Bible Commentaries

Genesis 46:1-7 — God’s encouragement to move 46:1-7 The structure of chapters 46 and 47 is also chiastic. [Note: Wenham, Genesis 16-50, p. 439.] A    God appears to Jacob (Genesis 46:1-4)     B    Jacob journeys to Egypt (Genesis 46:5-27)         C    Joseph

Exodus 14:1-4 — 2. Israel’s passage through the Red Sea ch. 14 Scholars have not been able to locate definitely the sites referred to in Exodus 14:2. "An Egyptian papyrus associates Baal Zephon with Tahpahnes . . . a known site near Lake Menzaleh in the northeastern delta region." [Note: Youngblood,

Exodus 17:1-7 — 3. The lack of water at Rephidim 17:1-7 Again the Israelites complained because there was no water to drink when they camped at Rephidim (cf. Exodus 15:24). At Marah there was bad water, but now there was none. ". . . the supreme calamity of desert travellers [sic] befell them-complete lack of water." [Note: Cassuto, p. 201.] Rephidim was near the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 17:1; cf. Exodus

Mark 13:14-23 — 4. The coming crisis 13:14-23 (cf. Matthew 24:14-28) Having clarified what the sign of the coming destruction would not be, Jesus now explained what it would be. Matthew and Mark both described the destruction preceding Jesus’ second coming. Luke recorded Jesus’ teaching about the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (Luke 21:20-24).

Mark 13:26 — Jesus described His return by referring to Old Testament prophecies of it (Daniel 7:13; Deuteronomy 30:4; Zechariah 2:6). The disclosure and triumph of Jesus are major emphases (cf. Revelation 19:11-16). [Note: Wessel, p. 750.] Jesus will no longer appear primarily as the Suffering Servant but as the glorified Son of Man.

Mark 2:23-6 — 4. The controversies about Sabbath observance 2:23-3:6 The remaining two instances of opposition from the religious leaders arose over and concerned Sabbath observance. In the first case, the Pharisees opposed Jesus for permitting His disciples to do something they considered sinful. In the second, they opposed Him for doing something Himself that they objected to.

Luke 16:2 — There is no indication in the parable whether the agent failed his master innocently or deliberately. That is unimportant. For whatever reason his boss fired him and asked him to turn in his account books that would show what he had done (cf. Matthew 12:36; Acts 19:40; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 4:5).

Luke 4:40-41 — Jesus’ healing of many Galileans after sundown 4:40-41 (cf. Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 1:32-34) Having recorded two individual healings, Luke now mentioned a group of people that Jesus healed. Again Luke omitted some details that the other synoptic writers included but added others to stress other points for his particular readers.

Luke 9:12-13 — Jesus undoubtedly used this suggestion as a teaching device to face the Twelve with the inadequacy of their resources so they would turn to Him for help (cf. 2 Kings 4:42-44). They failed this test and thought instead of buying food. The non-local people would need lodging for the night, a detail that only Luke recorded.

Acts 4:7 — The healed lame man was also present (Acts 4:14), though we do not know if he had been imprisoned with Peter and John or was simply brought in for the hearing. The Sanhedrin wanted to know by what authority or in whose name (under whose jurisdiction) Peter and John (plural "you") had behaved as they had.

1 Corinthians 16:21 — Paul customarily dictated his letters, and a secretary wrote them down (cf. Romans 16:22). However, he usually added a word of greeting at the end in his own hand that authenticated his epistles as coming from him (cf. Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:17). All of what follows is probably what he added.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 — 4. Special revelations Paul received 12:1-10 Paul had cited his freedom to minister without the Corinthians’ financial support and his sufferings in ministry as grounds for boasting. He next mentioned the special visions and revelations that God had granted him. He referred to these here to bolster his readers’ confidence in his apostolic calling and authority further.

2 Corinthians 7:5-13 — Paul’s encouragement at their response 7:5-13a Paul returned to the subject of his meeting with Titus in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:13), which he had left to expound new covenant ministry (2 Corinthians 2:14 to 2 Corinthians 6:10) and to urge acceptance of his ministry (2 Corinthians 6:11 to 2 Corinthians 7:4).

Philippians 4:21-23 — V. GREETINGS AND BENEDICTION 4:21-23 Paul concluded this warm, positive epistle with some greetings and a final benediction. He did this to cement good relations with the Philippians and to point them again in closing to the Lord Jesus Christ. This closing section of the epistle balances the salutation that opened it (Philippians 1:1-2).

Colossians 3:5-17 — B. The proper method 3:5-17 "Colossians 3:1-4 has provided the perspective from which the daily life of the Colossian Christians should be lived out. Now follows more specific advice that should help them the better to carry out the thematic exhortation to ’walk in him’ (Colossians 2:6)." [Note: Dunn, p. 211.]

Colossians 4:2-6 — D. The essential practice 4:2-6 Paul concluded his exhortations concerning Christian living with instructions pertaining to three essential practices for those in Christ. He wanted to impress their importance on his readers. One exhortation dealt with his readers’ relationship to God, another dealt with their relationship to other people, and the third looked self-ward.

1 Peter 3:13-6 — C. Eventual Vindication 3:13-4:6 Peter previously explained how a Christian can rejoice in his sufferings, having set forth his responsibilities and outlined specific conduct in times of suffering. He next emphasized the inner confidence a Christian can have when experiencing persecution for his or her faith to equip his readers to overcome their sufferings effectively.

2 Peter 1:3-4 — A. The Believer’s Resources 1:3-4 Peter reminded his readers of God’s power and promises that were available to them. He did this to rekindle an appreciation for the resources God had given them in view of their present needs. This epistle begins and ends on a note of victory (cf. 2 Peter 3:14-18).

Revelation 5 overview — 2. The Lamb on the throne ch. 5 John next recorded the revelation of the sealed scroll and its recipient. He did so to continue the revelation of what will be going on in heaven before God pours out the judgments to follow on the earth (chs. 6-18). This chapter continues the vision of God in chapter 4.

Revelation 9:9 — Their iron breastplates, which covered the chest and back in John’s day, gave them the appearance of invulnerability (cf. Revelation 9:17). [Note: Robertson, 6:364.] The sound of their activity will be terrifying, like the sound of battle (cf. Joel 2:4-5; 2 Kings 7:6; Jeremiah 47:3). Indeed their sound signifies battle with earth-dwellers.