Thematic Bible: Rulers'


Thematic Bible











especially those who spend their lives following the flesh in the lust of defilement, and in despising all authority. Audacious and willful, they feel no awe in railing against dignities; even where angels, though surpassing them in strength and might, do not bring a railing judgment against them before the Lord.











Yet in just the same way these dreamers also defile the flesh, while they set at naught dominion and scoff at dignities. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





"Brothers, I did not know that he was the high priest," exclaimed Paul, "for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of my people." Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings






"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day, in regard to all the accusations brought against me by the Jews; Verse ConceptsRejoicing In ProsperityMan DefendingChanging Yourself














Yet in just the same way these dreamers also defile the flesh, while they set at naught dominion and scoff at dignities. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority



Therefore the man who rebels against authority is opposing the divine ordinances; and those who withstand will bring judgment on themselves. Verse ConceptsdefianceRebellion, Against Human AuthorityCivil GovernmentAnarchyRebellion against GodRespecting Authority


































So Pilate, who wished to make himself strong with the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and gave Jesus over for crucifixion, after he had scourged him. Verse ConceptsFloggingBody Of Christ, Physical SufferingDeath penaltyHumiliationPunishment, Legal Aspects OfPeer PressureBarabbasScourgingWhipsHanding Over ChristBeating JesusWhippingPeople Set Free By Peoplecrucifixion

Now Jesus stood before the Governor, and the Governor questioned him. "Are you the King of the Jews?" he asked. "It is as you say," answered Jesus; but while he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you not hear what they are testifying against you?" read more.
But he made no answer, not even to one charge; insomuch that the Governor was greatly astonished. Now it was the Governor's custom, during the Passover, to release to the people any one prisoner whom they selected. At that time they had a notorious prisoner named Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" He knew well that it was because of enmity that they had brought Jesus before him. And while he was seated upon the judgment-seat, his wife had sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered many things today, in a dream, because of him." But the chief priests and the elders urged the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to destroy Jesus. So when Pilate said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release unto you?" they said, "Barabbas." And Pilate asked, "What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?" What one voice they shouted, "Let him be crucified!" But Pilate said, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they kept shouting the more fiercely, "Let him be crucified!" So when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that on the contrary a riot was threatening, he took water and washed his hands in the presence of the crowd, saying. "I am innocent of the blood of this man; you must answer for it." All the people answered, "His blood be upon us and upon our children." Then he released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he scourged, and delivered to be crucified.





That very day there came some Pharisees to him, saying, "Get out of here and go away, for Herod wishes to kill you." "Go, tell that fox," he answered, "'Lo, today and tomorrow I am continuing to cast out demons and perform cures, and on the third day I finish my course.'

When Pilate heard the word "Galilee" he asked if the man were a Galilean, and when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction he sent him to Herod, who himself happened to be in Jerusalem during those days. Now when Herod saw Jesus he was exceedingly glad. He had long been wanting to see him, because he had heard so much about him, and was hoping to see some miracles performed by him. read more.
So he had been asking him many questions, but Jesus made no answers. Meanwhile the high priests and Scribes were standing around, and continually making accusations to him against him. Then Herod and his soldiers set him at naught, and mocked him, and throwing about him a gorgeous robe, sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends again from that very day; for before they had been at enmity between themselves. So Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them. "You brought before me this man as one who incited the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence, and I find no fault in this man regarding the charges that you brought against him. Neither does Herod; for he sent him back to us. You see that he has done nothing worthy of death.







































Now, at about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands to ill-treat certain members of the church; and beheaded James, the brother of John, with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (This was during the days of unleavened bread.) read more.
He had him arrested and thrown in prison, and put under guard of sixteen soldiers. He intended, after the Passover, to bring him forth to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer to God was made by the church for him. Now when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that very night, while Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison, suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him saying, "Rise up quickly." At once the chains dropped from his hands. "Gird yourself," said the angel, "and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said unto him, "Throw your cloak about you, and follow me." So Peter went out, following him, but did not realize that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he was seeing a vision. And when they had passed the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that led to the city. This opened to them of its own accord; and they went out passed on through one street; and suddenly the angel left him. Peter, coming to himself, said, "Now I know for a certainty that the Lord has sent his angel and released me from the hand of Herod, and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating." So, after he had thought things over, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, surnamed Mark, where a large number of people were assembled, praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid servant named Rhoda came to answer. And when she recognized Peter's voice, for very joy she did not open the door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing in front of the gate. "You are mad," they said. But she confidently insisted that it was so. "It is his angel," they said. Meanwhile Peter continued to knock, until at last they opened the door, and were amazed to see that it was really he. He motioned to them to keep quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell all this to James," he said, "and to the brothers," and away he went to another place. When morning came there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what could possibly have become of Peter. Then Herod had search made for him, and could not find him. After sharply questioning the guards, he ordered them off to execution. He then went down from Judea to Caesarea, where he stayed for some time.


Just then Herod, the Tetrarch, heard of Jesus' fame, and said to his courtiers. "This man is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead. That is why miraculous powers are working through him." For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, read more.
because John kept telling him, "It is not right for you to have her." And although he wished to kill John, he feared the people, for they considered John a prophet. But when Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so pleased Herod that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. So, prompted by her mother, the girl said, "Give me at once, upon a dish, the head of John the Baptist." The king was displeased because of this, but because of his oaths and his guests he ordered it to be given her. He sent and beheaded John in prison; the head was brought on a dish, and given to the young girl, who took it to her mother.

As soon as Herod saw that he had been mocked by the Magi, he was furious. He sent and put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and all the neighborhood who were two years old or under, in accordance with the date which he had ascertained from the Magi. Then were fulfilled the words spoken through Jeremiah, the prophet, saying, A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and lamentation??achel weeping for her children, Inconsolable, because they were no more!



























And the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to get false evidence against Jesus, in order that they might have him executed; Verse ConceptsChief priestsLeaders, SpiritualAttempts To Kill ChristSeeking For Abstract ThingsThe Chief Priests Condemning Christaccusations


Then the High Priest Ananias ordered those who stood near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Verse ConceptsConfrontationHigh Priest, In NtSmitingSmiting Of The RighteousOther References To MouthsRivers