Bible Commentaries

Matthew 27:57 — Joseph's wealth might also have been a consideration in making him a secret follower instead of an avowed disciple (Mark 10:23-24). Wealth has always been one of the things capable of choking the word of God out of men's hearts (Matthew 13:22; 1 Timothy 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:17; 1 Timothy 6:19). (4) Public office might also have hindered. Such usually leads men to over-prudent caution and tunes the ear of the public man to the applause of the multitudes rather than to truth. Spurgeon said: What is there

Mark 4:10-12 — "Nowhere in the New Testament does this term (mystery) correspond to esoteric knowledge and rites as in the so-called mystery religions of the Roman Empire."Henry E. Turlington, The Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1946), p. 298. "Mystery" in the New Testament sense refers to a glorious truth long concealed but now revealed (Romans 16:25-26). Cranfield described the mystery as the fact "that the kingdom of God has come in the person, words, and works

Luke 23:44-45 — veil was rent squarely in two parts "from the top to the bottom," not from the bottom upward, a phenomenon that was witnessed by the entire company of temple priests, and which probably accounts for the conversion of so many of them (Acts 6:7).

John 1:32-33 — the Holy Spirit, it was necessary for the Spirit to assume a physical form; and, appropriately, it was that of a dove, long the symbol of peace and goodness. For a fuller comment on this symbolism of the dove, see my Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 3:16. Of course, this was not a mere case of a bird lighting on Jesus for a moment, a phenomenon which, while rare, is occasionally experienced by men. Much more was involved. The heavens were opened, and the dove visibly descended from on high, an action

John 6:8-9 — him, There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes; but what are these among so many? The finding of this lad with his small supply did not take place until after Christ had commanded the disciples to feed the people (Matthew 14:16-17); and even that they did not bring to Jesus until commanded to do so. Barley loaves were not the bakery-size loaves of our own times, but small flat cakes associated with the diet and eating habits of the poor. The small fishes were used as a relish

Acts 1:2 — effect that Jesus did not "set up" a kingdom, but he "received" one as a gift from the Father. It is often alleged that only Luke and Mark mention the ascension, but this is not correct. John's gospel has two references to it (John 6:62 and John 20:17), and Matthew's record of the great commission, "all authority in heaven and upon earth," may be understood only in light of the fact of his ascension. Commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles … Here at

Acts 16:9-10 — gospel unto them … By the use of "us," Luke showed that "He included himself with Paul, Silas and Timothy as preachers of the gospel." H. Leo Boles, A Commentary on Acts of Apostles (Nashville: The Gospel Advocate Company, 1963), p. 255. Further comment on Luke is made in the introduction to his Gospel in my Commentary on Luke, pp. 3-6.

Acts 21:10-12 — Paul received such information. For more on this, see under Acts 20:23. Bound his own feet and hands … The Old Testament prophets often acted out their prophecies, as for example, in Ezekiel's portrayal of the siege of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 4:1-6); and a similar thing was done by Agabus here. Implicit in Agabus' prophecy that the binding of Paul would occur in Jerusalem is the fact that the Holy Spirit expected him to go to Jerusalem. The prophecy was not that "If you go you will be bound,"

Acts 21:9 — notion that "these women were evangelists also" John Wesley, op. cit., in loco. must be rejected. These are the New Testament counterpart of such Old Testament prophetesses as Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14), and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). They were not evangelists. Furthermore, the mention of their being unmarried "virgins is only an interesting detail and carries no religious significance." Everett F. Harrison, Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago:

Acts 8:7-8 — phenomenon of demon possession. This subject was reviewed repeatedly in the four gospels, and it would be profitless to repeat them here. For those interested in pursuing the subject further, reference is made to my Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 8:16; Matthew 8:29 and my Commentary on Mark, Mark 1:24; Mark 5:2. Much joy in that city … During the ministry of Christ the Lord commanded that his representatives should not go into any city of the Samaritans (Matthew 10:5-6); and, although Jesus

Acts 9:31 — So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied. See under Acts 6:7 for other examples of Luke's device of pausing at intervals to record the growth and prosperity of the church, thus giving several reminders of his grand design of showing how Christianity developed and spread to the whole world. It could be, also,

Romans 1:13 — therefore, either the hindrance itself, or its being allowed, must be attributed to the Holy Spirit. Satan indeed was the hinderer on some occasions, as in 1 Thessalonians 2:18, and, upon other occasions, the Holy Spirit was the hinderer, as in Acts 16:6. Whiteside made a very significant deduction from the circumstances revealed in this verse: This shows that he was not guided by inspiration in forming his plans, for the Holy Spirit would not have guided him into forming plans and then have allowed

1 Corinthians 1:2 — fact that they were "in Christ." In Christ … denotes the status of all Christians, a relationship brought about through an obedient faith when they were baptized "into" him (Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13; and Romans 6:3). The epic importance of this phrase appears in the fact that it is used no less than 169 times in Paul's epistles. John Mackay, God's Order (New York: Macmillan Company, 1953), p. 67 Called to be saints … Again, "to be" is an unnecessary

1 Corinthians 10:11 — come. Now these things happened … This is a bold testimony to the Old Testament record, which contains not legends, myths or traditions, but what "happened." By way of example … This same thought was expressed in 1 Corinthians 10:6; and under 1 Corinthians 10:4 is given a list of analogies in the great allegory of fleshly Israel, the type of spiritual Israel. Romans 15:4 has much the same teaching, indicating that the Old Testament is for the "learning" of Christians,

1 Corinthians 15:4 — that he hath been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. This dogmatic declaration of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ was written while the majority of that generation in which it occurred were still alive (1 Corinthians 15:6); and the presence of many enemies who denied it but who were powerless to produce any evidence against it, makes this an argument of eternal power and dependability. In fact all of the evidence in this chapter shows that even the enemies who were denying

Ephesians 2:10 — in dealing with this verse. They say: "The essential quality of the new life is good works." "If we are not living a life of good works, we have no reason to believe that we have been saved by grace." W. G. Blaikie, op. cit., p. 64. "Paul reminds us that works have a place in God's salvation." Williard H. Taylor, Beacon Bible Commentaries, Vol. IX (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1965), p. 174. Etc., etc. Well, what is that place? Paul spelled it out, thus: God will

Ephesians 2:6 — the comments which would make "raised up with" Christ in this place to mean: "the resurrection of believers at the last day," James MacKnight, op. cit., p. 282. "a spiritual transformation," Francis W. Beare, op. cit., p. 643. "believers are viewed (here) as already seated there (in heaven) with Christ," F. F. Bruce, op. cit., p. 50. "in spirit already, and ere long our bodies too will be raised" John Wesley, One Volume New Testament Commentary (Grand

Philippians 4:7 — as "The smile of God reflected in the soul of the believer, the heart's calm after Calvary's storm, the conviction that God who spared not his own Son will surely also, along with him, freely give us all things (Romans 8:32)." Ibid., p. 196. Passeth all understanding … Those who see it manifested in the lives of Christians cannot understand such peace exhibited despite the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune encountered by them; even those who possess it cannot fully understand

Colossians 2:2-3 — (1) the church which is the body of Christ; (2) the secret of life in the individual believer, "Christ in you, the hope of glory"; and (3) the deepest mystery of all, "the mystery of God even Christ. G. Campbell Morgan, op. cit., p. 496. As frequently pointed out, the "mystery" of the New Testament is exceedingly large and extensive, no less than three facets of it appearing in the single paragraph before us; and yet, strangely enough, all parts of this mystery are wrapped,

Colossians 3:6 — side of holiness, the revulsion of righteousness toward all unrighteousness. Donald Guthrie, op. cit., p. 1149. Disobedience … is eliminated in some versions. "But the phrase logically fits here, for it stands in the parallel in Ephesians 5:6. John B. Nielson, op. cit., p. 413.