” The word “brought” is
Strong’s#H2986 a prim. root; prop. to flow; caus. to bring (espec. with pomp):— bring (forth),
carry, lead (forth).” {2}
“took Jesus, and led him away;”we’ve already touched on this but they took Jesus from Pilate
straight to crucifixion in clear violation of the Talmud. Talmud violation number nine. The
Talmud says that after hearing testimony no judgment or action may be taken. The entire
Sanhedrin must go home for two days and for at least one of those days eat light food and drink
light wine, sleep well, then come back and hear the testimony again and then they can vote. In
Jesus’ case judgment and sentencing were rendered in the matter of hours. This was the Talmud,
Jewish Law; and the Romans had affirmed it: two days between trial and execution in which new
evidence might come to light; in which final visitation with family could take place; in which the
condemned might make his peace with God. But not for Jesus, they wanted Him dead, and they
were very efficient at it; from the time of arrest to the time of death was about fifteen hours.
Think of it! Fifteen glorious hours that freed us of the penalty of all of our sins; because He
loved us that much. This was His purpose; it is why He came in the flesh to suffer all this pain
and die for our sins. He had planned this from the foundations of the earth (Revelation 13:8).
And all He ask in return is that we obey His commandments; love Him and each other.
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{62}
The above picture taken by Howard Vos is of an excavated area in ancient Jerusalem known as
the Pavement (John 19:13). Some scholars place this in the Fortress of Antonia where Pilate
pronounced the death sentence upon Jesus (verse 16).
“the soldiers of the governor;” there were a total of about 600 to serve the governor. {72}
“the whole band of soldiers.” All those that weren’t on duty got in on the action. {72} Try to
imagine getting beat on by several hundred men. Oh, and remember you had already been
beaten once before, just about a half an hour ago; so this is injury upon injury, pain upon pain.
“a scarlet robe.” In Mark 15:17 it calls for the color “purple.” There is no conflict here; the
ancients gave the name “purple” to any color that had a mixture of “red” in
it, and consequently these different colors might be sometimes called by the
same name. The “robe” used here was the same kind worn by Roman
generals and other distinguished officers of the Roman army, and also by the
Roman governors. {55} It was probably some old discarded one that was handy
“(put) a reed in his right hand:” with a crown of thorns from earlier already piercing His scalp
giving Him a headache, and most of His body screaming in pain, a reed is placed in His right
hand like it was a scepter while the soldiers mockingly bow before Him as if He was the king.
“Hail, King of the Jews!” This is a mockery of the salute that they would give to Caesar. {72}
“they spit upon him;” this was prophesied in Isaiah 50:6.
“took the reed, smote him on the head.” Any reed long enough and stout enough to simulate a
scepter would resemble a broom handle. {72} Being struck on the head by a broom handle not
only hurts a lot, but will bruise deeply. What is absolutely surprising about all this is that Jesus
did not sustain any broken bones.
Jesus’ Journey To Golgotha
Matthew 27:31
And after that they had mocked him, they took Mark 15:20 the purple Matthew
27:31
robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to
crucify him.
“And after that they had mocked him;” these morons had their fun by mocking the creator of
the universe for about two and half hours.
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“led him away;” this being “led” away is different than when He went willingly; He has
suffered another beating and is now so bloodied and probably delirious He has to be led around
by someone like you would steer a blind man.
“to crucify him.” Crucifixion is undoubtedly the cruelest form of torturous death that man has
ever devised. The Romans acquired it from the Persians, Phoenicians, and Carthaginians. But
the Romans had perfected it as a slow motion death where the subject could linger in agonizing
pain for days until birds of prey ate them. But most died of exhaustion, dehydration, or
suffocation because their legs could no longer support their body weight which so constricted the
diaphragm so that breathing was impossible. Broken legs means that suffocation would take
place sooner. {72} That is why “the Jews besought Pilate” that their legs would be broken
because it was the day before a High Sabbath.
John 19:17
And he bearing his cross went forth. Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they
found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: Mark 15:21 the father of Alexander and
Rufus, Luke 23:26 coming out of the country, Mark 15:21 who passed by, Luke 23:26

and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
“he bearing his cross went forth;” a type of Isaac in Gen 22:6. The cross would have been
made of cedar, pine, and cypress trees. This is an reference to Isaiah 60:13 "The glory
of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box (cypress) together to
beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious." The link here
is the phrase “ the place of my feet” which is interpreted as footrest on which Jesus’ feet were
nailed. {8}
“as they came out;” of the city of Jerusalem. This is to fulfill the law:
Exodus 29:14
But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn
with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.
Leviticus 4:12
Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a
clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire:
where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.
Leviticus 16:25
And the fat of the sin offering shall he burn upon the altar. 26 And he
that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in
water, and afterward come into the camp. 27 And the bullock for the sin offering,
and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement
in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in
the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung.
Hebrews 13:11
For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary
by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12 Wherefore Jesus also,
that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
To satisfy the law in every respect, Jesus was crucified outside the city walls, but within
visibility of the city.
“a man of Cyrene;” was located in northern Africa in eastern Libya. It was a Greek city in the
province of Cyrenaica with a Jewish population of approximately 100,000. Cyrenian Jews had
their own Synagogue in Jerusalem and many went there for the annual feasts. {8}“the father of
Alexander and Rufus;” there is some speculation that Rufus is the one mentioned in Romans
16:13.
“on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” By now Jesus was so
weakened because of the beatings that He had taken that He could barely walk much less drag a
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cross on His shoulder “whose total weight would be about 90 pounds.” (Article Source:
http//EzineArticles.com/0747747) {66}

{68}
“bear it after Jesus.” The word “after” can have two meanings here; but only one applies.
Strong’s #. “from the rear (as a secure aspect), i.e. at the back (adv. and prep. of place or
time):— after, backside, behind.” {2} Simon was right behind Jesus caring most of the weight of
the cross, and probably helping Jesus to stay upright and on track. They were a twosome trying
to get that load up that hill; only, one of them was about half dead.
Luke 23:27
And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which
also bewailed and lamented him.
Luke 23:28
But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for
me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29 For, behold, the days are
coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that
never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. 30 Then shall they begin to say to
the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31 For if they do these things
in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
“Daughters of Jerusalem,” these are the first recorded words of Jesus after leaving Pilate’s
presence. He had endured all the scourging, mocking, and spitting in silence. But when He
breaks His silence it is to show concern for others.
“Blessed are the barren,” for those that have known the grief of losing a child, you can
understand what Jesus is saying here: “It is better to not have had any children than to have them
and watch them die before your eyes.” Jesus is speaking about the judgment would be coming
upon all Jerusalem and Judea in about forty years hence (Luke 19:41-44).
“to say to the mountains,” this is a quote from Hosea 10:8, and Revelation 6:16.
“green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” If Pilate could sentence to death someone that he
acknowledged five times that he could find no fault in; what’s going to happen when Rome had
to deal with a rebellious people? 1 Peter 4:17 states basically the same thing: “For it is time for
judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the
outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM,
Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
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Jesus Is Crucified; First Three Hours On The Cross

Matthew 27:32
And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to
death. And when they were come to a John 19:12 place called the place of a skull,
33

which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Matthew 27:34 They gave him vinegar to
drink mingled with gall Mark 15:23 myrrh: Matthew 27:34: and when he had tasted thereof,
he would not drink. Luke 23:33 There they crucified him.
“there were also two other, malefactors,” here Matthew calls them malefactors and in verse 38
he calls them thieves. These were probably cohorts of Barabbas’ gang of guerilla rebels.
Barabbas was well known so the crowd shouted for his release. These two weren’t so well
known, so they get crucified. This is a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12: “ . . . he was numbered among
the transgressors; . .”
“the place of a skull, . . . in the Hebrew Golgotha;” from the Praetorium is a little over a third
of a mile; 1968 feet (600m). That might not seem like much but keep in mind that Jesus has
been beaten to a pulp and is still wearing a crown of thorns. He can barely walk.
“vinegar to drink mingled with gall – myrrh:” Mark also calls it wine mixed with myrrh.
When wine gets old it sours into vinegar, so it is still useful, it’s just very acidic. Myrrh is a
narcotic that dulls the senses and therefore deadens the pain: this is an act of mercy because
crucifixion can last for days.
“he would not drink.” After tasting, Jesus recognized the drink and refused it because He
needed all His wits about Him. Later on He would minister to one of the Malefactors. {72}
“they crucified him.” They stripped Him of all His clothing. {72} And then forced Jesus to lie
down and stretch His arms out and then they drove nails through His hands into the horizontal
beam of the cross (see note below picture). Then they nailed his feet to the footrest of the
vertical post by driving one nail through both of His insteps into the footrest. Then the soldiers,
using ropes and push polls, raised the cross with Jesus nailed to it into the upright position let it
fallviolently into the hole in the rocks of the hill. Then they simply wedged it into place. That
sudden fall and stop gave the person on the cross a violent and convulsive shock, magnifying
their suffering and pain.

{67}
Two corroded Roman-era iron nails that some have suggested pinned Jesus to the cross appear to
have been used in an ancient crucifixion, according to a new study. {67}
Note: according to medical studies, a nail through either the wrists or the hands would
be strong enough to hold a person to a cross. It pointed out that the conjunctive tissue
in the hand is stronger than a rope. And an Old Testament prophecy brings relevance to
the argument for the hands. Psalm 22:16 states “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly
of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” The Hebrew word for
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hands used here is Strong’s # 3027; “a prim. word; a hand.” {2} There is a second witness for
the argument for the hands and that is found in the New Testament in Luke 24: 39-40: “ Behold
my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and
bones, as ye see me have.” Here again the Greek word for hands used here is Strong’s #5495;
“the hand.” {2} thus giving us our two witnesses for Jesus being nailed through His hands.{69}
Note: Shame was the other first thing that Adam experienced right after eating of the forbidden
fruit (he was naked so he covered himself with fig leaves). This is why it was so important that
Jesus be shamed by being crucified naked. He absorbed that shame and nailed it to the cross so
that we might be delivered from it. Jesus took the shame and fear of being in the presence of
God and nailed them to the cross; we can now approach the throne of God boldly as His children
and cry out Abba.
Matthew 27:35
And [as] they crucified him, Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do. Mark 15:25 And it was the third hour, Luke
23:35
And the people stood beholding.
“Father, forgive them;” This is the first of seven utterances of Jesus from the cross. Some of
the fruits of this saying were seen at Pentecost (Acts 2:41). {72} This too was a fulfillment of
Isaiah 53:12: “ . . .and made intercession for the transgressors.” It also applies to us; after nailing
everything to the cross that separated us from the Father.
“for they know not what they do.” This prayer includes all who sin without knowledge of that
sin, like the four soldiers that crucified Him; they were just doing their duty. It includes Pilate;
who sentenced Jesus to death knowing that Jesus was innocent. And the chief priests, scribes,
and Pharisees who also knew that Jesus was an innocent man. They had Him put away out of
jealousy and willful spiritual blindness. Jesus is asking the Father to forgive them all.
“the third hour,” this is Mark keeping time in the Jewish way where the day starts at 6 A.M.
So Mark’s third hour is 9 A.M. John is keeping time the Roman way where the day started at
midnight, so for him it is the 9th hour.
John 19:23
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and
made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was
without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among
themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be. Luke 23:34 And
they parted his raiment, and cast lots Mark 15:24 [to determine] what every man
should take. John 19:24 That the scripture might be fulfilled, Matthew 27: which was
spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my
vesture did they cast lots.
John 19:24
These things therefore the soldiers did. Matthew 27: 36 And sitting down they
watched him there.
“took his garments,” it was a Roman custom for soldiers that executed a person to inherit the
victim’s clothing and any other possessions that he had with him. This was a fulfillment of
Psalm 22:18: “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” {72}
NOTE: Four unnamed Roman soldiers, who just happened to be assigned to the crucifixion duty
that day. And it happened to be the day that Jesus ended up wearing a seamless tunic. So they
recognizing the value of this one piece of woven cloth; not knowing the Jewish Scriptures,
decided to cast lots for this tunic. In order to enter the Holy of Holies the High Priest wore
among other things a tunic that according to Josephus was seamless. Makes you wonder what
became of the Roman soldier that ended up with Jesus’ seamless tunic.
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“They part my garments among them,” this is just one phrase of the 22nd Psalm that David
wrote. God had given David this vision while he was in his troubles so that he could prophecy
the crucifixion of Jesus in vivid detail over a thousand years before it happened. He had no idea
what Roman crucifixion would be like except what God showed him in his vision.
“sitting down they watched him there.” Their job is to sit there and watch three people die a
very agonizing death; how gruesome can you get?
John 19:19
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. Matthew 27:37 And set up over
his head Mark 15:26 the superscription Matthew 27:37 [of] his accusation written, THIS IS
John 19:19
JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title then
read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the
city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21 Then said the chief
priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I
am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
“Pilate wrote a title,” a person to be executed would have this placard, a wooden board, hung
around their neck with the list of their crimes written on it. When they got to the execution site
the placard was then fastened to the cross above their head. In Jesus’ case it was written in
Hebrew, Greek, and Latin so that all the visitors of Jerusalem could read it: remember it’s
Passover season so there are a lot of foreigners in town. {72}
“set up over his head;” this meant that Jesus was crucified on a traditional cross with an
extension above His head, not the “T” type or “X” type. {72}
“THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Pilate’s purpose here was not aimed at honoring or mocking
Jesus, but at the Jewish leaders that had brought this innocent man to him. They of course
objected, to which Pilate stood firm by saying “What I have written have written.” He had
already given in to their demands against his better judgment by condemning Jesus; and now
they come back again like they are the ones in charge instead of him. {72}
Matthew 27:38
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, Mark 15:27 the one on his
right hand, and the other on his left, John 19:18 and Jesus in the midst. Mark 15:28 And the
scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
Matthew 27:39
And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying,
Mark 15:29
Ah, Matthew 27:40 Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
Matthew 27:41
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, Mark 15:31 among themselves
Matthew 27:41
with the scribes and elders, Luke 23:35 derided him, saying, Matthew 27:42 He
saved others; himself he cannot save. Luke 23:35 let him save himself, if he be Christ,
the chosen of God. Matthew 27:42 If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down
from the cross, Mark 15:32 that we may see and believe Matthew 27:42
him. 43 He
trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the
Son of God. Luke 23:36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and
offering him vinegar, 37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
Matthew 27:44
The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his
teeth.
“two thieves;” the word thief is from Strong’s #.” (to plunder); a brigand:— robber, thief.”
{2} Under Roman law this sort of crime was not subject to the death penalty. As stated above
these were probably part of Barabbas’ rebel group of insurrectionists. {72}
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“Jesus in the midst.” What Pilate intended for an insult to the Jews by implying that their king
was a mere criminal, God used it as a fulfillment of prophecy, Isaiah 53:12 “. . . he was
numbered with the transgressors.” {72}
“wagging their heads,” this is a gesture of disgust and contempt (see 2 Kings 19:21; Job 16:4;
Psalm 22:7; 44:14; 109:25; Jeremiah 18:16; Lamentations 2:15). {72}
“destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,” first of all, these passersby were
misquoting a charge that was made at Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas. Jesus originally said in John
2:19 “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” It seems like everybody missed
the point! {72} They left out the word “this,” which is the key word of the sentence because it
identifies which body that He is referring to. Jesus was referring to the temple of His body
(verse 21) and His three day resurrection with a rebuilt spiritual body. {72}
“If thou bethe Son of God,” “If” is the mockery of the doubters, you automatically know that
something bad is going to come out of their mouths when phrased like this.
“come down from the cross.” Just another demand for a miracle from an audience that
wouldn’t believe even if you performed a million miracles. Their claim “that we may see and
believe him” was a lie. They didn’t believe when they heard that He was resurrected; they tried
to cover it up.
“derided him, saying,” this is a fulfillment of Psalm 22:6-7; 16-18.
“the soldiers also mocked him,” almost the entire audience is getting in on the act now.
“offering him vinegar,” wine that had become acidic. Crucifixion is a thirsty was to die, and
although the vinegar would be sour to the mouth, it is ninety to ninety-five percent water.
“The thieves also, which were crucified with him,” one last laugh at some bodies else’s
expense.
“cast the same in his teeth.” This is a poor translation that simply means to revile.
Luke 23:39
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If
thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him,
saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And
we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath
done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou
comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To
day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
“one of the malefactors;” although both of Jesus crucifixion companions were caught up in the
taunting of Jesus by the rulers and soldiers for a while; apparently one of them kept on doing it
after the other one stopped. His conscience kicked in and he realized that this was all wrong.
“this man hath done nothing amiss.” Even this insurrectionist could tell that Jesus was an
innocent man.
“Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” This isn’t just recognition of
Jesus’ innocence; but a full blown revelation that He is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.
He, the thief, saw that in Jesus the Kingdom of God was not of this earth; and that he was not
worthy of it. But, next to him hung the way to become worthy. This all came to him by divine
revelation while he hung there, himself dying on the cross. This is the second saying of Jesus on
the cross.
“Paradise.” This word only appears in two other places in the New Testament: 2 Corinthians
12:4; Revelation 2:7. The word suggests a garden like Eden with the tree of life and the river of
life (see Revelation 22:1, 2), and it definitely speaks of heaven. {72}
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John 19:25
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister,
Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his
mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother,
Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And
from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
“his mother;” a hard look needs to be taken at Mary and what must have been her
disappointment at this time. It goes all the way back to the visit by Gabriel in Luke 1:32:
Luke 1:32
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give
unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” And she can remember the visit by the shepherds as
they told of the angels singing “Glory to God in the highest;” and how at His presentation at the
temple both Simeon and Anna spoke of Jesus being the Messiah. She remembers the three
foreign kings who presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh; and of their having to
runaway to Egypt. And then when He was just twelve He astounded the teachers in the temple.
As He began His ministry He preformed all those miracles and preached about God and love and
forgiveness.
And now it all leads up to this? She watches Him dying on a tree? Naked and shamed?
Deuteronomy 21:23
(for he that is hanged is accursed of God;)
It is doubtful that Mary knew at this time that this was all part of God’s plan that her son had to
die on the cross for our sins, and that He would be resurrected in three days. She had just been
told that John would take care of her despite the fact that she had other children; James for
instance, who later became one of the leaders of the church and wrote the letter that bears his
name in the Bible. Like all the others, she would have to wait till the first day of the week, and
by then, it would have set in that this loved one is really dead, and the grieving now sets in; the
deep crying, the heartache of knowing that you will never see that person again. Mary had
already lost her spouse, and now she has lost her first-born son.
None of us can imagine the joy that she felt when she realized that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Now all of the prophecies that she had been told about Him would come true.
“and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.” There were
four women at the cross that day: Mary, Jesus’ mother; Mary’s sister Aunt Salome who was
married to Zebedee and the mother of James and John (see Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40); Mary
the wife of Cleophas and the mother of James the younger and Joses (see Matthew 27:56); and
Mary Magdalene from Magdala, about six miles south of Capernaum and whom Jesus had
healed of demon possession (see Luke 8:2-3). {72}
“the disciple standing by, whom he loved;” John identifies himself as the disciple that Jesus
loved in John 21:20-24. Jesus’ brother James, the next oldest of Mary’s boys would have been at
best 19 years old if she got pregnant shortly after the incident of Jesus getting lost in the temple
at the age of twelve. So James is still a teenager at the time of Jesus crucifixion; he wasn’t there;
and was not sympathetic to Jesus’ cause. This is the third time that Jesus speaks from the cross.
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Abib 14, the first month of the sacred year
Final Three Hours On The Cross; Jesus’ Death
Matthew 27:45
Now from the sixth hour Luke 23:45 the sun was darkened, [and] Matthew
27:45 46
there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the
ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? Mark
15:34
which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
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“from the sixth hour;” it is twelve noon now and Jesus has three more hours of this suffering to
endure.
“there was darkness;” - This could not have been an eclipse of the sun, for the Passover was
celebrated at the time of the full moon, when the moon is opposite to the sun. {55}
It's noon now as darkness covers the land; and as Jesus is hanging on the cross for three more
hours in excruciating pain, His fears are realized as he no longer senses the presence of the
Father and cries out "My God; My God; why have You forsaken Me?" (See Psalm 22:1) He has
now become the darkness of our sin and God now symbolizes it by turning the sky dark. Up till
now He was tortured with beatings, whips, thorns, and insults to heal us of our infirmities.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was wounded (tormented) for our transgressions, he was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes
we are healed.
But now the final judgment has come and the sin of man are laid upon the innocent Jesus to
become our scapegoat. Yes, God now deserts Jesus in the hour that He needs Him the most!
“Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” it is getting close to three P.M. now and through His weariness
Jesus finds enough strength to cry out these words. The following are from Strong’s Exhaustive
Concordance: Eli;. ay-lee´ of Hebrew origin [410 with pron. suff.]; my God:— Eli.
{2}
lama. lam-ah´; of Hebrew origin [4100 with prep. pref.]; lama (i.e. why):— lama. {2}
sabachthani. sab-akh-than-ee´; of Chaldean origin; thou hast left me; sabachthani, a cry
of distress:— sabachthani. {2}
“why hast thou forsaken me?” For eternity past Jesus had been with the Father. Even as a man
here on earth he had the Holy Spirit in Him and thus the presence of the of the Father. But in the
blackness of the sin of mankind that He has become while on the cross; the Holy Spirit cannot,
and will not dwell. This is unique to Jesus alone. Tens of thousands of people were crucified by
the Romans in a similar manner as Jesus was; but only Jesus bore the burden of the sins of the
world and had the distinction of the loss of the Father on top of that. So His suffering can be
compared to nobody. People die every day; some even die with a smile on their face; most
don’t. But of all the people that have ever lived and died, or ever will, Jesus stands out as the
only one that will have ever suffered the great loss of the Father while caring the burden of the
sins of mankind, which added greatly to His suffering. Understand that this was a double
wammy: the spiritual burden of caring the sins of mankind adds to His already physical
suffering. Then the loss of the presence of the Father adds even more to His suffering. This is
His fourth time of speaking from the cross.
Matthew 27:47 Mark
Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said,
15:35
Behold, Matthew 27:47 This man calleth for Elias.
John 19:28
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the
scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.29 Now there was set a vessel full of
vinegar: Matthew 27: 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled
it with vinegar, and put it on a reed [of] John 19:29 hyssop, and put it to his mouth,
Matthew 27: 48
and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias
will come to save him [and] Mark 15:36 take him down. John 19:30 When Jesus therefore
had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished.
“that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” This is a fulfillment of Psalm 69:21:
“They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. ” This is
Jesus’ fifth time of speaking from the cross.
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“a vessel full of vinegar:” this is not the same stuff that was mixed with myrrh to ease His pain;
no, this was just plain old sour wine that was used to prolong the torture. {72}
“hyssop,” is a plant that was used in the Old Testament for sprinkling (see Exodus 12:22).
“Elias;” Elijah the forerunner of the Messiah. {72} From our point of view, it would be like
saying “Let John the Baptist save this so called Messiah.”
“It is finished.” The shout of victory; the redeeming of man is complete! “Mission
accomplished; I have done everything that we agreed that I should do while I was here on earth.
All the plans that we talked about before we even created anything, I have completed. There is
only one thing left.” Even though Jesus can’t feel the presence of the Father, He still reports to
the Father, knowing that the Father still hears Him. This is the sixth thing that Jesus says from
the cross.
Luke 23:46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy
hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, John 19:30 he bowed his head, and
gave up the ghost.
“cried with a loud voice, “despite all the pain, the suffering, the mocking, the embarrassment,
the trauma of separation from the Father that He had been through; Jesus still musters up enough
energy to shout out this saying:
“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:” Jesus dies quoting Psalm 31:5 laying down
His life like He said He would in John 10:18. {72} He was in 100% control, surrendering both
physical life and soul; even trusting in the Father who had deserted Him.
Note: Here in order are the seven words of Jesus while on the cross: (1) “Father, forgive them,
for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34); (2) “Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be
with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43); (3) “Woman, behold thy son,” “Behold thy mother” (John
19:26-27); (4) “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34); (5) “I thirst” (John
19:28); (6) “It is finished” (John 19:29); (7) “Into Thy hands I commend My spirit” (Luke
23:46).
Witnesses To Jesus’ Death
Matthew 27:51
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the
bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
“the veil of the temple;” was, according to Josephus, 4 inches thick by 60 feet tall and was
white, blue, scarlet, royal purple. And as Jesus dies, the exit of God from the land becomes
complete as He deserts the temple by exiting the Holy of Holies and tearing the separating
curtain in two from top to bottom. For God will no longer be found in buildings of stone and
wood, but in the hearts of men.
Ezekiel 11:19
And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you;
and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of
flesh: 20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do
them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 36:26
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you:
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart
of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my
statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in
the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your
God.
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There are your two witnesses confirming what God will do and has done for us that
believe.Some religions still have God locked up in a little box on the altar and only open it up for
services. They have confined Him to their own version of the Arc of the Covenant.
“the earth did quake, and the rocks rent:” all of this, Jesus dying, the redemption of man, God
leaving the Temple was indeed an earth-shaking, rock splitting event. The entire cosmos rolled
because the spiritual world had been turned right-side up.
Matthew 27:52
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept
arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy
city, and appeared unto many.
“bodies of the saints which slept;” where were they asleep? In their graves; they were in a
thoughtless dreamless state: “ . . . but the dead know not anything,” Ecclesiastes 9:5.
“after his resurrection;” it doesn’t get any plainer than that, this all happened after Jesus’
resurrection.
“appeared unto many.” This was a foretaste of what is spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
These select saints received their glorified bodies, “appeared to many,” and then ascended to
glory. {72}
Matthew 27:54
Now when the centurion, Mark 15:39 which stood over against him, Matthew
27:54
and they that were with him, watching Jesus, Mark 15:39 saw that he so cried out,
and gave up the ghost, Matthew 27:54 [and] saw the earthquake, and those things that
were done, they feared greatly, Luke 23:47 glorified God, saying, Mark 15:39
Truly
Luke 23:47
this man was the Son of God. [And] Certainly this was a righteous man. 48
And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which
were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
“the centurion,” this guy was in charge of the crucifixion of all three. A centurion was usually
the commander of one hundred soldiers and was considered the backbone of the Roman army.
{72}
“and they that were with him,” the three others that were with him (remember the four pieces
of Jesus’ clothing, one for each soldier). According to Mark, it was the centurion that made the
confession, but he was probably speaking for the others as well.
“saw that he so cried out,” this was not this centurion’s first rodeo, he had seen many men die
on the cross. But none like this one: never before had anyone surrendered themselves to their
god. Never before had there been an earthquake. And never before had the sky gotten so black
for three solid hours. He saw the hatred of the Jewish leaders toward Jesus, and His lack of
response. He became convinced that “Truly this man was the Son of God.” According to
tradition this man became a believer. {72}
“smote their breasts,” they did this out of fear of further displeasure of the Almighty, and the
heartache of witnessing what Jesus went through.
Luke 23:49
And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee
Matthew 27:55
ministering unto him, Luke 23:49 stood afar off, beholding these things. Matthew
27:56 Mark 15:40
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of
Matthew 27:56
James the less and of Joses, and Salome; the mother of Zebedee’s
Mark 15:41
children, (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered
unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
“and the women that followed him from Galilee;” these women were there for Jesus’ death
(see below), burial (Matthew 27:61; Mark15:47; Luke 23:55, and resurrection (Matthew 28:1;
Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1. Three gospels identify different women at the cross: Matthew, Mark, and
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John; while Luke doesn’t identify anybody. But when you investigate it you find the following
names:
1) Mary Magdalene was definitely there; she is listed plainly in all three gospels. She is
identified in Luke 8:2 as having seven demons cast out of her.
2) Salome (Mark 15:40), the wife of Zebedee and the mother of his children Matthew 27:56
James and John the apostles. According to medieval tradition she is known as Mary Salome one
of the daughters of Anne, and half-sister of Mary, mother of Jesus. {8}
3) Mary the mother of Jesus (John 19:25).
4) Mary the wife of Cleophas (John 19:25) the mother of James the Less and Joses, two
apostles. Funny how the mothers of four of the apostles where there but the apostles weren’t;
except for John. {72}
“and many other women;” we know from Luke 8:3 that at least Joanna the wife of Chuza
Herod’s steward, and Susanna were there, and many others. Remember this is Passover so they
had to be in Jerusalem anyhow.
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus’ Side Is Pierced; Body Is Removed From The Cross
John 19:31
The Jews therefore, Mark 15:42 when the even was come, because it was the
preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, John 19:31 that the bodies should not
remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,)
besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken
away. 32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other
which was crucified with him.
“the even was come,” the evening was approaching is a better translation. It was probably
about four o’clock in the afternoon. Now, keep in mind that the sun sets at just after six p.m.
since this is just after the spring equinox; and the High Holy Sabbath of the First Day of
Unleavened Bread will begin at that sundown. This is not, repeat not, the weekly Sabbath that
happens on Saturday.
“the preparation,” the day before any Sabbath day is a day of preparation. That is, from noon
on all endeavors are centered around the preparation of meals for the next day, and preparing for
anything else that will happen on the next day, the Sabbath. Remember, no work shall be done.
(They had stretched the limitations of the 4 th commandment beyond what God had intended.
Exodus 12:16 provides the exception for the preparing of meals on the Sabbaths: “. . . no manner
of work shall be done therein, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of
you.”)
“the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day,” the Romans could
careless as to how long the bodies were on those crosses. They were known to leave the bodies
of the victims of crucifixion up there for weeks after they had died, allowing the birds of prey to
eat them. But under Mosaic Law no person that was hanged from a tree could remain there over
night (see Deuteronomy 21:22-23). And since this was Passover, the Jewish leaders were
especially sensitive about the curse that this might carry. {72} (After murdering Jesus the way
that they did, you almost have to laugh at them and their superstitious minds about something
like this. They’re as bad as Pilate except they did it out of malice, Pilate out of fear. Just thank
God that it got done.)
“that their legs might be broken,” when they are nailed to the cross, they are nailed with a
bend in their knees so that they can push up with their legs off the footrest and pull up with their
arms to relieve the pressure on their diaphragm allowing them to take in a full breath of air.
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Otherwise, their air intake is minimal. This is done to prolong the suffering, a person will
instinctively try to get some fresh air as long as they can. How they break their legs is not
mentioned in the bible, but according to information obtained from Wikipedia they were broken
or shattered with an iron club in an act called crurifagium. {8} (Crurifagium is the breaking legs
below the knees of crucified felons) {75}
John 19:33
But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake
not his legs: 34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith
came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record
is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36 For these things
were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be
broken. 37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they
pierced.
“with a spear pierced his side,” just to make sure that He was dead. If he wasn’t by now, the
spear surely would do the trick.
“there out blood and water.” If just blood came out it meant that He was still alive. The water
meant that the blood was separating and that it had filled the heart sack with water to protect the
heart form trauma. The spear obviously penetrated the heart sack.
“he that saw it bare record,” John is bearing witness to himself as being the one that saw and is
telling us all these things. {72}
“A bone of him shall not be broken.” This is from both Exodus 12:46 and Numbers 9:12.
Both are referring to the Passover Lamb of which Jesus is a type because He fulfilled what the
Passover Lamb represented. {72}
“They shall look on him whom they pierced.” This is a quote from Zechariah 12:10. This is a
prophecy for the return of Jesus when the nation of Israel will mourn for the rejection and
murder of their Messiah King. {72}
John 19:38
And after this, Luke 23:50 behold, there was a man named Joseph, Matthew
27:57 Luke 23:50 Mark 15:43
a rich man of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: an honourable
Luke 23:50
counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, a good man, and a
just: [and] John 19:38 a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, Luke 23:51 (The
same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;)
“And after this,” after they had pierced His side and determined that He was dead; after four
o’clock in the afternoon;
“a man named Joseph,” a prominent leader of the Jews mentioned in all four gospels (see
above).
Note: there are rumors that a tradition existed among the Jews that the senior male relative of a
crucified person was obligated to dispose of the body. Since Jesus’ step father was dead, and
since Joseph of Arimathaea volunteered for the job, one does wonder if he was related to Jesus in
some important way. {70} There are numerous family line studies that link him as Jesus’ great-
uncle through His mother, Mary.
“Arimathaea,a city of the Jews;” is a town about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, due east of
Joppa. It appears in the Old Testament as Ramah, or Ramathaim-Zophim, the birthplace of the
prophet Samuel, 1:Samuel 1:1, 19; 2:11. {72}
“waited for the kingdom of God,” he was a man of the same character as Nicodemus, more or
less believing that Jesus is the Christ, and yet shrinking from confessing it before men. Well,
God just arranged the circumstances in his life so that he and Nic are going to have to get off the
fence and proclaim their loyalty.
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Mark 15:43
[He] went in boldly unto Pilate, John 19:38 that he might take away the body of
Jesus: Mark 15:44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him
the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he
knew it of the centurion, John 19:38 Pilate gave him leave. Matthew 27:58 Then Pilate
commanded the body to be delivered Mark 15:45 to Joseph. John 19:38 He came
therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
“[He] went in boldly unto Pilate,” for whatever reason, Joseph has lost all of that previous
timidity and gone into ask for Pilate’s permission to burry Jesus’ body. It won’t take long before
whole Sanhedrin knows about his identification with Jesus of Nazareth. Normally the practice of
the Romans was to have the bodies of crucified persons left on their crosses after a long and
excruciating death. And only Pilate had the authority to allow a body to be removed, especially
so soon after death.
“that he might take away the body of Jesus:” their bodies were usually granted to relatives
who asked for them. (This is another indication that Joseph of Arimathaea was related to Jesus.)
The only other relative that scripture mentions as being in town was Mary, His mother; and by
now, she was emotionally wasted. {72}
“Pilate marveled;” normally it took days to die on the cross, but Jesus was dead in only six
hours. So before he lets anybody have the body, he wants to make verify with the centurion that
Jesus is really dead. {72}
“commanded the body to be delivered to Joseph.” With confirmation from the centurion,
Pilate releases Jesus body; thus confirming officially that Jesus is dead. {72}
“He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.” After seeing the picture of the typical nails
used in Roman crucifixion, removing someone from a cross is not an easy chore.
Wednesday, April 26, AD 30
Jesus’ Body Is Placed In The Tomb Just Before Sundown
Matthew 27:59
When Joseph Mark 15:46 bought fine linen, and took him down, John
19:39
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night,
and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as
the manner of the Jews is to bury.
“Joseph bought fine linen . . . also Nicodemus . . . brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes,”
Since Jesus died at 3 p.m. figure that it took about an hour to confirm His death to Pilate and to
give Joseph permission to take Jesus’ body. Both men had to go to Wal-Mart, or Home Depot or
where-ever to purchase these items. Then get them back up Golgotha hill; this all takes time. by
now it is at least 4:30 or later. They have to take Him down, let the Ladies mourn a bit, then
wrap Him with the spices and linen clothes. It is now somewhat after 5 p.m.
“about an hundred pound weight.” According to the Companion Bible (Appendix 51. II. 4. (3)
the Latin word that “pound” comes from means about 12 oz. So a more accurate an hundred
pound weight would be 75 actual pounds. Now couple that with the weight of Jesus’ body of say
150 pounds plus the weight of the linen and spices you are talking about 230 pounds of dead
weight to carry to that tomb.
“wound it in linen clothes with the spices,” the Jews didn’t embalm corpses, but instead they
wrapped them in linen that was coated with sticky aloes to hold the linen to the body and myrrh
to retard the odor of a decaying body. {72}
John 19:41
Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the
garden a new sepulchre, Mark 15:46 and [Joseph] laid him in Matthew 27:60 his own new
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tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: John 19:41 wherein was never man yet laid
Luke 23:53
before. Matthew 27:60 And he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre,
and departed. John 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’
preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand, Luke 23:54 and the sabbath drew
on.
“a garden . . . a new sepulcher,” what a place to have a garden, on Golgotha! (see John 19:41)
And why would you want to carve a new tomb there? This shows just how much God was
involved with every detail of Jesus’ death and burial. It is getting close to 6:00 p.m. and the
beginning of the Sabbath so they have to get Jesus buried and into where they are lodging for the
feast. {72}Oh, and one other thing; according to Numbers 6-12 anyone that touched Jesus’ body
was unclean for seven days and could not eat the Passover or enter the temple. They would have
to celebrate Passover one month later according to this scripture.
Numbers 9:6
And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man,
that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses
and before Aaron on that day: 7 And those men said unto him, We are defiled by
the dead body of a man: wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an
offering of the LORD in his appointed season among the children of Israel? 8 And
Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command
concerning you. 9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 10 Speak unto the
children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean
by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the
passover unto the LORD. 11 The fourteenth day of the second month at even they
shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They shall leave
none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the
ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.
“his own new tomb . . . hewn out in the rock:” but this wasn’t just anybody’s new tomb it was
Joseph’s, Jesus’ relative. {72} But that’s alright, Jesus is only going to use it for a few days (and
nights); call it a rental.
“never man yet laid before.” Joseph, being a wealthy man could carve a tomb where ever he
wanted. He had this tomb built for his family and it was now ready for use by his family. Jesus
using it was a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:9: “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the
rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” {72}
“preparation day;” as described before, the day before the Sabbath is the day of preparation;
and this one was for a High Sabbath, the First Day of Unleavened Bread.
Thursday, April 27, AD 30
The First Day Of Unleavened Bread; A High Sabbath
Pharisees Seal Jesus’ Tomb
Matthew 27:62
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief
priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that
that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his
disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen
from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto
them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went,
and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
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“the next day,” on the High Holy Sabbath, when they should be attending to the all the
sacrifices of this special day, they’re off talking to a Gentile!
“error shall be worse than the first.” Did you catch that? They just admitted that they errored
in killing Jesus! But it’s a little too late for that isn’t it? Jesus has been dead for almost a day.
Now they want Pilate to help them in the cover-up.
“Ye have a watch;” despite what tradition says, these were not Roman soldiers; they were
temple guards; they were Jews. In Matthew 28:11-15 below, the guards are given a bribe and
told to say that they fell asleep. Accepting a bribe and falling asleep while on duty are two
offences that could get a Roman soldier executed or at least spend a lot of time behind bars. No
Roman soldier would even think about accepting a bribe from a Jew. And Pilate, he’s not about
to get caught-up in their cover-up; he could care less about their mistakes, and probably finds
their paranoia amusing: “Priest’s of the Most High God?” These guys are a joke. Either that or
their god is!
One other thought, by telling them to use their Temple guard to guard the tomb he was giving
them permission to let their temple guard go way beyond the Temple grounds. They had already
done so when they arrested Jesus, but Pilate didn’t know about that.
Friday, April 28, AD 30
Women Prepare Spices For Anointing Jesus’ Body
Luke 23:55
And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after,
and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. Matthew 27:61 And there was
Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. Mark 15:44
And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.
Luke 23:56
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the
sabbath day according to the commandment.
“beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.” In the brief time that they had, Joseph and
Nicodemus couldn’t do a complete and proper job of wrapping and anointing Jesus’ body. So
the women are taking it upon themselves to finish the job.
“they returned.” To the places that they were staying for the Passover.
“and prepared spices and ointments;” if we follow the time line we know that they rested the
day after Jesus was crucified because it was a “High Sabbath” according to John. Now it is the
next day, Friday, so they are going to do the work of preparing spices and ointments by takingthe
raw materials and boiling them down. Then they will rest the weekly Sabbath on Saturday, and
Sunday they will go and anoint Jesus’ body. This is Scriptural proof of a Wednesday Death and
burial of Jesus and therefore a Saturday late afternoon resurrection.
Saturday, April 29, AD 30
Jesus Rises From The Dead Just Before Sundown
“April 29;” according to the Roman calendar that we use today, Jesus was born on September
29 to start His human life here on earth. He rose from the dead on April 29 to restart His
glorious life as a spiritual being. According to God’s sacred calendar He was born on the 14 th of
Tishri and died on the 14th of Nisan, exactly 33 and ½ years later.
Matthew 28:2
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord
descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and
sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

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“there was a great earthquake:” this is the second earthquake associated with Jesus’ death (see
Matthew 27:51). Strong’s #. “sice-mos´; from ; a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale,
(of the ground) an earthquake:— earthquake, tempest.” {2}
From Barnes Notes On The Whole Bible: “Rather there “had been.” It does not mean that this
was while they were there, or while they were going, but that there “had been” so violent a
commotion as to remove the stone. The word rendered here as “earthquake” does not of
necessity mean that the convulsion extended to the earth, but only that there had been such a
concussion as to remove the stone.” {55}
This was not to allow Jesus to escape the tomb, but to allow others in to see His resurrection.
Jesus needed no help in rising from the dead. {72}
“His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:” his general appearance
was as a bright light, and his clothing was as white as the driven snow.
“keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” The word “shake” is translated from the word
that is the root verb for earthquake, Strong’s # . “si´-o; appar. a primary verb; to rock
(vibrate, prop. sideways or to and fro), i.e. (gen.) to agitate (in any direction; cause to tremble);
fig. to throw into a tremor (of fear or concern):— move, quake, shake.” {2} Became as dead men
just means that they were so traumatically effected by what they had experienced that they fell
unconscious. {72}
Sunday, April 30, AD 30
Early Sunday Morning, The Tomb Is Empty
Mark 16:1
And when the sabbath was past, Luke 24:1upon the first day of the week, very
early in the morning, Mark 16:1 Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and
Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
John 20:1
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet
dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom
Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the
sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
“when the sabbath was past;” this is speaking about the weekly Sabbath on Saturday.
“Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome,” Luke 24:10 indicates that
Joanna and other women were also with them. Apparently Magdalene went ahead of the others
to see if she could get the Temple Guardsmen that were watching the tomb to roll back the stone
so that she and the other women could anoint Jesus’ body (see John 20:1).
“when it was yet dark,” since this is only two weeks after the spring equinox, it starts to get
light around 5 a.m., because sun-up is just a hair before six. So this has to be between 4 and 4:30
a.m.
Note: according to Matthew 27:61 Mary Magdalene along with the other Mary were the last
ones to observe Jesus go into the tomb; and now Magdalene will be the first at the empty tomb.
Her affection for Jesus was so strong that she couldn’t turn loose of Him even after He was dead.
She is rewarded by being the first to see and talk to Jesus after His resurrection. {72}
“seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher.” It has been almost 12 hours since Jesus rose
from the dead, and by now the “keepers,” i.e. the Temple Guardsmen had long since regained
their composure and “gone over the hill,” they deserted their post. Seeing an angel of God
bearing the glory of God is a very scary thing, even if you are a believer, ask Daniel or John. So
as of now, there is no one there at the tomb, not even Jesus.
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“the other disciple, whom Jesus loved,” this of course is John whom he identifies later in
21:20. The word used here for “love” is # 5368 phileo, the brotherly kind of love.
“They have taken . . . where they have laid him.” Despite the many prophecies of Jesus
foretelling His resurrection, somehow it still hasn’t sunk in. {72}
Sunday, April 30, AD 30
Around 5:00 AM, Sunday Morning,
Other Women Come To Tomb With Spices
Matthew 28:1
As [light] began to dawn Mark 16:2 very early in the morning, Mark 16:1 Mary
the mother of James, and Salome, Luke24:1 and certain others with them, Matthew
28:1
[came]to see the sepulcher, Luke24:1 bringing the spices which they had prepared.
Mark 16:2
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the
sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall
4
roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they
John 20:1
looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: from the sepulchre. Mark 16:4
for it was very great.
Luke24:3
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it
came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by
them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces
to the earth.
“the first day of the week . . . at the rising of the sun.” now it’s around 5 a.m. and Mary
Magdalene has run off to tell Peter about the empty tomb. The other women arrive to anoint
Jesus’ body and they get almost the same surprise that Mary got; by now there is two angels in
the form of men with shining clothes.
Matthew 28:5
And the angel, Mark 16:5 a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a
long white garment; Matthew 28:5 answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I
know that ye seek Jesus, Mark 16:6 of Nazareth, Matthew 28:5 which was crucified. Luke 24:5
Why seek ye the living among the dead? Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as
he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his
disciples Mark 16:7 and Peter Matthew 28:6 that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he
goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: Mark 16:7 as he said unto you.
Matthew 28:6
lo, I have told you.
“Jesus, of Nazareth, which was crucified.” Here are your two witnesses to the fact that Jesus
rose from the dead; first of all the angels would not have been there telling these women that He
had risen if He hadn’t. Second, the ladies knew that this was the correct tomb, {72} so the fact
that it was occupied with angels instead of Jesus makes it clear that He did rise like He said He
would.
“he is risen,” this is basic to the Christian belief; for if Jesus isn’t risen from the dead neither do
we have new life in His kingdom. We are just as dead as those nails that nailed Him to that
cross. Oh, grant it, His blood cleansed us from our sins, but that just put us back at square one,
still in our graves. Without His resurrection, we have no resurrection for our own. For if death
because of sin entered into man through one man, Adam, then the cleansing of all sin and the
new life without sin comes through one man, Jesus the Christ, the God made into man by His
death and resurrection. Both must happen in order for man to have new life.
“and Peter;” if there ever was a man that needed to be rescued, it was Peter. By singling him
out he is not included as a member of the group, but he maintains his important status as leader;
the healing begins.
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“he goeth before you into Galilee . . . as he said;” He said that in Mark 14:28 during the first
prediction of Peter’s denial. The disciples lack of faith and understanding caused them to stay in
Jerusalem where Jesus appeared to them. {72}
“there shall ye see him:” the eleven saw Him several times before Galilee (Luke 24:15–31; 33–
36; John 20:19; 26). {72}
Luke24:6
Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying,
The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified,
and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words.
Mark 16:8
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled
Matthew 28:8
with fear and great joy; Mark 16:8 and were amazed: neither said they any
thing to any man; for they were afraid, Matthew 28:8 and did run to bring his disciples
word.
“they were afraid,” yea, it was a frightening experience with an angel of God; but more than
that is, now just who do we tell this to? So they ran to the eleven.
Peter And John Rush To Empty Tomb
John 20:3
[After hearing from Mary Magdalene,] Peter therefore Luke24:12 arose, John
20:3
went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran
both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the
sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying;
yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the
sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, Luke24:12 by themselves, John 20:7 And the
napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped
together in a place by itself.
“the other disciple did outrun Peter,” young John got there first with Peter a close second.
“the linen clothes;” Jesus’ body had passed through the linen wrappings the same way that He
passed through the walls or the locked upper room later that day. That’s why the clothes lay
there like a cocoon. This is opposed to Lazarus’ resurrection where he had to be freed from his
burial clothes (see John 11:44). {72}
“wrapped together in a place by itself.” If someone was stealing His body, they wouldn’t take
the time to unwrap body and head and fold the wrapping and set it aside. No, they would come
in, grab the body fully wrapped, and boogie as fast as they can carrying the body with its
perfumed wrapping so that it won’t stink. That’s of course, after you overcome the “keepers;”
and then you roll away the massive stone covering the entrance of the tomb. {72}
John 20:8
Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and
he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise
again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
“went in also that other disciple,” finally John goes in and seeing everything, he believes.
“they knew not the scripture,” neither one of them understood the Scripture that said that Jesus
had to rise from the dead, {72} Psalm 16:10: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither
wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Despite the number of times that Jesus
foretold it, the disciples seemed to have a mental block where this is concerned. Of course this
too, was by divine design. Nothing happens in this world that it isn’t by God’s design and
consent.
Mary Magdalene Encounters Jesus
John 20:11
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she
stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white
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sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had
lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them,
Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid
him.
John 20:14
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus
standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why
weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith
unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and
I will take him away.
John 20:16
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him,
Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am
not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend
unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary
Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had
spoken these things unto her.
“stood without at the sepulchre weeping:” remember when we last encountered this Mary, she
had gotten to the tomb early when it was still dark, peeked in, found that Jesus wasn’t there and
ran to tell Pete. Pete and John got on their motorcycles and raced to the tomb (John had a Harley
and Pete had a Honda). This left Mary in the dust. In her grief she wanders back to the tomb
and discovers: {72}
“two angels in white sitting,” these are the same two angels that the other ladies encountered.
It had been enough to watch her master die and be buried; but now His body is missing from His
tomb! But from the angels point of view, this is a triumphal moment and no one should be
weeping. These are God’s messengers and they are just chomping at the bit to deliver this one.
But for the woman who loved Jesus so much, their’s is a special message.
“knew not that it was Jesus.” Now another voice enters the picture, and Mary doesn’t
recognize it, at first. The reason is not known, but remember the two on the road to Emmaus.
{72}
“Mary.” The instant that she hears her master’s voice speak her name, there comes an
immediate recognition of Him. Remember Jesus’ words “My sheep hear my voice, and I know
them and they follow Me” (John 10;27 see 10:3-4). {72}
“Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:” from Ellicot’s Commentary For
English Readers:
“The probable explanation of these words is to be found in the fact that she had cast herself at
His feet with the customary reverential embrace of the knees, and perhaps to make doubly sure
the fact that it was the Lord’s body, and that His words are meant to prevent this. The words
themselves must be carefully considered. “Touch” represents a Greek word which means to
“cling to,” to “fasten on,” to “grasp” an object. The tense is present, and the prohibition is,
therefore, not of an individual act, but of a continuance of the act, of the habit, “Do not continue
clinging to Me.” Her act supposed a condition which had not yet been accomplished. He had not
returned to earth to abide permanently with His disciples in the presence of the Paraclete
(comp. John 14:18), for He had not yet ascended to the Father. . . . The coming of the Paraclete
depended upon His going to the Father (comp. John 16:7), but she would cling to a visible
presence, and has not learnt the truth so hard to learn, “It is expedient for you that I go away”
(John 16:7.)” {35}
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“go to my brethren,” this is the first time that Jesus uses this term “brethren” for the disciples.
That is because of His work on the cross in the place of the sinners has made this new
relationship possible. {72}
The Other Women Encounter Jesus
Mark 16:9
[ Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared
first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went
and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they,
when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. ]
“Now when Jesus was risen;” some early manuscripts do not contain these last twelve verses of
Mark. There is much conjecture as to whether Mark wrote them at all; they seem to be totally
out of order and appear as though somebody else had written them. {3&72}
Matthew 28:9
And as [the other women] Luke24:9 returned from the sepulchre, Matthew
28:9
went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they
came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them,
Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they
see me.
Luke24:9
[Then they went] and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the
10
rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and
11
other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
“go tell my brethren;” meaning all of them, not just the eleven, all the faithful followers of
Jesus. {72}
“the eleven,” the core group minus Judas who was already dead. Of course Peter and John had
already been to the tomb; John believed and Peter didn’t. {72}
“Mary Magdalene,” she was the first to see and speak to Jesus after His resurrection (John 20:
11-18). Then she joined up with the other women. {72}
“Joanna,” she was the wife of Chuza, Herod’s chief steward (see Luke 8:3). {72}
“Mary the mother of James,”(and Joses) see Matthew 27:56. {72}
“and other women that were with them,” there was a whole gaggle of them that came from
Galilee following Christ (see Luke 23:49, 55).
“as idle tales,” made-up craziness that amounted to nothing at all. The disciples, in their grief,
found it hard to believe anything, especially coming from a bunch of women. But soon now
Jesus would appear to them and dispel all their doubt. {72} (Note: Thomas must have went out
for some pizza when Jesus appeared because he was absent.)
The Guards Of The Watch Report To The Chief Priests
Matthew 28:11
Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the
city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when
they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large
money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole
him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will
persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were
taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
“shewed unto the chief priests;” now this is where the chief priests and elders go from the
ridiculous to the sublime: in refusing to admit that they had made a mistake, their pride said no,
His disciples must have stolen His body. That’s the story that they are putting out to the public,
but deep down inside they know different. What’s so sad is that they still have some people
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today believing that crazy lie in spite of all the evidence to the contrary. (Question: if they were
Roman guards like some believe; why did they report to the chief priests? Only the Temple
Guard were subject to the authority of the chief priests. The Roman guards were subject to
Pilate).
“they gave large money unto the soldiers,” these guys are so scared that Jesus really was who
He said that He was that they are paying off their own Temple Guard to keep quiet about His
rising form the dead. They remember that He raised Lazarus from the dead; so could He raise
Himself also? They have to keep a lid on this, especially from Pilate. Their minds are running
ninety miles an hour in first gear as they chase their tails in circles.
“while we slept.” Sleeping while on guard duty is an offence that will get you executed, or at
least a lot of prison time. Besides how could they know that the disciples stole His body if they
were asleep. The whole concoction is full of holes like a sieve.
Two Encounter Jesus On The Road To Emmaus
Luke24:13
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus,
which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together
of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they
communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto
them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as
ye walk, and are sad?18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering
said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the
things which are come to pass there in these days?
“two of them;” one is identified as Cleopas (or Cleophas) verse 18. “According to Emmerich,
the two disciples that Luke describes as meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus, were Luke and a
different Cleophas (not the father of James and Joses). This explains why Luke has so many
details about that incident, that the other Gospel writers lack; he was there.” {71}
“Emmaus,” this is its only reference in all of scripture, it’s a small village west by northwest of
Jerusalem known for its warm springs. {72}
“threescore furlongs.” About seven and a half miles.
“But their eyes were holden;” God purposely kept them from recognizing the one that were
walking and talking with. {72}
“Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem,” now keep in mind that although Passover was past,
they were still in the days of unleavened bread. And this day was the day that the High priest
would wave a sheaf of the spring harvest before God in the Holy of Holies. (See Leviticus 23:10-
15) But a lot of the visitors were going home now, especially those that lived close by, and
seven and a half miles isn’t that far.
Luke24:19
And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning
Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and
all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be
condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he
which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day
since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company
made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found
not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which
said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the
sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
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“But we trusted . . . should have redeemed Israel:” they were still looking for an earthly king
to overthrow Rome. Instead, He overthrew Satan, an even bigger enemy; but they didn’t realize
it. They still saw Him as a great prophet. {72}
“to day is the third day;” regardless of what compelled them to leave Jerusalem, they should
have stayed there a little longer; especially after hearing the testimony of the women (verses 22-
24).
“but him they saw not.” This was before their’s and Mary Magdalene’s meeting and
conversation with Jesus (John 20:14-17; Matthew 28:9-10; Luke 24:9). {72}
Luke24:25
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the
prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to
enter into his glory?27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded
unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew
nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have
gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it
came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake,
and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he
vanished out of their sight.
“Ought not;” wasn’t it necessary for these things to happen? The Old Testament prophecies
spoke often about the suffering servant of Yahweh. {72}
“in all the scriptures;” and there are a ton of them; starting in Genesis 3:15; and how all those
blood sacrifices pointed to Jesus’ atoning blood sacrifice once and for all. And how on the
annual Day of Atonement He was the goat that was slaughtered while the other was set free.
And how all through the Psalms and prophets spoke of him and His death and resurrection; too
many to enumerate here. {72}
“he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.” Now keep in mind that these
two were not at the last supper (see Luke 24:33 below). But there was something about the way
that He took the bread and blessed it, and then broke it and then gave it to us that was very
familiar (verse 35). Then POOF, He was gone.
“he vanished out of their sight.” Jesus’ resurrection body was very real and very physical (see
Luke 24:39). However it did possess some properties that we don’t; like he could pass through
walls with ease. Don’t try that for yourself, it hurts. He could travel great distances in seconds.
Yet His body kept the same identifying features of His death body; i.e. the nail marks and the
wound in His side (John 20:27). {72}
Luke24:32
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he
talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they
rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered
together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and
hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and
how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
[Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked,
and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither
believed they them.]
“and hath appeared to Simon.” There are no details given of this meeting with Simon but here
in order are the appearances of Jesus according to scriptures: (1) to Mary Magdalene at the tomb
(Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18); (2) to the women on the road (Matthew 28:9-10); (3) to the two
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(Luke and Cleopas) on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32); (4) to Simon Peter (Luke 24;34);
(5) to ten of the eleven disciples, Thomas not there (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24); (6) eight days
later to all eleven disciples this time Thomas is there (John 20:26-31); (7) to seven disciples by
the shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25); (8) to more than five hundred disciples (1
Corinthians 15:6); (9) to James (1 Corinthians 15:7); (10) to the apostles when He ascended into
heaven (Acts 1:3-11). (11) After His ascension He appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus (1
Corinthians 15:8). {4} He will appear two more times: the next time will be in the air to collect
all the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17); and the last time He will appear will be on a white horse
(Revelation 19:11-21).
“in another form unto two of them,” what other form, and which two? This is another part of
that spurious section of Mark’s Gospel. It could be that this is referring to the two on the road to
Emmaus and they didn’t have much of the benefit of Luke’s Gospel at the time.
“neither believed they them.” It seems like the men were having a harder time believing in the
resurrection than the women.
6:00 PM, Sunday, April 30, AD 30
First Appearance In Upper Room; Thomas Absent
Luke24:36
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself John 20:19 came and Luke24:36 stood in
the midst of them. John 20:19 [It was] the same day at evening, being the first day of
the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear
of the Jews. Jesus Luke24:36 saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were
terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said
unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit
hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. John 20:20 And when he had so said, he
shewed unto them his hands Luke24:40 and his feet, John 20:20 and his side.
“the doors were shut;” and probably bolted, barred, nailed and locked shut. The Jews were
going to need a bazooka to get in if they wanted these guys. You know, fear is a funny thing, it
works by association: “If they took our Master, we could be next!” {72}
“Peace be unto you.” If anybody was in need of peace it was them: they were afraid of the Jews;
they had received reports all day of Jesus’ resurrection and still didn’t believe; on top of the fact
that they were all supposed to be up in Gallilee and were still hanging around in Jerusalem.
“Behold my hands and my feet,” a little bit of show-n-tell time should shake them into reality.
Luke24:41
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them,
Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an
honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. John 20:20 Then were the
disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
“believed not for joy, and wondered,” seeing is not necessarily believing. They had seen Jesus
die and be buried; could the impossible have happened? Nothing but questions were running
through their minds.
“Have ye here any meat?” you got something to eat? I’m starved! It’s ben four days since I’ve
had anything to eat.
“Then were the disciples glad,” knowing that a spirit wouldn’t eat a piece of fish and some
honeycomb made them realize that this was the risen Jesus in front of them. Time to celebrate!
John 20:21
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent
me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and
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saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they
are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
“as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” With this Jesus changes their status from
disciple (. pupil) to apostle (. he that is sent). {2}
“Receive ye the Holy Ghost:” His command here is more like to put yourself in readiness to
receive the Holy Spirit who came down fifty days later (Acts 1:8; 2:1-3).
“Whose soever sins ye remit,” this is just binding and losing all over again from Matthew 16:19
and 18:15-35. Jesus is just reminding them to keep pure in this matter because if we don’t
forgive others, then He won’t forgive us. And an effective minister must always keep himself
pure and without reproach.
Sunday, May 7, AD 30
The Next Week In Upper Room With Thomas Present
John 20:24
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when
Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord.
But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and
put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not
believe.
John 20:26
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with
them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said,
Peace be unto you.27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold
my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not
faithless, but believing.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and
my God.
“But Thomas . . . was not with them when Jesus came.”We really don’t know why he wasn’t
with the others; maybe he went out for pizza and beer.
“Except . . . will not believe.” Thomas’ infamous words from a certified pessimist. But he is
not much different than the rest, it took more than a few seconds of Jesus standing in front of
them before any of them believed. Some of them had to see Him eat something before believing.
“and be not faithless, but believing.” This mild rebuke from Jesus stirs Thomas as he sees
Jesus.
“My Lord and my God.” According to John he didn’t have to put his hand in Jesus’ side or
touch the print of the nails, just seeing and hearing Jesus voice was enough for him to proclaim
Jesus’ deity. This is a greater confession than any of the other apostles. {72}
John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast
believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.30 And many
other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in
this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
[Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided
them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them
which had seen him after he was risen.]
“blessed are they;” since Thomas, there have been a countless number of those that believe in
Jesus without having seen Him. We get this special blessing (see 1 Peter 1:8-9) even though we
have not had the advantage that Thomas had of seeing “My Lord and My God” face to face.
 551

“these are written,” this is the purpose for John writing his Gospel: {72} to convince his
readers that Jesus is the Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promise both Israel and mankind. He
is God in the flesh and by believing these things a person gains eternal life (John 1:12).
“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven;” this is another of those spurious verses at the end of
Mark’s Gospel. This probably happened as a separate incident.
Jesus Appears To The Disciples While Fishing
John 21:1
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of
Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter,
and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of
Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
John 21:3
Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go
with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night
they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the
shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
“After these things;” John now starts the epilogue to his gospel. {72} This will answer any
remaining questions like: how will Jesus provide for His own? (verses 1-14) What’s going to
happen to Peter? The last time we saw him was part of the eleven when Jesus appeared, but
there was no direct response from him. He’s still in a state of guilt over his denial of Jesus the
night that He was arrested. (verses 15-17) How will the disciples get along without a Master?
(verses 18-19) Does John get to live till Jesus returns? (verses 20-23) Why did John only record
these few things about Jesus and not all of them? (verses 24-25) {4}
“the sea of Tiberias;” this is another name for the Sea of Galilee. {72}
“Simon Peter,” he is always listed first which indicates leadership of the group (see Matthew
10:2). {72} He probably was also the oldest.
“I go a fishing.” After returning to Galilee per the request of Jesus, (Matthew 28:16) it seemed
only reasonable that they returned to their former occupation of fishing while they waited for
Him to appear. {72}
“the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.” This was another case where Jesus purposely hid
Himself (see John 20:14-15; Luke 24:16). {72}
John 21:5
Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat?
They answered him, No.
John 21:6
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye
shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the
multitude of fishes. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It
is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s
coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8 And the
other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were
two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
John 21:9
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and
fish laid thereon, and bread. 10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye
have now caught.11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great
fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not
the net broken.
“that disciple whom Jesus loved;” John instantly saw that the man on the shore was Jesus;
because he saw the supernatural knowledge and power involved in the catch. {72}
 552

“he girt his fisher’s coat unto him,” he wasn’t completely naked, just from the waist up. It can
get mighty hot out on that lake with the sun beating down on you; so a man would take his shirt
off.
“two hundred cubits,” about a hundred yards.
“fish laid thereon, and bread.” Jesus had created this breakfast just as He had created the food
that He had fed the multitudes (John 6:1-13). {72}
“an hundred and fifty and three;” The significance of the number 153 is unknown. There are
more opinions about this number than there are theologians. Needless to say, it made a lasting
impression on John who remembered the exact number just as he remembered the name of
Malchus, the man whose ear Peter sliced off. Jesus’ provision of breakfast and the catch of fish
is the sign that He will always provide for His disciples needs (see Matthew 6:25-33; Philippians
4:19). {72}
John 21:12
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask
him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh
bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus
shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
“the third time;” this refers only to the ones recorded in John’s gospel: 20:19-23 on resurrection
day with Thomas absent; 20:26-33 a week later with Thomas there; and now this one. {72}
Jesus Restores Peter To Ministry
John 21:15
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas,
lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that
I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou
me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto
him, Feed my sheep.17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas,
lovest thou me?
John 21:17
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou
me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love
thee.
John 21:17
Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou
wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and
another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. 19 This spake he,
signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he
saith unto him, Follow me.
“Simon, son of Jonas,” notice that He doesn’t use the name of Peter that He had given him
(Matthew 16:18), but the earthly name he was born with (Simon Bar-Jonah).
“lovest thou me;” first of all, we have to look at the setting: where was it that Jesus called
Simon son of Jonas to become a fisher of men? Right there by the Sea! Secondly, we need to
look at the Greek words that were used:
. “ag-ap-ah´-o;; to love (in a social or moral sense):— (be-) love (-ed). comp. .” {2}
This is the Godly kind of love
. “fil-eh´-o; to be a friend to (fond of [an indiv. or an obj.]), i.e. have affection for
(denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;— kiss, love.” {2} This is the
brotherly kind of love. It is where we get the name Philadelphia from, the city of brotherly love.
Thirdly, we need to look at the words that Jesus and Peter spoke.
 553

Jesus: “Simon Bar-Jonah, is your apape for me stronger than these?” Now the remember the
context is that Peter had just come off a boat from fishing, his former profession; and had drawn
a great catch. Jesus is asking him if his Godly love for Jesus is strong enough to give up fishing
and your former ways and life. That’s why He had called him Simon Bar-Jonah, he had left the
Spiritual Peter that he had and gone back to his old ways of the rough fisherman.
Peter: “Yes, Lord; you know that I fil-eh-o you.” Peter said yea, I love you like a brother; big
difference.
Jesus: “Feed my lambs.” Lambs are young sheep of a year or less and they need to be fed.
Jesus: “Simon Bar-Jonah, do you agape me? Jesus drops the comparison and ask if Peter loves
Him completely and unconditionally.
Peter: “Yes, Lord; you know that I fil-eh-o you.” This is the same response as before.
Jesus: “Feed my sheep.” These are the older sheep that Jesus is telling Peter to guide them.
Jesus: “Simon Bar-Jonah, do you fil-eh-o me? Wow, what a change! Do you love Me like a true
brother? The third time asked of the one who had denied three times. And now as Peter looks at
his Lord and resurrected leader whom he had denied:
Peter, whose voice crackles with the hurt of deep injury: “Lord, you know all things; so you
know that I fil-eh-o you.” Using Jesus’ own term and the one that he had been using all along he
says: “Lord, you know all things; so you have to know that I love you like my Brother.” Peter
had denied Jesus three times; and now he recommits his life to Jesus three times. He had really
never fallen away, because he was still hanging around; he still cared. He just needed that little
push to get him back all the way. The difference was that when Peter knew that he had blown it ,
he went out and “wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:62)
Jesus: “Feed my sheep.” “Be a shepherd to my flock.” If you will notice in verse three above,
Peter never lost his leadership ability: when he said “I’m going fishing;” Six others followed like
he was the Pide Piper. The first twelve chapters of Acts is a record of Peter’s obedience to this
commission (he did pretty good, A+).
“signifying by what death he should glorify God.” Peter was middle aged when Jesus
prophesied this; and according to tradition, he died under Nero ca.67-68, crucified upside-down
at his own request. Peter was a dedicated leader, zealous for Christ and the Gospel; but that is
what he had just dedicated himself to. This is what anyone who comes to Christ must be
prepared to do, dedicate your whole life to Him and the Gospel (see Matthew 10:37-39 16:24-
26). {72}
“he saith unto him, Follow me.” Which exactly what He said when He first called Peter.
John 21:20
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following;
which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that
betrayeth thee? 21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man
do?
John 21:22
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
follow thou me.23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that
disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will
that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
“what shall this man do?” Peter and John had a close relationship and if Peter was going to
have to suffer and die for the Gospel, then he was concerned for his close friend and fellow
disciple John. Jesus’ answer was to repeat His instructions to Peter “Come follow Me.” {72}
“till I come,” it is enough to follow Me; I’ll take care of John.
 554

John 21:24
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things:
and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things
which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that
even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
“This is the disciple which testifieth;” although he never really comes out and says it; we can
deduce that it is John by the fact that first of all, in verse 20 he says that he is “the disciple that
Jesus loved” which is a designation that occurs four times in the Gospel of John (13:23; 19:26;
20:2; 21:7). This is the same “disciple who . . . wrote these things” (21:24). The author had to
be one of the twelve apostles, because he was leaning on Jesus bosom at the Last Supper, where
only the apostles were invited (13;23; Mark 14:17). So it had to be one of the disciples closest to
Jesus: either Peter, James, or John (Matthew 17:1). Since Peter looked back and saw the one that
Jesus loved (21:20), that rules him out. And James died long before the Gospel of John was
written (Acts 12:1-2), so it can’t be him either. That only leaves John.
“many other things;”John 20:30 “which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye
might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life
through his name.” And John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave the power (the right,
or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” These two
verses sum up the purpose of John’s Gospel.
Jesus Commissions Many Disciples In Galilee
Matthew 28:16
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where
Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but
some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given
unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, Mark 16:15 into all the world, Matthew
28:19
and teach Mark 16:15 and preach the gospel to every creature; Matthew 28:19 [make
disciples, or, Christians of] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall
be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall
follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak
with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly
thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover. Matthew 28:20 and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
“the eleven disciples;” now the scene shifts from the sea to a mountain in the Galilee area where
it is believed that not only the eleven, but also the five hundred of 1 Corinthians 15:6 attend.
This would explain “but some doubted.” They were seeing the risen Christ for the first time.
{72} Even the eleven had trouble with that at first.
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” absolute power and authority over all is
given to Jesus; proving His deity and ending His humanness. This is the start of fulfillment of
the prophecy in Daniel 7:13-14.
“Go ye therefore,” I delegate to you my authority to make disciples in all the nations.
“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” the name of the Three
Collectively Together is Yahweh. When the power of the Holy Spirit caused the body of
Yahweh to become a mortal human being, that Human Being was called Yeshua; which means
Yahweh saves.
 555

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:” conversion is just
the beginning. You have to stay with the convert and raise them to be an adult Christian. {72}
“I am with you alway,” by means of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. It started when He was
born Immanuel, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) And He will be with us “even unto the end of
the world.” {72}
Jesus Instructs The Disciples In Jerusalem
Acts 1:2
The apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive
after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and
speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: Luke24:44 And he said unto
them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that
all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the
prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luke24:45
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the
scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to
suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the
promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be
endued with power from on high.
“shewed himself . . . by many infallible proofs,” not just showing Himself and eating and
drinking with them, but by miraculous works like entering locked rooms. {72}
“forty days,” from the time of Jesus’ resurrection to His ascension, He appeared to different
peoples and places providing proof of His resurrection and the Kingdom of God.
“the kingdom of God:” this was the topic of discussion with Jesus and the apostles during those
forty days between the resurrection and ascension. The goal of all history is not the cross, but
the crown; that time when King Jesus reveals himself reigning in all His Glory and Majesty and
Might (Isaiah 11; Daniel 7:13; 14; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 20:4-6). {5}
“the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,” in other words the whole Old
Testament {72}
“Then opened he their understanding,” like He did with the two on the road to Emmaus, they
finally see clearly (see Psalm 119:18; Isaiah 29:18-19; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16). {72}
“the promise of my Father;” Jesus promised repeatedly that God would send the Holy Spirit
(Luke 11:13, 24:49; John 7;39; 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7; 20:22). {72}
Acts 1:4
And, being assembled together with them, [thus] commanded them that they
should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which,
saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be
baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
“being assembled together with them,” in other words He ate with them and communed with
them proving to them His resurrection. {72}
“not depart from Jerusalem,” sometime after being seen by the five hundred, they migrated
back to Jerusalem before the forty days were up.
“not many days hence.” It was ten days after His ascension on a Sunday morning. That
happened to be Pentecost, the feast of the Wave Loaf of the Harvest. Jesus had risen just before
the celebration of the Wave Sheaf of the Harvest during Passover week. The sheaf represents the
raw material that the loaf is made of. So Jesus is the raw material that the church is made of on
Pentecost.
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NOTE: according to The Companion Bible Appendix 10; the number 40 denotes Probation in
Ordinal Perfection. We see this throughout Scripture: It rained 40 days and nights on the earth
to purge it; the Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness to purge them of rebellion; many
kings reigned 40 years; Jesus fasted and was tempted 40 days to purge Him for ministry; Jesus
lingers 40 days to purge the consciences of the disciples that scattered and denied Him.
the number 50 denotes Divine Grace in Ordinal Perfection. It, therefore, is the perfect number
of days between Christ’s Resurrection and the Appearance of the Holy Spirit
Thursday, June 9, AD 30
Jesus Ascends Back To The Father
Acts 1:6
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord,
wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them,
It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his
own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
“When they therefore were come together,” this was apparently a different time other than the
one in verse four; remember Luke is the writer here for all of Acts.
“restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Are you joking? Jesus just spent forty days explaining
how he, as the Christ, must suffer and die for the sins of mankind. This is a global thing, not just
for Israel.
“And he said unto them,” But instead of rebuking them, He gently corrected their views about
the timing of the event.
“the times or the seasons,” they were not to know how much time before His Kingdom, or the
events that would happen before it was established. In 1 Peter 1:11, Peter points out that the Old
Testament prophets didn’t know timing between the Christ and the glories that followed. That’s
because all things are under God’s timing and that He reveals only a little at a time if at all. This
should keep anyone from trying to set dates for the return of Christ.
“ye shall receive power,” the most popular two words that are translated “Power” in the New
Testament are Strong’s # 1411, dunamis; meaning miraculous power and strength. {2} The other
word is #1849 exousia; meaning delegated influence, authority, power. {2} The one used here is
dunamis; they will be granted miraculous powers to back up their preaching of the Gospel.
“the Holy Ghost is come upon you:” the Holy Spirit was to empower them so that they could
spread the Gospel which was their mission. This would alter history, as the Gospel message
reached to the outer most parts of the earth (Matthew 28:19-20). {72}
“ye shall be witnesses;” the word “witnesses” is translated from an interesting word that means
“martyr.” Strong’s # . “of uncert. aff.; a witness (lit. [judicially] or fig. [gen.]); by anal. a
“martyr”:— martyr, record, witness.” {2} If you include Paul there were thirteen apostles sent in
the eerily church; of them, twelve of them were martyred. John, son of Zebedee, was the only
one to reach old age.
“Judea and Samaria;” see map.
Acts 1:9
And when he had spoken these things, Luke24:50 he led them out as far as to
Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass,
while he blessed them, he was parted from them, Acts 1:9 while they beheld; he was
taken up; Luke24:51and carried up into heaven; Acts 1:9 and a cloud received him out of
their sight. Mark 16:19 He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of
God.
 557

“carried up into heaven;” this was a visible happening for the apostles to see much like Elisha
saw Elijah taken up in the whirlwind.
“a cloud;” They watched as the resurrected body of Jesus rose up into the cloud until He was out
of their sight. For three of them, this wasn’t the first time that they saw a cloud and Jesus
together; the only thing Jesus wasn’t alone, he was with Moses and Elijah at the transfiguration.
Of course, we all know that God operates in threes; so there will be another time when Jesus will
be seen with a cloud: “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and
great glory.” (Luke 21:27)
Acts 1:10
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two
men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why
stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into
heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
“two men . . . in white apparel;” this would be two angels that had taken on the form of men
(see Genesis 18:2; Joshua 5:13-15; Mark 16:5). {72}
“men of Galilee,” since Judas was already gone, all the remaining apostles were from Galilee.
{72}
“so come in like manner;” Jesus will one day return (to The Mount of Olives) in the same way
that He ascended, in a cloud, to set up His Kingdom (Daniel 7:13; Zechariah 14;4; Matthew
24:30; 26:64; Revelation 1;7; 14:14). {72}
Luke24:52
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy
Acts 1:12
from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s
journey. Luke24:53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.
Mark 16:20
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with
them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen! Amen!
“they worshipped him,” their eyes had been opened, they had seen the truth and understood it,
this made their worship so genuine and whole-hearted because the confusion and doubt was
gone. {72}
“the mount called Olivet,” is just east of Jerusalem across the Kidron Valley. It rises about two
hundred feet higher than the rest of the city below. {72}
“sabbath day’s journey;” is .57 miles; just a little over a half of a mile. It is two thousand
cubits or the longest distance that a person had to walk to reach the Tabernacle on the Sabbath
day. {72}
“in the temple,” this is after Pentecost and Peter’s famous discourse; the temple became their
regular meeting place. They probably met in one of the side rooms of the outer court. {72}
 558

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15) Schürer, Emil. A History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ, 5 vols. New York,
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19)Barnes, Timothy David. "The Date of Herod's Death," Journal of Theological Studies ns 19
(1968), 204–219
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Magi brought him gifts and worshipped him. The names of the Magi were Bithisarea, Melichior
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34) Life & Times, vol. 1, chapter 20.
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36) Taras Pasternak of the University of Freiburg, Breisgau, Germany, 7th Jul, 2015 from
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38) Sorting out the Jesus Family: Mother, Fathers, Brothers and Sisters: FAMILY OF
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39) Catholicism.org Copyright © 2004-2020 Saint Benedict Center, Richmond, New Hampshire.
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41) Encyclopedia Britannica https://www.britannica.com/
42) Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'BETHSAIDA'". "International Standard
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51) The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. James Strong and
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53) New World Encyclopedia; CC-by-sa
54) Google
55) Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible, These files are public domain. StudyLight.org ©
2001-2002
56) DrusMax: Photograph of Roman Tribute Penny; Self- photographed, 21 December 2021 ©
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57) Bible History.com, © 2022, Bible History
58) https://www.reenactingtheway.com/blog/the-widows-mite-good-or-bad-
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59) Bunson, Matthew (1995). A Dictionary of the Roman Empire. Oxford UniversityPress. p.
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64) King James Bible Dictionary © Copyright Mansonsoft Technology Ltd.
65) Clifton Church of Christ 313 Main St., Clifton Tenn. 38425 (931)676-3099
66) Did Jesus Carry His Crossbeam or His Entire Cross? By Harrington A Lackey © 2022
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67) Live Science; Were these nails used to crucify Jesus? © Future US. Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130
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68) Greek Reporter Cyrene: The Stunning Ancient Greek City of Libya. © Copywright –
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69) Did the crucifixion nails go through Jesus' hands or wrists? Article by CompellingTruth.org,
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70) The Passion - Joseph was related to Jesus? BBC © 2014
71) Who is Cleopas mentioned in the Gospels of Luke and John? the blog of Ronald
L. Conte Jr., Roman Catholic theologian and Bible translator, 7 May 2011
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73) ebible.com
74) Stunning Symbolism Behind the Garden of Gethsemane © 2022 LDS Living*A Division of
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