Bible Commentaries

Genesis 2:1 — Moses probably meant everything that existed above the earth and on the earth when he wrote "their hosts." The "host" of heaven usually refers to the stars in the Old Testament (e.g., Deuteronomy 4:19) more than the angels (e.g., 1 Kings 22:19), so the sun, moon, and stars are probably in view here.

Genesis 29:31-35 — Moses recorded the births of Leah’s first four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. When the clause "the LORD saw" occurs (Genesis 29:31), His acting decisively, often for the weak and oppressed, follows soon (cf. Genesis 6:5; Genesis 7:1; Genesis 18:21; Genesis 31:12; Exodus 2:25; Exodus 4:31).

Nehemiah 3:1-4 — B. The Rebuilding of the Walls 3:1-7:4 Nehemiah described the reconstruction of the walls, starting with the Sheep Gate near the city’s northeast corner, moving counterclockwise. This record honors those who-by building-helped reestablish Israel in the Promised Land, in harmony with God’s will (cf., e.g., Isaiah 52:11-12).

Leviticus 22:1-33 — 3. The third list of regulations for priests ch. 22 The previous section (Leviticus 21:16-24) named physical impediments that prohibited some priests from offering sacrifices. This one identifies the circumstances under which priests could neither officiate at the sacrifices nor eat priestly food. Twenty-eight selected laws (7 x 4) compose this section.

Isaiah 40:10 — The sovereign Yahweh was coming to exercise His strong rule (cf. Isaiah 53:1; Deuteronomy 4:34). He was bringing His "reward" and "recompense" (synonyms) with Him for His people (cf. Revelation 22:12). These are the fruits of His victory, which He will share with His people (cf. Isaiah 61:6; Isaiah 66:12).

Isaiah 49:11 — God will also make His mountainous barriers as flat as a road so His people can come to His habitation. He will also build His highways so they will be thoroughfares for His people (cf. Isaiah 11:16; Isaiah 19:23; Isaiah 36:8; Isaiah 40:3-4; Isaiah 42:16; Isaiah 62:10).

Jeremiah 8:5 — But the people of Jerusalem had behaved unnaturally in continuing in their apostate condition. They insisted on being deceitful, and they refused to return to the Lord, even though they had stumbled and lost their way. This was irrational behavior. There are many occurrences of the Hebrew root shub, "repent," in Jeremiah 8:4-5.

Jeremiah 9:13 — The Lord Himself provided the answer to His own question. The land would lay desolate because His people had abandoned His covenant with them, had not walked in its commandments, and had not paid attention to His messages to them. The Israelites had promised to do these things at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:4-8).

Ezekiel 26:12 — Tyre’s enemies ("they") would take much spoil from the city and would push its physical remains into the sea (cf. Zechariah 9:3-4). God accomplished this by the hand of Alexander the Great who used the rubble from the mainland town to widen the causeway (mole) to the fortress on the peninsula.

Ezekiel 5:9-10 — The Lord would punish Jerusalem uniquely for her sins. Father’s would eat their own sons, and sons their fathers, in the siege (cf. Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53; 2 Kings 6:28-29; Jeremiah 19:9; Lamentations 4:10). Yahweh would scatter most of the surviving remnant from the Promised Land.

Mark 8:33 — Jesus spoke His rebuke for the other disciples as well as for Peter. This indicates that Peter was speaking for them. Jesus called Peter Satan because He recognized Satan as the ultimate source of Peter’s suggestion (cf. Matthew 4:10). Peter’s words had opposed God’s will in favor of the popular messianic idea.

Luke 4:14-11 — A. Jesus’ teaching ministry 4:14-5:11 This section of the third Gospel records some of Jesus’ initial preaching and various responses to it. Much of the material appears only in Luke. Interspersed are instances of Jesus performing mighty works. Luke, as the other evangelists, stressed the essential message that Jesus proclaimed.

Luke 8:1 — This verse is Luke’s summary of Jesus’ next preaching tour (cf. Luke 4:44). Like the first summary statement, this one also states Jesus’ ministry as consisting of itinerant preaching primarily. Luke noted the presence of the Twelve with Jesus to qualify them as reliable witnesses of His teaching, death, and resurrection.

John 6:26-34 — Jesus’ creating desire for the bread 6:26-34 This section of the text contains Jesus’ enigmatic and attractive description of the Bread of Life. Jesus was whetting His hearers’ appetites for it (cf. John 4:10). The pericope ends with them asking Him to give them the Bread (John 6:34).

Acts 19:37 — Second, Gaius and Aristarchus had done nothing worthy of punishment. They had neither physically damaged anything nor had they spoken against Artemis. Robbing temples and blaspheming other gods were common accusations that Gentiles made against Jews, including Jewish Christians, in antiquity (cf. Romans 2:22). [Note: Josephus, Antiquities of . . ., 4:8:10.]

Acts 2:4 — Peter spoke of it as having taken place on Pentecost a short time later (Acts 11:15-16). [Note: See Fruchtenbaum, pp. 116-17.] Filling with the Spirit was a phenomenon believers experienced at various times in the Old Testament economy (Exodus 35:30-34; Numbers 11:26-29; 1 Samuel 10:6; 1 Samuel 10:10) as well as in the New. An individual Christian can now experience it many times. God can fill a person with His Spirit on numerous separate occasions (cf. Acts 4:8; Acts 4:31; Acts 6:3; Acts 6:5; Acts

1 Corinthians 10:24 — The well-being of one’s neighbor is of primary importance. The exercise of all one’s liberties is of secondary importance (cf. Romans 15:2; Philippians 2:4). The Corinthians viewed their freedom as an opportunity to pursue their own interests. Paul viewed it as an opportunity to benefit and build up another person.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 — Paul’s prayer 3:11-13 This prayer illustrates Paul’s genuine concern for the Thessalonians, and it bridges the narrative material in chapters 1-3 and the parenetic material in chapters 4-5. [Note: Martin, pp. 110-11.] Parenesis consists of exhortations to continue based on previous lessons learned and previous commitments made.

Hebrews 11:11-12 — Sarah believed God would fulfill His promise and provide something (a child) totally beyond the realm of natural possibility. God wants us, too, to believe that. God rewarded her faith far beyond what she imagined, and He will reward ours in the same way (cf. Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Revelation 1:1-3 — 1. The preface 1:1-3 The Apostle John wrote these opening verses to introduce to his readers the main subject dealt with in this book and his purpose for writing it. Similarly John explained his purposes in writing 1 John and his Gospel (1 John 1:3-4; John 20:30-31).