Bible Commentaries

Genesis 4:17 — trying to build, was probably nothing more than a stronghold base of operations for his depredations. There were evidently many people on earth at that time, placing this event centuries, perhaps, after the expulsion from Eden. (See under Genesis 4:3.)

2 Kings 2:23-25 — passage at length, pointing out that, "The Hebrew words here may also be translated `young men,' and they are so rendered frequently in the Bible. The word means not only a child, a servant, but even a soldier. Isaac was so-called at age 28; at age 39 Joseph was described by the same word; and Ahab's bodyguard (the militia) received the same designation in 1 Kings 20:14."Adam Clarke, op. cit., p. 486. Hammond also agreed that such a rendition here as "little boys," "small boys," or "little children,"

Nehemiah 7:4 — returned with Zerubbabel becomes his basis for determining the purity of genealogy."Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary, p. 441. And the houses were not builded. "This must be understood in a relative sense, because some houses are referred to in Nehemiah 7:3."The New Layman's Bible Commentary, p. 540.

Psalms 40 overview — highlight of the Psalm."Derek Kidner, Vol. 1, p. 158. There are a number of different ways of interpreting this psalm. Barnes cited these: (1) "The psalm refers originally and exclusively to David; (2) it refers originally and exclusively to the Messiah; (3) it applies partly to David, and partly to Messiah; (4) the author of Hebrews 10:5 ff merely `applied' the psalm to Messiah, seeing that the words were capable of such an accommodation."Barnes' Notes on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,

Proverbs 14:30 — Bible (Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Company, 1982). However, it is wrong to limit the application of this to the physical body. The great Christian ideal is, "A quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:2). 1 Peter 3:4 and Acts 19:36 also echo the thoughts of this proverb. "Calmness of spirit gives room for the development of all the virtues and graces of the Christian life."Wardlaw in the Preacher's Homiletic Commentary, Vol. 13, p. 388.

Isaiah 50:1-3 — alone. Yes, Hosea mentioned God's triple betrothal to Jezreel, but that referred to the New Israel of the Church of God, and not to the old adulterous nation of Israel. We are glad indeed that Kelley discerned the truth on this passage. See footnote 3. "Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement…?" "This does not mean, however, that no divorce occurred. Israel was indeed sent away (Malachi 2:16)."Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), p 333. By the same token, the

Jeremiah 25:30-31 — into judgment with all flesh: as for the wicked, he will give them to the sword, saith Jehovah." Notice how repeatedly the message is emphasized: (1) that all nations shall suffer judgment and destruction; (2) that death shall overtake the wicked; and (3) that there shall be no national exceptions to God's wrath.

Zephaniah 3:17 — "Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing." (See the comment under Zephaniah 3:16, which is also applicable here.) All of these verses are part of the Messianic prophecy which concludes Zephaniah, and all of them deal with the felicity, confidence, security, and joy of Christ's kingdom. "Singing" is especially noticeable. The

Haggai 1:13 — alone, among all the prophets. Deane assures us that, by implication, it is also applied to Moses, Malachi, John the Baptist, and to our Lord Jesus Christ.W. J. Deane, op. cit., p. 4. Malachi referred to Christ as "the messenger of the covenant" (Malachi 3:1).

Matthew 5:5 — Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. This beatitude is mentioned in the Old Testament, although not in exactly the same words (Psalms 37:11). Meekness and lowliness are related terms (Matthew 11:29-30). Both Jesus Christ and the patriarch Moses are set forth in Scripture as being meek. Inherit the earth … does not refer exclusively to the "new heaven and the new earth"

Matthew 8:12 — darkness" is a reference to hell, or the place of final disposal of the wicked. It is interesting that Christ used various expressions descriptive of the final place of destiny for the wicked, referring to "unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12) in one place, and to "outer darkness" in another, The sons of the kingdom mentioned are the leaders of the Jewish nation who rejected Christ.

Matthew 9:21 — what people said within themselves. In this chapter is recorded what the Pharisees said within themselves, and here is related what this woman said within herself. Other examples are those of the unjust steward and the prodigal son (Luke 15:17; Luke 16:3). The surmise of this woman that only a touch was required to heal her was altogether correct. One of the profoundest statements in Holy Writ is Mark 6:56. "As many as touched him were made whole." If with all our striving, we may but TOUCH

Mark 15:38 — And the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom. This is numbered among the Calvary miracles, and a full treatment of the extensive symbolism of this event is found in my Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 27:53. Briefly, the veil symbolized the flesh of Christ himself, through which a new and living way has been opened for Christians (Hebrews 10:19). It means that the Old Testament must be understood in the light of the New Testament (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

Mark 9:49 — invariably beset the Christian pilgrimage, it means that none shall be saved except through the endurance of the world's scorn and opposition. Paul expressed this thought as "All that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Of course, this is a difficult verse, and all kinds of notions have been advocated as the meaning of it. Certainly, we may set aside the superstition that this is a reference to all souls passing through the fires of purgatory!

Luke 1:39 — a place called "Juttah," basing his conclusion upon the following: (1) From the fact that Juttah was one of the forty-eight cities that were given to the priests (Joshua 15:55; Joshua 11:16). (2) It was in the hill country of Judaea; and (3) This is according to the tradition of the primitive Church.R. Milligan, Analysis of the New Testament (Cincinnati, Ohio: Bosworth, Chase and Hall, Publishers, 1874), p. 18. Some have identified the residence of Zacharias as Hebron; but Milligan's

Luke 13:23 — (NARROW) GATE I.    Behold here is a door 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

Luke 22:17-18 — Farrar: 1.    Each drank a cup of wine, "the cup of consecration," followed by a blessing. 2.    Hands were washed, a table carried in, on which were bitter herbs, unleavened bread, the paschal lamb, dates and vinegar. 3.    The father dipped a morsel of unleavened bread and bitter herbs, about the size of an olive (the sop), in the vinegar, giving it to each in turn. 4.    A second cup of wine was poured, and the passover story

Luke 7:27-28 — before thee. I say unto you, Among them that are born of women, there is none greater than John: yet he that is little in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Thus Jesus identified John the Baptist as the "Elijah" who was to come (Malachi 3:1 ff), and as the herald of King Jesus. Greater than he … This seemingly paradoxical statement is resolved by the considerations: (1) that John the Baptist was not in the kingdom of Christ, the same not being set up until after John's death,

Hebrews 3:13 — another" is variously translated in the New Testament, as in "be at peace AMONG YOURSELVES" (1 Thessalonians 5:14); "Fervent in your love AMONG YOURSELVES" (1 Peter 4:8); "And be ye kind ONE TO ANOTHER" (Ephesians 4:32); and "Forbearing ONE ANOTHER and forgiving EACH OTHER" (Colossians 3:13). Thus the persons so strongly commanded in this place to "exhort" and the persons to be exhorted can be none other than the Christian membership itself, and

1 Samuel 3:2-9 — down; and if he calls you, you shall say, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears." So Samuel went and lay down in his place." "Eli was lying down in his own place… Samuel lay down in his place" The phrase within the temple of the Lord (1 Samuel 3:3) does not mean within the Holy of Holies but is a reference to the entire temple area at Shiloh. Sleeping quarters for Eli and Samuel were in some unspecified area and quite near each other. "Where the ark of God was" This clause modifies "temple