Latest Commentaries

The LORD rebukes the priests for dishonoring Him through their disobedient worship and defiled sacrifices. He wishes someone would shut the temple doors to stop these vain offerings.

The LORD reaffirms His faithful commitment to the Israelites by contrasting them with the Edomites, whom He will forever destroy for their wicked deeds.

Paul now focuses on the purpose of the financial collection for the Judean saints in need as it relates to the spiritual ministry of the gospel and the church. The overall spiritual purpose was for the glory of the Lord Himself (v. 19) and also to show the readiness and eagerness of Paul and his companions for this collection. Paul wants to be open and transparent as to the integrity of the collection, so he sends not only Titus, his most trusted companion, but also two other highly regarded leaders to ensure the offering is properly stewarded and delivered as promised.

Paul appeals to the Corinthians by using Christ as an example of giving. Jesus was rich in heaven but became poor for our sake by coming to earth to die for our sins. He shares the principle of giving to meet basic needs of others, making particular note that this is not God’s command but a great opportunity for them to develop as disciples and lay up treasure in heaven. But it is up to them to decide how much to give. 

Paul changes the direction and subject of his letter. From defending his ministry and proclaiming the legitimacy of his message, he turns to challenge the Corinthians to participate in a collection to financially support the persecuted church in Jerusalem. For chapters eight and nine he explains that giving is to their advantage because it is a privilege or favor to do God’s work and receive His rewards.

After healing the hemorrhagic woman, it is reported that the synagogue official’s daughter has died before Jesus could reach her, and His services are no longer needed. Jesus reassures the father, goes to the house, then raises the girl back to life. All are amazed at this, but Jesus warns them not to tell anyone about the events that occurred in the house. Jesus powerfully demonstrates His authority over life and death.

Jesus is on His way to the home of the synagogue official's dying daughter, and a woman in the midst of a large crowd, who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, silently reaches out and touches Jesus's garment. She is immediately healed. Jesus notices that power has gone out from him due to this discreet brush of His cloak. He asks who touched Him. The woman confesses in front of the crowd that she touched Him and is now healed. Jesus affirms her faith.

Jesus returns to Capernaum from the country of the Gerasenes to a welcoming crowd. Jairus, the father of a dying girl begs Jesus to come to his home and heal his daughter. Jesus agrees and heads to the man’s home as He is swarmed by a pressing crowd.

Upon reaching the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and His disciples arrive in the Greco—Roman province known as the Decapolis. Immediately, they are confronted by a demon-possessed man who was living in the tombs. Recognizing Jesus as the Son of the Most High God, the demons within the man beg Jesus not to torment them. Jesus commands the demons to leave the man and sends them into a herd of swine. The possessed swine then rush off a cliff into the sea, where they drown. When the local people, the Garasenes, hear about this, they come out to see Jesus and plead with Him to leave their region.

Jesus and His disciples get into a boat to cross the lake. Jesus falls fast asleep during the crossing, and a great storm arises, threatening to sink the boat and drown them all. The terrified disciples awaken Jesus and ask Him to save them.

Jesus declares that His family is determined by more than genetics, but rather whoever lives his life doing the will of His Father.

Jesus uses the analogy of a lamp to teach about the importance of revealing truth and living openly. He emphasizes that what is hidden will eventually be brought to light, encouraging His followers to be mindful of how they listen and respond to His teachings. Those who embrace and apply His words by faith will gain more understanding and life, while those who disregard them will lose even what they think they have.

The LORD responds to Zion’s doubts and affirms that He is able to not only rescue Zion from her captors, but He promises that He will save Israel. Zion’s enemies will be so thoroughly defeated that they will eat themselves and drink their own blood. When this happens, everyone will recognize that the LORD is the Savior and Redeemer of Zion.

This verse is an expression of Zion’s doubts that the LORD is able to deliver on His promise to rescue them from their captivity. 

The LORD continues to promise blessings to Zion, telling her that rulers will lovingly protect and nurture her exiled children as they return them home. Zion’s enemies will be defeated and humbly bow before Zion’s feet.

In this portion of Isaiah’s Second Servant Song, the LORD reassures Zion that He has not forsaken or forgotten her. To Zion’s astonishment, the LORD will return Zion’s children. These unexpected blessings will be so great and surprising that they will disorient Zion from her false conceptions about herself and God. 

This portion of Isaiah’s second Servant Song contains an interjection of praise in response to the LORD’s promises to exalt His Servant and bring His people home. It also contains an interjection of doubt that is raised by Zion, lamenting how the LORD has forsaken and forgotten her. 

The LORD speaks to His Servant the Messiah, promising Him that He will vindicate and rescue Him from the humiliation of His enemies. The LORD also promises the Messiah that He will save the Messiah’s people. These promises show how the Messiah did not come in vain.

The seventh angel sounds his trumpet. Voices from heaven proclaim that the kingdom of God is here. The elders give thanks to God and remember His deeds, that it is time for the dead to be judged and the bond-servants to be rewarded. Finally, the temple of God in heaven opens and the ark of His covenant is revealed. 

The witnesses who were killed by the beast are revived and brought up into heaven. And the second woe, an earthquake that kills seven thousand people, causes those who remain to give glory to God.