Thematic Bible: Conditions of


Thematic Bible








After this happened, one of Jesus' disciples (but secretly, for fear of the Jews), named Joseph from Arimathaea, asked Pilate if he could remove Jesus' body [from the cross]. Pilate granted him permission, so he went and removed the body from the cross. Verse ConceptsCowardiceFaith, Growth InJews, TheSecrecyFear Of ManMyrrhAsking PermissionJesus CorpseFear Of EnemiesTaking Care Of Your Body


Now there was a Pharisee, a leader of the Jews, named Nicodemus. This man went to Jesus one night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we [i.e., speaking of himself and other Jewish leaders] know that you are a Teacher sent from God, for no one could perform these [miraculous] signs that you are doing unless God were with Him."





Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed [in Him], "If you people continue [obeying] my message, then you are truly my disciples. Verse ConceptsCommitment, to Jesus ChristAbiding In Christdiscipleship, nature ofNames And Titles For The ChristianObeying JesusAbiding With GodReceiving God's WordJewsDiscipleship


Demonstrate by your lives that you have [really] repented, and quit saying to yourselves, 'We claim Abraham as our forefather,' because I tell you, God is able to make Abraham's children out of these stones. Verse ConceptsPeople Of God, In NtRepentance, Nature OfSecuritySelf DeceptionChildren Of AbrahamPotential Of FruitSigns Of RepentanceNervousness


And [just] like Moses lifted up the snake [on the pole] in the wilderness [Num. 21:9], so the Son of man must be lifted up [on the cross] so that whoever believes in Him would have never ending life." [Note: Some translations extend Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus through verse 21]. For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life. read more.
For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge [i.e., to condemn it], but [rather] so that the people of the world could be saved [from condemnation] though Him. The person who believes in Him will not be condemned, but the one who does not believe in Him has already been condemned, because he did not believe in the name of God's one and only Son.

John [the Immerser] came immersing people in the desert and proclaiming that those immersed on the basis of their repentance would receive the forgiveness of sins [from God]. Verse Conceptsevangelism, nature ofDesertsJohn The BaptistMissionaries, Task OfPurity, Moral And SpiritualRepentance, Importance OfSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfLiving In The WildernessPeople AppearingForgiveness Through RepentanceSigns Of RepentanceBaptism




[Deut. 18:19 says], 'And it will be [at that time] that every person who does not listen to that prophet will be completely destroyed [spiritually] from among [God's] people.' Verse ConceptsGod Is ImmanentGod Will Kill His People



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Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; the person who believes in me will live on, even though he dies [physically]. And whoever goes on living and believing in me, will never die [spiritually]. Do you believe this?"

Now large crowds were following Jesus and He turned [around] and said to them, "If anyone comes to me [i.e., to be my disciple], and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters and, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. [And] whoever does not carry his own cross [i.e., his responsibilities with all their difficulties] and follow me cannot be my disciple. read more.
For which one of you who wants to build a [lookout] tower will not first sit down and calculate its cost, to see whether he has enough [money and materiel] to complete it? For if he does not, maybe after he has laid the foundation and [then] is not able to complete [the tower], everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This man began to build [a tower] but was not able to finish it.' Or what king, planning to engage another king in war, will not first sit down and evaluate whether he will be able, with ten thousand [soldiers], to defeat someone who attacks him with twenty thousand [soldiers]? Or maybe, while the enemy is still a long way off, he will send representatives to ask for peace terms. So therefore, every one of you who does not say 'goodbye' to everything he owns, cannot be my disciple.


Then the people said to Jesus, "What must we do in order to perform the deeds that God requires?" Jesus answered them, "This is the deed that God requires: You should believe in Him whom God has sent [i.e., in Jesus]."

[So], believe in the Light [i.e., Jesus is speaking of Himself] while you [still] have the Light [with you], so that you can become enlightened people." After Jesus said these things, He left there and hid Himself from them. Verse ConceptsAdoption, descriptions ofSonsTrust, Importance OfThe Light Of ChristLight Of God's PeopleHiding From PeopleBelieve In Christ!Faith And TrustChrist As The Object Of Saving Faith

Then a rich, young man [See verse 22] came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good deed should I do in order to have never ending life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is [only] One who is good [i.e., God]. But if you want to enter [never ending] life, [then] obey His commandments." The young man asked Him, "Which [ones]?" Jesus answered, "You must not murder. You must not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. You must not steal. You must not give false testimony. read more.
Show honor to your father and mother. And you must love your neighbor the same as you love yourself." The young man said to Him, "I have [already] been observing all of these commandments. What do I [still] lack?" Jesus replied, "If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; then become my follower and you will have treasure in heaven."

[When] Jesus heard that they had thrown the beggar out, He found him and asked him, "Do you believe in the Son of man?" Verse ConceptsReceived OutcastsMinistry Of The Son Of ManFaith And HealingFaith In Godbelief

But the person who holds out [i.e., remains faithful to God] until the end [i.e., of this time of severe persecution] will be saved [from destruction]. Verse ConceptsGoalsendProgressTo The EndEnduringLoving Your EnemiesThe End Of The WorldEnduranceOvercoming Hard TimesStaying Strong During Hard TimesWitnessingPersistencenegativityperserverancepersevering

Then a certain ruler [Note: This man was young and rich. See Matt. 19:16-22] asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what should I do in order to inherit never ending life?" Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me 'good'? No one is good except God only. You know the commandments: Do not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not give false testimony. Show honor to your father and mother." read more.
And the ruler replied, "I have [already] been observing all of these commandments since I was [very] young." When Jesus heard this He said to him, " [There is] one thing you still lack. Sell all your possessions and distribute [the money] to poor people; become my follower, [then] you will have treasure in heaven." But when the ruler heard these words, he became very sad for he was extremely rich. Now Jesus looked at him and said, "How difficult [it is] for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God." And those who heard this said, "Then who can [possibly] be saved?"

Jesus said to him, "Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above [Note: The words "from above" are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean "again," or "anew" and refer to the source of a person's second birth]. Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born [again] after he is [already] old? He cannot enter his mother's womb a second time and be born, can he?" Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit. read more.
Whoever is born from human parents is a human being; and whoever is born from the Holy Spirit is a spiritual being. So, do not be surprised that I have said to you, 'You must be born from above." [See note on verse 3]. The wind blows wherever it wants to, and you can hear the sound of it, without knowing where it came from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born from the Holy Spirit." Then Nicodemus asked Jesus, "How can these things happen?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of the Israelites and [yet] you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I tell you, we [i.e., Jesus and His disciples] speak about what we know, and testify about what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe [it], how will you believe [it] if I tell you about heavenly things?









And the time will come when every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' [i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ]. Verse ConceptsFreedom, Of The WillFate, And FatalismCalling upon GodLast DaysSalvation, Possible To All MenOther References To God's Name

So then, just as [God's] judgment came, condemning all people [to physical death] because of one sin [i.e., Adam's]; even so the free gift of being made right with God and [resulting in] life may be received by all people because of one man's [i.e., Christ's] act of righteousness. [Note: This "life" may refer to spiritual life now, or to being made alive in the resurrection, which would reverse the curse of physical death caused by Adam's sin]. Verse ConceptsAtonementJesus Christ, Obedience OfJustification Under The GospelSalvation, Possible To All MenLife In ChristCondemnation Of The WickedAll PeopleLife Is In ChristPatience In Relationships


For God's unearned favor has appeared, bringing salvation to all people [i.e., in the coming of Christ]. It instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly desires and to live sensible, righteous and godly lives in this present age,


For [Joel 2:32 says], "Every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." [i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ] Verse ConceptsAccepting ChristName CallingSalvation, Possible To All MenCalling In Christ's NameGod's CallCallingBeing Saved

Then Jesus said to him, "Salvation has come to this house today, since he too [i.e., Zacchaeus] is a descendant of Abraham. Verse ConceptsTodayChildren Of AbrahamThe Gospel Of SalvationAdoption By Faith





so he can speak words to you that will bring salvation to you and your household.' Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofRelatives Also InvolvedThe Gospel Of SalvationBeing SavedProtecting Your Family



For since, according to God's [true] wisdom, the world did not know about Him through its wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe [in Christ] through the "foolishness" of the message preached. Verse ConceptsConversion, God's demands forFaith, As Basis Of Salvationevangelism, nature ofGod, Revelation OfGospel, Transmission OfPreaching, Importance OfRevelation, Necessity OfWisdom, Source Of HumanNations DescribedSaved By FaithNot Knowing GodDrawbacks To WisdomFoolishness Of GodThe Gospel Preached

[and] you have been saved by it also, if you hold on to it firmly [i.e., continue believing and practicing it]. For if you do not [hold on to it firmly], you will have believed [it] all for nothing. Verse ConceptsForeknowledgeReasons For Faith In ChristUseless ReligionThe Gospel Of SalvationKeeping FaithBeing SavedpreachingFutile Faith




Those who wash their robes are blessed because [then] they will have the right to [eat from] the tree of life, and will [be able to] enter the city through the gates. Verse ConceptsAvoiding SinGatesHappinessHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityRightsRitual WashingRobesTreesWashingThe Water Of LifeBeginning And EndWashing ClothesEntering LifeMetaphorical TreesBlessed In ServiceHealing Of NationsPromise Of HeavenUniversalism

So, brothers, be diligent to make sure of your calling and election [i.e., of your status as being selected by God], for when you do, you will never stumble [and fall away from God]. For in this way, you will be provided with a rich welcome into the never ending kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [i.e., in heaven].


Therefore, you should put away [from you] all moral filth and overflowing wickedness and humbly receive the word [of God], planted within you [by the Holy Spirit. See John 16:8], which is capable of saving your souls. Verse ConceptsAcceptance, Of The GospeldrossdirtReformationSin, Avoidance OfAbility, Of God To SaveReceiving God's WordPollution ForbiddenBe Humble!Being HumbleMoralityHumility And Pridehumblenesswelcome


Jesus answered her, "If you [only] knew the [real] gift of God, and who it is that said to you, '[Please], give me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." Verse ConceptsGiftsIgnorance, Of ChristGifts From God, SpiritualBeverages, FigurativeAnswered PromisesSalvation, As A GiftAsking For HelpMan Providing WaterMetaphorical SpringsLife Through ChristGod Giving His SonWho He Might BeKnowing About God's Kingdomthe Gifts of God



But the free gift [of salvation through Christ] is not [exactly] like the sin [of Adam]. For if many people died [physically] because of the sin of the one man [i.e., Adam], how much more did God's favor abound by [providing] His gracious gift [of salvation] to many people because of the one man, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsAdam and Jesus ChristGod's attitude towards peopleParticipation, In ChristAbounding, Good ThingsGrace, Description OfSalvation, As A GiftSaving GraceGrowth In GraceMany Seeking SalvationSin Producing DeathNot Like ThingsOnly One PersonSin Produces DeathThe Grace Of ChristThe Grace Of GodGod's Grace











And the time will come when every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved' [i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ]. Verse ConceptsFreedom, Of The WillFate, And FatalismCalling upon GodLast DaysSalvation, Possible To All MenOther References To God's Name

So then, just as [God's] judgment came, condemning all people [to physical death] because of one sin [i.e., Adam's]; even so the free gift of being made right with God and [resulting in] life may be received by all people because of one man's [i.e., Christ's] act of righteousness. [Note: This "life" may refer to spiritual life now, or to being made alive in the resurrection, which would reverse the curse of physical death caused by Adam's sin]. Verse ConceptsAtonementJesus Christ, Obedience OfJustification Under The GospelSalvation, Possible To All MenLife In ChristCondemnation Of The WickedAll PeopleLife Is In ChristPatience In Relationships


For God's unearned favor has appeared, bringing salvation to all people [i.e., in the coming of Christ]. It instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly desires and to live sensible, righteous and godly lives in this present age,


For [Joel 2:32 says], "Every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." [i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ] Verse ConceptsAccepting ChristName CallingSalvation, Possible To All MenCalling In Christ's NameGod's CallCallingBeing Saved

Then Jesus said to him, "Salvation has come to this house today, since he too [i.e., Zacchaeus] is a descendant of Abraham. Verse ConceptsTodayChildren Of AbrahamThe Gospel Of SalvationAdoption By Faith





so he can speak words to you that will bring salvation to you and your household.' Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofRelatives Also InvolvedThe Gospel Of SalvationBeing SavedProtecting Your Family



For since, according to God's [true] wisdom, the world did not know about Him through its wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe [in Christ] through the "foolishness" of the message preached. Verse ConceptsConversion, God's demands forFaith, As Basis Of Salvationevangelism, nature ofGod, Revelation OfGospel, Transmission OfPreaching, Importance OfRevelation, Necessity OfWisdom, Source Of HumanNations DescribedSaved By FaithNot Knowing GodDrawbacks To WisdomFoolishness Of GodThe Gospel Preached

[and] you have been saved by it also, if you hold on to it firmly [i.e., continue believing and practicing it]. For if you do not [hold on to it firmly], you will have believed [it] all for nothing. Verse ConceptsForeknowledgeReasons For Faith In ChristUseless ReligionThe Gospel Of SalvationKeeping FaithBeing SavedpreachingFutile Faith




Those who wash their robes are blessed because [then] they will have the right to [eat from] the tree of life, and will [be able to] enter the city through the gates. Verse ConceptsAvoiding SinGatesHappinessHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityRightsRitual WashingRobesTreesWashingThe Water Of LifeBeginning And EndWashing ClothesEntering LifeMetaphorical TreesBlessed In ServiceHealing Of NationsPromise Of HeavenUniversalism

So, brothers, be diligent to make sure of your calling and election [i.e., of your status as being selected by God], for when you do, you will never stumble [and fall away from God]. For in this way, you will be provided with a rich welcome into the never ending kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [i.e., in heaven].


Therefore, you should put away [from you] all moral filth and overflowing wickedness and humbly receive the word [of God], planted within you [by the Holy Spirit. See John 16:8], which is capable of saving your souls. Verse ConceptsAcceptance, Of The GospeldrossdirtReformationSin, Avoidance OfAbility, Of God To SaveReceiving God's WordPollution ForbiddenBe Humble!Being HumbleMoralityHumility And Pridehumblenesswelcome