Recent Commentaries

The Lord said: When someone offers a sacrifice to give thanks to me, the priests from Aaron’s family must bring it to the front of the bronze altar (v. 14), where one of them will scoop up a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the incense on it (v. 15). Then, to show …

Look ahead – To “those things that cannot be shaken” (vv. 25-29). If you read the newspaper or watch the news you know that many things around the world are shaking today. Many people (including Christians) are building their lives on things that can shake. A common rea …

In the culture of Esther’s day any person who received the death penalty automatically had to turn over his estate to the king (v 1). This included all of Haman’s property, possessions, as well as all the people in his house. The king gave all of this to Esther, and she then turned it all over to …

What does it mean when it says to be “baptized for the dead” (v. 29)? The Bible Knowledge Commentary says that “up to 200 explanations have been given for this verse. Some, such as the Mormons, believe it means "proxy baptism”, where a believer is baptized on behalf of a dead …

The ascension of Christ occurred near Bethany on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives. As the disciples stood and watched, Jesus began rising into the air, and soon disappeared into heaven (v. 50). Seeing Jesus leave must have been frightening but the disciples knew th …

Probably one of the best known accounts from the book of Kings is the one in this passage concerning a Gentile who had leprosy and was healed. This person was a well-known Syrian army officer named Naaman. An Israelite girl who the Syrians had taken prisoner was serving in Naama …

After eighteen months of ministry Paul decided that it was time for him to return to his sending church in Antioch. At Cenchreae (the seaport of Corinth) Paul cut his hair (the specifics of why he did this are unknown). His friends Aquila and Priscilla went with him as far as Ephesus, where …

Often those in the church who cause problems are people who have never truly been born again. They may think they are saved but they are not (vv. 1-2). There is no guarantee that any sinner will have the opportunity to be saved tomorrow. Paul paid a tremendous price to be faithful to the …

David gives Solomon the reason why he should build the temple (vv. 11-13). He prays for Solomon that the Lord will keep his promise to help him build a temple (v. 11). He also asks the Lord to give Solomon wisdom and knowledge so he can rule Israel according to His law (v. 12). H …

In today’s passage we are introduced to a new character, the pagan priest Amaziah. He served at the high place at Bethel built by Jeroboam I. Instead of trusting in God, Amaziah trusted in the power of King Jeroboam II and in his kingdom. He saw Amos’s words as a threat to that power …