Recent Commentaries

Jesus taught two lessons in this passage (vv. 7-14). First He spoke to the guests, telling them not to seek places of honor (vv. 7-11). Service is more important in God’s kingdom than status. Second, he told the host not to be exclusive about whom he invites (vv. 12-14). It i …

The Ephraimites had played an important role in Gideon’s victory over the Midianites (Judges 7:24-25). When Gideon called on them, they came, defending the Jordan River and slaying Oreb and Zeeb, the princes of Midian. But despite their great victory, the Ephraimites were provoked, wishing …

The tabernacle was one long building made into two parts. The first room was called the Holy Place. Only the priests were allowed to come in here. There were three pieces of furniture here. One was a table covered over with gold and with poles put through rings at each end for ca …

One of the extraordinary things about the great Christian leaders in the New Testament was they were not afraid to confess what once they had been. In the presence of the king, Paul frankly confessed that there was a day when he had tried to blast the Christians out of existence. In this …

Angered that Jesus would claim equality with the Father, these Jews “took up stones to kill Him” (v. 31). Jesus asks why his good work deserved such cruel treatment (v. 32). They claimed that they did not have a problem with His works. They objected to Him, a mere man, claiming to be …

Even though the Israelites had seen the invisible God in action, they still wanted the familiar gods they could see and shape into whatever image they desired (vv. 1-10). It was not long after the Israelites had agreed to be the Lord’s covenant people that they asked Aaron …

The story in this passage would be comical if it were not so true to life. So frequently the prayer life of God’s people consists of formal words and speech and a total lack of expectation. Great precautions had been taken to see that Peter did not escape. He was guarded by four squads of …

There is debate as to whether David is asking for deliverance from death or deliverance out of death by the resurrection. There is certainly much more to be understood as David gives eight reasons to bless God as he faces death …

By tracing Jesus’ ancestry back to King David, through the line of Davidic kings, Matthew connects Jesus with his royal heritage (vv. 1-17). Jesus is thus the fulfillment of God’s promise to raise up a king through David’s line. The genealogy in this passage is traced through Joseph, Jesus’ …

When Nehemiah’s enemies heard that their plot had been discovered, they did not attack and the people resumed their construction work (v. 15). However, Nehemiah exercises caution and devises a plan of defense that will unite and protect his people. He divides the people around th …