Bible Commentaries

Ezra 4:1-5 — Opposition during Cyrus’ reign 4:1-5 The Assyrian government encouraged its residents to move to Israel and to settle there after the fall of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. This was official government policy during the reigns of the Assyrian kings Esarhaddon (680-669 B.C.; 2 Kings

Isaiah 24:23 — a poetic description of relative glory. Isaiah did not use the astronomical words for moon and sun here but poetic equivalents, the "white" and the "hot." Yahweh Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-5; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:10). Some amillennialists believe these are not real places but earthly names for the place from which God presently rules: heaven. Young wrote the following: "Both Zion and Jerusalem

Ezekiel 1:27 — Above his waist he seemed similar to hot metal glowing with heat (cf. Ezekiel 1:4), and below his waist he seemed to resemble fire (cf. Ezekiel 8:2; Daniel 10:6; Revelation 4:3; Revelation 4:5). All around him there appeared to be a radiance, like the glow that surrounds red-hot metal and fire.

Daniel 7:4 — The first beast looked like a lion, but it also had wings like an eagle. Other biblical writers had compared Nebuchadnezzar to a lion and an eagle (cf. Jeremiah 4:7; Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:17; Jeremiah 50:44; Jeremiah 49:22; Lamentations 4:19; Ezekiel 17:3; Ezekiel 17:12; Habakkuk 1:8). As Daniel watched, something plucked this beast’s wings off, made it stand on two feet like a man, and gave it a

Matthew 28 overview — Corinthians 15:12-19). However the Gospel evangelists did not deal with the theological implications of the resurrection but simply recorded the facts. The Apostle Paul wrote much to help us appreciate the significance of this great event (cf. Romans 4:24-25; Romans 6:4; Romans 8:34; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 3:10-11; Colossians 2:12-13; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). "The history of the Life of Christ upon earth closes with

Mark 4:35-43 — 1. The demonstrations of Jesus’ power 4:35-5:43 There are four miracles in this section. Jesus authenticated His words (Mark 4:1-34) with His works (Mark 4:35 to Mark 5:43). He demonstrated power over nature, demons, illness, and death. The purpose of these miracles was to demonstrate Jesus’ ability to vanquish all powers that are hostile to God. [Note: Lane, p. 173.]

Galatians 4:12-20 — 2. The historical illustration 4:12-20 Paul appealed next to his past contacts with the Galatians and called on them to remember his visits to Galatia to move them to abandon nomism. "If the reader is inclined to think Paul has been impersonal in dealing with the problems at Galatia,

Ephesians 5:7-14 — 4. Walking in light 5:7-14 The resumptive inferential particle translated "Therefore" marks the beginning of a new paragraph in Paul’s thought (cf. Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:1; Ephesians 5:15). He related three commands concerning walking (living) in the light in these verses and added reasons and explanations to motivate and to assist his readers.

Philippians 4:1 — The concluding charge to stand fast in the Lord 4:1 The key word "Therefore" (Gr. hoste) and the repetition of "stand firm" (cf. Philippians 1:27) point to a conclusion of the main subject. This verse begins the rather drawn out conclusion of the letter. The apostle did not want

Philippians 4:2-9 — C. Specific duties 4:2-9 This last section (Philippians 4:2-9) of the body of the epistle (Philippians 1:27 to Philippians 4:9) deals with the same two subjects as the preceding two sections, unity and steadfastness, but in more detail. Paul gave his readers specific instructions about what they should do. Unity needed restoring, and steadfastness needed encouraging.

Philippians 4:9 — Wholesome conduct (Philippians 4:9) should follow wholesome thinking (Philippians 4:8). Paul organized his thoughts on this subject by constructing two pairs. The Philippians had learned and received many helpful lessons from Paul, their teacher. They had personally heard his verbal

Joshua 3:1-12 — B. Entrance into the land 3:1-5:12 The entrance into the land was an extremely important event in the life of Israel. The writer marked it off in three major movements. Each one begins with a command from God to Joshua (Joshua 3:7-8; Joshua 4:1-3; and Joshua 4:15-16), followed by the communication of the command to the people, and then its execution. The way the narrator told the story seems designed to impress on the reader that it was Yahweh who was bringing His people miraculously into

Hebrews 4:4-5 — The writer evidently introduced the idea of God resting on the seventh day (cf. Hebrews 4:3) because it illustrates the fact that rest follows work. The work God called the Israelites in the wilderness to do was trusting and obeying Him. This would have resulted in rest from wandering in the wilderness, rest in the land, if they had carried

James 4:13-17 — C. Self-reliance 4:13-17 As in the previous chapters, James began with the exposition of a practical problem and moved on to its larger contextual problem, that is, its context in life. He already identified the source of interpersonal and inner personal conflicts as

1 Peter 4:19 — "Therefore" draws these encouragements to a conclusion and introduces a command in view of them. In view of these reasons we should respond to suffering by entrusting ourselves to the God who created us (cf. Matthew 27:50; Luke 23:46). He will bring us through our sufferings safely (cf. Philippians 1:6). God is faithful to do this. Furthermore we should keep on doing what is right (e.g., submitting to government rulers, obeying masters, submitting to husbands, loving wives, etc.)

3 John 1:5-10 — B. Encouragement to Support Those Who Proclaim the Truth VV. 5-10 John commended Gaius for his love of the brethren (cf. 1 John 2:3-9; 1 John 3:14-18; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11; 1 John 4:20-21; 2 John 1:5) to encourage him to continue practicing this virtue.

Revelation 20:11 — This "And I saw" introduces something else John saw in this vision (cf. Revelation 19:11; Revelation 19:17; Revelation 19:19; Revelation 20:1; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 21:1-2). The continuation of chronological progression seems clear from the continued use of "And" to introduce new information. Almost every verse in this chapter begins with "And." The "great

Revelation 4 overview — A. Introduction to the judgments of the Tribulation chs. 4-5 Chapters 4 and 5 prepared John, and they prepare the reader, for the outpouring of judgments on the earth that follow. They present the place from which these judgments originate and the Person from whom they come. Before revealing the judgments God

Revelation 7:2-3 — Another (Gr. allon, another of the same kind) angelic messenger appeared in the East. In Scripture divine salvation often comes from the East (cf. Genesis 2:8; Ezekiel 43:2; Matthew 2:1). He possessed a seal from "the living God," the title adding solemnity and vitality to the seal. [Note: Alford, 4:623.] A seal was a symbol of ownership (2 Corinthians 1:22), authentication (John 6:27), and protection leading

2 Samuel 4:1-12 — 2. David’s punishment of Ish-bosheth’s murderers ch. 4 "Saul the king is dead, Jonathan the heir apparent is dead, Abinadab and Malki-Shua (two of Jonathan’s brothers) are dead (1 Samuel 31:2), Abner the commander of the army is dead-and no other viable claimants or pretenders continue to block