New exercises
Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany (John 12:1-11)
Six days before Passover, Jesus arrives in Bethany, where Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, is living. A dinner is given in his honor. Martha, ever faithful in her role of service (διακονέει [diakoneō]), tends to the needs of those present. Meanwhile, Mary performs a profound and symbolic...
Plot to Kill Jesus (John 11:45-57)
John 11:45-57 illustrates how human opposition to Jesus ultimately serves God's salvific purpose. The passage highlights Jesus' sacrificial death, the gathering of believers, and the blindness of those who reject him. After Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, many Jews believe in him (ἐπίστευσαν...
Judges
The book of Judges portrays Israel's repeated cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, reflecting a nation in spiritual and moral decline after Joshua's death. Each generation drifts further from God's covenant, succumbing to idolatry and disobedience. Despite Israel's persistent...
Topics
Social memory
In biblical studies, the term "social memory" refers to the collective process by which communities remember, interpret, and transmit their experiences, beliefs, and narratives related to their religious, cultural, and historical identity. This concept is particularly relevant in examining how...
Pilgrim Psalms
The "Psalms of Ascent," also known as the "Pilgrim Psalms" or "Songs of Degrees," are a collection of psalms in the Biblical Psalter. These are fifteen psalms from Psalm 120 to 134. This designation, found in the titles of each of these psalms, refers to their pilgrim nature. The Psalms of Ascent...
Heptads
The term heptad comes from the Greek word for "seven" and is used to refer to groups or series of seven in various contexts. In the context of the Biblical book of Revelation, heptads refer to several sets of seven that are significant in the symbolism and structure of the text. These...