The Word of God taken verse by verse. The meanings of the words and verses are explained in context, and in many cases translation from the original written language for the words, phrases, and context are explained.
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” — Mark 6:50 Mark 6 is a chapter of contrasts. It opens with Jesus being rejected by the people who watched him grow up and closes with him walking on water in the dark. In between, he sends the twelve out on their first solo mission,…
“Do not fear, only believe.” — Mark 5:36 Mark 5 is three healings woven into one chapter, and each one pushes against a wall the religious world of first-century Judea had built. A demon-possessed Gentile in a graveyard across the sea. A woman twelve years unclean from bleeding. A little girl already dead. Demons, uncleanness,…
“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” — Mark 4:41 Mark 4 is the chapter where Jesus opens his mouth to teach at length for the first time in the gospel — and he does it in parables. Four of them, strung together, each building on the one before….
“Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” — Mark 3:35 Mark 3 is where the lines harden. In chapter 2, the opposition started with murmuring and questions. In chapter 3, the Pharisees decide to destroy him. His own family decides he is out of his mind. The scribes…
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” — Mark 2:17 Mark 2 is where the early goodwill in Galilee starts to fracture. The crowds are still coming, the healings are still happening, but the religious leaders are now watching, and Mark arranges five scenes in a row that each pose a question: who…
“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” — Mark 1:1 Mark opens without ceremony. No genealogy, no angel visitations, no shepherds, no wise men. Just a single declarative sentence that names exactly who this is and exactly what is beginning. The gospel. Of Jesus Christ. The Son of God. Everything…
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to…
“Truly this was the Son of God.” — Matthew 27:54 Judas and the Thirty Pieces of Silver (Verses 1–10) When morning comes, the chief priests and elders bind Jesus and hand him over to Pilate the governor. Judas, seeing that Jesus has been condemned, is seized with remorse. He brings the thirty pieces of silver…
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” — Matthew 26:39 The Plot Against Jesus (Verses 1–5) Jesus finishes the Olivet Discourse and tells his disciples plainly: after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up…
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” — Matthew 25:40 The Ten Virgins (Verses 1–13) The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and…