Daily Bible Nugget #627, Mark 9:42

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mar 9:42  And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

The Preceding Context:

Mar 9:38  And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
Mar 9:39  But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Mar 9:40  For he that is not against us is on our part.
Mar 9:41  For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

My Comment:

The preceding context concludes with a  promise that even just the gift of a cup of water to drink shall be rewarded accordingly.

Then follows a contrasting warning that whoever may offend “one of these little ones that believe in me,” it would be “better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”

More insight can be gained by a study of what the rest of the Bible teaches about “offend.”

Here are the cross references for your study:

offend. or, shall have caused to stumble. Mar 14:18, Isa 9:16, +Mat 17:27; *Mat 18:6; *Mat 18:10, *Luk 17:1; *Luk 17:2, Rom 14:13; Rom 14:15; Rom 14:21; Rom 16:17, 1Co 8:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; 1Co 10:32, 33, 2Co 6:3, Php 1:10, 1Ti 5:14, 15, 2Pe 2:2.

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Daily Bible Nugget #626, Matthew 12:3

Posted on March 7, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 12:3  But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; (KJV)

Mat 12:3 But He said to them, “Did you never read what David did, when he and his soldiers became hungry? (Williams NT)

The Context:

Mat 12:1 One Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples were walking through some wheat fields. His disciples were hungry and began picking and eating grains of wheat.
Mat 12:2 Some Pharisees noticed this and said to Jesus, “Why are your disciples picking grain on the Sabbath? They are not supposed to do that!”
Mat 12:3 Jesus answered: You surely must have read what David did when he and his followers were hungry.
Mat 12:4 He went into the house of God, and then they ate the sacred loaves of bread that only priests are supposed to eat.
Mat 12:5 Haven’t you read in the Law of Moses that the priests are allowed to work in the temple on the Sabbath? But no one says that they are guilty of breaking the law of the Sabbath.
Mat 12:6 I tell you that there is something here greater than the temple.
Mat 12:7 Don’t you know what the Scriptures mean when they say, “Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others?” If you knew what this means, you would not condemn these innocent disciples of mine.
Mat 12:8 So the Son of Man is Lord over the Sabbath. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

Jesus emphasized the importance of reading, searching, and studying the Bible. Jesus affirmed by His example that the Bible is the only source of divinely inspired instruction, teaching, and doctrinal authority. Therefore, it is most important that we continue to read and study the Bible for ourselves.

UCRT Cross reference Bible study and notes for Matthew 12:3

I placed the following references and notes in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury at Matthew 12:3,

Matthew 12:3

Have ye not read. Mat 12:5, Mat 19:4; +Mat 21:16; +Mat 21:42; Mat 22:31, Mar 2:25; Mar 12:10; Mar 12:26, Luk 6:3; Luk 10:26.

Jesus appealed repeatedly to the Bible alone as the source of spiritual authority. Notice the preceding cross references which document Christ’s repeated question, “Have ye not read?” Jesus expected his hearers to have read the Bible. He expects them to understand what they read (Mat 24:15 note). His question, “Have ye not read?” is recorded ten times!

Jesus referred to seven distinct passages (Gen 1:27 at Mat 19:4; Exo 3:6 at Mat 22:31, 32; Lev 24:6, 7, 8, 9 at Mat 12:3; Num 28:9, 10 at Mat 12:5; 1Sa 21:6 at Mat 12:3; Psa 8:2 at Mat 21:16; Psa 118:22 at Mat 21:42).

Jesus appealed to the Bible as His authority many times, but never once did he appeal to the authority of the religious leaders in Israel (Pharisees or Sadducees), or to religious tradition. He commanded to “Search the Scriptures” (Joh 5:39). Two dozen times Jesus cites the Old Testament Prophets as recorded in the New Testament (Luk 24:27 note). Even during His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus cited the Scripture, not tradition, when he resisted the Devil successfully. It seems we could learn something from that (Mat 4:4; Mat 4:6, 7; Mat 4:10).

That the New Testament was written by the authority of Christ may be legitimately inferred from the fact that:
(1) John explicitly records that Jesus Christ commanded him to write (Rev 1:19).
(2) Jesus directly promised that the Holy Spirit would guide his apostles into all truth and bring all things to their remembrance (Joh 16:12, 13).

Thus, as they wrote the writings we now have in the New Testament we are assured of their accuracy for they were written under divine inspiration (2Ti 3:16, 2Pe 1:21). Peter called the letters written by Paul “Scripture” (2Pe 3:16), and clearly possessed them as a well-known collection. Paul cites the words of Jesus, quoting them exactly, from Luk 10:7 in 1Ti 5:17, 18, The book of Revelation makes at least four direct quotations from the Gospels.

By John’s death, the entire New Testament as we have it today was available and being read by or to all genuine Christians. Thus the claim by some Roman Catholics that Jesus gave us the Church, not the Bible, as our teaching authority and source of spiritual truth, the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1Ti 3:15 note), is untrue, for Jesus himself appealed to the authority of Scripture, not tradition or the religious institution of his day. Mat 9:13; +*Mat 22:29, Lev 10:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, +Deut 17:19, +*Psa 119:139, Act 13:27.

what David did. *1Sa 21:3, 4, 5, 6, Mar 2:25, 26, Luk 6:3.

and they. 1Sa 21:1, 2.

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Daily Bible Nugget #625, Matthew 21:16

Posted on March 4, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 21:16  And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? (KJV)

Mat 21:16  They said to him, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” Jesus replied, “Yes, I do. Have you never read, ‘From the mouths of little children and infants, you have created praise’?” (God’s Word translation)

Mat 21:16 Have you any idea what these are saying? And Jesus said to them, Yes: have you not seen in the Writings, From the lips of children and babies at the breast you have made your praise complete? (Basic English Bible)

Mat 21:16 And said to him: “Do you hear what these boys are saying?” “Yes,” answered Jesus; “but did you never read the words–‘Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast called forth perfect praise’?” (Twentieth Century New Testament)

The Context:

Mat 21:12 Jesus went into the temple and chased out everyone who was selling or buying. He turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of the ones who were selling doves.
Mat 21:13 He told them, “The Scriptures say, ‘My house should be called a place of worship.’ But you have turned it into a place where robbers hide.”
Mat 21:14 Blind and lame people came to Jesus in the temple, and he healed them.
Mat 21:15 But the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were angry when they saw his miracles and heard the children shouting praises to the Son of David.
Mat 21:16 The men said to Jesus, “Don’t you hear what those children are saying?” “Yes, I do!” Jesus answered. “Don’t you know that the Scriptures say, ‘Children and infants will sing praises’?”
Mat 21:17 Then Jesus left the city and went out to the village of Bethany, where he spent the night. (Contemporary English Version)

Cross-Reference Study:

Matthew 21:16

Hearest. Psa 20:9, *Luk 19:39; *Luk 19:40, *Joh 11:47; *Joh 11:48, *Act 4:16, 17, 18.

have ye never read. Mat 21:42, Mat 4:7; +Mat 12:3 note, Mat 12:5; Mat 19:4; Mat 21:42; Mat 22:31, Mar 2:25; Mar 12:10, *Luk 6:3.

Out. FS92A, +Mat 1:23, Note,—This Psalm is applied to Christ also in 1Co 15:27; Eph 1:22; Heb 2:6 (De Burgh). *Mat 11:25, *>Psa 8:2.

babes. +*Mat 11:25, +Luk 9:47; Luk 10:21, 1Co 1:27, 28, 29.

and sucklings. FS174, +Gen 18:27, 2Ti 3:15.

perfected. or, prepared. 1Co 1:27.

My Comment:

Notice that it was the children who recognized who Jesus is, while the adult religious leaders had nothing but criticism about what was going on.

Jesus implicitly criticized the religious leaders for their obtuseness by challenging them with a question in return, asking if they had never read the Scriptures! Then, as now, too often they have not.

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Daily Bible Nugget #624, Matthew 19:13

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 19:13  Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. (KJV)

Mat 19:13  Then some people brought little children to Jesus to have him bless them and pray for them. But the disciples told the people not to do that. (God’s Word translation)

The Context:

Mat 19:13 Some people brought their children to Jesus, so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him.
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and don’t try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom.”
Mat 19:15 After Jesus had placed his hands on the children, he left. (Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

As far as I have so far noticed, only Matthew’s account mentions that when the young children were brought to Jesus, He not only put his hands on them, but prayed for them.

If Jesus found it important to pray for children, following His example, we should too.

My Greek professor, Dr. Stewart Custer, in his brief commentary on Matthew, remarks:

He obviously prayed divine blessing upon them. We must meditate on what early prayers can do for children. Susanna Wesley prayed for her children.

Custer, S. (2005). The Gospel of the King : a commentary on Matthew (p. 275). Greenville, S.C.: BJU Press.

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Daily Bible Nugget #623, Matthew 18:7

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 18:7  Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (KJV)

The Context:

Mat 18:5  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mat 18:6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat 18:7  Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Mat 18:8  Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Mat 18:9  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

My Comment:

Consulting the context, it appears to me that the warning Jesus gave against offending and not receiving a child is related to not receiving Jesus Himself.

Causing a child to go astray by teaching them falsehood is an offence that places the person who caused the child or the believer in Christ to lose his or her faith in Christ subjects the offender to the penalty of everlasting hell, to be cast into hell fire.

There are some today who attempt to explain away what Jesus taught about everlasting or eternal punishment. I think that to lessen this severe warning of Jesus is to make a person subject to the very punishment Jesus threatened.

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Daily Bible Nugget #622, Matthew 18:6

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 18:6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (KJV)

Mat 18:6 But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones who believe in me, it were profitable for him that a great millstone had been hanged upon his neck and he be sunk in the depths of the sea. (Darby)

Mat 18:6  “These little ones believe in me. It would be best for the person who causes one of them to lose faith to be drowned in the sea with a large stone hung around his neck. (God’s Word translation)

The Context:

Mat 18:1  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Mat 18:2  And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:5  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mat 18:6  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (KJV)

My Comment:

Jesus  pointedly emphasized the seriousness of doing anything to lead a child astray. But “child” may be taken in a broader sense than just a young child. What Jesus says applies to leading believers of any age astray by causing them to lose faith in Him.

In the immediate preceding context, Jesus, in answer to the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”, instructs us that we must be converted and become as little children, and receive Christ in faith believing.

The context which follows is especially instructive. I’ll likely include that in my next post.

 

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Are we saved before we believe?

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Jerry

I just visited a site called something like “the state of theology dot com.”

Here is one of the survey questions they asked in 2020 and previous times:

“The Holy Spirit gives a spiritual new birth or new life before a person has faith in Jesus Christ.”

I believe this represents a strongly Calvinistic position.

I also believe that such a position is absolutely mistaken, so were I to take the survey, I would mark “strongly disagree.”

Perhaps some kind and informed Calvinist who stumbles across this site will take the time to upgrade my Bible education on this belief of theirs by supporting it with strictly biblical evidence.

Just leave a reply in the comment box below.

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Daily Bible Nugget #621, Matthew 11:25

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Mat 11:25  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. (KJV)

Mat 11:25 Answering at that time, Jesus said, I praise You, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, because You hid these things from the sophisticated and cunning and revealed them to babes. (Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

The Context:

Mat 11:25  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Mat 11:26  Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Mat 11:27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV)

My Comment:

There is much food for thought in this passage for those who will read carefully. Once again, we see Jesus showing great respect for the innocence and receptivity of children. Jesus tells us that God has hid these things from the wise and prudent. The wise may be a reference to those who are the educated. DeBurgh remarks, “Referring to acquired knowledge.” The prudent may be those who are naturally gifted apart from formal education. DeBurgh comments, “Referring to natural abilities.”

Jesus next explains that only those persons can fully know the Father or the Son who are those to whom the Son “may will to reveal Him” (Lavender’s New Testament).

Then Jesus invites us all to “Come unto me” in those more familiar words of invitation, comfort, and instruction, “all ye who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The subjunctive mood, “may will to reveal Him,” likely reflects the following contingency, “Come unto me.”

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Daily Bible Nugget #620, Luke 18:17

Posted on February 13, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Luk 18:17  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. (KJV)

Luk 18:17 verily I say to you, Whoever may not receive the reign of God as a little child, may not enter into it.’ (Young’s Literal Translation)

Luke 18:17 Truly I say to you, whoever may not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he may by no means enter into it.” (Lavender’s New Testament)

Luk 18:17 I solemnly say to you, Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God as a little child does, will never get into it at all.” (Williams New Testament)

Luk 18:17 Truly I say to you, Whoever does not put himself under the kingdom of God like a little child, will not come into it at all. (Bible in Basic English)

Luk 18:17  I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives it will never enter it.” (God’s Word translation)

My Comment:

Each Bible translation of Luke 18:17 presents the translator’s best understanding of the underlying Greek text. Notice that only the Young’s Literal Translation and the Lavender’s New Testament preserve in English the underlying subjunctive mood (“may”) present in the Greek text. Most of the cited translations preserve the emphatic negative “may by no means enter,” “will never get into it at all.” It is good to compare several translations to get a better idea of what was originally said or written. I like to compare what I call “distinctive translations,” translations that do not say exactly what most translations say.

The sobering message of what Jesus said here has eternal significance and consequences for every reader. Unless we receive the kingdom of God the way a child does, we surely will not  enter it.

There are many different opinions among Bible scholars about just what is meant by “the kingdom of God.” Most of their opinions are mistaken. I have placed a note in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury which explains what is meant by the “kingdom of God”:

1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

the kingdom of God. Those (often of materialist and Arian persuasion) who cite this text in proof that a saved person does not go immediately upon death to be with Christ (**2Co 5:8, *Php 1:23) have confused the “kingdom of God” with heaven, which it is not. Neither is the church the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven (Isa 60:21 note). The kingdom of God or Heaven is the future permanent and eternal (Dan 7:14, Rev 11:15) earthly reign of Jesus Christ in a theocratic kingdom whose capital is Jerusalem (Jer 3:17, Mic 4:7, Zep 3:15), a reign which extends to all the earth (Zec 14:9), in fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants (+**Gen 12:2 note. +**2Sa 7:10 note. +**Act 7:5; +**Isa 55:3). The kingdom of God is identical to the kingdom of heaven. Those (particularly dispensationalists) who make a distinction between the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” have confused the “kingdom of God” with the “sovereignty of God.” The Jehovah’s Witnesses, who make much of this text, fail to note the one essential requirement to enter the earthly kingdom, the new birth (Eze 36:25, 26, **Joh 3:3; **Joh 3:5; **Joh 3:7 note. +**Act 3:19, 21), a requirement which they deny, which is proof enough that they, like the unbelieving Jews of Jesus’s day, will have no part or place in it (+*Mat 8:11; +*Mat 8:12). +**1Co 6:9, Jer 3:17, Mic 4:7, Zep 3:15, **Zec 14:9, +**Joh 3:3; +**Joh 3:5; +**Joh 3:7, +*Act 14:22, *+Rom 14:17, Rev 11:15.

neither doth. FS96B1, 1Co 15:12, i.e. can. Paul shows that the kingdom of God is yet future (Col 1:13 note. 2Ti 4:1 note), it is inherited (+*Eph 1:11 note) only by regenerated saints as co-heirs with Christ (+*Rom 8:17), who will enter the kingdom with glorified bodies, as his subsequent discussion (1Co 15:51, 52, 53) shows, by means of resurrection or glorification. +*Mat 19:28, +*Act 3:21, Rom 8:17, Col 1:13, +*2Ti 4:1.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #619, Luke 18:16

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Luk 18:16  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Luk 18:16  But Jesus called the infants to him and said, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me! Children like these are part of the kingdom of God. (God’s Word translation)

Luk 18:16 So Jesus called the children over to him and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom. (Contemporary English Version)

The Context:

Luk 18:15 Some people brought their little children for Jesus to bless. But when his disciples saw them doing this, they told the people to stop bothering him.
Luk 18:16 So Jesus called the children over to him and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom.
Luk 18:17 You will never get into God’s kingdom unless you enter it like a child!” (CEV)

My Comment:

Jesus insisted that it was important for little children to be brought to Him. The parallel text in Matthew 19:13 tells us that parents were bringing their children to Jesus “that he should put his hands on them, and pray.”

Jesus always took time for children, even when He was very busy. This upset the disciples who tried to prevent these interruptions. Notice, then, the attitude of Jesus toward children.

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