Vocabulary
Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
Matthew 25:1-13 is the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which is part of Jesus' teachings in the Olivet Discourse. In this parable, ten virgins are waiting for the bridegroom (symbolizing Jesus) to arrive for a wedding banquet. Five of them are wise and bring extra oil for their lamps, while the other...
Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Matthew 25:14-30 communicates a significant theological message about the importance of utilizing one's gifts and resources to glorify God and serve others. In the parable, a master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of talents (an ancient unit of currency) before going on a journey. Upon...
Acts of Mercy (Matthew 25:34-40)
This passage emphasizes the importance of caring for others and serving them as a way of serving God aswell as Jesus served us. It teaches that our actions towards others reflect our relationship with God, and that we will be judged based on how we have treated the least among us. The passage...
The Plot Against Jesus (Matthew 26:1-5)
This is the last time when Jesus predicts his hand over to the authorities to be crucified. The prediction is paralleled with the look on the authorities taking the decision to do that.
Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30)
The Last Supper designates the final meal Jesus shares with his disciples before his crucifixion. The scene takes place during the Jewish festival of Passover, and Jesus gathers with his disciples to commemorate the event. The Last Supper is described in all four gospels (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark...
The Prayer in the Gethsemane Garden (Matthew 26:36-46)
Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is one of the most painfull prayer in the whole New Testament. This is a very difficult time in the ministry of Jesus. He is struggling in the final moments to take the final sacrificial step in his incarnation.
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:32-56)
Matthew 27:32-56 narrates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The passage describes Jesus being led to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion, where he is nailed to the cross alongside two criminals. The soldiers mock Jesus, and onlookers insult him, challenging him to save himself if he is truly the Son...
Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-10)
The passage describes the miraculous event of Jesus' resurrection. It highlights the emotions of fear, wonder, and joy experienced by the women who discover the empty tomb and encounter both an angel and Jesus himself. The text emphasizes the divine intervention in the form of an earthquake and the...
Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
The Great Commission is the final moment of the gospel of Matthew before Jesus leaves His desciples. Disciples meet risen Lord at Galilee. They fall down on the ground in reverence, but "some had doubts" (Matt 28:17). Jesus is reacting on these doubts and assures disciples about his power, while...
The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1-3)
This passage is the opening of the Gospel of Mark, and it introduces the narrative about John the Baptist that follows. Even though it is short, it offers significant theological themes. The first is Jesus' identity. Mark identifies Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah) and the Son of God, unveiling...
Preaching and Baptism of John the Baptist (Mark 1:4-8)
John the Baptist is described as a prophet who prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. His depiction as ascetic and excentric person is a reminisence of a prophetic archetype of Eliah. John preaches a baptism of repentance and forgiveness, calling people to confess their sins and turn...
Baptism and Testing of Jesus (Mark 1:9-13)
Mark 1:9-13 describes the baptism and temptation of Jesus. The Gospel of Mark binds these two events causally close. The story in this passage highlights Jesus' identity as the Son of God and his ability to resist the temptation of Satan. The role of the Holy Spirit, which descends on Jesus upon...
The First Disciples of Jesus (Mark 1:14-20)
Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God which is based on repentance and faith. The story, at this point, focuses on Jesus calling his first disciples, Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John, to follow him and become "fishers of men."
Defilement comes from within (Mark 7:1-23)
This story questions the very essence of what is really important in our religious life. It would be the mistake to just plain read the story and apply it into our life. Key Greek terms used here are παραδοσις meaning "tradition, something handed down" and κοινος meaning "defiled; ordinary,...
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ (Mark 8:27-30)
In the passage, Jesus and his disciples are in the region of Caesarea Philippi, and Jesus asks them, "Who do people say that I am?" The disciples respond, saying that some people think he is John the Baptist, others think he is Elijah, and still others think he is one of the prophets. Then Jesus...
Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26)
Markan version of the Last Supper recounts the events surrounding the event, where Jesus and his disciples look for a place to spend and share a Passover meal before his crucifixion. The first thing the text focus on during the Last Supper is that Jesus identifies his betrayer (Judas) in verse...
Great Commission (Mark 16:14-20)
The Great Commission is the final moment of Mark before Jesus leaves His disciples ascending to the right side of God. The discourse starts with reproaching the disciples' faith because they did not believe the witnesses who sow risen Jesus (Mark 16:14). Only after the reproach, he sends them...