Thematic Bible: The Nation


Thematic Bible



Now it happened in those days that a decree was sent out from Caesar Augustus [the Emperor of the Roman Empire] requiring [people from] the whole empire to be registered [i.e., for taxation purposes]. Verse ConceptsCommands, in NTCaesarProclamationsRankTaxationProphecies Concerning ChristArmies, RomanRoman EmperorsThe King's Orderstaxes




































For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build a dirt wall around you, surrounding you, and hemming you in on every side. Verse ConceptsSiegesThe Prophecy Towards JerusalemEnemies SurroundingAttacks On Jerusalem ForetoldSiege Moundsinvesting













But, so that we do not become a hindrance to these [tax collectors], go to the lake and cast in your hook [and line]. Then take the first fish [you catch], open its mouth and you will find a coin [i.e., worth twice the amount of an individual's Temple tax assessment]. Take it and give it [to the tax collectors] for you and me." Verse ConceptsForeknowledgeethics, socialCivic DutiesLoyaltyMiracles Of ChristCitizens, Christian DutiesCoinsDivine Power Over NatureCitizenshipDo Not HinderFishtaxes




Submit yourselves to every authority set up by people for the Lord's sake. [Submit to] a king as the [highest] authority, or to governors who are appointed by him to punish wrongdoers, and to commend those who do right.




Christ bought us back from the curse [caused by our not obeying all the requirements] of the law of Moses; He became a curse for us [by dying on the cross], for it is written [Deut. 21:23], "Every one who hangs on a tree [i.e., a cross] is cursed [i.e., cut off from God]." Verse ConceptsAbolitionFreedom from the LawFolly, Examples OfGallowsAtonementDeath penaltyHangingHumiliationLegalismPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRedemption, In NtSin, God's Remedy ForSubstitutionTypesChristian Liberty Is Freedom FromThe Curse Of The LawPeople Hung To DeathRedemptionReligious FreedomThe Crosslawcursesredeemed








But Jews came to [Lystra] from Antioch [in Pisidia] and Iconium. When they persuaded the crowds [to reject Paul's message] they stoned him and dragged him out of town, assuming he was dead. Verse ConceptsAbandonmentevangelists, ministry ofPersuasionInciting To EvilStoningPersecution Of The Apostle PaulPulling PeopleAttempting To Kill Specific People

So, they stoned Stephen [to death] as he called out to the Lord, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit [as I die]." Verse ConceptsKneelingPunishment, Legal Aspects OfSpiritsSpirit, Nature OfThe Spirit Of ManDeath Of The RighteousIntermediate State



Then the Jews again picked up stones [intending] to stone Him. Verse ConceptsChrist Would Be KilledFear Of Stoning





















So, immediately he rushed down on the people with his soldiers and officers, and when the mob saw the commander and his soldiers [coming], they stopped beating Paul. Verse ConceptsOfficersSoldiersCessationStopping FightingGroups RunningBeating Believers


"But pay attention to yourselves, for people will turn you over to [Jewish] councils [i.e., for judgment] and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings for being loyal to me. [This will afford you an opportunity] for witnessing to them. Verse ConceptsFloggingGovernorsPersecution, Forms OfPersecution, Nature OfSanhedrinSynagogueHanding Over PeopleBeating BelieversWitness To The GospelTaking HeedGentile Rulers

And so the Council agreed [with Gamaliel's advice] and when they called the apostles back in, they had them beaten and ordered them never to speak in the name of Jesus [again]; then they released them. Verse ConceptsFloggingevangelists, ministry ofPersecution, Forms OfPersuasionSuffering, Of BelieversWitnessing, And Holy SpiritBeatingsBeating BelieversSpeaking In Christ's NamePeople Set Free By PeopleThe Apostles In Action

Then the large crowd began attacking them, and the city officials had their clothes ripped off and ordered them to be beaten. Verse ConceptsCrowdsAttackingMarketsSuffering, Causes OfPersecution Of The Apostle PaulPeople Stripping People

I was beaten with rods three times. I was stoned once. I suffered shipwreck three times and spent a night and a day in the open water. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Forms OfSeafaringStoningShipwrecksOne DayBeating BelieversActing Three TimesIn The Heart Of The Sea

But the tenant farmers took the farm owner's slaves and beat one, killed another and stoned another. Verse ConceptsKilling ProphetsKilling Disciples


In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know that he was the head priest, for it is written [Ex. 22:28], 'You shall not speak evil about a leader of your people.' " Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings














And then, on a particular day, Herod, dressed in his royal robes, delivered a speech [to the people] from his throne. Verse ConceptsClothingJudgment SeatRobesThroneRich ApparelThe Time AppointedDistinctive Clothing


















Were you a slave when you were called? It should not matter to you [i.e., if you still are]. But if, indeed, you can become a free person, then use that freedom instead [i.e., for serving God]. Verse ConceptsCivil LibertySlavesConsider Your Call To SalvationPeople Freeing SlavesOpportunityReligious FreedomslaveryFreedomPositive ThinkingBeing ContentMoralityfree





And when they had assembled with the [Jewish] elders and conferred with them, they offered large sums of money to the soldiers, Verse ConceptsIndeterminate Sums Of MoneyMan's Counselelders

And when they [i.e., the leading priests] realized this, they were very pleased and promised to give him money. So, Judas began looking for a convenient way to turn Jesus over to these Jewish leaders. Verse ConceptsOpportunities, In LifeConnivanceJudas Betraying ChristRight Time For PeopleRejoicing In EvilPrice Set On Individuals

Now when Simon saw that through the placing of the apostles' hands [on people] the Holy Spirit was given [Note: The fact that Simon "saw" something happen suggests it was supernatural and therefore highly desirable by Simon], he offered to pay them money [for this power], Verse ConceptsGiftsBribery, Examples OfPowerSpiritual GiftsMoney BlessingsSaving Moneymagicghoststrying







When Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum, the collectors of the tax [Note: This was the annual tax used for meeting the expenses of the Temple service and consisted of two days' worth of a farm laborer's pay, or about $140 in 1994] came to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher [also] pay the [Temple] tax?" Verse ConceptsCollectionsMoney, Uses OfTaxDouble MoneyTax To Be Paidtaxesefficiency

















"King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am able to defend myself before you concerning all the charges being brought against me by the Jews, Verse ConceptsRejoicing In ProsperityMan DefendingChanging Yourself


After beating them severely, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailor to have them securely guarded. Verse ConceptsGuardsPunishment, Legal Aspects Of





When Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum, the collectors of the tax [Note: This was the annual tax used for meeting the expenses of the Temple service and consisted of two days' worth of a farm laborer's pay, or about $140 in 1994] came to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher [also] pay the [Temple] tax?" Verse ConceptsCollectionsMoney, Uses OfTaxDouble MoneyTax To Be Paidtaxesefficiency



So, tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" Verse ConceptsTributesThinking ArightTax To Be Paid



Now it happened in those days that a decree was sent out from Caesar Augustus [the Emperor of the Roman Empire] requiring [people from] the whole empire to be registered [i.e., for taxation purposes]. Verse ConceptsCommands, in NTCaesarProclamationsRankTaxationProphecies Concerning ChristArmies, RomanRoman EmperorsThe King's Orderstaxes



But God says [this] about the Son [Psa. 97:7], "Your throne [i.e. kingdom], O God [Note: This term here is applied to Jesus], will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter [i.e., the standard for ruling] of your kingdom. Verse ConceptsGod, Sovereignty OfKingship, DivineSceptreJesus Christ, Deity OfThrone, Examples OfNames And Titles For ChristChrist Reigning ForeverJesus Christ, Son Of GodRighteousness Of Christ






In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority



Therefore, the person who resists [these] authorities is opposing what God has ordained. And those who oppose [these authorities] will bring judgment on themselves. Verse ConceptsdefianceRebellion, Against Human AuthorityCivil GovernmentAnarchyRebellion against GodRespecting Authority






"Who then, is the trustworthy and sensible slave, to whom his master has assigned the management of his household to provide timely meals for its members? Verse ConceptsServants Of The LordWisdom, Human ImportanceEmployeesEntrustingWho Is The One?People Providing Foodmath




And when Herodias' daughter [Note: According to Josephus her name was Salome] came in and danced [in front of them, sensually], she pleased Herod and his party guests so much that the king said to the young woman, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you." Verse ConceptsdanceBanquets, ActivitiesLeisure, And PastimesTemptressesPeople Promising







And when you hear of wars [going on] and rumors of [other] wars [pending], do not worry, for such things must necessarily happen. But the end has not yet come. [Note: By "end" here Jesus probably alludes to the downfall of Jerusalem in AD 70, with its attending destruction of the Temple buildings]. Verse ConceptsTrouble, Causes OfCivil StrifeRumoursWarsEnd Of The WorldPrinciples Of WarSigns Of The TimesWarrumors

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Nations will wage war against one another and kingdoms will attack one another. And great earthquakes will happen, and at various places there will be famines and disease epidemics. And there will be fearful events and great [supernatural] signs from heaven.






the commander ordered Paul to be brought to headquarters and requested that he be interrogated by means of a flogging, in order to learn the reason why people were shouting against him. Verse ConceptsScourgingInterrogatingChiliarchsWhy Do Others Do This?serenity






Then I saw thrones, with individuals sitting on them who had been given [authority] to judge. And I [also] saw the souls of those who had been decapitated because they had testified about Jesus and [had proclaimed] the message of God. [They are] the ones who had refused to worship the beast or his statue, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And these ones lived again and ruled with Christ for a thousand years. Verse ConceptsForeheads666Faithfulness, To Godevil, victory overdefianceBeheadingThe BeastJudgesJudgment SeatPunishment, Legal Aspects OfSelf SacrificeThe Immortal SoulMartyrdom, Methods OfSufferings RewardedRemoving HeadsCosmic CreaturesBelievers JudgingMarks On PeopleAuthority Of DisciplesAvoiding IdolatrySubsequent Witness To ChristWorshipping The DevilMark Of The BeastHow First Resurrection Is Spread OutSigns Of The Timesend times prophecyMartyrdom

So, he sent [word to his officers] and had John decapitated in the prison. Verse ConceptsBeheadingPrisonersExecutionersMartyrdom, Methods OfKilling Disciplescutting




There he met a certain Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus, [in northern Asia Minor] who, with his wife Priscilla, had recently come from Rome, because Claudius [the Roman Emperor] had ordered all Jews out of that city. Paul met this couple Verse Conceptsevangelism, motivation forempiresCaesarCommands, in NTPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRefugeesGood Wives ExamplesAquilaRoman EmperorsGroups Sent Away

What benefit was it to me, from a human standpoint, if I fought wild animals in Ephesus, and [yet] the dead are not raised? [Note: This probably refers to Paul facing ferocious opposition from people there in Ephesus]. We should [just] eat and drink, for tomorrow we [may] die. Verse ConceptsFightingBitingMortalityPaul, Life OfPresent, ThePunishment, Legal Aspects OfCynicismMerrinessBeastsHow Death Is InevitableMen Similar To AnimalsImminent TomorrowMammalsAre The Dead Raised?Eating And Drinking