BIBLE – ADVENTURE
BIBLE INDEXES
OLD TESTAMENT
PSALMS
.
.
THE GOSPELS
MATTHEW – MARK
LUKE – JOHN
NEW TESTAMENT
PRAYERS
SACRED MUSIC – LITURGICAL SONGS
CATEQUESIS – VIDEOS
LIVES OF SAINTS
SUNDAYS
LITURGICAL FESTIVITIES
Bible texts in
Saint Mark – Chapter 2
The Bible – New Testament Saint Mark Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Chapter 2 1 1 2 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. 2 Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not… Continue reading Saint Mark – Chapter 2
Hebrews – Chapter 4
The Bible – New Testament Hebrews Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Chapter 4 1 Therefore, let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed. 2 For in fact we have received the… Continue reading Hebrews – Chapter 4
The Bible – Old Testament
Psalms
Index
Int. 1. 2. 3. … 48. 49. 50. … 149. 150.
Chapter 49
1
1 2 For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.
2
Hear this, all you peoples! Give ear, all who inhabit the world,
3
You of lowly birth or high estate, rich and poor alike.
4
My mouth shall speak wisdom, my heart shall offer insight.
5
3 I will turn my attention to a problem, expound my question to the music of a lyre.
6
Why should I fear in evil days, when my wicked pursuers ring me round,
7
Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches?
8
4 One cannot redeem oneself, pay to God a ransom.
9
Too high the price to redeem a life; one would never have enough
10
To stay alive forever and never see the pit.
11
Anyone can see that the wisest die, the fool and the senseless pass away too, and must leave their wealth to others.
12
Tombs are their homes forever, their dwellings through all generations, though they gave their names to their lands.
13
For all their riches mortals do not abide; they perish like the beasts.
14
This is the destiny of those who trust in folly, the end of those so pleased with their wealth. Selah
15
Like sheep they are herded into Sheol, where death will be their shepherd. Straight to the grave they descend, where their form will waste away, Sheol will be their palace.
16
5 But God will redeem my life, will take me from the power of Sheol. Selah
17
Do not fear when others become rich, when the wealth of their houses grows great.
18
When they die they will take nothing with them, their wealth will not follow them down.
19
When living, they congratulate themselves and say: “All praise you, you do so well.”
20
But they will join the company of their forebears, never again to see the light.
21
For all their riches, if mortals do not have wisdom, they perish like the beasts.
1 [Psalm 49] The psalm affirms confidence in God (cf Psalm 23; ⇒ 27:1-6; 62) in the face of the apparent good fortune of the unjust rich. Cf Psalm 37; 73. Reliance on wealth is misplaced (⇒ Psalm 49:8-10) for it is of no avail in the face of death (⇒ Psalm 49:18-20). After inviting all to listen to this axiom of faith (⇒ Psalm 49:2-5), the psalmist depicts the self-delusion of the ungodly (⇒ Psalm 49:6-13), whose destiny is to die like ignorant beasts (⇒ Psalm 49:13, ⇒ 18; cf ⇒ Proverb 7:21-23). Their wealth should occasion no alarm, for they will come to nought, whereas God will save the just (⇒ Psalm 49:14-20).
2 [1] Korahites: see note on ⇒ Psalm 42:1.
3 [5] Problem: the psalmist’s personal solution to the perennial biblical problem of the prosperity of the wicked. Question: parallel in meaning to problem; in Wisdom literature it means the mysterious way of how the world works.
4 [8] One cannot redeem oneself: an axiom. For the practice of redemption, cf ⇒ Job 6:21-23. A play on the first Hebrew word of ⇒ Psalm 49:8, ⇒ 16 relates the two verses.
5 [16] Will take me: the same Hebrew verb is used of God “taking up” a favored servant: Enoch in ⇒ Genesis 5:24; Elijah in ⇒ 2 Kings 2:11-12; the righteous person in ⇒ Psalm 73:24. The verse apparently states the hope that God will rescue the faithful psalmist in the same manner.
The Bible – Old Testament
Psalms
Index
Int. 1. 2. 3. … 48. 49. 50. … 149. 150.
OLD TESTAMENT – NEW TESTAMENT
1 Samuel – Chapter 15
The Bible – Old Testament 1 Samuel Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. Chapter 15 1 Samuel said to Saul: “It was I the LORD sent to anoint you… Continue reading 1 Samuel – Chapter 15
The Bible – New Testament
Saint Mark
Index
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
Chapter 1
1
1 2 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (the Son of God).
2
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 3 “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.
3
A voice of one crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'”
4
John (the) Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5
People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
6
John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. 4 He fed on locusts and wild honey.
7
And this is what he proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
8
5 I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.”
9
It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
10
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. 6
11
And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
12
7 At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert,
13
and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.
14
After John had been arrested, 8 Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God:
15
“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
16
9 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen.
17
Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
18
Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.
19
He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets.
20
Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
21
10 Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
22
The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
23
11 In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
24
12 he cried out, “What have you to do with us, 13 Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!”
25
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”
26
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
27
All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
28
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
29
On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
30
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her.
31
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
32
When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
33
The whole town was gathered at the door.
34
He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
35
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
36
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
37
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
38
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”
39
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
40
A leper 14 came to him (and kneeling down) begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
41
Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
42
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
43
Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once.
44
Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
45
The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.
1 [1-13] The prologue of the Gospel according to Mark begins with the title (⇒ Mark 1:1) followed by three events preparatory to Jesus’ preaching: (1) the appearance in the Judean wilderness of John, baptizer, preacher of repentance, and precursor of Jesus (⇒ Mark 1:2-8); (2) the baptism of Jesus, at which a voice from heaven acknowledges Jesus to be God’s Son, and the holy Spirit descends on him (⇒ Mark 1:9-11); (3) the temptation of Jesus by Satan (⇒ Mark 1:12-13).
2 [1] The gospel of Jesus Christ [the Son of God]: the “good news” of salvation in and through Jesus, crucified and risen, acknowledged by the Christian community as Messiah (⇒ Mark 8:29; ⇒ 14:61-62) and Son of God (⇒ Mark 1:11; ⇒ 9:7; ⇒ 15:39), although some important manuscripts here omit the Son of God.
3 [2-3] Although Mark attributes the prophecy to Isaiah, the text is a combination of ⇒ Malachi 3:1; ⇒ Isaiah 40:3; ⇒ Exodus 23:20; cf ⇒ Matthew 11:10; ⇒ Luke 7:27. John’s ministry is seen as God’s prelude to the saving mission of his Son. The way of the Lord: this prophecy of Deutero-Isaiah concerning the end of the Babylonian exile is here applied to the coming of Jesus; John the Baptist is to prepare the way for him.
4 [6] Clothed in camel’s hair . . . waist: the Baptist’s garb recalls that of Elijah in ⇒ 2 Kings 1:8. Jesus speaks of the Baptist as Elijah who has already come (⇒ Mark 9:11-13; ⇒ Matthew 17:10-12; cf ⇒ Malachi 3:23-24; ⇒ Luke 1:17).
5 [8-9] Through the life-giving baptism with the holy Spirit (⇒ Mark 1:8), Jesus will create a new people of God. But first he identifies himself with the people of Israel in submitting to John’s baptism of repentance and in bearing on their behalf the burden of God’s decisive judgment (⇒ Mark 1:9; cf ⇒ Mark 1:4). As in the desert of Sinai, so here in the wilderness of Judea, Israel’s sonship with God is to be renewed.
6 [10-11] He saw the heavens . . . and the Spirit . . . upon him: indicating divine intervention in fulfillment of promise. Here the descent of the Spirit on Jesus is meant, anointing him for his ministry; cf ⇒ Isaiah 11:2; ⇒ 42:1; ⇒ 61:1; ⇒ 63:9. A voice . . . with you I am well pleased: God’s acknowledgment of Jesus as his unique Son, the object of his love. His approval of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus will fulfill his messianic mission of salvation.
7 [12-13] The same Spirit who descended on Jesus in his baptism now drives him into the desert for forty days. The result is radical confrontation and temptation by Satan who attempts to frustrate the work of God. The presence of wild beasts may indicate the horror and danger of the desert regarded as the abode of demons or may reflect the paradise motif of harmony among all creatures; cf ⇒ Isaiah 11:6-9. The presence of ministering angels to sustain Jesus recalls the angel who guided the Israelites in the desert in the first Exodus (⇒ Exodus 14:19; ⇒ 23:20) and the angel who supplied nourishment to Elijah in the wilderness (⇒ 1 Kings 19:5-7). The combined forces of good and evil were present to Jesus in the desert. His sustained obedience brings forth the new Israel of God there where Israel’s rebellion had brought death and alienation.
8 [14-15] After John had been arrested: in the plan of God, Jesus was not to proclaim the good news of salvation prior to the termination of the Baptist’s active mission. Galilee: in the Marcan account, scene of the major part of Jesus’ public ministry before his arrest and condemnation. The gospel of God: not only the good news from God but about God at work in Jesus Christ. This is the time of fulfillment: i.e., of God’s promises. The kingdom of God . . . repent: see the note on ⇒ Matthew 3:2.
9 [16-20] These verses narrate the call of the first Disciples. See the notes on ⇒ Matthew 4:18-22 and ⇒ Matthew 4:20.
10 [21-45] The account of a single day’s ministry of Jesus on a sabbath in and outside the synagogue of Capernaum (⇒ Mark 1:21-31) combines teaching and miracles of exorcism and healing. Mention is not made of the content of the teaching but of the effect of astonishment and alarm on the people. Jesus’ teaching with authority, making an absolute claim on the hearer, was in the best tradition of the ancient prophets, not of the scribes. The narrative continues with events that evening (⇒ Mark 1:32-34; see the notes on ⇒ Matthew 8:14-17) and the next day (⇒ Mark 1:35-39). The cleansing in ⇒ Mark 1:40-45 stands as an isolated story.
11 [23] An unclean spirit: so called because of the spirit’s resistance to the holiness of God. The spirit knows and fears the power of Jesus to destroy his influence; cf ⇒ Mark 1:32, ⇒ 34; ⇒ 3:11; ⇒ 6:13.
12 [24-25] The Holy One of God: not a confession but an attempt to ward off Jesus’ power, reflecting the notion that use of the precise name of an opposing spirit would guarantee mastery over him. Jesus silenced the cry of the unclean spirit and drove him out of the man.
13 [24] What have you to do with us?: see the note on ⇒ John 2:4.
14 [40] A leper: for the various forms of skin disease, see ⇒ Lev 13:1-50 and the note on ⇒ Lev 13:2-4. There are only two instances in the Old Testament in which God is shown to have cured a leper (⇒ Numbers 12:10-15; ⇒ 2 Kings 5:1-14). The law of Moses provided for the ritual purification of a leper. In curing the leper, Jesus assumes that the priests will reinstate the cured man into the religious community. See also the note on ⇒ Luke 5:14.
The Bible – New Testament
Saint Mark
Index
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
The Bible – Old Testament
Psalms
Index
Int. 1. 2. … 114. 115. 116. … 149. 150.
Chapter 115
1
1 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name give glory because of your faithfulness and love.
2
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3
Our God is in heaven; whatever God wills is done.
4
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5
They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see.
6
They have ears but do not hear, noses but do not smell.
7
They have hands but do not feel, feet but do not walk, and no sound rises from their throats.
8
Their makers shall be like them, all who trust in them.
9
3 The house of Israel trusts in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
10
The house of Aaron trusts in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
11
Those who fear the LORD trust in the LORD, who is their help and shield.
12
The LORD remembers us and will bless us, will bless the house of Israel, will bless the house of Aaron,
13
Will bless those who fear the LORD, small and great alike.
14
May the LORD increase your number, you and your descendants.
15
May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
16
4 The heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth is given to us.
17
5 The dead do not praise the LORD, all those gone down into silence.
18
It is we who bless the LORD, both now and forever. Hallelujah!
1 [Psalm 115] A response to the enemy taunt, “Where is your God?” This hymn to the glory of Israel’s God (⇒ Psalm 115:1-3) ridicules the lifeless idols of the nations (⇒ Psalm 115:4-8), expresses in a litany the trust of the various classes of the people in God (⇒ Psalm 115:9-11), invokes God’s blessing on them as they invoke the divine name (⇒ Psalm 115:12-15), and concludes as it began with praise of God. ⇒ Psalm 135:15-18 similarly mocks the Gentile gods and has a similar litany and hymn (⇒ Psalm 135:19-21).
2 [2] Where is their God?: implies that God cannot help them.
3 [9-11] The house of Israel . . . the house of Aaron . . . those fear the LORD: the laity of Israelite birth, the priests, and the converts to Judaism. Cf ⇒ Psalm 118:2-4; ⇒ 135:19-21. In the New Testament likewise “those who fear the Lord” means converts to Judaism (cf ⇒ Acts 10:2, ⇒ 22, ⇒ 35; ⇒ 13:16, ⇒ 26).
4 [16] The heavens: literally “the heaven of heavens” or “the highest heavens,” i.e., above the firmament. See note on ⇒ Psalm 148:4.
5 [17] See note on ⇒ Psalm 6:5.
The Bible – Old Testament
Psalms
Index
Int. 1. 2. … 114. 115. 116. … 149. 150.
The Bible – Old Testament
1 Samuel
Index
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.
22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.
Chapter 1
1
There was a certain man from Rama-thaim, Elkanah by name, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2
He had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah; Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless.
3
This man regularly went on pilgrimage from his city to worship the LORD of hosts and to sacrifice to him at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were ministering as priests of the LORD.
4
When the day came for Elkanah to offer sacrifice, he used to give a portion each to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters,
5
but a double portion to Hannah because he loved her, though the LORD had made her barren.
6
Her rival, to upset her, turned it into a constant reproach to her that the LORD had left her barren.
7
This went on year after year; each time they made their pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the LORD, Peninnah would approach her, and Hannah would weep and refuse to eat.
8
Her husband Elkanah used to ask her: “Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you refuse to eat? Why do you grieve? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
9
Hannah rose after one such meal at Shiloh, and presented herself before the LORD; at the time, Eli the priest was sitting on a chair near the doorpost of the LORD’S temple.
10
In her bitterness she prayed to the LORD, weeping copiously,
11
1 and she made a vow, promising: “O LORD of hosts, if you look with pity on the misery of your handmaid, if you remember me and do not forget me, if you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives; neither wine nor liquor shall he drink, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”
12
As she remained long at prayer before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth,
13
for Hannah was praying silently; though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli, thinking her drunk,
14
said to her, “How long will you make a drunken show of yourself? Sober up from your wine!”
15
“It isn’t that, my lord,” Hannah answered. “I am an unhappy woman. I have had neither wine nor liquor; I was only pouring out my troubles to the LORD.
16
Do not think your handmaid a ne’er-do-well; my prayer has been prompted by my deep sorrow and misery.”
17
Eli said, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
18
She replied, “Think kindly of your maidservant,” and left. She went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and no longer appeared downcast.
19
Early the next morning they worshiped before the LORD, and then returned to their home in Ramah. When Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, the LORD remembered her.
20
She conceived, and at the end of her term bore a son whom she called Samuel, since she had asked 2 the LORD for him.
21
The next time her husband Elkanah was going up with the rest of his household to offer the customary sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vows,
22
Hannah did not go, explaining to her husband, “Once the child is weaned, I will take him to appear before the LORD and to remain there forever; I will offer him as a perpetual nazirite.”
23
Her husband Elkanah answered her: “Do what you think best; wait until you have weaned him. Only, may the LORD bring your resolve to fulfillment!” And so she remained at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.
24
3 Once he was weaned, she brought him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the temple of the LORD in Shiloh.
25
After the boy’s father had sacrificed the young bull, Hannah, his mother, approached Eli
26
and said: “Pardon, my lord! As you live my lord, I am the woman who stood near you here, praying to the LORD.
27
I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.
28
Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” She left him there;
1 [11] Give him to the LORD: some ancient texts call Samuel a nazir in this context; see note on ⇒ Numbers 6:1-3
2 [20] Since she had asked: this explanation would be more directly appropriate for the name Saul, which means “asked”; Samuel means “name of God.”
3 [24] An ephah: a little more than a bushel.
1 Samuel
Index
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.
22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31.
Saint Matthew – Chapter 3
The Bible – New Testament Saint Matthew Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Chapter 3 1 1 2 In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea 2 (and) saying, “Repent, 3 for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 4 It… Continue reading Saint Matthew – Chapter 3
The Bible – New Testament
Saint Mark
Index
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
Chapter 9
1
1 He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power.”
2
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,
3
and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
4
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.
5
3 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
6
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
7
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; 4 then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
8
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
9
5 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10
So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
11
Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12
He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?
13
But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
14
6 When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
15
Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him.
16
He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”
17
Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.
18
Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”
19
He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”
20
They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth.
21
Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood.
22
It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23
Jesus said to him, ” ‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
24
Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
25
Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!”
26
Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!”
27
But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
28
When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive it out?”
29
7 He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”
30
They left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
31
He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise.”
32
But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
33
8 They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?”
34
But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
35
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
36
Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them,
37
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the one who sent me.”
38
9 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
39
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.
40
For whoever is not against us is for us.
41
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.
42
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe (in me) to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
43
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than with two hands to go into Gehenna, 10 into the unquenchable fire.
44
11
45
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
47
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
48
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
49
12 “Everyone will be salted with fire.
50
Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will you restore its flavor? Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another.”
1 [1] There are some standing . . . come in power: understood by some to refer to the establishment by God’s power of his kingdom on earth in and through the church; more likely, as understood by others, a reference to the imminent parousia.
2 [2-8] Mark and ⇒ Matthew 17:1 place the transfiguration of Jesus six days after the first prediction of his passion and death and his instruction to the disciples on the doctrine of the cross; ⇒ Luke 9:28 has “about eight days.” Thus the transfiguration counterbalances the prediction of the passion by affording certain of the disciples insight into the divine glory that Jesus possessed. His glory will overcome his death and that of his disciples; cf ⇒ 2 Cor 3:18; ⇒ 2 Peter 1:16-19. The heavenly voice (⇒ Mark 9:7) prepares the disciples to understand that in the divine plan Jesus must die ignominiously before his messianic glory is made manifest; cf ⇒ Luke 24:25-27. See further the note on ⇒ Matthew 17:1-8.
3 [5] Moses and Elijah represent respectively law and prophecy in the Old Testament and are linked to Matthew. Sinai; cf ⇒ Exodus 19:16-⇒ 20:17; ⇒ 1 Kings 19:2, ⇒ 8-14. They now appear with Jesus as witnesses to the fulfillment of the law and the prophets taking place in the person of Jesus as he appears in glory.
4 [7] A cloud came, casting a shadow over them: even the disciples enter into the mystery of his glorification. In the Old Testament the cloud covered the meeting tent, indicating the Lord’s presence in the midst of his people (⇒ Exodus 40:34-35) and came to rest upon the temple in Jerusalem at the time of its dedication (⇒ 1 Kings 8:10).
5 [9-13] At the transfiguration of Jesus his disciples had seen Elijah. They were perplexed because, according to the rabbinical interpretation of ⇒ Malachi 3:23-24, Elijah was to come first. Jesus’ response shows that Elijah has come, in the person of John the Baptist, to prepare for the day of the Lord. Jesus must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt (⇒ Mark 9:12) like the Baptist (⇒ Mark 9:13); cf ⇒ Mark 6:17-29.
6 [14-29] The disciples’ failure to effect a cure seems to reflect unfavorably on Jesus (⇒ Mark 9:14-18, ⇒ 22). In response Jesus exposes their lack of trust in God (⇒ Mark 4:19) and scores their lack of prayer (⇒ Mark 4:29), i.e., of conscious reliance on God’s power when acting in Jesus’ name. For Matthew, see the note on ⇒ Matthew 17:14-20. ⇒ Luke 9:37-43 centers attention on Jesus’ sovereign power.
7 [29] This kind can only come out through prayer: a variant reading adds “and through fasting.”
8 [33-37] Mark probably intends this incident and the sayings that follow as commentary on the disciples’ lack of understanding (⇒ Mark 9:32). Their role in Jesus’ work is one of service, especially to the poor and lowly. Children were the symbol Jesus used for the anawim, the poor in spirit, the lowly in the Christian community.
9 [38-41] Jesus warns against jealousy and intolerance toward others, such as exorcists who do not follow us. The saying in ⇒ Mark 9:40 is a broad principle of the divine tolerance. Even the smallest courtesies shown to those who teach in Jesus’ name do not go unrewarded.
10 [43,45,47] Gehenna: see the note on ⇒ Matthew 5:22.
11 [44,46] These verses, lacking in some important early manuscripts, are here omitted as scribal additions. They simply repeat ⇒ Mark 9:48 itself a modified citation of ⇒ Isaiah 66:24.
12 [49] Everyone will be salted with fire: so the better manuscripts. Some add “every sacrifice will be salted with salt.” The purifying and preservative use of salt in food (⇒ Lev 2:13) and the refinement effected through fire refer here to comparable effects in the spiritual life of the disciples of Jesus.
The Bible – New Testament
Saint Mark
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
Acts – Chapter 10
The Bible – New Testament Acts Index 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Chapter 10 1 1 Now in Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Cohort called the Italica, 2… Continue reading Acts – Chapter 10
The Bible – Old Testament
Psalms
Index
Int. 1. 2. 3. … 27. 28. 29. … 149. 150.
Chapter 28
1
Of David. To you, LORD, I call; my Rock, do not be deaf to me. If you fail to answer me, I will join those who go down to the pit.
2
1 Hear the sound of my pleading when I cry to you, lifting my hands toward your holy place.
3
Do not drag me off with the wicked, with those who do wrong, Who speak peace to their neighbors though evil is in their hearts.
4
Repay them for their deeds, for the evil that they do. For the work of their hands repay them; give them what they deserve.
5
They pay no heed to the LORD’S works, to the deeds of God’s hands. God will tear them down, never to be rebuilt.
6
2 Blessed be the LORD, who has heard the sound of my pleading.
7
The LORD is my strength and my shield, in whom my heart trusted and found help. So my heart rejoices; with my song I praise my God.
8
3 LORD, you are the strength of your people, the saving refuge of your anointed king.
9
Save your people, bless your inheritance; feed and sustain them forever!
1 [2] Your holy place: the innermost part of the temple, the holy of holies, containing the ark. Cf ⇒ 1 Kings 6:16, ⇒ 19-23; ⇒ 8:6-8.
2 [6] The psalmist shifts to fervent thanksgiving, probably responding to a priestly or prophetic oracle in ⇒ Psalm 28:5cd (not usually transmitted) assuring the worshiper that the prayer has been heard.
3 [8] Your people . . . your anointed king: salvation is more than individual, affecting all the people and their God-given leader.
Index
Int. 1. 2. 3. … 27. 28. 29. … 149. 150.
Isaiah – Chapter 42
The Bible – Old Testament Isaiah Index Int. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. Chapter 42 1 1 Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, Upon whom… Continue reading Isaiah – Chapter 42