Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-19)
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-19)
This passage describes Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. A large crowd gathers to welcome him, waving palm branches and shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the king of Israel!” Jesus enters the city riding on a young donkey, fulfilling the prophecy from...
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...
Raising Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1-44)
The passage describes the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, falls ill, and his sisters send word to Jesus. However, Jesus delays going to them, stating that the illness will serve to glorify God. By the time Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has...
Paul's Direct Quotations of Greco-Roman Philosophers and Poets
Paul directly quotes or alludes to Greco-Roman philosophers and poets in only a few places in the New Testament. These instances include Acts 17:28, 1 Corinthians 15:33, and Titus 1:12. In Acts 17:28, Paul addresses the Areopagus in Athens, engaging with Greek philosophical and religious thought...
The Temple Sermon (Jeremiah 7:1-11)
In Jeremiah 7:1-11, the prophet delivers a message from God to the people of Judah, emphasizing the importance of true worship and moral behavior over superficial rituals. The passage, known as the "Temple Sermon," rebukes the people's misplaced trust in the temple as a guarantee of safety while...
The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17)
Romans 1:16-17 is a foundational passage in Christian theology, emphasizing the power and universality of the gospel and the principle of justification by faith. Paul declares that he is "not ashamed" of the gospel (εὐαγγέλιον [euangelion]), for it is the power (δύναμις [dynamis]) of God for...
Jesus is Rejected by the Jews at the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22-42)
This passage takes place during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem, where Jesus is walking in the temple courts, specifically in Solomon’s colonnade. The Jewish leaders confront Jesus, asking him to clearly state whether he is the Christ (the Messiah). Jesus responds by pointing to his...
Spiritual blindness (John 9:35-41)
In this passage, Jesus hears that the man born blind, whom he healed earlier, has been cast out of the synagogue after being interrogated by the Pharisees. Jesus steps in to teach the last part of the whole narrative event. When Jesus seeks him out he asks him, if he believes in the Son of Man...
Praise the Lord, All You Servants of the Lord (Psalm 134)
Psalm 134:1-3 is a short but profound call to worship. It is part of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of psalms sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. This particular psalm invites the servants of the Lord to bless him, especially those who minister by night in the temple. It ends with a...
Behold, how good and pleasant it is (Psalm 133)
Psalm 133 is a short pilgrim psalm attributed to David, celebrating the beauty and blessings of unity among God’s people. It uses vivid imagery to describe how good and pleasant it is to dwell together in unity. The passage emphasizes the sacredness of communal harmony through two key similes: the...
Lord, remember David (Psalm 132)
Psalm 132 is a part of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of psalms sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. This psalm has two main sections: verses 1-10, which are a petition for God to remember David's devotion and promises concerning the ark of the covenant; and verses 11-18, which recount...
Elisha and Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8-37)
2 Kings 4:8-37, portrays a story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman, demonstrating themes of faith, hospitality, divine promise, and resurrection. This passage serves as a powerful testament to God's compassion, the efficacy of faith, and the hope of resurrection. The narrative unfolds in three...
Pharisees Investigate the Healing (John 9:13-34)
In John 9:13-34, the story revolves around a man born blind who was healed by Jesus. After his healing, the man is brought before the Pharisees for questioning. The Pharisees are divided over Jesus’ actions because the healing occurred on the Sabbath, which they consider a violation of their laws....
Lord, my heart is not proud (Psalm 131)
Psalm 131:1-3 is a short yet profound passage attributed to David, describing a deep sense of humility, contentment, and trust in God. Psalm 131 teaches the virtue of humility (גָּבַהּ [gavah] and רָמוּ [ramu]) and the importance of trust in God. The psalmist’s refusal to engage in matters...
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind (John 9:1-12)
John 9:1-12 narrates the story of Jesus healing a man who was blind from birth. The whole chapter 9 is divided into three main sections: the healing of the blind man (verses 1-12), the investigation by the Pharisees (verses 13-34), and the spiritual implications and the man's subsequent faith in...
Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord (Psalm 130)
Psalm 130 is a profound expression of repentance and hope. It captures the cry of an individual deeply aware of their sinfulness, yet hopeful in the mercy of God. This psalm is notable for its intense emotional depth and theological richness, emphasizing themes of repentance, forgiveness, and...
Before Abraham Was, I Am (John 8:48-59)
In this passage, Jesus engages in a heated dialogue with the Jewish leaders. The Jews accuse Jesus of being a Samaritan and possessed by a demon, to which Jesus responds that he honors his Father, while they dishonor him. He further states that anyone who keeps his word will never see death. The...
They have greatly oppressed me from my youth (Psalm 129)
Psalm 129 is a part of songs of ascents, traditionally recited by Israelites during pilgrimages to Jerusalem. This psalm reflects on the persistent oppression of Israel by its enemies and acknowledges divine deliverance. The psalm begins with the psalmist recalling Israel's long history of...
Blessed are All Who Fear the Lord (Psalm 128)
Psalm 128 is a song of ascents, part of a collection of psalms sung by Jewish pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. It is a concise poem, rich in blessings and promises for those who fear Yahweh and walk in his ways. The theological message of the psalm emphasizes the importance of piety and the fear...
Unless the Lord builds the house (Psalm 127)
Psalm 127:1-5, attributed to Solomon, emphasizes the importance of divine providence and blessing in all human endeavors. The stress of the passege is clearly that without the Lord's involvement and blessing, human efforts are ultimately futile. The psalm begins in verse 1 with the assertion...
When the Lord Restored the Fortunes of Zion, We Were Like Those Who Dreamed (Psalm 126)
Psalm 126 is a powerful passage that belongs to the collection of Psalms known as the "Songs of Ascents," traditionally sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem for religious festivals. This specific psalm reflects a communal memory of past deliverance and a prayer for future restoration,...
Those Who Trust in the Lord (Psalm 125)
Psalm 125 is a song of ascents, expressing trust in God's protection and justice. It uses vivid imagery and key Hebrew terms to convey its message of faith and divine justice. The Psalm begins by comparing those who trust in the Lord to Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but stands forever. This...
If the Lord Had Not Been on Our Side (Psalm 124)
Psalm 124 is a song of ascents, traditionally attributed to King David, that expresses profound gratitude and recognition of divine intervention and protection in the face of adversity. The psalm begins by inviting the Israelites to consider the hypothetical situation of the Lord not being on...
Abraham is our father (John 8:39-47)
In John 8:39-47, Jesus engages in a deep and confrontational dialogue with the Jews who believed in Him, focusing on the themes of spiritual lineage, truth, and freedom. The passage contrasts the notion of physical descent from Abraham with the spiritual descent that comes from doing the works of...
Truth Will Set You Free (John 8:31-38)
John 8:31-38 is a passage in which Jesus speaks about the truth and freedom with those Jews who had believed in him. In the dialog, Jesus addresses Jews, stating, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (v. 31-32). The...
Latin: Frequency Vocabulary (19-10 Occurrences)
The exercise contains words that occur between 19 to 10 times in the Bible. Mastering this vocabulary will increase your ability for a more fluent reading of the Bible in the Latin language.
Nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:31-39)
Romans 8:31-39 is one of the most profound and comforting passages in the New Testament, offering deep theological insights into the love of God, the security of believers in Christ, and the unbreakable bond between Christ and those who belong to him. Paul poses a rhetorical question, "If god is...
Jesus is not of this world (John 8:21-30)
John 8:21-30 presents a dialogue between Jesus and the Jews, in which Jesus speaks about his origin, destination, and divine identity. This passage is rich in theological content and employs key Greek terms that underscore its message and significance. In this passage, Jesus again addresses the...
I Lift Up My Eyes to You (Psalm 123)
Psalm 123 is a short but profound passage within the Songs of Ascents, which were songs sung by pilgrims as they made their journey to Jerusalem for the major Jewish festivals. This psalm, specifically, is a prayer for mercy, expressing deep dependence on God. The text is a plea for God's mercy...
I was glad when they said to me: Let us go to the house of the Lord! (Psalm 122:1-9)
Psalm 122 is a part of the Songs of Ascents, which is a collection of psalms (Psalms 120-134) sung by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major Jewish festivals. Psalm 122, attributed to David, expresses joy and reverence for Jerusalem as a place of worship and divine...
I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
The theological significance of Philippians 4:13 lies in its profound statement about Christian reliance on Christ for strength and sustenance. It emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ's power in every situation, a concept that resonates deeply within Christian spirituality and practice. This verse...
Latin: Frequency Vocabulary (29-20 Occurrences)
The exercise contains words that occur between 29 to 20 times in the Bible. Mastering this vocabulary will increase your ability for a more fluent reading of the Bible in the Latin language.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains (Psalm 121)
Psalm 121 is a song of ascents, part of a group of Psalms 120-134 traditionally sung by Jewish pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major festivals. This particular psalm encourages believers to trust in the Lord for protection and provision. The passage shifts the focus from human...
Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12-20)
John 8:12-20 is a significant passage in the New Testament. In this section, Jesus speaks about the imporantce that people should follow him. Jesus proclaims, "I am the light of the world" (ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου [egō eimi to phōs tou kosmou]). This statement is profound, asserting that...