Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Jewish » Pride
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 Concepts
They replied to Him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be set free'?"
Verse Concepts
They answered Him, "Our forefather was Abraham." Jesus replied to them, "If you were Abraham's descendants, you would do the [kinds of] deeds that Abraham did.
Verse Concepts
Then they began ridiculing him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are Moses' disciples.
Verse Concepts
if you are confident that you can give [spiritual] guidance to blind people and enlightenment to those who are in [spiritual] darkness;
Verse Concepts
Pride » Examples of » Jewish pride, as the chosen nation
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 Concepts
They replied to Him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be set free'?"
Verse Concepts
They answered Him, "Our forefather was Abraham." Jesus replied to them, "If you were Abraham's descendants, you would do the [kinds of] deeds that Abraham did.
Verse Concepts
Then they began ridiculing him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are Moses' disciples.
Verse Concepts
if you are confident that you can give [spiritual] guidance to blind people and enlightenment to those who are in [spiritual] darkness;
Verse Concepts
Sin » Against knowledge
These people know that God's decrees require that those who practice such things deserve to die [i.e., either spiritual or temporal punishment], yet they not only do the same things [themselves], but even approve of other people who practice them.
Verse Concepts
They would not be guilty of sinning if I had not come and spoken to them. But now [that I have], they have no excuse for their sin.
Verse Concepts
So, the person who knows the good [he ought] to be doing, but is not doing it, is sinning.
Verse Concepts
Now they knew who God was, but they did not honor Him as God or thank Him [for their blessings]. Instead they engaged in their useless speculations and their foolish minds were filled with [spiritual] darkness.
Verse Concepts
Jesus said to them, "If you were [really] blind [i.e., unable to see spiritually], you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim, 'We can see [fine],' you remain guilty of sin."
Verse Concepts
For if we go on sinning intentionally, after we have received the full knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for [our] sins.
Verse Concepts
And that slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not make preparations [i.e., for his master's return], or do what his master wanted, will be whipped with many lashes. But the one who did not know [i.e., what his master wanted], yet did things deserving of punishment, will be whipped with few lashes. And to the person who has been given much [responsibility], there will be much required [of him]. And to whom people entrust much [responsibility], they will ask [much] more from him.
But if you call yourselves "Jews," and [claim to] rely on the law of Moses, and brag about [belonging to] God; if you know His will and have been taught by the law of Moses to [evaluate and] give approval to what is best; if you are confident that you can give [spiritual] guidance to blind people and enlightenment to those who are in [spiritual] darkness; read more.
if you are instructors of the ignorant, and teachers of babies [i.e., immature people] and possess in the law of Moses the [correct] form of knowledge and truth --- since you teach other people [all of this], why do you not teach yourselves [these things]? You preach that a person should not steal, [but] do you steal? You say that a person should not commit adultery [i.e., sexual unfaithfulness to their mate], [but] do you commit adultery? You [claim to] hate idols, [but] do you rob [their] temples? [Note: It is difficult to determine how the Jews were doing this. Perhaps they were guilty of the "spirit" of idolatry by devoting their efforts and affections to material things instead of to God]. You boast about having the law of Moses, [but] do you dishonor God by breaking that law?
if you are instructors of the ignorant, and teachers of babies [i.e., immature people] and possess in the law of Moses the [correct] form of knowledge and truth --- since you teach other people [all of this], why do you not teach yourselves [these things]? You preach that a person should not steal, [but] do you steal? You say that a person should not commit adultery [i.e., sexual unfaithfulness to their mate], [but] do you commit adultery? You [claim to] hate idols, [but] do you rob [their] temples? [Note: It is difficult to determine how the Jews were doing this. Perhaps they were guilty of the "spirit" of idolatry by devoting their efforts and affections to material things instead of to God]. You boast about having the law of Moses, [but] do you dishonor God by breaking that law?
It would have been better for them if they had not known the right way [to God] than, after knowing it, to turn back from the sacred message that had been presented to them. It has happened to them like the true proverb [says], "The dog [throws up, and then] goes back and eats its own vomit," and "The hog that was all cleaned up [goes back] to wallowing in the mud."