Bible Commentaries

Genesis 46:28 — "And he sent Judah before him unto Joseph, to show the way before him into Goshen." Judah, in this "going before Israel" is a type of Jesus Christ our "forerunner" (Hebrews 6:20). And this verse does not stand in the sacred text at this particular place, exactly upon the occasion of Jacob's entry into Egypt, by the carelessness or caprice of some nameless "redactor." It appears exactly at this place by the inspiration of God!

2 Chronicles 3:14 — "And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubim thereon." (See the chapter heading for our perplexity regarding this verse.) Significantly, it is not stated that this veil sealed off the Holy of Holies, although it may be implied. Certainly that is what should have been done; but 1 Kings 6 indicates that olive-wood doors were used. One thing is certain, the Herodian temple had the veil.

Psalms 40 overview — A SONG OF PRAISE AND A PRAYER FOR HELP A GLORIOUS PROPHECY OF THE MESSIAH This psalm is especially distinguished in that the author of Hebrews quoted Psalms 40:6-8 (Hebrews 10:5 ff). The precious words of these verses in the psalm constitute a promise on David's part; but, of course, "None but the Messiah could fulfill them, as the New Testament passage makes abundantly clear. `Lo, I come,' (Psalms 40:7) is

Proverbs 21:7 — "The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice." We may read this as an imperative for every intelligent society, after the manner of Genesis 9:6, where is recorded the Divine order for society to execute murderers. This verse states what ought to be, not that which actually is. It must be pointed out that a society which rejects this Divine injunction is writing its own death-warrant.

Leviticus 6:1-7 — flock, according to thy estimation, for a trespass-offering unto the priest: and the priest shall make atonement for him before Jehovah; and he shah be forgiven concerning whatsoever he doeth so as to be guilty thereby." "And swear to a lie" (Leviticus 6:3), "hath sworn falsely" (Leviticus 6:5), "in the day of his being found guilty" (Leviticus 6:5). All of these expressions appear to indicate a situation in some kind of court procedure. The person here was under oath and was "found guilty," indicating

Ecclesiastes 6:10-12 — Doubleday and Company, 1972), Vol. 18, p. 233. As the words stand in our version, this writer finds the full meaning of this chapter somewhat illusive, in spite of the fact that the radical pessimism is clear enough. Barton supposed that, "Ecclesiastes 6:11 is a reference to a dispute between the Pharisees and Sadducees with reference to how far fate influenced the actions of men."International Critical Commentary, Vol. 18. p. 137. The same scholar affirmed that Ecclesiastes 6:12 should be understood

Isaiah 24:4-6 — why such terrible things are in store for the earth and its inhabitants. The inhabitants themselves are declared "guilty." They have: (1) transgressed God's laws, and (2) they are specifically guilty of breaking the everlasting covenant of Genesis 9:16. On this latter violation, Peake has this: "For the world's inhabitants have broken the covenant made with Noah, in which bloodshed was forbidden (Genesis 9:6; Genesis 9:16). On bloodshed, the great empires have been founded, and they shall perish in

Isaiah 59:15-21 — and doubt it. This is a most beautiful description of the Redeemer, and of the effects of his coming."Albert Barnes' Commentary, Vol. II, p. 350. Jehovah's concern at the terrible, near hopeless, condition of mankind; and the statement in Isaiah 59:16 that he "wondered that there was no intercessor" falls short of expressing the fullness of God's concern. The word should be rendered, "He was appalled."The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 621. The utter hopelessness of mankind had reached such a

Ezekiel 30:1 — ORACLES (3) Ezekiel 30:1-19 AND (4) Ezekiel 30:20-26 AGAINST EGYPT We may outline this chapter thus: A. Announcement of the Day of the Lord (Ezekiel 30:1-5) B. Allies, Dependents also destroyed (Ezekiel 30:6-9) C. Wealth of Egypt to be carried away (Ezekiel 30:10-12) D. Princes and Cities to be destroyed (Ezekiel 30:13-19) E. God breaks Pharaoh's arm (Ezekiel 30:20-26)

Hosea 6:4 — Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth early away." An important witness to the unity of Hosea is evident in the comparisons (morning cloud… dew), "for they correspond to those in Hosea 6:3"Ibid., p. 97. (morning… latter rain). Any genuine goodness on the part either of Ephraim or of Judah is but a vanishing trace, disappearing like the dew, or the morning cloud. "What shall I do unto thee…? This verse confirms what was

Matthew 9:7 — And he arose, and departed to his house. Thus, another mighty wonder performed by the Master followed the usual pattern: (1) It was complete. (2) It was immediate. (3) It was accomplished by a mere word. (4) There were no incantations. (5) There was no agonizing. (6) There were no loud prayers. (7) It was totally accomplished with the utmost ease in the presence of his enemies, without prior staging, and without any props.

Luke 13:23 — which it is most desirable that man should enter. A.    Because it is the gate of man's spiritual home, 1.    Our citizenship is there (Philippians 3:20). 2.    Our treasure is there (Matthew 6:20). 3.    The hope of every man is there (Hebrews 6:19). 4.    Our Lord is there (John 14:1-3). 5.    Our names are written there (Luke 10:20). B.    Because it is the

Luke 7:9-10 — superiority of his faith to that of any of the Israelites. Not even any of the apostles, at that time, had reached the lofty altitude on which this Gentile soldier stood.William M. Taylor, The Miracles of Our Saviour (New York: Richard R. Smith, 1930), p. 167. He marvelled … For an article on the "Marvel of Unbelief," see my Commentary on John, index. It is not recorded very often that Jesus marveled; but his marveling here contrasts with his marveling at unbelief (Mark 6:6). It was an

John 4 overview — This chapter relates the journey of the Lord and his disciples through Samaria (John 4:1-5), recounts the interview with the woman at the well (John 4:6-26), gives the conversation with the disciples upon their return (John 4:27-38), sums up the results of Christ's teaching in Samaria (John 4:38-42), narrates the continuation to Galilee, and records the performance of the second of the seven great signs (John 4:46-54).

John 6:2 — And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs he did on them that were sick. Insatiable human curiosity combined with the holiday atmosphere of the Passover season (John 6:4) to bring great throngs of people to Jesus. None knew any better than the Lord the undependable nature of such crowds and the essentially mundane motives and aspirations of the people. Regardless of their shortcomings, Jesus loved them, a fact very evident in what followed.

John 8:28 — Jesus therefore said, 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 the Father taught me, I speak these things. When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know … Some of the priests (in fact, many of them) would believe (Acts 6:7), but not until after the crucifixion, resurrection, and world-wide proclamation of the faith.

Romans 4:3 — For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. This is a quotation from Genesis 15:6, introduced to show that Abraham could not possibly have been justified by the law, because in that reference, such a long while before the law, and even before the covenant of circumcision, Abraham appears in scriptures as already a believer in God,

1 Corinthians 15:58 — love for them nor his loving persuasion helping them to conform more perfectly to the will of Christ. Be ye stedfast … Paul expected Christians to be able to "take it." He wrote the Ephesians, "Stand therefore" (Ephesians 6:14); and the admonition is the same here. Through the ages, there has been no more necessary virtue than the ability to be steadfast amidst changing scenes and times, despite temptations and sorrows, and without regard to every "wind of doctrine"

1 Corinthians 6:2 — as a reproof to the Corinthians, who boasted of the knowledge they received from the false teacher, (but) were extremely ignorant in religious matters. James Macknight, Apostolical Epistles and Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1969), p. 84. Dummelow unhesitatingly interpreted this and the two following verses as sarcasm on Paul's part: They appeal to the "knowledge" of the Corinthians, who were puffed up with spiritual pride; and in their conceit had spoken of their

Hebrews 11:39-40 — promise. "The promises," in the plural, as in Hebrews 11:13, is also a reference to this same Great Promise, the plural taking into account the renewal of the promise and the reiteration of it to several of the patriarchs. Back in Hebrews 10:36 our author had written, "Ye have need of patience, that having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise." Then, what is that Great Promise which none of the ancients could receive, even though righteous; and which, apart from us, they