Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



But when the Festival was about half over, Jesus went up into the Temple and began teaching. Verse ConceptsAcademicsPilgrimageJesus As Our TeacherChrist TeachingChrist In The Temple

for he taught like a person who had authority, instead of like their experts in the law of Moses. Verse Conceptsethics, basis ofTeachersJesus As Our TeacherAuthority Of Christempowermentliberationpharisees

Jesus went all over Galilee teaching in the [Jewish] synagogues and preaching the good news of the [coming, see verse 17] kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease and sickness among the people. Verse Conceptsevangelists, identity ofDoctrine, CommunicatedGospel, Descriptions OfMissionaries, Task OfNewsPreaching, Content OfPreaching, Importance OfTeachingJesus As Our TeacherChrist PreachingChrist TeachingDiseaseSicknessHealing SicknessStress And Hard TimesIllnesspreaching

He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, Verse ConceptsJesus As Our TeacherChrist Teaching

Then Jesus left [His place of seclusion] and, seeing the large crowd, He felt deep compassion for them because they were [as disoriented] as sheep without a shepherd, so He began teaching them. Verse ConceptsCompassionAffection, ExpressingCrowdsLargenessGrace, And Jesus ChristMercy, Of Jesus ChristShepherds, As Church LeaderInadequate ShepherdingCompassion, Of ChristJesus As Our TeacherChrist TeachingBeginning To Teach

And He was honored by everyone [as] He taught in their [Jewish] synagogues. Verse ConceptsJesus As Our TeacherPraising Specific People

So, He entered one of the boats that belonged to Simon [i.e., Peter], and asked him to launch out a short distance from shore. Then He sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. Verse ConceptsBoatsJesus As Our TeacherSitting To TeachChrist Teachingbelonging

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." Verse ConceptsKnowing God, Nature OfPharisees, Attitudes To Jesus ChristRabbiSignsSigns Of The TimesJesus As Our TeacherGod With ChristSigns Performed By ChristDuring One NightOther People Of GodSpecial Revelation

Then early [the next] morning Jesus went into the Temple again. All the people gathered around Him and He sat down and began teaching them. Verse ConceptsDawnFeetRising Early, Examples OfSittingJesus As Our TeacherSitting To TeachChrist TeachingChrist In The Temple

So then, you [Gentiles] are no longer foreigners and aliens [i.e., to God's promises. See verse 12], but you are fellow-citizens with the saints [i.e., God's holy people], and are part of God's family. [You are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets [See I Cor. 12:28], with Christ Jesus Himself being the principal stone by which the entire building is aligned.

And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb [were inscribed on them]. Verse ConceptsFoundationsThe Number TwelveFoundations Of NationsWalled TownsTwelve DisciplesTwelve ThingsNew Jerusalem

Seeing the large crowds, Jesus went up in a mountain [i.e., probably a hill near Capernaum] and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, "Those persons who feel a deep sense of their personal need are blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. read more.
"Those persons who feel grief [over their sins] are blessed because they will receive comfort [from God when they repent]. "Those persons who have a humble attitude [toward themselves] are blessed because they will inherit [the best of] the earth. "Those persons who have an appetite for whatever is right will be blessed because they will be satisfied. "Those persons who show mercy [toward others] will be blessed because they will be shown mercy [themselves]. "Those persons whose hearts are pure [before God] will be blessed because they will see God. "Those persons who attempt to make peace [between people] will be blessed because they will be called God's children. "Those persons who have suffered for trying to do what is right will be blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me. Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way. "You people are [like] salt on the earth. But if salt loses its flavoring ability, how will it ever get it back again? From then on it would be good for nothing except to be thrown out onto the roadway and walked on by people. [Note: This was mined salt which, when losing its "saltiness" due to exposure to the sun or rain, was simply disposed of by being dumped onto the roadway where people walked]. You people are [like] light in the world. A city built on a hill will not go unnoticed. Neither does a person light an [olive oil] lamp and place it under a bushel-sized container, but on a stand where it can illuminate everything in the house. In that same way, you should allow your light [i.e., influence] to shine in front of people, so that they will see your good deeds and [be led to] honor your Father in heaven.

While Jesus was still speaking to the large crowds, His mother and [half-] brothers were standing outside [of the large house. See 13:1] wanting to speak to Him. Someone [from the crowd] said to Him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." He answered the person who told Him, "[Just] who is my mother? And who are my brothers?" read more.
Then He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, "Look, [here is] my mother and my brothers!" "For whoever will do what my Father in heaven desires, is my brother and sister and mother."

Jesus replied, "Simon, son of Jonah, you are fortunate [indeed], for this [truth] was not revealed to you by human beings but [rather] by my Father who is in heaven. And I also tell you, [although] you are Peter [i.e., a stone], it is on this rock [i.e., the truth you have just confessed] that I will build my church and [not even] the gates of the unseen place of departed spirits will win out over it [i.e., all efforts to stamp out the church by killing Christians will fail].

Then Jesus' mother and [half-] brothers came and stood outside [i.e., of a large house. See Matt. 12:46-13:1]. They sent a message to Him, asking Him to come out to them. Someone in the large crowd that was sitting around Him said to Him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you." He answered them, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" read more.
Then He looked out over those gathered around Him and said, "Look, [here is] my mother and my brothers For whoever will do what God wants, that person is my brother, and sister and mother."

For I think that God has displayed us apostles last in line, as men doomed to die. [Note: The picture here is that of gladiators in the arena]. We are being stared at [i.e., as performers on a theater stage] for the whole world to see, both angels and people. We are "fools" for Christ's sake, but you people [think you] are "wise" in [the fellowship of] Christ. We are weak, but you people [think you] are "strong." You are honored, but we are despised. Even to this moment, we [apostles] are hungry and thirsty; we have inadequate clothing; we have been beaten; we do not have a permanent place to live; read more.
we work hard with our hands. [Though] we are cursed, we [ask God's] blessing [on people]; [though] we are persecuted, we persevere; [though] we are slandered, we reply kindly. We have become [like] the scum of the earth, the dregs of all society, to this day.


He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, Verse ConceptsJesus As Our TeacherChrist Teaching

But they do all their deeds just to be seen by people. They wear elaborate Scripture texts displayed on their clothing and enlarge [conspicuously] the fringes of their robes. Verse ConceptsPride, Examples OfHypocrites, Description OfDisplayingLong ThingsBroadnessFringe Of ClothesBeing Seen By ManSeeing PeopleGarmentspeoplephariseesdeeds


He began speaking boldly in the synagogue and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and proceeded to explain to him God's way more accurately [than he had known]. Verse Conceptsevangelists, identity ofevangelism, kinds ofBoldness, Proclaiming GospelImportunity, Towards PeopleBoldness Examples OfApolloscouples


So, Philip opened his mouth, and beginning [his message] from this Scripture [passage], he preached to him [about] Jesus. Verse Conceptsevangelism, nature ofevangelism, kinds ofUse Of The Scripturespreaching

He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, Verse ConceptsJesus As Our TeacherChrist Teaching





And when they had arranged a day, large numbers of people came to Paul's house. He explained [everything to them], testifying from morning until evening concerning the kingdom of God and concerning [the Messiahship of] Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from [the writings of] the prophets. Verse ConceptsExplanationsKingdom Of God, Coming OfMorningDealing With Many PeopleFrom Morning Till EveningChrist And The ScripturesStudying The LawWritten In The Prophets

So, Jesus said to them, "The Light will be among you for only a little while [longer]. Walk around while you [still] have the Light [with you], before darkness surrounds you. For the person who walks around in darkness does not know where he is going. [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.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

Seeing the large crowds, Jesus went up in a mountain [i.e., probably a hill near Capernaum] and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, "Those persons who feel a deep sense of their personal need are blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. read more.
"Those persons who feel grief [over their sins] are blessed because they will receive comfort [from God when they repent]. "Those persons who have a humble attitude [toward themselves] are blessed because they will inherit [the best of] the earth. "Those persons who have an appetite for whatever is right will be blessed because they will be satisfied. "Those persons who show mercy [toward others] will be blessed because they will be shown mercy [themselves]. "Those persons whose hearts are pure [before God] will be blessed because they will see God. "Those persons who attempt to make peace [between people] will be blessed because they will be called God's children. "Those persons who have suffered for trying to do what is right will be blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me. Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way. "You people are [like] salt on the earth. But if salt loses its flavoring ability, how will it ever get it back again? From then on it would be good for nothing except to be thrown out onto the roadway and walked on by people. [Note: This was mined salt which, when losing its "saltiness" due to exposure to the sun or rain, was simply disposed of by being dumped onto the roadway where people walked]. You people are [like] light in the world. A city built on a hill will not go unnoticed. Neither does a person light an [olive oil] lamp and place it under a bushel-sized container, but on a stand where it can illuminate everything in the house. In that same way, you should allow your light [i.e., influence] to shine in front of people, so that they will see your good deeds and [be led to] honor your Father in heaven.

So, as dearly loved children, you people should [try to] be like God. Live in a loving way, just like Christ loved us and gave Himself up [to die] for us as an offering and fragrant smelling sacrifice to God. But you should not even talk about sexual immorality, or any type of [moral] impurity, or greed. [Note: Possibly "greed" here means "desire for more" of such things]. Such talk is not suitable for saints [i.e., God's holy people]. read more.
Nor should obscenity, silly chatter or double-meaning jokes be used, because they are not proper either. But instead, [you should express] thanksgiving. For you [should] know this for certain: No sexually immoral or [morally] impure person, or greedy person, who is [the same as] an idol worshiper, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Do not let anyone deceive you with empty words, for because of such things, the wrath of God will fall upon people who are disobedient [to Him]. So, do not participate with such individuals, for you people were once darkness [i.e., when living in sin], but now you are light in [fellowship with] the Lord. [So], live like people who belong to light [i.e., who live godly lives],

Now brothers, you do not need to have anything written to you about the times and dates [i.e., of Christ's second coming], for you know perfectly well that the day of the Lord [i.e., when He returns, See II Thess. 2:1-2] will arrive like a thief coming in the night. [For] when people are saying, "Peace," and "Safety," then [is when] destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not be able to escape it. read more.
But you brothers are not in the dark about that day, so that it sneaks up on you like a thief, for all of you people belong to the light; you belong to the daytime. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. [Note: In this passage "light" and "daytime" refer to spiritual illumination, while "darkness" and "night" refer to spiritual ignorance].

Seeing the large crowds, Jesus went up in a mountain [i.e., probably a hill near Capernaum] and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, "Those persons who feel a deep sense of their personal need are blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. read more.
"Those persons who feel grief [over their sins] are blessed because they will receive comfort [from God when they repent]. "Those persons who have a humble attitude [toward themselves] are blessed because they will inherit [the best of] the earth. "Those persons who have an appetite for whatever is right will be blessed because they will be satisfied. "Those persons who show mercy [toward others] will be blessed because they will be shown mercy [themselves]. "Those persons whose hearts are pure [before God] will be blessed because they will see God. "Those persons who attempt to make peace [between people] will be blessed because they will be called God's children. "Those persons who have suffered for trying to do what is right will be blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me. Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way. "You people are [like] salt on the earth. But if salt loses its flavoring ability, how will it ever get it back again? From then on it would be good for nothing except to be thrown out onto the roadway and walked on by people. [Note: This was mined salt which, when losing its "saltiness" due to exposure to the sun or rain, was simply disposed of by being dumped onto the roadway where people walked]. You people are [like] light in the world. A city built on a hill will not go unnoticed. Neither does a person light an [olive oil] lamp and place it under a bushel-sized container, but on a stand where it can illuminate everything in the house. In that same way, you should allow your light [i.e., influence] to shine in front of people, so that they will see your good deeds and [be led to] honor your Father in heaven.

Seeing the large crowds, Jesus went up in a mountain [i.e., probably a hill near Capernaum] and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, "Those persons who feel a deep sense of their personal need are blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. read more.
"Those persons who feel grief [over their sins] are blessed because they will receive comfort [from God when they repent]. "Those persons who have a humble attitude [toward themselves] are blessed because they will inherit [the best of] the earth. "Those persons who have an appetite for whatever is right will be blessed because they will be satisfied. "Those persons who show mercy [toward others] will be blessed because they will be shown mercy [themselves]. "Those persons whose hearts are pure [before God] will be blessed because they will see God. "Those persons who attempt to make peace [between people] will be blessed because they will be called God's children. "Those persons who have suffered for trying to do what is right will be blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me. Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way. "You people are [like] salt on the earth. But if salt loses its flavoring ability, how will it ever get it back again? From then on it would be good for nothing except to be thrown out onto the roadway and walked on by people. [Note: This was mined salt which, when losing its "saltiness" due to exposure to the sun or rain, was simply disposed of by being dumped onto the roadway where people walked].


He began speaking boldly in the synagogue and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and proceeded to explain to him God's way more accurately [than he had known]. Verse Conceptsevangelists, identity ofevangelism, kinds ofBoldness, Proclaiming GospelImportunity, Towards PeopleBoldness Examples OfApolloscouples


So, Philip opened his mouth, and beginning [his message] from this Scripture [passage], he preached to him [about] Jesus. Verse Conceptsevangelism, nature ofevangelism, kinds ofUse Of The Scripturespreaching

He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, Verse ConceptsJesus As Our TeacherChrist Teaching





And when they had arranged a day, large numbers of people came to Paul's house. He explained [everything to them], testifying from morning until evening concerning the kingdom of God and concerning [the Messiahship of] Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from [the writings of] the prophets. Verse ConceptsExplanationsKingdom Of God, Coming OfMorningDealing With Many PeopleFrom Morning Till EveningChrist And The ScripturesStudying The LawWritten In The Prophets

But when the Festival was about half over, Jesus went up into the Temple and began teaching. Verse ConceptsAcademicsPilgrimageJesus As Our TeacherChrist TeachingChrist In The Temple

for he taught like a person who had authority, instead of like their experts in the law of Moses. Verse Conceptsethics, basis ofTeachersJesus As Our TeacherAuthority Of Christempowermentliberationpharisees

Jesus went all over Galilee teaching in the [Jewish] synagogues and preaching the good news of the [coming, see verse 17] kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease and sickness among the people. Verse Conceptsevangelists, identity ofDoctrine, CommunicatedGospel, Descriptions OfMissionaries, Task OfNewsPreaching, Content OfPreaching, Importance OfTeachingJesus As Our TeacherChrist PreachingChrist TeachingDiseaseSicknessHealing SicknessStress And Hard TimesIllnesspreaching

He opened His mouth and taught them, saying, Verse ConceptsJesus As Our TeacherChrist Teaching

Then Jesus left [His place of seclusion] and, seeing the large crowd, He felt deep compassion for them because they were [as disoriented] as sheep without a shepherd, so He began teaching them. Verse ConceptsCompassionAffection, ExpressingCrowdsLargenessGrace, And Jesus ChristMercy, Of Jesus ChristShepherds, As Church LeaderInadequate ShepherdingCompassion, Of ChristJesus As Our TeacherChrist TeachingBeginning To Teach

And He was honored by everyone [as] He taught in their [Jewish] synagogues. Verse ConceptsJesus As Our TeacherPraising Specific People

So, He entered one of the boats that belonged to Simon [i.e., Peter], and asked him to launch out a short distance from shore. Then He sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. Verse ConceptsBoatsJesus As Our TeacherSitting To TeachChrist Teachingbelonging

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." Verse ConceptsKnowing God, Nature OfPharisees, Attitudes To Jesus ChristRabbiSignsSigns Of The TimesJesus As Our TeacherGod With ChristSigns Performed By ChristDuring One NightOther People Of GodSpecial Revelation

Then early [the next] morning Jesus went into the Temple again. All the people gathered around Him and He sat down and began teaching them. Verse ConceptsDawnFeetRising Early, Examples OfSittingJesus As Our TeacherSitting To TeachChrist TeachingChrist In The Temple