Recent Commentaries

To avoid conflict with the Pharisees, who were alarmed at His increasing popularity, Jesus left Judea and started north for Galilee (vv. 1-3) It states that “He must needs go through Samaria” (v. 4). An Orthodox Jew would have crossed the Jordan River near Jericho, made his way through …

Chapter 15 is preparatory to the seven “Bowl” judgments. John gave us the seven “Seal” judgements in chapter 6, the seven “Trumpet” judgments in chapters 8 and 9, and now he leads us to the seven “Bowl” judgments in chapter 16. Why does there need to be these three series of …

Manoah wanted to have a sacrificial meal with the angel of the Lord for he was not aware that his guest was superhuman (v. 15). The angel refused to partake of such a meal but suggested instead that a sacrifice be offered to the Lord (vv. 16-18). Manoah appears to have taken the angel’s …

The servants of a ruler are apt to become like the ruler and follow his example. If he prefers falsehood to truth, then his servants and those around him will be encouraged to become liars also (v. 12). As we read history and even today we can see this happen so often in governme …

After Jesus had silenced the Pharisees and Herodians, the Sadducees try their hand at trapping Him. It has been said that the Pharisees were the ritualists, the Herodians the politicians, and the Sadducees the rationalists. This is the only time in Mark’s gospel that the Sad …

Paul made plans to return to Greece and Palestine, and then go to Rome (v. 21). Two and a half years had passed since Paul arrived in Ephesus, and he felt his work there was over. To prepare the believers in Macedonia for his coming, Paul sent two of his disciples (Timothy and Erastus) …

While the people were enjoying themselves inside, the wicked men of Gibeah surrounded the house and demanded the old man send out the Levite to satisfy their homosexual desires (v. 22). It is unthinkable but the old man was willing to sacrifice his daughter and the Levite’s concubine …

Another vision is given to Daniel, shortly before his death (v. 1). This vision took place during “The third year of Cyrus king of Persia.” It seems that Daniel was now around eighty years of age and had retired from public service. Prior to this vision, Cyrus all …

Every election year we have a barrage of “campaign promises,” which we know will be forgotten as soon as the candidates reach office. We don’t even expect them to keep their promises and would be shocked if they did. David is a man who kept his promises. Before he became …

Next, Jesus addresses the matter of judging and hypocrisy (v. 1). The Pharisees were judging Jesus because He was not offering the kind of kingdom they anticipated or the kind of righteousness they were exhibiting. Jesus was not condemning all judgment. Taking everything at face value …