1-ARC.

indd 1 6/13/2012 12:44:12 PM

 PRESENTED TO

BY

ON THE OCCASION OF

D AT E

AD 20 25 30 35 40 45

s Caesar ( AD 14–37) Claudius Caesar ( AD 41–54)

Gaius Caligula Caesar ( AD 37–41)

Antipas divorces Aretas’s

daughter and marries Herodias, AD 36
his brother Herod Philip’s wife Aretas attacks and defeats Herod Antipas

Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea ( AD 26– 36)

Caiaphas as high priest ( AD 18–36) Herod Agrippa I ( AD 37– 44)

AD 44
about AD 26 about AD 29 Agrippa dies
John the Baptist begins his ministry John the Baptist is imprisoned, then beheaded from violent
illness
about AD 27 Passover, about AD 30
Jesus begins his ministry Jesus’ death and resurrection

Caspian
Sea
 Long ago God spoke many times and in
many ways to our ancestors through the
prophets. And now in these final days,
he has spoken to us through his Son.
from HEBREWS 1:1-2

AD 20 25 30 35 40 45

s Caesar ( AD 14–37) Claudius Caesar ( AD 41–54)

Gaius Caligula Caesar ( AD 37–41)

Antipas divorces Aretas’s

daughter and marries Herodias, AD 36
his brother Herod Philip’s wife Aretas attacks and defeats Herod Antipas

Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea ( AD 26– 36)

Caiaphas as high priest ( AD 18–36) Herod Agrippa I ( AD 37– 44)

AD 44
about AD 26 about AD 29 Agrippa dies
John the Baptist begins his ministry John the Baptist is imprisoned, then beheaded from violent
illness
about AD 27 Passover, about AD 30
Jesus begins his ministry Jesus’ death and resurrection

Caspian
Sea
 Chronological
Life Application
Study Bible

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CLASB.indb A2 6/13/2012 11:50:00 AM
 Chronological ®

Life Application
Study Bible

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Carol Stream, Illinois

CLASB.indb A3 6/13/2012 11:50:00 AM

 Visit Tyndale online at www.newlivingtranslation.com and www.tyndale.com.
Tyndale House Publishers gratefully acknowledges the role of Youth for Christ/USA in preparing the Life Application Notes and Bible Helps.
Notes and Bible helps copyright © 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. New Testament notes and
Bible helps copyright © 1986 owned by assignment by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
New Chronological features and Bible helps copyright © 2012 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007
by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House
Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Tyndale House Publishers and Wycliffe Bible Translators share the vision for an understandable, accurate translation of the Bible for
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 CONTENTS

A7 Canonical Table of Contents

A15 Introduction to the Chronological Life Application Study Bible
A23 A Chronological Survey of the Bible
A34 Complete Biblical Timeline
A44 A Note to Readers
A45 Introduction to the New Living Translation
A50 NLT Bible Translation Team
A52 Contributors

1 T H E O L D T E S TA M E N T
2 „ Beginnings: Undated–2100 b.c.
Genesis
26 „ God’s Chosen Family: 2100–1800 b.c.
Genesis, Job
134 „ Birth of Israel: 1800–1406 b.c.
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Psalms
330 „ Possessing the Land: 1406–1050 b.c.
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel
428 „ United Monarchy: 1050–930 b.c.
1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
Song of Songs
684 „ Splintered Nation: 930–586 b.c.
1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea,
Amos, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah
1090 „ Exile: 586–538 b.c.
2 Kings, Psalms, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Obadiah
1144 „ Return & Diaspora: 538–6 b.c.
1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Psalms, Daniel, Joel, Haggai,
Zechariah, Malachi

1253 T H E N E W T E S T A M E N T
1254 „ Jesus Christ: 6 b.c.–a.d. 30
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts
1502 „ The Church: a.d. 30–Present
Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews,
James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation

1835 A Christian Worker’s Resource

1849 The Bible Book-by-Book
1924 Master Index
2039 Index to Charts
2041 Index to Maps
2042 Index to Profiles
2043 Index to Archaeological Notes
2044 Index to Illustrations
2045 NLT Dictionary/Concordance
2167 Image Credits

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 USING THE CANONICAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
These pages give you quick access
to any passage of Scripture in the
Chronological Life Application
Study Bible. Just find the reference
you are looking for in this canoni-
cally arranged index, and you’ll
get the precise page where that
passage is found. Colored squares
indicate which section the passage
appears in:

„ Beginnings
(Undated–2100 b.c.)
„ God’s Chosen Family
(2100–1800 b.c.)
„ Birth of Israel
(1800–1406 b.c.)
„ Possessing the Land
(1406–1050 b.c.)
„ United Monarchy
(1050–930 b.c.)
„ Splintered Nation
(930–586 b.c.)
„ Exile
(586–538 b.c.)
„ Return & Diaspora
(538–6 b.c.)
„ Jesus Christ
(6 b.c.–a.d. 30)
„ The Church
(a.d. 30–Present)

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 CANONICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Old Testament

GENESIS Gn 39:1-18 ............... 76 Ex 30:1-10.............. 181 Nm 6:1-21 ..............244
„ Gn 1:1–2:4a .................6 Gn 39:19–40:23 ..... 78 Ex 30:11-38 ...........182 Nm 6:22-27 ...........245
Gn 2:4b-25..................9 Gn 41:1-36 ............... 79 Ex 31:1-18 ..............183 Nm 7:1-89 ..............196
Gn 3:1-19...................11 Gn 41:37-57............. 80 Ex 32:1-29..............184 Nm 8:1-26 ..............199
Gn 3:20-24............... 13 Gn 42:1-38............... 81 Ex 32:30–33:11 ....185 Nm 9:1-14 ..............200
Gn 4:1-16.................. 14 Gn 43:1-34 ............... 83 Ex 33:12-23 ...........186 Nm 9:15-23 ...........201
Gn 4:17-24 ............... 15 Gn 44:1-17 ............... 84 Ex 34:1-35 .............187 Nm 10:1-10............202
Gn 4:25–5:32 .......... 16 Gn 44:18-34 ............ 85 Ex 35:1-3 ................188 Nm 10:11-36 .........246
Gn 6:1-22 ..................17 Gn 45:1-28 ............... 86 Ex 35:4–36:7 .........189 Nm 11:1-15 ............247
Gn 7:1-24 .................. 18 Gn 46:1-27 ............... 87 Ex 36:8-38 .............190 Nm 11:16-30 .........248
Gn 8:1-22 ................. 19 Gn 46:28–47:12 ..... 88 Ex 37:1-16 .............. 191 Nm 11:31–12:16 ...249
Gn 9:1-17.................. 20 Gn 47:13-31............. 89 Ex 37:17–38:20..... 192 Nm 13:1-24 ............250
Gn 9:18–10:1 ........... 21 Gn 48:1-22 ............... 90 Ex 38:21–39:21 .... 193 Nm 13:25–14:12 ..251
Gn 10:2-31 ............... 22 Gn 49:1-28 ............... 91 Ex 39:22-43 ..........194 Nm 14:13-25 .........252
Gn 10:32–11:26 ...... 23 Gn 49:29–50:13 ..... 92 Ex 40:1-33 .............195 Nm 14:26-45 ........253
Gn 11:27-32 ............. 24 Gn 50:14-26 ............ 93 Ex 40:34-38 ..........196 Nm 15:1-31 ............254
Nm 15:32–16:50 ..255
„ Gn 12:1-9 ................. 30 EXODUS LEVITICUS Nm 17:1–18:7 ........258
Gn 12:10-20 ............ 31 „ Ex 1:1-22 ................140 „ Lv 1:1-17 .................202 Nm 18:8-32 ...........259
Gn 13:1-18 ............... 32 Ex 2:1-10 ................ 141 Lv 2:1-16 .................204 Nm 19:1-22............260
Gn 14:1-16 ............... 33 Ex 2:11-25 ..............142 Lv 3:1–4:35 ............205 Nm 20:1-13............ 261
Gn 14:17–15:21....... 34 Ex 3:1-22 ................143 Lv 5:1-19 .................207 Nm 20:14-29 .........262
Gn 16:1-16 ............... 36 Ex 4:1-31 ................145 Lv 6:1-30 ................208 Nm 21:1-20 ............263
Gn 17:1-8.................. 37 Ex 5:1-5 ..................146 Lv 7:1-38.................209 Nm 21:21-35 .........264
Gn 17:9-14 ............... 38 Ex 5:6-23................ 147 Lv 8:1-36 ................ 210 Nm 22:1-20 ...........265
Gn 17:15–18:15 ...... 39 Ex 6:1-13 ................148 Lv 9:1-24 ................. 211 Nm 22:21-41 .........266
Gn 18:16-33 ............ 40 Ex 6:14–7:13.......... 149 Lv 10:1-7................. 212 Nm 23:1–24:14 .....267
Gn 19:1-29 ............... 41 Ex 7:14-25..............150 Lv 10:8-20 .............. 213 Nm 24:15-25 .........268
Gn 19:30–20:18...... 42 Ex 8:1-15 ................ 151 Lv 11:1-47 .............. 214 Nm 25:1-18............269
Gn 21:1-21 ............... 43 Ex 8:16–9:7 ...........152 Lv 12:1–13:46........ 216 Nm 26:1-50 ...........270
Gn 21:22-34 ............ 44 Ex 9:8–10:20.........153 Lv 13:47–14:32 ..... 218 Nm 26:51-65 .........272
Gn 22:1-24 ............... 45 Ex 10:21-29 ...........154 Lv 14:33-57 ........... 219 Nm 27:1–28:8 .......273
Gn 23:1-20 ............... 46 Ex 11:1–12:30 .......155 Lv 15:1-33 ..............220 Nm 28:9-25 ........... 274
Gn 24:1-67 ............... 47 Ex 12:31-42 ...........157 Lv 16:1-34 ..............221 Nm 28:26–29:40 ..275
Gn 25:1-18 ............... 50 Ex 12:43–13:16.....158 Lv 17:1-16 ...............223 Nm 30:1-16............276
Gn 25:19-34 ............ 51 Ex 13:17–14:4........159 Lv 18:1-30 ..............224 Nm 31:1-24 ............277
Gn 26:1-11 ............... 52 Ex 14:5-31 .............160 Lv 19:1-37 ..............225 Nm 31:25–32:42 ..278
Gn 26:12-35 ............ 53 Ex 15:1-21 .............. 161 Lv 20:1-27 ..............226 Nm 33:1-56 ...........280
Gn 27:1-40............... 54 Ex 15:22-27 ........... 162 Lv 21:1–22:16 ........227 Nm 34:1-15............281
Gn 27:41–28:9 ........ 56 Ex 16:1-36..............163 Lv 22:17–23:4 ........229 Nm 34:16–35:34 ..282
Gn 28:10-22 ............ 57 Ex 17:1-16 ..............165 Lv 23:5-22..............230 Nm 36:1-13............284
Gn 29:1-30............... 59 Ex 18:1-27 ..............166 Lv 23:23–24:9 .......231
Gn 29:31–30:24.......61 Ex 19:1-25 .............. 167 Lv 24:10–25:22 .....232 DEUTERONOMY
Gn 30:25-43 ........... 62 Ex 20:1-21..............168 Lv 25:23-34 ...........233 „ Dt 1:1-5...................284
Gn 31:1-21................ 63 Ex 20:22–21:11..... 170 Lv 25:35–26:13 .....234 Dt 1:6-25 ................285
Gn 31:22-42 ............ 64 Ex 21:12-36 ........... 171 Lv 26:14-46 ...........235 Dt 1:26–2:25 .........286
Gn 31:43–32:21 ...... 65 Ex 22:1-31.............. 172 Lv 27:1-34 ..............236 Dt 2:26-37 .............287
Gn 32:22-32 ............ 66 Ex 23:1-19 .............. 173 Dt 3:1-20 ................288
Gn 33:1–34:31 ........ 67 Ex 23:20–24:18 .... 174 NUMBERS Dt 3:21–4:14 .........289
Gn 35:1-15 ............... 69 Ex 25:1-9 ................ 175 „ Nm 1:1-54 ..............238 Dt 4:15-31..............290
Gn 35:16–36:19 ...... 70 Ex 25:10-40 .......... 176 Nm 2:1-34..............239 Dt 4:32-49 .............291
Gn 36:20-30............ 71 Ex 26:1–27:8.......... 177 Nm 3:1-13 ..............240 Dt 5:1-33 ................292
Gn 36:31–37:17 ...... 72 Ex 27:9–28:14 ....... 178 Nm 3:14-51............ 241 Dt 6:1-25 ................294
Gn 37:18-36 ............ 73 Ex 28:15-43........... 179 Nm 4:1-33 ..............242 Dt 7:1-26 ................295
Gn 38:1-30................74 Ex 29:1-46 .............180 Nm 4:34–5:31.......243 Dt 8:1-20 ................296

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 C A N O N I C A L TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8

Dt 9:1-6 ..................297 Jgs 2:10-15 ............. 374 1 Sm 18:1-16 .........452 1 Kgs 2:13-46 .......604
Dt 9:7-29 ................298 Jgs 2:16-23 .............375 1 Sm 18:17– 1 Kgs 3:1-15 ..........606
Dt 10:1-11 ..............299 Jgs 3:1-11 ................376 19:17..................453 1 Kgs 3:16-28 ........608
Dt 10:12–11:32 .....300 Jgs 3:12-30 .............377 1 Sm 19:18– 1 Kgs 4:1-19...........628
Dt 12:1-32 ..............301 Jgs 3:31–4:23 ........378 20:42 .................455 1 Kgs 4:20-34 .......629
Dt 13:1-18 ..............302 Jgs 5:1-31................380 1 Sm 21:1-15 .........457 1 Kgs 5:1-18...........609
Dt 14:1-21 ..............303 Jgs 6:1-32 ...............382 1 Sm 22:1-2 ...........459 1 Kgs 6:1-13........... 611
Dt 14:22-29 ...........304 Jgs 6:33-40 ............384 1 Sm 22:3-23 ........461 1 Kgs 6:14-38........ 612
Dt 15:1–16:8 ..........305 Jgs 7:1-25................385 1 Sm 23:1-29 .........463 1 Kgs 7:1-51 .......... 613
Dt 16:9–17:13 .......306 Jgs 8:1-21................386 1 Sm 24:1-22 .........464 1 Kgs 8:1-11........... 617
Dt 17:14–18:8........307 Jgs 8:22–9:6 ..........388 1 Sm 25:1-22 .........465 1 Kgs 8:12-21 ........ 618
Dt 18:9-22 .............308 Jgs 9:7-21 ...............389 1 Sm 25:23-38 ......466 1 Kgs 8:22-53 ....... 619
Dt 19:1-21 ..............309 Jgs 9:22-57 ............390 1 Sm 25:39– 1 Kgs 8:54-66 .......622
Dt 20:1–21:9.......... 310 Jgs 10:1-5 ............... 391 26:25 .................467 1 Kgs 9:1-9 ............623
Dt 21:10–22:12 ..... 311 Jgs 10:6–11:28 ......392 1 Sm 27:1-12 .........469 1 Kgs 9:10-28........624
Dt 22:13-30 ........... 312 Jgs 11:29-40 ..........394 1 Sm 28:1-25 .........470 1 Kgs 10:1-13 ........626
Dt 23:1–25:19 ....... 313 Jgs 12:1-10 .............395 1 Sm 29:1-11 .........471 1 Kgs 10:14-29 .....627
Dt 26:1-15 .............. 315 Jgs 12:11–13:25 ....396 1 Sm 30:1-31 .........472 1 Kgs 11:1-13 ........ 671
Dt 26:16-–27:26 ... 316 Jgs 14:1-20 .............398 1 Sm 31:1-13 ......... 474 1 Kgs 11:14-40 .....672
Dt 28:1-14 .............. 317 Jgs 15:1-20 .............399 1 Kgs 11:41-43......673
Jgs 16:1-22 ............ 400 2 SAMUEL
Dt 28:15–29:1 ....... 318 „ 1 Kgs 12:1-20 ........696
Dt 29:2-29 .............320 Jgs 16:23–17:12 ....402 „ 2 Sm 1:1-16............476 1 Kgs 12:21-24......698
Dt 30:1-20.............. 321 Jgs 18:1-31 .............403 2 Sm 1:17-27 .........477 1 Kgs 12:25-33 .....699
Dt 31:1-29 ..............322 Jgs 19:1-30 .............405 2 Sm 2:1-11............478 1 Kgs 13:1-34 ........700
Dt 31:30–32:47 ....323 Jgs 20:1-48 ............407 2 Sm 2:12–3:1 .......479 1 Kgs 14:1-18 ........702
Dt 32:48-52 ...........325 Jgs 21:1-25 .............408 2 Sm 3:2-5 .............480 1 Kgs 14:19-20......706
Dt 33:1-29 ..............326 2 Sm 3:6-21 ...........482 1 Kgs 14:21-24 ......702
RUTH 2 Sm 3:22-30 ........483
Dt 34:1-12 ..............328 1 Kgs 14:25-28 .....703
„ Ru 1:1-5 ..................409 2 Sm 3:31–4:12.....484 1 Kgs 14:29–
JOSHUA Ru 1:6-22 ............... 410 2 Sm 5:1-5..............485 15:8....................704
„ Jo 1:1-9 ...................336 Ru 2:1-23................ 411 2 Sm 5:6-16 ...........487 1 Kgs 15:9-15........705
Jo 1:10–2:24 ..........337 Ru 3:1-18 ................ 413 2 Sm 5:17-25 .........489 1 Kgs 15:16-22 .....709
Jo 3:1-17 .................339 Ru 4:1-12................ 414 2 Sm 6:1-11............487 1 Kgs 15:23-24 ..... 713
Jo 4:1–5:1 ...............340 Ru 4:13-22 ............. 415 2 Sm 6:12-16 .........491 1 Kgs 15:25-34 .....706
Jo 5:2-15 .................342 1 SAMUEL 2 Sm 6:17-23 .........492 1 Kgs 16:1-14 ........ 711
Jo 6:1-27 .................343 2 Sm 7:1-17 ............495 1 Kgs 16:15-34 ..... 712
Jo 7:1-15 .................344 „ 1 Sm 1:1-8.............. 416 2 Sm 7:18-29 .........496
1 Sm 1:9-18 ........... 417 1 Kgs 17:1-24......... 715
Jo 7:16-26 ...............346 2 Sm 8:1-18............498 1 Kgs 18:1-40........ 716
Jo 8:1-29 .................347 1 Sm 1:19–2:11 ..... 418 2 Sm 9:1–10:19 .... 500
1 Sm 2:12-26 ......... 419 1 Kgs 18:41-46 ..... 718
Jo 8:30–9:27 .........348 2 Sm 11:1-13 .........502 1 Kgs 19:1-9a ........ 719
Jo 10:1-15 ...............349 1 Sm 2:27-36.........420 2 Sm 11:14-27 .......504
1 Sm 3:1-14............421 1 Kgs 19:9b-21 .....720
Jo 10:16-27 ............350 2 Sm 12:1-12 .........505 1 Kgs 20:1-12 ........ 721
Jo 10:28-43 ........... 351 1 Sm 3:15–4:11.....422 2 Sm 12:13-31 ......507
1 Sm 4:12-22 .........423 1 Kgs 20:13-34 .....722
Jo 11:1-15 ...............352 2 Sm 13:1-22 .........508 1 Kgs 20:35–
Jo 11:16–12:6 ........353 1 Sm 5:1-12............424 2 Sm 13:23-39 ......509
1 Sm 6:1-18............425 21:29 .................723
Jo 12:7-24 ...............354 2 Sm 14:1-33 ......... 510 1 Kgs 22:1-9 ..........725
Jo 13:1-7 .................355 1 Sm 6:19–7:2 .......426 2 Sm 15:1-37 ......... 512
1 Sm 7:3-17 ...........427 1 Kgs 22:10-28 .....726
Jo 13:8-23 ..............356 2 Sm 16:1-14 ......... 514 1 Kgs 22:29-40 ....728
Jo 13:24–14:5 ........357 „ 1 Sm 8:1-9..............434 2 Sm 16:15– 1 Kgs 22:41-49 .....736
Jo 14:6–15:12 ........358 1 Sm 8:10–9:27 ....435 17:14 .................. 515 1 Kgs 22:50 ...........737
Jo 15:13-63 ............359 1 Sm 10:1-8 ...........436 2 Sm 17:15-29 ....... 516 1 Kgs 22:51-53 .....729
Jo 16:1–17:18 .........360 1 Sm 10:9-16.........437 2 Sm 18:1-33 ......... 518
Jo 18:1-10 ............... 361 1 Sm 10:17-27 .......438 2 Sm 19:1-14 .........520 2 KINGS
Jo 18:11-28 .............362 1 Sm 11:1-15 .........439 2 Sm 19:15-30 ...... 521 „ 2 Kgs 1:1-18...........733
Jo 19:1-48 ..............363 1 Sm 12:1-25 .........440 2 Sm 19:31– 2 Kgs 2:1-18 ..........738
Jo 19:49–20:9........364 1 Sm 13:1-14 .........441 20:26 .................522 2 Kgs 2:19-25 ........739
Jo 21:1-45...............365 1 Sm 13:15– 2 Sm 21:1-22 ......... 524 2 Kgs 3:1-3.............734
Jo 22:1-9 .................366 14:15 .................442 2 Sm 22:1-51 .........526 2 Kgs 3:4-27 ..........735
Jo 22:10-34............367 1 Sm 14:16-23.......443 2 Sm 23:1-17 .........480 2 Kgs 4:1-7.............740
Jo 23:1-16 ...............368 1 Sm 14:24-46 ......444 2 Sm 23:18-39 ......481 2 Kgs 4:8-37 .......... 741
Jo 24:1-28 ...............369 1 Sm 14:47–15:9...445 2 Sm 24:1-9 ...........529 2 Kgs 4:38-44 ....... 742
Jo 24:29-33............370 1 Sm 15:10-23 ......446 2 Sm 24:10-17.......530 2 Kgs 5:1-19........... 743
1 Sm 15:24– 2 Sm 24:18-25....... 531 2 Kgs 5:20–6:7 .....744
JUDGES 16:13 .................447 2 Kgs 6:8-23 .......... 745
„ Jgs 1:1-18................371 1 Sm 16:14-23.......448 1 KINGS 2 Kgs 6:24–7:11 .... 746
Jgs 1:19-36 .............372 1 Sm 17:1-11..........449 „ 1 Kgs 1:1-27...........542 2 Kgs 7:12-20 ........ 747
Jgs 2:1-5..................373 1 Sm 17:12-51a .....450 1 Kgs 1:28-53 .......544 2 Kgs 8:1-6 ............737
Jgs 2:6-9 .................371 1 Sm 17:51b-58 ....451 1 Kgs 2:1-12 ..........545 2 Kgs 8:7-15 .......... 747

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 A9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C A N O N I C A L TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

2 Kgs 8:16-22 ........737 1 Chr 1:17-42 ..... 1226 2 Chr 9:13-28 ........628 Ezr 4:7-23 ............1194
2 Kgs 8:23-24........ 748 1 Chr 1:43–2:17.. 1227 2 Chr 9:29-31 .......673 Ezr 4:24–5:1 ........1162
2 Kgs 8:25-29 ....... 748 1 Chr 2:18-55 ..... 1228 „ 2 Chr 10:1-19 ........697 Ezr 5:2 ..................1165
2 Kgs 9:1-13 .......... 749 1 Chr 3:1-24........ 1229 2 Chr 11:1-4...........698 Ezr 5:3-17 ............1170
2 Kgs 9:14-29 ........750 1 Chr 4:1-20 ....... 1230 2 Chr 11:5-17 ........699 Ezr 6:1-18 .............1172
2 Kgs 9:30– 1 Chr 4:21–5:10 ..1231 2 Chr 11:18-23 ......703 Ezr 6:19-22 .......... 1181
10:17 ................. 751 1 Chr 5:11–6:15 ..1232 2 Chr 12:1-14 ........702 Ezr 7:1-10 .............1195
2 Kgs 10:18-31 .....752 1 Chr 6:16-53 ......1233 2 Chr 12:15– Ezr 7:11-26...........1196
2 Kgs 10:32-36 .....758 1 Chr 6:54–7:5... 1234 13:22 .................704 Ezr 7:27-28 ..........1197
2 Kgs 11:1-12 ........753 1 Chr 7:6-29 ....... 1235 Ezr 8:1-36 ............1198
2 Chr 14:1-8 ..........706
2 Kgs 11:13-16 ......754 1 Chr 7:30–9:1a.. 1236 Ezr 9:1-15.............1199
2 Chr 14:9–
2 Kgs 11:17– 1 Chr 9:1b-34 ......1237 Ezr 10:1-17 ......... 1200
15:19 .................708
12:16 .................755 1 Chr 9:35-44 .... 1238 Ezr 10:18-44 .......1201
2 Chr 16:1-10 ........ 710
2 Kgs 12:17-21 ......759 „ 1 Chr 10:1-14 ........475 2 Chr 16:11-14 ...... 713 NEHEMIAH
2 Kgs 13:1-9 ..........758 1 Chr 11:1-3...........480 2 Chr 17:1-19......... 714
2 Kgs 13:10-11......759 1 Chr 11:4-9 ..........482 „ Neh 1:1-11........... 1202
2 Chr 18:1-8 ..........725
2 Kgs 13:12-13 ......762 1 Chr 11:10-19 ......480 Neh 2:1-10 .......... 1204
2 Chr 18:9-27 ........728
2 Kgs 13:14-25......759 1 Chr 11:20-47 .....482 Neh 2:11-20 ........ 1205
2 Chr 18:28–
2 Kgs 14:1-14 ........760 1 Chr 12:1-18 ........460 Neh 3:1-32 .......... 1206
19:11..................729
2 Kgs 14:15-27......762 1 Chr 12:19 ............472 Neh 4:1-23 .......... 1208
2 Chr 20:1-30........ 731
2 Kgs 14:28-29 ..... 781 1 Chr 12:20-22 .....473 Neh 5:1-19 .......... 1209
2 Kgs 15:1-4 ..........763 2 Chr 20:31-37 .....736
1 Chr 12:23-40.....486 Neh 6:1-14 ...........1210
2 Kgs 15:5 ..............764 2 Chr 21:1-17.........737
1 Chr 13:1-14 ........488 Neh 6:15–7:3.......1211
2 Kgs 15:6-7 ..........782 2 Chr 21:18–22:7.. 748
1 Chr 14:1-7...........489 Neh 7:4-73a .........1212
2 Kgs 15:8-15 ........ 781 2 Chr 22:8-9..........752
1 Chr 14:8– Neh 7:73b–
2 Kgs 15:16-29......782 2 Chr 22:10-12 .....753
15:24 .................490 8:12..................1213
2 Kgs 15:30-31 .....801 2 Chr 23:1-15 ........754
1 Chr 15:25– Neh 8:13–9:37 ....1215
2 Kgs 15:32-38 .....786 2 Chr 23:16-21......755
16:36 .................492 Neh 9:38–
2 Kgs 16:1-9 ..........788 2 Chr 24:1-22 ........757
1 Chr 16:37-42 .....493 10:39 ...............1217
2 Kgs 16:10-18......798 2 Chr 24:23-27 .....759
1 Chr 16:43............495 Neh 11:1-36 ........ 1220
2 Kgs 16:19-20......830 2 Chr 25:1-24 ........ 761
1 Chr 17:1-15.........496 Neh 12:1-43 ........1221
2 Kgs 17:1-4 ..........801 2 Chr 25:25-28 .....763
1 Chr 17:16-27 ......497 Neh 12:44–
2 Kgs 17:5 .............. 818 2 Chr 26:1-21 ........764
1 Chr 18:1-17 ........499 13:31 .............. 1222
2 Kgs 17:6-23 ........820 2 Chr 26:22-23 .....782
1 Chr 19:1-19 ........501 2 Chr 27:1-9 ..........786 ESTHER
2 Kgs 17:24-41 .....821 1 Chr 20:1 ..............504
2 Kgs 18:1-8 ..........799 2 Chr 28:1-15 ........789 „ Est 1:1-22 .............1182
1 Chr 20:2-3 ..........507 2 Chr 28:16-25 .....798
2 Kgs 18:9 .............. 818 1 Chr 20:4-8..........525 Est 2:1-20 .............1184
2 Kgs 18:10-12......821 2 Chr 28:26-27 .....830 Est 2:21-23...........1185
1 Chr 21:1-17.........530 2 Chr 29:1-2 ......... 800
2 Kgs 18:13-18 ...... 912 1 Chr 21:18–22:1.. 531 Est 3:1-15 .............1186
2 Kgs 18:19-37 ..... 913 2 Chr 29:3-17 ........834 Est 4:1-17 .............1187
1 Chr 22:2-19 ........532 2 Chr 29:18-36 .....835
2 Kgs 19:1-19 ........ 915 1 Chr 23:1-11 ........533 Est 5:1-8 ...............1188
2 Kgs 19:20-37 ..... 917 2 Chr 30:1-27 ........836 Est 5:9-14 .............1189
1 Chr 23:12– 2 Chr 31:1-21.........837
2 Kgs 20:1-11 ........ 919 24:19 .................534 Est 6:1–7:10 .........1190
2 Kgs 20:12-19......922 2 Chr 32:1-8 .......... 912 Est 8:1-17 ............. 1191
1 Chr 24:20-31 .....535
2 Kgs 20:20-21 .....923 2 Chr 32:9-19........ 916 Est 9:1-19 .............1192
1 Chr 25:1-31 ........536
2 Kgs 21:1-9 ..........954 2 Chr 32:20-23 ..... 918 Est 9:20-32 ..........1193
1 Chr 26:1-32 ........537
2 Kgs 21:10-16......955 2 Chr 32:24-31 .....920 Est 10:1-3 .............1194
1 Chr 27:1-24 ........538
2 Kgs 21:17-26 ......956 2 Chr 32:32-33 .....923
1 Chr 27:25– JOB
2 Kgs 22:1-2 ..........957 2 Chr 33:1-9 ..........954
28:21 .................539
2 Kgs 22:3-20 .......969 2 Chr 33:10-25 .....956 „ Jb 1:1-22 ................... 94
1 Chr 29:1-9 ..........540
2 Kgs 23:1-20 ........971 2 Chr 34:1-7 ..........957 Jb 2:1-13 ................... 96
1 Chr 29:10-22 .....541
2 Kgs 23:21-28 .....973 2 Chr 34:8-28........970 Jb 3:1-26 ................... 97
1 Chr 29:23-25 .....604
2 Kgs 23:29-30.....987 2 Chr 34:29-33 .....972 Jb 4:1-21 ................... 98
1 Chr 29:26-30 .....546
2 Kgs 23:31-35 .....990 2 Chr 35:1-19 ........973 Jb 5:1-27 ................... 99
2 Kgs 23:36-37 .....991 2 CHRONICLES 2 Chr 35:20-27 .....987 Jb 6:1–7:5 ............... 101
2 Kgs 24:1-4 ..........994 „ 2 Chr 1:1 ................604 2 Chr 36:1-5 ..........991 Jb 7:6–8:22 ............102
2 Kgs 24:5-9........1026 2 Chr 1:2-13 ..........607 2 Chr 36:6-9........1026 Jb 9:1-35.................103
2 Kgs 24:10-17... 1040 2 Chr 1:14-17 ........629 2 Chr 36:10-14....1041 Jb 10:1-22 ..............104
2 Kgs 24:18– 2 Chr 2:1-18...........609 2 Chr 36:15-21... 1088 Jb 11:1-20 ...............105
25:2 .................1041 2 Chr 3:1-14 ........... 611 „ 2 Chr 36:22-23 ...1150 Jb 12:1-25 ..............106
2 Kgs 25:3-7 ....... 1085 2 Chr 3:15–4:22 ... 614 Jb 13:1–14:22 ........107
2 Kgs 25:8-21..... 1087 2 Chr 5:1-14 ........... 617 EZRA Jb 15:1-35 ..............109
„ 2 Kgs 25:22-26 ...1104 2 Chr 6:1-11 ........... 619 „ Ezr 1:1-11 .............1150 Jb 16:1–17:16......... 110
2 Kgs 25:27-30 ...1134 2 Chr 6:12-42........620 Ezr 2:1-70 ............1152 Jb 18:1–19:29 ........ 111
2 Chr 7:1-10...........622 Ezr 3:1-6...............1155 Jb 20:1–21:34 ........ 113
1 CHRONICLES 2 Chr 7:11-22 ........623 Ezr 3:7-13.............1156 Jb 22:1-30 .............. 114
„ 1 Chr 1:1-7 ...........1224 2 Chr 8:1-18...........625 Ezr 4:1-5 ...............1157 Jb 23:1-17............... 115
1 Chr 1:8-16 ....... 1225 2 Chr 9:1-12 ..........626 Ezr 4:6 .................. 1181 Jb 24:1-25............... 116

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 C A N O N I C A L TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A10

Jb 25:1–27:23 ........ 117 Ps 61 .......................573 „ Ps 138 .....................585 Is 14:1-23 ............... 831

Jb 28:1-28 .............. 118 Ps 62 ....................... 574 Ps 139 .....................586 Is 14:24-27 ............832
Jb 29:1-25 .............. 119 Ps 63 ....................... 517 Ps 140 .....................587 Is 14:28–16:14 ......833
Jb 30:1-31 ..............120 Ps 64 ....................... 574 Ps 141 .....................588 Is 17:1-14................797
Jb 31:1-40 .............. 121 Ps 65 .......................575 Ps 142 .....................460 Is 18:1-7..................888
Jb 32:1-22 ..............122 „ Pss 66–67 ..............859 Ps 143 .....................588 Is 19:1-25 ...............889
Jb 33:1-33 ..............123 Pss 144–145..........589 Is 20:1–21:10 .........890
Jb 34:1-37 .............. 124 „ Ps 68 .......................575 Is 21:11-17 .............891
Ps 69 .......................577 „ Ps 146 .....................886
Jb 35:1–36:21........125 Is 22:1-25 ...............892
Jb 36:22–37:24 .....126 Ps 70 .......................578 „ Ps 147 ...................1154 Is 23:1-18 ...............893
Jb 38:1-41 ..............127 „ Ps 71 .......................860 „ Pss 148–149 ..........887 Is 24:1-23 ...............894
Jb 39:1–40:2 .........129 Ps 150 .....................888 Is 25:1-12 ...............895
„ Ps 72 .......................630
Jb 40:3-24 ..............130 Ps 73 .......................593 Is 26:1-19 ...............896
Jb 41:1-34 .............. 131 PROVERBS Is 26:20–27:13 ......897
Pss 74–75...............595
Jb 42:1-17...............132
Ps 76 .......................596 „ Prv 1:1-7 ................. 631 Is 28:1-29 ............... 818
Ps 77 .......................597 Prv 1:8-33 ..............632 Is 29:1-24 ...............898
PSALMS
Ps 78 .......................598 Prv 2:1-22 ..............633 Is 30:1-7 .................899
„ Pss 1–2 ...................856 Prv 3:1-35 ..............634 Is 30:8-33 ............. 900
Pss 79–80 ............. 600
„ Ps 3.......................... 517 Pss 81–82 ..............602 Prv 4:1-27...............636 Is 31:1-9..................901
Pss 4–5 ...................547 Ps 83 .......................603 Prv 5:1-23...............637 Is 32:1–33:24 ........902
Ps 6..........................548 Ps 84 .......................854 Prv 6:1-35 ..............638 Is 34:1–35:10 ........904
Ps 7..........................523 Ps 85 .......................855 Prv 7:1-27...............639 Is 36:1-3 ................. 913
Ps 8..........................548 Prv 8:1–9:12 ..........640 Is 36:4-22............... 914
Ps 9..........................549 „ Ps 86 .......................579 Prv 9:13–22:16 .....641 Is 37:1-20 ............... 916
„ Ps 10 .......................857 „ Ps 87 .......................855 Prv 22:17–24:22 ...660 Is 37:21-38............. 919
Prv 24:23-34 .........663 Is 38:1-8 .................920
„ Pss 11–12 ...............550 „ Ps 88 .......................590
Ps 89 .......................591 „ Prv 25:1–29:27 .....839 Is 38:9-22 .............. 921
Pss 13–14............... 551 Is 39:1-8 .................922
Pss 15–16...............552 Ps 90 .......................325 Prv 30:1-33 ............846
Prv 31:1-31 ............847 Is 40:1-11 ...............923
Ps 17 .......................553 „ Pss 91–92...............861 Is 40:12-31 ............ 924
Ps 18 .......................527 Pss 93–94 ..............862 ECCLESIASTES Is 41:1-29 ...............925
Ps 19 .......................554 Ps 95 .......................863
„ Eccl 1:1-18 .............673 Is 42:1-9 .................926
Pss 20–21 ..............555 Pss 96–97 ..............864 Is 42:10-25 ............927
Eccl 2:1-17 ............. 674
Ps 22 .......................556 Pss 98–100............865 Is 43:1–44:5 ..........928
Eccl 2:18–3:15 ......675
Pss 23–24 ..............558 „ Ps 101 .....................579 Is 44:6-28 ..............930
Eccl 3:16–4:12 ...... 676
Ps 25 .......................559 Is 45:1-13 ............... 931
„ Ps 102 .....................866 Eccl 4:13–6:9 ........677
Ps 26 .......................560 Is 45:14-25.............932
Eccl 6:10–7:14.......678
Ps 27 .......................561 „ Ps 103 .....................580 Eccl 7:15–8:8 ........679 Is 46:1–47:15 ........933
Pss 28–30 ..............562
„ Ps 104 .....................867 Eccl 8:9–9:12 ........680 Is 48:1-11 ...............934
Ps 31 .......................563 Ps 105 .....................868 Is 48:12-22.............935
Eccl 9:13–
Ps 32 .......................564 Ps 106 .....................870 Is 49:1–50:3 ..........936
10:20 .................681
„ Ps 33 .......................858 Ps 107 .....................871 Eccl 11:1–12:7 .......682 Is 50:4-11 ...............937
„ Ps 34 .......................458 „ Pss 108–109 .........581 Eccl 12:8-14...........683 Is 51:1-23 ...............938
Ps 35 .......................565 Ps 110 .....................582 Is 52:1-12 ...............939
SONG OF SONGS Is 52:13–53:12 ......940
Ps 36 .......................566
„ Pss 111–112...........873 „ Sg 1:1–2:7...............663 Is 54:1-17 ...............941
Ps 37 .......................567 Pss 113–115 .......... 874
Ps 38 .......................568 Sg 2:8–3:5 ..............665 Is 55:1–56:8...........942
Pss 116–117 ..........875 Sg 3:6–5:1 ..............666 Is 56:9–57:13 ........943
Ps 39 .......................569
Pss 118–119 ..........876 Sg 5:2–6:3 ..............667 Is 57:14–58:14 ......944
Ps 40 .......................570
Pss 120–121..........882 Sg 6:4–7:9 ..............668 Is 59:1-21 ...............945
Ps 41 .......................571
„ Ps 122 .....................584 Sg 7:10–8:14..........669 Is 60:1-22 ...............946
„ Ps 42 .......................848 Is 61:1–62:12 ........948
Pss 43–44 ..............849 „ Ps 123 .....................882 ISAIAH
Is 63:1-14 ...............949
Ps 45 .......................850 „ Ps 124 .....................584 „ Is 1:1-20..................822 Is 63:15–64:12 .....950
Ps 46 .......................851 Is 1:21-31 ...............824
„ Ps 125 .....................883 Is 65:1–66:24 ........951
Pss 47–48 ..............852 Is 2:1-22 .................825
Ps 49 .......................853 „ Ps 126 ...................1154 Is 3:1-15..................826 JEREMIAH
„ Ps 50 .......................593 „ Ps 127 ..................... 631 Is 3:16–4:1 .............827 „ Jer 1:1-3 ..................957
Ps 51 .......................505 „ Pss 128–129..........883 Is 4:2–5:30.............828 Jer 1:4-19................958
Ps 52 .......................462 Ps 130 .....................884 Is 6:1-13..................783 Jer 2:1-13................959
Ps 53 .......................571 Is 7:1-25..................790 Jer 2:14-22 .............960
Ps 54 .......................464 „ Ps 131 .....................584 Is 8:1-22 ................. 791 Jer 2:23–3:5...........961
Ps 55 .......................572 „ Ps 132 .....................884 Is 9:1-7 ....................792 Jer 3:6-10 ...............962
Ps 56 .......................472 „ Ps 133 .....................584 Is 9:8–10:4 .............793 Jer 3:11–4:2 ...........963
Ps 57 .......................459 Is 10:5-19...............794 Jer 4:3-18 ...............964
Ps 58 .......................573 „ Pss 134–135..........885 Is 10:20–11:16 ......795 Jer 4:19–5:19 .........965
Ps 59 .......................454 Ps 136 .....................886 Is 12:1-6 .................796 Jer 5:20-31.............966
Ps 60 .......................499 „ Ps 137 ................... 1118 Is 13:1-22 ...............830 Jer 6:1-9 ..................967

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Jer 6:10-30.............968 Jer 52:1-3a ...........1041 Ez 42:1-20 ............1125 OBADIAH

Jer 7:1-15 ............. 1007 Jer 52:3b-5.......... 1042 Ez 43:1-12 ............1126 „ Ob 1:1-9 ...............1102
Jer 7:16-29 .......... 1008 Jer 52:6-11 .......... 1086 Ez 43:13– Ob 1:10-21 ...........1103
Jer 7:30–8:3 ....... 1009 Jer 52:12-27 ........ 1088 44:31 ...............1127
Jer 8:4-17 .............1010 „ Jer 52:28-30 ........ 1118 Ez 45:1-8 ..............1128 JONAH
Jer 8:18–9:16 .......1011 Jer 52:31-34.........1134 Ez 45:9–46:18 ....1129 „ Jon 1:1-17 ...............765
Jer 9:17–10:16 .....1012 Ez 46:19– Jon 2:1-10 ............... 767
Jer 10:17-25 .........1013 LAMENTATIONS 47:12 ...............1130
Jon 3:1-10 ...............768
Jer 11:1-23............1014 „ Lam 1:1-22.......... 1094 Ez 47:13-23 ......... 1131
Ez 48:1-35............1132 Jon 4:1-11 ...............769
Jer 12:1-13 ...........1015 Lam 2:1-22.......... 1096
Jer 12:14–13:27 ..1016 Lam 3:1-66 ......... 1097 MICAH
DANIEL
Jer 14:1-18............1017 Lam 4:1-22.......... 1099
„ Dn 1:1-2 ............... 1000 „ Mi 1:1-16 ................786
Jer 14:19–15:9.....1018 Lam 5:1-22...........1101
Jer 15:10–16:4.....1019 Dn 1:3-21 ............ 1001 Mi 2:1-5 ..................905
Jer 16:5–17:4 ...... 1020 EZEKIEL Dn 2:1-23 ............ 1002 Mi 2:6–3:12 ...........906
Jer 17:5-18 ...........1021 „ Ez 1:1-28 ............. 1044 Dn 2:24-45 ......... 1003 Mi 4:1-5 ..................907
Jer 17:19– Ez 2:1–3:15 ......... 1046 Dn 2:46–3:18 ..... 1005 Mi 4:6–5:6 .............908
18:17............... 1022 Ez 3:16-27 ........... 1047 Dn 3:19-30 ......... 1007 Mi 5:7–6:8 .............909
Jer 18:18-23 .........1023 Ez 4:1-17 ............. 1048 „ Dn 4:1-18 ............. 1119 Mi 6:9–7:13 ........... 910
Jer 19:1-15 .............998 Ez 5:1-17.............. 1050 Dn 4:19-27...........1120 Mi 7:14-20 ............. 911
Jer 20:1-18 .............999 Ez 6:1-14...............1052 Dn 4:28-37 ..........1121
Jer 21:1-10........... 1075 Ez 7:1-27 ............. 1053 NAHUM
Dn 5:1-12 .............1138
Jer 21:11-14..........1076 Ez 8:1-18 ............. 1054 Dn 5:13-31 ...........1139 „ Na 1:1-15 ................ 974
Jer 22:1-12 .............991 Ez 9:1-11.............. 1055 Dn 6:1-28 .............1140 Na 2:1-13................976
Jer 22:13-23...........992 Ez 10:1–11:13 ..... 1056 Dn 7:1-14..............1135 Na 3:1-19 ................977
Jer 22:24-30 ........1026 Ez 11:14-25 ......... 1057 Dn 7:15-28 ...........1136
Jer 23:1-32 ...........1027 Ez 12:1–13:16..... 1058 Dn 8:1-27 .............1137 HABAKKUK
Jer 23:33-40 ........1028 Ez 13:17–14:11 ... 1059 Dn 9:1-19 .............1142 „ Hb 1:1-11 ...............978
Jer 24:1-10 ...........1029 Ez 14:12–15:8 .... 1060 Dn 9:20-27 ..........1143 Hb 1:12–2:20 ........979
Jer 25:1-38 .............994 Ez 16:1-34 ............1061 Hb 3:1-19 ...............981
Ez 16:35-63 ........ 1062 „ Dn 10:1–11:1 .......1158
Jer 26:1-24 .............992 Dn 11:2-45 ..........1159
Jer 27:1–28:17 .... 1049 Ez 17:1-24 ........... 1063 ZEPHANIAH
Ez 18:1-32 ........... 1064 Dn 12:1-13 ........... 1161
Jer 29:1-23 ...........1029 „ Zep 1:1-18 ..............982
Jer 29:24– Ez 19:1–20:26 .... 1065 HOSEA Zep 2:1-11 ..............984
30:24 ...............1031 Ez 20:27-44........ 1066 „ Hos 1:1–2:1 ............801 Zep 2:12–3:20.......985
Jer 31:1-14 ............1032 Ez 20:45– Hos 2:2-13 .............803
Jer 31:15-40 ........1033 21:17............... 1067 Hos 2:14–3:5 .........804 HAGGAI
Jer 32:1-25 .......... 1079 Ez 21:18-27......... 1068 Hos 4:1-19..............806 „ Hg 1:1-11 ..............1162
Jer 32:26-44 ....... 1080 Ez 21:28–22:31.. 1069 Hos 5:1-15..............807 Hg 1:12–2:9 .........1163
Jer 33:1-26 ...........1081 Ez 23:1-21 ........... 1070 Hos 6:1-11 ..............808
Ez 23:22-35 .........1071 Hg 2:10-19 ...........1164
Jer 34:1-7 .............1074 Hos 7:1-16 ..............809
Ez 23:36– Hg 2:20-23 ..........1165
Jer 34:8-22.......... 1075 Hos 8:1-14 .............. 810
Jer 35:1-19 ...........1023 24:14 .............. 1072 Hos 9:1-17.............. 811 ZECHARIAH
Jer 36:1-20 .............995 Ez 24:15-27 ........ 1073 Hos 10:1-15 ........... 813
Ez 25:1-17 ............1074 „ Zec 1:1-6 ..............1164
Jer 36:21-32...........996 Hos 11:1-11 ............ 814
Ez 26:1–27:25 .... 1082 Zec 1:7-17 ............1165
Jer 37:1–38:13 .... 1042 Hos 11:12–
Jer 38:14-28........ 1043 Ez 27:26-36 ........ 1083 Zec 1:18–2:5........1166
12:14 ................. 815
Jer 39:1 ................ 1072 Ez 28:1-19 ........... 1084 Zec 2:6–3:10 .......1167
Hos 13:1-16 ........... 816
Jer 39:2-10 .......... 1085 Ez 28:20-26 ........ 1085 Zec 4:1-14 ............1168
Hos 14:1-9 ............. 817
Jer 39:11–40:6 ... 1086 Ez 29:1-16 ............1076 Zec 5:1-11 ............1169
„ Ez 29:17–30:19 ...1133 JOEL Zec 6:1-15 ............1170
„ Jer 40:7–41:18 ....1105
„ Jl 1:1-20 ................1239 Zec 7:1–8:23........1173
Jer 42:1-22 ...........1106 „ Ez 30:20-26........ 1077
Jer 43:1–44:30 ....1107 Jl 2:1-11 ............... 1240 Zec 9:1-8 .............. 1174
Ez 31:1-18 ............1078
Jl 2:12-27..............1241 Zec 9:9-17............1175
„ Jer 45:1–46:28 ......997 „ Ez 32:1-32 ............ 1116 Jl 2:28-32 .............1242 Zec 10:1–11:3 ...... 1176
Jer 47:1-7................988 Ez 33:1-9 .............. 1117 Jl 3:1-16 ................1243 Zec 11:4-17 ..........1177
Jer 48:1-47 .............989 Ez 33:10-20 ......... 1118 Jl 3:17-21 ..............1244 Zec 12:1-14 .......... 1178
Jer 49:1-22 ...........1024 Ez 33:21–
Jer 49:23-33 ....... 1025 34:10 ...............1109 AMOS Zec 13:1–
Jer 49:34– Ez 34:11-31.......... 1110 „ Am 1:1–2:3 ............770 14:21 ...............1179
50:3 ................ 1034 Ez 35:1–36:38 ..... 1111 Am 2:4-16 ..............772 MALACHI
Jer 50:4-16 ...........1035 Ez 37:1-28 ............ 1113 Am 3:1-15 ..............773
Jer 50:17– Ez 38:1-23 ............ 1114 Am 4:1-13 .............. 774 „ Mal 1:1-5 ..............1244
51:14............... 1036 Ez 39:1-29 ............ 1115 Am 5:1-17 ..............775 Mal 1:6-14 ...........1245
Jer 51:15-35........ 1038 Ez 40:1-16 ............1122 Am 5:18–6:14 .......776 Mal 2:1-17 ............1246
Jer 51:36-53 ........1039 Ez 40:17-37 .........1123 Am 7:1-17...............778 Mal 3:1-5 ..............1247
Jer 51:54-58 ....... 1040 Ez 40:38– Am 8:1–9:10 ..........779 Mal 3:6-18 ...........1248
Jer 51:59-64 ....... 1050 41:26 ...............1124 Am 9:11-15 ............780 Mal 4:1-6..............1249

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 C A N O N I C A L TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A12

The New Testament

MATTHEW Mt 19:3-12 ...........1418 Mk 4:35-41 ........ 1350 Lk 2:1-38 ............. 1280
„ Mt 1:1-25............. 1277 Mt 19:13-15 .........1419 Mk 5:1-20.............1351 Lk 2:39-52 .......... 1286
Mt 2:1-22 ............ 1283 Mt 19:16-30 ........1420 Mk 5:21-43......... 1354 Lk 3:1-18 ............. 1290
Mt 2:23................ 1286 Mt 20:1-16 ...........1422 Mk 6:1-13............ 1356 Lk 3:19-20........... 1303
Mt 3:1-12............. 1287 Mt 20:17-19 .........1423 Mk 6:14-16 ..........1363 Lk 3:21-22........... 1294
Mt 3:13-17 ...........1293 Mt 20:20-28 ........1424 Mk 6:17-29...........1361 Lk 3:23-38 ...........1279
Mt 4:1-11 ............. 1294 Mt 20:29-34 ........1425 Mk 6:30-44 .........1363 Lk 4:1-13 ............. 1295
Mt 4:12 ................ 1303 Mt 21:1-11............1429 Mk 6:45-56 ........ 1366 Lk 4:14-15........... 1306
Mt 4:13-17 .......... 1306 Mt 21:12-17 .........1431 Mk 7:1-23.............1370 Lk 4:16-30 ...........1357
Mt 4:18-22 .......... 1307 Mt 21:18-22 .........1435 Mk 7:24-37 ..........1372 Lk 4:31-37........... 1309
Mt 4:23-25........... 1311 Mt 21:23-27 ........1436 Mk 8:1-10.............1373 Lk 4:38-41 ...........1310
Mt 5:1-12..............1323 Mt 21:28-46 ........1437 Mk 8:11-21...........1374 Lk 4:42-44 ........... 1311
Mt 5:13-20 ...........1327 Mt 22:1-14 ...........1438 Mk 8:22-26 ..........1375 Lk 5:1-11 ............. 1308
Mt 5:21-30 ...........1328 Mt 22:15-22 ........1439 Mk 8:27-30 ..........1376 Lk 5:12-16 ............1312
Mt 5:31-42 ...........1329 Mt 22:23-33 ....... 1440 Mk 8:31–9:1 ........1377 Lk 5:17-26 ............1314
Mt 5:43–6:4........ 1330 Mt 22:34-40 .......1441 Mk 9:2-13 ............1379 Lk 5:27-32 ...........1316
Mt 6:5-15 .............1331 Mt 22:41-46 ....... 1442 Mk 9:14-29 ..........1381 Lk 5:33-39 ...........1317
Mt 6:16-34 ...........1332 Mt 23:1-12 .......... 1443 Mk 9:30-32 .........1382 Lk 6:1-5 ................1320
Mt 7:1-6................1333 Mt 23:13-36 ....... 1444 Mk 9:33-41 .........1383 Lk 6:6-11 ..............1321
Mt 7:7-29............. 1334 Mt 23:37-39........ 1407 Mk 9:42-50......... 1384 Lk 6:12-16 ............1323
Mt 8:1-4................ 1311 Mt 24:1-51 .......... 1445 Mk 10:1 ................1387 Lk 6:17-19 ............1322
Mt 25:1-30 ...........1451 Mk 10:2-16 ..........1419 Lk 6:20-26 ...........1326
Mt 8:5-13 .............1335
Mt 25:31-46 ........1452 Mk 10:17-31 ........1421 Lk 6:27-36 .......... 1330
Mt 8:14-17 .......... 1309
Mt 26:1-5 .............1453 Mk 10:32-34 .......1423 Lk 6:37-42 ...........1333
Mt 8:18-22 ...........1387
Mt 26:6-13 ...........1427 Mk 10:35-45 .......1424 Lk 6:43-49 ...........1335
Mt 8:23-27.......... 1349
Mt 26:14-16 ........ 1454 Mk 10:46-52 .......1425 Lk 7:1-17 ..............1336
Mt 8:28-34 ......... 1350
Mt 26:17-19 .........1455 Mk 11:1-11 ...........1430 Lk 7:18-35............1338
Mt 9:1-8................1312
Mt 26:20-30 ........1456 Mk 11:12-14 ........1435 Lk 7:36-50 .......... 1340
Mt 9:9-13 .............1314
Mt 26:31-35........ 1460 Mk 11:15-19 ........1432 Lk 8:1-3 ................1341
Mt 9:14-17 ...........1316
Mt 26:36-46 ....... 1468 Mk 11:20-25 .......1435 Lk 8:4-15 ............. 1346
Mt 9:18-26 ...........1353
Mt 26:47-56.........1469 Mk 11:27-33 ........1436 Lk 8:16-18........... 1347
Mt 9:27-34.......... 1356
Mt 26:57-68 ........1472 Mk 12:1-12 ..........1437 Lk 8:19-21 ........... 1344
Mt 9:35-38 ..........1357
Mt 26:69-75 ........1473 Mk 12:13-17 ........1439 Lk 8:22-25 .......... 1350
Mt 10:1-15 .......... 1358
Mt 27:1-10 ...........1475 Mk 12:18-27....... 1440
Mt 10:16-42 ........1359 Lk 8:26-39 ...........1352
Mt 27:11-14 .........1476 Mk 12:28-34 .......1441
Mt 11:1-19 ............1337 Lk 8:40-56 .......... 1354
Mt 27:15-26.........1478 Mk 12:35-37 ...... 1442
Mt 11:20-30 ........1339 Lk 9:1-6 ................1359
Mt 27:27-31 .........1481 Mk 12:38-40...... 1443
Mt 12:1-8 .............1319 Lk 9:7-9 ................1363
Mt 27:32-44 ........1482 Mk 12:41-44 ...... 1445
Mt 12:9-14 ...........1320 Lk 9:10-17........... 1364
Mt 27:45-56 ........1485 Mk 13:1-37 ..........1447
Mt 12:15-21 .........1321 Lk 9:18-21 ............1376
Mt 27:57-61.........1487 Mk 14:1-2 .............1453
Mt 12:22-37 ........1341 Lk 9:22-27 ...........1378
Mt 27:62–28:8 ....1489 Mk 14:3-9 ............1428
Mt 12:38-45 ....... 1343 Lk 9:28-36 .......... 1380
Mt 28:9-10...........1492 Mk 14:10-11 ....... 1454
Mt 12:46– Lk 9:37-45 ...........1382
Mt 28:11-15 .........1493 Mk 14:12-16 ........1455
13:23 .............. 1344 Mk 14:17-26 ........1457 Lk 9:46-48...........1383
Mt 28:16-20.........1497
Mt 13:24-35 ....... 1348 Mk 14:27-31 ....... 1460 Lk 9:49-50 .......... 1384
Mt 13:36-52 ....... 1349 MARK Mk 14:32-42 ...... 1468 Lk 9:51-62 ...........1387
Mt 13:53-58 ....... 1356 „ Mk 1:1-8 ...............1270 Mk 14:43-52 .......1469 Lk 10:1-24 ........... 1394
Mt 14:1-2 ..............1362 Mk 1:9-11 ........... 1294 Mk 14:53-65 .......1472 Lk 10:25-37.........1395
Mt 14:3-12 ...........1361 Mk 1:12-13 ......... 1295 Mk 14:66-72 .......1474 Lk 10:38-42 ........1397
Mt 14:13-21 .........1363 Mk 1:14 ............... 1303 Mk 15:1 ................1475 Lk 11:1-23 ........... 1342
Mt 14:22-33 ....... 1365 Mk 1:15 ............... 1306 Mk 15:2-5 ............1476 Lk 11:24-32 ........ 1343
Mt 14:34-36 ....... 1366 Mk 1:16-28 ......... 1308 Mk 15:6-15 ..........1479 Lk 11:33-54 .........1398
Mt 15:1-20 .......... 1369 Mk 1:29-34 .........1310 Mk 15:16-21 ........1482 Lk 12:1-12 ........... 1399
Mt 15:21-28 .........1371 Mk 1:35-39.......... 1311 Mk 15:22-32 .......1483 Lk 12:13-34 ........ 1400
Mt 15:29-39 ........1372 Mk 1:40-45 .........1312 Mk 15:33-41 .......1486 Lk 12:35-48 ........1401
Mt 16:1-4 .............1373 Mk 2:1-12.............1313 Mk 15:42-47 .......1487 Lk 12:49–
Mt 16:5-12 ...........1374 Mk 2:13-17 ..........1315 Mk 16:1-8 ........... 1490 13:17............... 1402
Mt 16:13-20 .........1375 Mk 2:18-22 ..........1316 Mk 16:9-11 ..........1492 Lk 13:18-21......... 1348
Mt 16:21-28 .........1376 Mk 2:23-28..........1320 Mk 16:12-13 ........1493 Lk 13:22-35 ........ 1407
Mt 17:1-13............1378 Mk 3:1-6...............1321 Mk 16:14 ..............1494 Lk 14:1-24 ........... 1408
Mt 17:14-20 .........1381 Mk 3:7-19.............1322 Mk 16:15-18 ........1498 Lk 14:25–15:7.... 1409
Mt 17:22-27 .........1382 Mk 3:20-30 ........ 1342 Mk 16:19-20 ........1499 Lk 15:8-32 ...........1410
Mt 18:1-5..............1383 Mk 3:31-35 ......... 1344 Lk 16:1-18 ............ 1411
Mt 18:6-10 .......... 1384 Mk 4:1-20............ 1346 LUKE Lk 16:19-31 .........1412
Mt 18:12-35........ 1385 Mk 4:21-29 ......... 1347 „ Lk 1:1-4 ................1270 Lk 17:1-10 ............1413
Mt 19:1-2 ..............1387 Mk 4:30-34 ........ 1348 Lk 1:5-80 .............1272 Lk 17:11-37 ..........1416

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Lk 18:1-8 .............. 1417 Jn 11:1-16 .............1413 Acts 15:36-41 .....1572 1 Cor 6:1-11 ........ 1603
Lk 18:9-14............1418 Jn 11:17-37 ...........1414 Acts 16:1-10.........1573 1 Cor 6:12-20 ..... 1604
Lk 18:15-17 .........1420 Jn 11:38-57 ..........1415 Acts 16:11-15 ......1574 1 Cor 7:1-40 ....... 1605
Lk 18:18-30 .........1422 Jn 12:1-11 .............1428 Acts 16:16-40 .....1575 1 Cor 8:1-13 ........ 1607
Lk 18:31-34 .........1423 Jn 12:12-19 ..........1431 Acts 17:1-9 ...........1576 1 Cor 9:1-27 ........ 1608
Lk 18:35-43.........1425 Jn 12:20-36 .........1432 Acts 17:10-34......1577 1 Cor 10:1–11:1...1610
Lk 19:1-27 ............1426 Jn 12:37-43..........1434 Acts 18:1-11.........1579 1 Cor 11:2-16.......1612
Lk 19:28-40 ........1430 Jn 12:44-50 .........1435 Acts 18:12-17 ......1591 1 Cor 11:17-34 ....1613
Lk 19:41-44 .........1431 Jn 13:1-20.............1455 Acts 18:18-28 ......1592 1 Cor 12:1-11....... 1614
Lk 19:45-48.........1432 Jn 13:21-30 ..........1459 Acts 19:1-7...........1593 1 Cor 12:12-31 ....1615
Lk 20:1-8..............1436 Jn 13:31-38 ......... 1460 Acts 19:8-20 ....... 1594 1 Cor 13:1–
Lk 20:9-19 ...........1438 Jn 14:1-14 .............1461 Acts 19:21-41......1624 14:25................1616
Lk 20:20-26.........1439 Jn 14:15-31 ..........1462 Acts 20:1-3a ........1625 1 Cor 14:26–
Lk 20:27-40 ....... 1440 Jn 15:1-17 .............1463 Acts 20:3b-12 .... 1644 15:11................1618
Lk 20:41-47 ........ 1443 Jn 15:18–16:4 ..... 1464 Acts 20:13-38 .....1675 1 Cor 15:12-34 ....1620
Lk 21:1-4 ............. 1445 Jn 16:5-33 ............1465 Acts 21:1-14.........1676 1 Cor 15:35-58 ...1621
Lk 21:5-38 ...........1449 Jn 17:1-19 ............ 1466 Acts 21:15-25 ......1677 1 Cor 16:1-18.......1622
Lk 22:1-6............. 1454 Jn 17:20-26 ..........1467 Acts 21:26– 1 Cor 16:19-24 ....1623
Lk 22:7-13............1455 Jn 18:1-11 .............1470 22:23 ...............1678
Lk 22:14-30 .........1458 Jn 18:12-24 ..........1471 Acts 22:24– 2 CORINTHIANS
Lk 22:31-38 ........ 1460 Jn 18:25-27 ..........1474 23:11 ...............1679 „ 2 Cor 1:1-2 ...........1625
Lk 22:39-46 ........1469 Jn 18:28-37..........1477 Acts 23:12-25 ..... 1680 2 Cor 1:3–2:4.......1626
Lk 22:47-53 .........1470 Jn 18:38–19:16... 1480 Acts 24:1-27 ........1681 2 Cor 2:5–3:6 ......1628
Lk 22:54-65 ........1473 Jn 19:17-27.......... 1484 Acts 25:1-22 ........1683 2 Cor 3:7-18 .........1629
Lk 22:66-71.........1475 Jn 19:28-37..........1486 Acts 25:23– 2 Cor 4:1-18 .........1630
Lk 23:1-7 ..............1476 Jn 19:38-42 ........ 1488 26:32 .............. 1684 2 Cor 5:1-10 .........1631
Lk 23:8-12 ...........1478 Jn 20:1-18.............1492 Acts 27:1-12 ....... 1686 2 Cor 5:11–6:2 ....1632
Lk 23:13-25 ........ 1480 Jn 20:19-31 ..........1495 Acts 27:13-44 .....1687 2 Cor 6:3-13 ........1633
Lk 23:26-31 .........1482 Jn 21:1-14 .............1496 Acts 28:1-16 ....... 1688 2 Cor 6:14–7:4.....1634
Lk 23:32-43.........1483 Jn 21:15-25 ..........1497 Acts 28:17-31 ......1689 2 Cor 7:5–8:15 ....1635
Lk 23:44-49 ........1486 2 Cor 8:16-24 ......1636
Lk 23:50-56 ....... 1488 ACTS ROMANS 2 Cor 9:1-15 .........1637
Lk 24:1-11 ............1491 „ Acts 1:1-3 .............1512 „ Rom 1:1-7 ........... 1644 2 Cor 10:1-18.......1638
Lk 24:12 ...............1492 Rom 1:8-17 ......... 1645 2 Cor 11:1-15 ...... 1640
„ Acts 1:4-5.............1499
Lk 24:13-35 .........1493 Acts 1:6-11.......... 1500 Rom 1:18-32........1647 2 Cor 11:16–
Lk 24:36-43 ........1494 Rom 2:1-16 ......... 1648 12:10 ...............1641
Lk 24:44-49.........1498 „ Acts 1:12-26 ........1512 Rom 2:17-29 ....... 1649 2 Cor 12:11-21 ... 1642
Lk 24:50-53........ 1500 Acts 2:1-13...........1513 Rom 3:1-20 ......... 1650 2 Cor 13:1-14...... 1643
Acts 2:14-41 ........1514 Rom 3:21-31........1651
JOHN Acts 2:42–3:11 ....1516 Rom 4:1-25 ..........1652 GALATIANS
„ Jn 1:1-18 ...............1270 Acts 3:12-26 ........1517 Rom 5:1-21 ......... 1654 „ Gal 1:1-5 .............. 1554
Jn 1:19-28.............1292 Acts 4:1-22...........1518 Rom 6:1-23 ..........1655 Gal 1:6-10 ............1555
Jn 1:29-51 ........... 1297 Acts 4:23-31 ........1519 Rom 7:1-13 ..........1657 Gal 1:11-24 .......... 1556
Jn 2:1-12 .............. 1299 Acts 4:32–5:16 ....1520 Rom 7:14–8:17....1658 Gal 2:1-10 ............ 1558
Jn 2:13–3:21 ....... 1300 Acts 5:17-42 ........1521 Rom 8:18-30 .......1659 Gal 2:11-21 ...........1559
Jn 3:22-36 ........... 1302 Acts 6:1-7 .............1522 Rom 8:31-39....... 1660 Gal 3:1-14 ............ 1560
Jn 4:1-3 ................ 1303 Acts 6:8-15 ..........1523 Rom 9:1-29 ..........1661 Gal 3:15-22 ..........1561
Jn 4:4-26.............. 1304 Acts 7:1–8:1a .......1524 Rom 9:30–10:4...1662 Gal 3:23–4:7....... 1562
Jn 4:27-38 ........... 1305 Acts 8:1b-3 ..........1526 Rom 10:5-21 .......1663 Gal 4:8-20 ........... 1563
Jn 4:39-42........... 1306 Acts 8:4-25 ..........1527 Rom 11:1-24 ....... 1664 Gal 4:21-31 ......... 1564
Jn 4:43-54 ........... 1307 Acts 8:26– Rom 11:25– Gal 5:1-15 ............ 1565
Jn 5:1-15 ...............1317 9:19a................1529 12:21 .............. 1666 Gal 5:16-26 ......... 1566
Jn 5:16-30 ............1318 Acts 9:19b-31 ..... 1530 Rom 13:1-7 ......... 1668 Gal 6:1-10 .............1567
Jn 5:31-47 ............1319 Acts 9:32-43........1531 Rom 13:8– Gal 6:11-18 .......... 1568
Jn 6:1-15 .............. 1364 Acts 10:1-8 ..........1532 14:23 ...............1669
Jn 6:16-21............ 1366 Acts 10:9-33........1533 EPHESIANS
Rom 15:1-22 ........1671
Jn 6:22-59 ............1367 Acts 10:34– Rom 15:23– „ Eph 1:1-14 ............1704
Jn 6:60-71 ........... 1368 11:18............... 1534 16:16 ............. 1672 Eph 1:15–2:10 .....1706
Jn 7:1-9 ................ 1386 Acts 11:19-30 ......1535 Rom 16:17-27 ......1673 Eph 2:11-18..........1707
Jn 7:10-31 ........... 1388 Acts 12:1-19 ........1537 Eph 2:19–3:13 .....1708
Jn 7:32-53 ........... 1390 Acts 12:20-25 .....1538 1 CORINTHIANS Eph 3:14-21 .........1709
Jn 8:1-11 ...............1391 Acts 13:1-3...........1539 „ 1 Cor 1:1-3 .......... 1594 Eph 4:1-16............1710
Jn 8:12-30 ............1392 Acts 13:4-43....... 1540 1 Cor 1:4-9...........1595 Eph 4:17-32 ......... 1711
Jn 8:31-59 ............1393 Acts 13:44-52 .... 1542 1 Cor 1:10-31 ..... 1596 Eph 5:1-14 ............1712
Jn 9:1-12 .............. 1403 Acts 14:1-20 ....... 1544 1 Cor 2:1-16 ........ 1598 Eph 5:15-33 .........1713
Jn 9:13-41 ........... 1404 Acts 14:21-28 ..... 1545 1 Cor 3:1-23 ........ 1599 Eph 6:1-4..............1714
Jn 10:1-21 ............ 1405 Acts 15:1-21........ 1568 1 Cor 4:1-21 ........ 1600 Eph 6:5-20 ...........1715
Jn 10:22-42 ........ 1406 Acts 15:22-35 .....1570 1 Cor 5:1-13 ........ 1602 Eph 6:21-24 .........1716

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PHILIPPIANS 1 Tm 3:14-16 .......1731 JAMES 3 JOHN

„ Phil 1:1-11 ............1716 1 Tm 4:1-16 .........1732 „ Jas 1:1-18 ............. 1546 „ 3 Jn 1:1-4 ..............1796
Phil 1:12-19 .........1717 1 Tm 5:1–6:2a .....1733 Jas 1:19-27 .......... 1547 3 Jn 1:5-15 ...........1797
Phil 1:20-26.........1718 1 Tm 6:2b-10.......1734 Jas 2:1-13............. 1548
Phil 1:27–2:11 .....1719 1 Tm 6:11-21 .......1735 Jas 2:14-26 .......... 1549 JUDE
Phil 2:12-24 .........1720 Jas 3:1-18 ............. 1550 „ Jude 1:1-16 ...........1784
2 TIMOTHY
Phil 2:25–3:11.....1721 Jas 4:1-10..............1551 Jude 1:17-23.........1785
Phil 3:12–4:1 .......1723 „ 2 Tm 1:1-18..........1740 Jas 4:11-17............1552 Jude 1:24-25 ........1786
Phil 4:2-9 .............1724 2 Tm 2:1-14 .........1742 Jas 5:1-18 ..............1553
2 Tm 2:15-26.......1743 REVELATION
Phil 4:10-20 .........1725 Jas 5:19-20 .......... 1554
Phil 4:21-23 .........1726 2 Tm 3:1–4:8 .......1744 „ Rv 1:1-3 ................1798
2 Tm 4:9-22.........1746 1 PETER Rv 1:4-8 ................1799
COLOSSIANS „ 1 Pt 1:1-2 ..............1747 Rv 1:9-20............. 1800
TITUS
„ Col 1:1-14 .............1693 1 Pt 1:3-12 ...........1748 Rv 2:1-7 ................1801
Col 1:15-23 ..........1694 „ Ti 1:1-16 ...............1736 1 Pt 1:13–2:3 .......1749 Rv 2:8-11 ............. 1802
Col 1:24–2:5 ....... 1696 Ti 2:1-15 ...............1738 1 Pt 2:4-12 ...........1750 Rv 2:12-17 ........... 1803
Col 2:6-23 ............1697 Ti 3:1-15 ...............1739 1 Pt 2:13-25 .........1751 Rv 2:18-29........... 1804
Col 3:1-17 ............ 1700 PHILEMON 1 Pt 3:1-6..............1752 Rv 3:1-6 ............... 1805
Col 3:18–4:1 ........1701 1 Pt 3:7-22 ...........1753 Rv 3:7-13 ............. 1806
„ Phlm 1:1-3 .......... 1690 1 Pt 4:1-11 ............1754
Col 4:2-6 ..............1702 Rv 3:14-22........... 1807
Phlm 1:4-22 .........1691 1 Pt 4:12–5:11 .....1755
Col 4:7-18 .............1703 Rv 4:1-11 ............. 1808
Phlm 1:23-25 ......1692 1 Pt 5:12-14 .........1756 Rv 5:1-14 ............. 1809
1 THESSALONIANS
HEBREWS 2 PETER Rv 6:1-17 .............. 1811
„ 1 Thes 1:1-10...... 1580 Rv 7:1-17 ..............1812
1 Thes 2:1-16 ......1581 „ Heb 1:1-4 ............. 1761 „ 2 Pt 1:1-11 ............1757
Heb 1:5-14 ...........1762 Rv 8:1-5 ................1813
1 Thes 2:17– 2 Pt 1:12– Rv 8:6–9:12 .........1814
Heb 2:1-18 ...........1763 2:22 .................1758
3:13................. 1583 Rv 9:13–10:11 .....1815
Heb 3:1-19 ...........1764 2 Pt 3:1-18............1760
1 Thes 4:1– Rv 11:1-14 ............1816
Heb 4:1-13 ...........1765
5:11 ................. 1584 Rv 11:15-19..........1817
1 Thes 5:12-22 ... 1585 Heb 4:14– 1 JOHN
5:10..................1766 „ 1 Jn 1:1-4 ..............1786 Rv 12:1-18 ............1818
1 Thes 5:23-28 .. 1587
Heb 5:11– 1 Jn 1:5–2:6 .........1787 Rv 13:1-10 ............1819
2 THESSALONIANS 6:12..................1767 1 Jn 2:7-14............1788 Rv 13:11-18 ..........1820
„ 2 Thes 1:1-12...... 1587 Heb 6:13-20.........1768 1 Jn 2:15-29 .........1789 Rv 14:1-13 ............1821
2 Thes 2:1-12 ..... 1588 Heb 7:1-28 ...........1770 1 Jn 3:1-10............1790 Rv 14:14–16:21 ...1822
2 Thes 2:13-17 ... 1589 Heb 8:1-13 ...........1771 1 Jn 3:11-24..........1791 Rv 17:1-18 ............1824
2 Thes 3:1-18...... 1590 Heb 9:1-28 ...........1772 1 Jn 4:1-6..............1792 Rv 18:1-24 ............1825
Heb 10:1-18 .........1774 1 Jn 4:7-21............1793 Rv 19:1-10 ............1827
1 TIMOTHY Heb 10:19-39 ......1775 1 Jn 5:1-21 ............1794 Rv 19:11-21 ..........1828
„ 1 Tm 1:1-11..........1726 Heb 11:1-40.........1777 Rv 20:1-10............1829
1 Tm 1:12-20 .......1728 Heb 12:1-13 .........1780 2 JOHN Rv 20:11–22:6 .... 1830
1 Tm 2:1-15 .........1729 Heb 12:14-29 ......1781 „ 2 Jn 1:1-11 ............1795 Rv 22:7-21............1832
1 Tm 3:1-13 .........1730 Heb 13:1-25 .........1782 2 Jn 1:12-13 .........1796

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 INTRODUCTION TO THE
CHRONOLOGICAL LIFE
APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE

WHY THE CHRONOLOGICAL

LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE IS UNIQUE

Have you ever opened your Bible and asked the following:
• What does this passage really mean?
• How does it apply to my life?
• Why does some of the Bible seem irrelevant?
• What do these ancient cultures have to do with today?
• I love God; why can’t I understand what he is saying to me through his Word?
• What’s going on in the lives of these Bible people?
Many Christians do not read the Bible regularly. Why? Because in the pressures of daily
living, they cannot find a connection between the timeless principles of Scripture and the
ever-present problems of day-by-day living.
God urges us to apply his Word (Isa 42:23; 1 Cor 10:11; 2 Thes 3:4), but too often we
stop at accumulating Bible knowledge. This is why the Life Application Study Bible was
originally developed—to show how to put into practice what we have learned.
Applying God’s Word is a vital part of one’s relationship with God; it is the evidence that
we are obeying him. The difficulty in applying the Bible is not with the Bible itself but with
the reader’s inability to bridge the gap between the past and present, the conceptual and
practical. When we don’t or can’t do this, spiritual dryness, shallowness, and indifference
are the results.
The words of Scripture itself cry out to us, “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must
do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves” (Jas 1:22). The Life Applica-
tion Study Bible does just that. It helps you understand the context of a passage, gives
important background and historical information, explains difficult words and phrases,
and helps you see the interrelationships within Scripture. But it does much more. The
Life Application Study Bible goes deeper into God’s Word, helping you discover the
timeless truths being communicated, see the relevance for your life, and make a per-
sonal application. The notes answer the questions, “So what?” and “ What does this
passage mean to me, my family, my friends, my job, my neighborhood, my church, my
country?”
Developed by an interdenominational team of pastors, scholars, family counselors, and
a national organization dedicated to promoting God’s Word and spreading the gospel, the
Life Application Study Bible took many years to complete, and all the work was reviewed
by renowned theologians.
This edition is the Chronological Life Application Study Bible, and it goes even further
in helping you to understand the Bible and apply it to your life. Instead of the traditional
canonical arrangement, this Bible is arranged so events appear in the order in which
they occurred. Although it contains every word of the 66 books of the Bible, this Bible is
divided into 10 eras of biblical history, with the books intermingled to help you see how
the story actually unfolded. The Chronological Life Application Study Bible retains all the
features that make the Life Application Study Bible so useful, and it adds more features for
even greater depth in studying the Bible.
Imagine reading a familiar passage of Scripture and gaining fresh insight, as if it were
the first time you had ever read it. How much richer would your life be if you left each
Bible reading with a new perspective and a small change for the better? A small change
every day adds up to a changed life—and that is the very purpose of Scripture.

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WHAT IS APPLICATION?

The best way to define application is to first determine what it is not. Application is not
just accumulating knowledge. Knowledge helps us discover and understand facts and
concepts, but it stops there. History is filled with philosophers who knew what the Bible
said but failed to apply it to their lives, keeping them from believing and changing. Many
think that understanding is the end goal of Bible study, but it is really only the beginning.
Application is not just illustration. Illustration only tells us how someone else handled
a similar situation. While we may empathize with that person, we still have little direction
for our personal situation.
Application is not just making a passage “relevant.” Making the Bible relevant only
helps us to see that the same lessons that were true in Bible times are true today; it does
not show us how to apply them to the problems and pressures of our individual lives.
What, then, is application? Application begins by knowing and understanding God’s
Word and goes further. It focuses on the truth of the particular Scripture text, shows us
what to do about what we’re reading, and motivates us to respond to what God is teaching.
All three are essential.
Application is putting into practice what we already know (see Mark 4:24; Heb 5:14).
It answers our question “So what?” by confronting us with the right questions and
motivating us to take action (see 1 Jn 2:5-6; Jas 2:17). Application is unique for each
individual. It is making a relevant truth a personal truth, and it involves developing a
strategy and action plan to live our lives in harmony with the Bible. It is the biblical
“how to” of life.
You may ask, “How can your application notes be relevant to my life?” Each application
note has three parts: (1) an explanation that ties the note directly to the Scripture passage
and sets up the truth that is being taught, (2) the bridge that explains the truth and makes
it relevant for today, and (3) the application that shows you how to take that truth and
apply it to your personal situation. No note, by itself, can apply Scripture directly to your
life. It can only teach, direct, lead, guide, inspire, recommend, and urge. It can give you the
resources and direction you need to apply the Bible; but only you can take these resources
and put them into practice.
A good note, therefore, should not only give you knowledge and understanding, but
point you to application. Before you buy any kind of resource Bible, you should evaluate
the notes and ask the following questions: (1) Does the note contain enough informa-
tion to help me understand the point of the Scripture passage? (2) Does the note assume
I know too much? (3) Does the note avoid denominational bias? (4) Do the notes touch
most of life’s experiences? (5) Does the note help me apply God’s Word?

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT

A CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE?

The Bible does not proceed in chronological order from beginning to end. Indeed, the 66
books of the Bible do tell a unified story that begins at Genesis 1:1 and ends at Revela-
tion 22:21, but the books are essentially organized by grouping similar kinds of books
together (prophets, letters, etc.) rather than proceeding in chronological order. Some
books cover the exact same events from different perspectives, like the books of Kings
and Chronicles. Others, like the Psalms, are spread over hundreds of years by many dif-
ferent authors. It is often difficult for ordinary readers to put together the little clues
throughout the Bible that show how a particular book or chapter fits into the larger story
of the Bible. But seeing that larger story is often the key that unlocks understanding for
some parts of the Bible that seem obscure.
The Chronological Life Application Study Bible helps the reader see the larger story
by breaking up the traditional books of the Bible into 10 major eras of biblical history,
intermingling the Scriptures into a single, unified story from Creation to the end. This
provides readers with a unique viewpoint on the biblical story, and it can give fresh and

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exciting insight into books of the Bible that might have been difficult to understand
apart from knowing where they fall chronologically. For example, see the way the proph-
ets Haggai and Zechariah are interacting with what is happening in the book of Ezra
(pp. 1162-1181). Intermingling the prophets with the historical books can give us a new
perspective on the issues they were dealing with. In this case, it shows how the people
responded to God’s call on their life through the prophets: The Temple was rebuilt and
proper worship in Jerusalem was restored! This is only one of many examples. In the
Chronological Life Application Study Bible, you will notice that the prophets are an
integral part of the story of Israel, and their writings will pop up right in the middle of
the story when they confronted a king or the people. You will read Paul’s letters to the
Thessalonians right when he wrote them, during a stay in Corinth a few months after
his visit to Thessalonica. This new view on the text of Scripture will give you surprising
and valuable insights.
Although a chronological Bible gives us a new and exciting outlook on the message of
Scripture, we do need to remember that the Bible was not written as a single story. God
gave us the Bible as a collection of 66 individual books, not a chronological rearrangement
of those books. While helpful as a tool for gaining insight into the meaning, message, and
significance of Scripture, a chronological Bible is not a substitute for a traditional Bible.
The Chronological Life Application Study Bible does contain every word of the Bible, but
because it is rearranged and books are often presented out of canonical order or broken
up into smaller pieces, we should remember that the books of the Bible are intended to
be read as whole books. It is helpful to see the Gospels mingled together in one common
narrative, with parallel passages together, but it is not a substitute for reading the book
of Matthew as a whole, unbroken story about Jesus’ life and his significance. With that in
mind, it is our hope that the Chronological Life Application Study Bible will be a vital tool
in helping you understand the Bible, but it should not replace a traditional Bible in any
sense.
Organizing the Bible into chronological order is sometimes tricky, and excellent Chris-
tian scholars do not always agree on the order of certain books or passages. The editors of
the Chronological Life Application Study Bible created the chronological arrangement by
consulting several scholarly resources, but it should not be considered the only legitimate
way to organize the Bible chronologically. Some books, such as the book of the prophet
Joel, are very difficult to place chronologically. In cases like that, we used our best judg-
ment, but ultimately certainty eludes us. In many places, the study notes will mention the
possibility of alternative chronologies. We encourage readers to question our decisions
and consider alternatives to the arrangement we have provided—the text of Scripture is
infallible, but our arrangement of it in this Bible certainly is not!

FEATURES OF THE CHRONOLOGICAL

LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE

Front matter features

„ Canonical Table of Contents A table of contents listing each passage of Scripture
in its canonical order was created in order to give you a quick way to find any passage
in this Bible based just on the reference, even if you have no idea what place that book
or verse has in the chronological story.
„ Chronological Survey of the Bible To help you understand the Old and New
Testaments from their chronological viewpoint, a quick overview of the whole story,
including gaps like the intertestamental period, begins on p. A23.

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Interior features
A. Chronological Header System You’ll never be at a loss for where you are in the
story of the Bible. Every page shows the entirety of the historical eras covered with the
current era highlighted for quick recognition of where you are in God’s story.
B. Outline The Chronological Life Application Study Bible has a new, custom-made
outline that was designed specifically from an application point of view. Several
unique features should be noted:
1. To avoid confusion, each section outline has only three levels of headings. Main
outline heads are marked with a capital letter. Subheads are marked by a number.
Minor explanatory heads have no letter or number.
2. Brief paragraphs below each main head and subhead summarize the content of the
following Bible text and offer important contextual information.
C. Notes In addition to providing the reader with many application notes, the Chrono-
logical Life Application Study Bible also offers several kinds of explanatory notes
that help you understand culture, history, context, difficult-to-understand passages,
background, places, theological concepts, and the relationship of various passages in
Scripture to other passages. Maps, charts, and diagrams are also found on the same
page as the passages to which they relate. For an example of an application note, see the
note on John 20:23 (p. 1495). For an example of an explanatory note, see the note on
Mark 11:1-2 (p. 1430). The abbreviation ff appears in some notes to indicate that the
comments apply not only to the verse referenced but to the following passage as well.
D. Maps The Chronological Life Application Study Bible has more maps than any other
Bible. A thorough and comprehensive Bible atlas is built right into each Bible section.
There are two kinds of maps: (1) A section introduction map, telling the story of that
section of Bible history. (2) Thumbnail maps in the notes, plotting most geographic
movements in the Bible. In addition to these numerous full-color maps, there is a
comprehensive set of color maps and diagrams at the back of this Bible.

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E. Illustrated Verses Many photos appear throughout this Bible that illustrate impor-
tant verses and bring the Bible to life.
F. Section Introductions The Section Introductions are divided into several easy-
to-find parts:
Overview. This is a summary with general lessons and applications that can be drawn
from the section as a whole.
Timeline. This puts the Bible books or passages of that section’s era into their historical
setting. It lists the key events of that era and the dates when they occurred.
People and Culture. This is an overview of the important people and cultural issues
that provide background for what is happening historically during that time.
Books in this Section. This is a list of straight facts about each book in the section—
those pieces of information you need to know at a glance.
Article. Some introductions include an article that explains an important biblical
or theological concept to help in understanding that section.
Megathemes. This feature gives the main themes of the section, explains their
significance, and then tells why they are still important for us today.
Map. This shows the key places found in the section and retells the story of the section
from a geographical point of view.
G. Timeline Three types of timelines appear in this Bible. There is a master timeline list-
ing all the events that are recorded throughout the Bible (p. A34). There are also more
detailed timelines at the beginning of each era of biblical history, showing the events
of that section in the context of other major world powers and events. Finally, there is
a running timeline of key dates in the margins of the text to indicate when in history
that passage took place.

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J L

H. Parallel Passage Indicator Parallel passages are placed one after another. Each is
identified by a bar signifying that it is part of a parallel section. Markers identify how
many passages—two, three, or four—are in the parallel. The parallel passages are also
marked to indicate which one it is in the parallel: first, second, third, or fourth.
I. Archaeological Notes These notes feature full-color images and highlight impor-
tant places, archaeological discoveries, and historical artifacts that put the Bible into
real historical context.
J. Charts and Diagrams Hundreds of charts and diagrams are included to help the
reader better visualize difficult concepts or relationships. Most charts not only present
the needed information but show its significance as well.
K. Personality Profiles Another unique feature of this Bible is a collection of profiles
of many Bible people, including their strengths and weaknesses, greatest accomplish-
ments and mistakes, and key lessons from their lives.
L. Textual Notes and Sectional Headings Directly related to the New Living
Translation text, the textual notes examine such things as alternate translations, mean-
ing of Hebrew and Greek terms, Old Testament quotations, and variant readings in the
ancient biblical manuscripts. The NLT text also contains sectional headings in order to
help you more easily understand the subject and content of each section; these head-
ings appear as the third level of the three-level header system described above.

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M. Harmony of the Gospels A visual harmony of the Gospels was developed specifi-
cally for this Bible. It is located on p. 1260 and explained in detail there.

N
N. New Full-Color Illustrations. Eight full-color illustrations were commissioned
specifically for the Chronological Life Application Study Bible, including four drawings
of Jerusalem from various periods in history and detailed illustrations of the Taber-
nacle and Temple.

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Back matter features

„ A Christian Worker’s Resource The Christian Worker’s Resource is a special
supplement written with you in mind. It includes five articles that you will find useful
in your ministry: (1) “How to Become a Christian” includes the basic steps of becoming
a believer, along with Bible verses you can use to guide someone to faith. (2) “How to
Follow Up with a New Believer” gives you 14 discussion points to walk through with
a new believer over the course of several weeks. These will help in understanding the
basics of the Christian faith. (3) “Mining the Treasures of the Chronological Life Applica-
tion Study Bible” gives you a taste of the depth of the study notes by citing often-asked
questions (that you probably have been asked from time to time) and sending you to
life application notes that help to answer those questions. (4) “So You’ve Been Asked to
Speak” walks you through the process of preparing a talk or Bible study using the many
features of the Chronological Life Application Study Bible. (5) Finally, “Taking the Step
to Application” teaches you how to make application a natural part of your personal
study as well as a part of Bible studies you lead or talks you give.
„ The Bible Book-by-Book Since the Chronological Life Application Study Bible
is arranged chronologically in 10 sections rather than canonically in 66 books, the
traditional book introductions from the Life Application Study Bible are gathered
together here so that you can still get an overview of the meaning and message of each
individual book of the Bible.
„ Master Index This Bible contains a complete master index to all the notes, charts,
maps, archaeological notes, illustrations, and personality profiles, as well as separate
indexes for each of these.
„ Dictionary/Concordance A concise concordance identifies terms and proper
names of special interest and points to the important occurrences in context. Each
word is followed by a brief definition or description.

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 A CHRONOLOGICAL SURVEY
OF THE BIBLE

Biblical history spans the entire course of time to save his family and pairs of every kind of ani-
from the creation of the world to the era of the mal living on the earth. Then God made it rain
early Christian church in the late first century a.d. for 40 days until the whole earth was covered
At its most basic level, it is simply the story of God with water, and every living thing that was not
fashioning a people for himself and redemptively on the boat—including human beings—died.
interacting with them throughout history. From After the floodwaters subsided, Noah and his
the creation of the world and the first human family left the boat to start a new humanity. God
beings to the fall of humanity; to the calling of told them to multiply and fill the earth, and he
Abraham and the rise of Israel; to the return of promised never again to destroy the earth with a
Judah from exile in Babylon; to the incarnation, flood.
life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; and finally Noah’s descen-
to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in dants multiplied.
all believers—God continually works to redeem a Everyone spoke a
people for himself, a people he can lovingly bless single language,
with good things as they seek him and find their enabling them
hope in him, the source of all good things. to easily work
together. So they
„ Beginnings: Creation–2100 B.C. The story decided to build
begins with the very creation of the world, when a great tower
God formed the heavens and earth and then all to the heavens,
living things to inhabit them. All that he cre- a testimony to
ated was “good,” but God distinguished human their own great-
beings from the rest of creation by creating them ness. But God
in his very own image. He abundantly provided chose to confuse
for Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, by them with differ-
placing them in a specially prepared garden, and ent languages, making it virtually impossible for
he enjoyed unbroken fellowship with them. But them to continue with their great project, since
this perfect world was soon poisoned by sin when they could no longer understand each other. As a
Adam and Eve sought to be their own masters result, the people soon dispersed and spread out
and disobeyed God. Instead of trusting and obey- over all the earth, which is what God had com-
ing God, they swallowed the lie of the serpent, manded them to do in the first place.
who told them they could be like God. Because
of their sin, Adam and Eve were cast out of the „ God’s Chosen Family: 2100–1800 B.C.
garden and from then on suffered pain, sorrow, It appears that with each generation after Noah,
hardship, and even death. But thankfully, the people drifted further and further from God.
story of God’s people did not end there. In fact, God chose once again to create a new people
that was just the beginning. for himself within the rest of humanity—this
Sadly, the curse of sin brought into the world time through a man named Abram (eventually
by Adam and Eve was passed down to all their renamed Abraham). Through this chosen people,
descendants as well. Every human being is “bent,” God would ultimately bless all of humanity. Inter-
so to speak, just like their ancestors. This can be estingly, the Bible does not mention why God
seen as early as their first child: Cain killed his chose Abram. It simply says God told him to leave
brother out of jealousy. The curse of sin continued his family and his home country and go to a new
until the whole world was so wicked that God land that God would show him. God promised
chose to wipe it all out and start over, in a sense, to bless Abraham and make a great nation from
with a new people, a people descended from a his descendants. And Abraham obeyed God.
righteous man named Noah. Thus begins the rest of the story of the Old Testa-
God instructed Noah to build a giant boat ment—the story of God’s chosen people.

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In obedience and faith, Abraham left his travel to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, though
home and traveled to the land of Canaan. God they did not know he was their long-lost brother.
told Abraham that this was the land he was Eventually Joseph revealed his identity to them,
going to give him, and he sealed his promise and they were reconciled. Joseph convinced his
with a solemn covenant ceremony. God also entire family, including his father, Jacob, to move
reaffirmed his promise to give Abraham many to Egypt. And there Jacob’s descendants flour-
descendants. After an agonizing wait, God finally ished and multiplied.
gave Abraham and his wife, Sarah, a son, Isaac.
Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 91. Then God „ The Birth of Israel: 1800–1406 B.C. Many
tested Abraham’s years later, a new leader arose in Egypt who did
faith by telling him not know of all that Joseph had done, and he
to sacrifice Isaac. began to oppress the Israelites for fear that they
This was the ulti- might rebel against him. The Israelites were made
mate demonstra- slaves, and eventually Pharaoh even ordered all
tion of Abraham’s Israelite baby boys to be thrown into the Nile
faithful trust in River. One Israelite couple, however, hid their
God since Isaac baby boy in a basket in the river to keep him from
was the only son being killed. Pharaoh’s daughter found the baby
born to Abraham and adopted him, calling him Moses.
and Sarah, the only Moses grew up in the Egyptian royal court. One
visible hope that day, he witnessed an Egyptian beating an Israelite,
God would fulfill so Moses killed the Egyptian and hid his body in
his promise to the sand. When Pharaoh found out, Moses fled
bless Abraham with to the land of Midian. There God spoke to Moses
many descendants. from a burning bush, revealing his name—the
Abraham obeyed, and God spared Isaac’s life. Lord—and telling him to go back to Egypt and
Isaac lived much like his father, sojourning in lead his people out of slavery to the land that God
various places in Canaan. Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, was giving them. Moses was reluctant to go, but
gave birth to twin boys, Esau and Jacob. Esau the Lord assured him that he would be with him
was older, but he sold his birthright to Jacob for and would give him power to do amazing miracles
a bowl of stew, and Jacob then tricked his father before Pharaoh. God also sent Moses’ brother,
into granting him the blessings that belonged Aaron, along with him to Egypt.
to Esau. So Esau became very angry with Jacob, When Moses arrived in Egypt, he spoke to
and Jacob fled to the homeland of his ancestors, Pharaoh, telling him God’s command to let the
where he lived with his uncle Laban for many Israelites go out into the wilderness to worship
years. While working for Laban, Jacob married God. Pharaoh refused and then treated the
his daughters Leah and Rachel and began to raise Israelites even more
a family. He eventually returned to Canaan and harshly. This set
reconciled with Esau. God changed Jacob’s name in motion a series
to Israel. His 12 sons became the ancestors of the of 10 plagues that
12 tribes of Israel. God also reaffirmed to Jacob God inflicted on
the covenant he had made with his father, Isaac, Egypt. Each plague
and his grandfather Abraham. cycle followed
One of Jacob’s 12 sons was named Joseph, essentially the same
clearly Jacob’s favorite. Though one of the youn- pattern: Moses told
gest, Joseph had dreams (literally) of one day Pharaoh to let God’s
becoming master over his brothers. His brothers people go; Pharaoh
became very angry with him because of this and refused; the plague
sold him to slave traders headed to Egypt. Yet was unleashed;
God blessed Joseph even while a slave in Egypt. Pharaoh recanted
Through a complicated interplay of circum- and agreed to
stances, Joseph was eventually brought before let the Israelites
Pharaoh himself to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. go; Moses prayed for the plague to be stopped;
God gave Joseph wisdom to understand that the Pharaoh then changed his mind and refused to let
dream foretold of a coming worldwide famine. the Israelites go. The final plague was a curse upon
As a result, Pharaoh made him second in com- the firstborn of all people and animals in Egypt.
mand of all of Egypt in order to prepare. During All homes without the blood of a lamb smeared
the famine, Joseph’s brothers were forced to on the doorframe would be visited by the angel of

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death. The firstborn sons of Egypt were killed by the new generation of Israelites came to Kadesh-
the angel that night, including Pharaoh’s own son. barnea, and then they began making their way to
The annual feast of Passover commemorates this the Promised Land once again. They set up camp
momentous event. on the plains of Moab. The Promised Land lay
After this 10th plague, Pharaoh allowed the just across the Jordan River to the west. Moses
Israelites to leave Egypt; but once they had left, reviewed the history of God’s dealings with them
he again changed his mind and set out in pursuit up to that point and exhorted them to be faithful
of them. Just as Pharaoh’s army was closing in to God after they conquered the land. Moses died
on the Israelites, who were blocked by the Red just before the Israelites entered the land, leaving
Sea, the Lord miraculously parted the sea and his assistant Joshua to lead the conquest.
allowed the Israelites to pass through on dry
land. When the Egyptians tried to follow them, „ Possessing the Land: 1406–1050 B.C.
the sea closed over them and they drowned. The first city to be taken was the imposing city
This whole event, the Exodus, became a defining of Jericho, which stood just across the Jordan
moment in the history of the nation of Israel, River in Canaan. But the Israelites did not even
when God decisively rescued and redeemed his have to lay siege to the city or attack its gates to
people for himself. Repeatedly throughout the capture it, because God miraculously caused the
Old Testament, God would refer to himself as walls of the city
the one who led the Israelites out of bondage in to fall down.
Egypt with strength and miraculous signs. Joshua then led
With the threat of the Egyptians behind them, the Israelites to
the Israelites were now free to journey to the capture towns
place where God wanted them to worship him. throughout the
They began to grumble for food, so God provided Promised Land.
quail for meat, and each morning manna, myste- The entire con-
rious bread-like flakes, fell from heaven. At times, quest of the land
God also provided water from a rock. occurred over
Finally the Israelites came to Mount Sinai, many years, but
and God met with Moses there. God gave him they never fully
the Ten Commandments and other instructions completed it.
to give to the people. These essentially defined God had com-
what it meant to live as the people of God. While manded the
the Israelites were at Sinai, God also gave Moses Israelites to com-
instructions for building the Tabernacle, which pletely drive out
would serve as a sort of portable temple as the the Canaanites,
Israelites moved from place to place on their way but they were satisfied to simply live alongside
to the land that God had promised to their ances- the inhabitants. Several areas within the land
tors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Even while Moses continued to be controlled by Canaanites even
was receiving God’s laws, however, the people after the conquest period was over, and their
demonstrated their persistent unfaithfulness by idolatry was a snare to the Israelites for centuries
constructing an idol and worshiping it! And Moses’ to come.
brother Aaron, who had just been appointed After Joshua died, God repeatedly raised up
high priest over the Israelites, was the one who leaders, called judges, to deliver his people from
instructed them to build it! oppression. This oppression was typically a direct
After the Israelites had camped at the foot of result of the Israelites’ sin. This cycle of sin, oppres-
Mount Sinai for a year, God directed them to begin sion, and deliverance occurred throughout the
making their way to the Promised Land. God told period of the judges. During this time the Israelites
Moses to send 12 scouts into Canaan. All but also experienced conflict among themselves as the
Joshua and Caleb reported that the land was good tribe of Benjamin was almost completely wiped
but that the inhabitants were stronger than them. out by the other tribes in a bloody civil war. The
So the Israelites refused to take possession of the period of the judges was a spiritually dark, cha-
land. Because they failed to trust in God for victory, otic time for Israel, all the people doing whatever
he condemned them to wander in the wilderness seemed right in their own eyes.
for 40 years until that entire generation had died,
except for Joshua and Caleb. God continued to „ The United Monarchy: 1050–930 B.C.
provide for his people during those forty years, The Israelites asked Samuel, the last of the judges,
despite their repeated instances of grumbling for a king to rule over them like the kings of the
and unfaithfulness to him. At the end of 40 years, nations around them. God told Samuel to agree

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to their request but to warn them of the hardships a permanent Temple for the Lord in Jerusalem
a king would bring upon them. God had been but the Lord had a different plan: God was going
their king, but they had rejected his leadership in to build David a “house,” that is, he was going to
favor of being more like the other nations. establish David’s family line as the ruling dynasty
God led Samuel to anoint Saul from the tribe of over Israel forever.
Benjamin as the first king (c. 1050 b.c.). Saul was Unfortunately, David’s reign as king was not
tall and handsome. He also proved to be an able without trouble. David himself committed
military leader in adultery with the wife of Uriah, one of his most
many ways. But his valiant warriors, and she became pregnant. Then
spiritual character David sought to cover up his sin by arranging
was lacking. On Uriah’s death on the battlefield. Later in his reign,
various occasions, David brought a plague upon all Israel because
he sacrificed God’s he ordered a census to be taken of all men of
ways to ensure military age. Several of David’s children brought
military success or heartache to him as well. David’s son Amnon
personal gain. For raped his own half-sister Tamar, and then her
these reasons, God full brother Absalom killed Amnon in revenge.
rejected Saul as king Absalom then fled into exile. Years later Absalom
and chose a man returned, but he mounted a rebellion against his
after his own heart father and proclaimed himself king. David was
to replace him: forced to flee Jerusalem for a time and set up his
David. capital in Mahanaim. David’s men fought against
David was an Absalom’s men, and Absalom was killed, so David
unlikely choice. The youngest of eight brothers, returned to Jerusalem.
he was not even considered at first. But soon after Just before David died in 970 b.c., he
Samuel anointed David to be the next king, David appointed his son Solomon as king over Israel.
demonstrated that he was indeed specially chosen Having received an extensive and powerful
by God; for he slew the Philistine giant Goliath kingdom, Solomon was able to focus on tasks
when all Israel’s soldiers, including his brothers, such as building a beautiful royal palace and the
were too afraid to face the giant in battle. Temple for the Lord in Jerusalem. At the same
David joined Saul’s warriors at his palace and time, Solomon capitalized on Israel’s strategic
became close friends with Saul’s son Jonathan. position as a land bridge between Egypt and the
David quickly proved himself to be a very able other major powers of the ancient Near East.
military leader and gained the favor of the Israelite Solomon exacted lucrative tolls from those travel-
people. This incited Saul’s bitter jealousy, and Saul ing through Israel, and he even engaged in arms
began trying to kill David. David fled, moving from dealing, buying horses and chariots from various
place to place, at times narrowly escaping Saul and nations and selling them to others. Solomon
his men. When David heard that Saul and his sons expanded his kingdom until it reached as far
had been killed in a battle with the Philistines, he as the Euphrates River. Solomon’s wisdom and
moved to Hebron and was proclaimed king over riches were renowned throughout the ancient
Judah. But the commander of Saul’s army pro- Near East.
claimed Ishbosheth, one of Saul’s sons, king over However, Solomon’s reign was not entirely a
Israel. Eventually Ishbosheth was assassinated by success story. He married literally hundreds of
his own men, and David was proclaimed king over wives, primarily to seal political alliances with
all the Israelite tribes. other nations, and this led to the spread of idola-
After becoming king over all Israel around try in Israel as these wives brought their idola-
1000 b.c., David captured the fortified city of trous ways with them. Solomon even funded the
Jerusalem from the Jebusites and moved his capi- building of pagan shrines for his wives on the hill
tal there. David was extremely successful in battle across from the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
against virtually all the surrounding nations. Solomon’s extravagant royal court also placed a
He established a treaty with the powerful and huge tax burden on the people of Israel, a burden
wealthy city-state of Tyre. The king of Tyre sup- that became difficult to bear.
plied David with stonemasons and coveted cedar,
and David built himself a palace and stockpiled „ Splintered Nation: 930–586 B.C. These
materials for building the Temple. cracks in Solomon’s kingdom eventually led to
The high point of David’s reign was when God outright rebellion. When his son Rehoboam
chose to establish a permanent covenant with became king in 930 b.c., the people of Israel
David and his descendants. David wanted to build demanded that he grant some reprieve from the

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heavy tax burden placed on them by his father. Over time, Assyria regained strength and
Rehoboam foolishly vowed instead to tax the absorbed nation after nation into its vast empire.
people even more. So 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel Israel’s territory was repeatedly reduced by
refused to submit to Rehoboam, and they set up Assyrian attacks until it was less than half its orig-
their own king instead. Only the tribes of Judah inal size. Finally in 722 b.c., Israel’s capital city of
and Benjamin remained loyal. From then on, the Samaria fell to the Assyrians, and the northern
kingdom established by the 10 northern tribes kingdom came to an end. Many Israelites were
was called Israel, and the kingdom in the south exiled to faraway lands, and other foreign peoples
that continued to be ruled by Davidic kings was were brought in to diffuse the possibility of
called Judah. The division between these two unified revolt. The Bible makes it clear that this
kingdoms was very real, and they often fought exile was a direct result of the wickedness and
wars against each other. idolatry of the people of Israel. Long ago when
The northern tribes installed a man named God gave his
Jeroboam as their king, and he immediately set a laws to Moses, he
wicked precedent of idolatry for Israel. In order had forewarned
to keep his people from traveling to Jerusalem (in the people that
Judah) to worship at the Temple, Jeroboam set up they, too, would
calf idols at the northern and southern extremes be cast out of the
of his kingdom and encouraged the people to wor- Promised Land
ship there instead. He also appointed priests who if they became
were not Levites. His wickedness was so renowned like the wicked
that later wicked kings were said to follow the Canaanites.
example of Jeroboam, who led Israel into sin. Now the day of
The people of Judah continued to worship at reckoning had
the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, and their finally come for
priests were descended from Aaron, as the law Israel’s many sins
of Moses stipulated. Not that idolatry was never of idolatry and
a problem in Judah, but for most of Judah’s exis- injustice.
tence, idolatry did not typically receive the same Several kings of Judah stand out. Jehoshaphat
degree of royal backing and widespread accep- was regarded as a righteous king by the writers
tance as it did in the northern kingdom. of Scripture, and he earnestly sought the Lord
Another distinction between the two kingdoms when foreign armies threatened Judah. However,
was the frequency with which royal dynasties he formed an alliance with wicked King Ahab of
changed. The northern kingdom experienced Israel, which had consequences later.
numerous assassinations and coups, which led King Ahaz of Judah was deemed a wicked
to new dynasties taking power. But the southern king by the writers of Scripture. When the
kingdom always remained loyal to the Davidic northern kingdom of Israel teamed up with the
dynasty. Arameans to attack Judah (733 b.c.), Ahaz made
Perhaps one of the most significant kings of the fateful decision to appeal to Assyria for help,
Israel was Ahab, who took the throne in 874 b.c. essentially making Judah a vassal (subservient)
Ahab was a skilled military leader. Spiritually, how- kingdom to Assyria. He also replaced the altar of
ever, Ahab was very wicked, leading the Israelites the Lord with a replica of a pagan one he saw in
into idolatry and other sins. Much of his wicked- Damascus, and he got rid of many other sacred
ness was due to the influence of his wife Jezebel, Temple items. Eventually he closed up the Temple
the daughter of a pagan king. Jezebel promoted entirely and allowed idolatry to flourish in Judah.
idolatry throughout the land, and she and Ahab Ironically, Ahaz’s son Hezekiah was one of the
were often condemned by the prophet Elijah. most righteous kings of Israel, and he was also a
Around this time a number of prophets gained successful military leader. Hezekiah knew that
prominence in Israel and Judah, and they spoke the Assyrians would soon attempt to conquer
out against many sins that had grown rampant Judah. Hezekiah prepared the city for this attack,
in society, including social injustice, idolatry, which kept it from falling for a long time. Finally
and general unfaithfulness to the Lord. They God sent a plague throughout the Assyrian camp,
also foretold of a day when God would send his and the few who survived broke off the siege and
deliverer to Israel, a divine ruler who would set returned to Assyria. Hezekiah also restored and
all things right once again. This deliverer is some- purified the Temple and the worship of the Lord,
times referred to as the Messiah (“anointed one”). purged idolatry from the land, and reinstituted
The writings of several of these prophets became the festival of Passover.
part of the Old Testament. Just as quickly as Hezekiah had restored

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proper worship of the Lord, his wicked son sacrificial system had essentially ceased. At the
Manasseh corrupted it all once again. Manasseh same time, many of those taken into exile became
promoted idolatry throughout Judah like no one somewhat prosperous and even occupied posi-
else before him. He placed a pagan idol in the tions of significant political power in the govern-
Temple of the Lord and even sacrificed his own ments of their captors. Daniel and his friends
sons by fire just outside the walls of Jerusalem. were groomed to be part of the royal court, and
Near the end of his life, Manasseh was taken away Daniel was a close adviser to several Babylonian
into exile in Babylon, and he repented of all that and Persian rulers.
he had done. After he was allowed to return to The Babylonian empire were the ones who
Judah, he strove to undo all the evil that he had conquered Judah and took them off into exile,
done, tearing down pagan altars and restoring but the Babylonians soon faced a military threat
worship of the Lord. themselves. The mighty Persian empire from the
By the time Manasseh’s grandson Josiah north was growing, and they eventually conquered
became king of Judah (640 b.c.), Assyria was in Babylon and nearly everything else in the known
decline, and the Babylonians were on the rise world at the time. Persia had a different stance
in the ancient Near East. Josiah capitalized on towards conquered peoples than Babylon had,
the situation, expanding the borders of Judah which led to the end of this period of exile for the
to include nearly all of the northern kingdom of Jews.
Israel, whose people had by this time been car-
ried away into exile. Josiah then strove to purge „ Return and Diaspora: 538–6 B.C. King
the land of idolatry and restore proper worship of Cyrus of Persia captured Babylon in 539 b.c. and
the Lord. He also arranged for extensive repairs absorbed the Babylonian empire into his vast
to be made to the Temple. Josiah died in 609 b.c. domain. In order
while trying to stop the Egyptians from passing to foster gratitude
through Judah and Israel to help the Assyrians, and loyalty among
who were on the run from the Babylonians and his subjects, Cyrus
the Medes in the far north. quickly decreed
After Josiah died, the Babylonians essentially that those held
took over Judah, installing and quickly depos- captive in Babylon
ing several of Josiah’s sons as kings of Judah. were free to return
They also exiled the upper echelon of society to to their native
Babylon in several waves (605 b.c., 597 b.c., and lands. So around
586 b.c.) until finally in 586 b.c. the Babylonians 538 b.c., a small
attacked the city of Jerusalem and completely contingent of Jews
destroyed the Temple, leaving the once-proud returned home to
nation in ruins. the land of Israel
and reestablished
„ Exile: 586–538 B.C. Unlike the experience a semiautonomous
of the northern kingdom of Israel, the Judeans state under the dominion of Persia. They repaired
were, for the most part, allowed to maintain their the altar, reinstituted the daily sacrifices, and
cultural and reli- rebuilt the Temple as well. As the memoirs of Ezra
gious distinctive- and Nehemiah attest, Israel continued to enjoy
ness even in exile, relative religious freedom under the Persians
and no large-scale throughout the remainder of the Old Testament
effort was made period, despite occasional periods of oppression.
to repopulate the Not all of the Jews returned to the Promised
land of Judah with Land, however. Over the decades in exile, many
foreigners. It was had largely integrated with the societies in which
during the Exile they were living and had built lives for themselves
that the people of there. Over time the Hebrew language came to
Judah first came be replaced by Aramaic (the dominant language
to be referred to as of the land of their exile) as the primary spoken
Jews (from the term language among Jews, and many Jews began to
Judeans). intermarry with the local foreign peoples and
This time of to regard their place of exile as their permanent
exile had a massive home. This large population of Jews living perma-
impact on virtually every aspect of Israelite life. nently outside of the Promised Land while main-
Only the poor were left in Judah, and the ritual taining some degree of religious and cultural

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distinctiveness is often referred as the Diaspora culminated in his complete dominion over virtu-
(“scattering”). Some, like Daniel, Mordecai, and ally all former Persian territory. Just as quickly as
Esther continued to serve God faithfully even he rose to power, however, Alexander succumbed
in prominent positions while far from the land to illness and died in 323 b.c. at the age of 32.
of Israel. Over time, more and more of the Jews One major effect of Alexander’s conquest
chose to return home, even leaving important relates to his promotion of the Greek language
positions to do so, such as Nehemiah, who was and culture throughout his conquered lands.
cup-bearer to the king. Greek soon came to function as a near universal
means of communication and understanding
The Intertestamental Period throughout the ancient Near East. The pervasive-
The time between the last recorded events of ness and lasting influence of the Greek language
the Old Testament and the first recorded events can be seen most clearly in the fact that every
of the New Testament are sometimes referred to single book of the New Testament, over 300 years
as the intertestamental period. Christians often after Alexander’s death, was written in Greek.
think of this period as shrouded in mystery and Upon Alexander’s death, his kingdom was
darkness. In reality, quite a bit is known about broken up among his generals and other succes-
this very formative period of biblical history, and sors. A series of wars followed, with each succes-
understanding these events can help us better sor vying for territory controlled by another. In
understand the New Testament. In a real way, the time (around 220 b.c.), the Near East came to be
intertestamental period set the scene for the life dominated by three primary Greek powers: the
and ministry of Jesus and his followers. For exam- Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt; the Seleucid dynasty
ple, the Pharisees and Sadducees didn’t even exist in much of Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Persia;
during Old Testament times; but by the time of and the Antigonid dynasty in Macedonia. The
Jesus, these two groups were key players in the land of Israel was initially part of the Ptolemaic
political and religious life of Israel—so much so realm, and Jews typically enjoyed a great deal
that Jesus spent considerable time and energy of religious freedom and even favor at times.
condemning them and instructing his disciples During this time a large number of Jews moved
not to follow their example. to Alexandria
A brief review of a few events from the Old in northern
Testament will help us better understand the Egypt, where
events that came after them. When the Assyrians they became
exiled the northern kingdom out of the land, they relatively pros-
brought foreign peoples from other lands into perous and influ-
Israel in order to diffuse the possibility of unified ential. It was in
revolt. Intermarriage among these foreigners Alexandria that a
and Israelites in Palestine gave rise to a group group of Jewish
of people known as Samaritans, who were char- biblical scholars
acterized by their syncretistic blend of Judaism translated the
and pagan religious practices. When Babylon Old Testament
conquered and exiled the southern kingdom of into Greek to
Judah, they destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem, make it more
bringing a halt to the ritual sacrificial system of accessible to the
Israel. This crisis led to a shift in focus away from increasing num-
the Temple and its rituals to the written word of ber of Jews who no longer spoke Hebrew. The
Scripture, which was still accessible even in exile. translation, known as the Septuagint, would later
Thus, it is likely during this time that synagogues become the Bible of the early Christian church,
and scribes became more widespread in Israelite and most Old Testament quotations found in the
society. New Testament are drawn from it.
It is roughly at this point that we quietly exit In 198 b.c., the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III
the period of the Old Testament and enter the seized the land of Israel from the Ptolemies.
time known as the intertestamental period. When his son Antiochus IV Epiphanes took the
Perhaps the single most significant event that throne in 175 b.c., everything changed for the
occurred during this period was the rise of Jews. Antiochus held ambitions of conquering
Alexander the Great. After ascending to the the Ptolemaic kingdom in Egypt. In order to shore
throne at the age of 20 (336 b.c.) and securing up his defenses and to prepare for his Egyptian
his grip over Macedonia and the Greek peninsula, campaign, Antiochus imposed a strict policy of
young Alexander launched a series of stun- Hellenization upon his subjects, most notably the
ning victories over the Persians that eventually Jews in Palestine. Compliance was regarded as

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loyalty, and refusal was interpreted as rebellion. have been forced to reconcile how God’s people
Jews were required to adopt the beliefs and prac- were to continue to live in faithful obedience to
tices of the Greeks (often abhorrent to pious Jews), God’s laws in the midst of their unique cultural
and they were forbidden to practice many dis- setting. In all of this, there also continued to be
tinctly Jewish rituals and customs, such as circum- an ever evolving hope in a Messiah, the anointed
cision, observance of the Sabbath, and ritual food one, God’s chosen instrument of deliverance and
laws. Copies of the law of Moses were burned. A restoration for his people. Various Old Testament
pagan idol of Zeus was even placed in the Temple passages laid the foundation for this hope, but
in Jerusalem. Antiochus sold the office of high exactly who the Messiah would be and what he
priest in Israel, restricted to the line of Aaron by would do were open to about as many interpreta-
Mosaic law, to the highest bidder who would pro- tions as there were communities of God’s people.
mote Antiochus’s policies. Unsurprisingly, these
policies caused a crisis of conscience for many „ Jesus Christ: 6 B.C.–A.D. 30 In the midst
Jews. The crisis became even more pronounced in of this incredibly complex interplay of religion,
167 b.c. after Antiochus was forced by the Romans political struggle, and social change, God did
to turn back from certain defeat. He vented his indeed send his Messiah, the long awaited hope
anger mercilessly upon many Jews who refused of his people. But God’s Messiah would not
to give up their religious beliefs, and he banned be quite like any conceived by human minds.
Judaism altogether. The situation was growing ripe The story of the New Testament opens with the
for revolt. shockingly humble birth of the King of kings.
Open revolt by the Jews finally broke out under The birth of the Messiah (called the Christ in
the leadership of a priest named Mattathias and Greek) took place
his five sons, who are often referred to as the in the final years
Maccabees (meaning “hammers”). By 164 b.c. of Herod the Great,
they had recaptured the Temple and ritually puri- probably around 6
fied and restored it (the event commemorated or 5 b.c. (The odd
by Hannukah, the Feast of Dedication). The next phenomenon of
several decades were characterized by armed Jesus being born
resistance against the Seleucid rulers, and several “b.c.” is due to a
of Mattathias’s sons lost their lives. Over time, they miscalculation by
established their dynasty as the permanent politi- church scholars
cal leaders of Israel. They were also granted the about 500 years
office of the high priesthood. This concentration after Jesus’ death.)
of political and religious power in a single family The angel Gabriel
led to various abuses. Ironically, each succeeding appeared to a virgin
Maccabean ruler also became increasingly enam- named Mary and
ored with the Hellenistic way of life. All this led to foretold that she
dissension among the Jews, and various sects and would conceive and bear a son by the power of the
parties arose with different views on these issues. Holy Spirit and that he would be the Son of God
The Pharisees largely opposed Hellenization and and was to be called Jesus. Her fiancé, Joseph, was
the singular power of the ruler. The Sadducees also told by an angel that Mary would give birth to
favored both. Still others, such as the Qumran the Messiah. Caesar Augustus ordered a census of
community, wholly rejected the Maccabean the entire Roman world, so Joseph traveled with
dynasty and the Temple system as completely cor- Mary to Bethlehem, the town of his ancestors.
rupt and withdrew into their own communities. There Mary gave birth to Jesus, fulfilling prophe-
Maccabean rule over Israel continued until cies that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
63 b.c., when the rising Roman Empire finally Shepherds came to worship him, as did wise men
engulfed Israel and Jewish independence came (royal astrologers) from the East, perhaps as much
to an end. Around 39 b.c., a young Idumean as two years later.
named Herod was named king of Judea by the Herod the Great attempted to eliminate this
Roman Senate. Herod the Great proved to be newborn threat to his reign by killing all baby
an extremely shrewd leader, an able builder boys in Bethlehem. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus
(including completely refurbishing the Temple in escaped to Egypt and then returned after an
Jerusalem), but fiercely brutal against those who angel informed them of Herod’s death. They
opposed him. resettled in Nazareth, and Joseph took up work as
By the end of the intertestamental period, a carpenter or perhaps a stone mason. The Bible
distinct Jewish communities could be found tells nothing more of Jesus’ childhood until he
throughout the known world, and each one would was 12, when he amazed the scribes and teachers

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of the law with his understanding. As Jesus grew with his disciples. By now Jesus was extremely
into adulthood, it is likely that he took up Joseph’s well known throughout Israel, and many believed
trade. him to be—or at least wondered if he might
At about the age of 30, Jesus began his public be—the Messiah, as he claimed. No doubt many
ministry. John the Baptist had been drawing were hoping for the overthrow of the hated
great crowds throughout Israel with his declara- Roman rule. News of Jesus’ impending arrival in
tion that “the Kingdom of Heaven is near” and Jerusalem went ahead of him, and people laid
his baptism of repentance. Jesus was baptized palm branches and cloaks on the road to receive
by John, after which God the Father verbally him as king. Jesus, in turn, chose to enter the city
affirmed Jesus’ Sonship and the Holy Spirit on a donkey just as the Old Testament prophet
descended upon him. Soon after this, Jesus also Zechariah had foretold, apparently in recognition
began to preach that “the Kingdom of Heaven is of his role as Messiah. Thus, the city was ripe with
near,” a key theme in his teaching and parables. expectation for the upcoming week of Passover,
Some of John’s own followers began to follow when Jews celebrated their deliverance from slav-
Jesus, apparently with the blessing of John him- ery in Egypt many centuries before.
self, who saw his role as preparing the way for the Immediately upon entering the city in tri-
coming of the Messiah, who had now arrived in umph, Jesus went up to the Temple and threw
the person of Jesus. out the money changers and merchants, declar-
Early in his ministry, Jesus based his work in ing that his Father’s house was to be a house of
Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. Using figurative prayer. His actions angered many of the religious
and even somewhat cryptic stories called parables, leaders, some of whom received a cut of the prof-
Jesus captured people’s interest and taught them its from the Temple sales.
about the Kingdom of Heaven. He also healed Jesus spent much of the week of Passover
many sick people, cast out demons, and performed teaching in the Temple area and debating with
other miracles that demonstrated his divine power the Pharisees and Sadducees. He also foretold of
and provided a foretaste of life in the Kingdom of events to come, including the destruction of the
Heaven. He began to draw large crowds of follow- Temple and his eventual return to earth to gather
ers. Jesus selected a special group of 12 disciples his people. At some point in the week, Judas
to follow him everywhere he went. Several of these Iscariot, one of Jesus’ 12 closest disciples, agreed
men were previously fishermen, including Peter, to betray Jesus to the religious leaders for 30
Andrew, James, and John. These men would remain pieces of silver.
with Jesus throughout his ministry and became On Thursday of that week, Jesus shared the
privy to his most intimate teaching and deeds. Passover meal with his 12 disciples. Judas
Jesus’ ministry likely lasted at least three years, Iscariot left during the meal to carry out his act of
the initial years marked by increasing popular- betrayal. Afterward, Jesus and his disciples went
ity, the final year marked by increasing dissent just outside the city to Gethsemane, an olive gar-
and even animosity. Throughout his ministry, den where they
Jesus consistently condemned two particular often relaxed
groups of religious leaders: the Pharisees and the from the busy
Sadducees. These two groups had very differ- events of the day
ing views from each other on both religion and in Jerusalem.
politics. Jesus repeatedly castigated the Pharisees There Judas
for their legalistic adherence to the law of Moses carried out his
that lacked real love for God and people. Jesus betrayal. The
exposed the Sadducees’ faulty understanding guards arrested
of Scripture and of God’s power. Sometimes he Jesus, and most
lumped the two groups together in his condem- of his disciples
nations. At the same time, Jesus often praised fled.
prostitutes, tax collectors, and other “sinners” Jesus was
who repented of their sins and followed him. interrogated
Over time, the combination of Jesus’ growing throughout the
popularity, his condemnation of the religious night in order
leaders, and his claims to be the Son of God to find him guilty of a crime worthy of death.
proved more than the leaders could stomach, and Various accusations were made, but none held
a plot was hatched to end his life. up to close scrutiny. By morning, they settled
By the end of his ministry, Jesus began another on Jesus’ own claim to be the Messiah in order
journey from Galilee in northern Israel to to accuse him of treason against Rome. They
Jerusalem in the south to celebrate the Passover led him to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor,

CLASB.indb A31 6/13/2012 11:50:21 AM

 A C H R O N O L O G I C A L S U R V E Y O F T H E B I B L E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A32

who held ultimate power to sentence someone repent and follow him. About 3,000 people
to death, and they accused Jesus of treason. became believers in Jesus that day, launching the
Pilate knew the leaders’ true motives had noth- Christian church.
ing to do with loyalty to Rome, but in the end he The depth of Jesus’ impact upon these new
acquiesced and condemned Jesus to death by believers became immediately visible by their
crucifixion. commitment to love and care for each other.
After Jesus was subjected to various abuses, Many believers voluntarily gave their possessions
beatings, and ridicule by Roman soldiers, he was to help provide for the needs of others in the
nailed to a cross and put on public display as a church, and the church made specific arrange-
deterrent to all who might consider committing ments to care for the needs of widows. God also
the same crime of treason against Rome. Jesus’ worked many miracles through Peter and the
charge was posted: this is jesus, the king of the other leaders, confirming their authority and
jews. Jesus continued to suffer on the cross until encouraging the believers.
about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when he cried Persecution soon came, however. A believer
with a loud voice, “It is finished,” and he died. named Stephen and James, the brother of John,
Pilate granted permission to a rich man were killed for their faith in Jesus. Many believ-
named Joseph ers fled Jerusalem, but God used even this to
of Arimathea to spread the Good News across the known world.
bury Jesus’ body Eventually new churches were established as far
in his own nearby away as Damascus and Antioch in Syria. Some
tomb. Because the of the leaders in the Jerusalem church moved
Sabbath was fast to Antioch, including a man named Barnabas.
approaching, Jesus’ James, the brother of Jesus, became a leader in
body was quickly the church in Jerusalem.
placed in the tomb One of the persecutors was a zealous young
without being Pharisee named Saul. As Saul was traveling to
treated with burial Damascus from Jerusalem to pursue Christians
spices. there, the Lord Jesus appeared to Saul, temporar-
On Sunday, some ily blinding him, and asked why he was persecut-
women who had ing him. After this, Saul completed his journey to
followed Jesus and Damascus, but as a new man: a zealous servant of
cared for his needs Jesus Christ. God would eventually use Saul, who
went to Jesus’ tomb to finish preparing his body became known as Paul, to reach countless others
for burial. When they reached the tomb, however, with the message of the gospel.
they discovered that Jesus’ body was gone! Angels In the meantime, the church continued to
at the tomb then told them that Jesus had risen grow, as did the bounds of the gospel itself.
from the dead! The women ran back to tell the What had originally started out essentially as a
other disciples the news. Jesus was alive! Jewish sect had expanded to include Samaritans
During the 40 days following his resurrection, (despised by many Jews as half-breeds), pros-
Jesus appeared to various disciples on different elytized Jews (Gentiles who had become Jews),
occasions, confirming that he had been raised and even God-fearing Gentiles. The church
from the dead, giving them further instructions received these changes with joy, but they also
and teaching, and commanding them to go out introduced some questions that would not be
and be his witnesses, telling people everywhere fully resolved until several years later at the
about him. He told his disciples to remain in Jerusalem council.
Jerusalem (not their home area of Galilee) until Over time Barnabas convinced Paul to join
the Holy Spirit came and filled them with power. him at Antioch, and later they traveled through
He then ascended to heaven as his disciples Cyprus and Galatia preaching the gospel to Jews
watched, where he remains until he returns in and Gentiles alike. During this journey, Paul was
glory for his people. repeatedly persecuted by Jews, and he eventually
decided to begin preaching primarily to Gentiles.
„ The Church: A.D. 30–Present During the This raised a key question: Did these Gentiles
festival of Pentecost, 50 days after Passover, the need to adhere to the laws of Moses in order to
promised Holy Spirit finally came upon Jesus’ be followers of Jesus? That is, did these Gentiles
disciples, and they began proclaiming the great need to become converts to Judaism (including
works of God in languages they did not even being circumcised and following strict food laws)
know. Peter spoke to the crowd about Jesus and before they could become Christians? Soon after
his resurrection and implored his listeners to Paul and Barnabas returned from their journey,

CLASB.indb A32 6/13/2012 11:50:22 AM

 A33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A C H R O N O L O G I C A L S U R V E Y O F T H E B I B L E

the leaders of the Jerusalem church held a coun- invoked his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his
cil to decide the issue. After some discussion, the case to Caesar himself. So Paul was sent under
leaders agreed that Gentile believers did not need guard to Rome.
to be circumcised and become Jewish converts Paul’s journey to Rome proved difficult, as Paul
in order to become Christians. They were full- suffered shipwreck off the island of Malta near
fledged Christians just as they were. Sicily. Eventually Paul made it safely to Rome,
Soon after this however, and as he awaited trial in Rome under
Paul embarked on house arrest, he continued to minister to believ-
two more missionary ers there and probably wrote several other letters
journeys. The great of the New Testament. It is not certain exactly
distances traveled what happened to Paul after this, but it appears
were made possible that he was soon released and embarked on at
in part by Rome’s least one other journey before he was arrested
excellent road system again. Church tradition holds that Paul was finally
and the relative peace executed under the emperor Nero.
(“Pax Romana”) due During these years, other changes were tak-
to Rome’s unrivalled ing place in the church as well. Apparently the
power in the region. apostle Peter moved to Rome, where he, too,
Along the way Paul suffered martyrdom under Nero. According to
established churches tradition, Barnabas’s relative John Mark recorded
throughout Asia Peter’s stories and teachings from Jesus’ life
Minor, Macedonia, and ministry (the Gospel of Mark). Likewise, the
and Achaia, and several of his letters to these apostle John moved to Ephesus (probably along
churches have become part of the canon of the with Mary, the mother of Jesus), where he served
New Testament. as a prominent leader for several churches that
At the end of his third missionary journey, had been established in western Asia Minor.
Paul’s work among the Gentiles fostered rumor John also recorded many stories and teachings
and anger among many Jews who were zealous of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Eventually John
for the law of Moses. They accused Paul of teach- was exiled to the island of Patmos (not far from
ing Gentiles to flout the laws of Moses, and they Ephesus), where he recorded the revelation from
mistakenly thought he had brought a Gentile into Jesus concerning the end of the world. According
the Jewish section of the Temple courts. A riot to church tradition, John died on Patmos. The
erupted, and the Roman commander took Paul Gospels of Matthew (another apostle) and Luke (a
into custody for his safety. Paul was then trans- Gentile companion of Paul’s) were also compiled
ferred to Caesarea on the coast. He remained from the testimonies of those who had been eye-
in custody for nearly two years until finally he witnesses to Jesus’ life and ministry.

CLASB.indb A33 6/13/2012 11:50:23 AM

 COMPLETE BIBLICAL TIMELINE
Catch a glimpse of the whole sweep of biblical history. The ten historical
eras outlined in the Chronological Life Application Study Bible, along with
the books of the Bible you will find in each, are in the center bar. Significant
world events are above the bar, and biblical events are below it.

Sumerian
Iron objects king, Sargon, Horses domesti-
manufactured becomes cated in Egypt
in the ancient first “world 2300 BC
Near East conqueror”
2500 BC 2331 BC
Egyptians Ziggurats built
Egyptians use import gold in Mesopotamia
Great Pyramids of papyrus and ink from other parts 2100 BC
Egypt constructed for writing of Africa
2630 BC 2500 BC 2400 BC

2600
2
260
6 0 BC
600
60 BC 2500 BC 2400 BC 2300 BC 2200 BC 2100 BC
WORLD EVENTS

Beginnings
undated–2100 BC

GENESIS, undated–1805 BC

BIBLICAL EVENTS

undated 2166 BC
undated
Creation Abraham
Noah builds the ark
is born

2091 BC
Abraham
travels to
Early Accounts of Creation Canaan
and the Flood
Several ancient civilizations wrote
down their own stories about
origins. These tablets from Babylon
record a creation myth and a story
about an ancient flood.

CLASB.indb A34 6/13/2012 11:50:24 AM

 Stonehenge
erected in England
estimated
2000 BC Mexican Sun
Pyramid built
1500 BC
Hammurabi of First metal-
Spoked wheels Babylon provides working
invented first written law in South
estimated code estimated America
1900 BC 1750 BC 1440 BC

2000 BC 1900 BC 1800 BC 1700 BC 1600 BC 1500 BC 1400 BC

God’s Chosen The Birth

Family of Israel EXODUS, 1500 – 1445 BC
2100 BC–1800 BC 1800 BC–1406 BC
LEVITICUS, 1445 – 1444 BC

JOB, NUMBERS, 1445 – 1406 BC

around
1900 BC DEUTERONOMY, 1406 BC

1929 BC 1876 BC 1406 BC

2066 BC Jacob flees Jacob moves 1526 BC Moses dies
Isaac is to Haran to Egypt Moses is
born 1805 BC born
1443 BC
Joseph dies
2006 BC 1898 BC Israel refuses to
Jacob and Joseph sold enter Canaan
Esau are born into slavery 1446 BC
The Exodus
1915 BC around 1800–1446 BC 1445 BC
Joseph is born 1885 BC Slavery in Egypt Ten Command-
Joseph rules ments given
Egypt
1445 BC
The second
Passover

CLASB.indb A35 6/13/2012 11:50:26 AM

 Destruction
of Troy during
Trojan War
1183 BC

First Chinese
dictionary
Trojan Horse
1200 BC
King Tutankhamen Replica in
is buried in Egypt Troy, Turkey
amidst great treasure
1358 BC

Palace of Knossos
Water clock on island of Crete Silk fabrics
invented in destroyed by manufactured
Egypt earthquake in China
1400 BC 1380 BC 1250 BC

1400 BC 1300 BC 1200 BC

C
WORLD EVENTS

Possessing the Land

d
1406 BC–1050 BC

JOSHUA, 1406 – 1376 BC

JUDGES, 1376 – 1100 BC

BIBLICAL EVENTS Israel Stele 1213 BC

This monument honoring
1376 BC 1162 BC
Pharaoh Merneptah is the
Judges begin earliest evidence for the Gideon
to rule in existence of the nation of becomes
Israel Israel outside the Bible. Israel’s judge

1406 BC
1020 BC
Joshua leads Israel Philistines land on
into Canaan coast of Canaan
1209 BC
Deborah becomes
Israel’s judge

CLASB.indb A36 6/13/2012 11:50:28 AM

 Homer’s Iliad and
Odyssey written down
Mayans settle in the 800 BC
Yucatan peninsula Celts invade
1000 BC Britain
900 BC
Evidence of
highly developed
Native Americans Gold vessels and metal and stone
in California build jewelry popular in sculptures in Founding of
wood-reed houses Northern Europe Africa Carthage
1000 BC 950 BC 850 BC 814 BC

1100 BC 1000 BC 900 BC 800 BC

United Monarchy Splintered Nation

1050 BC–930 BC 930 BC–586 BC

1 SAMUEL,
1105 – 1010 BC 2 SAMUEL &
1 CHRONICLES, 1 KINGS, 970 – 853 BC
1010 – 970 BC
RUTH, 2 CHRONICLES, 970 – 538 BC
around SONG OF SONGS
1100 BC & ECCLESIASTES, 2 KINGS, 853 – 561 BC
around 950 BC

1105 BC 1050 BC 1010 BC 997 BC 930 BC 885 BC 875 BC 835 BC

Samuel Saul becomes David David Israel divides Omri Elijah begins Joash
is born king becomes sins with into two nations begins his ministry begins
king in Bathsheba to rule in to rule in
1075 BC 1025 BC Judah Israel 853 BC Judah
970 BC
Samuel David Ahab dies
1003 BC Solomon begins 910 BC
becomes anointed in battle
Israel’s final as king David becomes building the Asa begins to
judge king over all Israel Temple rule in Judah 848 BC
Elisha’s
1020 BC 960 BC
970 BC ministry
David defeats Goliath The Temple is completed begins
Solomon
becomes
king

CLASB.indb A37 6/13/2012 11:50:31 AM

 Earliest
musical
notation in
Greece False teeth
750 BC First known invented in
lock and key Italy
in the palace 700 BC
Shedu in Assyria
710 BC
Assyrian statue,
limestone,
8th century BC

First known Olympics

occurs
776 BC
Legendary
dary
ary
date forr
founding
ng
of Rome
me
753 BC
C
800 BC
750
50 BC
50 C 700
70
00 BC
00 BC
WORLD EVENTS

Splintered Nation
930 BC–586 BC

2 CHRONICLES, 970 – 538 BC

2 KINGS, 853 – 561 BC

JONAH, 793 – 753 BC MICAH, 742 – 687 BC

AMOS, 760 – 750 BC ISAIAH, 740 – 681 BC

HOSEA, 753 – 715 BC

BIBLICAL EVENTS

760 BC 722 BC 701 BC

Amos begins Assyria Sennacherib
his ministry destroys taunts
793 BC Samaria Hezekiah
Jonah begins his ministry
740 BC
Isaiah begins his ministry

CLASB.indb A38 6/13/2012 11:50:33 AM

 Cyrus the
Great conquers
the Medes,
founding the
Persian Empire
Pythagoras, 550 BC
Greek philosopher
and mathematician, Aesop writes his
fables Horseback
is born postal service
Japan founded as a 582 BC 560 BC
in the Persian
nation Nineveh
Empire
660 BC destroyed
540 BC
612 BC
Gautama
Greek Buddha, the
The Temple astronomer founder of Babylon
Soldering Horse racing of Artemis is Thales Buddhism, Confucius overthrown
of iron first held at constructed predicts an is born in is born in by Cyrus of
invented 33rd Olympics in Ephesus eclipse India China Persia
650 BC 648 BC 600 BC 585 BC 563 BC 551 BC 539 BC

650 BC 600 BC 550 BC

Exile
586 BC–538 BC

2 CHRONICLES, 970 – 538 BC

2 KINGS, 853 – 561 BC

DANIEL, 605 – 536 BC
ZEPHANIAH, 640 – 621 BC
EZEKIEL, 597 – 571 BC
NAHUM, JEREMIAH, 627 – 585 BC
663 – 654 BC LAMENTATIONS, 586 BC;
HABAKKUK, 612 – 589 BC OBADIAH, around 586 BC

627 BC 605 BC 573 BC 553 BC 538 BC

Jeremiah First captivity; Ezekiel’s Daniel’s first Daniel
begins his Daniel taken vision of vision prays for
ministry to Babylon a restored his people
Temple
539 BC
586 BC
597 BC Daniel thrown
622 BC Babylon destroys to the lions
Second captivity; Jerusalem
Law scroll found in Ezekiel taken to
the Temple Babylon
562 BC
King Nebuchadnezzar
of Babylon dies
609 BC
Neco kills Josiah
in battle

CLASB.indb A39 6/13/2012 11:50:35 AM

 Hippocrates,
the father
Earliest copies of Sun of modern
Tzu’s The Art of War medicine,
500 BC is born The Parthenon is
460 BC built in Athens, Greece
448 BC
Greeks repel
Persia in the
Public libraries Battle of Plato, famous
open in Athens, Marathon The Golden philosopher, Aristotle is
Greece Age begins is born born
490 BC
520 BC in Athens, 429 BC 384 BC Alexander the
Socrates, Greece Great defeats Romans build
Polo played Rome famous 457 BC Socrates the Persian first paved road,
as a sport becomes a philosopher, condemned Plato writes Empire the “Appian Way”
in Persia republic is born to death The Republic
330 BC 312 BC
525 BC 509 BC 469 BC 399 BC 370 BC
350 BC 300 BC
500 BC 450 BC 400 BC
WORLD EVENTS

Return & Diaspora

538 BC– 6 BC

EZRA, 538 – 450 BC

HAGGAI, 520 BC MALACHI, 430s BC
ZECHARIAH, 520–518 BC

ESTHER, 483 – 473 BC

NEHEMIAH, 446 – 432 BC

BIBLICAL EVENTS

538 BC 520 BC 473 BC 458 BC 445 BC

Cyrus Haggai Festival Ezra leads Nehemiah
allows and of Purim another group of returns to
exiles to Zechariah originates returning exiles Jerusalem
return to serve as to Jerusalem
Jerusalem prophets

538 BC
515 BC 479 BC
Zerubbabel
leads Second Temple Esther becomes queen
50,000 completed in Jerusalem of Persia
people
back to
Jerusalem

CLASB.indb A40 6/13/2012 11:50:38 AM

 Romans make
Herod the Great
king of Judea
37 BC

Cleopatra and
Marc Antony
Jews and commit suicide
astrologers Cleopatra becomes last 30 BC
banished independent Egyptian ruler
Great Wall of China from Rome 51 BC Herod the
built 139 BC Great begins
215 BC
remodeling
First Julius Caesar Temple in
Julius
Chinese becomes dic- Jerusalem
Caesar,
Judas ships reach Romans tator for life, 20 BC
first
Antiochus Maccabeus east coast conquer assassinated
emperor
Romans IV plunders begins a of India England 2 years later Sumo
of Rome,
conquer Jerusalem revolt against 102 BC is born 55 BC 46 BC wrestling
Sicily Temple Antiochus IV 100 BC
in Japan
241 BC 169 BC 165 BC 23 BC

250 BC 200 BC 150 BC 100 BC 50 BC AD 1

INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD

around 255 BC 20? BC

Hebrew Old Mary, Jesus’
Testament begins mother, is
to be translated born
into Greek
(Septuagint)

The Septuagint
Jesus and the apostles apparently
referred to the Old Testament in
translation quite often. This 4th
century AD manuscript is particularly
well preserved.

CLASB.indb A41 6/13/2012 11:50:40 AM

 Judea
becomes
a Roman Tiberius London is founded
province succeeds Caesar AD 43
AD 6 Augustus as
Roman emperor
AD 14 Herod
Saddles first used in Caligula Agrippa Claudius
Europe Zealots in becomes appointed becomes
AD 1 Judea rebel the Roman king of the Roman
against Rome emperor Judea emperor
AD 7 AD 37 AD 40 AD 41

AD 20
AD 1 AD 10 AD 30 AD 40
WORLD EVENTS

Jesus Christ The Church

6 BC– AD 30 AD 30– present

MATTHEW, 6 BC – AD 30
ACTS, AD 30 – 60
LUKE, 6 BC – AD 30

MARK, AD 26 – 30

JOHN, AD 26 – 30

BIBLICAL EVENTS

4 BC AD 5? AD 35
Herod the Paul is Saul’s conversion
Great dies born AD 26 on the Damascus
John the road
6 BC Baptist
AD 30 AD 40
Jesus is born begins his
AD 6 ministry Jesus is crucified The
Jesus visits Temple conversion
as a boy of Cornelius
AD 27
Jesus
begins
his
AD 46
ministry
Paul begins
his first
AD 29 missionary
John the journey
Baptist is AD 30
beheaded The Holy Spirit
descends on Pentecost

CLASB.indb A42 6/13/2012 11:50:43 AM

 Painting on canvas Rome begins construction
AD 66 on the Colosseum
Emperor AD 75
Claudius
poisoned by
order of his
wife Mount Vesuvius
AD 54 Romans erupts
Fire burns destroy a AD 79
Romans Nero Rome, Nero religious China opens
begin becomes blames commune silk trade with Domitian
using the Roman Christians at Qumran the West becomes the
soap emperor AD 64 AD 68 AD 74 Roman emperor
AD 50 AD 54 AD 81

AD 50 AD 60 AD 70 AD 80 AD 90 AD 100

1 COR, AD 53 1 JOHN, between AD 80–90

PHIL, AD 61
2 COR & 2 & 3 JOHN, around AD 90
ROMANS, 1 TIM &
TITUS, AD 62 REVELATION, AD 95
AD 54

2 TIM &
JAMES, AD 48 1 PETER, AD 64
COL,
GAL, AD 49 PHLM, 2 PETER, AD
D 65
& EPH,
1 & 2 THES, AD 60 HEBREWS S&
AD 50 JUDE, around
und AD 66

AD 51 AD 57 AD 64
Paul begins Paul in AD 62 Paul
his third prison in Paul is martyred
missionary Caesarea released Masada
AD 70
journey from prison After Rome destroyed
in Rome Rome Jerusalem in 70 AD, a small
destroys
ys group of Jewish nationalists
Jerusalem
em dug in at the rugged fortress of
AD 49 AD 59 Masada, where they remained
The Paul’s voyage to Rome for three years until the
Jerusalem AD 73 Romans’ siege finally broke
Council Jews commit through the stronghold.
mass suicide at
Masada while
under Roman
attack

CLASB.indb A43 6/13/2012 11:50:46 AM

 A NOTE TO READERS

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, was first published in 1996. It quickly became
one of the most popular Bible translations in the English-speaking world. While the
NLT’s influence was rapidly growing, the Bible Translation Committee determined that an
additional investment in scholarly review and text refinement could make it even better.
So shortly after its initial publication, the committee began an eight-year process with
the purpose of increasing the level of the NLT’s precision without sacrificing its easy-
to-understand quality. This second-generation text was completed in 2004, with minor
changes subsequently introduced in 2007.
The goal of any Bible translation is to convey the meaning and content of the ancient
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts as accurately as possible to contemporary readers.
The challenge for our translators was to create a text that would communicate as clearly
and powerfully to today’s readers as the original texts did to readers and listeners in the
ancient biblical world. The resulting translation is easy to read and understand, while also
accurately communicating the meaning and content of the original biblical texts. The NLT
is a general-purpose text especially good for study, devotional reading, and reading aloud
in worship services.
We believe that the New Living Translation—which combines the latest biblical scholar-
ship with a clear, dynamic writing style—will communicate God’s word powerfully to all
who read it. We publish it with the prayer that God will use it to speak his timeless truth to
the church and the world in a fresh, new way.

The Publishers, October 2007

CLASB.indb A44 6/13/2012 11:50:48 AM

 INTRODUCTION TO THE
NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

Translation Philosophy and Methodology erary and rhetorical devices, ancient metaphors, and
English Bible translations tend to be governed by one word choices that give structure to the text and provide
of two general translation theories. The first theory has echoes of meaning from one passage to the next.
been called “formal-equivalence,” “literal,” or “word- On the other hand, the translators rendered the mes-
for-word” translation. According to this theory, the sage more dynamically when the literal rendering was
translator attempts to render each word of the origi- hard to understand, was misleading, or yielded archaic
nal language into English and seeks to preserve the or foreign wording. They clarified difficult metaphors
original syntax and sentence structure as much as pos- and terms to aid in the reader’s understanding. The
sible in translation. The second theory has been called translators first struggled with the meaning of the
“dynamic-equivalence,” “functional-equivalence,” or words and phrases in the ancient context; then they
“thought-for-thought” translation. The goal of this rendered the message into clear, natural English. Their
translation theory is to produce in English the closest goal was to be both faithful to the ancient texts and emi-
natural equivalent of the message expressed by the nently readable. The result is a translation that is both
original-language text, both in meaning and in style. exegetically accurate and idiomatically powerful.
Both of these translation theories have their strengths.
A formal-equivalence translation preserves aspects of Translation Process and Team
the original text—including ancient idioms, term con- To produce an accurate translation of the Bible into
sistency, and original-language syntax—that are valuable contemporary English, the translation team needed the
for scholars and professional study. It allows a reader skills necessary to enter into the thought patterns of
to trace formal elements of the original-language text the ancient authors and then to render their ideas, con-
through the English translation. A dynamic-equivalence notations, and effects into clear, contemporary English.
translation, on the other hand, focuses on translating the To begin this process, qualified biblical scholars were
message of the original-language text. It ensures that the needed to interpret the meaning of the original text and
meaning of the text is readily apparent to the contem- to check it against our base English translation. In order
porary reader. This allows the message to come through to guard against personal and theological biases, the
with immediacy, without requiring the reader to struggle scholars needed to represent a diverse group of evan-
with foreign idioms and awkward syntax. It also facili- gelicals who would employ the best exegetical tools.
tates serious study of the text’s message and clarity in Then to work alongside the scholars, skilled English
both devotional and public reading. stylists were needed to shape the text into clear, con-
The pure application of either of these translation temporary English.
philosophies would create translations at opposite ends With these concerns in mind, the Bible Translation
of the translation spectrum. But in reality, all transla- Committee recruited teams of scholars that repre-
tions contain a mixture of these two philosophies. A sented a broad spectrum of denominations, theological
purely formal-equivalence translation would be unin- perspectives, and backgrounds within the worldwide
telligible in English, and a purely dynamic-equivalence evangelical community. (These scholars are listed at the
translation would risk being unfaithful to the original. end of this introduction.) Each book of the Bible was as-
That is why translations shaped by dynamic-equiva- signed to three different scholars with proven expertise
lence theory are usually quite literal when the original in the book or group of books to be reviewed. Each of
text is relatively clear, and the translations shaped by these scholars made a thorough review of a base trans-
formal-equivalence theory are sometimes quite dy- lation and submitted suggested revisions to the ap-
namic when the original text is obscure. propriate Senior Translator. The Senior Translator then
The translators of the New Living Translation set out reviewed and summarized these suggestions and pro-
to render the message of the original texts of Scripture posed a first-draft revision of the base text. This draft
into clear, contemporary English. As they did so, they served as the basis for several additional phases of ex-
kept the concerns of both formal-equivalence and egetical and stylistic committee review. Then the Bible
dynamic-equivalence in mind. On the one hand, they Translation Committee jointly reviewed and approved
translated as simply and literally as possible when that every verse of the final translation.
approach yielded an accurate, clear, and natural English Throughout the translation and editing process, the
text. Many words and phrases were rendered literally Senior Translators and their scholar teams were given
and consistently into English, preserving essential lit- a chance to review the editing done by the team of

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stylists. This ensured that exegetical errors would not be Translation Issues
introduced late in the process and that the entire Bible The translators have made a conscious effort to provide
Translation Committee was happy with the final result. a text that can be easily understood by the typical reader
By choosing a team of qualified scholars and skilled of modern English. To this end, we sought to use only
stylists and by setting up a process that allowed their vocabulary and language structures in common use to-
interaction throughout the process, the New Living day. We avoided using language likely to become quickly
Translation has been refined to preserve the essential dated or that reflects only a narrow subdialect of Eng-
formal elements of the original biblical texts, while also lish, with the goal of making the New Living Translation
creating a clear, understandable English text. as broadly useful and timeless as possible.
The New Living Translation was first published in But our concern for readability goes beyond the
1996. Shortly after its initial publication, the Bible concerns of vocabulary and sentence structure. We are
Translation Committee began a process of further com- also concerned about historical and cultural barriers to
mittee review and translation refinement. The purpose understanding the Bible, and we have sought to trans-
of this continued revision was to increase the level of late terms shrouded in history and culture in ways that
precision without sacrificing the text’s easy-to-under- can be immediately understood. To this end:
stand quality. This second-edition text was completed
in 2004, with minor changes subsequently introduced • We have converted ancient weights and measures
in 2007. (for example, “ephah” [a unit of dry volume] or
“cubit” [a unit of length]) to modern English
Written to Be Read Aloud (American) equivalents, since the ancient measures
It is evident in Scripture that the biblical documents are not generally meaningful to today’s readers.
were written to be read aloud, often in public worship Then in the textual footnotes we offer the literal
(see Nehemiah 8; Luke 4:16-20; 1 Timothy 4:13; Rev- Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek measures, along with
elation 1:3). It is still the case today that more people modern metric equivalents.
will hear the Bible read aloud in church than are likely • Instead of translating ancient currency values
to read it for themselves. Therefore, a new translation literally, we have expressed them in common
must communicate with clarity and power when it is terms that communicate the message. For
read publicly. Clarity was a primary goal for the NLT example, in the Old Testament, “ten shekels of
translators, not only to facilitate private reading and silver” becomes “ten pieces of silver” to convey
understanding, but also to ensure that it would be ex- the intended message. In the New Testament,
cellent for public reading and make an immediate and we have often translated the “denarius” as “the
powerful impact on any listener. normal daily wage” to facilitate understanding.
The Texts behind the New Living Translation Then a footnote offers: “Greek a denarius, the
The Old Testament translators used the Masoretic Text payment for a full day’s wage.” In general, we give
of the Hebrew Bible as represented in Biblia Hebraica a clear English rendering and then state the literal
Stuttgartensia (1977), with its extensive system of Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek in a textual footnote.
textual notes; this is an update of Rudolf Kittel’s Biblia • Since the names of Hebrew months are unknown
Hebraica (Stuttgart, 1937). The translators also further to most contemporary readers, and since the
compared the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Septuagint and Hebrew lunar calendar fluctuates from year to
other Greek manuscripts, the Samaritan Pentateuch, year in relation to the solar calendar used today,
the Syriac Peshitta, the Latin Vulgate, and any other ver- we have looked for clear ways to communicate
sions or manuscripts that shed light on the meaning of the time of year the Hebrew months (such as
difficult passages. Abib) refer to. When an expanded or interpretive
The New Testament translators used the two stan- rendering is given in the text, a textual note
dard editions of the Greek New Testament: the Greek gives the literal rendering. Where it is possible
New Testament, published by the United Bible Soci- to define a specific ancient date in terms of our
eties (UBS, fourth revised edition, 1993), and Novum modern calendar, we use modern dates in the
Testamentum Graece, edited by Nestle and Aland (NA, text. A textual footnote then gives the literal
twenty-seventh edition, 1993). These two editions, Hebrew date and states the rationale for our
which have the same text but differ in punctuation and rendering. For example, Ezra 6:15 pinpoints the
textual notes, represent, for the most part, the best in date when the postexilic Temple was completed in
modern textual scholarship. However, in cases where Jerusalem: “the third day of the month Adar.” This
strong textual or other scholarly evidence supported was during the sixth year of King Darius’s reign
the decision, the translators sometimes chose to differ (that is, 515 b.c.). We have translated that date as
from the UBS and NA Greek texts and followed variant March 12, with a footnote giving the Hebrew and
readings found in other ancient witnesses. Significant identifying the year as 515 b.c.
textual variants of this sort are always noted in the tex- • Since ancient references to the time of day
tual notes of the New Living Translation. differ from our modern methods of denoting

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time, we have used renderings that are they are few, and the women who look through
instantly understandable to the modern reader. the windows see dimly.” We have rendered
Accordingly, we have rendered specific times of it: “Remember him before your teeth—your
day by using approximate equivalents in terms few remaining servants—stop grinding; and
of our common “o’clock” system. On occasion, before your eyes—the women looking through
translations such as “at dawn the next morning” the windows—see dimly.” We clarified such
or “as the sun was setting” have been used when metaphors only when we believed a typical reader
the biblical reference is more general. might be confused by the literal text.
• When the meaning of a proper name (or a • When the content of the original language text is
wordplay inherent in a proper name) is relevant poetic in character, we have rendered it in English
to the message of the text, its meaning is often poetic form. We sought to break lines in ways that
illuminated with a textual footnote. For example, clarify and highlight the relationships between
in Exodus 2:10 the text reads: “The princess phrases of the text. Hebrew poetry often uses
named him Moses, for she explained, ‘I lifted him parallelism, a literary form where a second phrase
out of the water.’” The accompanying footnote (or in some instances a third or fourth) echoes the
reads: “Moses sounds like a Hebrew term that initial phrase in some way. In Hebrew parallelism,
means ‘to lift out.’” the subsequent parallel phrases continue, while
Sometimes, when the actual meaning of also furthering and sharpening, the thought
a name is clear, that meaning is included in expressed in the initial line or phrase. Whenever
parentheses within the text itself. For example, possible, we sought to represent these parallel
the text at Genesis 16:11 reads: “You are to name phrases in natural poetic English.
him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the • The Greek term hoi Ioudaioi is literally translated
Lord has heard your cry of distress.” Since the “the Jews” in many English translations. In the
original hearers and readers would have instantly Gospel of John, however, this term doesn’t always
understood the meaning of the name “Ishmael,” refer to the Jewish people generally. In some
we have provided modern readers with the same contexts, it refers more particularly to the Jewish
information so they can experience the text in a religious leaders. We have attempted to capture
similar way. the meaning in these different contexts by using
• Many words and phrases carry a great deal of terms such as “the people” (with a footnote: Greek
cultural meaning that was obvious to the original the Jewish people) or “the religious leaders,” where
readers but needs explanation in our own appropriate.
culture. For example, the phrase “they beat their • One challenge we faced was how to translate
breasts” (Luke 23:48) in ancient times meant accurately the ancient biblical text that was
that people were very upset, often in mourning. originally written in a context where male-
In our translation we chose to translate this oriented terms were used to refer to humanity
phrase dynamically for clarity: “They went home generally. We needed to respect the nature of
in deep sorrow.” Then we included a footnote the ancient context while also trying to make
with the literal Greek, which reads: “Greek went the translation clear to a modern audience that
home beating their breasts.” In other similar tends to read male-oriented language as applying
cases, however, we have sometimes chosen to only to males. Often the original text, though
illuminate the existing literal expression to make using masculine nouns and pronouns, clearly
it immediately understandable. For example, here intends that the message be applied to both
we might have expanded the literal Greek phrase men and women. A typical example is found in
to read: “They went home beating their breasts in the New Testament letters, where the believers
sorrow.” If we had done this, we would not have are called “brothers” (adelphoi). Yet it is clear
included a textual footnote, since the literal Greek from the content of these letters that they were
clearly appears in translation. addressed to all the believers—male and female.
• Metaphorical language is sometimes difficult Thus, we have usually translated this Greek word
for contemporary readers to understand, so at as “brothers and sisters” in order to represent the
times we have chosen to translate or illuminate historical situation more accurately.
the meaning of a metaphor. For example, the We have also been sensitive to passages where
ancient poet writes, “Your neck is like the tower the text applies generally to human beings or
of David” (Song of Songs 4:4). We have rendered to the human condition. In some instances we
it “Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David” have used plural pronouns (they, them) in place
to clarify the intended positive meaning of the of the masculine singular (he, him). For example,
simile. Another example comes in Ecclesiastes a traditional rendering of Proverbs 22:6 is:
12:3, which can be literally rendered: “Remember “Train up a child in the way he should go, and
him . . . when the grinding women cease because when he is old he will not turn from it.” We have

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rendered it: “Direct your children onto the right and ‘Israel’ are often interchanged throughout the Old
path, and when they are older, they will not leave Testament, referring sometimes to the individual patri-
it.” At times, we have also replaced third person arch and sometimes to the nation.”
pronouns with the second person to ensure
The Rendering of Divine Names
clarity. A traditional rendering of Proverbs 26:27
In the Old Testament, all appearances of ’el, ’elohim,
is: “He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who
or ’eloah have been translated “God,” except where
rolls a stone, it will come back on him.” We have
the context demands the translation “god(s).” We
rendered it: “If you set a trap for others, you will
have generally rendered the tetragrammaton (YHWH)
get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down
consistently as “the Lord,” utilizing a form with small
on others, it will crush you instead.”
capitals that is common among English translations.
We should emphasize, however, that all
This will distinguish it from the name ’adonai, which
masculine nouns and pronouns used to represent
God (for example, “Father”) have been maintained we render “Lord.” When ’adonai and YHWH appear
without exception. All decisions of this kind have together, we have rendered it “Sovereign LORD.” When
been driven by the concern to reflect accurately ’elohim and YHWH appear together, we have rendered
the intended meaning of the original texts of it “Lord God.” When YH (the short form of YHWH)
Scripture. and YHWH appear together, we have rendered it “Lord
God.” When YHWH appears with the term tseba’oth,
Lexical Consistency in Terminology we have rendered it “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” to trans-
For the sake of clarity, we have translated certain origi- late the meaning of the name. In a few cases, we have
nal-language terms consistently, especially within syn- utilized the transliteration, Yahweh, when the personal
optic passages and for commonly repeated rhetorical character of the name is being invoked in contrast to
phrases, and within certain word categories such as di- another divine name or the name of some other god (for
vine names and non-theological technical terminology example, see Exodus 3:15; 6:2-3).
(e.g., liturgical, legal, cultural, zoological, and botanical In the Gospels and Acts, the Greek word christos has
terms). For theological terms, we have allowed a greater been translated as “Messiah” when the context assumes
semantic range of acceptable English words or phrases a Jewish audience. When a Gentile audience can be as-
for a single Hebrew or Greek word. We have avoided sumed (which is consistently the case for the Epistles
some theological terms that are not readily understood and Revelation), christos has been translated as “Christ.”
by many modern readers. For example, we avoided us- The Greek word kurios is consistently translated “Lord,”
ing words such as “justification” and “sanctification,” except that it is translated “Lord” wherever the New
which are carryovers from Latin translations. In place Testament text explicitly quotes from the Old Testa-
of these words, we have provided renderings such as ment, and the text there has it in small capitals.
“made right with God” and “made holy.”
Textual Footnotes
The Spelling of Proper Names The New Living Translation provides several kinds of
Many individuals in the Bible, especially the Old Testa- textual footnotes, all designated in the text with an as-
ment, are known by more than one name (e.g., Uzziah/ terisk:
Azariah). For the sake of clarity, we have tried to use a
single spelling for any one individual, footnoting the • When for the sake of clarity the NLT renders
literal spelling whenever we differ from it. This is espe- a difficult or potentially confusing phrase
cially helpful in delineating the kings of Israel and Ju- dynamically, we generally give the literal rendering
dah. King Joash/Jehoash of Israel has been consistently in a textual footnote. This allows the reader to
called Jehoash, while King Joash/Jehoash of Judah is see the literal source of our dynamic rendering
called Joash. A similar distinction has been used to dis- and how our translation relates to other more
tinguish between Joram/Jehoram of Israel and Joram/ literal translations. These notes are prefaced
Jehoram of Judah. All such decisions were made with with “Hebrew,” “Aramaic,” or “Greek,” identifying
the goal of clarifying the text for the reader. When the the language of the underlying source text. For
ancient biblical writers clearly had a theological pur- example, in Acts 2:42 we translated the literal
pose in their choice of a variant name (e.g., Esh-baal/ “breaking of bread” (from the Greek) as “the Lord’s
Ishbosheth), the different names have been maintained Supper” to clarify that this verse refers to the
with an explanatory footnote. ceremonial practice of the church rather than just
For the names Jacob and Israel, which are used inter- an ordinary meal. Then we attached a footnote
changeably for both the individual patriarch and the to “the Lord’s Supper,” which reads: “Greek the
nation, we generally render it “Israel” when it refers to breaking of bread.”
the nation and “Jacob” when it refers to the individual. • Textual footnotes are also used to show alternative
When our rendering of the name differs from the renderings, prefaced with the word “Or.” These
underlying Hebrew text, we provide a textual footnote, normally occur for passages where an aspect of
which includes this explanation: “The names ‘Jacob’ the meaning is debated. On occasion, we also

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provide notes on words or phrases that represent offers a different level of help. All straight-text Bibles
a departure from long-standing tradition. These have the standard set of textual footnotes that include
notes are prefaced with “Traditionally rendered.” cross-references connecting New Testament texts to
For example, the footnote to the translation their related Old Testament sources. (See more on this
“serious skin disease” at Leviticus 13:2 says: above.)
“Traditionally rendered leprosy. The Hebrew word Many NLT Bibles include an additional concise cross-
used throughout this passage is used to describe reference system that places key cross-references at the
various skin diseases.” ends of paragraphs, linking them to the associated verse
• When our translators follow a textual variant that or verses with a cross symbol within each paragraph.
differs significantly from our standard Hebrew This space-efficient system, while not being obtrusive,
or Greek texts (listed earlier), we document that offers many important key connections.
difference with a footnote. We also footnote cases Larger study editions include a full-column cross-
when the NLT excludes a passage that is included reference system, which allows space for a more com-
in the Greek text known as the Textus Receptus prehensive listing of cross-references. In this larger
(and familiar to readers through its translation in system, symbols differentiate between various kinds of
the King James Version). In such cases, we offer cross-references. The parallel marker (//) designates a
a translation of the excluded text in a footnote, cross-referenced passage that is parallel in nature to the
even though it is generally recognized as a later passage at hand. The asterisk (*) designates a cross-ref-
addition to the Greek text and not part of the erence whose connection involves a direct quote from
original Greek New Testament. the other testament. Standard cross-references in this
• All Old Testament passages that are quoted in system appear unmarked.
the New Testament are identified by a textual In some study editions, we utilize an expanded full-
footnote at the New Testament location. When column cross-reference system that has been enhanced
the New Testament clearly quotes from the by adding a system of Hebrew and Greek word stud-
Greek translation of the Old Testament, and ies. This tool, which takes 100 of the most significant
when it differs significantly in wording from the Hebrew words in the Old Testament and 100 Greek
Hebrew text, we also place a textual footnote at words from the New Testament, creates a chain refer-
the Old Testament location. This note includes a ence which points to key instances of these words so
rendering of the Greek version, along with a cross- they can be studied in context. In the cross-reference
reference to the New Testament passage(s) where system, each word is attached to a modified Strong’s
it is cited (for example, see notes on Psalms 8:2; number, which points to a helpful key-word glossary at
53:3; Proverbs 3:12). the back of the Bible.
• Some textual footnotes provide cultural and
historical information on places, things, and As we submit this translation for publication, we rec-
people in the Bible that are probably obscure to ognize that any translation of the Scriptures is subject
modern readers. Such notes should aid the reader to limitations and imperfections. Anyone who has at-
in understanding the message of the text. For tempted to communicate the richness of God’s Word
example, in Acts 12:1, “King Herod” is named into another language will realize it is impossible to
in this translation as “King Herod Agrippa” and make a perfect translation. Recognizing these limita-
is identified in a footnote as being “the nephew tions, we sought God’s guidance and wisdom through-
of Herod Antipas and a grandson of Herod the out this project. Now we pray that he will accept our
Great.” efforts and use this translation for the benefit of the
• When the meaning of a proper name (or a word- church and of all people.
play inherent in a proper name) is relevant to the We pray that the New Living Translation will overcome
meaning of the text, it is either illuminated with a some of the barriers of history, culture, and language
textual footnote or included within parentheses in that have kept people from reading and understanding
the text itself. For example, the footnote concerning God’s Word. We hope that readers unfamiliar with the
the name “Eve” at Genesis 3:20 reads: “Eve sounds Bible will find the words clear and easy to understand
like a Hebrew term that means ‘to give life.’” This and that readers well versed in the Scriptures will gain a
wordplay in the Hebrew illuminates the meaning fresh perspective. We pray that readers will gain insight
of the text, which goes on to say that Eve “would be and wisdom for living, but most of all that they will meet
the mother of all who live.” the God of the Bible and be forever changed by know-
ing him.
Cross-References
There are a number of different cross-referencing tools The Bible Translation Committee
that appear in New Living Translation Bibles, and each October 2007

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 BIBLE TRANSLATION TEAM
HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

PEN TAT EUCH W ISDOM BOOK S

Daniel I. Block, Senior Translator Tremper Longman III, Senior Translator
Wheaton College Westmont College
GENESIS JOB
Allen Ross, Beeson Divinity School, Samford August Konkel, Providence Theological Seminary
University Tremper Longman III, Westmont College
Gordon Wenham, Trinity College, Bristol Al Wolters, Redeemer College
EXODUS PSALMS 1–75
Robert Bergen, Hannibal-LaGrange College Mark D. Futato, Reformed Theological Seminary
Daniel I. Block, Wheaton College Douglas Green, Westminster Theological Seminary
Eugene Carpenter, Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana Richard Pratt, Reformed Theological Seminary
LEVITICUS PSALMS 76–150
David Baker, Ashland Theological Seminary David M. Howard Jr., Bethel Theological Seminary
Victor Hamilton, Asbury College Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., Immanuel Church, Nashville,
Kenneth Mathews, Beeson Divinity School, Samford Tennessee
University Willem VanGemeren, Trinity Evangelical Divinity
School
NUMBERS
Dale A. Brueggemann, Assemblies of God Division PROVERBS
of Foreign Missions Ted Hildebrandt, Gordon College
R. K. Harrison (deceased), Wycliffe College Richard Schultz, Wheaton College
Paul R. House, Beeson Divinity School, Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, Eastern College
Samford University
ECCLESIASTES, SONG OF SONGS
Gerald L. Mattingly, Johnson Bible College
Daniel C. Fredericks, Belhaven College
DEUTERONOMY David Hubbard (deceased), Fuller Theological
J. Gordon McConville, University of Gloucester Seminary
Eugene H. Merrill, Dallas Theological Seminary Tremper Longman III, Westmont College
John A. Thompson (deceased), University of Melbourne
PROPHETS
H ISTOR IC A L BOOK S John N. Oswalt, Senior Translator
Barry J. Beitzel, Senior Translator Asbury Theological Seminary
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
ISAIAH
JOSHUA, JUDGES John N. Oswalt, Asbury Theological Seminary
Carl E. Armerding, Schloss Mittersill Study Centre Gary Smith, Union University
Barry J. Beitzel, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School John Walton, Wheaton College
Lawson Stone, Asbury Theological Seminary
JEREMIAH, LAMENTATIONS
1 & 2 SAMUEL G. Herbert Livingston, Asbury Theological Seminary
Robert Gordon, Cambridge University Elmer A. Martens, Mennonite Brethren Biblical
V. Philips Long, Regent College Seminary
J. Robert Vannoy, Biblical Theological Seminary
EZEKIEL
1 & 2 KINGS Daniel I. Block, Wheaton College
Bill T. Arnold, Asbury Theological Seminary David H. Engelhard, Calvin Theological Seminary
William H. Barnes, North Central University David Thompson, Asbury Theological Seminary
Frederic W. Bush, Fuller Theological Seminary
DANIEL, HAGGAI—MALACHI
1 & 2 CHRONICLES Joyce Baldwin Caine (deceased), Trinity College,
Raymond B. Dillard (deceased), Westminster Theological Bristol
Seminary Douglas Gropp, Catholic University of America
David A. Dorsey, Evangelical School of Theology Roy Hayden, Oral Roberts School of Theology
Terry Eves, Erskine College Andrew Hill, Wheaton College
Tremper Longman III, Westmont College
RUTH, EZRA—ESTHER
William C. Williams, Vanguard University HOSEA—ZEPHANIAH
H. G. M. Williamson, Oxford University Joseph Coleson, Nazarene Theological Seminary

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 A51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B I B L E T R A N S L AT I O N T E A M

Roy Hayden, Oral Roberts School of Theology Douglas J. Moo, Wheaton College
Andrew Hill, Wheaton College Thomas R. Schreiner, The Southern Baptist Theological
Richard Patterson, Liberty University Seminary
1 & 2 CORINTHIANS
GOSPEL S A N D ACTS
Joseph Alexanian, Trinity International University
Grant R. Osborne, Senior Translator Linda Belleville, Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Douglas A. Oss, Central Bible College
MATTHEW Robert Sloan, Houston Baptist University
Craig Blomberg, Denver Seminary EPHESIANS—PHILEMON
Donald A. Hagner, Fuller Theological Seminary Harold W. Hoehner (deceased), Dallas Theological
David Turner, Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary Seminary
MARK Moises Silva, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Robert Guelich (deceased), Fuller Theological Seminary Klyne Snodgrass, North Park Theological Seminary
George Guthrie, Union University HEBREWS, JAMES, 1 & 2 PETER, JUDE
Grant R. Osborne, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Peter Davids, St. Stephen’s University
LUKE Norman R. Ericson, Wheaton College
Darrell Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary William Lane (deceased), Seattle Pacific University
Scot McKnight, North Park University J. Ramsey Michaels, S. W. Missouri State University
Robert Stein, The Southern Baptist Theological 1–3 JOHN, REVELATION
Seminary Greg Beale, Westminster Theological Seminary
JOHN Robert Mounce, Whitworth University
Gary M. Burge, Wheaton College M. Robert Mulholland Jr., Asbury Theological Seminary
Philip W. Comfort, Coastal Carolina University
Marianne Meye Thompson, Fuller Theological Seminary SPECI A L R EV I EW ER S
F. F. Bruce (deceased), University of Manchester
ACTS
Kenneth N. Taylor (deceased), Translator,
D. A. Carson, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
The Living Bible
William J. Larkin, Columbia International University
Roger Mohrlang, Whitworth University
COOR DI NAT I NG T E A M
L ET T ER S A N D R EV EL AT ION Mark D. Taylor, Director and Chief Stylist
Ronald A. Beers, Executive Director and Stylist
Norman R. Ericson, Senior Translator
Mark R. Norton, Managing Editor and O.T. Coordinating
Wheaton College
Editor
ROMANS, GALATIANS Philip W. Comfort, N.T. Coordinating Editor
Gerald Borchert, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary Daniel W. Taylor, Bethel University, Senior Stylist

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 CHRONOLOGICAL LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE TEAM
GENERAL EDITOR TYPESETTING CHRONOLOGICAL SURVEY
Keith Williams Gwendolyn Elliott OF THE BIBLE
David P. Barrett
COPY EDITORS ILLUSTRATIONS
Leanne Rolland, Coordinator Dr. Leen Ritmeyer PUBLISHER
Susan F. Tristano Luke Daab Douglas R. Knox
Carole L. Johnson
TIMELINE AND MAP DESIGN ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
PROOFREADING Ruth Berg Blaine A. Smith
Peachtree Editorial Services
SECTION INTRODUCTIONS ACQUISITIONS
DESIGN Keith Williams DIRECTOR
Timothy R. Botts Kevin O’Brien
Daniel Farrell ARCHAEOLOGICAL NOTES
Philip W. Comfort
Keith Williams

ORIGINAL LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE CONTRIBUTORS

SENIOR EDITORIAL TEAM CHARTS & DIAGRAMS A special thanks to the nationwide
Dr. Bruce B. Barton Neil S. Wilson staff of Youth for Christ/USA for
Ronald A. Beers Ronald A. Beers their suggestions and field testing,
Dr. James C. Galvin David R. Veerman and to the following additional
LaVonne Neff Pamela York contributing writers:
Linda Chaffee Taylor V. Gilbert Beers, Neil Wilson, John
David R. Veerman PERSONALITY PROFILES
Neil S. Wilson Crosby, Joan Young, Jack Crabtree,
GENERAL EDITOR Philip Craven, Bob Black, Bur Shilling,
Ronald A. Beers DESIGN & Arthur Deyo, Annie Lafrentz, Danny
DEVELOPMENT TEAM Sartin, William Hanawalt, William
TYNDALE HOUSE Dr. Bruce B. Barton Bonikowsky, Brian Rathbun, Pamela
BIBLE EDITORS Ronald A. Beers Barden, Thomas Stobie, Robert
Philip W. Comfort Dr. James C. Galvin Arnold, Greg Monaco, Larry Dunn,
Mark R. Norton David R. Veerman Lynn Ziegenfuss, Mitzie Barton,
Robert K. Brown Mari-jean Hamilton, Larry Kreider,
Virginia Muir THEOLOGICAL REVIEWERS Gary Dausey, William Roland, Kathy
Del Lankford Dr. Kenneth S. Kantzer Howell, Philip Steffeck, James
Dr. V. Gilbert Beers Coleman, Marty Grasley, O’Ann Steere,
BOOK INTRODUCTIONS Dr. Barry Beitzel Julia Amstutz.
David R. Veerman Dr. Edwin A. Blum
Dr. Geoffrey W. Bromiley A special thanks also to the following
BOOK OUTLINES, BLUEPRINTS Dr. George K. Brushaber
Dr. James C. Galvin people whose personal counsel,
Dr. L. Russ Bush encouragement, and determination
MEGATHEMES C. Donald Cole helped make this product a reality:
Dr. Bruce B. Barton Mrs. Naomi E. Cole
Dr. Walter A. Elwell Dr. Kenneth N. Taylor
MAP CONSULTANT Dr. Gerald F. Hawthorne Mark D. Taylor
Dr. Barry Beitzel Dr. Howard G. Hendricks Dr. Wendell C. Hawley
Dr. Grant R. Osborne Virginia Muir
Richard R. Wynn
Dr. Jay L. Kesler

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 Old
Testament

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 Beginnings

E
VERY STORY has a beginning. The Bible begins with
God. At the very beginning of this story, God created the
universe and put everything in order, forming all of the
planets, stars, and galaxies and setting them in motion. On earth,
he created abundant varieties of living creatures. And he made the
crown of his creation in his own image, his vice-regents: humans.
Creation isn’t the only beginning begin once again. He chose Noah,
recorded in the Bible, though. There the only righteous man left on
is also the more tragic story of the earth, to be the patriarch of a fresh
beginning of sin and death. Adam beginning for humanity. But even
and Eve, the humans whom God Noah was vulnerable to sin, and his
placed over his creation, chose to descendants showed that the sin
disobey him and shattered its per- problem was still very real and in
fection. This tragedy soon led to need of a solution.
others, such as Cain murdering his How would God continue his
brother Abel in a jealous rage. And rescue plan for humanity? Would
ultimately, sin became so rampant he need to begin again after the
and pervasive that God decided to tower of Babel?

4000 BC 3500 BC

MESOPOTAMIA
TIMELINE

CREATION GREAT FLOOD

(undated) (undated)

CANAAN
PREDYNASTIC PERIOD
EGYPT (4000–3000 BC )

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 BOOKS DATES THEMES
GENESIS FROM: Creation

Undated Sin
Redemption
TO:

2100 BC

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Adam and Eve. God created Adam and Eve and
placed them in the Garden of Eden to rule on his behalf.
They worked hard at cultivating the ground and manag-
ing the affairs of the Garden, and they enjoyed commu-
nion with God there. But they chose to disobey God’s
one command, and through them sin entered the world.
They were banished from the Garden, and their fellow-
ship with God was broken. But God immediately set into
motion his plan to bring humanity back into fellowship
with him—this is the story of the entire Bible.
Noah. By the time of Noah, sin and wickedness were
so rampant that God was actually sorry he had ever cre-
ated humans (Gen 6:7). But Noah was a righteous man,
and God chose to save him from the destruction that was
planned for the rest of humanity. Noah and his family
became a new beginning for humanity.
Language and Culture. After Noah’s sons popu-
lated the earth again, there was a unified language and
culture throughout the world. But this unity led to pride
and a sense that humans didn’t need God. As a result, God
caused them to be divided by different languages and to
be scattered around the world. Different cultures began to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, by Wenzel Peter
emerge from the different language groups and regions.

3000 BC 2500 BC 2000 BC

EARLY BRONZE AGE (3300–2000 BC ) MIDDLE BRONZE AGE

(2000–1500 BC )
SUMERIAN CIVILIZATION (about 3000~1950 BC )

Settlement of Asshur, Sargon I (2370–2295 BC )

around 2800 BC 2166 BC
Abram is born
2091 BC
Abram moves to Canaan

ARCHAIC PERIOD/ FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD/

DYNASTIES 1–2 OLD KINGDOM/ DYNASTIES 9–10
(3000–2700 BC ) DYNASTIES 3–8 (2160–2010 BC )
(2700–2160 BC )
MIDDLE KINGDOM/
2630 BC DYNASTIES 11–12
Great Pyramids built at Giza (2106–1786 BC )

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 MAP
1 Garden of Eden God placed Adam and Eve in 8:4). From here his sons and their descendants spread
the Garden of Eden when he made them in his image. out to build new nations.
The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly where Eden was located, 3 Babel The tower of Babel was built in the fertile
except for a few clues that are difficult to decipher in
area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, in modern-
Genesis 2:10-14.
day Iraq.
2 Mountains of Ararat Noah’s boat came to rest
on the mountains of Ararat, in modern-day Turkey (Gen

2 MOUNTAINS
OF ARARAT Caspian
TUR
TU RK
KEY
EY Sea
1 ED
E DE
DEN
ENN?

Haran

Tig
Eu
ph

ris R
at
IR
RAAN
N
r

es
SY
S YR
RIIA

iver
Riv
N er
LE
L EBA
BANNON
NO
Mediterranean
Sea
IRAQ
IR AQ
Q 3
Babel
IS
SRA
RAEL
RAE
EL
1 ED
E DE
EN
EN?
N?
EG
GYP
YPT
JO
ORRD
DAN
AN
r
Nile Rive

S UD
SA DI
AR
RAB
ABIA
IA
IA Persian
Gulf
0 50 100 Mi.
Red
Sea 0 50 100 Km.

MEGATHEMES BOOKS IN THIS SECTION

Beginnings. Here we find the beginnings of the
universe, the earth, humanity, sin, and God’s plan of sal-
vation. Genesis teaches us that the earth is well-made GENESIS
and good; people are special to God and unique; God cre- AUTHOR: Moses
ates and sustains all life; and God deals with sin swiftly
and with justice. AUDIENCE: The people of Israel
PURPOSE: To record God’s creation of the world and his
Sin. When people choose to disobey God’s plan for
desire to have people worship him
living, they are choosing to sin. And sin ruins people’s
lives. Genesis shows that living God’s way can be reward- DATE WRITTEN: Approximately 1450–1410 b.c.
ing and makes life fulfilling. WHERE WRITTEN: In the wilderness during Israel’s wan-

Promises. God has promised to help and protect derings, somewhere in the Sinai Peninsula
his people. He made a covenant with Noah that he would
never again destroy the earth with a flood and gave a won-
derful sign for us to remember his promise: the rainbow.
God always keeps his promises.

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 And God saw that the light was good.
Then he separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:4

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 BEGINNINGS GOD’S CHOSEN FAMILY BIRTH OF ISRAEL POSSESSING THE LAND UNITED MONARCHY
undated–2100 BC 2100–1800 BC 1800–1406 BC 1406–1050 BC 1050–930 BC

A. The Beginning of Creation

We sometimes wonder how our world came to be. But here we find the answer. God created the earth
and everything in it, and made humans like himself. Although we may not understand the complexity
of just how he did it, it is clear that God did create all life. This shows not only God’s authority over
humanity, but his deep love for all creation.

The Account of Creation he separated the light from the darkness. 5God
GENESIS 1:1–2:4a called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”
In the beginning God created the heavens and the And evening passed and morning came,
earth.* 2The earth was formless and empty, and dark- marking the first day.
ness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God 6 Then God said, “Let there be a space between the
was hovering over the surface of the waters. waters, to separate the waters of the heavens
3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was from the waters of the earth.” 7And that is what
light. 4And God saw that the light was good. Then happened. God made this space to separate
Gn 1:1 Or In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, . . . Or When God began to create the heavens and the earth, . . .

Gen 1:1 The simple statement “God created

the heavens and the earth” is one of the
most challenging concepts confronting the ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE
modern mind. The vast galaxy we live in is The Bible does not discuss the subject of evolution, but its worldview assumes
spinning at the incredible speed of 490,000 God created the world. The biblical view of creation is not in conflict with science;
miles per hour. But even at this breakneck
speed, our galaxy still needs 200 million rather, it is in conflict with any worldview that starts without a creator.
years to make one rotation. And there are Equally committed and sincere Christians have struggled with the subject of
over one billion other galaxies just like ours beginnings and come to differing conclusions. This is to be expected because
in the universe. the evidence is very old and quite fragmented, due to the ravages of the ages.
Some scientists say that the number of Polarizations and black-and-white thinking should be avoided. Students of the
stars in creation is equal to all the grains of Bible must be careful not to make the Bible say what it doesn’t say, and students
sand on all the beaches of the world. Yet this of science must not make science say what it doesn’t say.
complex sea of spinning stars functions with The most important aspect of the continuing discussion is not the process of
remarkable order and efficiency. To say that
the universe “just happened” or “evolved” creation, but the origin of creation. The world is not a product of blind chance
requires more faith than to believe that God and probability; God created it.
is behind these amazing statistics. God truly The Bible not only tells us that the world was created by God, but more
did create a wonderful universe. importantly, it tells us who this God is. It reveals God’s personality, his character,
God did not need to create the universe; and his plan for his creation. It also reveals God’s deepest desire—to relate to
he chose to create it. Why? God is love, and and fellowship with the people he created. God took the ultimate step toward
love is best expressed toward something or fellowship with us through his historic visit to this planet in the person of his Son,
someone else—so God created the world Jesus Christ. We can know in a very personal way this God who created
and people as an expression of his love.
We should avoid reducing God’s creation to the universe.
merely scientific terms. Remember that God The book of Genesis begins with “God created the heavens and the earth.”
created the universe because of love. The heavens and the earth are here. We are here. God created all that we see
Gen 1:1ff The creation story teaches us much and experience. Here we begin the most exciting and fulfilling journey imaginable.
about God and ourselves. First, we learn about
God: ( 1) He is creative; ( 2) as the Creator, he
is distinct from his creation; ( 3) he is eternal the earth, but the Bible tells us that God did the second and third days of creation, God
and in control of the world. We also learn create it. That fact alone gives worth and gave form to the universe; during days four
about ourselves: ( 1) Since God chose to create dignity to all people. through six, God filled the earth with living
us, we are valuable in his eyes; ( 2) we are Gen 1:2 Who created God? To ask that beings. The “darkness” was dispelled on the
more important than the animals. (See Gen question is to assume there was another first day, when God created light.
1:28 for more on our role in the created order.) creator before God. At some time, however, Gen 1:2 The image of the Spirit of God
Gen 1:1ff Just how did God create the we are forced to stop asking that question hovering over the surface of the water
earth? This is still a subject of great debate. and realize that there has to be something is similar to a mother bird caring for and
Some say that with a sudden explosion, the that has always existed. God is that infinite protecting its young (see Deut 32:11-12;
universe appeared. Others say God started Being who has always been and who was Isa 31:5). God’s Spirit was actively involved
the process and then the universe evolved created by no one. This is difficult to under- in the creation of the world ( see Job 33:4;
over billions of years. Almost every ancient stand because finite minds cannot compre- Ps 104:30). God’s care and protection are
religion has its own story to explain how the hend the infinite. For example, we can try to still active.
earth came to be. And almost every scientist think of the highest number, but we can’t do Gen 1:3–2:7 How long did it take God to
has an opinion on the origin of the universe. it. Likewise, we must not limit the infinite God create the world? There are two basic views
But only the Bible shows one supreme God by our finite understanding. about the days of creation: ( 1) Each day
creating the earth out of his great love and Gen 1:2 The statement “the earth was was a literal 24-hour period; ( 2) each day
giving all people a special place in it. We formless and empty” provides the setting for represents an indefinite period of time (even
may never know exactly how God created the creation narrative that follows. During millions of years).
6

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 SPLINTERED NATION EXILE RETURN & DIASPORA JESUS CHRIST THE CHURCH
930–586 BC 586–538 BC 538–6 BC 6 BC–AD 30 AD 30–present

the waters of the earth from the waters of the smaller one to govern the night. He also made
heavens. 8God called the space “sky.” the stars. 17God set these lights in the sky to light
And evening passed and morning came, the earth, 18to govern the day and night, and to
marking the second day. separate the light from the darkness. And God
9 Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky saw that it was good.
19And evening passed and morning came,
flow together into one place, so dry ground may
appear.” And that is what happened. 10God called marking the fourth day.
the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And 20 Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish
God saw that it was good. 11Then God said, “Let and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of
the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of every kind.” 21So God created great sea creatures
seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed- and every living thing that scurries and swarms in
bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the the water, and every sort of bird—each producing
kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it
And that is what happened. 12The land produced was good. 22Then God blessed them, saying, “Be
vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas,
and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
produced plants and trees of the same kind. 23And evening passed and morning came,

And God saw that it was good. marking the fifth day.
13And evening passed and morning came,
24 Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort
marking the third day. of animal, each producing offspring of the same
14 Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along
separate the day from the night. Let them be the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what
signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15Let happened. 25God made all sorts of wild animals,
these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” livestock, and small animals, each able to produce
And that is what happened. 16God made two great offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it
lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the was good.

The Bible does not say how long these privilege. It is not important how long it took Gen 1:25 God saw that his work was good.
days were. The real question, however, is God to create the world, whether a few days People sometimes feel guilty for feeling good
not how long God took, but how he did it. or a few billion years, but that he created it about an accomplishment. This need not be
God created the earth in an orderly fashion just the way he wanted it. so. Just as God felt good about his work,
( he did not make plants before light), and he Gen 1:6 The “space between the waters” we can be pleased with our work when it is
created men and women as unique beings was a separation between the sea and the well-done. However, we should not feel good
capable of communication with him. No other mists of the skies. about our work if God would not be pleased
part of creation can claim that remarkable with it. What are you doing that pleases both
you and God?

Animals
Animals are mentioned throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Animals figured into many important biblical events, including
the Creation, the fall of man, the Flood, the ten plagues in Egypt, and the life of Jesus Christ. The people of both the Old and New Testa-
ments lived close to the land and were well acquainted with various animals, which explains why the Scripture writers and Jesus
himself frequently used animals as object lessons.
Present-day biologists classify animals based on internal and external structures, but in the creation account animals are classified
by habitat. Thus, Genesis 1 speaks of water and air animals (Gen 1:20-21); cattle or domesticated animals—that is, animals that live
with humans (Gen 1:24); animals that scurry along the ground (Gen 1:24); and wild animals (Gen 1:24). When God made animals,
they became living souls (having nephesh—the Hebrew word translated “life” in Gen 1:20, 30). The same word is used in Genesis 2:7
to describe the human being God made; that is, the man became a living soul (nephesh). Both animals and humans are nephesh—
that is, they are living souls. Human beings are different from animals in the sense that we have “spirit” (ruach) and we bear the
image of God (Gen 1:27).

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 BEGINNINGS GOD’S CHOSEN FAMILY BIRTH OF ISRAEL POSSESSING THE LAND UNITED MONARCHY
undated–2100 BC 2100–1800 BC 1800–1406 BC 1406–1050 BC 1050–930 BC

f GENESIS 1:1–2:4a (cont.) In the image of God he created them;

Then God said, “Let us make human beings*
26 male and female he created them.
in our image, to be like us. They will reign over 28Then God blessed them and said, “Be
the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern
livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in
and the small animals that scurry along the the sky, and all the animals that scurry along
ground.” the ground.”
27 So God created human beings* in his own 29Then God said, “Look! I have given you every

image. seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all

Gn 1:26 Or man; Hebrew reads adam. Gn 1:27 Or the man; Hebrew reads ha-adam.

ADAM We can hardly imagine what it must have been like to be the
first and only person on earth. Adam had to learn to be human on his own. Fortu-
Gen 1:26 Why does God use the plural
form, “Let us make human beings in our
image”? One view says this is a reference
to the Trinity—God the Father, Jesus Christ
nately, God didn’t let him struggle too long before presenting him with an ideal com- his Son, and the Holy Spirit—all of whom
panion and mate, Eve. Theirs was a complete, innocent, and open oneness, without a are God. Another view is that the plural
hint of shame. • One of Adam’s first conversations with his delightful new companion wording is used to denote majesty; kings
must have been about the rules of the garden. They had complete freedom in the traditionally used the plural form in speaking
garden, with the responsibility to tend and care for it. But one tree was off-limits, the of themselves. The grammar doesn’t decide
tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam would have told Eve all about this. She the matter for us, but in either case it is God
who created humans in his image, and God
knew that the tree’s fruit was not to be eaten. However, she decided to eat the forbid-
has revealed himself to us as a Trinity clearly
den fruit. Then she offered some to Adam, and he didn’t pause to consider the con- through the whole of the Scriptures.
sequences. He went ahead and ate. • In that moment of rebellion something large,
Gen 1:26 In what ways are we made in
beautiful, and free was shattered . . . God’s perfect creation. Adam was separated God’s image? God obviously did not create
from God by his desire to act on his own. The effect on a plate-glass window is the us exactly like himself because God has no
same whether a pebble or a boulder is hurled at it—the thousands of fragments can physical body. Instead, we are a reflection of
never be regathered. • In the case of Adam’s sin, however, God already had a plan in God’s glory. Some feel that the image of God
motion to overcome the effects of the rebellion. The entire Bible is the story of how can be found in one or more of the uniquely
that plan unfolds, ultimately leading to God’s own visit to earth through his Son, Jesus human capacities for reason, creativity,
Christ. Jesus’ sinless life and death made it possible for God to offer forgiveness to speech, or self-determination. More likely, the
all. Our own acts of rebellion—both large and small—prove that we are descendants image of God is something that describes our
entire being as humans, not just one aspect.
of Adam. Only by asking forgiveness of Jesus Christ can we become children of God. God made humans to be in a special rela-
tionship with him and to reign over creation
Strengths and • First zoologist—named the animals
as his ambassadors and administrators on
accomplishments • First landscape architect, placed in the garden to care for it earth. We ought to reflect his character in our
• Father of the human race love, patience, forgiveness, kindness, and
• First person made in the image of God, and the first human faithfulness.
to share an intimate personal relationship with God Knowing that we are made in God’s image
Weaknesses • Avoided responsibility and blamed others; chose to hide provides a solid basis for self-worth. Human
worth is not based on possessions, achieve-
and mistakes rather than to confront; made excuses rather than admitting
ments, physical attractiveness, or public
the truth acclaim. Instead, it is based on being made in
• Greatest mistake: together with Eve, brought sin into the God’s image. Because we bear God’s image,
world we can feel positive about ourselves. Criticiz-
Lessons from • As Adam’s descendants, we all reflect the image of God ing or downgrading ourselves is criticizing
his life • God wants people who, though free to do wrong, choose what God has made and the abilities he has
given us. Knowing that you are a person of
instead to love him
worth helps you love God, know him person-
• We should not blame others for our faults
ally, and make a valuable contribution to
• We cannot hide from God those around you.
Vital statistics • Where: Garden of Eden Gen 1:27 God made both man and woman
• Occupation: Caretaker, gardener, farmer in his image. Neither one is made more in the
• Relatives: Wife: Eve. Sons: Cain, Abel, Seth. Numerous other image of God than the other. From the begin-
children. The only man who never had an earthly mother ning the Bible places both man and woman at
or father. the pinnacle of God’s creation. Neither gender
is exalted over the other nor depreciated.
Key verses “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and
I ate it” (Gen 3:12). “Just as everyone dies because we all Gen 1:28 To “reign over” something is to have
belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given absolute authority and control over it. God has
ultimate rule over the earth, and he exercises
new life” (1 Cor 15:22). his authority with loving care. When God
delegated some of his authority to the human
Adam’s story is told in Genesis 1:26–5:5. He is also mentioned in Luke 3:38; race, he expected us to take responsibility for
Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45; 1 Timothy 2:13-14. the environment and the other creatures that
share our planet. We must not be careless
8

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 SPLINTERED NATION EXILE RETURN & DIASPORA JESUS CHRIST THE CHURCH
930–586 BC 586–538 BC 538–6 BC 6 BC–AD 30 AD 30–present

the fruit trees for your food. 30And I have given 2:1So the creation of the heavens and the earth

every green plant as food for all the wild animals, and everything in them was completed. 2On
the birds in the sky, and the small animals that the seventh day God had finished his work of
scurry along the ground—everything that has creation, so he rested* from all his work. 3And
life.” And that is what happened. God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy,
31Then God looked over all he had made, and because it was the day when he rested from all
he saw that it was very good! his work of creation.
And evening passed and morning came, 4This is the account of the creation of the heavens
marking the sixth day. and the earth.
Gn 2:2 Or ceased; also in 2:3.

B. The Beginning of Humanity

Learning about our ancestors often helps us understand ourselves. The stories of Adam and Eve in
the Garden, followed by the tragic story of their two sons Cain and Abel, explain the sin and suffering
in our world and help us to live our lives in reliance on God and his promises.

1. ADAM AND EVE

Adam and Eve, our first ancestors, were the climax of God’s creation—the very reason God made
the world. But they didn’t always live the way God intended. Through their mistakes, we can learn
important lessons about the way God wants us to live. Adam and Eve teach us much about the nature
of sin and its consequences.

The Man and Woman in the Garden and watered all the land. 7Then the Lord God formed
GENESIS 2:4b-25 the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed
When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man
5neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the became a living person.
8Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in
earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to wa-
ter the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the east, and there he placed the man he had made.
the soil. 6Instead, springs* came up from the ground 9The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from
Gn 2:6 Or mist.

Gen 2:7 “From the dust of the ground”

DAYS OF CREATION implies that there is nothing fancy about the
chemical elements making up our bodies.
First Day Light (so there was light and darkness) The body is a lifeless shell until God brings
it to life with his “breath of life.” When God
Second Day Sky and water (waters separated) removes his life-giving breath, our bodies
Third Day Land and seas (waters gathered); vegetation once again return to dust. Our life and worth,
Fourth Day Sun, moon, and stars (to govern the day and the night and to mark therefore, come from God’s Spirit. Many
seasons, days, and years) boast of their achievements and abilities as
though they were the originators of their own
Fifth Day Fish and birds (to fill the waters and the sky) strengths. Others feel worthless because their
Sixth Day Animals (to fill the earth) abilities do not stand out. In reality, our worth
Man and woman (to care for the earth and to commune with God) comes not from our achievements but from
the God of the universe, who chooses to give
Seventh Day God rested and declared all he had made to be very good us the mysterious and miraculous gift of life.
Value life, as he does.
and wasteful as we fulfill this charge. God was strated that rest is appropriate and right. If Gen 2:9, 16-17 Were the tree of life and
careful how he made this earth. We must not God himself rested from his work, we should the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
be careless about how we take care of it. not be surprised that we also need rest. real trees? Two views are often expressed:
Jesus demonstrated this principle when he (1) The trees were real, but symbolic. Eternal
Gen 1:31 God saw that all he had created life with God was pictured as eating from
was excellent in every way. You are part of and his disciples left in a boat to get away
from the crowds (see Mark 6:31-32). Our the tree of life. (2) The trees were real, pos-
God’s creation, and he is pleased with how sessing special properties. By eating the fruit
he made you. If at times you feel worthless, times of rest refresh us for times of service.
from the tree of life, Adam and Eve could
remember that God made you for a good Gen 2:3 That God blessed the seventh day have had eternal life, enjoying a permanent
reason. You are valuable to him. means that he set it apart for holy use. The relationship as God’s children.
Gen 2:2-3 We live in an action-oriented Ten Commandments emphasize this distinc- In either case, Adam and Eve’s sin sepa-
world! There always seems to be something tion by commanding the observance of the rated them from the tree of life and thus kept
to do and no time to rest. Yet God demon- Sabbath (Exod 20:8-11). them from obtaining eternal life. Interestingly,
9

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 BEGINNINGS GOD’S CHOSEN FAMILY BIRTH OF ISRAEL POSSESSING THE LAND UNITED MONARCHY
undated–2100 BC 2100–1800 BC 1800–1406 BC 1406–1050 BC 1050–930 BC

f GENESIS 2:4b-25 (cont.) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the
18

the ground—trees that were beautiful and that pro- man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right
duced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he for him.” 19So the Lord God formed from the ground
placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He
of good and evil. brought them to the man* to see what he would call
10A river flowed from the land of Eden, watering
them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20He
the garden and then dividing into four branches. gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky,
11The first branch, called the Pishon, flowed around
and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper
the entire land of Havilah, where gold is found. 12The just right for him.
gold of that land is exceptionally pure; aromatic resin 21So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a

and onyx stone are also found there. 13The second deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took
branch, called the Gihon, flowed around the entire out one of the man’s ribs* and closed up the opening.
land of Cush. 14The third branch, called the Tigris, 22Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and
flowed east of the land of Asshur. The fourth branch he brought her to the man.
is called the Euphrates. 23“At last!” the man exclaimed.
15The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of

Eden to tend and watch over it. 16But the Lord God “This one is bone from my bone,
warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree and flesh from my flesh!
in the garden—17except the tree of the knowledge of She will be called ‘woman,’
good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” because she was taken from ‘man.’”
Gn 2:19 Or Adam, and so throughout the chapter. Gn 2:21 Or took a part of the man’s side.

the tree of life again appears in a description

in Revelation 22 of people enjoying eternal life
with God. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MARRIAGE
Gen 2:15-17 God gave Adam responsibility Gen 2:18-24 Marriage is God’s idea
for the garden and told him not to eat from
Gen 24:58-60 Commitment is essential to a successful marriage
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Rather than physically preventing him from Prov 5:18 Marriage holds times of great joy
eating, God gave Adam a choice and, thus, Song 4:9-10 Romance is important
the possibility of choosing wrongly. God still
gives us choices, and we, too, often choose Mal 2:14-15 Marriage creates the best environment for raising children
wrongly. These wrong choices may cause us Matt 5:32 Unfaithfulness breaks the bond of trust, the foundation
pain, but they can help us learn and grow and of all relationships
make better choices in the future. Living with Matt 19:6 Marriage is permanent
the consequences of our choices teaches us
to think and choose more carefully. Rom 7:2-3 Only death should dissolve marriage
Gen 2:16-17 Why would God place a tree Eph 5:21-33 Marriage is based on the principled practice of love,
in the garden and then forbid Adam to eat not on feelings
from it? God wanted Adam to obey, but God Eph 5:23-32 Marriage is a living symbol of Christ and the church
gave Adam the freedom to choose. Without
choice, Adam would have been like a prisoner, Heb 13:4 Marriage is good and honorable
and his obedience would have been hollow.
The two trees provided an exercise in choice
with rewards for choosing to obey and sad There is no room for thinking that one gender But after Adam and Eve sinned, shame and
consequences for choosing to disobey. When is superior to the other. awkwardness followed, creating barriers
you are faced with a choice, always choose Gen 2:24 God gave marriage as a gift to between themselves and God. We often expe-
to obey God. Adam and Eve. They were created perfect rience these same barriers in marriage. Ideally
for each other. Marriage was not just for a husband and wife have no barriers, feeling
Gen 2:18-24 God’s creative work was not no embarrassment in exposing themselves to
complete until he made woman. He could convenience, nor was it brought about by any
particular culture. It was instituted by God and each other or to God. But like Adam and Eve
have made her from the dust of the ground, as we put on fig leaves ( barriers) because we
he had made man. But God chose to make her has three basic aspects: ( 1) The man leaves
his parents and, in a public act, promises have areas we don’t want our spouse, or God,
from the man’s flesh and bone. In so doing, to know about ( Gen 3:7). Then we hide, just
he illustrated for us that in marriage man and himself to his wife; ( 2) the man and woman
are joined together by taking responsibility for as Adam and Eve hid from God. In marriage,
woman symbolically are united into one. This lack of spiritual, emotional, and intellectual
is a mystical union of the couple’s hearts and each other’s welfare and by loving each other
above all others; ( 3) the two are united into intimacy usually precedes a breakdown of
lives. Throughout the Bible, God treats this physical intimacy. In the same way, when we
special partnership seriously. If you are mar- one in the intimacy and commitment of sexual
union that is reserved for marriage. Strong fail to expose our secret thoughts to God, we
ried or planning to be married, are you willing break our lines of communication with him.
to keep the commitment that makes the two of marriages include all three of these aspects.
you one? The goal in marriage should be more Gen 3:1 Disguised as a shrewd serpent,
Gen 2:25 Have you ever noticed how a little
than friendship; it should be oneness. Satan came to tempt Eve. At one time, Satan
child can run naked through a room full of
had been a glorious angel. But in pride, he
Gen 2:21-23 God forms and equips men strangers without embarrassment? He is not
rebelled against God and was cast out of
and women for various tasks, but all these aware of his nakedness, just as Adam and
heaven. As a created being, Satan has defi-
tasks lead to the same goal—honoring God. Eve were not embarrassed in their innocence.
nite limitations. Although he is trying to tempt
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This explains why a man leaves his father and

24 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the
2

mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are unitedgarden,” the woman replied. 3“It’s only the fruit from
into one. the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not
25Now the man and his wife were both naked, but allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even
they felt no shame. touch it; if you do, you will die.’”
4“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.

The Man and Woman Sin 5“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon

GENESIS 3:1-19 as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals good and evil.”
the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, 6The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree

“Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she
of the trees in the garden?” wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took

everyone away from God, he will not be the

final victor. In Genesis 3:14-15, God prom-
ises that Satan will be crushed by one of the Creation Stories
woman’s offspring, the Messiah. Several ancient civilizations wrote down their own
Gen 3:1-6 Why does Satan tempt us? Temp- accounts of how the world was created. The best
tation is Satan’s invitation to give in to his kind known of these extra-biblical creation myths is a
of life and give up on God’s kind of life. Satan Babylonian adaptation of the Sumerian story called
tempted Eve and succeeded in getting her Enuma Elish. The gods Tiamat and Apsu existed from
to sin. Ever since then, he’s been busy trying the beginning, but after other gods were born Apsu tried
to get people to sin. He even tempted Jesus to do away with them. One of the gods, Ea, killed Apsu;
then Tiamat was herself killed by Ea’s son Marduk, the
( Matt 4:1-11), but Jesus did not sin!
god of Babylon in whose honor the poem was composed.
How could Eve have resisted temptation? Marduk used the two halves of Tiamat’s body to create
By following the same guidelines we can fol- the foundation for both heaven and earth. He then set in
low. First, we must realize that being tempted order the stars, sun, and moon. Lastly, to free the gods
is not a sin. We have not sinned until we give from menial tasks, with Ea’s help he created mankind
in to the temptation. Second, to resist tempta- from clay mingled with the blood of Kingu, the rebel
tion, we must pray for strength to resist, run god who had led Tiamat’s forces. Other creation stories
from it ( sometimes literally), and say no when are found in Babylonian records. The Epic of Atrahasis
confronted with what we know is wrong. describes the creation of man as a solution to relieve
James 1:12 tells of the blessings and rewards the gods of the work of cultivating the land.
for those who don’t give in when tempted. In contrast to these stories from the surrounding
Gen 3:1-6 The serpent, Satan, tempted Eve cultures, Israel’s creation story shows that God is com-
by getting her to doubt God’s goodness. He pletely in control. He is not one of many gods, and his
implied that God was strict, stingy, and selfish creation of humanity was not a matter of convenience
for not wanting Eve to share his knowledge but an act of love. God created humans to rule his cre-
of good and evil. Satan made Eve forget all ation and have relationship with him, not simply to do
the hard work that he didn’t want to do.
that God had given her and, instead, focus on
what God had forbidden. We fall into trouble,
too, when we dwell on what God forbids
rather than on the countless blessings and Satan misled Eve concerning the right way Our sins do not always appear ugly to us, and
promises God has given us. The next time you to accomplish this goal. He told her that she the pleasant sins are the hardest to avoid. So
are feeling sorry for yourself because of what could become more like God by defying God’s prepare yourself for the attractive temptations
you don’t have, consider all that you do have authority, by taking God’s place and deciding that may come your way. We cannot always
and thank God. Then your doubts won’t lead for herself what was best for her life. In effect, prevent temptation, but there is always a way
you into sin. he told her to become her own god. of escape ( 1 Cor 10:13). Use God’s Word and
To become like God is not the same as God’s people to help you stand against it.
Gen 3:5 Adam and Eve got what they wanted:
trying to become God. Rather, it is to reflect Gen 3:6-7 Notice what Eve did: She looked,
an intimate knowledge of both good and evil. his characteristics and to recognize his
But they got it by disobeying God, and the she took, she ate, and she gave. The battle
authority over our lives. Like Eve, we often is often lost at the first look. Temptation often
results were disastrous. Sometimes we have have a worthy goal but try to achieve it the
the illusion that freedom is doing anything we begins by simply seeing something you want.
wrong way. We act like a political candidate Are you struggling with temptation because
want. But God says that true freedom comes who pays off an election judge to be “voted”
from obedience and knowing what not to do. you have not learned that looking is the first
into office; serving the people is no longer his step toward sin? You would win over tempta-
The restrictions he gives us are for our good, highest goal.
helping us avoid evil. We have the freedom to tion more often if you followed Paul’s advice
Self-exaltation leads to rebellion against to run from those things that produce evil
walk in front of a speeding car, but we don’t God. As soon as we begin to leave God out of
need to be hit to realize it would be foolish to thoughts (2 Tim 2:22).
our plans, we are placing ourselves above him.
do so. Don’t listen to Satan’s temptations. You This is exactly what Satan wants us to do. Gen 3:6-7 One of the realities of sin is that
don’t have to do evil to gain more experience its effects spread. After Eve sinned, she
and learn more about life. Gen 3:6 Satan tried to make Eve think that involved Adam in her wrongdoing. When we
sin is good, pleasant, and desirable. A knowl- do something wrong, often we try to relieve
Gen 3:5 Satan used a sincere motive to edge of both good and evil seemed harmless
tempt Eve: “You will be like God.” It wasn’t our guilt by involving someone else. Like toxic
to her. People usually choose wrong things waste spilled into a river, sin swiftly spreads.
wrong of Eve to want to be like God. To because they have become convinced that
become more like God is humanity’s highest Recognize and confess your sin to God before
those things are good, at least for themselves. you are tempted to pollute those around you.
goal. It is what we are supposed to do. But
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f GENESIS 3:1-19 (cont.) 10He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so
some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”
11“Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord
husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7At that
moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit
felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves I commanded you not to eat?”
12The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me
together to cover themselves.
8When the cool evening breezes were blowing, who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”
the man* and his wife heard the Lord God walking 13Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have

about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God you done?”
among the trees. 9Then the Lord God called to the “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s
man, “Where are you?” why I ate it.”
Gn 3:8 Or Adam, and so throughout the chapter.

Gen 3:7-8 After sinning, Adam and Eve felt

guilt and embarrassment over their naked-
ness. Their guilty feelings made them try
to hide from God. A guilty conscience is a
EVE We know very little about Eve, yet she is the mother of us all. She
was the final piece in the intricate and amazing puzzle of God’s creation. Adam
warning signal God has placed inside of you now had another human being with whom to fellowship—someone equally made
that goes off when you’ve done wrong. The in God’s image. Here was someone alike enough for companionship, yet differ-
worst step you can take is to try to stifle or ent enough for relationship. Together they were greater than either could have
eliminate those guilty feelings without elimi- been alone. • Satan approached Eve in the Garden of Eden, where she and Adam
nating the cause. That would be like using a lived. He questioned her contentment. How could she be happy when she was not
painkiller but not treating the disease that is allowed to eat from one of the fruit trees? Satan helped Eve shift her focus from
causing the pain. Be glad those guilty feel-
ings are there. They make you aware of your all that God had done and given to the one thing he had withheld. And Eve was
sin so you can ask God’s forgiveness and willing to accept Satan’s viewpoint without checking with God. • Sound familiar?
then correct your wrongdoing. How often is our attention drawn from all that is ours to the little that isn’t? We get
Gen 3:8 The thought of two humans cov- that “I’ve got to have it” feeling. Eve was typical of us all, and we consistently show
ered with fig leaves trying to hide from the we are her descendants by repeating her mistakes. Our desires, like Eve’s, can be
all-seeing, all-knowing God is humorous. quite easily manipulated. They are not the best basis for actions. We need to keep
How could they be so silly as to think they God central in our decision-making process. His Word, the Bible, is our guidebook
could actually hide? Yet we do the same, in decision making.
acting as though God doesn’t know what
we’re doing. Have the courage to share Strengths and • First wife and mother
all you do and think with him. And don’t accomplishments • First female. As such she shared a special relationship with
try to hide—it can’t be done. Honesty will God, had coresponsibility with Adam over creation, and
strengthen your relationship with God. displayed certain characteristics of God
Gen 3:8-9 These verses show God’s desire Weaknesses • Allowed her contentment to be undermined by Satan
to have fellowship with us. They also show and mistakes • Acted impulsively without talking either to God or to her mate
why we are afraid to have fellowship with
• Not only sinned, but shared her sin with Adam
him. Adam and Eve hid from God when they
heard him approaching. God wanted to be • When confronted, blamed others
with them, but because of their sin, they were Lessons from • Women bear the image of God fully
afraid to show themselves. Sin had broken her life • The necessary ingredients for a strong marriage are com-
their close relationship with God, just as it mitment to each other, companionship with each other,
has broken ours. But Jesus Christ, God’s Son, complete oneness, absence of shame (Gen 2:24-25)
opens the way for us to renew our fellowship
• The basic human tendency to sin goes back to the begin-
with him. God longs to be with us. He actively
offers us his unconditional love. Our natural ning of the human race
response is fear because we feel we can’t Vital statistics • Where: Garden of Eden
live up to his standards. But understanding • Occupation: Wife, companion, co-manager of Eden
that he loves us, regardless of our faults, can • Relatives: Husband: Adam. Sons: Cain, Abel, Seth.
help remove that dread. Numerous other children.
Gen 3:11-13 Adam and Eve failed to Key verse “‘At last!’ the man exclaimed. ‘This one is bone from my bone,
heed God’s warning recorded in Genesis
2:16-17. They did not understand the rea- and flesh from my flesh! She will be called “woman,” because
sons for his command, so they chose to act she was taken from “man”’” (Gen 2:23).
in another way that looked better to them.
All of God’s commands are for our own Eve’s story is told in Genesis 2:18–4:26. Her death is not mentioned in Scripture.
good, but we may not always understand
the reasons behind them. People who trust
God will obey because God asks them to, Gen 3:11-13 When God asked Adam the truth, and he holds each of us respon-
whether or not they understand why God about his sin, Adam blamed Eve. Then sible for what we do ( see Gen 3:14-19).
commands it. Eve blamed the serpent. How easy it is Admit your wrong attitudes and actions
to excuse our sins by blaming someone to God. Don’t try to get away with sin by
else or our circumstances. But God knows placing blame.
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14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, 18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you,
“Because you have done this, you are cursed though you will eat of its grains.
more than all animals, domestic
19 By the sweat of your brow
and wild. will you have food to eat
You will crawl on your belly, until you return to the ground
groveling in the dust as long as you live. from which you were made.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and For you were made from dust,
the woman, and to dust you will return.”
and between your offspring and her
offspring. Paradise Lost: God’s Judgment
He will strike* your head, GENESIS 3:20-24
and you will strike his heel.” Then the man—Adam—named his wife Eve, because
she would be the mother of all who live.* 21And the
16 Then he said to the woman, Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam
“I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and his wife.
22Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human be-
and in pain you will give birth.
And you will desire to control your husband, ings* have become like us, knowing both good and
but he will rule over you.*” evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree
of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” 23So the
17 And to the man he said, Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden,
“Since you listened to your wife and ate and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from
from the tree which he had been made. 24After sending them out,
whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east
the ground is cursed because of you. of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword
All your life you will struggle to scratch that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the
a living from it. tree of life.
Gn 3:15 Or bruise; also in 3:15b. Gn 3:16 Or And though you will have desire for your husband, / he will rule over you. Gn 3:20 Eve sounds like a Hebrew term that means
“to give life.” Gn 3:22 Or the man; Hebrew reads ha-adam.

waste and garbage. The amount dumped

seemed so insignificant, so small compared to
SATAN’S PLAN AGAINST US these large water sources. Now we know that
Doubt Makes you question God’s Word and his goodness just two or three parts per million of certain
chemicals can damage human health. Sin
Discouragement Makes you look at your problems rather than at God in our lives is similar to pollution in streams.
Diversion Makes the wrong things seem attractive so that you will Even small amounts are deadly, and the con-
want them more than the right things sequences reach far beyond ourselves.
Defeat Makes you feel like a failure so that you don’t even try Gen 3:22-24 Life in the Garden of Eden
was perfect, and if Adam and Eve had
Delay Makes you put off doing something so that it never obeyed God, they could have lived there
gets done forever. But after disobeying, Adam and Eve
no longer deserved paradise, and God told
them to leave. If they had continued to live
Gen 3:14ff Adam and Eve chose their Disobedience is sin, and it breaks our fellow- in the garden and eat from the tree of life,
course of action (disobedience), and then ship with God. But fortunately, God is willing they would have lived forever. But eternal life
God chose his. As a holy God, he could to forgive us and to restore our relationship in a state of sin would mean forever trying
only respond in a way consistent with his with him when we admit our sin. to hide from God. Like Adam and Eve, all of
perfect moral nature. He could not allow sin us have sinned and are separated from fel-
Gen 3:15 Satan is our enemy. He will do lowship with God. But we do not have to stay
to go unchecked; he had to punish it. If the anything he can to get us to follow his evil,
consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin seem separated. And God is also preparing a new
deadly path. The phrase “you will strike his earth as an eternal paradise for his people
extreme, remember that their sin set in heel” refers to Satan’s repeated attempts to
motion the world’s tendency toward disobey- (see Rev 21–22).
defeat Christ during his life on earth. “He will
ing God. That is why we sin today. Every strike your head” foreshadows Satan’s defeat Gen 3:24 This is how Adam and Eve broke
human being ever born, with the exception when Christ rose from the dead. A strike on their relationship with God: ( 1) They became
of Jesus, has inherited the sinful nature of the heel is not deadly, but a blow to the head convinced their way was better than God’s
Adam and Eve (Rom 5:12-21). Adam and is. Already God was revealing his plan to and acted on that choice; ( 2) they became
Eve’s punishment reflects how seriously God defeat Satan and offer salvation to the world self-conscious and hid; and ( 3) they tried to
views sin of any kind. through his Son, Jesus Christ. excuse and defend themselves. To build a
relationship with God we must reverse those
Gen 3:14-19 Adam and Eve learned by Gen 3:17-19 Adam and Eve’s disobedi- steps: (1) We must drop our excuses and
painful experience that because God is holy ence and fall from God’s gracious presence self-defenses; (2) we must stop trying to hide
and hates sin, he must punish sinners. The affected all creation, including the environ- from God; (3) we must become convinced
rest of the book of Genesis recounts painful ment. Years ago people thought nothing of that God’s way is better than our way.
stories of lives ruined as a result of the Fall. polluting streams and rivers with chemical
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2. CAIN AND ABEL

The tragic story of Cain and Abel shows how dramatically sin had affected humanity. Less than
a generation after being banished from the Garden of Eden, jealousy leads to murder.

Cain Murders Abel of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord ac-
GENESIS 4:1-16 cepted Abel and his gift, 5but he did not accept Cain
Now Adam* had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked
and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to dejected.
6“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain.
Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced*
a man!” 2Later she gave birth to his brother and named “Why do you look so dejected? 7You will be accepted
him Abel. if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what
When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door,
Cain cultivated the ground. 3When it was time for eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be
the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a its master.”
gift to the Lord. 4Abel also brought a gift—the best 8One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out

Gn 4:1a Or the man; also in 4:25. Gn 4:1b Or I have acquired. Cain sounds like a Hebrew term that can mean “produce” or “acquire.”

ABEL Abel was the second child born into the world, but the first one
to obey God. All we know about this man is that his parents were Adam and Eve, he
because of what we are able to give. We
should not worry about how much we are
giving up, for all things are God’s in the first
place. Instead, we should joyfully give to
was a shepherd, he presented pleasing offerings to God, and his life was ended at God our best in time, money, possessions,
the hands of his jealous older brother, Cain. • The Bible doesn’t tell us why God liked and talents.
Abel’s gift and disliked Cain’s, but both Cain and Abel knew what God expected. Gen 4:6-7 How do you react when someone
Only Abel obeyed. Throughout history, Abel is remembered for his obedience and suggests you have done something wrong?
faith (Heb 11:4), and he is called “righteous” (Matt 23:35). • The Bible is filled with Do you move to correct the mistake or deny
God’s general guidelines and expectations for our lives. It is also filled with more that you need to correct it? After Cain’s gift
specific directions. Like Abel, we must obey regardless of the cost and trust God was rejected, God gave him the chance
to make things right. to right his wrong and try again. God even
encouraged him to do this! But Cain refused,
Strengths and • Mentioned in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 and the rest of his life is a startling example
accomplishments • First shepherd of what happens to those who refuse to
• First martyr for truth (Matt 23:35) admit their mistakes. The next time someone
suggests you are wrong, take an honest look
Lessons from • God hears those who come to him
at yourself and choose God’s way instead
his life • God recognizes the innocent person and sooner or later of Cain’s.
punishes the guilty
Gen 4:7 For Cain to subdue the sin that
Vital statistics • Where: Just outside of Eden was waiting to attack and destroy him, he
• Occupation: Shepherd would have to give up his jealous anger so
• Relatives: Parents: Adam and Eve. Brother: Cain. that sin would not find a foothold in his life.
Key verse “It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering Sin is still waiting to attack and destroy us
today. Like Cain, we will be victims of sin if
to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he we do not master it. But we cannot master
was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his sin in our own strength. Instead, we must
gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his turn to God to receive faith for ourselves and
example of faith” (Heb 11:4). turn to other believers to receive encourage-
ment and strength. The Holy Spirit will help
Abel’s story is told in Genesis 4:1-8. He is also mentioned in Matthew 23:35; us master sin. This will be a lifelong battle,
Luke 11:51; Hebrews 11:4; 12:24. but it will be over when we are face to face
with Christ.
Gen 4:8-10 This is the first murder—taking
Gen 4:1 Sexual union means oneness and a shepherd. In parts of the Middle East a life by shedding human blood. Blood repre-
total knowledge of the other person. Sexual today, these ancient occupations are still sents life (Lev 17:10-14). If blood is removed
intercourse is the most intimate of acts, practiced much as they were in Cain and from a living creature, it will die. Because
sealing a social, physical, and spiritual rela- Abel’s time. God created human life in his image, only
tionship. That is why God has reserved it for Gen 4:3-5 The Bible doesn’t say why God should take life away.
marriage alone. God did not accept Cain’s gift. Perhaps Gen 4:8-10 Adam and Eve’s disobedience
Gen 4:2 No longer was everything pro- Cain’s attitude was improper, or perhaps brought sin into the human race. They may
vided for Adam and Eve as it had been his gift was not up to God’s standards. have thought their sin—eating a piece
in the Garden of Eden, where their daily Proverbs 21:27 says, “The sacrifice of an of fruit—wasn’t very bad, but notice how
tasks were refreshing and delightful. Now evil person is detestable, especially when quickly their sinful nature developed in
they had to struggle against the elements it is offered with wrong motives.” God their children. Simple disobedience quickly
in order to provide food, clothing, and evaluates both our motives and the quality degenerated into outright murder. Adam and
shelter for themselves and their family. of what we offer him. When we give to God Eve acted only against God, but Cain acted
Cain became a farmer, while Abel became and others, we should have a joyful heart against both God and other people. A small
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into the fields.”* And while they were in the field, Cain The Lord replied, “No, for I will give a sevenfold
15

attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him. punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then the Lord
9Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to
brother? Where is Abel?” kill him. 16So Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled
“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s in the land of Nod,* east of Eden.
guardian?”
10But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! The Descendants of Cain
Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! GENESIS 4:17-24
11Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, Cain had sexual relations with his wife, and she be-
which has swallowed your brother’s blood. 12No longer came pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Then Cain
will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter founded a city, which he named Enoch, after his
how hard you work! From now on you will be a home- son. 18Enoch had a son named Irad. Irad became the
less wanderer on the earth.” father of* Mehujael. Mehujael became the father
13Cain replied to the Lord, “My punishment* is too of Methushael. Methushael became the father of
great for me to bear! 14You have banished me from Lamech.
the land and from your presence; you have made me a 19Lamech married two women. The first was named

homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!” Adah, and the second was Zillah. 20Adah gave birth to
Gn 4:8 As in Samaritan Pentateuch, Greek and Syriac versions, and Latin Vulgate; Masoretic Text lacks “Let’s go out into the fields.” Gn 4:13 Or My sin. Gn 4:16 Nod
means “wandering.” Gn 4:18 Or the ancestor of, and so throughout the verse.

sin has a way of growing out of control. Let

God help you with your “little” sins before
they turn into tragedies. CAIN In spite of parents’ efforts and worries, conflicts between children
in a family seem inevitable. Sibling relationships allow both competition and coop-
Gen 4:11-15 Cain was severely punished
eration. In most cases, the mixture of loving and fighting eventually creates a strong
for this murder. God judges all sins and
punishes appropriately, not out of vengeance, bond between brothers and sisters. But for Cain, the conflict and jealousy overcame
but because he desires to correct us and whatever love he had for Abel. And while we don’t know many details of this first
restore our fellowship with him. When you’re child’s life, his story can still teach us. • Cain was angry. Furious. Both he and his
corrected, don’t resent it. Instead, renew your brother Abel had given offerings to God, and his had been rejected. Cain’s reac-
fellowship with God. tion gives us a clue that his attitude was probably wrong from the start. Cain had a
Gen 4:14 We have heard about only four choice to make. He could correct his attitude about his offering to God, or he could
people so far—Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel. take his anger out on his brother. His decision is a clear reminder of how often we
Two questions arise: Why was Cain worried are aware of opposite choices, yet choose the wrong one. We may not be choosing
about being killed by others, and where did to murder, but we are still intentionally choosing what we shouldn’t. • The feelings
he get his wife (see Gen 4:17)? motivating our behavior can’t always be changed by simple thought-power. But here
Adam and Eve had numerous children;
we can begin to experience God’s willingness to help. Asking for his help to do what
they had been told to “fill the earth” ( Gen
1:28). Cain’s guilt and fear over killing his is right can prevent us from setting into motion actions that we will later regret.
brother was heavy, and he probably feared
repercussions from his family. If he was
Strengths and • First human child
capable of murder, so were they. The wife accomplishments • First to follow in father’s profession, farming
Cain chose may have been one of his sisters Weaknesses • When disappointed, reacted in anger
or a niece. The human race was still geneti- and mistakes • Took the negative option even when a positive possibility
cally pure, and there was no fear of side was offered
effects from marrying relatives. • Was the first murderer
Gen 4:15 The expression “sevenfold Lessons from • Anger is not necessarily a sin, but actions motivated by
punishment” means that the person’s
his life anger can be sinful. Anger should be the energy behind
punishment would be complete, thorough,
and much worse than that received by Cain good action, not evil action
for his sin. • What we offer to God must be from the heart—the best

Gen 4:19-26 Unfortunately, when left to

we are and have
• The consequences of sin may last a lifetime
themselves, people tend to get worse instead
of better. This short summary of Lamech’s Vital statistics • Where: Near Eden
family shows us the variety of talent and • Occupation: Farmer, then wanderer
ability God gives humans. It also presents • Relatives: Parents: Adam and Eve. Brothers: Abel, Seth,
the continuous development of sin as time and others not mentioned by name.
passes. Another killing occurred, presumably
in self-defense. Violence was on the rise. Key verse “You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse
Two distinct groups were emerging: those to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the
who showed indifference to sin and evil, door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its
and those who worshiped the Lord—the master” (Gen 4:7).
descendants of Seth (Gen 4:26). Seth would
take Abel’s place as leader of a line of God’s Cain’s story is told in Genesis 4:1-17. He is also mentioned in Hebrews 11:4;
faithful people. 1 John 3:12; Jude 1:11.

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f GENESIS 4:17-24 (cont.) If someone who kills Cain is punished

24

Jabal, who was the first of those who raise livestock seven times,
and live in tents. 21His brother’s name was Jubal, the then the one who kills me will be punished
first of all who play the harp and flute. 22Lamech’s seventy-seven times!”
other wife, Zillah, gave birth to a son named Tubal-
cain. He became an expert in forging tools of bronze The Birth of Seth
and iron. Tubal-cain had a sister named Naamah. GENESIS 4:25-26
23One day Lamech said to his wives, Adam had sexual relations with his wife again, and she
gave birth to another son. She named him Seth,* for
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; she said, “God has granted me another son in place
listen to me, you wives of Lamech. of Abel, whom Cain killed.” 26When Seth grew up, he
I have killed a man who attacked me, had a son and named him Enosh. At that time people
a young man who wounded me. first began to worship the Lord by name.
Gn 4:25 Seth probably means “granted”; the name may also mean “appointed.”

3. ADAM’S DESCENDANTS
Beginning with Adam and Eve, humanity grew to become independent families and tribes.

From Adam to Noah Kenan lived another 840 years, and he had other
GENESIS 5:1-32 sons and daughters. 14Kenan lived 910 years, and
This is the written account of the descendants then he died.
of Adam. When God created human beings,* he 15When Mahalalel was 65 years old, he became
made them to be like himself. 2He created them the father of Jared. 16After the birth of Jared,
male and female, and he blessed them and called Mahalalel lived another 830 years, and he had
them “human.” other sons and daughters. 17Mahalalel lived
3When Adam was 130 years old, he became the 895 years, and then he died.
18When Jared was 162 years old, he became the
father of a son who was just like him—in his very
image. He named his son Seth. 4After the birth of father of Enoch. 19After the birth of Enoch, Jared
Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had lived another 800 years, and he had other sons
other sons and daughters. 5Adam lived 930 years, and daughters. 20Jared lived 962 years, and then
and then he died. he died.
6When Seth was 105 years old, he became the 21When Enoch was 65 years old, he became

father of* Enosh. 7After the birth of* Enosh, Seth the father of Methuselah. 22After the birth of
lived another 807 years, and he had other sons Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with
and daughters. 8Seth lived 912 years, and then God for another 300 years, and he had other sons
he died. and daughters. 23Enoch lived 365 years, 24walking
9When Enosh was 90 years old, he became the in close fellowship with God. Then one day he
father of Kenan. 10After the birth of Kenan, Enosh disappeared, because God took him.
25When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became
lived another 815 years, and he had other sons
and daughters. 11Enosh lived 905 years, and then the father of Lamech. 26After the birth of Lamech,
he died. Methuselah lived another 782 years, and he had
12When Kenan was 70 years old, he became the other sons and daughters. 27Methuselah lived
father of Mahalalel. 13After the birth of Mahalalel, 969 years, and then he died.
Gn 5:1 Or man; Hebrew reads adam; similarly in 5:2. Gn 5:6 Or the ancestor of; also in 5:9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 25. Gn 5:7 Or the birth of this ancestor of; also in 5:10, 13,
16, 19, 22, 26.

Gen 5:1ff The Bible contains several lists of the stories. For centuries these genealogies Gen 5:3-5 All human beings are related,
ancestors, called genealogies. They are not were added to and passed down from family going back to Adam and Eve. All people form
intended to be exhaustive and may include to family. Even more important than preserv- a family that shares one flesh and blood.
only famous people or the heads of families. ing family tradition, genealogies were included Remember this when prejudice enters your
“He became the father of” could refer not to confirm the Bible’s promise that the coming mind or hatred invades your feelings. Each
just to a son, but also to a more distant Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be born into the person is a valuable and unique creation
descendant. line of Abraham. of God.
Why are genealogies included in the Bible? Genealogies point out that people are
The Hebrew people passed on their beliefs important to God as individuals. Therefore, Gen 5:25-27 How did these people live
through oral tradition. For many years in many God refers to people by name, mentioning so long? Some believe that the ages listed
places, writing was primitive or nonexistent. their life span and descendants. The next here were lengths of family dynasties rather
Stories were told to children who passed time you feel overwhelmed in a vast crowd, than ages of individual men. Those who
them on to their children. Genealogies gave a remember that the focus of God’s attention think these were actual ages offer three
skeletal outline that helped people remember and love is on the individual—on you! explanations: ( 1) The human race was more
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28 When Lamech was 182 years old, he became birth of Noah, Lamech lived another 595 years,
the father of a son. 29Lamech named his son and he had other sons and daughters. 31Lamech
Noah, for he said, “May he bring us relief* from lived 777 years, and then he died.
our work and the painful labor of farming this 32By the time Noah was 500 years old, he was the

ground that the Lord has cursed.” 30After the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
Gn 5:29 Noah sounds like a Hebrew term that can mean “relief” or “comfort.”

C. A New Beginning for Humanity

Earth was no longer the perfect paradise that God had intended. It is frightening to see how quickly all
of humanity forgot about God. Incredibly, in all the world, only one man and his family still worshiped
God. That man was Noah. Because of his faithfulness and obedience, God saved him and his family
from a vast flood that destroyed every other human being on earth. This section shows us how God
hates sin and judges those who enjoy it.

1. THE FLOOD
The Flood was God’s judgment of the world’s pervasive sin, cleansing his creation and creating a new
beginning with Noah and his family.

A World Gone Wrong 6So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put
GENESIS 6:1-8 them on the earth. It broke his heart. 7And the Lord
Then the people began to multiply on the earth, and said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from
daughters were born to them. 2The sons of God saw the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every liv-
the beautiful women* and took any they wanted as ing thing—all the people, the large animals, the small
their wives. 3Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not animals that scurry along the ground, and even the
put up with* humans for such a long time, for they are birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8But
only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan Noah found favor with the Lord.
will be no more than 120 years.”
4In those days, and for some time after, giant Nephi- The Story of Noah
lites lived on the earth, for whenever the sons of God GENESIS 6:9-22
had intercourse with women, they gave birth to chil- This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was
dren who became the heroes and famous warriors of a righteous man, the only blameless person living on
ancient times. earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship
5The Lord observed the extent of human wicked-
with God. 10Noah was the father of three sons: Shem,
ness on the earth, and he saw that everything they Ham, and Japheth.
thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 11Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt

Gn 6:2 Hebrew daughters of men; also in 6:4. Gn 6:3 Greek version reads will not remain in.

genetically pure in this early time period with was allowing the people of Noah’s day 120 made a mistake? No, God does not change
less disease to shorten life spans; (2) no rain years to change their sinful ways. God shows his mind (1 Sam 15:29). Instead, he was
had yet fallen on the earth, and the expanse his great patience with us as well (2 Pet 3:8- expressing sorrow for what the people had
of “the waters of the heavens” ( Gen 1:7) kept 9). He is giving us time to quit living our way done to themselves, as a parent might
out harmful cosmic rays and shielded people and begin living his way, the way he shows express sorrow over a rebellious child. God
from environmental factors that hasten aging; us in his Word. While 120 years may seem was sorry that the people chose sin and
( 3) God gave people longer lives so they like a long time, eventually the time ran out, death instead of a relationship with him.
would have time to “fill the earth” ( Gen 1:28). and the floodwaters swept across the earth. Gen 6:6-8 The people’s sin grieved God. Our
Gen 6:1-4 Some people have thought that Your time also may be running out ( 2 Pet sins break God’s heart as much as sin did
the “sons of God” were fallen angels. But 3:10-14). Turn to God to forgive your sins. in Noah’s day. Noah, however, pleased God,
the “sons of God” were probably not angels You don’t know how much time God will give although he was far from perfect. We can fol-
because angels do not marry or reproduce you to turn to him, and once that time comes low Noah’s example and find “favor with the
( Matt 22:30; Mark 12:25). Some scholars there will be no more opportunities. LORD” in spite of the sin that surrounds us.
believe this phrase refers to the descendants Gen 6:4 These “giant Nephilites” were Gen 6:9 Saying that Noah was “righteous”
of Seth who intermarried with Cain’s evil people probably nine or ten feet tall. This and “blameless” does not mean that he never
descendants. This would have weakened the same Hebrew term was used to name a tall sinned (the Bible records one of his sins
good influence of the faithful and increased race of people in Numbers 13:33. Goliath, in Gen 9:20ff). Rather, it means that Noah
moral depravity in the world, resulting in an who was nine feet tall, appears in 1 Samuel wholeheartedly loved and obeyed God. For a
explosion of evil. 17. The giants used their physical advantage lifetime he walked step by step in faith as a
Gen 6:3 “Their normal lifespan will be no to oppress the people around them. living example to his generation. Like Noah,
more than 120 years” has been interpreted Gen 6:6-7 Does this mean that God regret- we live in a world filled with evil. Are we influ-
by some commentators to mean that God ted creating humanity? Was he admitting he encing others or being influenced by them?
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f GENESIS 6:9-22 (cont.) The Flood Covers the Earth

and was filled with violence. 12God observed all this GENESIS 7:1-24
corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah,
corrupt. 13So God said to Noah, “I have decided to “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all
destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are
earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along righteous. 2Take with you seven pairs—male and fe-
with the earth! male—of each animal I have approved for eating and
14“Build a large boat* from cypress wood* and for sacrifice,* and take one pair of each of the others.
waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct 3Also take seven pairs of every kind of bird. There must

decks and stalls throughout its interior. 15Make the be a male and a female in each pair to ensure that all
boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.* life will survive on the earth after the flood. 4Seven
16Leave an 18-inch opening* below the roof all the way days from now I will make the rains pour down on the
around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights,
three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper. until I have wiped from the earth all the living things
17“Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood I have created.”
that will destroy every living thing that breathes. 5So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded

Everything on earth will die. 18But I will confirm my him.

covenant with you. So enter the boat—you and your 6Noah was 600 years old when the flood covered

wife and your sons and their wives. 19Bring a pair of the earth. 7He went on board the boat to escape
every kind of animal—a male and a female—into the the flood—he and his wife and his sons and their
boat with you to keep them alive during the flood. wives. 8With them were all the various kinds of
20Pairs of every kind of bird, and every kind of animal, animals—those approved for eating and for sac-
and every kind of small animal that scurries along the rifice and those that were not—along with all the
ground, will come to you to be kept alive. 21And be sure birds and the small animals that scurry along the
to take on board enough food for your family and for ground. 9They entered the boat in pairs, male and
all the animals.” female, just as God had commanded Noah. 10After
22So Noah did everything exactly as God had com- seven days, the waters of the flood came and cov-
manded him. ered the earth.
Gn 6:14a Traditionally rendered an ark. Gn 6:14b Or gopher wood. Gn 6:15 Hebrew 300 cubits [138 meters] long, 50 cubits [23 meters] wide, and 30 cubits
[13.8 meters] high. Gn 6:16 Hebrew an opening of 1 cubit [46 centimeters]. Gn 7:2 Hebrew of each clean animal; similarly in 7:8.

Gen 6:15 The boat Noah built was no canoe!

Picture yourself building a boat the length of
Epic of Gilgamesh one and a half football fields and as high as
The Bible isn’t the only ancient document that tells about a a four-story building. The boat was exactly
great flood with a lone surviving family and pairs of animals six times longer than it was wide—the same
on board; in fact, there are several flood stories from many ratio used by modern shipbuilders. This huge
different cultures that have strikingly similar details to Noah’s boat was probably built miles from any body
story in Genesis. A Sumerian story called Eridu Genesis tells of water, but Noah was motivated by God’s
how king Ziusudra was warned that the gods had decreed a promises and obeyed his commands.
deluge to destroy mankind and was told to build a great boat
Gen 6:18 When God said, “I will confirm my
in which to escape. An Akkadian story called the Atrahasis
Epic describes a flood sent by the gods to destroy humanity
covenant,” he was making a promise. This is
after earlier attempts to control them had failed. The pious a familiar theme in Scripture—God making
Atrahasis was warned by the creator god Ea to build a boat covenants with his people. How reassuring it
and escape with his family, treasure, and animals. The most is to know God’s covenant is established with
famous of these flood stories is the Babylonian Story of the us. He is still our salvation, and we are kept
Flood, which is pictured on tablet 11 of the longer Epic of safe through our relationship with him. ( For
Gilgamesh. This story, focused on the hero Gilgamesh, tells more on covenants, see Gen 9:8-17; 12:1-3;
of the boat coming to rest on a mountain and the dispatch in 15:17-21.)
succession of a dove, a swallow, and a raven—the occupants Gen 6:22 Noah got right to work when
of the boat disembarking when the raven did not return. God told him to build the huge boat. Other
The fact that all of these different cultures trace their people must have been warned by Noah
lineage back to a great hero who survived a great flood in a about the coming disaster (2 Pet 2:5), but
boat filled with animals, and who left only after sending birds
apparently they did not expect it to happen.
out from the top of a mountain, is interesting confirmation of
the claim in Genesis 6–9 that there was indeed a great flood Things haven’t changed much. Each day
in ancient times. thousands of people are warned of God’s
inevitable judgment, yet most of them don’t
really believe it will happen. Don’t expect
people to welcome or accept your message
of God’s coming judgment on sin. Those who
don’t believe in God will deny his judgment
and try to get you to deny God as well. But
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When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth

11 living things on earth died—birds, domestic ani-
day of the second month, all the underground waters mals, wild animals, small animals that scurry along
erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty the ground, and all the people. 22Everything that
torrents from the sky. 12The rain continued to fall for breathed and lived on dry land died. 23God wiped out
forty days and forty nights. every living thing on the earth—people, livestock,
13That very day Noah had gone into the boat with small animals that scurry along the ground, and the
his wife and his sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth— birds of the sky. All were destroyed. The only people
and their wives. 14With them in the boat were pairs who survived were Noah and those with him in the
of every kind of animal—domestic and wild, large boat. 24And the floodwaters covered the earth for
and small—along with birds of every kind. 15Two by 150 days.
two they came into the boat, representing every liv-
ing thing that breathes. 16A male and female of each The Flood Recedes
kind entered, just as God had commanded Noah. GENESIS 8:1-22
Then the Lord closed the door behind them. But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals
17For forty days the flood waters grew deeper, and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to
covering the ground and lifting the boat high blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to
above the earth. 18As the waters rose higher and recede. 2The underground waters stopped flowing,
higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on and the torrential rains from the sky were stopped.
the surface. 19Finally, the water covered even the 3So the floodwaters gradually receded from the earth.

highest mountains on the earth, 20rising more than After 150 days, 4exactly five months from the time the
twenty-two feet* above the highest peaks. 21All the flood began,* the boat came to rest on the mountains
Gn 7:20 Hebrew 15 cubits [6.9 meters]. Gn 8:4 Hebrew on the seventeenth day of the seventh month; see 7:11.

NOAH remember God’s promise to Noah to keep

him safe. This can inspire you to trust God
The story of Noah’s life involves not one but two great and for deliverance in the judgment that is sure
tragic floods. The world in Noah’s day was flooded with evil. The number of those to come.
who remembered the God of creation, perfection, and love had dwindled to one.
Gen 7:1ff Pairs of every animal joined
Only Noah still worshiped God. God’s response to the severe situation was a Noah in the boat; seven pairs were taken of
120-year-long last chance, during which he had Noah build a graphic illustration those animals used for sacrifice. It has been
of the message of his life. Nothing like a huge boat on dry land to make a point! For estimated that almost 45,000 animals could
Noah, obedience meant a long-term commitment to a project. • Many of us have have fit into the boat.
trouble sticking to any project, whether or not it is directed by God. It is interesting Gen 7:16 Many have wondered how this
that the length of Noah’s obedience was greater than the life span of people today. animal-kingdom roundup happened. Did
The only comparable long-term project is our very lives. But perhaps this is one Noah and his sons spend years collecting
great challenge Noah’s life gives us—to live, in acceptance of God’s grace, an entire all the animals? But the Creation, along
lifetime of obedience and gratitude. with Noah, was doing just as God had com-
manded. There seemed to be no problem
Strengths and • Only follower of God left in his generation gathering the animals—God took care of
accomplishments • Second father of the human race the details of that job while Noah was doing
• Man of patience, consistency, and obedience his part by building the boat. Often we do
just the opposite of Noah. We worry about
Weakness • Got drunk and embarrassed himself in front of his sons
details over which we have no control, while
and mistake neglecting specific areas ( such as attitudes,
Lessons from • God is faithful to those who obey him relationships, responsibilities) that are under
his life • God does not always protect us from trouble, but cares our control. Like Noah, concentrate on what
for us in spite of trouble God has given you to do, and leave the rest
• Obedience is a long-term commitment to God.
• We may be faithful, but our sinful nature always travels Gen 7:17-24 Was the Flood a local event,
with us or did it cover the entire earth? A universal
flood was certainly possible. Enough water
Vital statistics • Where: We’re not told how far from the Garden of Eden exists in the oceans to cover all dry land
people had settled ( the earth began that way; see Gen 1:9-
• Occupation: Farmer, shipbuilder, preacher 10). Afterward God promised never again
• Relatives: Grandfather: Methuselah. Father: Lamech. to destroy the earth with a flood. Thus, this
Sons: Ham, Shem, and Japheth. flood must have either covered the entire
earth or destroyed all the inhabitants of the
Key verse “So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded earth. Remember, God’s reason for sending
him” (Gen 6:22). the Flood was to destroy all the earth’s wick-
edness. It would have taken a major flood to
Noah’s story is told in Genesis 5:28–10:32. He is also mentioned in Isaiah 54:9; accomplish this.
Ezekiel 14:14, 20; Matthew 24:37-38; Luke 3:36; 17:26-27; Hebrews 11:7;
1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 2:5.

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f GENESIS 8:1-22 (cont.) and saw that the surface of the ground was drying.
of Ararat. 5Two and a half months later,* as the wa- 14Two more months went by,* and at last the earth
ters continued to go down, other mountain peaks was dry!
15Then God said to Noah, 16“Leave the boat, all
became visible.
6After another forty days, Noah opened the window of you—you and your wife, and your sons and their
he had made in the boat 7and released a raven. The wives. 17Release all the animals—the birds, the live-
bird flew back and forth until the floodwaters on the stock, and the small animals that scurry along the
earth had dried up. 8He also released a dove to see if ground—so they can be fruitful and multiply through-
the water had receded and it could find dry ground. out the earth.”
9But the dove could find no place to land because 18So Noah, his wife, and his sons and their wives left

the water still covered the ground. So it returned to the boat. 19And all of the large and small animals and
the boat, and Noah held out his hand and drew the birds came out of the boat, pair by pair.
20Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and there
dove back inside. 10After waiting another seven days,
Noah released the dove again. 11This time the dove he sacrificed as burnt offerings the animals and
returned to him in the evening with a fresh olive leaf birds that had been approved for that purpose.*
21And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the
in its beak. Then Noah knew that the floodwaters
were almost gone. 12He waited another seven days sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse
and then released the dove again. This time it did the ground because of the human race, even though
not come back. everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil
13Noah was now 601 years old. On the first day of from childhood. I will never again destroy all living
the new year, ten and a half months after the flood things. 22As long as the earth remains, there will be
began,* the floodwaters had almost dried up from planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and
the earth. Noah lifted back the covering of the boat winter, day and night.”
Gn 8:5 Hebrew On the first day of the tenth month; see 7:11 and note on 8:4. Gn 8:13 Hebrew On the first day of the first month; see 7:11. Gn 8:14 Hebrew The twenty-
seventh day of the second month arrived; see note on 8:13. Gn 8:20 Hebrew every clean animal and every clean bird.

2. REPOPULATING THE EARTH

After the destruction of the Flood, God renewed his covenant with humanity through Noah and his
family, promising never again to submit the earth to judgment through a catastrophic flood. All of the
nations of earth descend from Noah and his sons.

God Confirms His Covenant that scurry along the ground, and all the fish in the
GENESIS 9:1-17 sea will look on you with fear and terror. I have placed
Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, them in your power. 3I have given them to you for food,
“Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth. 2All the animals just as I have given you grain and vegetables. 4But you
of the earth, all the birds of the sky, all the small animals must never eat any meat that still has the lifeblood in it.

Gen 8:6-16 Occasionally Noah would send

MO
M
MOUN
OU
UNNTA
TAIN
INS OF
INS OF A R
RAAR
RAAT a bird out to test the earth and see if it was
Caspian dry. But Noah didn’t get out of the boat
Sea until God told him to. He was waiting for
God’s timing. God knew that even though
the water was gone, the earth was not dry
enough for Noah and his family to venture
out. What patience Noah showed, especially
Tig

N after spending an entire year inside his boat!

ri

We, like Noah, must trust God to give us

s R

Mediterranean ive patience during those difficult times when

r
E

p we must wait.
u

Sea
hr

J
Jerusalem Gen 8:21-22 Countless times throughout
a te

the Bible we see God showing his love and

River

River patience toward men and women in order

to save them. Although he realizes that
their hearts are evil, he continues to reach
Nile

0 10 0 Mi Persian out to them. When we sin or fall away from

Red Gulf God, we surely deserve to be destroyed by
0 100
0 0 Km his judgment. But God has promised never
Sea
again to destroy everything on earth until the
MOUNTAINS OF ARARAT Noah’s boat touched land in the mountains of Ararat, judgment day when Christ returns to destroy
located in modern-day Turkey. There it rested for almost eight months before Noah, evil forever. Now every change of season is a
his family, and the animals stepped onto dry land. reminder of his promise.
20

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 SPLINTERED NATION EXILE RETURN & DIASPORA JESUS CHRIST THE CHURCH
930–586 BC 586–538 BC 538–6 BC 6 BC–AD 30 AD 30–present

“And I will require the blood of anyone who takes

5 17Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the
another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the
must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human creatures on earth.”
must die. 6If anyone takes a human life, that person’s
life will also be taken by human hands. For God made Noah’s Sons
human beings* in his own image. 7Now be fruitful and GENESIS 9:18–10:1
multiply, and repopulate the earth.” The sons of Noah who came out of the boat with their
8Then God told Noah and his sons, 9“I hereby con-
father were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham is the fa-
firm my covenant with you and your descendants, ther of Canaan.) 19From these three sons of Noah came
10and with all the animals that were on the boat
all the people who now populate the earth.
with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild 20After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the
animals—every living creature on earth. 11Yes, I am ground, and he planted a vineyard. 21One day he drank
confirming my covenant with you. Never again will some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay
floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a naked inside his tent. 22Ham, the father of Canaan, saw
flood destroy the earth.” that his father was naked and went outside and told
12Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my
his brothers. 23Then Shem and Japheth took a robe,
covenant with you and with all living creatures, for held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent
all generations to come. 13I have placed my rainbow to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the
in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you other way so they would not see him naked.
and with all the earth. 14When I send clouds over 24When Noah woke up from his stupor, he learned
the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, what Ham, his youngest son, had done. 25Then he
15and I will remember my covenant with you and
cursed Canaan, the son of Ham:
with all living creatures. Never again will the flood-
waters destroy all life. 16When I see the rainbow in “May Canaan be cursed!
the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant May he be the lowest of servants to his
between God and every living creature on earth.” relatives.”
Gn 9:6 Or man; Hebrew reads ha-adam.

Gen 9:5 God will require each person to Gen 9:8-17 Noah stepped out of the boat that their bad choice affects their families.
account for his or her actions. We cannot onto an earth devoid of human life. But God Although the ungodly people had all been
harm or kill another human being without gave him a reassuring promise. This cov- killed, the possibility of evil still existed in the
answering to God. A penalty must be paid. enant had three parts: ( 1) Never again will hearts of Noah and his family. Ham’s mock-
Justice will be served. a flood do such destruction; ( 2) as long as ing attitude revealed a severe lack of respect
Gen 9:5-6 Here God explains why murder is the earth remains, the seasons will always for his father and for God.
so wrong: To kill a person is to kill one made come as expected; (3) a rainbow will be Gen 9:25 This verse has been wrongfully
in God’s image. Because all human beings visible when it rains as a sign to all that God used to support racial prejudice and even
are made in God’s image, all people pos- will keep his promises. The earth’s order and slavery. But Noah’s curse wasn’t directed
sess the qualities that distinguish them from seasons are still preserved, and rainbows still toward any particular race; rather, it was
animals: morality, reason, creativity, and self- remind us of God’s faithfulness to his word. directed at the Canaanite nation—a nation
worth. When we interact with others, we are Gen 9:20-27 Noah, the great hero of faith, God knew would become wicked. The curse
interacting with beings made by God, beings got drunk—a poor example of godliness to was fulfilled when the Israelites entered the
to whom God offers eternal life. God wants us his sons. Perhaps this story is included to Promised Land and drove the Canaanites out
to recognize his image in all people. show us that even godly people can sin and (see the book of Joshua).

“When I see the rainbow in the clouds,

I will remember the eternal covenant between
God and every living creature on earth.”
Genesis 9:16

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 BEGINNINGS GOD’S CHOSEN FAMILY BIRTH OF ISRAEL POSSESSING THE LAND UNITED MONARCHY
undated–2100 BC 2100–1800 BC 1800–1406 BC 1406–1050 BC 1050–930 BC

f GENESIS 9:18–10:1 (cont.)

Erech, Akkad, and Calneh. 11From there he
Then Noah said, 26 expanded his territory to Assyria,* building
the cities of Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, 12and
“May the Lord, the God of Shem, be blessed, Resen (the great city located between Nineveh
and may Canaan be his servant! and Calah).
27 May God expand the territory of Japheth!
13Mizraim was the ancestor of the Ludites,
May Japheth share the prosperity of Shem,*
Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites, 14Pathrusites,
and may Canaan be his servant.”
Casluhites, and the Caphtorites, from whom the
28Noah lived another 350 years after the great Philistines came.*
flood. 29He lived 950 years, and then he died. 15Canaan’s oldest son was Sidon, the ancestor of

10:1 This is the account of the families of Shem, Ham, the Sidonians. Canaan was also the ancestor of
the Hittites,* 16Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,
and Japheth, the three sons of Noah. Many children 17Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, 18Arvadites, Zemarites,
were born to them after the great flood.
and Hamathites. The Canaanite clans eventually
Descendants of Japheth spread out, 19and the territory of Canaan
GENESIS 10:2-5 extended from Sidon in the north to Gerar and
2The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Gaza in the south, and east as far as Sodom,
Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, near Lasha.
20These were the descendants of Ham, identified by
3The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz,

Riphath, and Togarmah. clan, language, territory, and national identity.

4The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish,

Kittim, and Rodanim.* 5Their descendants Descendants of Shem

became the seafaring peoples that spread out GENESIS 10:21-31
21Sons were also born to Shem, the older brother
to various lands, each identified by its own
language, clan, and national identity. of Japheth.* Shem was the ancestor of all the
descendants of Eber.
2630 Descendants of Ham
22The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur,
BC
GENESIS 10:6-20 Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
Great Pyramid of Egypt constructed

6The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, 23The descendants of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether,

and Canaan. and Mash.

7The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, 24Arphaxad was the father of Shelah,* and Shelah

Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants was the father of Eber.
25Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg
of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.
8Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who (which means “division”), for during his lifetime
was the first heroic warrior on earth. 9Since the people of the world were divided into
he was the greatest hunter in the world,* his different language groups. His brother’s name
name became proverbial. People would say, was Joktan.
26Joktan was the ancestor of Almodad, Sheleph,
“This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter
in the world.” 10He built his kingdom in the Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,
land of Babylonia,* with the cities of Babylon, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29Ophir, Havilah, and
Gn 9:27 Hebrew May he live in the tents of Shem. Gn 10:4 As in some Hebrew manuscripts and Greek version (see also 1 Chr 1:7); most Hebrew manuscripts read
Dodanim. Gn 10:9 Hebrew a great hunter before the LORD ; also in 10:9b. Gn 10:10 Hebrew Shinar. Gn 10:11 Or From that land Assyria went out. Gn 10:14 Hebrew
Casluhites, from whom the Philistines came, and Caphtorites. Compare Jer 47:4; Amos 9:7. Gn 10:15 Hebrew ancestor of Heth. Gn 10:21 Or Shem, whose older brother
was Japheth. Gn 10:24 Greek version reads Arphaxad was the father of Cainan, Cainan was the father of Shelah. Compare Luke 3:36.

Gen 10:8-9 Who was Nimrod? Not much

is known about him except that he was a
heroic warrior. But people with great gifts BIBLE NATIONS DESCENDED FROM NOAH’S SONS
can become proud, and that is probably Shem’s descendants were called Semites. Abraham, David, and Jesus descended
what happened to Nimrod. Some consider from Shem. Ham’s descendants settled in Canaan, Egypt, and the rest of Africa.
him the founder of the great, godless Bab- Japheth’s descendants settled for the most part in Europe and Asia Minor.
ylonian Empire.
Shem Ham Japheth
Hebrews Canaanites Greeks
Chaldeans Egyptians Thracians
Assyrians Philistines Scythians
Persians Hittites
Arameans (Syrians) Amorites

22

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 SPLINTERED NATION EXILE RETURN & DIASPORA JESUS CHRIST THE CHURCH
930–586 BC 586–538 BC 538–6 BC 6 BC–AD 30 AD 30–present

Jobab. All these were descendants of Joktan. Conclusion

30The territory they occupied extended from
GENESIS 10:32
Mesha all the way to Sephar in the eastern These are the clans that descended from Noah’s sons,
mountains. arranged by nation according to their lines of descent.
31These were the descendants of Shem, identified by
All the nations of the earth descended from these
clan, language, territory, and national identity. clans after the great flood.

3. SCATTERING THE PEOPLE

People continued to rebel against God, but their efforts were thwarted by the confusion of their
languages. This marks the beginning of different languages and cultures as the people scattered all
over the world and began to develop their own customs.

The Tower of Babel languages. Then they won’t be able to understand

GENESIS 11:1-9 each other.”
8In that way, the Lord scattered them all over
At one time all the people of the world spoke the same
language and used the same words. 2As the people the world, and they stopped building the city. 9That
migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of is why the city was called Babel,* because that is
Babylonia* and settled there. where the Lord confused the people with different
3They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks languages. In this way he scattered them all over
and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were the world.
used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.)
4Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for our- From Shem to Abram
selves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will GENESIS 11:10-26
make us famous and keep us from being scattered all This is the account of Shem’s family.
over the world.” Two years after the great flood, when Shem
5But the Lord came down to look at the city
was 100 years old, he became the father of*
and the tower the people were building. 6“Look!” Arphaxad. 11After the birth of* Arphaxad, Shem
he said. “The people are united, and they all speak lived another 500 years and had other sons
the same language. After this, nothing they set and daughters.
out to do will be impossible for them! 7Come, let’s 12When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he became
go down and confuse the people with different the father of Shelah. 13After the birth of Shelah,
Gn 11:2 Hebrew Shinar. Gn 11:9 Or Babylon. Babel sounds like a Hebrew term that means “confusion.” Gn 11:10 Or the ancestor of; also in 11:12, 14, 16, 18, 20,
22, 24. Gn 11:11 Or the birth of this ancestor of; also in 11:13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25.

Gen 11:3 The brick used to build this tower

was man-made and not as hard as stone.
Caspian
Gen 11:3-4 The tower of Babel was most Sea
likely a ziggurat, a common structure in
Babylonia at this time. Most often built as
temples, ziggurats looked like pyramids with
steps or ramps leading up the sides. Ziggu- Eup
hr
Tig

rats stood as high as 300 feet and were often tes

a

just as wide; thus they were the focal point N

ris

of the city. The people in this story built their

tower as a monument to their own greatness, Mediterranean Riv
e r
something for the whole world to see. Sea
Babel
e
Gen 11:4 The tower of Babel was a great J
Jerusalem Riv
human achievement, a wonder of the world. er
River

But it was a monument to the people them-

selves rather than to God. We may build
monuments to ourselves (expensive clothes,
Nile

big house, fancy car, important job) to call 0 110 0 Mi Persian

Gulf
attention to our achievements. These may
Red 0 100
000 Km
not be wrong in themselves, but when we Sea
use them to give ourselves identity and self-
worth, they take God’s place in our lives. We THE TOWER OF BABEL The plain between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers offered
are free to develop in many areas, but we are a perfect location for the city and tower “that reaches into the sky” (Gen 11:4).
not free to think we have replaced God. What
“towers” have you built in your life? dants, who were blessed (Gen 9:26). which would eventually conquer the land
Gen 11:10-27 Here, and in Genesis Because of that blessing, from Shem’s line of Canaan in the days of Joshua.
10:22-31, appears a list of Shem’s descen- came Abram and the entire Jewish nation,
23

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 BEGINNINGS GOD’S CHOSEN FAMILY BIRTH OF ISRAEL POSSESSING THE LAND UNITED MONARCHY
undated–2100 BC 2100–1800 BC 1800–1406 BC 1406–1050 BC 1050–930 BC

f GENESIS 11:10-26 (cont.) father of Terah. 25After the birth of Terah, Nahor
Arphaxad lived another 403 years and had other lived another 119 years and had other sons and
sons and daughters.* daughters.
14When Shelah was 30 years old, he became the 26After Terah was 70 years old, he became the father

father of Eber. 15After the birth of Eber, Shelah of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
lived another 403 years and had other sons
and daughters. The Family of Terah
16When Eber was 34 years old, he became the GENESIS 11:27-32
father of Peleg. 17After the birth of Peleg, Eber This is the account of Terah’s family. Terah was the
lived another 430 years and had other sons father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the
and daughters. father of Lot. 28But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans,
18When Peleg was 30 years old, he became the the land of his birth, while his father, Terah, was still
father of Reu. 19After the birth of Reu, Peleg living. 29Meanwhile, Abram and Nahor both married.
lived another 209 years and had other sons The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of
and daughters. Nahor’s wife was Milcah. (Milcah and her sister Iscah
20When Reu was 32 years old, he became the were daughters of Nahor’s brother Haran.) 30But Sarai
father of Serug. 21After the birth of Serug, Reu was unable to become pregnant and had no children.
31One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-
lived another 207 years and had other sons
and daughters. in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson
22When Serug was 30 years old, he became the Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from
father of Nahor. 23After the birth of Nahor, Serug Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land
lived another 200 years and had other sons of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled
and daughters. there. 32Terah lived for 205 years* and died while
24When Nahor was 29 years old, he became the still in Haran.
Gn 11:12-13 Greek version reads 12When Arphaxad was 135 years old, he became the father of Cainan. 13After the birth of Cainan, Arphaxad lived another 430 years and had
other sons and daughters, and then he died. When Cainan was 130 years old, he became the father of Shelah. After the birth of Shelah, Cainan lived another 330 years and
had other sons and daughters, and then he died. Compare Luke 3:35-36. Gn 11:32 Some ancient versions read 145 years; compare 11:26 and 12:4.

Gen 11:27-28 Abram grew up in Ur of the Gen 11:31 Terah left Ur to go to Canaan come in stages. Just as the time in Haran
Chaldeans, an important city in the ancient but settled in Haran instead. Why did he was a transition period for Abram, so God
world. Archaeologists have discovered stop halfway? It may have been his health, may give us transition periods and times
evidence of a flourishing civilization there in the climate, or even fear. But this did not of waiting to help us depend on him and
Abram’s day. The city carried on an extensive change Abram’s calling (“the LORD had said trust his timing. If we patiently do his will
trade with its neighbors and had a vast to Abram,” Gen 12:1). He had respect for during the transition times, we will be better
library. Growing up in Ur, Abram was probably his father’s leadership, but when Terah died, prepared to serve him as we should when
well educated. Abram moved on to Canaan. God’s will may he calls us.

Ziggurat
A ziggurat was similar to the step pyramid of Egypt and
was used for worship. Ziggurats were often built in
the major cities of ancient Mesopotamia. The tower of
Babel (Gen 11:1-9) is thought to have been a particularly
prominent ziggurat. It was widely believed that deities
dwelt above, in high places. Therefore, worship was
more appropriate on hills or mountains. There are no
hills in Mesopotamia, so the people there built ziggurats
to provide high places to worship. Like the pyramids
of Egypt, these temple towers were square. Instead of
having sloping sides, there was a succession of terraces,
each smaller than the one below. Access to each level
was by stairways or ramps. The shrine or altar was at
the top, where the priests would officiate at sacrifices,
incantations, and prayers.
The tower of Babel, however, was built as a monu-
ment to the greatness of the people who were building
it rather than to worship God. It is easy to turn something
that is supposed to be about God into a celebration of
ourselves. How can we ensure that we are truly worship-
ing God rather than doing great things for our own glory?

24

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 SPLINTERED NATION EXILE RETURN & DIASPORA JESUS CHRIST THE CHURCH
930–586 BC 586–538 BC 538–6 BC 6 BC–AD 30 AD 30–present

NAMES OF GOD
Name of God Meaning Reference Significance
Elohim God Gen 1:1; Refers to God’s power and might.
Num 23:19; He is the only supreme and
Ps 19:1 true God.
Yahweh The LORD Gen 2:4; The proper name of the divine
Exod 6:2-3 person.
El Elyon God Most High Gen 14:17-20; He is above all gods; nothing
Num 24:16; in life is more sacred.
Ps 7:17;
Isa 14:13-14
El Roi God Who Sees Gen 16:13 God oversees all creation and the
affairs of people.
El Shaddai God Almighty Gen 17:1; God is all-powerful.
Ps 91:1
Yahweh Yireh The LORD Will Provide Gen 22:13-14 God will provide our real needs.
Yahweh Nissi The LORD Is My Banner Exod 17:15 We should remember God for
helping us.
Adonai Lord Gen 18:27 God alone is the head over all.
Yahweh Elohe LORD God of Israel Judg 5:3; He is the God of the nation.
Yisrael Ps 59:5;
Isa 17:6;
Zeph 2:9
Yahweh Shalom The LORD Is Peace Judg 6:24 God gives us peace so we need
not fear.
Qedosh Yisrael Holy One of Israel Isa 1:4 God is morally perfect.
Yahweh Sabaoth LORD of Hosts 1 Sam 1:3; God is our savior and protector.
(Hostss refers to armies but Isa 6:1-3
also to all the heavenly
powers.)
El Olam The Everlasting God Isa 40:28-31 God is eternal. He will never die.
Yahweh Tsidkenu The LORD Our Righteousness Jer 23:6; 33:16 God is our standard for right
behavior. He alone can make
us righteous.
Yahweh Shammah The LORD Is There Ezek 48:35 God is always present with us.
Attiq Yomin Ancient of Days Dan 7:9, 13 God is the ultimate authority.
He will one day judge all nations.

25

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 The Time Between the
Old & New Testaments

T
he era of the return & diaspora doesn’t end
with the book of Malachi. It actually continues through
the 400 years that are sometimes referred to as the inter­
testamental period. Many people mistakenly assume that because
there was no Scripture written during this time, that nothing
significant was going on with God’s people. In fact, there was a
great deal going on in Judea and throughout the world. Jewish
communities in Judea grew and spread throughout the region,

450 BC 400 BC 350 BC 300 BC 250 BC

PERSIAN PERIOD HELLENISTIC

MACEDONIAN KINGDOM (ca. 1000–168 BC)
TIMELINE

Philip II (359–336 BC )
Alexander III the Great (336–323 BC )

330 BC, Alexander the

PERSIAN EMPIRE (549 –331 BC) Great conquers Persia

Artaxerxes I (465–424 BC ) Artaxerxes III (359–338 BC )

SELEUCID KINGDOM
Darius II (424–405 BC ) Artaxerxes IV (338–336 BC ) Seleucus I (321–281 BC )

Artaxerxes II (405–359 BC ) Darius III (336–330 BC ) Antiochus I (280–261 BC )

Antiochus II (261–246 BC )
JUDEA
Seleucus II (246–226 BC )
JUDEA AS A PERSIAN PROVINCE (538–330 BC)

Nehemiah as Governor (445–433 BC )

458 BC, Ezra travels PTOLEMIES RULE JUDEA

to Jerusalem
Oct 2, 445 BC
Nehemiah completes Jerusalem’s wall

332 BC, Alexander the

EGYPT DYNASTY 28 (404–399 BC ) Great conquers Egypt

DYNASTY 27/ First Persian DYNASTY 29 (399–380 BC ) PTOLEMAIC KINGDOM

Rule (525–404 BC )
DYNASTY 30 (380–343 BC ) Ptolemy I (323–285 BC )
DYNASTY 31/ Second Persian Ptolemy II (284–246 BC )
Rule (343–332 BC )

1250
 extending north to Galilee
and beyond. Meanwhile,
Jewish communities were
also thriving throughout the
known world—Rome, Egypt,
Greece, Turkey, Arabia, Libya,
and beyond. The Jews who
returned to Judea and those
in the Diaspora experienced
both prosperity and suffering
during this turbulent time
when world power shifted
Alexander the Great in the Temple of Jerusalem, by Sebastiano Conca
drastically several times.

200 BC 150 BC 100 BC 50 BC AD 1

PERIOD HASMONEAN PERIOD ROMAN PERIOD

ROMAN EMPIRE (27 BC – AD 395)
Octavian Augustus Caesar
(27 BC–AD 14)

Tiberius Caesar
( AD 14 –37)
64 BC, Pompey annexes
Syria to Rome
(321–64 BC )
Seleucus III (226–223 BC ) Antiochus IV (175–163 BC )

Antiochus III (223–187 BC ) Antiochus V Alexander Balas

Seleucus IV (187–175 BC ) Demetrius I (161–150 BC ) ROME RULES JUDEA (63 BC–AD 135)
Demetrius II
63 BC, Pompey annexes
Judea to Rome
SELEUCIDS RULE JUDEA (198–142 BC)
Herod the Great
Maccabean revolt HASMONEANS RULE JUDEA (142–63 BC) (37–4 BC )
(320–198 BC) (166–142 BC ) Herod Archelaus
John Hyrcanus (135–104 BC ) Alexandra Salome (76–67 BC ) (4 BC–AD 6)

Judas (166–160 BC ) Aristobulus I Hyrcanus II (63–40 BC ) Herod Antipas

The Hebrew OT is ( AD 6–39)
translated into Greek Jonathan (160–143 BC ) Alexander Jannaeus (103–76 BC )
(the Septuagint)
200 BC, Seleucid Simon (143–135 BC )
victory over Egypt
at Panion ROME RULES EGYPT (30 BC–AD 641)
(323–30 BC )
Ptolemy IV (221–203 BC ) Ptolemy VI (181–146 BC ) Ptolemy IX (116–108, 88–80 BC ) Cleopatra VII (51–32 BC )

Ptolemy V (203–181 BC ) Ptolemy X (110–88 BC )

Ptolemy III 30 BC, Octavian captures
(246–221 BC ) Cleopatra II (170–142, 131–127 BC ) Ptolemy XII (80–51 BC ) Alexandria; annexes
Egypt to Rome
Ptolemy VIII (170–163, 145–131, 127–116 BC )

1251
JJ The Persian Period (539–330 b.c.). When more influenced by Greek (Hellenistic) civilization. The
the Persians wrested the position of world dominance Ptolemaic dynasty promoted Greek thought and language
from the Babylonians, they encouraged the Jews to return by all possible means in order to preserve and strengthen
home to Judea and rebuild their Temple. The Jews dwelt in their empire culturally. Thousands of Jews were forcibly
relative peace. However, several key developments began resettled in Alexandria, Egypt. Although Jews both at
to reshape their practice of religion. Likely as a result of home and abroad resisted adapting to Greek religion,
their many years in exile, the Jews had begun to worship in they couldn’t escape all aspects of Hellenistic influence.
local synagogues spread throughout the Persian Empire. They soon began to speak Greek, the trade language of
They continued this new practice in their own land, even the empire. More significantly, a group of Jewish scholars
after the Temple was rebuilt. Worship in the synagogues during this time began to translate the Old Testament
centered on the study of the Law, and teachers of religious from its original Hebrew into Greek. Called the Septua­
law became the influential preservers and interpreters gint, this Greek translation came to be widely used by
of the law. Jews everywhere.
During this time, the Israelites also came into con­ In 198 b.c., the Seleucid section of the empire over­
tact with the Samaritans. Descendants of Israelites who threw the Ptolemies in Judea. For the first time, Israel
had been left behind during the Babylonian exile, the came under the rule of a leader who tried to stamp out
Samaritans had intermarried with Babylonians, Syrians, Judaism completely. Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the
and others. Their worship was syncretistic, incorporating Temple, forbade sacrifices to Yahweh, outlawed circumci­
elements of pagan religions with worship of Yahweh, the sion, forced Jews to eat pork, and canceled Sabbaths and
God of Israel. While the Jews rebuilt the Temple in Jeru­ feast days. Some Jews attempted to conciliate Antiochus
salem, the Samaritans built a rival temple in the north. and cooperate with his demands; others resisted. These
JJ The Hellenistic Period (330–165 b.c.). With two groups were known as the Hellenists and the Hasidim.
the fall of Persia to Alexander the Great, the Greek The Hellenists embraced and promoted Greek culture.
Empire became the largest the world had ever seen, The Hasidim (meaning, “pious ones”) closely practiced
extending even into western India. When Alexander Jewish law and were the forerunners of the Pharisees.
the Great died young amidst suspicious circumstances, Another group loyal to the high priest also emerged, the
his empire continued under the rule of his generals, precursors of the Sadducees.
who split it into four sections. Ptolemy Soter claimed The conflict in Israel finally reached a boiling point
both Egypt and Israel. when an elderly priest named Mattathias refused to offer
Politically, little changed for the Jews under Greek and a required pagan sacrifice. Mattathias killed a Seleucid
Ptolemaic rule. Culturally, however, they became more and officer and a reprobate Jew, fled to the hills, and called
faithful Jews everywhere to join him in rebellion. During
the ensuing guerrilla war, Mattathias’s son, Judas Mac­
cabeus, eventually overcame the Seleucids and achieved
independence for Israel.
JJ The Hasmonean Period (165–63 b.c.). Inde­
pendence proved to be both short-lived and disastrous.
As the political dynasty of the Maccabees, also called the
Hasmoneans, assumed both the throne and the office of
high priest, the nation became beset by infighting. The
Sadducees supported Hasmonean rulers as both kings
and priests, whereas the Pharisees insisted that a true king
could only be a descendant of David and a priest could
only be a descendant of Aaron. Other groups became
separatists and fled to the wilderness to form indepen­
dent communities, like the one at Qumran (where the
Dead Sea Scrolls were found).
JJ The Roman Period (63 b.c.–a.d. 135). The
various Israelite factions turned to mercenaries and out­
side nations for support. By the time the growing Roman
Empire turned its attention toward Israel, the nation could
offer little resistance. In 63 b.c., Pompey sacked Jerusa­
lem. Soon the Jews were once again under the command
of a foreign ruler, in this case an Idumean named Anti­
pater who had been installed by Rome. Antipater’s son,
Herod the Great, followed him as king of the Jews, and it
Tomb of Mattathias ben Johanan, Israel was under his rule that Jesus was born—ushering in a new
era in biblical history.

1252
New
Testament

1253
 Jesus Christ

J
ESUS WAS BORN into a world that had changed drastically
from the time his people, the people of Israel, had returned
from exile some five hundred years earlier. Politics, culture,
language, and the religious practices in Israel had all under-
gone great shifts. The time was ripe for God to send his Son into
the world to be the Messiah, Savior, and King. But he wouldn’t
come in the way that everyone expected.
Israel had been waiting for their promises to his people. Nobody
Messiah, and there were many expected the Messiah to come as
expectations about what he would the baby of a humble peasant girl
do for them and how it would look. from a small, unimportant town in
He was supposed to be a mighty Galilee. Nobody expected him to
leader who would reestablish Israel’s gather a small group of disciples
hold on the land God had given to and walk around the country telling
their ancestor Abraham, expelling stories and challenging the religious
the Romans and recalling the glory authorities.
of the age of David and Solomon. But Jesus is the climax of God’s
The Messiah was expected to be story! He is the ultimate fulfillment
the climax of Israel’s story, the of all God’s promises to his people!
ultimate fulfillment of all God’s The four Gospels tell the story of how

15 BC 10 BC 5 BC AD 1 AD 5 AD 10

ROME
Octavian Augustus Caesar (27 BC – AD 14)
TIMELINE

Herod Antipas rules as tetrarch

JEWISH TERRITORIES of Galilee and Perea (4 BC – AD 39)

Herod the Great as king of the Jews (37–4 BC ) Annas as high priest ( AD 6–15)

Herod Archelaus rules Judea and Samaria (4 BC – AD 6)

LIFE OF JESUS 6 BC AD 6
Birth of Jesus Jesus in the Temple
in Bethlehem at age 12

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 BOOKS DATES THEMES
MATTHEW FROM: Incarnation
MARK
LUKE
6 BC Jesus’ Teaching
Jesus’ Miracles
JOHN TO: Resurrection
ACTS
AD 30

this man from the margins of Israel’s soci- and eternal life—far more than the meager
ety displayed God’s power through mighty earthly kingdom they were hoping for.
miracles and through teaching with author- In order to understand the story of Jesus
ity. They tell the story of how this unlikely the Messiah, we need to get the lay of the land.
Messiah gave the world far more than any Who were the key people and social struc-
military or political or religious leader ever tures in Israel at this time? Where and with
could have. They tell the story of God with whom did Jesus spend his time? Who were
us, the eternal Son of God made flesh to live the people who flocked to see him? Who
among his people and offer them salvation were the ones threatened by his popularity?

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Greek Influence. A few centuries earlier, the Greek
Empire had conquered most of the known world, and
along with their rule they brought their culture and lan-
guage to the Jewish people. Jesus was born into a world
that was still heavily influenced by Greek thought, and
virtually everyone would have known the Greek language
in addition to their local language (in Jesus’ case, likely
Aramaic).
Roman Rule. The Roman Empire was in control
of the entire world of the Gospels, and had been for
nearly a century. There were several levels of Roman
government, as can be seen in the Herod family, Pontius

AD 15 AD 20 AD 25 AD 30 AD 35 AD 40 AD 45

Tiberius Caesar ( AD 14–37) Claudius Caesar ( AD 41–54)

Gaius Caligula Caesar ( AD 37–41)

Antipas divorces Aretas’s

daughter and marries Herodias, AD 36
his brother Herod Philip’s wife Aretas attacks and defeats Herod Antipas

Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea ( AD 26– 36)

Caiaphas as high priest ( AD 18–36) Herod Agrippa I ( AD 37–44)

AD 44
about AD 26 about AD 29 Agrippa dies
John the Baptist begins his ministry John the Baptist is imprisoned, then beheaded from violent
illness
about AD 27 Passover, about AD 30
Jesus begins his ministry Jesus’ death and resurrection

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 Pilate, and the Roman soldiers who make appearances only to worship in the Temple for special life events and
throughout the Gospels. Rome collected taxes, enforced religious festivals.
peace (sometimes with brutal violence), and allowed John the Baptist. John didn’t really fit into any of
many religious freedoms that were not always permitted the major Jewish groups of his day. He was a herald of the
under Greek rule. coming Kingdom of God, calling everyone to repentance
Jewish Groups. There were several prominent and preparing the way for Jesus and his ministry. Many
Jewish groups during this period in history. The Phari- people traveled into the wilderness to hear his message
sees and Sadducees bridged political and religious lead- and be baptized, including a number of people who would
ership, the teachers of religious law and priests were eventually follow Jesus.
primarily responsible for the religious life of the people, Jesus and the Disciples. Jesus was born into
and other groups such as the Zealots and the Essenes an ordinary family and grew up in an ordinary town, but
were radicals—though in very different ways. Zealots his life was far from ordinary. He chose a very diverse
wanted to take political power by force, while Essenes group of disciples—some followers of John the Baptist,
separated themselves from the world in an effort to at least one Zealot, a man who collected taxes for Rome,
live pure lives marked by ritual holiness. Ordinary and a handful of uneducated fishermen. Jesus taught
Jewish people were able to worship regularly in local these disciples what it meant to follow him and prepared
synagogues, led by the mainstream religious leaders them to be his ambassadors on earth after his resurrec-
in their community. They would journey to Jerusalem tion and ascension.

“Life of Jesus” versus “Gospels”

W
e need to remember that the story of a theological truth about Jesus and his purposes.
Jesus’ life is given to us in four canoni- So pay attention to parts that seem to be located
cal Gospels—literally accounts of the differently in one Gospel compared to another. It
“Good News.” As important as it is to understand may indicate something about the different Gospel
the events of Jesus’ life and see them in chronologi- writers’ goals.
cal order, ultimately God gave us the Gospels so You also might notice some differences in the
that we would be able to hear his Good News with way a particular story from Jesus’ life is told, espe-
clarity. Rearranging the Gospels into chronologi- cially when the accounts from different Gospels
cal order can sometimes highlight places where are placed together as they are in the Chronologi-
individual Gospel writers have placed a particu- cal Life Application Study Bible. Several things
lar story out of chronological order to highlight should be kept in mind as you notice the differ-
ences: (1) Different people often notice differ-
ent details when witnessing the same event; that
doesn’t mean either account is wrong. (2) Jesus’
ministry covered over 1,000 days, and he probably
repeated his teachings at multiple times in various
locations. It is possible that what has been identi-
fied as a parallel between two Gospels is actually a
case where two Gospels actually record only simi-
lar events or teachings. (3) The order of events (and
the identification of their parallels) reflects the
decisions of our editors and is not inspired, unlike
the text of the Gospels. Feel free to question our
decisions and compare them with other options
and possibilities.

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 BOOKS IN THIS SECTION

MATTHEW MARK
AUTHOR: Matthew (Levi), a former tax collector who AUTHOR: John Mark. He was not one of the 12 disciples,
became one of Jesus’ 12 disciples but he accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey
AUDIENCE: Jews (Acts 13:13) and is traditionally associated with Peter.
PURPOSE: To prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal AUDIENCE: Christians in Rome, where the Gospel was
King written
DATE WRITTEN: Approximately a.d. 60–65 PURPOSE: To present the person, work, and teachings
of Jesus
SPECIAL FEATURES: Matthew is filled with messianic
language (“Son of David” is used throughout) and Old Tes- DATE WRITTEN: Approximately a.d. 55–60
tament references (53 quotes and 76 other references). SPECIAL FEATURES: Mark was probably the first Gospel
This Gospel’s purpose was to present the clear evidence written. The other Gospels quote all but 31 verses of Mark.
that Jesus is the predicted Messiah, the Savior. Mark records more miracles than any other Gospel.

LUKE JOHN
AUTHOR: Luke, a doctor (Col 4:14), a Greek (Gentile) AUTHOR: John the apostle, son of Zebedee, brother of
Christian. He is the only known Gentile (non-Jewish) James, called a “Son of Thunder”
author in the New Testament. Luke was a close friend AUDIENCE: New Christians and searching non-Christians
and companion of Paul. He also wrote Acts, and the two
PURPOSE: To prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of
books go together.
God and that all who believe in him will have eternal life
AUDIENCE: Theophilus and other Gentiles
DATE WRITTEN: Probably a.d. 85–90
PURPOSE: To present an accurate account of the life
of Christ, and to present Christ as the perfect human SPECIAL FEATURES: Of the eight miracles recorded,
and Savior six are unique (among the Gospels) to John, as is the
“Upper Room Discourse” (John 14–17). Over 90 percent
DATE WRITTEN: About a.d. 60 of John is unique to his Gospel—John does not contain
SPECIAL FEATURES: This is the most comprehensive of a genealogy or any record of Jesus’ birth, childhood,
the Gospels. The general vocabulary and writing style temptation, transfiguration, appointment of the dis-
show that the author was educated. He makes frequent ciples, nor any account of Jesus’ parables, ascension, or
references to illnesses and diagnoses. Luke stresses great commission.
Jesus’ relationship with people; emphasizes prayer,
miracles, and angels; records inspired hymns of praise; For book information on ACTS, see the introduction
gives a prominent place to women. to The Church, p. 1505.

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 MEGATHEMES
Jesus Christ: King, Messiah, Servant, Sav- in his ministry. But this wasn’t just a way to show every-
ior, Son of God. In each of the four Gospels, Jesus one how powerful he was, or a flashy way to gain more
Christ is the central focus, but each Gospel highlights followers—Jesus’ miracles show his profound love and
a slightly different aspect of his significance. Matthew compassion for people. Certainly his miracles are proof
presents Jesus as the King of kings and the long-awaited that he is the Son of God, but they also prove that he sees
Jewish Messiah. Mark presents Jesus as the Servant of the needs of his people and has both the power and the
God. Luke presents Jesus as the Savior of the entire world, will to help them. This is no less true today—become a
and John presents Jesus as the unique Son of God who person of prayer and watch God transform you and the
reveals the Father to us. All of these portraits of Jesus world around you through his power.
are important (and true), and the differences between
Spreading the Gospel. Jesus went all over the land
the Gospel accounts can be attributed to the different
of Israel spreading the message of the Kingdom of God, but
elements of Jesus’ character and ministry that they are
even that wasn’t enough. Several times, Jesus went beyond
highlighting.
the borders of his nation to share the Good News with
Jesus’ Teachings. In addition to learning about Gentiles and even the hated Samaritans. And his message
who Jesus is, the four Gospels give us direct access to what was given to all sorts of people—blind beggars, wealthy
Jesus taught throughout his ministry. Jesus spoke often merchants, social outcasts, powerful religious leaders,
about the Kingdom of God (or Kingdom of Heaven), and fishermen, Roman soldiers, widows, children, immoral
how it differs from the kingdom of this world. He often people, and scrupulous Pharisees. The Good News is for
taught using parables, giving profound truths through ordi- all people, and eternal life is offered to all who will believe
nary stories. He taught his disciples about the Holy Spirit, in the Son and the Father who sent him. What part can you
who would come to indwell and empower them after his play in spreading this Good News to all people?
death and resurrection. His teachings form an important
Resurrection. The story of Jesus’ life doesn’t end
foundation for the things his followers would write in the
with his death—in many ways it only begins there. His
rest of the New Testament. The teachings of Jesus are alter-
resurrection shouts loudly about the power of God and
natively challenging and comforting; make sure that you
the Good News that our sins have been forgiven, and death
allow all of what he taught to penetrate your heart and life.
has been defeated. Allow the truth of the Resurrection
Jesus’ Miracles. Jesus demonstrated power over to penetrate your life, and see what God will do in and
sickness, nature, demons, and even death many times through you as you follow Jesus.

MAP X
1 Bethlehem Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a village with some time spent in Bethany, Bethphage, and the
just a few miles south of Jerusalem in Judea (Luke 2:1-38; Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.
Matt 2:1-22). 6 Samaria Instead of shunning this region, as most
2 Nazareth Jesus grew up in Nazareth (Matt 2:23; Jews at this time did, Jesus chose to travel through Sa-
Luke 2:39-40), a small village in the southern part of maria and minister to the people he met there (John
Galilee, 65 miles north of Jerusalem. When he began 4:4-42). Many people in Sychar believed in him as a
his ministry, he preached here but was rejected in his result of his ministry. The people of Samaria were half
hometown (Matt 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30). Jewish, the result of intentional mixing of peoples when
3 Jordan River Jesus was baptized by John the Bap- they were exiled centuries earlier, and their worship
practices were different from the Jews even though
tist in the Jordan River (Matt 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke
they were also based on the Pentateuch (Genesis—
4:1-13).
Deuteronomy).
4 Cana Jesus’ first recorded miracle was at a wed-
7 Galilee Jesus spent most of his time during his
ding in this Galilean village (John 2:1-12).
ministry traveling throughout the region of Galilee. He
5 Jerusalem Jesus traveled to Jerusalem right at spent a lot of time preaching in towns around the Sea of
the beginning of his ministry (John 2:13–4:3), and he Galilee, including Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Korazin.
concluded his ministry here as well. Jerusalem was the He performed many miracles in Galilee, including the
center of religious and political power in the region, as it calming of the storm (Matt 8:23-27; Mark 1:40-45; Luke
was home to the Jewish Temple and the Roman governor. 5:12-16) and raising a widow’s son from the dead (Luke
Many of the most important events in Jesus’ life hap- 7:11-17). He also delivered the Sermon on the Mount in
pened in and around Jerusalem, including his crucifixion Galilee (Matt 5:1–7:29). While there were synagogues
and resurrection. His last week was all spent in this area, in every town and a large Jewish population, there were
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 also many Gentiles and Roman military personnel in this 15:29-31; Mark 8:1-10). He also went to the Decapolis
region, which was at Israel’s northern border. region west of Galilee, where he fed 4,000 people (Matt
8 Beyond Israel Jesus didn’t limit his ministry to the 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-10).
borders of Israel. He ventured out into Phoenicia, visiting
Tyre (Matt 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30) and Sidon (Matt

Sidon ITUREA

8 A
N Tyre I CI
EN Caesarea
O Philippi
PH TRACONITIS
Mediterranean
Sea

GALILEE 7
Korazin
Cana 4 Bethsaida
Capernaum
Sea of Galilee

Nazareth 2

Nain Gerasa DECAPOLIS 8

(Gadara) (Region of Ten Towns)

6
Jordan River

SAMARIA

Arimathea
R EA
PE
Jericho
Emmaus
5 Mount
Jerusalem of Olives
Bethphage Bethany
Bethlehem 1

Dead
to EGY
to GYPT
PT JU
J
JUDE
UDE
DE A Sea

0 20 Mi

0 20 Km

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 250 EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST
A Harmony of the Gospels

All four books in the Bible that tell the story of Jesus Christ—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—stand alone, em-
phasizing a unique aspect of Jesus’ life. When these are blended into one complete account, as we have done in
the Chronological Life Application Study Bible, we can see how these different accounts relate to one another
and notice similarities and differences between how the four Gospel writers have told Jesus’ story.
The Chronological Life Application Study Bible combines the four Gospels into a single chronological ac-
count of Christ’s life on earth. It includes every chapter and verse of each Gospel, leaving nothing out.
The Gospel accounts are divided into 250 events. The title of each event is identical to the title found in the
Bible text. You can use this chart to quickly see which accounts appear in all four Gospels, and which might
only be told through only one of the Gospels. Look for patterns, such as the kind of stories John tells that other
Gospels don’t, and you can gain fresh insight into the special emphasis of the individual Gospels—and learn
more about Jesus in the process.
You can also get a feel for which stories take up a lot of space, and which are shorter, by glancing at the dots
next to the references. These dots can give you a quick handle on when one Gospel is spending more space on
a particular story than others. There are three sizes of dots, representing sections that are one to five verses,
those between six and twelve verses, and the largest dots for sections that cover thirteen or more verses.
This harmony will help you to get a quick, at-a-glance overview of the story of Jesus’ life. It will help you
to better visualize the travels of Jesus, study the four Gospels comparatively, and appreciate the unity of
their message.

A. THE BIRTH AND PREPARATION OF JESUS CHRIST

MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

1. The nature of a Gospel 1:1a 1:1-4

2. God became a human 1:1-18

3. An angel promises the birth of John to Zechariah 1:5-25

4. An angel promises the Birth of Jesus to Mary 1:26-38

5. Mary visits Elizabeth 1:39-45

6. The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise 1:46-56

7. John the Baptist is born 1:57-66

8. Zechariah’s prophecy 1:67-80

9. An angel appears to Joseph 1:18-25

10. The record of Jesus’ ancestors 1:1-17 3:23-38

11. Jesus is born in Bethlehem 2:1-7

12. Shepherds visit Jesus 2:8-20

13. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple 2:21-24

14. The prophecy of Simeon 2:25-35

15. The prophecy of Anna 2:36-38

1-5 verses 6-12 verses 13+ verses

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 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

16. Visitors arrive from Eastern lands 2:1-12

17. The escape to Egypt 2:13-18

18. The Return from Egypt 2:19-22

19. Jesus’ Childhood in Nazareth 2:23 2:39-40

20. Jesus speaks with the religious teachers 2:41-52

21. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus 3:1-12 1:1b-8 3:1-18 1:19-28

22. The baptism of Jesus 3:13-17 1:9-11 3:21-22

23. Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness 4:1-11 1:12-13 4:1-13

24. John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as the Messiah 1:29-34

25. The first disciples follow Jesus 1:35-51

26. Jesus turns water into wine 2:1-12

B. MESSAGE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Begins His Ministry in Jerusalem

27. Jesus clears the Temple 2:13-22

28. Nicodemus visits Jesus at night 2:23–3:21

29. John the Baptist tells more about Jesus 3:22-36

30. Herod puts John in prison 3:19-20

31. Jesus leaves Judea 4:12 1:14 4:1-3

Jesus Ministers in Samaria

32. Jesus talks to a woman at the well 4:4-26

33. Jesus tells about the spiritual harvest 4:27-38

34. Many Samaritans believe in Jesus 4:39-42

Jesus Ministers in Galilee

35. Jesus preaches in Galilee 4:13-17 1:15 4:14-15 4:43-45

36. Jesus heals a government official’s son 4:46-54

37. Four fishermen follow Jesus 4:18-22 1:16-20 5:1-11

38. Jesus teaches with authority 1:21-28 4:31-37

39. Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others 8:14-17 1:29-34 4:38-41

40. Jesus preaches throughout Galilee 4:23-25 1:35-39 4:42-44

41. Jesus heals a man with leprosy 8:1-4 1:40-45 5:12-16

42. Jesus heals a paralyzed man 9:1-8 2:1-12 5:17-26

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 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

43. Jesus eats with sinners at Matthew’s house 9:9-13 2:13-17 5:27-32

44. Religious leaders ask Jesus about fasting 9:14-17 2:18-22 5:33-39

45. Jesus heals a lame man by a pool 5:1-15

46. Jesus claims to be the Son of God 5:16-30

47. Jesus supports his claim 5:31-47

48. The disciples pick wheat on the Sabbath 12:1-8 2:23-28 6:1-5

49. Jesus heals a man’s hand on the Sabbath 12:9-14 3:1-6 6:6-11

50. Large crowds follow Jesus 12:15-21 3:7-12 6:17-19

51. Jesus chooses the twelve disciples 3:13-19 6:12-16

52. Jesus gives the Beatitudes 5:1-12 6:20-26

53. Jesus teaches about salt and light 5:13-16

54. Jesus teaches about the law 5:17-20

55. Jesus teaches about anger 5:21-26

56. Jesus teaches about lust 5:27-30

57. Jesus teaches about divorce 5:31-32

58. Jesus teaches about vows 5:33-37

59. Jesus teaches about revenge 5:38-42

60. Jesus teaches about loving enemies 5:43-48 6:27-36

61. Jesus teaches about giving to the needy 6:1-4

62. Jesus teaches about prayer 6:5-15

63. Jesus teaches about fasting 6:16-18

64. Jesus teaches about money 6:19-24

65. Jesus teaches about worry 6:25-34

66. Jesus teaches about judging others 7:1-6 6:37-42

67. Jesus teaches about asking, seeking, knocking 7:7-11

68. The golden rule 7:12

69. Jesus teaches about the way to heaven 7:13-14

70. Jesus teaches about fruit of people’s lives 7:15-29 6:43-49

71. A Roman officer demonstrates faith 8:5-13 7:1-10

72. Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead 7:11-17

73. Jesus eases John’s doubt 11:1-19 7:18-35

1-5 verses 6-12 verses 13+ verses

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 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

74. Jesus promises rest for the soul 11:20-30

75. A sinful woman anoints Jesus 7:36-50

76. Women accompany Jesus and the disciples 8:1-3

Religious leaders accuse Jesus of getting his power
77. 12:22-37 3:20-30 11:14-23
from Satan
78. Religious leaders ask Jesus for a miraculous sign 12:38-45 11:24-32

79. Jesus describes his true family 12:46-50 3:31-35 8:19-21

80. The parable of the four soils 13:1-23 4:1-20 8:4-15

81. Parable of the lamp 4:21-25 8:16-18

82. Jesus tells the parable of the growing seed 4:26-29

83. Jesus tells the parable of the weeds 13:24-30

Jesus tells the parables of the mustard seed and the
84. 13:31-33 4:30-32 13:18-21
yeast
85. Why Jesus taught using parables 13:34-35 4:33-34

86. Jesus explains the parable of the weeds 13:36-43

87. Jesus tells the parable of hidden treasure 13:44

88. Jesus tells the parable of the pearl merchant 13:45-46

89. Jesus tells the parable of the fishing net 13:47-52

90. Jesus calms a storm 8:23-27 4:35-41 8:22-25

91. Jesus sends demons into a herd of pigs 8:28-34 5:1-20 8:26-39
Jesus heals a bleeding woman and restores a
92. 9:18-26 5:21-43 8:40-56
girl to life
93. Jesus heals the blind and mute 9:27-34

94. Jesus is rejected in Nazareth 13:53-58 6:1-6a 4:16-30

95. Jesus urges the disciples to pray for workers 9:35-38

96. Jesus sends out the twelve disciples 10:1-15 6:6b-13 9:1-6

97. Jesus prepares the disciples for persecution 10:16-42

98. Herod kills John the Baptist 14:3-12 6:17-29

Herod mistakes Jesus for John the Baptist back from
99. 14:1-2 6:14-16 9:7-9
the dead
100. Jesus feeds five thousand 14:13-21 6:30-44 9:10-17 6:1-15

101. Jesus walks on water 14:22-33 6:45-52 6:16-21

102. Jesus heals all who touch him 14:34-36 6:53-56

103. Jesus is the true bread from heaven 6:22-40

104. The people disagree that Jesus is from heaven 6:41-59

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 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

105. Many disciples desert Jesus 6:60-71

106. Jesus teaches about inner purity 15:1-20 7:1-23

Jesus’ Ministry Beyond Galilee

107. Jesus sends a demon out of a girl 15:21-28 7:24-30

108. Jesus heals many people 15:29-31 7:31-37

109. Jesus feeds four thousand 15:32-39 8:1-10

Jesus Resumes His Ministry in Galilee

110. Leaders demand a miraculous sign 16:1-4 8:11-13

111. Jesus warns against wrong teaching 16:5-12 8:14-21

112. Jesus restores sight to a blind man 8:22-26

113. Peter says Jesus is the Messiah 16:13-20 8:27-30 9:18-21

114. Jesus predicts his death for the first time 16:21-28 8:31–9:1 9:22-27

115. Jesus is transfigured on the mountain 17:1-13 9:2-13 9:28-36

116. Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy 17:14-20 9:14-29 9:37-43a

117. Jesus predicts his death the second time 17:22-23 9:30-32 9:43b-45

118. Peter finds the coin in the fish’s mouth 17:24-27

119. The disciples argue about who would be the greatest 18:1-5 9:33-37 9:46-48

120. The disciples forbid another to use Jesus’ name 9:38-41 9:49-50

121. Warning against causing sin 18:6-10 9:42-50

122. Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep 18:12-14

123. Jesus teaches how to treat a believer who sins 18:15-20

124. Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving debtor 18:21-35

125. Jesus’ brothers ridicule him 7:1-9

Jesus Turns Toward Jerusalem

126. Jesus travels to Judea 19:1-2 10:1 9:51

127. Jesus passes through Samaria 9:52-56

128. Jesus teaches about the cost of following him 8:18-22 9:57-62

129. Jesus teaches openly at the Temple 7:10-31

130. Religious leaders attempt to arrest Jesus 7:32-53

131. Jesus forgives an adulterous woman 8:1-11

132. Jesus is the light of the world 8:12-20

1-5 verses 6-12 verses 13+ verses

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 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

133. Jesus warns of coming judgment 8:21-30

134. Jesus speaks about God’s true children 8:31-47

135. Jesus states he is eternal 8:48-59

136. Jesus sends out seventy-two messengers 10:1-16

137. The seventy-two messengers return 10:17-24

138. Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan 10:25-37

139. Jesus visits Martha and Mary 10:38-42

140. Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer 11:1-13

141. Jesus teaches about the light within 11:33-36

142. Jesus criticizes the religious leaders 11:37-54

143. Jesus speaks against hypocrisy 12:1-12

144. Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool 12:13-21

145. Jesus warns about worry 12:22-34

146. Jesus warns about preparing for his coming 12:35-48

147. Jesus warns about coming division 12:49-53

148. Jesus warns about the future crisis 12:54-59

149. Jesus calls the people to repent 13:1-9

150. Jesus heals the crippled woman 13:10-17

151. Jesus heals the man who was born blind 9:1-12

152. Religious leaders question the blind man 9:13-34

153. Jesus teaches about spiritual blindness 9:35-41

154. Jesus is the good shepherd 10:1-21

155. Religious leaders surround Jesus at the Temple 10:22-42

156. Jesus teaches about entering the Kingdom 13:22-30

157. Jesus grieves over Jerusalem 23:37-39 13:31-35

158. Jesus heals a man with swollen limbs 14:1-6

159. Jesus teaches about humility 14:7-14

160. Jesus tells the parable of the great feast 14:15-24

161. Jesus teaches about the cost of being a disciple 14:25-35

162. Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep 15:1-7

163. Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin 15:8-10

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 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

164. Jesus tells the parable of the lost son 15:11-32

165. Jesus tells the parable of the shrewd manager 16:1-18

166. Jesus tells about the rich man and the beggar 16:19-31

167. Jesus tells about forgiveness and faith 17:1-10

168. Lazarus becomes sick and dies 11:1-16

169. Jesus comforts Mary and Martha 11:17-37

170. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead 11:38-44

171. Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus 11:45-57

172. Jesus heals ten men with leprosy 17:11-19

Jesus teaches about the coming of the Kingdom of
173. 17:20-37
God
174. Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow 18:1-8

175. Jesus tells the parable of two men who prayed 18:9-14

176. Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce 19:3-12 10:2-12

177. Jesus blesses the children 19:13-15 10:13-16 18:15-17

178. Jesus speaks to the rich young man 19:16-30 10:17-31 18:18-30

179. Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard workers 20:1-16

180. Jesus predicts his death the third time 20:17-19 10:32-34 18:31-34

181. Jesus teaches about serving others 20:20-28 10:35-45

182. Jesus heals two blind beggars 20:29-34 10:46-52 18:35-43

183. Jesus brings salvation to Zacchaeus’s home 19:1-10

184. Jesus tells the parable of the king’s ten servants 19:11-27

185. A woman anoints Jesus with perfume 26:6-13 14:3-9 12:1-11

Jesus’ Ministry in Jerusalem

186. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey 21:1-11 11:1-11 19:28-40 12:12-19

187. Jesus grieves over Jerusalem again 19:41-44

188. Jesus clears the Temple again 21:12-17 11:15-19 19:45-48

189. Jesus explains why he must die 12:20-36

190. Most of the people do not believe in Jesus 12:37-43

191. Jesus summarizes his message 12:44-50

11:12-14,
192. Jesus curses a fig tree 21:18-22
20-25
193. Religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority 21:23-27 11:27-33 20:1-8

1-5 verses 6-12 verses 13+ verses

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 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

194. Jesus tells the parable of the two sons 21:28-32

195. Jesus tells the parable of the evil farmers 21:33-46 12:1-12 20:9-19

196. Jesus tells the parable of the wedding dinner 22:1-14

197. Religious leaders question Jesus about paying taxes 22:15-22 12:13-17 20:20-26
Religious leaders question Jesus about the
198. 22:23-33 12:18-27 20:27-40
Resurrection
Religious leaders question Jesus about the greatest
199. 22:34-40 12:28-34
commandment
200. Religious leaders cannot answer Jesus’ question 22:41-46 12:35-37 20:41-44

201. Jesus warns against the religious leaders 23:1-12 12:38-40 20:45-47

202. Jesus condemns the religious leaders 23:13-36

203. A poor widow gives all she has 12:41-44 21:1-4

204. Jesus teaches about being watchful for his return 24:1-51 13:1-37 21:5-38

205. Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids 25:1-13

206. Jesus tells the parable of the loaned money 25:14-30

207. Jesus tells about the final judgment 25:31-46

III. THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS

208. Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus 26:1-5 14:1-2 22:1-2

209. Judas agrees to betray Jesus 26:14-16 14:10-11 22:3-6

210. The disciples prepare for the Passover 26:17-19 14:12-16 22:7-13

211. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet 13:1-20

212. Jesus and the disciples share the Last Supper 26:20-30 14:17-26 22:14-30 13:21-30

213. Jesus predicts Peter’s denial 26:31-35 14:27-31 22:31-38 13:31-38

214. Jesus is the way to the Father 14:1-14

215. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit 14:15-31

216. Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches 15:1-17
15:18–
217. Jesus warns about the world’s hatred
16:4
218. Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit 16:5-15

219. Jesus teaches about using his name in prayer 16:16-33

220. Jesus prays for himself 17:1-5

221. Jesus prays for his disciples 17:6-19

222. Jesus prays for future believers 17:20-26

223. Jesus agonizes in the garden 26:36-46 14:32-42 22:39-46

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 MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

224. Jesus is betrayed and arrested 26:47-56 14:43-52 22:47-53 18:1-11

225. Annas questions Jesus 18:12-24

22:54a,
226. Caiaphas questions Jesus 26:57-68 14:53-65
63-65
227. Peter denies knowing Jesus 26:69-75 14:66-72 22:54b-62 18:25-27

228. The council of religious leaders condemns Jesus 27:1-2 15:1 22:66-71

229. Judas hangs himself 27:3-10

230. Jesus stands trial before Pilate 27:11-14 15:2-5 23:1-7 18:28-37

231. Jesus stands trial before Herod 23:8-12

18:38–
232. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified 27:15-26 15:6-15 23:13-25
19:16
233. Roman soldiers mock Jesus 27:27-31 15:16-20

234. Jesus is led away to be crucified 27:32 15:21 23:26-31

235. Jesus is placed on the cross 27:33-44 15:22-32 23:32-43 19:17-27

236. Jesus dies on the cross 27:45-56 15:33-41 23:44-49 19:28-37

237. Jesus is laid in the tomb 27:57-61 15:42-47 23:50-56 19:38-42

238. Guards are posted at the tomb 27:62-66

239. Jesus rises from the dead 28:1-8 16:1-8 24:1-11 20:1-2

240. Peter and John run to the tomb 24:12 20:3-10

241. Jesus appears to the women 28:9-10 16:9-11 20:11-18

242. Religious leaders bribe the guards 28:11-15

243. Jesus appears to two believers traveling on the road 16:12-13 24:13-35

244. Jesus appears to his disciples 16:14 24:36-43 20:19-23

245. Jesus appears to Thomas 20:24-31

246. Jesus appears to seven disciples 21:1-14

247. Jesus challenges Peter 21:15-25

248. Jesus gives the great commission 28:16-20 16:15-18

249. Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem 24:44-49

250. Jesus ascends into heaven 16:19-20 24:50-53

1-5 verses 6-12 verses 13+ verses

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 THE PARABLES OF JESUS
I. Teaching Parables F. About Wealth
A. About the Kingdom of God 1. The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
1. The Four Soils (Matt 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; 2. The Great Feast (Luke 14:15-24)
Luke 8:4-15) 3. The Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-18)
2. The Lamp (Mark 4:21-25; Luke 8:16-18) II. Gospel Parables
3. The Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29) A. About God’s Love
4. The Weeds (Matt 13:24-30) 1. The Lost Sheep (Matt 18:12-14; Luke 15:1-7)
5. The Mustard Seed and the Yeast (Matt 13:31-33; 2. The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-21) 3. The Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32)
6. The Hidden Treasure (Matt 13:44) B. About Thankfulness
7. The Pearl Merchant (Matt 13:45-46) 1. The Forgiven Debts (Luke 7:41-43)
8. The Fishing Net (Matt 13:47-52)
B. About Service and Obedience III. Parables of Judgment and the Future
1. The Servant’s Role (Luke 17:7-10) A. About Christ’s Return
2. The Vineyard Workers (Matt 20:1-16) 1. The Wise and Faithful Servants (Matt 24:45-51;
3. The King’s Ten Servants (Luke 19:11-27) Luke 12:42-48)
4. The Loaned Money (Matt 25:14-30) 2. The Traveling Owner of the House (Mark 13:34-37)
C. About Prayer 3. The Ten Bridesmaids (Matt 25:1-13)
1. The Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-8) B. About God’s Values
2. The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) 1. The Unforgiving Debtor (Matt 18:21-35)
D. About Neighbors 2. The Unproductive Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9)
1. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) 3. The Two Sons (Matt 21:28-32)
E. About Humility 4. The Evil Farmers (Matt 21:33-46; Mark 12:1-12;
1. The Wedding Feast (Luke 14:7-11) Luke 20:9-19)
2. Two Men Who Prayed (Luke 18:9-14) 5. The Wedding Dinner (Matt 22:1-14)

COMPARISON OF THE FOUR GOSPELS

All four Gospels present the life and teachings of Jesus. Each book, however, focuses on a unique facet of Jesus and his
character. To understand more about the specific characteristics of Jesus, read any one of the four Gospels.

MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN

Jesus is . . . The promised King The Servant The Son The Son
of God of Man of God

The original readers were . . . Jews Gentiles, Greeks Christians

Romans throughout
the world

Significant themes . . . Jesus is the Messiah Jesus backed Jesus was fully Belief in Jesus
because he fulfilled Old up his words God but also is required for
Testament prophecy with action fully human salvation

Character of the writer . . . Teacher Storyteller Historian Theologian

Greatest emphasis is on . . . Jesus’ sermons Jesus’ miracles Jesus’ humanity The principles of
and words and actions Jesus’ teaching

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 BEGINNINGS GOD’S CHOSEN FAMILY BIRTH OF ISRAEL POSSESSING THE LAND UNITED MONARCHY
undated–2100 BC 2100–1800 BC 1800–1406 BC 1406–1050 BC 1050–930 BC

A. The Birth and Preparation of Jesus Christ

Jesus is the eternal Son of God, and yet he chose to be born as a human. The nation of Israel had been
waiting for centuries for their Messiah, but when he arrived as an infant, very few recognized him. The
King of Israel, the Servant Savior, the God of the universe was born as a humble infant, grew up in the
small village of Nazareth, and began his ministry by submitting to the baptism of John.

The Nature of a Gospel PARALLEL so you can be certain of the truth of everything you
4

MARK 1:1a were taught.

This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the
Son of God.*
God Became a Human
JOHN 1:1-18
LUKE 1:1-4 1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
Many people have set out to write accounts about the The Word was with God,
events that have been fulfilled among us. 2They used and the Word was God.
the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the 2 He existed in the beginning with God.
early disciples.* 3Having carefully investigated every- 3 God created everything through him,
thing from the beginning, I also have decided to write and nothing was created except
a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, through him.
Mk 1:1 Some manuscripts do not include the Son of God. Lk 1:2 Greek from those who from the beginning were servants of the word.

Mark 1:1 When you experience the excite- as material for an accurate and complete will not have enough faith to trust our eternal
ment of a big event, you naturally want to tell account of Jesus’ life, teachings, and min- destiny to him. That is why John wrote this
someone. Telling the story can bring back istry. Because truth was important to Luke, Gospel—to build faith and confidence in
that original thrill as you relive the experience. he relied heavily on eyewitness accounts. Jesus Christ so that we may bleieve that
Reading Mark’s first words, you can sense his Christianity doesn’t say, “Close your eyes and he truly was and is the Son of God (John
excitement. Picture yourself in the crowd as believe,” but rather, “Check it out for yourself.” 20:30-31).
Jesus heals and teaches. Imagine yourself as The Bible encourages you to investigate its John 1:1 John wrote to believers every-
one of the disciples. Respond to his words of claims thoroughly (John 1:46; 21:24; Acts where, both Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles). As
love and encouragement. And remember that 17:11) because your conclusion about Jesus one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, John writes with
Jesus came for us who live today as well as is a life-and-death matter. credibility and the details of an eyewitness.
for those who lived 2,000 years ago. Luke 1:1-4 The book of Acts, also written His book is not a biography (like the book of
Mark 1:1 Mark was not one of the 12 by Luke, is likewise addressed to Theophilus. Luke); it is a thematic presentation of Jesus’
disciples of Jesus, but he probably knew Theophilus means “one who loves God,” so life. Many in John’s original audience had a
Jesus personally. Mark wrote his Gospel in this preface may be a general dedication to Greek background. Greek culture encouraged
the form of a fast-paced story, like a popular all Christian readers. Or, Theophilus may have worship of many mythological gods, whose
novel. The book portrays Jesus as a man been Luke’s patron, who helped to finance supernatural characteristics were as impor-
who backed up his words with action that the book’s writing. More likely, Theophilus tant to Greeks as genealogies were to Jews.
constantly proved who he is—the Son of God. was a Roman acquaintance of Luke’s with a John shows that Jesus is not only different
Because Mark wrote his Gospel for Christians strong interest in the new Christian religion. from but superior to these gods of mythology.
in Rome, where many gods were worshiped, Luke 1:3-4 As a medical doctor, Luke knew John 1:1ff What does John mean by “the
he wanted his readers to know that Jesus is the importance of being thorough. He used Word”? The Word was a term used by theo-
the one true Son of God. his skills in observation and analysis to thor-
Mark gave the “punch line” of his Gospel logians and philosophers, both Jews and
oughly investigate the stories about Jesus. Greeks, in many different ways. In Hebrew
in the very first verse, but both Jesus’ enemies You can read Luke’s account of Jesus’ life
and his disciples would not get it until Jesus’ Scripture, the Word was an agent of creation
with confidence that it was written by a clear (Ps 33:6), the source of God’s message to
resurrection. For us who read Mark today, the thinker and a thoughtful researcher. Because
message is clear that we must not ignore or his people through the prophets (Hos 4:1),
the Good News is founded on historical truth, and God’s law, his standard of holiness (Ps
reject Jesus Christ. our spiritual growth must involve careful, dis- 119:11). In Greek philosophy, the Word was
Luke 1:1-2 Luke tells Jesus’ story from the ciplined, and thorough investigation of God’s the principle of reason that governed the
unique perspective of a Gentile, a physician, Word so that we can understand how God has world, or the thought still in the mind, while
and the first historian of the early church. acted in history. If this kind of study is not part in Hebrew thought, the Word was another
Though not an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry, of your life, find a pastor, teacher, or even a expression for God. John’s description shows
Luke nevertheless was concerned that eye- book to help you get started and to guide you clearly that he is speaking of Jesus (see espe-
witness accounts be preserved accurately in this important part of Christian growth. cially John 1:14)—a human being he knew
and that the foundations of Christian belief John 1:1 What Jesus taught and what he and loved, but at the same time the Creator
be transmitted intact to the next generation. did are tied inseparably to who he is. John of the universe, the ultimate revelation of God,
Many of Jesus’ parables are found in Luke. shows Jesus as fully human and fully God. the living picture of God’s holiness, the one
In addition, more than any other Gospel, it Although Jesus took upon himself full human- who “holds all creation together” (Col 1:17).
gives specific instances of Jesus’ concern ity and lived as a man, he never ceased to be To Jewish readers, to say this man Jesus
for women. the eternal God who has always existed, the “was God” was blasphemous. To Greek read-
Luke 1:1-4 There was a lot of interest in Creator and Sustainer of all things, and the ers, “the Word became human” (John 1:14)
Jesus, and many people had written first- source of eternal life. This is the truth about was unthinkable. To John, this new under-
hand accounts about him. Luke used these Jesus, and the foundation of all truth. If we standing of the Word was the Good News
accounts and all other available resources cannot or do not believe this basic truth, we of Jesus Christ.
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 SPLINTERED NATION EXILE RETURN & DIASPORA JESUS CHRIST THE CHURCH
930–586 BC 586–538 BC 538–6 BC 6 BC–AD 30 AD 30–present

4 The Word gave life to everything that was people, and even they rejected him. 12But to all who
created,* believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to
and his life brought light to everyone. become children of God. 13They are reborn—not with
5 The light shines in the darkness, a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.* but a birth that comes from God.
14So the Word became human* and made his home
6God sent a man, John the Baptist,* 7 to tell about

the light so that everyone might believe because of among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithful-
his testimony. 8John himself was not the light; he was ness.* And we have seen his glory, the glory of the
simply a witness to tell about the light. 9The one who Father’s one and only Son.
15John testified about him when he shouted to the
is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was com-
ing into the world. crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I
10He came into the very world he created, but the said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater
world didn’t recognize him. 11He came to his own than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
Jn 1:3-4 Or and nothing that was created was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything. Jn 1:5 Or and the darkness has not understood it.
Jn 1:6 Greek a man named John. Jn 1:14a Greek became flesh. Jn 1:14b Or grace and truth; also in 1:17.

John 1:3 When God created, he made

something from nothing. Because we
are created beings, we have no basis for One and Only God
pride. Remember that you exist only because The most exciting and significant
God made you, and you have special gifts discovery of biblical manuscripts
only because God gave them to you. With since the Dead Sea Scrolls was
God you are something valuable and unique; discovered in the Dishna Plain, east
apart from God you are nothing, and if you try of the Nile River in Egypt. Several
to live without him, you will be abandoning of these manuscripts are known as
the purpose for which you were made. the Bodmer biblical papyri, which
include two early manuscripts of
John 1:3-5 Do you ever feel that your life is John’s Gospel (P66 and P75).
too complex for God to understand? Remem- John 1:18 is an important
ber, God created the entire universe, and verse in showing that Jesus was
nothing is too difficult for him. God created called “God” in Scripture, but
you; he is alive today, and his love is bigger there is a difference in the Greek
than any problem you may face. manuscripts of this verse. The
John 1:4-5 “The darkness can never extin- Greek monogenes theos (one and
guish it” means the darkness of evil never only God) was attested in some
has and never will overcome God’s light. early manuscripts, but many later
Jesus Christ is the Creator of life, and his life manuscripts read monogenes
brings light to humankind. In his light, we see huios (one and only Son) instead.
ourselves as we really are (sinners in need However, the discovery of two
second-century papyri, P66 and
of a Savior). When we follow Jesus, the true
P75, both of which read theos,
Light, we can avoid walking blindly and falling
tipped the balance. It is now clear
into sin. He lights the path ahead of us so we that monogenes theos is the
can see how to live. He removes the dark- earlier reading and most likely to
ness of sin from our lives. In what ways have be original. This is translated as
you allowed the light of Christ to shine into “the unique One, who is himself
your life? Let Christ guide your life, and you’ll God” in the NLT.
never need to stumble in darkness.
John 1:6-8 For more information on John
the Baptist, see his Profile on p. 1292. Jesus, this new birth changes us from the satisfied God’s requirements for the removal
John 1:8 We, like John the Baptist, are inside out—rearranging our attitudes, desires, of sin (Col 1:15-22).
not the source of God’s light; we merely and motives. Being born makes you physically John 1:14 “The Father’s one and only Son”
reflect that light. Jesus Christ is the true Light; alive and places you in your parents’ family. emphasizes Jesus’ uniqueness. He is unlike
he helps us see our way to God and shows us Being born of God makes you spiritually alive believers, who are all called “children of God.”
how to walk along that way. We are never to and puts you in God’s family. Have you asked Jesus is one of a kind and enjoys a unique
present ourselves as the light to others, but Jesus to make you a new person? This fresh relationship with God.
are always to point them to Jesus, the Light. start in life is available to all who believe in him.
John 1:14 When Jesus was conceived,
John 1:10-11 Although Jesus created the John 1:14 “The Word became human.” God became a man. He was not part man
world, the people he created didn’t recognize By doing so, Jesus became (1) the perfect and part God; he was completely human
him. Even the people chosen by God to teacher—in Jesus’ life we see how God and completely divine (Col 2:9). Jesus is the
prepare the rest of the world for the Messiah thinks and therefore how we should think (Phil perfect expression of God in human form. The
rejected him, although the entire Old Testa- 2:5-11); (2) the perfect example—as a model two most common errors people make about
ment pointed to his coming. of what we are to become, he shows us how Jesus are to minimize his humanity or to mini-
John 1:12-13 All who welcome Jesus Christ to live and gives us the power to live that way mize his divinity. Jesus is both God and man.
as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, (1 Pet 2:21); (3) the perfect sacrifice—Jesus
receiving new life from God. Through faith in came as a sacrifice for all sins, and his death
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 BEGINNINGS GOD’S CHOSEN FAMILY BIRTH OF ISRAEL POSSESSING THE LAND UNITED MONARCHY
undated–2100 BC 2100–1800 BC 1800–1406 BC 1406–1050 BC 1050–930 BC

f JOHN 1:1-18 (cont.) priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was
From his abundance we have all received one
16 also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6Zechariah and
Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey
gracious blessing after another.* 17 For the law was
given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love andall of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.
7They had no children because Elizabeth was unable
faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has
ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himselfto conceive, and they were both very old.
8One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple,
God,* is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed
God to us. for his order was on duty that week. 9As was the cus-
tom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the
An Angel Promises the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10While the
Birth of John to Zechariah incense was being burned, a great crowd stood out-
LUKE 1:5-25 side, praying.
When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish 11While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel

priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right
Jn 1:16 Or received the grace of Christ rather than the grace of the law; Greek reads received grace upon grace. Jn 1:18 Some manuscripts read But the one and only Son.

John 1:17 Law and grace (the combination

of “God’s unfailing love and faithfulness”) are
both aspects of God’s nature that he uses in
dealing with us. Moses emphasized God’s
ZECHARIAH Zechariah, a Jewish priest, was told before
anyone else that God was setting in motion his own visit to earth. Zechariah and his
law and justice, while Jesus Christ came to wife, Elizabeth, shared the pain of not having children, and in Jewish culture this
highlight God’s mercy, love, faithfulness, and was considered not having God’s blessing. Zechariah and Elizabeth were old, and
forgiveness. Moses could only be the giver they had stopped even asking for children. • One day while on duty at the Temple
of the law, while Jesus came to fulfill the in Jerusalem, Zechariah was chosen to enter the Holy Place to offer incense to God
law (Matt 5:17). The nature and will of God for the people. Suddenly, much to his surprise and terror, an angel appeared and
were revealed in the law; now the nature promised him a son. But this good news was eclipsed by his doubts. He feared he
and will of God are revealed in Jesus Christ.
Rather than coming through cold stone tab- was too old to father the child the angel had promised. As a result, God prevented
lets, God’s revelation now comes through a Zechariah from speaking until his son, John, was born. • Like so many of God’s
person. As we get to know Jesus better, our most faithful servants, he passed quietly from the scene once his part was done. He
understanding of God will increase. becomes our hero for those times when we doubt God and yet are willing to obey.
John 1:18 God communicated through We gain hope from Zechariah’s story that God can do great things through anyone
various people in the Old Testament, usu- who is available to him.
ally prophets who were told to give specific
messages. But no one ever saw God. Jesus Strengths and • Known as a righteous man
is both God and the Father’s unique Son. In accomplishments • Was a priest of God
Jesus, God revealed his nature and essence • One of the few people directly addressed by an angel
in a way that could be seen and touched. In • Fathered John the Baptist
Jesus, God became a man who lived on earth. Weakness • Momentarily doubted the angel’s promise of a son because
Luke 1:5 This was Herod the Great, con- and mistake of his own old age
firmed by the Roman Senate as king of the
Jews. Only half-Jewish himself and eager to
Lessons from • Physical limitations do not limit God
please his Roman superiors, Herod expanded his life • God accomplishes his will, often in unexpected ways
and beautified the Jerusalem Temple—but Vital statistics • Occupation: Priest
he placed a Roman eagle over the entrance. • Relatives: Wife: Elizabeth. Son: John the Baptist.
When he helped the Jews, it was for political
Key verses “Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes,
purposes and not because he cared about
their God. Later, Herod the Great would order careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regula-
a massacre of infants in a futile attempt to tions. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable
kill the infant Jesus, whom some were calling to conceive, and they were both very old” (Luke 1:6-7).
the new “king of the Jews” (Matt 2:2). Zechariah’s story is told in Luke 1.
Luke 1:5 A Jewish priest was a minister
of God who worked at the Temple manag-
ing its upkeep, teaching the people the
Scriptures, and directing the worship ser- enter the inner sanctuary, and one day the hypocrites, Zechariah and Elizabeth did
vices. At this time there were about 20,000 lot fell to Zechariah. But it was not by chance not stop with the letter of the law. Their
priests throughout the country—far too many that Zechariah was on duty and that he was obedience was from the heart, and that is
to minister in the Temple at one time. There- chosen that day to enter the Holy Place— why they are called “righteous in God’s eyes.”
fore the priests were divided into 24 separate perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Luke 1:7 God answers prayer in his own way
groups of about 1,000 each, according to God was guiding the events of history to and in his own time. He worked in an “impos-
David’s instructions (1 Chr 24:3-19). prepare the way for Jesus to come to earth. sible” situation—Elizabeth’s age and barren-
Zechariah was a member of the order Luke 1:6 Zechariah and Elizabeth didn’t ness—to bring about the fulfillment of all the
of Abijah, on duty this particular week. merely go through the motions in following prophecies concerning the Messiah. When
Each morning a priest was to enter the Holy God’s laws; they backed up their outward you pray, be open to what God can do in
Place in the Temple and burn incense. The compliance with inward obedience. Unlike impossible situations. And you must wait for
priests would cast lots to decide who would the religious leaders whom Jesus called God to work in his way and in his time.
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of the incense altar. 12Zechariah was shaken and 19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the
overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13But the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring
angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard you this good news! 20But now, since you didn’t believe
your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until
and you are to name him John. 14You will have great the child is born. For my words will certainly be ful-
joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, filled at the proper time.”
15for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zecha-

never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will riah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he
be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.* was taking so long. 22When he finally did come out,
16And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from
God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a
Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of vision in the sanctuary.
the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their 23When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple

children,* and he will cause those who are rebellious was over, he returned home. 24Soon afterward his
to accept the wisdom of the godly.” wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into se-
18Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure clusion for five months. 25“How kind the Lord is!” she
this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having
also well along in years.” no children.”
Lk 1:15 Or even from birth. Lk 1:17 See Mal 4:5-6.

Luke 1:9 Incense was burned in the Temple At the same time, the answer to the nation’s the book of Acts, we know he was thoroughly
twice daily (Exod 30:7-8). When the people prayer for the Messiah would also come true. informed about the work of the Holy Spirit.
saw the smoke from the burning incense, Zechariah’s son would grow up to prepare Luke recognized and emphasized the Holy
they prayed. The smoke drifting heavenward the way for the Messiah. Spirit’s work in directing the beginnings of
symbolized their prayers ascending to God’s Luke 1:13 John means “the LORD is Christianity and in guiding the early church.
throne. gracious,” and Jesus means “the LORD The presence of the Spirit was God’s gift to
Luke 1:11-12 Angels are spirit beings saves.” Both names were prescribed the entire church at Pentecost. Prior to that,
who live in God’s presence and do his will. by God, not chosen by human parents. God’s Spirit was given to the faithful for spe-
Only two angels are mentioned by name Throughout the Gospels, God acts gra- cial tasks. We need the Holy Spirit’s help to
in Scripture—Michael and Gabriel—but there ciously and saves his people. He will not do God’s work effectively.
are many who act as God’s messengers. withhold salvation from anyone who sin- Luke 1:17 John’s role was to be almost
Here, Gabriel (Luke 1:19) delivered a special cerely comes to him. identical to that of an Old Testament prophet:
message to Zechariah. This was not a dream Luke 1:15 John was set apart for special to encourage people to turn away from sin
or a vision. The angel appeared in visible form service to God. He may have been forbidden and back to God. John is often compared
and spoke audible words to the priest. to drink wine as part of the Nazirite vow, to the great prophet Elijah, who was known
Luke 1:13 While burning incense on the an ancient vow of consecration to God (see for standing up to evil rulers (Mal 4:5; Matt
altar, Zechariah was also praying, most Num 6:1-8). Samson (Judg 13) was under 11:14; 17:10-13). See Elijah’s Profile on
likely for the coming of the Messiah to his the Nazirite vow, and Samuel may have been p. 719.
people. How odd it must have seemed that also (1 Sam 1:11). Luke 1:18-20 When told he would have
the angel would say that his prayer was Luke 1:15 This is Luke’s first mention of the a son, Zechariah doubted the angel’s word.
answered and Zechariah would soon have Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity; From Zechariah’s human perspective, his
a son. Yet the greatest desire of Zechariah’s Luke refers to the Holy Spirit more than any doubts were understandable—but with
heart—to have a son—would come true. other Gospel writer. Because Luke also wrote God, anything is possible. What God prom-
ises, he delivers. And God delivers on time!
You can have complete confidence that God
will keep his promises. Their fulfillment may
DOUBTERS IN THE BIBLE not be the next day, but they will be “at the
Many of the people God used to accomplish great things started out as real proper time.” If you are waiting for God to
doubters. With all of them, God showed great patience. Honest doubt was not a answer some request or to fill some need,
bad starting point as long as they didn’t stay there. How great a part does doubt remain patient.
have in your willingness to trust God? Luke 1:21 The people were waiting outside
for Zechariah to come out and pronounce the
Doubter Doubtful Moment Reference customary blessing upon them as found in
Numbers 6:24-26.
Abraham ........When told he would be a father in old age ................. Gen 17:17
Luke 1:25 Zechariah and Elizabeth were
Sarah..............When she heard she would be a mother in old age .... Gen 18:12 both godly people, yet they were suffering.
Moses.............When told to return to Egypt to lead the people .......... Exod 3:10-15 Children were considered a blessing, and
childlessness was seen as a curse. Zechariah
Israelites ........Whenever they faced difficulties in the wilderness ...... Exod 16:1-3 and Elizabeth had been childless for many
Gideon ............When told he would be a judge and leader ................ Judg 6:14-23 years, and at this time they were too old to
expect any change in their situation. They felt
Zechariah.......When told he would be a father in old age ................. Luke 1:18 humiliated and hopeless. But God was wait-
Thomas ..........When told Jesus had risen from the dead .................. John 20:24-25 ing for the right time to encourage them and
take away their disgrace.
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An Angel Promises the be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God
Birth of Jesus to Mary will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33And
LUKE 1:26-38 he will reign over Israel* forever; his Kingdom will
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent never end!”
34Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen?
the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to
a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married I am a virgin.”
35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon
to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.
28Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow
woman! The Lord is with you!*” you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will
29Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what be called the Son of God. 36What’s more, your relative
the angel could mean. 30“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People
angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a
31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is
will name him Jesus. 32He will be very great and will impossible with God.*”
Lk 1:28 Some manuscripts add Blessed are you among women. Lk 1:33 Greek over the house of Jacob. Lk 1:37 Some manuscripts read For the word of God will never fail.

Luke 1:26 Gabriel appeared not only were healed, demons were banished, and God as the Creator of the universe, should
to Zechariah and to Mary but also to the sins were forgiven. have no doubts that God has the power to
prophet Daniel more than 500 years earlier Luke 1:32-33 Centuries earlier, God had create a child in a virgin’s womb.
(Dan 8:15-17; 9:21). Each time Gabriel promised David that David’s kingdom would Luke 1:35 Why is the Virgin Birth important
appeared, he brought important messages last forever (2 Sam 7:16). This promise was to the Christian faith? Jesus was born without
from God. fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, a direct the sin that entered the world through Adam.
Luke 1:26 Nazareth, Joseph and Mary’s descendant of David, whose Kingdom will He was born holy, just as Adam was created
hometown, was a long way from Jerusa- never end. sinless. In contrast to Adam, who disobeyed
lem, the center of Jewish life and worship. Luke 1:34 The birth of Jesus to a virgin is a God, Jesus obeyed God and was thus able
Located on a major trade route, Nazareth miracle that many people find hard to believe. to face sin’s consequences in our place and
was frequently visited by Gentile merchants These three facts can aid our faith: (1) Luke make us acceptable to God (Rom 5:14-19).
and Roman soldiers. It was known for its Jesus Christ, God’s Son, had to be free
was a medical doctor, and he knew perfectly
independent and aloof attitude. Jesus was from the sinful nature passed on to all other
well how babies are made. It would have
born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth. human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was
been just as hard for him to believe in a virgin
Nevertheless, the people of Nazareth would born of a woman, he was a human being; but
birth as it is for us, yet he reports it as fact.
reject him as the Messiah (Luke 4:22-30). as the Son of God, Jesus was born without
(2) Luke was a painstaking researcher who
Luke 1:27-28 Mary was young, poor, based his Gospel on eyewitness accounts. any trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully
and female—all characteristics that, to Tradition holds that he talked with Mary about human and fully divine. Because Jesus lived
the people of her day, would make her the events he recorded in the first two chap- as a man, human beings know that he fully
seem unusable by God for any major task. ters. This is Mary’s story, not a fictional inven- understands their experiences and struggles
But God chose Mary for one of the most tion. (3) Christians and Jews, who worship (Heb 4:15-16). Because he is God, he has
important acts of obedience he has ever
demanded of anyone. You may feel that
your ability, experience, or education makes
you an unlikely candidate for God’s service. GOD’S UNUSUAL METHODS OF COMMUNICATING
Don’t limit God’s choices. He can use you One of the best ways to understand God’s willingness to communicate to people is to
if you trust him. note the various methods, some of them quite unexpected, that he has used to give
Luke 1:30-31 God’s favor does not auto- his message.
matically bring instant success or fame. His
blessing on Mary, the honor of being the Person/Group Method Reference
mother of the Messiah, would lead to much Jacob, Zechariah, Angels Gen 32:22-32; Luke
pain: her peers would ridicule her; her fiancé
would come close to leaving her; her son Mary, shepherds 1:13, 30; 2:10
would be rejected and murdered. But through Jacob, Joseph, a Dreams Gen 28:10-22; 37:5-10;
her son would come the world’s only hope, baker, a cup-bearer, 40:5; 41:7-8; Isa 1:1;
and this is why Mary has been praised by Pharaoh, Isaiah, Matt 1:20; 2:12-13
countless generations. Her submission was Joseph, the wise men
part of God’s plan to bring about our salva-
tion. If sorrow weighs you down and dims Belshazzar Writing on the wall Dan 5:5-9
your hope, think of Mary and wait patiently Balaam Talking donkey Num 22:21-35
for God to finish working out his plan. People of Israel Pillars of cloud and fire Exod 13:21-22
Luke 1:31 Jesus, a Greek form of the
Jonah Being swallowed by a fish Jon 2
Hebrew name Joshua, was a common name
meaning “the LORD saves.” Just as Joshua Abraham, Moses, Verbally Gen 12:1-4; Exod 7:8;
had led Israel into the Promised Land (see those present at Matt 3:13-17; Acts 18:9
Josh 1:1-2), so Jesus would lead his people Jesus’ baptism, Paul
into eternal life. The symbolism of his name Moses Fire Exod 3:2
was not lost on the people of his day, who
took names seriously and saw them as a Us God’s Son Heb 1:1-2
source of power. In Jesus’ name, people
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Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May is blessed. 43Why am I so honored, that the mother of
38

everything you have said about me come true.” And my Lord should visit me? 44When I heard your greet-
then the angel left her. ing, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45You are
blessed because you believed that the Lord would do
Mary Visits Elizabeth what he said.”
LUKE 1:39-45
A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Ju- The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise
dea, to the town 40where Zechariah lived. She entered LUKE 1:46-56
the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41At the sound of Mary responded,
Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her,
and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
42Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, 47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
“God has blessed you above all women, and your child 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,

ELIZABETH In societies like Israel, in which a woman’s value

was largely measured by the children she bore, barrenness often led to personal
Zechariah doubted (Luke 1:18). By contrast,
Mary graciously submitted. She believed
the angel’s words and agreed to bear
the child, even under humanly impos-
hardship and public shame. For Elizabeth, a childless old age was a painful and sible circumstances. God is able to do the
lonely time but still she remained faithful to God. • Both Elizabeth and Zechariah impossible. Our response to his demands
came from priestly families. For two weeks each year, Zechariah went to the Temple should not be laughter or doubt but willing
in Jerusalem for his priestly duties. After one of those trips, Zechariah returned acceptance.
home excited but speechless. He had to write down his good news: Their faded Luke 1:41-43 Apparently the Holy Spirit told
dream would become an exciting reality! Soon Elizabeth became pregnant, and she Elizabeth that Mary’s child was the Messiah,
knew her child was a long-hoped-for gift from God. • Seventy miles to the north, in because Elizabeth called her young relative
Nazareth, Elizabeth’s relative Mary also unexpectedly became pregnant. Within days “the mother of my Lord” as she greeted her.
after hearing that she would bear the Messiah, Mary went to visit Elizabeth. They As Mary rushed off to visit her relative, she
must have been wondering if the events of
were instantly bound together by the unique gifts God had given them. • When her the last few days had been real. Elizabeth’s
baby was born, Elizabeth insisted on his God-given name: John. Things had worked greeting must have strengthened her faith.
out even better than she could have planned. We, too, need to remember that God Mary’s pregnancy may have seemed impos-
is in control of every situation. When did you last pause to recognize God’s timing in sible, but her wise relative believed in the
the events of your life? Lord’s faithfulness and rejoiced in Mary’s
blessed condition.
Strengths and • Known as a deeply spiritual woman
Luke 1:42-43 Even though she herself was
accomplishments • Never doubted God’s ability to fulfill his promise pregnant with a long-awaited son, Elizabeth
• The first woman besides Mary to hear of the coming Savior could have envied Mary, whose son would
Lessons from • God does not forget those who are faithful to him be even greater than her own. Instead, she
her life • God’s timetable and methods do not have to conform was filled with joy that the mother of her Lord
to what we expect would visit her. Have you ever envied people
whom God has apparently singled out for spe-
Vital statistics • Occupation: Homemaker cial blessing? A cure for jealousy is to rejoice
• Relatives: Husband: Zechariah. Son: John the Baptist. with those individuals, realizing that God uses
Relative: Mary. his people in ways best suited to his purpose.
Key verses “Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should Luke 1:46-55 This song is often called the
visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb Magnificat, the first word in the Latin transla-
tion of this passage. Mary’s song has often
jumped for joy” (Luke 1:43-44). been used as the basis for choral music and
Elizabeth’s story is told in Luke 1:5-80. hymns. Like Hannah, the mother of Samuel
(1 Sam 2:1-10), Mary glorified God in song
for what he was going to do for the world
through her. Notice that in both songs, God
the power and authority to deliver people Mary said, despite the possible risks, “May is pictured as a champion of the poor, the
from sin (Col 2:13-15). People can tell Jesus everything you have said about me come oppressed, and the despised.
all their thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has true.” When Mary said that, she didn’t know
been where they are, and he has the ability about the tremendous opportunity she would Luke 1:48 When Mary said, “From now on
to help. have. She only knew that God was asking all generations will call me blessed,” was she
her to serve him, and she willingly obeyed. being proud? No, she was recognizing and
Luke 1:38 A young unmarried girl who accepting the gift God had given her. Pride is
became pregnant risked disaster. Unless the Don’t wait to see the bottom line before
offering your life to God. Offer yourself refusing to accept God’s gifts or taking credit
father of the child agreed to marry her, she for what God has done; humility is accept-
would probably remain unmarried for life. willingly, even when the outcome seems
disastrous. ing the gifts and using them to praise and
If her own father rejected her, she could be serve God. Don’t deny, belittle, or ignore your
forced into begging or prostitution in order Luke 1:38 God’s announcement of the gifts. Thank God for them and use them to
to earn her living. And Mary, with her story birth of a special child was met with vari- his glory.
about becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit, ous responses throughout Scripture. Sarah,
risked being considered crazy as well. Still Abraham’s wife, laughed (Gen 18:9-15).
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f LUKE 1:46-56 (cont.) Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the
65

and from now on all generations will call me news of what had happened spread throughout the
blessed. Judean hills. 66Everyone who heard about it reflected
49 For the Mighty One is holy, on these events and asked, “What will this child turn
and he has done great things for me. out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation him in a special way.
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things! Zechariah’s Prophecy
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. LUKE 1:67-80
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy
and exalted the humble. Spirit and gave this prophecy:
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
68
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
because he has visited and redeemed his people.
54 He has helped his servant Israel 69 He has sent us a mighty Savior*
and remembered to be merciful.
from the royal line of his servant David,
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors, 70 just as he promised
to Abraham and his children forever.”
through his holy prophets long ago.
56Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months 71 Now we will be saved from our enemies

and then went back to her own home. and from all who hate us.
7 2 He has been merciful to our ancestors
John the Baptist Is Born by remembering his sacred covenant—
LUKE 1:57-66 7 3 the covenant he swore with an oath
When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she to our ancestor Abraham.
gave birth to a son. 58And when her neighbors and 74 We have been rescued from our enemies
relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful so we can serve God without fear,
to her, everyone rejoiced with her. 75 in holiness and righteousness
59When the baby was eight days old, they all came
for as long as we live.
for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name
76 “And you, my little son,
him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said,
60

“No! His name is John!” will be called the prophet of the Most High,
61“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
family by that name.” 62So they used gestures to ask 7 7 You will tell his people how to find salvation
the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. 63He through forgiveness of their sins.
motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise 7 8 Because of God’s tender mercy,
he wrote, “His name is John.” 64Instantly Zechariah could the morning light from heaven is about
speak again, and he began praising God. to break upon us,*
Lk 1:69 Greek has raised up a horn of salvation for us. Lk 1:78 Or the Morning Light from Heaven is about to visit us.

Luke 1:54-55 God kept his promise to Luke 1:59 Family lines and family names Luke 1:72-73 This was God’s promise to
Abraham to be merciful to God’s people were important to the Jews. The people natu- Abraham to bless all peoples through him
forever (Gen 22:16-18). Christ’s birth fulfilled rally assumed the child would receive Zecha- (see Gen 12:3). It would be fulfilled through
the promise, and Mary understood this. She riah’s name or at least a family name. They the Messiah, Abraham’s descendant.
was not surprised when her special son were surprised, therefore, that both Elizabeth Luke 1:76 Zechariah had just recalled
eventually announced that he was the Mes- and Zechariah wanted to name the boy John. hundreds of years of God’s sovereign work
siah. She had known Jesus’ mission from This was the name the angel had given them in history, beginning with Abraham and going
before his birth. (see Luke 1:13). on into eternity. Then, in tender contrast, he
Luke 1:56 Because travel was difficult, long Luke 1:62 Zechariah’s relatives talked to personalized the story. His son had been
visits were customary. Mary must have been him by gestures because he was apparently chosen for a key role in the drama of the
a great help to Elizabeth, who was experienc- deaf as well as speechless and had not heard ages. Although God has unlimited power, he
ing the discomforts of a first pregnancy in what his wife had said. chooses to work through frail humans who
old age. Luke 1:67-79 Zechariah praised God with begin as helpless babies. Don’t minimize
Luke 1:59 The circumcision ceremony his first words after months of silence. In a what God can do through those who are
was an important event to the family of song that is often called the Benedictus after faithful to him.
a Jewish baby boy. God commanded cir- the first words in the Latin translation of this Luke 1:80 Why did John live out in the
cumcision when he was beginning to form passage, Zechariah prophesied the coming wilderness? Prophets used the isolation
his holy nation (Gen 17:4-14), and he had of a Savior who would redeem his people and of the uninhabited wilderness to enhance
reaffirmed it through Moses (Lev 12:1-3). This predicted that his son, John, would prepare their spiritual growth and to focus their
ceremony was a time of joy when friends and the Messiah’s way. All the Old Testament message on God. By being in the wilder-
family members would celebrate the baby’s prophecies were coming true—no wonder ness, John remained separate from the
becoming part of God’s covenant nation. Zechariah praised God! economic and political powers so that he
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79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she
in the shadow of death, became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
and to guide us to the path of peace.” 19Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want

80John grew up and became strong in spirit. And to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the
he lived in the wilderness until he began his public engagement* quietly.
20As he considered this, an angel of the Lord ap-
ministry to Israel.
peared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the
An Angel Appears to Joseph angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.
MATTHEW 1:18-25 For the child within her was conceived by the Holy
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Spirit. 21And she will have a son, and you are to name
Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before him Jesus,* for he will save his people from their sins.”
Mt 1:19 Greek to divorce her. Mt 1:21 Jesus means “The LORD saves.”

had only two options: divorce Mary quietly

JOSEPH The strength of what we believe is measured by how much
we are willing to suffer for those beliefs. Joseph was a man with strong beliefs. He was
or have her stoned. But God gave a third
option—marry her (Matt 1:20-23). In view
of the circumstances, this had not occurred
prepared to do what was right, despite the pain he knew it would cause. But Joseph to Joseph. But God often shows us that
not only tried to do what was right, he also tried to do it in the right way. • When Mary there are more options available than we
told Joseph about her pregnancy, Joseph knew the child was not his. Joseph decided think. Although Joseph seemed to be doing
he had to break the engagement, but he was determined to do it in a way that would the right thing by breaking the engagement,
not cause public shame to Mary. He intended to act with justice and love. • At this only God’s guidance helped him make the
point, God sent a messenger to Joseph to confirm Mary’s story and open another way best decision. But that did not make it an
easy decision. Consenting to marry Mary
of obedience for Joseph—to take Mary as his wife. Joseph obeyed God, married Mary, surely cast doubt on his own innocence
and honored her virginity until the baby was born. • We do not know how long Joseph regarding the pregnancy, as well as leaving
lived his role as Jesus’ earthly father—he is last mentioned when Jesus was 12 years them both with a social stigma they would
old. But Joseph trained his son in the trade of carpentry and took the whole family on carry for the rest of their lives. Yet Joseph
the yearly trip to Jerusalem for the Passover, providing good spiritual leadership for chose to obey the angel’s command (Matt
his family. • Joseph knew Jesus was someone special from the moment he heard the 1:24). When our decisions affect the lives of
angel’s words. His strong belief in that fact and his willingness to follow God’s leading others, we must always seek God’s wisdom
empowered him to be Jesus’ chosen earthly father. and then be willing to follow through no
matter how difficult it may be.
Strengths and • A man of integrity Matt 1:20 The conception and birth of Jesus
accomplishments • Jesus’ legal and earthly father Christ are supernatural events beyond human
• Sensitive to God’s guidance and ready to do God’s will logic or reasoning. Because of this, God sent
angels to help certain people understand
Lessons from • God honors integrity the significance of what was happening (see
his life • Being obedient to God leads to more guidance from him Matt 2:13, 19; Luke 1:11, 26; 2:9).
• Feelings are not accurate measures of the rightness or Angels are spiritual beings created by God
wrongness of an action who help carry out his work on earth. They
bring God’s messages to people (Luke 1:26),
Vital statistics • Where: Nazareth, Bethlehem
protect God’s people (Dan 6:22), offer encour-
• Occupation: Carpenter agement (Gen 16:7ff), give guidance (Exod
• Relatives: Wife: Mary. Children: Jesus, James, Joses, 14:19), carry out punishment (2 Sam 24:16),
Judas, Simon, and daughters. patrol the earth (Zech 1:9-14), and fight the
Key verse “Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to forces of evil (2 Kgs 6:16-18; Rev 20:1-2).
There are both good and bad angels (Rev
disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engage- 12:7), but because bad angels are allied with
ment quietly” (Matt 1:19). the devil, or Satan, they have considerably
less power and authority than good angels.
Joseph’s story is told in Matthew 1:16–2:23; Luke 1:26–2:52. Eventually the main role of angels will be to
offer continuous praise to God (Rev 7:11-12).
Matt 1:20-23 The angel declared to Joseph
could aim his message against them. He yet permitted). Third, the couple was mar- that Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy
also remained separate from the hypocriti- ried and began living together. Because Spirit and would be a son. This reveals an
cal religious leaders of his day. His mes- Mary and Joseph were engaged, Mary’s important truth about Jesus—he is both God
sage was different from theirs, and his life apparent unfaithfulness carried a severe and human. The infinite, unlimited God took
proved it. social stigma. According to Jewish civil on the limitations of humanity so he could
Matt 1:18 Jewish marriage involved three law, Joseph had a right to divorce her, and live and die for the salvation of all who would
basic steps. First, the two families agreed to the Jewish authorities could have had her believe in him.
the union. Second, a public announcement stoned to death (Deut 22:23-24). On the Jesus means “the LORD saves.” Jesus
was made. At this point, the couple was importance of the Virgin Birth, see note on came to earth to save us because we
“engaged.” This was similar to engagement Luke 1:35, p. 1274. can’t save ourselves from sin and its
today except that their relationship could Matt 1:19 Joseph was faced with a dif- consequences. No matter how good we are,
be broken only through death or divorce ficult choice after discovering that Mary we can’t eliminate the sinful nature present
(even though sexual relations were not was pregnant. Perhaps Joseph thought he in all of us. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus
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f MATTHEW 1:18-25 (cont.) Nahshon was the father of Salmon.

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message
22 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother
through his prophet: was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was
23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! Ruth).
She will give birth to a son, Obed was the father of Jesse.
and they will call him Immanuel,* 6 Jesse was the father of King David.
which means ‘God is with us.’ ” David was the father of Solomon (whose mother
24When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).
Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25But he
7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.
did not have sexual relations with her until her son Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.
was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. Abijah was the father of Asa.*
8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat.
The Record of Jesus’ Ancestors PARALLEL Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.*
MATTHEW 1:1-17 Jehoram was the father* of Uzziah.
This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah,
9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham.
a descendant of David* and of Abraham: Jotham was the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh.
Isaac was the father of Jacob. Manasseh was the father of Amon.*
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. Amon was the father of Josiah.
3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose 11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin* and his
mother was Tamar). brothers (born at the time of the exile to
Perez was the father of Hezron. Babylon).
Hezron was the father of Ram.* 12 After the Babylonian exile:
4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.
Mt 1:23 Isa 7:14; 8:8, 10 (Greek version). Mt 1:1 Greek Jesus the Messiah, son of David. Mt 1:3 Greek Aram, a variant spelling of Ram; also in 1:4. See 1 Chr 2:9-10.
Mt 1:7 Greek Asaph, a variant spelling of Asa; also in 1:8. See 1 Chr 3:10. Mt 1:8a Greek Joram, a variant spelling of Jehoram; also in 1:8b. See 1 Kgs 22:50 and note
at 1 Chr 3:11. Mt 1:8b Or ancestor; also in 1:11. Mt 1:10 Greek Amos, a variant spelling of Amon; also in 1:10b. See 1 Chr 3:14. Mt 1:11 Greek Jeconiah, a variant
spelling of Jehoiachin; also in 1:12. See 2 Kgs 24:6 and note at 1 Chr 3:16.

didn’t come to help people save themselves; dant of Abraham, the father of all Jews, and Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had
he came to be their Savior from the power a direct descendant of David, fulfilling Old shady reputations—like Rahab and Tamar.
and penalty of sin. Thank Jesus for his death Testament prophecies about the Messiah’s Many were very ordinary—like Hezron,
on the cross for your sin, and then ask him to line. The facts of this ancestry were carefully Ram, Nahshon, and Akim. And others were
take control of your life. Your new life begins preserved. This is the first of many proofs evil—like Manasseh and Abijah. God’s work
at that moment. recorded by Matthew to show that Jesus is in history is not limited by human failures or
Jesus would fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, the true Messiah. sins, and he works through ordinary people.
for he would be Immanuel (“God is with us,” Matt 1:1ff More than 400 years had passed Just as God used all kinds of people to bring
see Isa 7:14). Jesus was God in the flesh; since the last Old Testament prophecies, his Son into the world, he uses all kinds
thus, God was literally among us, “with us.” and faithful Jews all over the world were still today to accomplish his will. And God wants
Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present waiting for the Messiah (Luke 3:15). Matthew to use you.
today in the life of every believer. Perhaps wrote this book to Jews to present Jesus as Matt 1:3-6 Matthew’s inclusion of four
not even Isaiah understood how far-reaching King and Messiah, the promised descendant particular women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and
the meaning of Immanuel would be. of David who would reign forever (Isa 11:1-5). Bathsheba) reveals his concern to do more
Matt 1:24 Joseph changed his plans The Gospel of Matthew links the Old and New than relay historical data. These women
quickly after learning that Mary had not Testaments and contains many references raise both ethnic and ethical questions. At
been unfaithful to him (Matt 1:19). He that show how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament least two of them were not Israelites by birth
obeyed God and proceeded with the mar- prophecy. and all four of them had reputations that
riage plans. Although others may have Matt 1:1ff Jesus entered human history could have made them unmentionable in
disapproved of his decision, Joseph went when the land of Palestine was controlled by an ancestral tree. Yet this was the line into
ahead with what he knew was right. Some- Rome and considered an insignificant outpost which God’s Son was born. Jesus’ geneal-
times we avoid doing what is right because of the vast and mighty Roman Empire. The ogy makes it clear, not that there were a few
of what others might think. Like Joseph, we presence of Roman soldiers in Israel gave disreputable people in his family, but that all
must choose to obey God rather than seek the Jews military peace, but at the price of of them were sinners. God sent his Son as
the approval of others. oppression, slavery, injustice, and immorality. Savior of all people—Jews, Gentiles, men,
Matt 1:1 Presenting this record of ancestors Into this kind of world came the promised and women. No matter what the sins of the
(called a genealogy) was one of the most Messiah. people, God’s plan was never thwarted. It
interesting ways that Matthew could begin Matt 1:1-17 In the first 17 verses we meet continues to unfold. That plan includes you.
a book for a Jewish audience. Because a 46 people whose lifetimes span 2,000 years. Matt 1:11 The exile to Babylon occurred in
person’s family line proved his or her stand- All were ancestors of Jesus, but they varied 586 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Bab-
ing as one of God’s chosen people, Matthew considerably in personality, spirituality, and ylon, conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem,
began by showing that Jesus was a descen- experience. Some were heroes of faith—like and took thousands of people captive.
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13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. 25 Joseph was the son of Mattathias.
Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Mattathias was the son of Amos.
Eliakim was the father of Azor. Amos was the son of Nahum.
14 Azor was the father of Zadok. Nahum was the son of Esli.
Zadok was the father of Akim. Esli was the son of Naggai.
Akim was the father of Eliud. 26 Naggai was the son of Maath.
15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Maath was the son of Mattathias.
Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Mattathias was the son of Semein.
Matthan was the father of Jacob. Semein was the son of Josech.
16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband Josech was the son of Joda.
of Mary. 27 Joda was the son of Joanan.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah. Joanan was the son of Rhesa.
17All those listed above include fourteen generations Rhesa was the son of Zerubbabel.
from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel.
Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian Shealtiel was the son of Neri.
exile to the Messiah.
28 Neri was the son of Melki.
Melki was the son of Addi.
LUKE 3:23-38 Addi was the son of Cosam.
Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his Cosam was the son of Elmadam.
public ministry. Elmadam was the son of Er.
Jesus was known as the son of Joseph. 29 Er was the son of Joshua.
Joseph was the son of Heli. Joshua was the son of Eliezer.
24 Heli was the son of Matthat. Eliezer was the son of Jorim.
Matthat was the son of Levi. Jorim was the son of Matthat.
Levi was the son of Melki. Matthat was the son of Levi.
Melki was the son of Jannai. 30 Levi was the son of Simeon.
Jannai was the son of Joseph. Simeon was the son of Judah.

Matt 1:16 Because Mary was a virgin when

she became pregnant, Matthew lists Joseph
only as the husband of Mary, not the father
of Jesus. Matthew’s genealogy gives Jesus’
legal (or royal) lineage through Joseph.
Mary’s ancestral line is recorded in Luke
3:23-38. Both Mary and Joseph were direct
descendants of David.
Matthew traced the genealogy back to
Abraham, while Luke traced it back to Adam.
Matthew wrote to the Jews, so Jesus was
shown as a descendant of their father,
Abraham. Luke wrote to the Gentiles, so
he emphasized Jesus as the Savior of all
people.
Matt 1:17 Matthew breaks Israel’s history
into three sets of 14 generations, but there
were probably more generations than those
listed here. Genealogies often compressed
history, meaning that not every generation
of ancestors was specifically listed. Thus,
the phrase “the father of” can also be trans-
lated “the ancestor of.”
Luke 3:23 Imagine the Savior of the world
working in a small-town carpenter’s shop
until he was 30 years old! It seems incred- The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Bartolomé Murillo.
ible that Jesus would have been content
to remain in Nazareth all that time, but he
patiently trusted his Father’s timing for his then, was a good time to begin an important Luke 3:23-38 Matthew’s genealogy goes
life and ministry. Thirty was the prescribed task in the Jewish culture. Like Jesus, we back to Abraham and shows that Jesus was
age for priests to begin their ministry (Num need to resist the temptation to jump ahead related to all Jews (Matt 1). Luke’s genealogy
4:3). Joseph was 30 years old when he before receiving the Spirit’s direction. Are goes back to Adam, showing that Jesus is
began serving the king of Egypt (Gen 41:46), you waiting and wondering what your next related to all human beings. This is consistent
and David was 30 years old when he began step should be? Don’t jump ahead—trust with Luke’s picture of Jesus as the Savior
to reign over Judah (2 Sam 5:4). Age 30, God’s timing. of the whole world.
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f LUKE 3:23-38 (cont.) Cainan was the son of Arphaxad.

Judah was the son of Joseph. Arphaxad was the son of Shem.
Joseph was the son of Jonam. Shem was the son of Noah.
Jonam was the son of Eliakim. Noah was the son of Lamech.
31 Eliakim was the son of Melea. 37 Lamech was the son of Methuselah.
Melea was the son of Menna. Methuselah was the son of Enoch.
Menna was the son of Mattatha. Enoch was the son of Jared.
Mattatha was the son of Nathan. Jared was the son of Mahalalel.
Nathan was the son of David. Mahalalel was the son of Kenan.
32 David was the son of Jesse. 38 Kenan was the son of Enosh.*
Jesse was the son of Obed. Enosh was the son of Seth.
Obed was the son of Boaz. Seth was the son of Adam.
Boaz was the son of Salmon.* Adam was the son of God.
Salmon was the son of Nahshon.
33 Nahshon was the son of Amminadab. Jesus Is Born in Bethlehem
Amminadab was the son of Admin. LUKE 2:1-7
Admin was the son of Arni.* At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed
Arni was the son of Hezron. that a census should be taken throughout the Roman
Hezron was the son of Perez. Empire. 2(This was the first census taken when Qui-
Perez was the son of Judah. rinius was governor of Syria.) 3All returned to their
34 Judah was the son of Jacob. own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4And
Jacob was the son of Isaac. because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he
Isaac was the son of Abraham. had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home.
Abraham was the son of Terah. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Gali-
Terah was the son of Nahor. lee. 5He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now
35 Nahor was the son of Serug. obviously pregnant.
6And while they were there, the time came for her
6 Serug was the son of Reu.
BC Reu was the son of Peleg. baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a
Peleg was the son of Eber. son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and
Jesus is born

Eber was the son of Shelah. laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging
36 Shelah was the son of Cainan. available for them.
Lk 3:32 Greek Sala, a variant spelling of Salmon; also in 3:32b. See Ruth 4:20. Lk 3:33 Some manuscripts read Amminadab was the son of Aram. Arni and Aram are
alternate spellings of Ram. See 1 Chr 2:9-10. Lk 3:38 Greek Enos, a variant spelling of Enosh; also in 3:38b. See Gen 5:6.

Luke 2:1 Luke is the only Gospel writer nize their limitations. In reality, God controls
Mediterranean
who related the events he recorded to world the world. In all times and places, he works
Sea history. His account was addressed to a pre- his will. By the decree of Emperor Augustus,
E

dominantly Greek audience that would have Jesus was born in the very town prophesied
E
LIL

been interested in and familiar with the politi- for his birth (Mic 5:2), even though his parents
GA

cal situation. Palestine was under the rule did not live there. Joseph and Mary were both
N Sea of of the Roman Empire with Emperor Caesar descendants of David. The Old Testament is
Galilee Augustus, the first Roman emperor, in charge. filled with prophecies that the Messiah would
Nazareth
The Roman rulers, considered to be like gods, be born in David’s royal line (see, for example,
stood in contrast to the tiny baby in a manger Isa 11:1; Jer 33:15; Ezek 37:24; Hos 3:5).
River

who was truly God in the flesh. Rome made the decree, just as God intended.
SAMARIA Luke 2:1 A Roman census (registration) Luke 2:4-5 Sometimes we think to our-
was taken to aid military conscription or tax selves, “I’m being obedient, so why aren’t
Jordan

collection. The Jews weren’t required to things going better?” We face discomfort or
A
RE

Jerusalem serve in the Roman army, but they could not inconvenience and immediately think either
PE

Bethlehem avoid paying taxes. Augustus’s decree went that we have misread God’s will or that God
JUDEA out in God’s perfect timing and according has made a mistake. But watch this quiet
Dead Sea
to God’s perfect plan to bring his Son into couple as they head toward Bethlehem.
the world. God did not soften Joseph’s bumpy road,
IDUMEA but strengthened him. God did not provide
0 20 Mi Luke 2:1-6 The Romans ruled the civilized
0 20 Km
world at this time. By contrast, Joseph con- a luxurious inn for Joseph and Mary, but
trolled very little. Against his better judgment brought his Son into the world in humble
and political convictions, he complied with surroundings. When we do God’s will, we are
THE JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM Caesar’s not guaranteed comfort and convenience.
the Roman order to make a long trip just to
decree for a census of the entire Roman
pay his taxes. His fiancée, who had to go with But we are promised that everything, even
Empire made it necessary for Joseph and
Mary to leave their hometown, Nazareth, him, was about to give birth. discomfort and inconvenience, has meaning
and journey the 70 miles to the Judean The Romans were in control insofar as in God’s plan. He will guide you and provide
village of Bethlehem. human authority can get its way by exerting all you need. Like Joseph, live each day by
human power. But the Romans did not recog- faith, trusting that God is in charge.
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Shepherds Visit Jesus 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,

LUKE 2:8-20 and peace on earth to those with whom God
That night there were shepherds staying in the is pleased.”
fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 15When the angels had returned to heaven, the
9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among
shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem!
them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory sur- Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord
rounded them. They were terrified, 10but the angel has told us about.”
reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring 16They hurried to the village and found Mary and

you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.
11The Sav ior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what

born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12And had happened and what the angel had said to them
you will recognize him by this sign: You will find about this child. 18All who heard the shepherds’ story
a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in were astonished, 19but Mary kept all these things in
a manger.” her heart and thought about them often. 20The shep-
13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host
herds went back to their flocks, glorifying and prais-
of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and ing God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as
saying, the angel had told them.

Luke 2:7 Strips of cloth were used to keep a may have been the shepherds who supplied Christ paid the price for sin and opened
baby warm and give him a sense of security. the lambs for the Temple sacrifices that were the way to peace with God. He offers us
These cloths were believed to protect his performed for the forgiveness of sin. Here the more than temporary political or physical
internal organs. The custom of wrapping angels invited these shepherds to greet the changes—he offers us new hearts that will
infants this way is still practiced in many Lamb of God (John 1:36), who would take last for eternity.
Middle Eastern countries. away the sins of the world forever. Luke 2:14 The story of Jesus’ birth
Luke 2:7 This mention of the manger is the Luke 2:8-15 What a birth announcement! resounds with music that has inspired com-
basis for the traditional belief that Jesus was The shepherds were terrified, but their fear posers for 2,000 years. The angels’ song,
born in a stable. Stables were often caves turned to joy as the angels announced the often called the Gloria after its first word in
with feeding troughs (mangers) carved into Messiah’s birth. First the shepherds ran to the Latin translation, is the basis for many
the rock walls. Despite popular Christmas see the baby; then they spread the word. modern choral works, traditional Christmas
card pictures, the surroundings were dark Jesus is your Messiah, your Savior. Do you carols, and ancient liturgical chants.
and dirty. This was not the atmosphere look forward to meeting him in prayer and in
the Jews expected as the birthplace of the his Word each day? Have you discovered a
Messiah-King. They thought their promised Lord so wonderful that you can’t help sharing Shepherds and Sheep
Messiah would be born in royal surroundings. your joy with your friends? Shepherds played an important role in
We should not limit God by our expectations. Luke 2:9-10 The greatest event in his- the world of Israel. Their work was to
He is at work wherever he is needed in our tory had just happened! The Messiah had find grass and water for the sheep and
sin-darkened and dirty world. been born! For ages the Jews had waited to protect them from wild animals and
tend to their sicknesses and wounds.
Luke 2:7 Although our first picture of Jesus for this, and when it finally occurred, the
It required them to spend long hours
is as a baby in a manger, it must not be announcement came to humble shepherds. exposed to the natural elements. It was
our last. The Christ child in the manger is The Good News about Jesus is that he not an easy life. It was to the shepherds
the subject of a beautiful Christmas scene, comes to all, including the plain and the that the angels first announced the birth
but we must not leave him there. This tiny, ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart of Jesus. This was especially appropriate
helpless baby lived an amazing life, died humble enough to accept him. Whoever since Jesus’ famous ancestor, David, had
for us, rose from the dead, ascended to you are, whatever you do, you can have centuries earlier watched his family’s
heaven, and will return to earth as King of Jesus in your life. Don’t think you need sheep in those same fields near Beth-
kings. Christ will rule the world and judge extraordinary qualifications—he accepts lehem. It also reminds us that the coming
all people according to their decisions about you as you are. of Jesus was good news for all people,
him. Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in Luke 2:11-14 Some of the Jews were not just for those already privileged by
a manger—or is he your Lord? Make sure waiting for a savior to deliver them from wealth and power. The important role of
you don’t underestimate Jesus. Let him grow Roman rule; others hoped the Christ the shepherd is used often in the New
up in your life. (Messiah) would deliver them from physical Testament to teach us about Jesus. He is
Luke 2:8 God continued to reveal the news ailments. But Jesus, while healing their ill- the Good Shepherd who gives his life for
about his Son, but not to those we might nesses and establishing a spiritual Kingdom, the sheep (John 10:1-18).
expect. Luke records that Jesus’ birth was delivered them from sin. His work is more
announced to shepherds in the fields. These far-reaching than anyone could imagine.

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Mary and Joseph Bring to the Lord as the law required, 28Simeon was there.
Jesus to the Temple He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
LUKE 2:21-24 29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he as you have promised.
was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel 30 I have seen your salvation,
even before he was conceived. 31 which you have prepared for all people.
22Then it was time for their purification offering, as
32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him
33Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said
to the Lord. 23The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s
first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”* about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them, and he said
24So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to
the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many
pigeons.”* others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many
will oppose him. 35As a result, the deepest thoughts of
The Prophecy of Simeon many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce
LUKE 2:25-35 your very soul.”
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Sim-
eon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly The Prophecy of Anna
waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. LUKE 2:36-38
The Holy Spirit was upon him 26and had revealed to Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She
him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher,
Messiah. 27That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So and she was very old. Her husband died when they
when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus had been married only seven years. 37Then she lived
Lk 2:23 Exod 13:2. Lk 2:24 Lev 12:8.

Luke 2:21-24 Jewish families went through

several ceremonies soon after a baby’s birth:
(1) Circumcision. Every boy was circumcised
TO FEAR OR NOT TO FEAR
and named on the eighth day after birth People in the Bible who were confronted by God or his angels all had one
(Lev 12:3; Luke 1:59-60). Circumcision sym- consistent response—fear. To each of them, God’s response was always the
bolized the Jews’ separation from Gentiles same—don’t be afraid. As soon as they sensed that God accepted them and
and their unique relationship with God (see wanted to communicate with them, their fear subsided.
the note on Luke 1:59). (2) Redemption of
the firstborn. A firstborn son was presented Person Reference Person Reference
to God one month after birth (Exod 13:2, Abraham................Gen 15:1 Zechariah ..............Luke 1:13
11-16; Num 18:15-16). The ceremony
included buying back—“redeeming”—the Moses ....................Num 21:34 Mary ......................Luke 1:30
child from God through an offering. This way, Deut 3:2 Shepherds .............Luke 2:10
the parents acknowledged that the child
belonged to God, who alone has the power Joshua...................Josh 8:1 Peter ......................Luke 5:10
to give life. (3) Purification of the mother. For Jeremiah ...............Lam 3:57 Paul .......................Acts 27:23-24
40 days after the birth of a son and 80 days
Daniel ....................Dan 10:12, 19 John ......................Rev 1:17-18
after the birth of a daughter, the mother was
ceremonially unclean and could not enter the
Temple. At the end of her time of separation,
the parents were to bring a lamb for a burnt Luke 2:32 The Jews were well acquainted with a prophecy about her son; the first time
offering and a dove or pigeon for a sin offer- with the Old Testament prophecies that spoke was when Elizabeth had welcomed her as the
ing. The priest would sacrifice these animals of the Messiah’s blessings to their nation. mother of her Lord (Luke 1:42-45).
and declare her to be clean. If a lamb was They did not always give equal attention to Luke 2:34-35 Simeon prophesied that
too expensive, the parents could bring a the prophecies stating that he would bring Jesus would have a paradoxical effect
second dove or pigeon instead. This is what salvation to the entire world, not just the Jews on Israel. Some would fall because of him
Mary and Joseph did. (see, for example, Isa 49:6). Many thought (see Isa 8:14-15), while others would rise
Jesus was God’s Son, but his family that Christ had come to save only his own (see Mal 4:2). With Jesus, there would be no
carried out these ceremonies according to people. Luke made sure his Greek audience neutral ground: People would either joyfully
God’s law. Jesus was not born above the understood that Christ had come to save all accept him or totally reject him. As Jesus’
law; instead, he fulfilled it perfectly. who believe, Gentiles as well as Jews. mother, Mary would be grieved by the wide-
Luke 2:28-32 When Mary and Joseph Luke 2:33 Joseph and Mary were amazed spread rejection he would face. This is the
brought Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated when this old man took their son into his first note of sorrow in Luke’s Gospel.
to God, they met an old man who told them arms and spoke such stunning words. Simeon Luke 2:36 Although Simeon and Anna were
what their child would become. Simeon’s song said that Jesus was a gift from God, and he very old, they had never lost their hope that
is often called the Nunc Dimittis, from the first recognized Jesus as the Messiah who would they would see the Messiah. Led by the Holy
words of its Latin translation. Simeon could die be a light to the entire world. This was at least Spirit, they were among the first to bear wit-
in peace because he had seen the Messiah. the second time that Mary had been greeted ness to Jesus. In the Jewish culture, elders
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as a widow to the age of eighty-four.* She never left Visitors Arrive from Eastern Lands
the Temple but stayed there day and night, worship- MATTHEW 2:1-12
ing God with fasting and prayer. 38She came along Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign
just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and of King Herod. About that time some wise men* from
she began praising God. She talked about the child to eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2“Where is
everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it
to rescue Jerusalem. rose,* and we have come to worship him.”
Lk 2:37 Or She had been a widow for eighty-four years. Mt 2:1 Or royal astrologers; Greek reads magi; also in 2:7, 16. Mt 2:2 Or star in the east.

MARY Motherhood is a painful privilege. Young Mary of Nazareth

had the unique privilege of being mother to the very Son of God. Mary was the only
Jerusalem was also in Judea and was the
seat of government for Herod the Great, king
over all four political districts. After Herod’s
death, the districts were divided among
human present at Jesus’ birth who also witnessed his death. She saw him arrive three separate rulers (see the note on Matt
as her baby son, and she watched him die as her Savior. • Mary found Gabriel’s 2:19-22). Although he was a ruthless, evil
unexpected visit to be both puzzling and frightening at first, but what she heard man who murdered many in his own family,
next was the most amazing news: Her child would be the Messiah, God’s promised Herod the Great supervised the renovation of
Savior. Mary did not doubt the message but rather asked how pregnancy would be the Temple, making it much larger and more
possible. Gabriel told her the baby would be God’s Son. Her answer was perfect: beautiful. This made him popular with many
Jews. Jesus would visit Jerusalem many
“I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (Luke times because the great Jewish festivals
1:38). Later her song of joy shows us how well she knew God, for her thoughts were were held there.
filled with his words from the Old Testament. • When Mary took the eight-day-old
Matt 2:1-2 Not much is known about these
Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated to God, she was met by two devout people, “wise men.” We don’t know where they
Simeon and Anna, who recognized the child as the Messiah and praised God. Simeon came from or how many there were. Tradi-
directed some words to Mary that must have come to her mind many times in the tion says they were men of high position
years that followed: “A sword will pierce your very soul” (Luke 2:35). A big part of from Parthia, near the site of ancient Bab-
her painful privilege of motherhood would be to see her son rejected and crucified ylon. How did they know that the star rep-
by the people he came to save. • We can imagine that even if she had known all she resented the Messiah? (1) They could have
would suffer as Jesus’ mother, Mary would still have given the same response. Are been Jews who remained in Babylon after
you, like Mary, available to be used by God? the Exile and knew the Old Testament pre-
dictions of the Messiah’s coming. (2) They
Strengths and • The mother of Jesus, the Messiah may have been eastern astrologers who
accomplishments • Willing to be available to God studied ancient manuscripts from around
the world. Because of the Jewish exile
• Knew and applied Old Testament Scriptures
centuries earlier, they would have had copies
Lessons from • God’s best servants are often ordinary people who make of the Old Testament in their land. (3) They
her life themselves available to him may have had a special message from God
• A person’s character is revealed by his or her response directing them to the Messiah. Some schol-
to the unexpected ars say these wise men were each from a
different land, representing the entire world
Vital statistics • Where: Nazareth, Bethlehem bowing before Jesus. These men from far-
• Occupation: Homemaker away lands recognized Jesus as the Messiah
• Relatives: Husband: Joseph. Relatives: Zechariah and when most of God’s chosen people in Israel
Elizabeth. Children: Jesus, James, Joseph, Judas, Simon, did not. Matthew pictures Jesus as the King
and daughters. over the whole world, not just Judea.
Matt 2:1-2 The wise men traveled thou-
Key verse “Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything sands of miles to see the king of the Jews.
you have said about me come true.’” (Luke 1:38). When they finally found him, they responded
with joy, worship, and gifts. This is so dif-
Mary’s story is told throughout the Gospels. She is also mentioned in Acts 1:14.
ferent from the approach people often take
today. We expect God to come looking for us,
to explain himself, prove who he is, and give
were respected; thus, because of Simeon’s Matt 2:1 Bethlehem is a small town five us gifts. But those who are wise still seek and
and Anna’s ages, their prophecies carried miles south of Jerusalem. It sits on a high worship Jesus today, not for what they can
extra weight. In contrast, our society values ridge more than 2,000 feet above sea level. get, but for who he is.
youthfulness over wisdom, and contributions It is mentioned in more detail in the Gospel
by the elderly are often ignored. As Christians, of Luke. Luke also explains why Joseph Matt 2:2 The wise men said they saw
we should reverse those values wherever we and Mary were in Bethlehem when Jesus Jesus’ star. Balaam referred to a coming
can. Encourage older people to share their was born, rather than in Nazareth, their “star . . . from Jacob” (Num 24:17). Some
wisdom and experience. Listen carefully when hometown. say this star may have been a conjunction
they speak. Offer them your friendship, and of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars in 6 B.C., and
Matt 2:1 The land of Israel was divided into others offer other explanations. But couldn’t
help them find ways to continue to serve God. four political districts and several lesser ter- God, who created the heavens, have created
Luke 2:36-37 Anna was called a prophet, ritories. Judea was to the south, Samaria in a special star to signal the arrival of his Son?
indicating that she was unusually close to the middle, Galilee to the north, and Idumea Whatever the nature of the star, these wise
God. Prophets did not necessarily predict the to the southwest. Bethlehem of Judea (also men traveled thousands of miles searching
future. Their main role was to speak for God, called Judah, Matt 2:6) had been proph- for a king, and they found him.
proclaiming his truth. esied as the Messiah’s birthplace (Mic 5:2).
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f MATTHEW 2:1-12 (cont.) who will be the shepherd for my people

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard
3 Israel.’*”
this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4He called a meet- 7Then Herod called for a private meeting with the
ing of the leading priests and teachers of religious
wise men, and he learned from them the time when
law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to
the star first appeared. 8Then he told them, “Go to
be born?”
5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And
when you find him, come back and tell me so that I
the prophet wrote:
can go and worship him, too!”
6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, 9After this interview the wise men went their way.

are not least among the ruling cities* And the star they had seen in the east guided them to
of Judah, Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over
for a ruler will come from you the place where the child was. 10When they saw the
Mt 2:6a Greek the rulers. Mt 2:6b Mic 5:2; 2 Sam 5:2.

Matt 2:3 Herod the Great was quite disturbed

when the wise men asked about a newborn
king of the Jews because (1) Herod was
not the rightful heir to the throne of David;
HEROD Herod the Great was the father of the Herodian family and is
remembered as a builder of cities and the lavish rebuilder of the Temple in Jerusa-
therefore, many Jews hated him as a usurper. lem. But he also destroyed people. He showed little greatness in either his personal
If Jesus really was an heir, trouble would actions or his character. He was ruthless in ruling his territory. His suspicions and
arise. (2) Herod was ruthless, and because jealousy led to the murder of several of his children and the death of his wife Mari-
of his many enemies, he was suspicious that amne. • Herod’s title, king of the Jews, was granted by Rome but never accepted
someone would try to overthrow him. (3) Herod by the Jewish people. He was only partly Jewish, and although Israel benefited from
didn’t want the Jews, a religious people, to Herod’s lavish efforts to repair the Temple in Jerusalem, he also rebuilt various pagan
unite around a religious figure. (4) If these wise
men were of Jewish descent and from Parthia temples. Herod’s costly attempt to gain the loyalty of the people failed because it was
(the most powerful region next to Rome), they superficial. His only loyalty was to himself. • Herod was constantly worried about los-
would have welcomed a Jewish king who ing his position. His actions when hearing from the wise men about their search for
could swing the balance of power away from the new king are consistent with his character. He planned to locate and kill the child
Rome. The land of Israel, far from Rome, would before he could become a threat. The murder of innocent children that followed is a
have been easy prey for a nation trying to gain tragic lesson in what can happen when actions are motivated by selfishness.
more control.
The text tells us that not only was Herod Strengths and • Rome appointed him king of the Jews
disturbed, but so was everyone in Jerusalem. accomplishments • Was an effective, though ruthless, ruler for 30 years
When Jesus was born into the world, people • Sponsored a great variety of large building projects
immediately began to react. His presence did
not soothe and comfort most people; instead, Weaknesses • Treated those around him with fear, suspicion, and jealousy
it startled and disturbed them. In some he and mistakes • Had several of his children and at least one wife killed
awakened spiritual longings; in others, fear • Ordered the killing of the baby boys in Bethlehem
and insecurity. Things have not changed that Lessons from • Great power brings neither peace nor security
much. Jesus still disturbs people. If it is true
his life • No one can prevent God’s plans from being carried out
that God entered our world when Jesus was
• Superficial loyalty does not impress people or God
born, we dare not sit idly by ignoring and
rationalizing our inaction. We must acknowl- Vital statistics • Occupation: King of Judea from 37 to 4 B.C.
edge Jesus as the rightful King of our lives. • Relatives: Father: Antipater. Sons: Archelaus, Antipater,
Matt 2:4-6 The leading priests and teach- Antipas, Philip, and others. Wives: Doris, Mariamne, and
ers of religious law were aware of Micah others.
5:2 and other prophecies about the Mes- • Contemporaries: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph,
siah. Matthew repeatedly highlighted their Mark Antony, Augustus
knowledge and unbelief. The wise men’s
news troubled Herod because he knew that Key verse “Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men
the Jewish people expected the Messiah to had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in
come soon (Luke 3:15). Most Jews expected and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under”
the Messiah to be a great military and (Matt 2:16).
political deliverer, like Alexander the Great.
Herod’s counselors would have told Herod Herod the Great is mentioned in Matthew 2:1-22 and Luke 1:5.
this. No wonder this ruthless man took no
chances and ordered all the baby boys in
Bethlehem killed (Matt 2:16)! greatest enemies. When the Messiah for Matt 2:11 Jesus was probably one or two
Matt 2:6 Most religious leaders believed whom they had been waiting finally came, years old when the wise men found him.
in a literal fulfillment of all Old Testament they didn’t recognize him. By this time, Mary and Joseph were married,
prophecy; therefore, they believed the Mes- Matt 2:8 Herod did not want to worship living in a house, and intending to stay in
siah would be born in Bethlehem as foreseen Christ—he was lying. This was a trick to get Bethlehem for a while. For more on Joseph
by the prophet Micah seven centuries earlier the wise men to return to him and reveal the and Mary’s stay there, see the note on
(Mic 5:2). Ironically, when Jesus was born, Luke 2:39, p. 1286.
whereabouts of the newborn king. Herod’s
these same religious leaders became his plan was to kill Jesus.
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star, they were filled with joy! 11They entered the house wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill
and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two
bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened years old and under, based on the wise men’s report
their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frank- of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action
incense, and myrrh. fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet
12When it was time to leave, they returned to their
Jeremiah:
own country by another route, for God had warned
them in a dream not to return to Herod.
18 “A cry was heard in Ramah—
weeping and great mourning.
The Escape to Egypt Rachel weeps for her children,
MATTHEW 2:13-18 refusing to be comforted,
After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord for they are dead.”*
appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt
with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay The Return from Egypt
there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going MATTHEW 2:19-22
to search for the child to kill him.” When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a
14That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20“Get up!” the angel said.
Mary, his mother, 15and they stayed there until Herod’s “Take the child and his mother back to the land of
death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child
the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”* are dead.”
16Herod was furious when he realized that the 21So Jo seph got up and returned to the land of

Mt 2:15 Hos 11:1. Mt 2:18 Jer 31:15.

Matt 2:11 The wise men gave these the great captivity (see Jer 43–44). There three parts, one for each son. Archelaus
expensive gifts as worthy acknowledgement is an interesting parallel between this flight received Judea, Samaria, and Idumea;
for a future king. Bible students have seen to Egypt and Israel’s history. As an infant Herod Antipas received Galilee and Perea;
in the gifts symbols of Christ’s identity and nation, Israel went to Egypt, just as Jesus did Herod Philip II received Traconitis. Arche-
what he would accomplish. Gold was a gift as a child. God led Israel out (Hos 11:1); God laus, a violent man, began his reign by 4
BC
for royalty; frankincense was a gift for deity; brought Jesus back. Both events show God slaughtering 3,000 influential people. Nine

Herod the Great dies

and myrrh was a spice used to anoint a body working to save his people. years later, he was banished. God didn’t
for burial. These gifts may have provided Matt 2:16 Herod, the king of the Jews, want Joseph’s family to go into the region
the financial resources for the trip to Egypt killed all the boys under two years of age in of this evil ruler.
and back. an obsessive attempt to kill Jesus, the new-
Matt 2:11 The wise men brought gifts born king. He stained his hands with blood,
and worshiped Jesus for who he was. This but he did not harm Jesus. Herod was king N
is the essence of true worship—honoring by a human appointment; Jesus was King
Christ for who he is and being willing to give by a divine appointment. No one can thwart Mediterranean
Sea
him what is valuable to you. Worship God God’s plans.
Nazareth
because he is the perfect, just, and almighty Matt 2:16 Herod was afraid that this Jerusalem
Creator of the universe, worthy of the best newborn king would one day take his Bethlehem
you have to give. throne. He completely misunderstood the Gaza
Matt 2:12 After finding Jesus and worship- reason for Christ’s coming. Jesus didn’t
ing him, the wise men were warned by God want Herod’s throne; he wanted to be king
EGYPT
not to return through Jerusalem as they had of Herod’s life. Jesus wanted to give Herod
intended. Finding Jesus may mean that your eternal life, not take away his present life.
River

life must take a different direction, one that Today people are often afraid that Christ
is responsive and obedient to God’s Word. In wants to take things away when, in reality,
i le

what ways has Jesus affected the direction he wants to give them real freedom, peace, N

of your life? and joy. Don’t fear Christ—give him the

throne of your life.
Matt 2:13 This was the second dream
or vision that Joseph received from God. Matt 2:17-18 Rachel had been the favored
Joseph’s first dream revealed that Mary’s wife of Jacob, one of the great men of God
0 50 Mi
child would be the Messiah (Matt 1:20-21). in the Old Testament. As such, she was con-
His second dream told him how to protect sidered the mother of a nation. From Jacob’s 0 50 Km Red Sea

the child’s life. Although Joseph was not 12 sons had come the 12 tribes of Israel.
Jesus’ natural father, he was Jesus’ legal Rachel was buried near Bethlehem (Gen THE FLIGHT TO EGYPT Herod planned
father and was responsible for his safety and 35:19). For more about the significance of to kill the baby Jesus, whom he perceived
this verse, see the note on Jeremiah 31:15, to be a threat to his position. Warned in
well-being. Divine guidance comes only to
p. 1033, from which this verse was quoted. a dream, Joseph took his family to Egypt
prepared hearts. Joseph remained receptive until Herod’s death, which occurred a year
to God’s guidance. Matt 2:19-22 Herod the Great died in
or two later. Then God led them to return
4 B.C. of an incurable disease. Rome trusted
Matt 2:14-15 Going to Egypt was not to Nazareth in Galilee.
him but didn’t trust his sons. Herod knew
unusual because there were colonies of that Rome wouldn’t give his successor as
Jews in several major Egyptian cities. These much power, so he divided his kingdom into
colonies had developed during the time of
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f MATTHEW 2:19-22 (cont.) Jesus Speaks with the Religious Teachers

Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22But when he LUKE 2:41-52
learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the
son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, af- Passover festival. 42When Jesus was twelve years old,
ter being warned in a dream, he left for the region they attended the festival as usual. 43After the celebra-
of Galilee. tion was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus
stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss
Jesus’ Childhood in Nazareth PARALLEL
him at first, 44because they assumed he was among
MATTHEW 2:23 the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that
So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. evening, they started looking for him among their
This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be relatives and friends.
called a Nazarene.” 45When they couldn’t find him, they went back

LUKE 2:39-40 to Jerusalem to search for him there. 46Three days

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting
of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Naza- among the religious teachers, listening to them and
reth in Galilee. 40There the child grew up healthy and asking questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed
strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor at his understanding and his answers.
was on him. 48His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his

Matt 2:23 Nazareth sat in the hilly area of

southern Galilee near the crossroads of great
caravan trade routes. The town itself was GOSPEL ACCOUNTS FOUND ONLY IN MATTHEW
rather small. The Roman garrison in charge Matthew records nine events that are not mentioned in any of the other Gospels.
of Galilee was housed there. The people of In each case, Matthew’s choice seems to relate to his purpose in communicating
Nazareth had constant contact with people the gospel to Jewish people. Five cases are fulfillments of prophecies (marked
from all over the world, so world news with asterisks). The other four would have been of particular interest to the Jews
AD
reached them quickly. The people of Nazareth of Matthew’s day.
1 had an attitude of independence that many
of the Jews despised. This may have been Passage Subject
Saddles first used in Europe

why Nathanael commented “Nazareth! . . . 1:20-24 ..................Joseph’s dream*

Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
(John 1:46). 2:1-12 ....................The visit of the wise men
Matt 2:23 The Old Testament does not 2:13-15 ..................Escape to Egypt*
record this specific statement, “He will be 2:16-18 ..................Slaughter of the male children*
called a Nazarene.” Many scholars believe,
however, that Matthew is referring to Isaiah 27:3-10 ..................The death of Judas*
11:1, where the Hebrew word for “branch” 27:19......................The dream of Pilate’s wife
is similar to the word for “Nazarene.” Or he
may be referring to a prophecy unrecorded 27:52......................The other resurrections
in the Bible. In any case, Matthew paints 28:11-15 ................The bribery of the guards
the picture of Jesus as the true Messiah 28:19-20 ................The baptism emphasis in the great commission*
announced by God through the prophets;
and he makes the point that Jesus, the
Messiah, had unexpectedly humble begin- Luke 2:43-45 At age 12, Jesus was were expecting him soon. Jesus would have
nings, just as the Old Testament had pre- considered almost an adult, so he probably been eager to listen and to ask probing ques-
dicted (see Mic 5:2). didn’t spend a lot of time with his parents tions. It was not his youth but the depth of
Luke 2:39 Did Mary and Joseph return during the festival. Those who attended his wisdom that astounded these teachers.
immediately to Nazareth, or did they remain these festivals often traveled in caravans for Luke 2:48 Mary had to let go of her child
in Bethlehem for a time (as implied in Matt protection from robbers along the Palestine and let him become a man, God’s Son, the
2)? Apparently there is a gap of several years roads. The women and children usually would Messiah. Fearful that she hadn’t been care-
between verses 38 and 39—ample time for travel at the front of the caravan, with the ful enough with this God-given child, she
them to find a place to live in Bethlehem, flee men bringing up the rear. A 12-year-old boy searched frantically for him. But she was
to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath, and return conceivably could have been in either group, looking for a boy, not the young man who
to Nazareth when it was safe to do so. so both Mary and Joseph probably assumed was in the Temple astounding the religious
Luke 2:41-42 According to God’s law, every that Jesus was with the other one. But when leaders with his questions. Letting go of
male was required to go to Jerusalem three the caravan left Jerusalem, Jesus stayed people or projects we have nurtured can
times a year for the great festivals (Deut behind, absorbed in his discussion with the be very difficult. It is both sweet and painful
16:16). In the spring, the Passover was cele- religious leaders. to see our children growing into adults, our
brated, followed immediately by the weeklong Luke 2:46-47 The Temple courts were students into teachers, our subordinates into
Festival of Unleavened Bread. Passover com- famous throughout Judea as a place of learn- managers, our inspirations into institutions.
memorated the night of the Jews’ escape ing. At the time of the Passover, the greatest But when the time comes we must step
from Egypt when God had killed the Egyptian rabbis of the land would assemble to teach back and let go—in spite of the hurt. Then
firstborn but had passed over Israelite homes and to discuss great truths among them- our protégés can exercise their wings, take
(see Exod 12:21-36). Passover was the most selves. The coming Messiah might have been flight, and soar to the heights God intended
important of the three annual festivals. a popular discussion topic, for many people for them.
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mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? John the Baptist Prepares
Your father and I have been frantic, searching for the Way for Jesus PARALLEL
you everywhere.” MATTHEW 3:1-12
49“But why did you need to search?” he asked. In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean
“Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s wilderness and began preaching. His message was,
2“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the King-
house?”* 50But they didn’t understand what he
meant. dom of Heaven is near.*” 3The prophet Isaiah was
51Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was speaking about John when he said,
obedient to them. And his mother stored all these “He is a voice shouting in the
things in her heart. wilderness,
52Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
with God and all the people. Clear the road for him!’”*
Lk 2:49 Or “Didn’t you realize that I should be involved with my Father’s affairs?” Mt 3:2 Or has come, or is coming soon. Mt 3:3 Isa 40:3 (Greek version).

Luke 2:49-50 This is the first mention of that leads to wrong actions, such as lying, of the Old Testament and one of the most
Jesus’ awareness that he was God’s Son. But cheating, stealing, gossiping, taking revenge, quoted in the New. Like Isaiah, John was a
even though he knew his real Father, Jesus abusing, and indulging in sexual immorality. prophet who urged the people to confess
did not reject his earthly parents. He went A person who turns from sin stops rebelling their sins and live for God. Both prophets
back to Nazareth with them and lived under and begins following God’s way of living pre- taught that the message of repentance is
their authority for another 18 years. God’s scribed in his Word. The first step in turning good news to those who listen and seek the
people do not despise human relationships to God is to admit your sin, as John urged. healing forgiveness of God’s love, but terrible
or family responsibilities. If the Son of God Then God will receive you and help you live news to those who refuse to listen and thus
obeyed his human parents, how much more the way he wants. Remember that only God cut off their only hope.
should we honor our family members! Don’t can get rid of sin. He doesn’t expect us to Matt 3:3 John the Baptist prepared the way
use commitment to God’s work to justify clean up our life before we come to him. for Jesus by preparing others to welcome
neglecting your family. Matt 3:2 The Kingdom of Heaven began him. People who do not know Jesus need
Luke 2:50 Jesus’ parents didn’t understand when God himself entered human history to get ready to meet him. We can prepare
what he meant about his Father’s house. as a man. Today Jesus Christ reigns in them by explaining their need for forgive-
ness, demonstrating Christ’s teachings by AD
They didn’t realize he was making a dis- the hearts of believers, but the Kingdom
tinction between his earthly father and his of Heaven will not be fully realized until all our conduct, and telling them how Christ can 6
give their lives meaning. We can “clear the

Jesus visits Temple as a boy

heavenly Father. Jesus knew that he had a evil in the world is judged and removed.
unique relationship with God. Although Mary Christ came to earth first as a suffering ser- road for him” by correcting misconceptions
and Joseph knew he was God’s Son, they vant; he will come again as king and judge that might be hindering people from coming
didn’t understand what his mission would to rule victoriously over all the earth. to Christ. Someone you know may be open to
involve. Besides, they had to raise him, Matt 3:3 The prophecy quoted is Isaiah a relationship with Christ. How are you help-
along with his brothers and sisters (Matt 40:3. Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets ing those around you to welcome Jesus?
13:55-56), as a normal child. They knew
he was unique, but they did not know what
was going on in his mind.
Luke 2:52 The Bible does not record any
events of the next 18 years of Jesus’ life, but
Jesus undoubtedly was learning and matur-
ing. As the oldest in a large family, he would
have assisted Joseph in his carpentry work.
Since there is no mention of Joseph after
this time, he may have died, leaving Jesus
to provide for the family. The normal routines
of daily life gave Jesus a solid understanding
of the Judean people.
Luke 2:52 The second chapter of Luke
shows us that although Jesus was unique,
he had a normal childhood and adolescence.
In terms of development, he went through
the same progression we do. He grew physi-
cally and mentally, he related to other peo-
ple, and he was loved by God. A full human
life is balanced. Thus it was important to Egypt in Jesus’ Day The Sphinx and the great pyramids dominated
Jesus—and it should be important to all the landscape when Jesus was there as an infant, but they were just as much
believers—to develop fully and harmoniously cultural artifacts then as they are today. It had been centuries since the classical
in each of these key areas: physical, mental, Egyptian culture had been conquered, and Greco-Roman customs and culture
social, and spiritual. dominated the area at this time. The people there spoke Greek and were under
Matt 3:1-2 John the Baptist bursts onto the Roman rule, just like Judea and Galilee.
scene thirty years after the birth of Jesus. His
theme was “Repent of your sins.” The people
needed to repent—make a 180-degree
turn—from the kind of self-centeredness
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f MATTHEW 3:1-12 (cont.) coming to watch him baptize,* he denounced them.

4John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned
and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food you to flee God’s coming wrath? 8Prove by the way you
he ate locusts and wild honey. 5People from Jerusalem live that you have repented of your sins and turned to
and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley God. 9Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we
went out to see and hear John. 6And when they con- are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for
fessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees these very stones. 10Even now the ax of God’s judgment
Mt 3:7 Or coming to be baptized.

Matt 3:4 John was markedly different from

other religious leaders of his day. While
many were greedy, selfish, and preoccupied THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES
with winning the praise of the people, John The Pharisees and Sadducees were the two major religious leadership groups
was concerned only with the praise of God. in Israel at the time of Jesus. The Pharisees were more religiously minded,
Having separated himself from the evil and while the Sadducees were more politically minded. Although the groups disliked
hypocrisy of his day, John lived differently and distrusted each other, they became allies in their common hatred for Jesus.
from other people to show that his message
was new. John not only preached God’s law, Name Positive Characteristics Negative Characteristics
he lived it. Do you practice what you preach?
Could people discover what you believe by PHARISEES • Were committed to • Behaved as though their own religious
observing the way you live? obeying God’s law rules were just as important as
Matt 3:4-6 John must have presented a God’s law
• Were admired by the
strange image! Many people came to hear people for their piety • Their piety was often hypocritical, and
this preacher, who wore odd clothes and ate
unusual food. Some probably came simply • Believed in a bodily they admonished others to live up to
out of curiosity and ended up turning from standards they themselves could not
resurrection and
their sins as they listened to his powerful live up to
eternal life
message. People may be curious about your • Were more concerned with appearing
AD Christian lifestyle and values. You can use • Believed in angels
26 to be good than obeying God
their simple curiosity as an opener to share and demons
how Christ makes a difference in you.
John the Baptist begins his ministry

SADDUCEES • Believed strongly in • Relied on logic while placing little

Matt 3:5 Why did John attract so many the Law of Moses importance on faith
people? He was a true prophet from God, and
he publicly blasted both Herod and the reli- and in Levitical purity • Did not believe all the Old Testament
gious leaders, daring words that fascinated the • Were more was God’s Word
common people. But John also had a strong practically minded
message for his audience: They, too, were • Did not believe in a bodily resurrection
than the Pharisees
sinners and needed to turn from their sins. or eternal life
His words were powerful and true. The people
were expecting a prophet like Elijah (Mal 4:5;
• Did not believe in angels or demons
Luke 1:17), and John seemed to be the one! • Were willing to compromise their values
Matt 3:6 When you wash dirty hands, the in order to maintain their status and
results are immediately visible. But turning power
from sins (repentance) happens inside with a
cleansing that isn’t seen right away. So John
used a symbolic action that people could see:
baptism. The Jews used baptism to initiate to renew their covenant with God again, this political position. For more information on
converts, so John’s audience was familiar time through baptism. these two groups, see the chart on p. 1313.
with the rite. Here, baptism was used as a Matt 3:7 The Jewish religious leaders were Matt 3:8 John the Baptist called people
sign of repentance and forgiveness. Turning divided into several groups. Two of the most to more than words or ritual; he told them
from sins implies a change in behavior, turn- prominent groups were the Pharisees and the to change their behavior. “Prove by the way
ing from sin toward God. Have you turned Sadducees. The Pharisees separated them- you live that you have repented of your sins”
from sin in your life? Can others see the selves from anything non-Jewish and care- means that God looks beyond our words and
difference it makes in you? A changed life fully followed both the Old Testament laws religious activities to see if our conduct backs
with new and different behavior makes your and the oral traditions handed down through up what we say, and he judges our words by
repentance real and visible. the centuries. The Sadducees believed the the actions that accompany them. Do your
Matt 3:6 The Jordan River is about 70 miles Pentateuch alone (Genesis—Deuteronomy) actions match your words?
long, its main section stretching between the to be God’s Word. They were descended Matt 3:9-10 Just as a fruit tree is expected
Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Jerusalem mainly from priestly nobility, while the Phari- to bear fruit, God’s people should produce a
lies about 20 miles west of the Jordan. This sees came from all classes of people. The crop of good deeds. God has no use for people
river was Israel’s eastern border, and many two groups disliked each other greatly, and who call themselves Christians but who live
significant events in the nation’s history took both opposed Jesus. John the Baptist criti- otherwise. Like many people in John’s day
place there. It was by the Jordan River that cized the Pharisees for being legalistic and who were God’s people in name only, we are
the Israelites renewed their covenant with hypocritical, following the letter of the law of no value if we are Christians in name only.
God before entering the Promised Land while ignoring its true intent. He criticized the If others can’t see our faith in the way we treat
(Josh 1–2). Here John the Baptist calls them Sadducees for using religion to advance their them, we may not be God’s people at all.
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is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, MARK 1:1b-8
every tree that does not produce good fruit will be It began 2just as the prophet Isaiah had written:
chopped down and thrown into the fire. “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead
11“I baptize with* water those who repent of their
of you,
sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon
and he will prepare your way.*
who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m 3
He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals.
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.*
12He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat Clear the road for him!’*”
4This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the
with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the
threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but wilderness and preached that people should be bap-
burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” tized to show that they had repented of their sins and
Mt 3:11a Or in. Mt 3:11b Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire. Mk 1:2 Mal 3:1. Mk 1:3 Isa 40:3 (Greek version).

Matt 3:10 God’s message hasn’t changed

since the Old Testament: People will be
judged for their unproductive lives. God calls
us to be active in our obedience. John com-
pared people who claim they believe God but
don’t live for God to unproductive trees that
will be cut down. To be productive for God,
we must obey his teachings, resist tempta-
tion, actively serve and help others, and share
our faith. How productive are you for God?
Matt 3:11 John baptized people as a sign
that they had asked God to forgive their
sins and had decided to live as he wanted
them to live. Baptism was an outward sign
of commitment. To be effective, it had to be
accompanied by an inward change of attitude
leading to a changed life.
Matt 3:12 A winnowing fork is a pitchfork
used to toss wheat in the air to separate
grain from chaff. The grain is the part of the
plant that is useful; chaff is the worthless
outer shell. Because it is useless, chaff is
burned; grain, however, is gathered. “Win-
nowing” is often used as a picture of God’s Nazareth Jesus spent his childhood in Nazareth, a village in the southern
judgment. hills of Galilee about seventy miles from Jerusalem. Though it was close to some
roads and major trade routes, the village itself was not on the main road. Nazareth
Mark 1:2-3 Isaiah was one of the greatest was somewhat outside of the mainstream of Jewish life in that time, providing
prophets of the Old Testament. The second the background for Nathanael’s remark to Philip, “Can anything good come from
half of the book of Isaiah is devoted to the Nazareth?” (John 1:46).
promise of salvation. Isaiah wrote about the
coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the
man who would announce his coming, John
Mark 1:3 John the Baptist prepared the primarily Roman Christians, he began his
the Baptist. John’s call to “clear the road for
way for Jesus. People who do not know book with John the Baptist, whose mission
him” meant that people should give up their
Jesus need to be prepared to meet him. We it was to announce the coming of Jesus, the
selfish way of living, renounce their sins, seek
can “prepare the way” by explaining their most important man who ever lived. Roman
God’s forgiveness, and establish a relationship
need for forgiveness, demonstrating Christ’s Christians would have been less interested
with God by believing and obeying his words in Jesus’ birth than in this messenger who
teaching by our conduct, and telling them
as found in Scripture (Isa 1:18-20; 57:15). how Christ can give their lives meaning. We prepared the way.
Mark 1:2-3 Mark 1:2-3 is a composite can “clear the road for him” by correcting Mark 1:4 In John’s ministry, baptism was
quotation, taken first from Malachi 3:1 and misconceptions that might be hindering a visible sign that a person had decided to
then from Isaiah 40:3. people from approaching Christ. Someone change his or her life, giving up a sinful and
Mark 1:2-4 Hundreds of years earlier, the you know may be open to a relationship with selfish way of living and turning to God. John
prophet Isaiah had predicted that John the Christ. What can you do to prepare the way took a known custom and gave it new mean-
Baptist and Jesus would come. Isaiah’s for this person? ing. The Jews often baptized non-Jews who
words comforted many people as they looked Mark 1:4 Why does the Gospel of Mark had converted to Judaism. But to baptize a
forward to the Messiah, and knowing that begin with the story of John the Baptist Jew as a sign of repentance was a radical
God keeps his promises can comfort you, too. and not mention the story of Jesus’ birth? departure from Jewish custom. The early
As you read the book of Mark, realize that it Important Roman officials of this day were church took baptism a step further, associat-
is more than just a story; it is part of God’s always preceded by an announcer or herald. ing it with Jesus’ death and resurrection (see,
Word. In it God is revealing to you his plans When the herald arrived in town, the people for example, Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21).
for human history—and offering the Good knew that someone of prominence would
News of his salvation to you. soon arrive. Because Mark’s audience was
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f MARK 1:1b-8 (cont.) were the high priests. At this time a message from God
turned to God to be forgiven. 5All of Judea, includ- came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the
ing all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and wilderness. 3Then John went from place to place on
hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people
baptized them in the Jordan River. 6His clothes were should be baptized to show that they had repented of
woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4Isaiah had
belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild spoken of John when he said,
honey.
7 John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps Clear the road for him!
of his sandals. 8I baptize you with* water, but he will
5 The valleys will be filled,
baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
LUKE 3:1-18
and the rough places made smooth.
It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiber- 6 And then all people will see
ius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor
the salvation sent from God.’”*
over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler* over Galilee; his
7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he
brother Philip was ruler* over Iturea and Traconitis;
Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 2Annas and Caiaphas said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee
Mk 1:8 Or in; also in 1:8b. Lk 3:1a Greek Herod was tetrarch. Herod Antipas was a son of King Herod. Lk 3:1b Greek tetrarch; also in 3:1c. Lk 3:4-6 Isa 40:3-5
(Greek version).

Mark 1:5 Jesus came at a time in history Mark 1:8 John said Jesus would baptize gone down in history as greater than any of
when the entire civilized world was relatively them with the Holy Spirit, sending the Holy the rulers of his day. How often people judge
peaceful under Roman rule, travel was easy, Spirit to live within each believer. John’s others by the superficial standards of power,
and there was a common language. The baptism with water prepared a person to wealth, and beauty, and miss the truly great
news about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrec- receive Christ’s message. This baptism people through whom God works! Greatness
tion could spread quickly throughout the vast demonstrated repentance, humility, and is measured not by what you have but by
Roman Empire. willingness to turn from sin. This was the your faith in God. Like John, give yourself
In Israel, people were ready for Jesus, too, beginning of the spiritual process. When entirely to God so God’s power can work
and they flocked to hear John, the wilder- Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, the entire through you.
ness preacher. There had been no God-sent person is transformed by the Spirit’s power. Luke 3:3 To turn to God to receive forgive-
prophets for 400 years, since the days of Jesus offers to us both forgiveness of sin ness from sins implies turning away from
Malachi (who wrote the last book of the Old and the power to live for him. sins. We can’t just say we believe and then
Testament). Anticipation was growing that Luke 3:1 Tiberius, the Roman emperor, ruled live any way we choose (see Luke 3:7-8);
a great prophet, or the Messiah prophesied from A.D. 14 to 37. Pilate was the Roman neither can we simply live a morally correct
in the Old Testament, would soon come governor responsible for the province of life without a personal relationship with God
(see Luke 3:15). Judea; Herod Antipas and Philip were half because that cannot bring forgiveness from
Mark 1:5 The purpose of John’s preaching brothers and sons of the cruel Herod the sin. Determine to rid your life of any sins God
was to prepare people to accept Jesus as Great, who had been dead more than 20 points out, and then determine to live in a
God’s Son. When John challenged the people years. Antipas, Philip, Pilate, and Lysanias way that pleases him.
to confess sin individually, he signaled the apparently had equal powers in governing Luke 3:4-5 In John’s day, before a king
start of a new way to relate to God. their separate territories. All were subject to would take a trip, messengers would tell
Is change needed in your life before you Rome and responsible for keeping peace in those he was planning to visit to prepare the
can hear and understand Jesus’ message? their respective lands. roads for him. Similarly John told his listeners
You have to admit that you need forgive- Luke 3:2 Jewish law provided for only one to make their lives ready so the Lord could
ness before you can accept it. To prepare to high priest. He was appointed from Aaron’s come to them. This does not mean that you
receive Christ, repent. Turn away from the line and held his position for life. By this must get rid of all your sin or wrongdoing
world’s dead-end attractions, sinful tempta- time, however, the religious system had been before you can accept Christ; rather, when
tions, and harmful attitudes, and turn to God. corrupted, and the Roman government was you accept him, he takes care of all your sin-
He can give you a new start. appointing its own religious leaders to main- fulness. To “prepare the way” means clearing
Mark 1:6 John dressed much like the tain greater control over the Jews. Apparently aside the baggage of the past and the doubts
prophet Elijah (2 Kgs 1:8) in order to dis- the Roman authorities had deposed the of the present in order to let the King come
tinguish himself from the religious leaders, Jewish-appointed Annas and had replaced into your life. He’ll take it from there.
whose flowing robes reflected their great pride him with Annas’s son-in-law, Caiaphas. Luke 3:6 Luke was written to a non-Jewish
in their position (Mark 12:38). John’s striking Nevertheless Annas retained his title (see Acts audience. The quote from Isaiah shows that
appearance reinforced his striking message. 4:6) and probably also much of the power it salvation is for “all people,” not just the Jews
Mark 1:7-8 Although John was the first carried. Because the Jews believed the high (Isa 40:3-5; 52:10). John the Baptist called
genuine prophet in 400 years, Jesus the priest’s position to be for life, they would have everyone to prepare to meet Jesus. That
Messiah would be infinitely greater than he. continued to call Annas their high priest. includes you, no matter what your nationality,
John was pointing out how insignificant he Luke 3:2 Pilate, Herod, and Caiaphas were social standing, religious affiliation, or politi-
was compared to the one who was coming. the most powerful leaders in Palestine, but cal position. God is calling to all people. Don’t
John was not even worthy of being his slave. they were upstaged by a wilderness prophet let feelings of being an outsider cause you to
What John began, Jesus finished. What John from rural Judea. God chose to speak hold back. No one who wants to follow Jesus
prepared, Jesus fulfilled. through the loner, John the Baptist, who has is an outsider in God’s Kingdom.
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God’s coming wrath? 8Prove by the way you live that the poor. If you have food, share it with those who
you have repented of your sins and turned to God. are hungry.”
Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are 12Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized

descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”
I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from 13He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the

these very stones. 9Even now the ax of God’s judgment government requires.”
is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, 14“What should we do?” asked some soldiers.

every tree that does not produce good fruit will be John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false
chopped down and thrown into the fire.” accusations. And be content with your pay.”
10The crowds asked, “What should we do?” 15Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come
11John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to soon, and they were eager to know whether John

Luke 3:7-9 Some people wanted to be bap- bring comforting messages to those who and used their power to take advantage of
tized by John so they could escape eternal lived sinful lives; he was calling the people all the people. John called them to turn from
punishment, but they were not really repent- to right living as he prepared the way for their sins and change their ways.
ing from sin nor were they willing to change their Messiah. What changes can you make Luke 3:15 Israel had not seen a prophet for
the way they lived. John had harsh words for in sharing what you have, doing your work more than 400 years. It was widely believed
such people. He knew that God values refor- honestly and well, and being content? that when the Messiah would come, proph-
mation above ritual. Confession of sins and Luke 3:12 Tax collectors were notorious for ecy would reappear (Joel 2:28-29; Mal 3:1;
a changed life are inseparable. Faith without their dishonesty. Romans gathered funds for 4:5). When John burst onto the scene, the
deeds is dead (Jas 2:14-26). Jesus also their government by farming out the collec- people were excited. He was obviously a
spoke harsh words to the respectable reli- tion privilege. Tax collectors earned their own great prophet, and they were sure that the
gious leaders who lacked the willingness to living by adding a sizable sum—whatever eagerly awaited age of the Messiah had
repent. They wanted to be known as religious they could get away with—to the total and come. Some, in fact, thought John himself
authorities and they wanted eternal life, but keeping this money for themselves. Unless was the Messiah. John spoke like the proph-
they didn’t want to repent of their sins. Thus, the people revolted and risked Roman ets of old, saying that the people must turn
their lives were unproductive. Turning from retaliation, they had to pay whatever was from their sin to God to avoid punishment
sin must be tied to action. Following Jesus demanded. Obviously the people hated and to experience his mercy and approval.
means more than saying the right words; the tax collectors, who were generally cor- This is a message for all times and places,
it means acting on what he says. rupt and greedy. Yet, said John, God would but John spoke it with particular urgency;
Luke 3:8 Many of John’s hearers were accept even these men; God desires to he was preparing the people for the coming
shocked when he said that being Abraham’s pour out mercy on those who confess their Messiah.
descendants was not enough to ensure sins and then to give them strength to live
salvation. The religious leaders relied more changed lives.
on family lines than on faith for their standing Luke 3:12-14 John’s message took root The Jordan River
with God. For them, religion was inherited. in unexpected places—among the poor, the The Jordan River follows a north–south
But a personal relationship with God cannot dishonest, and even the hated occupation route, descending gradually from the
be handed down from parents to children. army. These people were painfully aware of Huleh Lake to the Dead Sea. Prior to
Everyone has to make a personal decision their needs and they were honestly seeking Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, it
of whether or not to trust Christ. Don’t rely to know what to do to change their lives. Did was already quite important in Israel’s
on someone else’s faith for your salvation. anyone follow John’s advice? Surely some history. The Israelites passed across
Have you made that personal decision to did, and their softened hearts became ready the Jordan upon entry into the Promised
trust Christ? to receive the message of the One who was Land ( Josh 3:14-17 ). The prophet Elijah
Luke 3:11-14 John’s message demanded to come. sought refuge from Ahab king of Israel
at least three specific responses: (1) Share by the brook of Kerith east of the Jordan
Luke 3:14 These soldiers were the Roman (1 Kgs 17:1-5). Elijah was translated up
what you have with those who need it, troops sent to keep peace in this distant
(2) whatever your job is, do it well and with to heaven in a whirlwind after crossing
province. Many of them oppressed the poor the Jordan on dry ground with Elisha
fairness, and (3) be content with your earn-
ings. John had not been commissioned to (2 Kgs 2:6-12). Naaman, the Syrian
general, bathed in the Jordan at the
command of Elisha and his leprosy was
healed (2 Kgs 5:8-14). Elisha made the
ax head float here (2 Kgs 6:1-7 ).

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f LUKE 3:1-18 (cont.) JOHN 1:19-28

might be the Messiah. 16John answered their ques- This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders
tions by saying, “I baptize you with* water; but some- sent priests and Temple assistants* from Jerusalem
one is coming soon who is greater than I am—so to ask John, “Who are you?” 20He came right out and
much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave said, “I am not the Messiah.”
and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize 21“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you

you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.* 17 He is ready Elijah?”
to separate the chaff from the wheat with his win- “No,” he replied.
nowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”*
area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning “No.”
the chaff with never-ending fire.” 18John used many 22“Then who are you? We need an answer for

such warnings as he announced the Good News to those who sent us. What do you have to say about
the people. yourself?”
Lk 3:16a Or in. Lk 3:16b Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire. Jn 1:19 Greek and Levites. Jn 1:21 Greek Are you the Prophet? See Deut 18:15, 18; Mal 4:5-6.

Luke 3:16 John’s baptism with water

symbolized the washing away of sins. His
baptism followed his message of repentance
and reformation. Jesus’ baptism with fire
JOHN THE BAPTIST John the Baptist was unique.
He wore odd clothes and ate strange food and preached an unusual message to
equips one with power to do God’s will. The the Judeans who went out to the wastelands to see him. But John did not aim at
baptism with the Holy Spirit was first given uniqueness for its own sake. Instead, he aimed at obedience. The angel who had
at Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit announced John’s birth to Zechariah had made it clear that this child was to be a
came upon believers in the form of tongues Nazirite—one set apart for God’s service. He knew he had a specific role to play in
of fire, empowering them to proclaim Jesus’ the world—announcing the coming of the Savior—and he put all his energies into
resurrection in many languages. The baptism this task. • This wild-looking man spoke with almost irresistible authority. People
with fire also symbolizes the work of the Holy
Spirit in bringing God’s judgment on those were moved by his words because he spoke the truth, challenging them to turn
who refuse to repent. from their sins and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance. They responded
by the hundreds. But even as people crowded to him, he pointed beyond himself,
Luke 3:17 John warned of impending judg-
ment by comparing those who refuse to live never forgetting that his main role was to announce the coming of the Savior. • God
for God to chaff, the useless outer husk of has given each of us a purpose for living, and we can trust him to guide us. John
the grain. By contrast, John compared those focused his life on the truth he knew from the Scriptures. Likewise, we can discover
who repent and reform their lives to the in God’s Word the truths he wants us to know. And as these truths work in us, others
nourishing wheat itself. Those who refuse to will be drawn to him. God can use you in a way he can use no one else. Let him
be used by God will be discarded because know your willingness to follow him today.
they have no value in furthering God’s work.
Those who repent and believe, however, hold Strengths and • The God-appointed messenger to announce the arrival
great value in God’s eyes because they are accomplishments of Jesus
beginning a new life of productive service • A preacher whose theme was repentance
for him. • Known for his remarkable lifestyle
John 1:19 The priests and Temple assis- • Uncompromising
tants (also called Levites) were respected Lessons from • God does not guarantee an easy or safe life to those who
religious leaders in Jerusalem. Priests
served in the Temple, and Temple assistants his life serve him
helped them. The Pharisees (John 1:24) • Standing for the truth is more important than life itself
were a group that both John the Baptist Vital statistics • Where: Judea
and Jesus often denounced. Many of them • Occupation: Prophet
outwardly obeyed God’s laws to look pious, • Relatives: Father: Zechariah. Mother: Elizabeth. Relative:
while inwardly their hearts were filled with Jesus.
pride and greed. The Pharisees believed that
• Contemporaries: Herod, Herodias
their own oral traditions were just as impor-
tant as God’s inspired Word. Key verse “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater
These leaders came to see John the than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the King-
Baptist for several reasons: (1) Their duty dom of Heaven is greater than he is!” (Matt 11:11).
as guardians of the faith included inves-
tigating any new teaching or movement John’s story is told in all four Gospels. His coming was predicted in Isaiah 40:3 and
(Deut 13:1-5; 18:20-22). (2) They wanted Malachi 4:5; and he is mentioned in Acts 1:5, 22; 10:37; 11:16; 13:24, 25; 18:25;
to find out if John had the credentials of 19:3-4.
a prophet. (3) John had quite a following,
and it was growing. They were probably
jealous and wanted to see why this man (2) Elijah (Mal 4:5), (3) the Messiah, or ness for the LORD!’” (Isa 40:3). The leaders
was so popular. (4) a false prophet. John denied being the kept pressing John to say who he was
John 1:21-23 In the religious leaders’ first three personages. Instead, he called because people were expecting the Messiah
minds, there were four options regarding himself, in the words of the Old Testament to come (Luke 3:15). But John emphasized
John the Baptist’s identity: He was (1) the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of someone only why he had come—to prepare the way
Prophet foretold by Moses (Deut 18:15), shouting, ‘Clear the way through the wilder- for the Messiah. The Pharisees missed the
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23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: The Baptism of Jesus PARALLEL

MATTHEW 3:13-17
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”* Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to
be baptized by John. 14But John tried to talk him out
24Then the Pharisees who had been sent 25asked
of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,”
him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
what right do you have to baptize?” 15But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must
26John told them, “I baptize with* water, but right
carry out all that God requires.*” So John agreed to
here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. baptize him.
27Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even 16After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the

worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his water, the heavens were opened* and he saw the Spirit
sandal.” of God descending like a dove and settling on him.
28This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly

of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Jn 1:23 Isa 40:3. Jn 1:26 Or in; also in 1:31, 33. Mt 3:15 Or for we must fulfill all righteousness. Mt 3:16 Some manuscripts read opened to him.

point. They wanted to know who John was, notice, everything is growing. But you know to Jesus? Are we willing to lose some of our
but John wanted to prepare them to recog- that the purpose of your work is to prepare status so that everyone will benefit?
nize who Jesus was. the people for Jesus (John 1:35-37). Then Matt 3:16-17 The doctrine of the Trinity,
John 1:25-26 John was baptizing Jews. Jesus arrives, and his coming tests your which appeared later in church history,
The Essenes (a strict, monastic sect of integrity. Will you be able to turn your fol- teaches that God is three persons and yet one
Judaism) practiced baptism for purifica- lowers over to him? John passed the test in essence. In this passage, all three persons
tion, but normally only non-Jews (Gentiles) by publicly baptizing Jesus. Soon he would of the Trinity are present and active. God the
were baptized when they converted to say, “He must become greater and greater, Father speaks; God the Son is baptized; God
Judaism. When the Pharisees questioned and I must become less and less” (John the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus. God is one,
John’s authority to baptize, they were ask- 3:30). Can we, like John, put our egos and yet in three persons at the same time. This is
ing who gave John the right to treat God’s profitable work aside in order to point others one of God’s incomprehensible mysteries.
chosen people like Gentiles. John said, “I
baptize with water”—he was merely help-
ing the people perform a symbolic act of
repentance. But soon one would come who The Heavens
would truly forgive sins, something only the Were Opened
Son of God—the Messiah—could do. Two British archaeologists
John 1:27 John the Baptist said he was not went to Oxyrhynchus, Egypt,
even worthy to be Christ’s slave. But accord- from 1898 to 1913 in search of
ing to Luke 7:28, Jesus said that John was ancient manuscripts. Among the
the greatest of all prophets. If such a great thousands of manuscripts they
person felt inadequate even to be Christ’s unearthed was a manuscript
slave, how much more should we lay aside known as P. Oxyrhynchus 405,
our pride to serve him! When we truly which became the earliest
understand who Jesus is, our pride and self- available manuscript of
importance melt away. Matthew’s record of Jesus’
baptism.
Matt 3:13-15 John had been explaining that There is a one-word differ-
Jesus’ baptism would be much greater than ence in Matthew 3:16 among
his, when suddenly Jesus came to him and the available manuscripts, with
asked to be baptized! John felt unqualified. He some expanding the reading
wanted Jesus to baptize him. Why did Jesus to “were opened to him” in
ask to be baptized? It was not for repentance an attempt to harmonize the
of sin, because Jesus never sinned. “We beginning of the verse to the
must carry out all that God requires” refers end, which states that Jesus
to accomplishing God’s mission. Jesus saw (not the crowd gathered there)
his baptism as advancing God’s work. Jesus saw God’s Spirit descending
was baptized because (1) he was confessing upon him. The early manuscript
sin on behalf of the nation, as Nehemiah, found in Oxyrhynchus confirms
Ezra, Moses, and Daniel had done; (2) he was the NLT reading in Matthew
showing support for what John was doing; 3:16, omitting the Greek word
(3) he was inaugurating his public ministry; for “to him,” and reading
(4) he was identifying with the penitent people simply “the heavens were
of God, not with the critical Pharisees who opened.”
were only watching. Jesus, the perfect man,
didn’t need baptism for sin, but he accepted
baptism in obedient service to the Father, and
God showed his approval.
Matt 3:15 Put yourself in John’s shoes.
Your work is going well, people are taking
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MARK 1:9-11 Satan Tempts Jesus

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John in the Wilderness PARALLEL
baptized him in the Jordan River. 10As Jesus came up MATTHEW 4:1-11
out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilder-
the Holy Spirit descending on him* like a dove. 11And a
ness to be tempted there by the devil. 2For forty
voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son,days and forty nights he fasted and became very
and you bring me great joy.” hungry.
3During that time the devil* came and said to him,
LUKE 3:21-22
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become
One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus
loaves of bread.”
himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heav- 4But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
ens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, de-
22

scended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven ‘People do not live by bread alone,
said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me but by every word that comes from the mouth
great joy.*” of God.’*”
Mk 1:10 Or toward him, or into him. Lk 3:22 Some manuscripts read my Son, and today I have become your Father. Mt 4:3 Greek the tempter. Mt 4:4 Deut 8:3.

Mark 1:9 Jesus grew up in Nazareth, Luke 3:21-22 Theologians have long been hungry, and thus most vulnerable. The devil
where he had lived since he was a young troubled by Jesus’ allowing himself to be often tempts us when we are under physi-
boy (Matt 2:22-23). Nazareth was a small baptized by John. After all, this baptism was cal or emotional stress (for example, lonely,
town in Galilee, located about halfway for sinners. Why, then, did Jesus do it? He did tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with
between the Sea of Galilee and the Medi- it because he is both God and human—he uncertainty). But he also likes to tempt us
terranean Sea. The city was despised and underwent baptism and even death as only a through our strengths, where we are most
avoided by many Jews (John 1:46). Naza- human could; he lived a sinless life and rose susceptible to pride (see the note on Luke
reth was a crossroads for trade routes and from the dead as only God could. This bap- 4:3ff, p. 1296). We must guard at all times
had contact with many cultures. tism by John in the Jordan River was another against his attacks.
Mark 1:10-11 The Spirit descended like step in his identification with us sinful people; Matt 4:1-10 The devil’s temptations
a dove on Jesus, and the voice from heaven and the arrival of the dove signifies God’s focused on three crucial areas: (1) physi-
proclaimed the Father’s approval of Jesus as approval. Now Jesus would officially begin cal needs and desires, (2) possessions and
his divine Son. Here we see all three mem- his ministry as God’s beloved Son walking the power, and (3) pride (see 1 Jn 2:15-16 for
bers of the Trinity together—God the Father, dusty roads of Israel. When you are hurting, a similar list). But Jesus did not give in.
depressed, broken, remember: You have a Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus “faced all of
God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. (See
Savior who understands your humanity. When the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”
also Matt 28:19; Luke 1:35; John 15:26;
you sin, remember: He has paid the price for He knows firsthand what we are experienc-
Eph 2:18; 1 Thes 1:2-5; 1 Pet 1:2.)
your disobedience. ing, and he is willing and able to help us in
Mark 1:11 The dove and the voice from
Luke 3:21-22 The mystery of the Trinity is our struggles. When you are tempted, turn
heaven were signs that Jesus was the
on display here—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. to him for strength.
Messiah. Many people want something
In the traditional words of the church, the Matt 4:3-4 Jesus was hungry and weak
tangible, visible, and “real” before they will
one God exists in three persons but one sub- after fasting for 40 days, but he chose not
believe. So Jesus did healings and other
stance, coeternal and coequal. No explana- to use his divine power to satisfy his natural
miracles, and God raised him from the
tion can adequately portray the power and desire for food. Food, hunger, and eating are
dead. Still people doubt. intricacy of this unique relationship. There
Will visible signs convince anyone? The good, but the timing was wrong. Jesus was
are no perfect analogies in nature because in the wilderness to fast, not to eat. We also
“sign” that really brings us to faith is the there is no other relationship like the Trinity.
power of God’s message to answer the cry may be tempted to satisfy a perfectly normal
of the heart. To the confused, God offers a Matt 4:1 This time of testing showed that desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time.
mind enlightened by faith. To the depressed, Jesus really was the Son of God, able to If we indulge in sex before marriage or if we
God offers a reason for joy. To the lonely, overcome the devil and his temptations. A steal to get food, we are trying to satisfy God-
God offers eternal companionship. Don’t look person has not shown true obedience if he given desires in wrong ways. Remember,
for a spectacular visible sign; instead, seek or she has never had an opportunity to dis- many of your desires are normal and good,
a cleansed and renewed life as evidence of obey. We read in Deuteronomy 8:2 that God but God wants you to satisfy them in the right
his presence. led Israel into the wilderness to humble and way and at the right time.
to test them. God wanted to see whether or Matt 4:3-4 Jesus was able to resist all
Luke 3:21 Luke emphasizes Jesus’ human not his people would really obey him. We,
nature. Jesus was born to humble parents, of the devil’s temptations because he not
too, will be tested. Because we know that only knew Scripture, but he also obeyed
a birth unannounced except to shepherds testing will come, we should be alert and
and foreigners. This baptism was the first it. Knowing Bible verses is an important
ready for it. Remember, your convictions are step in helping us resist the devil’s attacks,
public declaration of Jesus’ ministry. Instead only strong if they hold up under pressure!
of going to Jerusalem and identifying with but we must also obey the Bible. Note that
the established religious leaders, Jesus went Matt 4:1ff This temptation by the devil Satan had memorized Scripture, but he
to a river and identified with those who were shows us that Jesus was human, and it gave failed to obey it. Knowing and obeying the
repenting of sin. When Jesus, at age 12, had Jesus the opportunity to reaffirm God’s plan Bible helps us follow God’s desires rather
visited the Temple, he had understood his for his ministry. Jesus’ temptation was an than the devil’s.
mission (Luke 2:49). Eighteen years later, at important demonstration of his sinlessness. Matt 4:5 The Temple was the religious cen-
his baptism, he began carrying it out. And He could face temptation and not give in. ter of the Jewish nation and the place where
as Jesus prayed, God spoke and confirmed Matt 4:1ff Jesus wasn’t tempted inside the people expected the Messiah to arrive
his decision to act. God was breaking into the Temple or at his baptism but in the (Mal 3:1). Herod the Great had renovated
human history through Jesus. wilderness, where he was tired, alone, and the Temple in the hope of gaining the Jews’
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5Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusa- 10“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the

lem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, Scriptures say,
6

“If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scrip- ‘You must worship the Lord your God
tures say, and serve only him.’*”
‘He will order his angels to protect you. 11Then the devil went away, and angels came and

And they will hold you up with their hands took care of Jesus.
so you won’t even hurt your foot MARK 1:12-13
on a stone.’*” The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilder-
7Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You ness, 13where he was tempted by Satan for forty days.
must not test the Lord your God.’*” He was out among the wild animals, and angels took
8Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high care of him.
mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the LUKE 4:1-13
world and their glory. 9“I will give it all to you,” he said, Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from
“if you will kneel down and worship me.” the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the
Mt 4:6 Ps 91:11-12. Mt 4:7 Deut 6:16. Mt 4:10 Deut 6:13.

confidence. The Temple was the tallest Matt 4:8-10 The devil offered the whole
necessarily true. He led Jesus into the wilder-
building in the area, and this “highest point” world to Jesus if Jesus would only kneel down
ness for a long and difficult time of testing,
was probably the corner wall that jutted out and worship him. Today the devil offers us
and he may also lead us into difficult situa-
of the hillside, overlooking the valley below. the world by trying to entice us with material-
tions. When facing trials, first make sure you
From this spot, Jesus could see all of Jeru- ism and power. We can resist temptations
haven’t brought them on yourself through sin
salem behind him and the country for miles the same way Jesus did. If you find yourself
or unwise choices. If you find no sin to con-
in front of him. craving something that the world offers, quote
fess or unwise behavior to change, then ask
Matt 4:5-7 God is not our magician in the Jesus’ words to the devil: “You must worship
God to strengthen you for your test. Finally,
sky ready to perform on request. In response the LORD your God and serve only him.”
be careful to follow faithfully wherever the
to Satan’s temptations, Jesus said not to test Matt 4:11 Angels, like these who waited on Holy Spirit leads.
God (Deut 6:16). Maybe you want to ask God Jesus, have a significant role as God’s mes-
Luke 4:1-2 The devil, who tempted Adam
to do something to prove his existence or his sengers. These spiritual beings were involved
and Eve in the garden, also tempted Jesus in
love for you. Jesus once taught through a in Jesus’ life on earth by (1) announcing
the wilderness. Jesus was a prime target for
parable that people who don’t believe what Jesus’ birth to Mary, (2) reassuring Joseph,
the devil’s temptations. Satan had succeeded
is written in the Bible won’t believe even if (3) naming Jesus, (4) announcing Jesus’ birth
with Adam and Eve, and he hoped to succeed
someone were to come back from the dead to the shepherds, (5) protecting Jesus by
with Jesus as well.
to warn them (Luke 16:31)! God wants us sending his family to Egypt, and (6) ministering
to live by faith, not by magic. Don’t try to to Jesus in Gethsemane. For more on angels,
manipulate God by asking for signs. see the note on Matthew 1:20, p. 1277.
Mediterranean
Matt 4:6 The devil used Scripture to try to Mark 1:12-13 Satan is an angel who Sea
convince Jesus to sin! Sometimes friends rebelled against God. He is real, not symbolic,
EE
LIL

or associates will present attractive and and is constantly working against God and
Capernaum
GA

convincing reasons why you should try some- those who obey him. Satan tempted Eve in
thing you know is wrong. They may even the garden and persuaded her to sin; he N Sea of
tempted Jesus in the wilderness and did not Galilee
find Bible verses that seem to support their Nazareth
z h
viewpoint. Study the Bible carefully, especially persuade him to fall. To be tempted is not a DECAPOLIS
the broader contexts of specific verses, so sin. Tempting others or giving in to temptation (Ten Towns)
s
is sin. Satan’s temptations are real, and he is Jor
Jord
Jo
J o rd
ord
or r dan
d an
an
that you understand God’s principles for liv- Riive
Rive
R
Riv
iivvve
er
er
always trying to get us to live his way or our SA
SAMARIA
ing and what he wants for your life. Only if
you really understand what the whole Bible way rather than God’s way. When temptations
says will you be able to recognize errors of seem especially strong, or when you think s
nes
A

der
RE

interpretation when people take verses out of you can rationalize giving in, consider whether Jerusalem Wil
PE

context and twist them to say what they want Satan may be trying to block God’s purposes
for your life or for someone else’s life. JUDEA Dead Sea
them to say.
Matt 4:8-9 Did the devil have the power to Mark 1:12-13 To identify fully with human
give Jesus the nations of the world? Doesn’t beings, Jesus had to endure Satan’s tempta- IDUMEA
God, the creator of the world, have control tions. Although Jesus is God, he is also man. 0 20 Mi
20

over these nations? Yes, but for now, Satan And as fully human, he was not exempt from 0 20
2 0 Km
does have a measure of power over the world Satan’s attacks. Because Jesus faced temp-
and he based his offer on this temporary tations and overcame them, he can assist us JESUS’ TEMPTATION AND RETURN
control and free rein over the earth because in two important ways: (1) as an example of TO GALILEE Satan tempted Jesus in the
of humanity’s sinfulness. The temptation how to face temptation without sinning, and rough Judean wilderness before returning
before Jesus was to take the world as a (2) as a helper who knows just what we need to his boyhood home, Nazareth. John’s
political ruler right then, without carrying out because he went through the same experi- Gospel tells of Jesus’ journeys in Galilee,
his plan to save the world from sin. Satan ence (Heb 4:15). Samaria, and Judea (see John 1–4)
was trying to distort Jesus’ perspective by Luke 4:1 Sometimes we feel that if the before he moved to Capernaum to set up
making him focus on worldly power and not Holy Spirit leads us, it will always be “beside his base of operations (see Matt 4:12-13).
on God’s plans. peaceful streams” (Ps 23:2). But that is not
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f LUKE 4:1-13 (cont.) ‘You must worship the Lord your God
wilderness,* 2where he was tempted by the devil for and serve only him.’*”
forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became 9Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the high-
very hungry.
3Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of est point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son
God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” of God, jump off! 10For the Scriptures say,
4But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People
‘He will order his angels to protect and
do not live by bread alone.’*” guard you.
5Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all 11 And they will hold you up with their hands
the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6“I so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’*”
will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority
12Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You
over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to
give to anyone I please. 7I will give it all to you if you must not test the Lord your God.’*”
13When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he
will worship me.”
8Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, left him until the next opportunity came.
Lk 4:1 Some manuscripts read into the wilderness. Lk 4:4 Deut 8:3. Lk 4:8 Deut 6:13. Lk 4:10-11 Ps 91:11-12. Lk 4:12 Deut 6:16.

Luke 4:1-13 Knowing and obeying God’s

Word is an effective weapon against tempta-
tion, the only offensive weapon provided in
THE TEMPTATIONS
the Christian’s “armor” (Eph 6:17). Jesus As if going through a final test of preparation, Jesus was tempted by Satan in
used Scripture to counter Satan’s attacks, the wilderness. Matthew lists three specific parts of the Temptation. They are
and so should we. But to use it effectively, familiar because we face the same kinds of temptations. Temptation is often the
we must have faith in God’s promises combination of a real need and a possible doubt that creates an inappropriate
because Satan also knows Scripture and desire. Jesus demonstrates both the importance and the effectiveness of
is adept at twisting it to suit his purposes. knowing and applying Scripture to combat temptation.
Obeying the Scriptures is more important
than simply having a verse to quote, so read
them daily and apply them to your life. Then Temptation Make bread Dare God to Worship me!
your “sword” will always be sharp. rescue you (based (Satan)
Luke 4:2 Why was it necessary for Jesus on misapplied
to be tempted? First, temptation is part of Scripture, Ps
the human experience. For Jesus to be fully 91:11-12)
human, for him to understand us completely, Real needs used Physical need: Emotional need: Psychological need:
he had to face temptation (see Heb 4:15). as basis for hunger security significance, power,
Second, Jesus had to undo Adam’s work. temptation achievement
Adam, though created perfect, gave in to
temptation and passed sin on to the whole Possible doubts Would God Would God Would God rule?
human race. Jesus, by contrast, resisted that made the provide food? protect?
Satan. His victory offers salvation to all of temptations real
Adam’s descendants (see Rom 5:12-19). Potential Hunger, Pride, insecurity, Desire for quick
Luke 4:3 Satan may tempt us to doubt weaknesses impatience, need to test God power, easy
Christ’s true identity. He knows that once we Satan sought need to “prove solutions, need
begin to question whether or not Jesus is God, to exploit his sonship” to prove equality
it’s far easier to get us to do what he wants.
with God
Times of questioning can help us sort out our
beliefs and strengthen our faith, but those Jesus’ answer Deut 8:3 “Depend Deut 6:16 Deut 6:13 “No
times can also be dangerous. If you are dealing on God” “Don’t test God” compromise
with doubt, be aware that you are especially Focus: God’s Focus: God’s plan with evil”
vulnerable to temptation. Even as you search purpose Focus: God’s
for answers, protect yourself by meditating on person
the unshakable truths of God’s Word.
Luke 4:3 Sometimes what we are tempted
to do isn’t wrong in itself. Turning a stone outside of God’s will or ahead of his timetable. To avoid this trap, we must realize that all our
into bread wasn’t necessarily bad. The sin First ask: Is the Holy Spirit leading me to do strengths are God’s gifts to us, and we must
was not in the act but in the reason behind this, or is Satan trying to get me off the track? dedicate those strengths to his service.
it. The devil was trying to get Jesus to take a Luke 4:3ff Often we are tempted not Luke 4:6-7 The devil arrogantly hoped to suc-
shortcut, to solve Jesus’ immediate problem through our weaknesses but through our ceed in his rebellion against God by diverting
at the expense of his long-range goals, to seek strengths. The devil tempted Jesus where he Jesus from his mission and winning his wor-
comfort at the sacrifice of his discipline. Satan was strong. Jesus had power over stones, ship. “This world is mine, not God’s,” he was
often works that way—persuading us to take the kingdoms of the world, and even angels, saying, “and if you hope to do anything worth-
action, even right action, for the wrong reason and Satan wanted him to use that power while here, you’ll need to follow my instruc-
or at the wrong time. The fact that something without regard for his mission. When we give tions.” Jesus didn’t argue with Satan about
is not wrong in itself does not mean that it in to the devil and wrongly use our strengths, who owns the world, but he refused to validate
is good for you at a given time. Many people we become proud and self-reliant. Trusting Satan’s claim by worshiping him. Jesus knew
sin by attempting to fulfill legitimate desires in our own powers, we feel little need of God. that he would redeem the world through giving
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John the Baptist Proclaims ing like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33I
Jesus as the Messiah didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me
JOHN 1:29-34 to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will
said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34I saw this happen to
of the world! 30He is the one I was talking about when Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.*”
I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater
than I am, for he existed long before me.’ 31I did not The First Disciples Follow Jesus
recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptiz- JOHN 1:35-51
ing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” The following day John was again standing with two
32Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descend- of his disciples. 36As Jesus walked by, John looked at
Jn 1:34 Some manuscripts read the Son of God.

up his life on the cross, not through making an let Jesus Christ be honored for it, God will do John 1:34 John the Baptist’s job was to
alliance with a corrupt angel. great things through you. point people to Jesus, their long-awaited
Luke 4:9-11 Here the devil misinterpreted John 1:31-34 At Jesus’ baptism, John the Messiah. Today people are looking for
Scripture. The intention of Psalm 91 is to Baptist declared Jesus to be the Messiah. At someone to give them security in an insecure
show God’s protection of his people, not to that time God had given John a sign to show world. Our job is to point them to Christ and
incite them to use God’s power for sensa- him that Jesus truly had been sent from God to show that he is the one whom they seek.
tional or foolish displays. (John 1:33). John and Jesus were related John 1:35ff These new disciples used
Luke 4:13 Christ’s defeat of the devil in (see Luke 1:36), so John probably knew who several names for Jesus: Lamb of God (John
the wilderness was decisive but not final. he was. But it wasn’t until Jesus’ baptism 1:36), Rabbi (John 1:38), Messiah (John
Throughout his ministry, Jesus would con- that John understood that Jesus was the 1:41), Son of God (John 1:49), and King of
front Satan in many forms. Too often we see Messiah. Jesus’ baptism is described in Israel (John 1:49). As they got to know Jesus,
temptation as once and for all. In reality, we Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; and Luke their appreciation for him grew. The more
need to be constantly on guard against the 3:21-22. time we spend getting to know Christ, the
devil’s ongoing attacks. Where are you most John 1:33 John the Baptist’s baptism with more we will understand and appreciate who
susceptible to temptation right now? How are water was preparatory because it was for he is. We may be drawn to him for his teach-
you preparing to withstand it? repentance and symbolized the washing away ing, but we will come to know him as the Son
Luke 4:13 What would it take for you to “sell of sins. Jesus, by contrast, would baptize with of God. Although these disciples made this
out”? What is there in life that would cause the Holy Spirit. He would send the Holy Spirit verbal shift in a few days, they would not fully
you to compromise your faith? Whatever it upon all believers, empowering them to live understand Jesus until three years later (Acts
is—sexual temptation, financial inducement, and to teach the message of salvation. This 2). What they so easily professed had to be
fear of alienating or offending someone— outpouring of the Spirit came after Jesus worked out in experience. We may find that
it will be placed in your path at some point. had risen from the dead and ascended into words of faith come easily, but deep apprecia-
The enemy wants to destroy believers or at heaven (see John 20:22; Acts 2). tion for Christ comes with living by faith.
least neutralize them through sin, shame,
and guilt. When that temptation rears its
seductive head, do what Jesus did: rely on
the Word of God and stand fast in your com- Ancient
mitment to worship God alone, above all else. Manuscripts
No matter the cost or the sacrifice, no matter
how appealing the come-on, believers must of John
follow Jesus’ example and stand strong. Manuscript discoveries in the past 100 years
John 1:29 Every morning and evening, a have shed new light on some verses in the Bible,
lamb was sacrificed in the Temple for the including John 1:34. Did John the Baptist say
about Jesus, “I testify that he is the Son of God”
sins of the people (Exod 29:38-42). Isaiah
or “I testify that he is the Chosen One of God”?
53:7 prophesied that the Messiah, God’s
Some manuscripts say one thing, and some
servant, would be led to the slaughter like say the other. Since not all of the manuscripts
a lamb. To pay the penalty for sin, a life had agree, translators have to weigh the evidence to
to be given—and God chose to provide consider which reading is likely to be original.
the sacrifice himself. The sins of the world The title “Chosen One of God” is more unusual,
were removed when Jesus died as the so perhaps it could be what John originally wrote,
perfect sacrifice. This is the way our sins which a scribe then accidentally changed to the
are forgiven (1 Cor 5:7). The “sin of the more usual title “Son of God” when copying the
world” means everyone’s sin, the sin of each manuscript; but we cannot be certain. Therefore,
individual. Jesus paid the price of your sin this is a case where either reading could be
by his death. You can receive forgiveness by original. Two early papyrus manuscripts found
confessing your sin to him and asking for his in Egypt support “Chosen One of God.” The
forgiveness. NLT has “Chosen One of God” in the text, and
John 1:30 Although John the Baptist was “the Son of God” in the textual note. Although
a well-known preacher who attracted large the manuscripts available to us are often small
crowds, he was content for Jesus to take the and fragmentary, God has provided hundreds and
higher place. This is true humility, the basis hundreds of manuscripts to compare and study,
for greatness in preaching, teaching, or any so we can ultimately be certain that the Bible we
other work we do for Christ. When you are have today is complete and accurate.
content to do what God wants you to do and
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f JOHN 1:35-51 (cont.) 44Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s
him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” hometown.
37When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed 45Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him,

Jesus. “We have found the very person Moses* and the
38Jesus looked around and saw them following. prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of
“What do you want?” he asked them. Joseph from Nazareth.”
46“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything
They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”),
“where are you staying?” good come from Nazareth?”
39“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
47As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a
in the afternoon when they went with him to the place
where he was staying, and they remained with him genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
48“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
the rest of the day.
40Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree
men who heard what John said and then followed before Philip found you.”
49Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the
Jesus. 41Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and
told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Son of God—the King of Israel!”
50Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just be-
“Christ”*).
42Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Look- cause I told you I had seen you under the fig tree?
ing intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, You will see greater things than this.” 51Then he said,
son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and
means “Peter”*). the angels of God going up and down on the Son of
43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven
found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” and earth.*”
Jn 1:41 Messiah (a Hebrew term) and Christ (a Greek term) both mean “the anointed one.” Jn 1:42 The names Cephas (from Aramaic) and Peter (from Greek) both
mean “rock.” Jn 1:45 Greek Moses in the law. Jn 1:51 Greek going up and down on the Son of Man; see Gen 28:10-17. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.

John 1:37 One of the two disciples was These were Jesus’ first disciples, along with Nazareth led to Nathanael’s harsh comment.
Andrew (John 1:40). The other probably Simon Peter (John 1:42) and Nathanael Nathanael’s hometown was Cana, about four
was John, the writer of this book. Why did (John 1:45). miles from Nazareth.
these disciples leave John the Baptist? John 1:38 When the two disciples began John 1:46 When Nathanael heard that
Because that’s what John wanted them to follow Jesus, he asked them, “What do the Messiah was from Nazareth, he was
to do—he was pointing the way to Jesus, you want?” Following Christ is not enough; surprised. Philip responded, “Come and see
the one John had prepared them to follow. we must follow him for the right reasons. To for yourself.” Fortunately for Nathanael, he
follow Christ for our own purposes would be went to meet Jesus and became a disciple.
asking Christ to follow us—to align with us to If he had stuck to his prejudice without
Mediterranean
Sea support and advance our cause, not his. We investigating further, he would have missed
E

must examine our motives for following him. the Messiah! Don’t let people’s stereotypes
LE

Are we seeking his glory or ours? about Christ cause them to miss his power
LI
GA

John 1:40-42 Andrew accepted John the and love. Invite them to come and see who
N
Cana Capernaum Jesus really is.
Baptist’s testimony about Jesus and imme-
Sea of Galilee diately went to tell his brother, Simon, about John 1:47-49 Jesus knew about Nathanael
Nazareth him. There was no question in Andrew’s before the two ever met. Jesus also knows
DECAPOLIS mind that Jesus was the Messiah. Not only what we are really like. An honest person
(Ten Towns) did he tell his brother, but he was also eager will feel comfortable with the thought that
River

SAMARIA to introduce others to Jesus (see John Jesus knows him or her through and through.
12:20-22). How many people in your life A dishonest person will feel uncomfortable.
Jordan

have heard you talk about your relationship You can’t pretend to be something you’re
with Jesus? not. God knows the real you and wants you
Jerusalem R EA John 1:42 Jesus saw not only who Simon to follow him.
PE was, but who he would become. That is John 1:51 This is a reference to Jacob’s
JUDEA
Dead Sea why he gave him a new name—Cephas in dream recorded in Genesis 28:12. As the
Aramaic, Peter in Greek (the name means unique God-man, Jesus would be the ladder
“a rock”). Peter is not presented as rock-solid between heaven and earth. Jesus is not say-
IDUMEA 0 20 Mi throughout the Gospels, but he became a ing that this would be a physical experience
0 20 Km solid rock in the days of the early church, as (seeing the ladder with their eyes) like the
we learn in the book of Acts. By giving Simon Transfiguration, but that they would have
a new name, Jesus introduced a change in spiritual insight into Jesus’ true nature and
JESUS’ FIRST TRAVELS After John
baptized him in the Jordan River and
character. For more on Simon Peter, see his purpose for coming.
Satan tempted him in the wilderness, Profile on p. 1473. John 2:1-2 Jesus was on a mission to save
Jesus returned to Galilee (see “Jesus’ John 1:46 The Jews despised Nazareth the world, the greatest mission in the history
Temptation and Return to Galilee,” because a Roman army garrison was located of humankind. Yet he took time to attend a
p. 1295). He visited Nazareth, Cana, there. Some have speculated that an aloof wedding and take part in its festivities. We
and Capernaum, and then returned to attitude or a poor reputation in morals may be tempted to think we should not take
Jerusalem for the Passover. and religion on the part of the people of time out from our “important” work for social
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Jesus Turns Water into Wine filled, 8he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to
JOHN 2:1-12 the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed
The next day* there was a wedding celebration in the his instructions.
9When the master of ceremonies tasted the water
village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there,
2and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the that was now wine, not knowing where it had come
celebration. 3The wine supply ran out during the fes- from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called
tivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more the bridegroom over. 10“A host always serves the best
wine.” wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a
4“Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus re- lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine.
plied. “My time has not yet come.” But you have kept the best until now!”
5But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever 11This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the

he tells you.” first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples
6Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used believed in him.
12After the wedding he went to Capernaum for
for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold
twenty to thirty gallons.* 7Jesus told the servants, a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his
“Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been disciples.
Jn 2:1 Greek On the third day; see 1:35, 43. Jn 2:6 Greek 2 or 3 measures [75 to 113 liters].

B. Message and Ministry of Jesus

For about three years Jesus traveled and ministered to people throughout Israel and the neighboring
areas. Jesus spent much of his time teaching, confronting the religious leaders who had distorted God’s
laws, and providing new teaching through parables and about himself. He demonstrated his identity as
the Son of God and his power over everything through many miracles, healing the sick and casting out
demons. Jesus gave people a view of God that they had never seen before—God incarnate, walking
and talking among them.

1. JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

Jesus launched his public ministry by attending the annual Passover celebration in Jerusalem. While
there, he immediately came into conflict with the religious leaders of the day, clearing the Temple
because of corruption in his Father’s house. But he wasn’t rejected by all the religious leaders—one
of them came to visit him at night to learn more about this new teacher.

occasions. But maybe these social occasions she trusted him to do what was right. Those John 2:11 When the disciples saw Jesus’
are part of our mission. Jesus valued these who believe in Jesus but run into situations miracle, they believed. The miracle showed
wedding festivities because they involved they cannot understand must continue to his power over nature and revealed the way
people, and he came to be with people. Our trust that he will work in the best way. he would go about his ministry—helping
mission can often be accomplished in joyous John 2:5 Mary submitted to Jesus’ way others, speaking with authority, and being
times of celebration with others. Bring bal- of doing things. She recognized that Jesus in personal touch with people.
ance to your life by inviting Jesus into times was more than her human son—he was the Miracles are not merely superhuman
of pleasure as well as times of work. Son of God. When we bring our problems events, but events that demonstrate God’s
to Christ, we may think we know how he power. Almost every miracle Jesus did was
John 2:1-3 Weddings in Jesus’ day were
should take care of them. But he may have a renewal of fallen Creation—restoring
week-long festivals. Banquets would be
a completely different plan. Like Mary, we sight, making the lame walk, even restor-
prepared for many guests, and the week
should submit and allow him to deal with ing life to the dead. Believe in Christ not
would be spent celebrating the new life of the
the problem as he sees best. because he is a superman but because he
married couple. Often the whole town was
is the God who continues his creation, even
invited, and everybody would come—it was John 2:6 The six stone water jars were nor- in those of us who are poor, weak, crippled,
considered an insult to refuse an invitation mally used for ceremonial washing. When full, orphaned, blind, deaf, or have some other
to a wedding. To accommodate many people, the pots would hold 20 to 30 gallons. Accord- desperate need.
careful planning was needed. To run out of ing to the Jews’ ceremonial laws, people
wine was more than embarrassing; it broke became symbolically unclean by touching John 2:12 Capernaum became Jesus’
the strong, unwritten laws of hospitality. Jesus objects of everyday life. Before eating, the home base during his ministry in Galilee.
was about to respond to a heartfelt need. Jews would pour water over their hands to Located on a major trade route, it was an
cleanse themselves of any bad influences important city in the region, with a Roman
John 2:4 Mary was probably not asking garrison and a customs station. At Caper-
Jesus to do a miracle; she was simply hop- associated with what they had touched.
naum, Matthew was called to be a disciple
ing that her son would help solve this major John 2:10 People look everywhere but to (Matt 9:9). The city was also the home of
problem and find some wine. Tradition says God for excitement and meaning. For some several other disciples (Matt 4:13-19) and a
that Joseph, Mary’s husband, was dead, reason, they expect God to be dull and life- high-ranking government official (John 4:46).
so she probably was used to asking for less. Just as the wine Jesus made was the It had at least one major synagogue. Although
her son’s help in certain situations. Jesus’ best, so life in him is better than life on our Jesus made this city his base of operations
answer to Mary is difficult to understand, but own. Why wait until everything else runs in Galilee, he condemned it for the people’s
maybe that is the point. Although Mary did out before trying God? Why save the best unbelief (Matt 11:23; Luke 10:15).
not understand what Jesus was going to do, until last?
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Jesus Clears the Temple “All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and
19

JOHN 2:13-22 in three days I will raise it up.”

20“What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six
It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebra-
tion, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14In the Temple area years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in
he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for three days?” 21But when Jesus said “this temple,” he
sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging meant his own body. 22After he was raised from the
foreign money. 15Jesus made a whip from some ropes dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and
and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus
the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ had said.
coins over the floor, and turned over their tables.
16Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he Nicodemus Visits Jesus at Night
told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning JOHN 2:23–3:21
my Father’s house into a marketplace!” Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusa-
17Then his disciples remembered this prophecy lem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust
from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will in him. 24But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew
consume me.”* human nature. 25No one needed to tell him what man-
18But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you kind is really like.
doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a 3:1There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish re-

miraculous sign to prove it.” ligious leader who was a Pharisee. 2After dark one
Jn 2:17 Or “Concern for God’s house will be my undoing.” Ps 69:9.

John 2:13 The Passover celebration took for sins. Because of the long journey, many is granted to judges, but not to individual
place yearly at the Temple in Jerusalem. could not bring their own animals. Some citizens. Jesus had God’s authority, some-
Every Jewish male was expected to make who brought animals had them rejected for thing we cannot have. While we want to live
a pilgrimage to Jerusalem during this time imperfections. So animal merchants con- like Christ, we should never try to claim his
(Deut 16:16). This was a week-long festi- ducted a flourishing business in the Temple authority where it has not been given to us.
AD val—the Passover was one day, and the courtyard. The price of sacrificial animals John 2:17 Jesus took the evil acts in the
27 Festival of Unleavened Bread lasted the rest was much higher in the Temple area than Temple as an insult against God, and thus,
of the week. The entire week commemorated elsewhere. Jesus was angry at the dishonest,
Jesus begins his ministry

he did not deal with them halfheartedly. He

the freeing of the Jews from slavery in Egypt greedy practices of the money changers and was consumed with righteous anger against
(Exod 12:1-13). merchants, and he particularly disliked their such flagrant disrespect for God.
John 2:13 Jerusalem was both the religious presence on the Temple grounds. They were
making a mockery of God’s house of worship. John 2:19-20 The Jews understood Jesus
and the political seat of Palestine, and the to mean the Temple out of which he had just
place where the Messiah was expected to John 2:14ff John records this first clearing, driven the merchants and money changers.
arrive. The Temple was located there, and or cleansing, of the Temple. A second clear- This was the Temple Zerubbabel had built
many Jewish families from all over the world ing occurred at the end of Jesus’ ministry, over 500 years earlier, but Herod the Great
would travel to Jerusalem during the key about three years later (see Matt 21:12-17; had begun remodeling it, making it much
festivals. The Temple was on an imposing Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48). larger and far more beautiful. It had been 46
site, a hill overlooking the city. Solomon had John 2:14-16 God’s Temple was being years since this remodeling had started (20
built the first Temple on this same site almost misused by people who had turned it into a B.C.), and it still wasn’t completely finished.
1,000 years earlier (959 B.C.), but his Temple marketplace. They had forgotten, or didn’t They understood Jesus’ words to mean that
had been destroyed by the Babylonians care, that God’s house is a place of worship, this imposing building could be torn down and
(2 Kgs 25). The Temple had been rebuilt in not a place for making a profit. Our attitude rebuilt in three days, and they were startled.
515 B.C., and Herod the Great had enlarged toward the church is wrong if we see it as
and remodeled it. John 2:21-22 Jesus was not talking about
a place for personal contacts or business the Temple made of stones, but about his
John 2:14 The Temple area was always advantage. Make sure you attend church body. His listeners didn’t realize it, but Jesus
crowded during Passover with thousands of to worship God. was greater than the Temple (Matt 12:6).
out-of-town visitors. The religious leaders John 2:15-16 Jesus was obviously angry at His words would take on meaning for his
crowded it even further by allowing money the merchants who exploited those who had disciples after his resurrection. That Christ
changers and merchants to set up booths come to God’s house to worship. There is a so perfectly fulfilled this prediction became
in the Court of the Gentiles. They rational- difference between uncontrolled rage and the strongest proof for his claims to be God.
ized this practice as a convenience for the righteous indignation—yet both are called John 2:23-25 The Son of God knows all
worshipers and as a way to make money for anger. We must be very careful how we use about human nature. Jesus was well aware
Temple upkeep. But the religious leaders did the powerful emotion of anger. It is right to be of the truth of Jeremiah 17:9: “The human
not seem to care that the Court of the Gen- angry about injustice and sin; it is wrong to heart is the most deceitful of all things, and
tiles was so full of merchants that foreigners be angry over trivial personal offenses. desperately wicked. Who really knows how
found it difficult to worship. And worship was John 2:15-16 Jesus made a whip and bad it is?” Jesus was discerning, and he
the main purpose for visiting the Temple. No chased out the money changers. Does his knew that the faith of some followers was
wonder Jesus was angry! example permit us to use violence against superficial. Some of the same people claim-
John 2:14 The Temple tax had to be paid in wrongdoers? Certain authority is granted to ing to believe in Jesus at this time would
local currency, so foreigners had to have their some, but not to all. For example, the author- later yell, “Crucify him!” It’s easy to believe
money changed. But the money changers ity to use weapons and restrain people is when it’s exciting and everyone else believes
often charged exorbitant exchange rates. The granted to police officers, but not to the gen- the same way. But keep your faith firm even
people were also required to make sacrifices eral public. The authority to imprison people when it isn’t popular to follow Christ.
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evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb
said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach and be born again?”
us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is 5Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the

with you.” Kingdom of God without being born of water and the
3Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are Spirit.* 6Humans can reproduce only human life, but
born again,* you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.* 7So don’t
4“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. be surprised when I say, ‘You* must be born again.’
Jn 3:3 Or born from above; also in 3:7. Jn 3:5 Or and spirit. The Greek word for Spirit can also be translated wind; see 3:8. Jn 3:6 Greek what is born of the Spirit
is spirit. Jn 3:7 The Greek word for you is plural; also in 3:12.

NICODEMUS God specializes in finding and changing

people we consider out of reach. It took a while for Nicodemus to come out of
challenged their views. But Nicodemus was
searching, and he believed that Jesus had
some answers. A learned teacher himself,
he came to Jesus to be taught. No matter
the dark, but God was patient with this “undercover” believer. • Afraid of being how intelligent and well educated you are,
discovered, Nicodemus made an appointment to see Jesus at night. Daylight con- you must come to Jesus with an open mind
versations between Pharisees and Jesus tended to be antagonistic, but Nicodemus and heart so he can teach you the truth
really wanted to learn. He got a lot more than he probably expected—a challenge about God.
to a new life! We know very little about Nicodemus, but we know that he left that John 3:3 What did Nicodemus know about
evening’s encounter a changed man. He came away with a whole new understand- the Kingdom? From the Bible he knew it
ing of both God and himself. • Nicodemus next appears as part of the Jewish high would be ruled by God, it would be restored
council (John 7:50). As the group discussed ways to eliminate Jesus, Nicodemus on earth, and it would incorporate God’s
raised the question of justice. Although his objection was overruled, he had spoken people. Jesus revealed to this devout Pharisee
up. He had begun to change. • Our last picture of Nicodemus shows him joining that the Kingdom would come to the whole
world (John 3:16), not just the Jews, and that
Joseph of Arimathea in asking for Jesus’ body in order to provide for its burial Nicodemus wouldn’t be a part of it unless he
(John 19:39). Nicodemus was making a bold move, risking everything. He was was personally born again (John 3:5). This
continuing to grow. • God looks for steady growth, not instant perfection. How was a revolutionary concept: The Kingdom
well does your present level of spiritual growth match up with how long you have is personal, not national or ethnic, and its
known Jesus? entrance requirements are repentance and
spiritual rebirth. Jesus later taught that God’s
Strengths and • One of the few religious leaders who believed in Jesus Kingdom has already begun in the hearts of
accomplishments • A member of the powerful Jewish high council believers (Luke 17:21). It will be fully realized
• A Pharisee who was attracted by Jesus’ character and when Jesus returns again to judge the world
miracles and abolish evil forever (Rev 21–22).
• Joined with Joseph of Arimathea in burying Jesus John 3:5-6 “Being born of water and
the Spirit” could refer to (1) the contrast
Weakness • Limited by his fear of being publicly exposed as Jesus’
between physical birth (water) and spiritual
and mistake follower birth (Spirit), or (2) being regenerated by the
Lessons from • Unless we are born again, we can never be part of the Spirit and signifying that rebirth by Christian
his life Kingdom of God baptism. The water may also represent the
• God is able to change those we might consider cleansing action of God’s Holy Spirit (Titus
unreachable 3:5). Nicodemus undoubtedly would have
• God is patient, but persistent
been familiar with God’s promise in Ezekiel
36:25-26. Jesus was explaining the impor-
• If we are available, God can use us
tance of a spiritual rebirth, saying that people
Vital statistics • Where: Jerusalem don’t enter the Kingdom by living a better life,
• Occupation: Religious leader but by being spiritually reborn.
• Contemporaries: Jesus, Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, Joseph John 3:6 Who is the Holy Spirit? God is
of Arimathea three persons in one—the Father, the Son,
Key verse “‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can and the Holy Spirit. God became a man in
an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born Jesus so that Jesus could die for our sins.
Jesus rose from the dead to offer salvation
again?’” (John 3:4). to all people through spiritual renewal and
Nicodemus’s story is told in John 3:1-21; 7:50-52; 19:39-40. rebirth. When Jesus ascended into heaven,
his physical presence left the earth, but he
promised to send the Holy Spirit so that
John 3:1ff Nicodemus came to Jesus per- us. Then, if we believe he is who he says, his spiritual presence would still be among
sonally, although he could have sent one of we will want to speak up for him. humankind (see Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit
his assistants. He wanted to examine Jesus John 3:1 Nicodemus was a Pharisee and first became available to all believers at
for himself to separate fact from rumor. a member of the ruling council (called the Pentecost (Acts 2). Whereas in Old Testament
Perhaps Nicodemus was afraid of what his high council, or the Sanhedrin). The Phari- days the Holy Spirit empowered specific indi-
peers, the Pharisees, would say about his sees were a group of religious leaders whom viduals for specific purposes, now all believ-
visit, so he came after dark. Later, when he Jesus and John the Baptist often criticized ers have the power of the Holy Spirit available
understood that Jesus was truly the Mes- for being hypocrites (see note on Matt 3:7, to them. For more on the Holy Spirit, read
siah, he spoke up boldly in his defense (John p. 1288, for more on the Pharisees). Most John 14:16-28; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians
7:50-51). Like Nicodemus, we must examine Pharisees were intensely jealous of Jesus 12:13; and 2 Corinthians 1:22.
Jesus for ourselves—others cannot do it for because he undermined their authority and
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f JOHN 2:23–3:21 (cont.) in God’s one and only Son. 19And the judgment is
8The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can based on this fact: God’s light came into the world,
hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or but people loved the darkness more than the light,
where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are for their actions were evil. 20All who do evil hate the
born of the Spirit.” light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will
9“How are these things possible?” Nicodemus be exposed. 21But those who do what is right come
asked. to the light so others can see that they are doing
10Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, what God wants.*”
and yet you don’t understand these things? 11I assure
you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and John the Baptist Tells More about Jesus
yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12But if you don’t JOHN 3:22-36
believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went
can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time
things? 13No one has ever gone to heaven and re- with them there, baptizing people.
23At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at
turned. But the Son of Man* has come down from
heaven. 14And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water
on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must there; and people kept coming to him for baptism.
24(This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25A
be lifted up, 15so that everyone who believes in him
will have eternal life.* debate broke out between John’s disciples and a
16“For God loved the world so much that he gave certain Jew* over ceremonial cleansing. 26So John’s
his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you
in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17God sent met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you
his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people.
save the world through him. And everybody is going to him instead of coming
18“There is no judgment against anyone who to us.”
believes in him. But anyone who does not believe 27John replied, “No one can receive anything unless

in him has already been judged for not believing God gives it from heaven. 28You yourselves know how
Jn 3:13 Some manuscripts add who lives in heaven. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. Jn 3:15 Or everyone who believes will have eternal life in him.
Jn 3:21 Or can see God at work in what he is doing. Jn 3:25 Some manuscripts read some Jews.

John 3:8 Jesus explained that we cannot When you love someone dearly, you are will- John 3:18 People often try to protect them-
control the work of the Holy Spirit. He works ing to give freely to the point of self-sacrifice. selves from their fears by putting their faith in
in ways we cannot predict or understand. God paid dearly with the life of his Son, the something they do or have: good deeds, skill
Just as you did not control your physical highest price he could pay. Jesus accepted or intelligence, money or possessions. But only
birth, so you cannot control your spiritual our punishment, paid the price for our sins, God can save us from the one thing that we
birth. It is a gift from God through the Holy and then offered us the new life that he had really need to fear—eternal condemnation. We
Spirit (Rom 8:16; 1 Cor 2:10-12; 1 Thes bought for us. When we share the Good believe in God by recognizing the insufficiency
1:5-6). News with others, our love must be like of our own efforts to find salvation and by ask-
John 3:10-11 This Jewish teacher of the Jesus’—willingly giving up our own comfort ing him to do his work in us. When Jesus talks
Bible knew the Old Testament thoroughly, and security so that others might join us in about unbelievers, he means those who reject
but he didn’t understand what it said about receiving God’s love. or ignore him completely, not those who have
the Messiah. Knowledge is not salvation. John 3:16 Some people are repulsed by momentary doubts.
You should know the Bible, but even more the idea of eternal life because their lives are John 3:19-21 Many people don’t want
important, you should understand the God miserable. But eternal life is not an exten- their lives exposed to God’s light because
whom the Bible reveals and the salvation sion of a person’s miserable, mortal life. It they are afraid of what will be revealed. They
that God offers. is God’s life embodied in Christ, given to all don’t want to be changed. Don’t be surprised
John 3:14-15 When the Israelites were believers now as a guarantee that they will when these same people are threatened by
wandering in the wilderness, God sent a live forever. In eternal life there is no death, your desire to obey God and do what is right,
plague of snakes to punish the people for sickness, enemy, evil, or sin. When we don’t because they are afraid that the light in you
their rebellious attitudes. Those doomed know Christ, we make choices as though this may expose some of the darkness in their
to die from snakebite could be healed by life is all we have. In reality, this life is just the lives. Rather than giving in to discourage-
obeying God’s command to look up at the introduction to eternity. Receive this new life ment, keep praying that they will come to
elevated bronze snake and by believing that by faith and begin to evaluate all that hap- see how much better it is to live in light than
God would heal them if they did (see Num pens from an eternal perspective. in darkness.
21:8-9). Similarly, our salvation happens John 3:16 To “believe” is more than intel- John 3:25ff Some people look for points
when we look up to Jesus, believing he will lectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means of disagreement so they can sow seeds of
save us. God has provided this way for us to putting our trust and confidence in him that he discord, discontent, and doubt. John the
be healed of sin’s deadly bite. alone can save us. It is to put Christ in charge Baptist ended this theological argument
John 3:16 The message of the Good News of our present plans and eternal destiny. by focusing on his devotion to Christ. It is
comes to a focus in this verse. God’s love is Believing is both trusting his words as reliable, divisive to try to force others to believe our
not static or self-centered; it reaches out and and relying on him for the power to change. If way. Instead, let’s witness about what Christ
draws others in. Here God sets the pattern of you have never trusted Christ, let this promise has done for us. How can anyone argue with
true love, the basis for all love relationships: of everlasting life be yours—and believe. us about that?
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plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only Herod Puts John in Prison
here to prepare the way for him.’ 29It is the bride- LUKE 3:19-20
groom who marries the bride, and the best man is John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the
simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. ruler of Galilee,* for marrying Herodias, his broth-
Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30He er’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done.
must become greater and greater, and I must become 20So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his

less and less. many others.

31“He has come from above and is greater than

anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of Jesus Leaves Judea PARALLEL

earthly things, but he has come from heaven and MATTHEW 4:12
is greater than anyone else.* 32He testifies about When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,
what he has seen and heard, but how few believe he left Judea and returned to Galilee.
what he tells them! 33Anyone who accepts his tes- MARK 1:14
timony can affirm that God is true. 34For he is sent Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into
by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News.*
the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves his
Son and has put everything into his hands. 36And JOHN 4:1-3
anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Jesus* knew the Pharisees had heard that he was bap-
Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never expe- tizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though
rience eternal life but remains under God’s angry Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did).
judgment.” 3So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

Jn 3:31 Some manuscripts do not include and is greater than anyone else. Lk 3:19 Greek Herod the tetrarch. Mk 1:14 Some manuscripts read the Good News of the
Kingdom of God. Jn 4:1 Some manuscripts read The Lord.

John 3:26 John the Baptist’s disciples were John 3:34 God’s Spirit was upon Jesus
disturbed because people were following without measure or limit. Thus, Jesus was Mediterranean
Jesus instead of John. It is easy to grow the highest revelation of God to humanity Sea

E
LE
jealous of the popularity of another person’s (Heb 1:2).

LI
ministry. But we must remember that our

GA
John 3:36 Jesus says that those who
true mission is to influence people to follow believe in him have (not will have) eter- Capernaum
Christ, not us. Cana
nal life. To receive eternal life is to join N
Sea of Galilee
John 3:27 Why did John the Baptist con- in God’s life, which by nature is eternal.
Nazareth
tinue to baptize after Jesus came onto the Thus, eternal life begins at the moment
scene? Why didn’t he become a disciple too? of spiritual rebirth.
John explained that because God had given River
John 3:36 John, the author of this Gospel, Mount Ebal
him his work, he had to continue it until God has been demonstrating that Jesus is the SAMARIA
called him to do something else. John’s main
Jordan

true Son of God. Jesus sets before us the Mount Gerizim

purpose was to point people to Christ. Even greatest choice in life. We are responsible Sychar A
with Jesus beginning his own ministry, John to decide today whom we will obey (Josh Jerusalem RE
could still turn people to Jesus. PE
24:15), and God wants us to choose him Dead Sea
JUDEA
John 3:30 John’s willingness to decrease in and life (Deut 30:15-20). God’s angry judg-
importance shows unusual humility. Pastors ment refers to his final rejection of those
and other Christian leaders can be tempted who reject him. To put off the choice is to
to focus more on the success of their minis- choose not to follow Christ. Indecision is IDUMEA 0 20 Mi
tries than on Christ. Beware of those who put a fatal decision. 0 20 Km
more emphasis on their own achievements Luke 3:19-20 This is Herod Antipas (see
than on God’s Kingdom. p. 1362 for his Profile). Herodias was Herod’s THE VISIT IN SAMARIA Jesus went to
John 3:31-35 Jesus’ testimony was niece and also his brother’s wife. She would Jerusalem for the Passover, cleared the
trustworthy because he had come from later treacherously plot John the Baptist’s Temple, and talked with Nicodemus, a
heaven and was speaking of what he had death (Matt 14:1-12). The Herods were a religious leader, about eternal life. He
seen there. His words were the very words murderous and deceitful family. Rebuking then left Jerusalem and traveled in Judea.
of God. Your whole spiritual life depends on a tyrannical official who could imprison and On his way to Galilee, he visited Sychar
your answer to one question: Who is Jesus execute him was extremely dangerous, yet and other villages in Samaria. Unlike most
Christ? If you accept Jesus as only a prophet that is what John did. He was focused on Jews of the day, he did not try to avoid the
or teacher, you have to reject his teaching, eternal matters, not safety and comfort for region of Samaria.
for he claimed to be God’s Son, even God today.
himself. The heartbeat of John’s Gospel is the John 4:1-3 Already opposition was rising
dynamic truth that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, against Jesus, especially from the Pharisees.
the Messiah, the Savior, who existed from the They resented Jesus’ popularity as well as
beginning and will continue to live forever. his message, which challenged much of their
This same Jesus has invited us to accept teachings. Because Jesus was just beginning
him and live with him eternally. When we his ministry, it wasn’t yet time to confront
understand who Jesus is, we are compelled these leaders openly; so he left Jerusalem
to believe what he said. and traveled north toward Galilee.
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2. JESUS MINISTERS IN SAMARIA

On his way home from Jerusalem, Jesus stopped in Samaria—an area most Jewish people avoided.
Jesus didn’t have any concern for the prejudices of people around him. Instead, he chose to minister
to everyone who was willing to recognize him for who he really was.

Jesus Talks to a Woman at the Well How can you offer better water than he and his sons
JOHN 4:4-26 and his animals enjoyed?”
13Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will
He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5Eventu-
ally he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near soon become thirsty again. 14But those who drink the
the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes
well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them
sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7Soon a eternal life.”
15“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water!
Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said
to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8He was alone at the Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to
time because his disciples had gone into the village come here to get water.”
16“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
to buy some food.
9The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have 17“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

anything to do with Samaritans.* She said to Jesus, Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—
18for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even
“You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are
you asking me for a drink?” married to the man you’re living with now. You cer-
10Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has tainly spoke the truth!”
19“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet.
for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask
me, and I would give you living water.” 20So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusa-
11“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she lem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans
said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,* where our ances-
this living water? 12And besides, do you think you’re tors worshiped?”
greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? 21Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time

Jn 4:9 Some manuscripts do not include this sentence. Jn 4:20 Greek on this mountain.

John 4:4 To go from the territory of Judea avoid meeting people who knew her reputa- food and water when they hunger or thirst.
to Galilee meant passing through a central tion. Jesus gave this woman an extraordinary Why then should we deprive our souls? The
territory called Samaria. Most Jews did message about fresh and pure water that living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written
everything they could to avoid traveling would quench her spiritual thirst forever. Word, the Bible, can satisfy our hungry and
through Samaria. The reason goes way back John 4:7-9 This woman (1) was a Samaritan, thirsty souls.
into their history. a member of the hated mixed race, (2) was John 4:15 The woman mistakenly believed
After the northern kingdom, with its capital known to be living in sin, and (3) was in a pub- that if she received the water Jesus offered,
at Samaria, fell to the Assyrians, many Jews lic place. No respectable Jewish man would she would not have to return to the well each
were deported to Assyria, and foreigners were talk to a woman under such circumstances. day. She was interested in Jesus’ message
brought in to settle the land and help keep But Jesus did. The Good News is for every because she thought it could make her life
the peace (2 Kgs 17:24). The intermarriage person, no matter what his or her race, social easier. But if that were always the case,
between those foreigners and the remaining position, or past sins. We must be prepared people would accept Christ’s message for
Jews resulted in a mixed race, impure in the to share it at any time, in any place. Jesus the wrong reasons. Christ did not come to
opinion of Jews who lived in the southern crossed all barriers to share the Good News, take away challenges, but to change us on
kingdom. Thus, the pure Jews hated this the inside and to empower us to deal with
and we who follow him must do no less.
mixed race, called Samaritans, because problems from God’s perspective.
they felt that their fellow Jews who had inter- John 4:10 What did Jesus mean by “living
married had betrayed their people and nation. water”? In the Old Testament, many verses John 4:16-20 When this woman discovered
The Samaritans had set up an alternate cen- speak of thirsting after God as one thirsts that Jesus knew all about her private life, she
ter for worship on Mount Gerizim (John 4:20) for water (Ps 42:1; Isa 55:1; Jer 2:13; Zech quickly changed the subject. Often people
to parallel the Temple at Jerusalem, but it had 13:1). God is called the fountain of life (Ps become uncomfortable when the conversa-
been destroyed 150 years earlier. While there 36:9) and the fountain of living water (Jer tion hits too close to home, and they try to
was long-standing prejudice between Jews 17:13). In saying he would bring living water talk about something else. As we witness, we
and Samaritans, Jesus did not live by such that could forever quench a person’s thirst for should gently guide the conversation back to
restrictions. The route through Samaria was God, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah. Christ. His presence exposes sin and makes
shorter, and that was the route he took. Only the Messiah could give this gift that people squirm, but only Christ can forgive
John 4:5-7 Jacob’s well was on the satisfies the soul’s desire. sins and give new life.
property originally owned by Jacob (Gen John 4:13-15 Many spiritual functions par- John 4:20-24 The woman brought up a
33:18-19). It was not a spring-fed well but allel physical functions. As our bodies hunger popular theological issue—the correct place
one into which water seeped from rain and and thirst, so do our souls. But our souls to worship. But her question was a smoke
dew, collecting at the bottom. Wells were need spiritual food and water. The woman screen to keep Jesus away from her deepest
almost always located outside the city along confused the two kinds of water, perhaps need. Jesus directed the conversation to a
the main road. Twice each day, morning and because no one had ever before talked with much more important point: The location of
evening, women came to draw water. This her about her spiritual hunger and thirst. We worship is not nearly as important as the
woman came at noon, however, probably to would not think of depriving our bodies of attitude of the worshipers.
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is coming when it will no longer matter whether you telling everyone, 29“Come and see a man who told me
worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Mes-
22You Samaritans know very little about the one you siah?” 30So the people came streaming from the village
worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salva- to see him.
tion comes through the Jews. 23But the time is com- 31Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus,

ing—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will “Rabbi, eat something.”
worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is 32But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know

looking for those who will worship him that way. 24For nothing about.”
God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship 33“Did someone bring him food while we were

in spirit and in truth.” gone?” the disciples asked each other.

25The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming— 34Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes

the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from fin-
explain everything to us.” ishing his work. 35You know the saying, ‘Four months
26Then Jesus told her, “I Am the Messiah!”* between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and
look around. The fields are already ripe* for harvest.
Jesus Tells about the Spiritual Harvest 36The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit

JOHN 4:27-38 they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy
Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37You
to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And
the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or it’s true. 38I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant;
“Why are you talking to her?” 28The woman left her others had already done the work, and now you will get
water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, to gather the harvest.”
Jn 4:26 Or “The ‘I AM’ is here”; or “I am the LORD”; Greek reads “I am, the one speaking to you.” See Exod 3:14. Jn 4:35 Greek white.

John 4:22 When Jesus said, “Salvation worshiped anywhere, at any time. It is not John 4:35 Sometimes Christians excuse
comes through the Jews,” he meant that where we worship that counts, but how we themselves from witnessing by saying that
only through the Jewish Messiah would the worship. Is your worship genuine and true? their family or friends aren’t ready to believe.
whole world find salvation. God had promised Do you have the Holy Spirit’s help? How does Jesus, however, makes it clear that around
that through the Jewish race the whole the Holy Spirit help us worship? The Holy us a continual harvest waits to be reaped.
earth would be blessed (Gen 12:3). The Old Spirit prays for us (Rom 8:26), teaches us Don’t let Jesus find you making excuses.
Testament prophets had called the Jews to the words of Christ (John 14:26), and tells Look around. You will find people ready to
be a light to the other nations of the world, us we are loved (Rom 5:5). hear God’s Word.
bringing them to a knowledge of God; and John 4:34 Jesus was speaking about his John 4:36-38 The wages Jesus offers are
they had predicted the Messiah’s coming. spiritual nourishment. It includes more than the joy of working for him and seeing the
The woman at the well may have known Bible study, prayer, and attending church. harvest of believers. These wages come to
of these passages and was expecting the Spiritual nourishment also comes from doing planter and harvester alike because both find
Messiah, but she didn’t realize that she was God’s will and helping to bring his work of joy in seeing new believers come into Christ’s
talking to him! salvation to completion. We are nourished not Kingdom. The phrase “others had already
John 4:24 “God is Spirit” means he is only by what we take in, but also by what we done the work” (John 4:38) may refer to the
not a physical being limited to one place. give out for God. In John 17:4, Jesus refers Old Testament prophets and to John the Bap-
He is present everywhere, and he can be to completing God’s work on earth. tist, who paved the way for the Good News.

Samaria
Samaria was an area of land that was allotted to Ephraim and half the tribe of Manasseh in the days of Joshua (Josh 16:1–17:18).
After the death of Solomon and the revolt of the 10 northern tribes, the inhabitants of Samaria followed the idolatry introduced by
Jeroboam, refusing to go to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple. Years later, after the 10 tribes had been carried away into captivity,
the king of Assyria put into this province a colony of various nations that soon intermingled and intermarried with the original people,
causing a strange medley of religions. Second Kings 17:33 says, “Though they worshiped the LORD, they continued to follow their
own gods.” This conglomerate of people became known as Samaritans. They adopted the Pentateuch (Genesis—Deuteronomy) as
their Scriptures and set up a place of worship on Mount Gerizim (Deut 11:26-29). But they were far from having accurate knowledge
about the truth, even though they knew about a coming Messiah.
When a remnant of Jews returned from Babylonian captivity, they refused to allow the Samaritans any part in rebuilding the Temple
or the city of Jerusalem, even though the Samaritans claimed to have the same God as the Jews. This refusal led to a bitter animosity
between the two groups, which was succinctly summed up by John: “Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans” (John 4:9).
Jews wouldn’t talk to them and generally avoided going through their neighborhoods. But Jesus wasn’t bound by these prejudices.

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Many Samaritans Believe in Jesus for two days, 41long enough for many more to hear
JOHN 4:39-42 his message and believe. 42Then they said to the
Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what
because the woman had said, “He told me every- you told us, but because we have heard him our-
thing I ever did!” 40When they came out to see him, selves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior
they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed of the world.”

3. JESUS MINISTERS IN GALILEE

The majority of Jesus’ ministry took place in Galilee, the northern region of Israel around the Sea
of Galilee. Here Jesus performed many miracles, taught extensively (including the Sermon on the
Mount), and spent a lot of time investing in the lives of his twelve chosen disciples. He traveled regu-
larly throughout this region, going from town to town sharing his message with all who would listen.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of

PARALLEL 17

MATTHEW 4:13-17 your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven
He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to is near.*”
Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of
Zebulun and Naphtali. 14This fulfilled what God said MARK 1:15
through the prophet Isaiah: “The time promised by God has come at last!” he
announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent
15 “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
of your sins and believe the Good News!”
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, LUKE 4:14-15
16 the people who sat in darkness Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the
have seen a great light. Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread
And for those who lived in the land where death quickly through the whole region. 15He taught
casts its shadow, regularly in their synagogues and was praised by
a light has shined.”* everyone.
Mt 4:15-16 Isa 9:1-2 (Greek version). Mt 4:17 Or has come, or is coming soon.

John 4:39 The Samaritan woman imme- the same meaning as the “Kingdom of God”
Mediterranean diately shared her experience with others. in Mark and Luke. Matthew uses this phrase
Sea Despite her reputation, many took her invita- because the Jews, out of their intense rever-
E
LE

tion and came out to meet Jesus. Perhaps ence and respect, did not pronounce God’s
LI
GA

we’re ashamed of sins in our past. But Christ name. The Kingdom of Heaven is still near
Cana
a Capernaum changes us. As people see these changes, because it has arrived in our hearts. See the
N Sea of Galilee they become curious. Use these opportunities note on Matthew 3:2, p. 1287, for more on
to introduce them to Christ. the Kingdom of Heaven.
Nazareth
z
Matt 4:13 Jesus moved from Nazareth, his Matt 4:17 Jesus started his ministry with
hometown, to Capernaum, about 20 miles the same message people had heard John
River

Mount
Mou
M nt Eba
Eball farther north. Capernaum became Jesus’ the Baptist say: “Repent of your sins.” The
SAMARIA
M home base during his ministry in Galilee. message is the same today as when Jesus
Jesus probably moved (1) to get away from
Jordan

Mount
Mou
ount Ger
Gerizi
izim
m and John gave it. Becoming a follower of
Sychar A intense opposition in Nazareth, (2) to have Christ means turning away from our self-
Jerusalem
J RE an impact on the greatest number of people centeredness and “self” control and turning
PE
(Capernaum was a busy city, and Jesus’ our lives over to Christ’s direction and control.
JUDEA Dead Sea
message could reach more people and
spread more quickly), and (3) to utilize extra Luke 4:15 Synagogues were very important
resources and support for his ministry. in Jewish religious life. During the Exile when
Jesus’ move fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah the Jews no longer had their Temple, syna-
IDUMEA 0 20 Mi
gogues were established as places of wor-
9:1-2, which states that the Messiah would
0 220 Km
be a light to the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, ship on the Sabbath and as schools for young
the region of Galilee where Capernaum was boys during the week. Synagogues continued
JESUS RETURNS TO GALILEE Jesus located. Zebulun and Naphtali were two of the to exist even after the Temple was rebuilt. A
stayed in Sychar for two days, then went original 12 tribes of Israel. synagogue could be set up in any town with
on to Galilee. He visited Nazareth and at least 10 Jewish families. It was adminis-
various towns in Galilee before arriving Matt 4:14-16 By quoting from the book tered by one leader and an assistant. At the
in Cana. From there he spoke the word of of Isaiah, Matthew continues to tie Jesus’ synagogue, the leader often would invite a
healing, and a government official’s son ministry to the Old Testament. This was help- visiting rabbi to read from the Scriptures and
in Capernaum was healed. The Gospel ful for his Jewish readers, who were familiar to teach. Itinerant rabbis, like Jesus, were
of Matthew tells us Jesus then settled in with these Scriptures. In addition, it shows always welcome to speak to those gathered
Capernaum (Matt 4:12-13). the unity of God’s purposes as he works with each Sabbath in the synagogues. The apostle
his people throughout all the ages. Paul also took advantage of this practice (see
Matt 4:17 The “Kingdom of Heaven” has Acts 13:5; 14:1).
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JOHN 4:43-45 will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and
At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Gal- started home.
ilee. 44He himself had said that a prophet is not 51While the man was on his way, some of his ser-

honored in his own hometown. 45Yet the Galileans vants met him with the news that his son was alive
welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at and well. 52He asked them when the boy had begun to
the Passover celebration and had seen everything get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at
he did there. one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53Then
the father realized that that was the very time Jesus
Jesus Heals a Government Official’s Son had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his
JOHN 4:46-54 entire household believed in Jesus. 54This was the
As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after com-
where he had turned the water into wine. There was ing from Judea.
a government official in nearby Capernaum whose
son was very sick. 47When he heard that Jesus had Some Fishermen Follow Jesus PARALLEL
come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged MATTHEW 4:18-22
Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the
was about to die. Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called
48Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for
you see miraculous signs and wonders?” they fished for a living. 19Jesus called out to them,
49The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now be- “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for
fore my little boy dies.” people!” 20And they left their nets at once and fol-
50Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son lowed him.

John 4:46-49 This government official

was probably an officer in Herod’s service.
He had walked 20 miles to see Jesus and
addressed him as “Lord,” putting himself
under Jesus even though he had legal
authority over Jesus.
John 4:48 This miracle was more than
a favor to one official; it was a sign to all
the people. John’s Gospel was written to
all humankind to urge faith in Christ. Here
a government official had faith that Jesus
could do what he claimed. The official
believed; then he saw a miraculous sign.
John 4:50 This government official not only
believed Jesus could heal, he also obeyed
by returning home, thus demonstrating his
faith. It isn’t enough for us to say we believe
that Jesus can take care of our problems.
We need to act as if he can. When you pray
about a need or problem, live as though you
believe Jesus can do what he says.
John 4:51 Jesus’ miracles were not mere Fishing Boats
illusions. Although the official’s son was Fishermen have been working in Palestine from early times, and the profession of fishing
20 miles away, he was healed when Jesus is referred to in both the Old and New Testaments (Isa 19:8; Jer 16:16; Ezek 47:10; John
spoke the word. Distance was no problem 21:3-10). Fishermen formed a distinct class in society. Several fishermen were among
because Christ has mastery over space. Jesus’ disciples, including two pairs of brothers: Peter and Andrew, and John and James
We can never put so much space between (see Matt 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:2-11). Their work was strenuous and not
ourselves and Christ that he can no longer always rewarding (Luke 5:5; John 21:3). Pictured are some modern fishing boats on the
help us. Sea of Galilee, where Jesus’ disciples fished. Jesus used the metaphor “fishers of men”
John 4:53 Notice how the official’s faith for his disciples to indicate that they would “catch” people for the Kingdom (Matt 4:19;
Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10).
grew. First, he believed enough to ask Jesus
to help his son. Second, he believed Jesus’
assurance that his son would live, and he them, they knew what kind of man he was Good News with others, we will be able to
acted on it. Third, he and his whole house and were willing to follow him. Jesus told draw those around us to Christ like a fisher-
believed in Jesus. Faith is a gift that grows Peter and Andrew to leave their fishing busi- man who pulls fish into his boat with nets.
as we use it. ness and begin fishing “for people,” helping Matt 4:18 The Sea of Galilee is really a large
Matt 4:18-20 These men already knew others find God. Jesus was calling them away lake. About 30 fishing towns surrounded it
Jesus. He had talked to Peter and Andrew from their productive trade to be productive during Jesus’ day, and Capernaum was the
previously (John 1:35-42) and had been spiritually. We all need to fish for souls. If we largest.
preaching in the area. When Jesus called practice Christ’s teachings and share the
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f MATTHEW 4:18-22 (cont.) When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,

4

A little farther up the shore he saw two other

21 “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets
brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their to catch some fish.”
5“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last
father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called
them to come, too. 22They immediately followed him, night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let
leaving the boat and their father behind. the nets down again.” 6And this time their nets were
so full of fish they began to tear! 7A shout for help
MARK 1:16-20
brought their partners in the other boat, and soon
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of
Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon* and his brother Andrew sinking.
throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a 8When Simon Peter realized what had happened,
living. 17Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord,
and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18And
please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be
they left their nets at once and followed him.
19A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s
around you.” 9For he was awestruck by the number
of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.
sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 10
20He called them at once, and they also followed him,
His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
were also amazed.
leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now
hired men.
on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11And as soon as they
LUKE 5:1-11 landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea
of Galilee,* great crowds pressed in on him to listen Jesus Teaches with Authority PARALLEL
to the word of God. 2He noticed two empty boats at MARK 1:21-28
the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and Jesus and his companions went to the town of Ca-
were washing their nets. 3Stepping into one of the pernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into
boats, Jesus asked Simon,* its owner, to push it out the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were
into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real author-
crowds from there. ity—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
Mk 1:16 Simon is called “Peter” in 3:16 and thereafter. Lk 5:1 Greek Lake Gennesaret, another name for the Sea of Galilee. Lk 5:3 Simon is called “Peter” in 6:14
and thereafter.

Matt 4:21-22 James and his brother, John, train new converts to find new seas and cast Luke 5:11 This was the disciples’ second
along with Peter and Andrew, were the first new nets where waters have never been call. After the first call (John 1:35-51), Peter
disciples that Jesus called to work with him. fished before? The gospel makes missionar- and Andrew had gone back to fishing. They
Jesus’ call motivated these men to get up ies of all God’s people. Where are you casting continued to watch Jesus, however, as he
and leave their jobs—immediately. They your net? established his authority in the synagogue,
didn’t make excuses about why it wasn’t a Luke 5:2 Fishermen on the Sea of Galilee healed the sick, and drove out demons.
good time. They left at once and followed. used nets, often bell-shaped ones with lead Here he also established his authority in
Jesus calls each of us to follow him. When weights around the edges. A net would be their lives—he met them on their level and
Jesus asks us to serve him, we must be like thrown flat onto the water, and the lead helped them in their work. From this point
the disciples and do it at once. weights would cause it to sink around the on, they left their nets and remained with
Mark 1:16-20 We often assume that fish. Then the fishermen would pull on a Jesus. For us, following Jesus means more
Jesus’ disciples were great men of faith cord, drawing the net around the fish. Nets than just acknowledging him as Savior. We
from the first time they met Jesus. But they had to be kept in good condition, so they must leave our past behind and commit our
had to grow in their faith just as all believers would be washed to remove weeds and then future to him.
do (Mark 14:48-50, 66-72; John 14:1-9; mended. Mark 1:21 Jesus had recently moved to
20:26-29). This is apparently not the only Luke 5:8 Simon Peter was awestruck at Capernaum from Nazareth (Matt 4:12-13).
time Jesus called Peter (Simon), James, and this miracle, and his first response was to Capernaum was a thriving town with great
John to follow him (see John 1:35-42 for realize his own insignificance in comparison wealth as well as great sin and decadence.
another time). Although it took time for Jesus’ to this man’s greatness. Peter knew that Because it was the headquarters for many
call and his message to get through, the Jesus had healed the sick and driven out Roman troops, pagan influences from all over
disciples followed. In the same way, we may demons, but he was amazed that Jesus the Roman Empire were pervasive. This was
question and falter, but we must never stop cared about his day-to-day routine and an ideal place for Jesus to challenge both
following Jesus. understood his needs. God is interested not Jews and non-Jews with the Good News of
Mark 1:17 Fishing was a major industry only in saving us but also in helping us in our God’s Kingdom.
around the Sea of Galilee. Fishing with nets daily activities. Mark 1:21-22 Because the Temple in Jeru-
was the most common method. Jesus called Luke 5:11 God has two requirements for salem was too far away for many Jews to
the disciples to fish for people with the same coming to him. Like Peter, we must recognize attend regularly for worship, many towns had
energy they had used to fish for food. The our own sinfulness. Then, like these fisher- synagogues serving both as places of wor-
gospel would be like a net, lifting people men, we must realize that we can’t save our- ship and as schools. Beginning in the days
from dark waters into the light of day and selves and that we need help. If we know that of Ezra, about 450 B.C., a group of 10 Jewish
transforming their lives. How can God use Jesus is the only one who can help us, we will families could start a synagogue. There, dur-
you to fish for people’s souls? How can you be ready to leave everything and follow him. ing the week, Jewish boys were taught the
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23Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was pos- Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the
35

sessed by an evil* spirit began shouting, 24“Why are you man,” he ordered. At that, the demon threw the man
interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to to the floor as the crowd watched; then it came out
destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” of him without hurting him further.
25Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the 36Amazed, the people exclaimed, “What authority

man,” he ordered. 26At that, the evil spirit screamed, and power this man’s words possess! Even evil spirits
threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out obey him, and they flee at his command!” 37The news
of him. about Jesus spread through every village in the entire
27Amazement gripped the audience, and they began region.
to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new
teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-Law
authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” 28The and Many Others PARALLEL
news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the en- MATTHEW 8:14-17
tire region of Galilee. When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-
in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. 15But when
LUKE 4:31-37
Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she
Then Jesus went to Capernaum, a town in Galilee,
got up and prepared a meal for him.
and taught there in the synagogue every Sabbath day. 16That evening many demon-possessed people
32There, too, the people were amazed at his teaching,
were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with
for he spoke with authority.
33Once when he was in the synagogue, a man pos- a simple command, and he healed all the sick. 17This
fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet
sessed by a demon—an evil* spirit—began shouting
Isaiah, who said,
at Jesus, 34“Go away! Why are you interfering with us,
Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I “He took our sicknesses
know who you are—the Holy One of God!” and removed our diseases.”*
Mk 1:23 Greek unclean; also in 1:26, 27. Lk 4:33 Greek unclean; also in 4:36. Mt 8:17 Isa 53:4.

Old Testament law and Jewish religion. Girls in his rebellion. Though not all disease is to recognize Jesus’ authority and power.
could not attend. Each Saturday, the Sabbath, comes from Satan, demons can cause a He has overcome all evil, including Satan
the Jewish men would gather to listen to a person to become mute, deaf, blind, or himself.
rabbi teach from the Scriptures. Because insane. But in every case where demons Matt 8:14-15 Peter’s mother-in-law
there was no permanent rabbi or teacher, it confronted Jesus, they lost their power. gives us a beautiful example to follow. Her
was customary for the synagogue leader to Thus, God limits what evil spirits can do; response to Jesus’ touch was to wait on
ask visiting teachers to speak. This is why they can do nothing without his permission. Jesus and his disciples—immediately. Has
Jesus often taught in the synagogues in the During Jesus’ life on earth, demons were God ever helped you through a dangerous
towns he visited. While the Jewish teachers allowed to be very active to demonstrate or difficult situation? If so, ask him how you
often quoted from well-known rabbis to give once and for all Christ’s power and authority can express your gratitude. Because God
their words more authority, Jesus didn’t need over them. has promised us all the rewards of his King-
to. Because Jesus is God, he knew exactly Luke 4:33 A man possessed by a demon dom, we should look for ways to serve him
what the Scriptures said and meant. He was was in the synagogue where Jesus was and his followers now.
the ultimate authority. teaching. This man made his way into the
Matt 8:16-17 Matthew continues to show
Mark 1:23ff Some people dismiss all place of worship and verbally abused Jesus.
Jesus’ kingly nature. Through a single
accounts of demon possession as a primitive It is naive to think that we will be sheltered
touch, Jesus healed (Matt 8:3, 15); when
way to describe mental illness. Throughout from evil in the church. Satan is happy to
he spoke a single word, evil spirits fled his
history mental illness has often been wrongly invade our presence wherever and whenever
presence (Matt 8:16). Jesus has authority
diagnosed as demon possession, but clearly he can. But Jesus’ authority is much greater
over all evil powers and all earthly disease.
a hostile outside force controlled this man. than Satan’s, and where Jesus is present,
He also has power and authority to conquer
Mark emphasized Jesus’ conflict with evil demons cannot stay for long.
sin. Sickness and evil are consequences
powers to show his superiority over them, so Luke 4:34-36 The people were amazed of living in a fallen world. But in the future,
he recorded many stories about Jesus driving at Jesus’ authority to drive out demons— when God removes all sin, there will be no
out evil spirits. Jesus didn’t have to conduct evil spirits ruled by Satan and sent to harass more sickness and death. Jesus’ healing
an elaborate exorcism ritual. His word was people, tempt them to sin, and ultimately miracles were a taste of what the whole
enough to send out the evil spirit. destroy them. Demons are fallen angels who world will one day experience in God’s
have joined Satan in rebellion against God. Kingdom.
Mark 1:23-24 The evil spirit knew at once
Jesus faced many demons during his time
that Jesus was the Holy One sent from God. on earth, and he always exerted authority
By including this event in his Gospel, Mark over them. Not only did the evil spirit leave
was establishing Jesus’ credentials, showing this man; Luke records that the man was
that even the spiritual underworld recognized not even injured.
Jesus as the Messiah. While we may not often see cases of
Mark 1:23 Evil spirits, or demons, are demon possession today, it does still exist.
ruled by Satan. They work to tempt people There is no doubt that evil permeates our
to sin. They were not created by Satan world. We need not be fearful, however.
because God is the creator of all. Rather, Jesus’ power is far greater than Satan’s.
they are fallen angels who joined Satan The first step toward conquering fear of evil
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MARK 1:29-34 LUKE 4:38-41

After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to
they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30Now Si- Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law
mon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” every-
They told Jesus about her right away. 31So he went to one begged. 39Standing at her bedside, he rebuked
her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and
up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal prepared a meal for them.
for them. 40As the sun went down that evening, people
32 That evening after sunset, many sick and throughout the village brought sick family members
demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch
33The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34So of his hand healed every one. 41Many were possessed
Jesus healed many people who were sick with various by demons; and the demons came out at his com-
diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because mand, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because
the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and
to speak. refused to let them speak.

Mark 1:29-31 Each Gospel writer had a conflict. Just as four people might witness manding the demons to remain silent, Jesus
slightly different perspective as he wrote; the same event and all recount differ- proved his authority and power over them.
thus, the comparable stories in the Gospels ent details, so each Gospel writer simply (2) Jesus wanted the people to believe he
often highlight different details. In Matthew, emphasized different details of this story. was the Messiah because of what he said
Jesus touched the woman’s hand. In Mark, Mark 1:34 Why didn’t Jesus want the and did, not because of the demons’ words.
he helped her up. In Luke, he spoke to the demons to reveal who he was? (1) By com- (3) Jesus wanted to reveal his identity as
fever and it left her. The accounts do not the Messiah according to his timetable, not
Satan’s. The demons called Jesus “Son of
God” or “the Holy One sent from God” (Luke
4:34) because they knew he was the Christ.
But Jesus was going to show himself to be
the suffering servant before he became the
great King. To reveal his identity as King too
soon would stir up the crowds with the wrong
expectations of what he had come to do.
Luke 4:40 The people came to Jesus when
the sun was setting because this was the
Sabbath (Luke 4:31), their day of rest. Sab-
bath lasted from sunset on Friday to sunset
on Saturday. The people didn’t want to break
the law that prohibited travel on the Sabbath,
so they waited until the sun set before com-
ing to Jesus. Then, as Luke the physician
notes, they came with all kinds of diseases,
and Jesus healed each one.
Luke 4:40 When you’ve faced a particularly
difficult time, what helped you most? While
some may have said kind words, most likely
it was the presence and touch of a friend.
A hug, an arm around your shoulder, or even
just a hand laid gently on top of yours—
these simple, wordless gestures mean so
much to those in pain. In healing the sick and
Sea of Galilee the demon possessed, Jesus had already
demonstrated that he could heal with just
The Sea of Galilee is a large body of water in Palestine. It has had many names in its a word (Luke 4:39). Yet here in Capernaum,
history. In the Old Testament the Sea of Galilee was known as the Sea of Kinnereth (Num Luke records that the touch of Jesus’ hand
34:11), named for the town on its border (Josh 19:35). Later, the name was changed healed the sick. Why not just speak a word
to Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1). It derived the name Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1; 21:1)
and heal the whole crowd at once? Why go
from the town of Tiberias on its southwestern shore. The most familiar name, the Sea
of Galilee, was due to its connection with the province of Galilee to its west (Matt 4:18). to all the trouble of treating each person
The Sea of Galilee, which is fed by the Jordan River, lies in the lower section of the individually, face-to-face? Perhaps because
Jordan Valley about 60 miles north of Jerusalem. The climate of the Sea of Galilee is human touch is so very important. Does
semitropical. The lake is 13 miles long and 6 miles wide; its greatest depth is 200 feet. someone need a touch from you today?
Its shape resembles a harp, and some scholars think the name Kinnereth comes from Matt 4:23-24 Jesus preached the gos-
the Hebrew word meaning “harp.” The lake has an abundant supply of fish. pel—the Good News—to everyone who
Most of the events in Jesus’ ministry took place around the Sea of Galilee, especially wanted to hear it. The Good News is that
around Gennesaret, the most densely populated area of Palestine. Jesus is said to have the Kingdom of Heaven has come, that God
lived in Capernaum (Matt 4:13), and he did many miracles there. Because the area west is with us, and that he cares for us. Christ
of the lake was a health resort, Jesus found many sick people there and healed them. can heal us, not just of physical sickness,
but of spiritual sickness as well. There’s
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Jesus Preaches throughout LUKE 4:42-44

Galilee PARALLEL Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated
MATTHEW 4:23-25 place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, when they finally found him, they begged him not to
teaching in the synagogues and announcing the leave them. 43But he replied, “I must preach the Good
Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too,
every kind of disease and illness. 24News about because that is why I was sent.” 44So he continued
him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began to travel around, preaching in synagogues through-
bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever out Judea.*
their sickness or disease, or if they were demon
possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed Jesus Heals a Man
them all. 25Large crowds followed him wherever with Leprosy PARALLEL
he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,* Je- MATTHEW 8:1-4
rusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the
Jordan River. mountainside. 2Suddenly, a man with leprosy ap-
MARK 1:35-39 proached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make
and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36Later me clean.”
3Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am will-
Simon and the others went out to find him. 37When
they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking ing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy
for you.” disappeared. 4Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell
38But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let
as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why him examine you. Take along the offering required
I came.” 39So he traveled throughout the region of in the law of Moses for those who have been healed
Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out of leprosy.* This will be a public testimony that you
demons. have been cleansed.”
Mt 4:25 Greek Decapolis. Lk 4:44 Some manuscripts read Galilee. Mt 8:4 See Lev 14:2-32.

no sin or problem too great or too small find Jesus in prayer? It’s easy to be so caught because they had been awaiting the coming
for him to handle. Jesus’ words were good up with ministry that you neglect times of of the promised Messiah ever since the Bab-
news because they offered freedom, hope, solitude, individual worship, and prayer. Per- ylonian captivity. It is Good News for us also
peace of heart, and eternal life with God. haps you need to redesign your schedule. It because it means freedom from the slavery
Matt 4:23 Jesus was teaching, preaching, is vitally important to (1) seek the Lord before of sin and selfishness. The Kingdom of God
and healing. These were the three main your busy schedule takes over your thoughts; is here and now because the Holy Spirit lives
aspects of his ministry. Teaching shows (2) withdraw from noise and demands so you in the hearts of believers. Yet it is also in the
Jesus’ concern for understanding; preach- can focus on God; (3) take Jesus’ attitude future because Jesus will return to reign over
ing shows his concern for commitment; and of regular communion with the Father; (4) a perfect Kingdom, where sin and evil will no
healing shows his concern for wholeness. reflect on the priorities Jesus had for his life; longer exist.
His miracles of healing authenticated his (5) determine to pray on a more regular basis, Matt 8:2-3 Leprosy was a terrifying dis-
teaching and preaching, proving that he not just in times of crisis. If prayer was impor- ease because there was no known cure. In
truly was from God. tant for Jesus, then it must be important for Jesus’ day, the Greek word for “leprosy” was
his followers. Pray—even if you have to get used for a variety of similar diseases, and
Matt 4:23 Jesus soon developed a power- up very early in the morning to do it! some forms were contagious. If a person
ful preaching ministry and often spoke in
Mark 1:39 The Romans divided the land contracted the contagious type, a priest
the synagogues. Most towns that had 10 or
of Israel into three separate regions: Gali- declared him a leper and banished him from
more Jewish families had a synagogue. The
lee, Samaria, and Judea. Galilee was the his home and city. The leper was sent to live
building served as a religious gathering place
northernmost region, an area about 60 miles in a community with other lepers until he
on the Sabbath and as a school during the
long and 30 miles wide. Jesus did much either got better or died. Yet when the leper
week. The leader of the synagogue was not
of his ministry in this area, an ideal place begged Jesus to heal him, Jesus reached out
a preacher as much as an administrator. His
for him to teach because there were over and touched him, even though his skin was
job was to find and invite rabbis to teach and covered with the dread disease.
preach. It was customary to invite visiting 250 towns concentrated there, with many
synagogues. Sin is also an incurable disease—and we
rabbis like Jesus to speak. all have it. Only Christ’s healing touch can
Matt 4:25 The “Ten Towns” (Greek Decapo- Luke 4:42 Jesus had to get up very early miraculously take away our sins and restore
lis) was a league of 10 Gentile cities east of just to get some time alone. If Jesus needed us to real living. But first, just like the leper,
the Sea of Galilee, joined together for better solitude for prayer and refreshment, how we must realize our inability to cure ourselves
trade and mutual defense. The word about much more is this true for us? Don’t become and ask for Christ’s saving help.
Jesus was out, and Jews and Gentiles were so busy that life turns into a flurry of activity, Matt 8:4 The law required a healed leper
coming long distances to hear him. leaving no room for quiet fellowship alone to be examined by the priest (Lev 14). Jesus
Mark 1:35-37 Were the disciples impatient with God. No matter how much you have wanted this man to give his story firsthand
that Jesus prayed in solitude while so much to do, you should always have time for prayer. to the priest to prove that his leprosy was
ministry waited to be done? How would you Luke 4:43 The Kingdom of God is Good completely gone so that he could be restored
have responded if you had been the one to News! It was Good News to the Jews to his community.
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 BEGINNINGS GOD’S CHOSEN FAMILY BIRTH OF ISRAEL POSSESSING THE LAND UNITED MONARCHY
undated–2100 BC 2100–1800 BC 1800–1406 BC 1406–1050 BC 1050–930 BC

MARK 1:40-45 disappeared. 14Then Jesus instructed him not to tell

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest
begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal and let him examine you. Take along the offering re-
me and make me clean,” he said. quired in the law of Moses for those who have been
41Moved with compassion,* Jesus reached out and
healed of leprosy.* This will be a public testimony that
touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” you have been cleansed.”
42Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was 15But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his

healed. 43Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to
warning: 44“Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.
to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the 16But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for

offering required in the law of Moses for those who prayer.

have been healed of leprosy.* This will be a public
testimony that you have been cleansed.” Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man PARALLEL
45But the man went and spread the word, proclaim-
MATTHEW 9:1-8
ing to everyone what had happened. As a result, large Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the
crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t pub- lake to his own town. 2Some people brought to him a
licly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said
secluded places, but people from everywhere kept to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your
coming to him. sins are forgiven.”
3But some of the teachers of religious law said
LUKE 5:12-16
In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an ad- to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think
vanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he’s God?”
4Jesus knew* what they were thinking, so he
he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be
healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts
me and make me clean.” in your hearts? 5Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are for-
13Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am will- given,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? 6So I will prove to you
ing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy that the Son of Man* has the authority on earth to
Mk 1:41 Some manuscripts read Moved with anger. Mk 1:44 See Lev 14:2-32. Lk 5:14 See Lev 14:2-32. Mt 9:4 Some manuscripts read saw. Mt 9:6 “Son
of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.

Mark 1:40-41 In keeping with the law advanced case, so he undoubtedly had lost on his power to forgive spiritual sickness in
in Leviticus 13 and 14, Jewish leaders much bodily tissue. Still, he believed that the form of sin. Jesus saw that in addition
declared people with leprosy unclean. This Jesus could heal him of every trace of the to physical health, this man needed spiritual
meant that lepers were unfit to participate disease. And Jesus did just that, reaching health. Spiritual health comes only from
in any religious or social activity. Because out to touch this untouchable, contagious Jesus’ healing touch.
the law said that contact with any unclean man in order to restore him. For more on the Matt 9:2 Both the man’s body and his spirit
person made that person unclean, too, power of touch, see the second note on Luke were paralyzed—he could not walk, and he
some people even threw rocks at lepers 4:40, p. 1310. did not know Jesus. But the man’s spiritual
to keep them at a safe distance. Even the Luke 5:16 People were flocking to hear state was what Jesus addressed first. If God
mention of this disabling disease terrified Jesus preach and to have their diseases does not heal us or someone we love, we
people. How astounding it was, then, when healed, but Jesus made sure he often need to remember that physical healing is
Jesus reached out and touched this man withdrew to quiet, solitary places to pray. not Christ’s only concern. We will all be com-
who had leprosy. Many things clamor for our attention, and pletely healed in Christ’s coming Kingdom;
The real value of a person is inside, not we often run ourselves ragged attending to but first we have to come to know Jesus.
outside. Although a person’s body may be them. Like Jesus, however, we should take Matt 9:3 Blaspheming is claiming to be God
diseased or deformed, the person inside is time to withdraw to a quiet and deserted and applying his characteristics to yourself.
no less valuable to God. In a sense, we are place to pray. Strength comes from God, The religious leaders rightly saw that Jesus
all people with leprosy because we have all and we can only be strengthened by spend- was claiming to be God. What they did not
been deformed by the ugliness of sin. By ing time with him. understand was that he is God and thus has
sending his Son, Jesus, God has touched Matt 9:1 “His own town” was Capernaum, the authority to heal and to forgive sins.
us, giving us the opportunity to be healed. a good choice for Jesus’ base of operations. Matt 9:5-6 It’s easy to tell someone his
Luke 5:12 Leprosy had a similar emotional It was a wealthy city due to fishing and sins are forgiven; it’s a lot more difficult to
impact and terror associated with it as AIDS trade. Situated on the Sea of Galilee in a reverse a case of paralysis! Jesus backed
does today. (Sometimes called Hansen’s densely populated area, Capernaum housed up his words by healing the man’s legs.
disease, leprosy still exists in a less conta- the Roman garrison that kept peace in the Jesus’ action showed that his words were
gious form that can be treated.) The priests region. The city was a cultural melting pot, true; he had the power to forgive as well as
monitored the disease, banishing lepers who greatly influenced by Greek and Roman to heal. Talk is cheap, and our words lack
were in a contagious stage to prevent the manners, dress, architecture, and politics. meaning if our actions do not back them
spread of infection and readmitting lepers Matt 9:2 Among the first words Jesus up. We can say we love God or others, but
whose disease was in remission. Because said to the paralyzed man were “Your sins if we are not taking practical steps to dem-
leprosy destroys the nerve endings, lep- are forgiven.” Then he healed the man. We onstrate that love, our words are empty and
ers often would unknowingly damage their must be careful not to concentrate more on meaningless. How well do your actions back
fingers, toes, and noses. This man had an God’s power to heal physical sickness than up what you say?
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 SPLINTERED NATION EXILE RETURN & DIASPORA JESUS CHRIST THE CHURCH
930–586 BC 586–538 BC 538–6 BC 6 BC–AD 30 AD 30–present

forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed 2Soon the house where he was staying was so packed
man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go with visitors that there was no more room, even out-
home!” side the door. While he was preaching God’s word
7And the man jumped up and went home! 8Fear
to them, 3four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man
swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. on a mat. 4They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because
And they praised God for sending a man with such of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof
great authority.* above his head. Then they lowered the man on his
MARK 2:1-12 mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5Seeing their faith,
When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins
later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. are forgiven.”
Mt 9:8 Greek for giving such authority to human beings.

Mark 2:3 The paralyzed man’s need moved or busy Christians can be oblivious to needy newcomers and seekers as friends, and may
his friends to action, and they brought him to people who want to see Jesus. In some they open a way for others to come in.
Jesus. When you recognize someone’s need, churches, if the crowd is too thick or too Mark 2:4 Houses in Bible times were built
do you act? Many people have physical and disinterested, a needy person will simply of stone. They had flat roofs made of mud
spiritual needs you can meet, either by your- wander away. How sad when the people mixed with straw. Outside stairways led to
self or with others who are also concerned. in a church are so preoccupied with their own the roofs. These friends may have carried the
Human need moved these four men; let it relationships and agendas that they don’t paralyzed man up the outside stairs to the
also move you to compassionate action. even see those who are trying to get in. That roof. They then could easily have taken apart
Mark 2:4 The crowd that had gathered should never happen. Where Jesus is pres- the mud and straw mixture to make a hole
made it impossible to bring the paralyzed ent, may the faces of the faithful reflect his through which to lower their friend to Jesus.
man close to Jesus. Successful churches love, may their hands extend to greet all

PROMINENT JEWISH RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL GROUPS

Name and Description Agreement Disagreement
selected with Jesus with Jesus
references
PHARISEES Strict group of religious Jews who Respect for the law, belief Rejected Jesus’ claim to be the
Matt 5:20 advocated obedience to the most in the resurrection of the Messiah. Despised Jesus because
Matt 23:1-36 minute portions of the Jewish law dead, committed to obeying he did not follow all their traditions
Luke 6:2 and traditions. Very influential God’s will. and associated with notoriously
Luke 7:36-47 in the synagogues. wicked people.
SADDUCEES Wealthy, upper class, Jewish Showed great respect for the Denied the resurrection of the dead.
Matt 3:7 priestly party. Rejected the five books of Moses, as well Thought the Temple could also be
Matt 16:11-12 authority of the Scriptures beyond as the sanctity of the Temple. used as a place to transact business.
Mark 12:18 the five books of Moses. Profited
from business in the Temple. They,
along with the Pharisees, were
one of the two major parties of
the Jewish high council.
TEACHERS OF Professional interpreters of the Respect for the law. Denied Jesus’ authority to interpret
RELIGIOUS LAW law—who especially emphasized Committed to obeying God. the law. Rejected Jesus as the
Matt 7:29 the traditions. Many teachers of Messiah because he did not obey
Mark 2:6 religious law were Pharisees. all of their traditions.
Mark 2:16
SUPPORTERS A Jewish political party of King Unknown. In the Gospels Afraid of Jesus causing political
OF HEROD Herod’s supporters. they tried to trap Jesus instability. Saw Jesus as a threat to
Matt 22:16 with questions and plotted their political future at a time when
Mark 3:6 to kill him. they were trying to regain from Rome
Mark 12:13 some of their lost political power.
ZEALOTS A fiercely dedicated group Concerned about the future of Believed that the Messiah must be
Luke 6:15 of Jewish patriots determined Israel. Believed in the Messiah a political leader who would deliver
Acts 1:13 to end Roman rule in Israel. but did not recognize Jesus Israel from Roman occupation.
as the one sent by God.
ESSENES Jewish monastic group practicing Emphasized justice, honesty, Believed ceremonial rituals made
none ritual purity and personal holiness. commitment. them righteous.

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