Commentaries
Arabic
- إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير متى
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير مَرْقُس
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إنجيل المسيح حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - إِنْجِيْلُ المَسِيْحِِِ حسبَ البَشير يُوْحَنَّا
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - أعمال الرسل حسب البشير لوقا
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُولِ إِلَى أَهْلِ رُوْمِيَة
(عَبدُ المَسِيْح وزُمَلاؤه) - رسالة بُوْلُس الرَّسُوْل إلى أهْلِ غَلاَطِيَّة
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه) - رِسالةُ بُولُسَ الرَّسُول إِلَى أَهْلِ كَنِيْسَةِ فِيْلِبِّي
(عبد المَسِيْح وزملاؤه) - رِسالةُ بولس الرَّسول إِلَى الكَنِيْسَةِ في كُوْلُوْسِّيْ
(عبد المسيح وزملاؤه) - رِسَالَةِ بولس الرَّسول إلى العِبْرَانِيِّيْنَ
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رِسَالةُ يَعْقُوب
(عَبد المسِيح وزُملاؤُه) - رُؤْيا يوحنا اللاهوتي
(عَبْدُ المَسِيْح وَزُمَلاؤُه)
English
- The Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Mark
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to Luke
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - The Gospel of Christ according to John
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Acts of the Apostles
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues) - Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
German
- Die Offenbarung des Johannes
(Abd al-Masih and Colleagues)
PREFACE
PART 1
THE PRELIMINARY PERIOD IN THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST
(MATTHEW 1:1 – 4:25)
THE PRELIMINARY PERIOD IN THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST
(MATTHEW 1:1 – 4:25)
A – BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS
(MATTHEW 1:1-2:23)
1. Genealogy of Jesus
(Matthew 1:1-17)
(MATTHEW 1:1-2:23)
1. Genealogy of Jesus
(Matthew 1:1-17)
2. Birth and Naming of Jesus
(Matthew 1:18-25)
(Matthew 1:18-25)
3. Visit and Worship of the Magi
(Matthew 2:1-11)
(Matthew 2:1-11)
4. Herod’s Attempt to Kill Jesus
(Matthew 2:12-23)
(Matthew 2:12-23)
B – JOHN THE BAPTIST PREPARES THE WAY OF CHRIST
(MATTHEW 3:1-4:11)
1. The Call to Repentance (Matthew 3:1-12)
(MATTHEW 3:1-4:11)
1. The Call to Repentance (Matthew 3:1-12)
2. The Baptism of Christ
(Matthew 3:13-15)
(Matthew 3:13-15)
3. Proclamation of the Unity of the Holy Trinity
(Matthew 3:16-17)
(Matthew 3:16-17)
4. The Temptation of Christ and His Great Victory
(Matthew 4:1-11)
(Matthew 4:1-11)
C – CHRIST BEGINS HIS GALILEAN MINISTRY
(MATTHEW 4:12-25)
1. Christ Chooses Capernaum as a Residence
(Matthew 4:12-17)
(MATTHEW 4:12-25)
1. Christ Chooses Capernaum as a Residence
(Matthew 4:12-17)
2. Christ Calls the First Two Brothers to Discipleship
(Matthew 4:18-22)
(Matthew 4:18-22)
3. A Beautiful Account of the Savior’s Ministry
(Matthew 4:23-25)
(Matthew 4:23-25)
PART 2
CHRIST TEACHES AND MINISTERS IN GALILEE
(MATTHEW 5:1 – 11:1)
CHRIST TEACHES AND MINISTERS IN GALILEE
(MATTHEW 5:1 – 11:1)
A – THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
(MATTHEW 5:1 – 7:27) (The First Collection of the Words of Jesus)
a) The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
(MATTHEW 5:1 – 7:27) (The First Collection of the Words of Jesus)
a) The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)
b) The Purpose of the Sermon on the Mount: The Application of the Law of God
(Matthew 5:13-16)
(Matthew 5:13-16)
c) The Infallibility and Fulfillment of the Law of Moses in the Law of Christ
(Matthew 5:17-20)
(Matthew 5:17-20)
1. OUR DUTIES TOWARDS MEN
(MATTHEW 5:21-48)
a) Forbidding Murder Aims at Reconciliation
(Matthew 5:21-26)
(MATTHEW 5:21-48)
a) Forbidding Murder Aims at Reconciliation
(Matthew 5:21-26)
b) Forbidding Adultery Signifies Seeking Purity
(Matthew 5:27-32)
(Matthew 5:27-32)
c) Forbidding Oaths Signifies Telling the Truth
(Matthew 5:33-37)
(Matthew 5:33-37)
d) Meekness Overcomes Revenge
(Matthew 5:38-42)
(Matthew 5:38-42)
e) Hatred of Enemies is Replaced with Love
(Matthew 5:43-48)
(Matthew 5:43-48)
2. OUR DUTIES TOWARDS GOD
(MATTHEW 6:1-18)
a) Almsgiving in Secret
(Matthew 6:1-4)
(MATTHEW 6:1-18)
a) Almsgiving in Secret
(Matthew 6:1-4)
b) Prayer in Solitude
(Matthew 6:5-8)
(Matthew 6:5-8)
c) The Lord’s Prayer
(Matthew 6:9-13)
(Matthew 6:9-13)
d) The Inevitable Seeking of Reconciliation
(Matthew 6:14-15)
(Matthew 6:14-15)
e) Fasting Joyously
(Matthew 6:16-18)
(Matthew 6:16-18)
3. THE VICTORY OVER OUR EVIL INTENTS
(MATTHEW 6:19-7:6)
a) He Who Collects Money for Himself Shall Serve Satan
(Matthew 6:19-24)
(MATTHEW 6:19-7:6)
a) He Who Collects Money for Himself Shall Serve Satan
(Matthew 6:19-24)
b) Trusting the Providence of Your Heavenly Father
(Matthew 6:25-34)
(Matthew 6:25-34)
c) He Who Knows His Lord, Judges Himself, not Others
(Matthew 7:1-6)
(Matthew 7:1-6)
4. THE SUMMARY OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
(MATTHEW 7:7-27)
a) The Prayer of Faith in God the Father (Matthew 7:7-11)
(MATTHEW 7:7-27)
a) The Prayer of Faith in God the Father (Matthew 7:7-11)
b) The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)
c) The Two Ways
(Matthew 7:13-14)
(Matthew 7:13-14)
d) The False Prophets
(Matthew 7:15-20)
(Matthew 7:15-20)
e) The Application of the Law by the Power of the Spirit
(Matthew 7:21-23)
(Matthew 7:21-23)
f) The Wise Man and the Foolish Man
(Matthew 7:24-29)
(Matthew 7:24-29)
B – THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST IN CAPERNAUM AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
(MATTHEW 8:1 – 9:35)
1. The Leper Healed
(Matthew 8:1-4)
(MATTHEW 8:1 – 9:35)
1. The Leper Healed
(Matthew 8:1-4)
2. Christ Heals the Centurion’s Servant
(Matthew 8:5-13)
(Matthew 8:5-13)
3. Peter’s Mother-in-law Healed
(Matthew 8:14-17)
(Matthew 8:14-17)
4. The Principles of Following Jesus
(Matthew 8:18-22)
(Matthew 8:18-22)
5. Jesus Calms the Storm and the Waves
(Matthew 8:23-27)
(Matthew 8:23-27)
6. Thousand Devils Cast Out of Two Possessed Men
(Matthew 8:28-34)
(Matthew 8:28-34)
7. Christ’s Authority and Power to Forgive and to Heal
(Matthew 9:1-8)
(Matthew 9:1-8)
8. The Calling of Matthew, the Tax Collector
(Matthew 9:9-13)
(Matthew 9:9-13)
9. The Baptist’s Disciples Question about Fasting
(Matthew 9:14-17)
(Matthew 9:14-17)
10. A Girl Brought Back to Life and a Woman Healed
(Matthew 9:18-26)
(Matthew 9:18-26)
11. Two Blind Men and a Dumb Man Healed
(Matthew 9:27-34)
(Matthew 9:27-34)
C – THE TWELVE DISCIPLES ARE SENT OUT TO PREACH AND SERVE
(MATTHEW 9:35 – 11:1)
1. The Great Compassion of Christ
(Matthew 9:35-38)
(MATTHEW 9:35 – 11:1)
1. The Great Compassion of Christ
(Matthew 9:35-38)
2. The Calling of the Twelve Disciples
(Matthew 10:1-4)
(Matthew 10:1-4)
3. THE METHODS OF SPREADING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
(MATTHEW 10:5 – 11:1) (The Second Collection of the Words of Jesus)
a) The Fundamental Principles of Preaching
(Matthew 10:5-15)
(MATTHEW 10:5 – 11:1) (The Second Collection of the Words of Jesus)
a) The Fundamental Principles of Preaching
(Matthew 10:5-15)
b) The Risks of Preaching
(Matthew 10:16-25)
(Matthew 10:16-25)
c) Encouragement Amidst Trouble (Matthew 10:26-33)
d) Division as a Result of Preaching
(Matthew 10:34-39)
(Matthew 10:34-39)
e) The Sublime Aim of Preaching
(Matthew 10:40-11:1)
(Matthew 10:40-11:1)
PART 3
THE UNBELIEVING JEWS AND THEIR ENMITY TO JESUS
(MATTHEW 11:2-18:35)
THE UNBELIEVING JEWS AND THEIR ENMITY TO JESUS
(MATTHEW 11:2-18:35)
1. THE ELDERS OF THE JEWS REJECT CHRIST
(MATTHEW 11:2-12:50)
a) Jesus’ Answer to the Baptist’s Disciples
(Matthew 11:2-29)
(MATTHEW 11:2-12:50)
a) Jesus’ Answer to the Baptist’s Disciples
(Matthew 11:2-29)
b) Jesus Rebukes the Unbelieving Cities
(Matthew 11:20-24)
(Matthew 11:20-24)
c) The Declaration of the Unity of the Holy Trinity
(Matthew 11:25-27)
(Matthew 11:25-27)
d) The Invitation to Rest in Christ
(Matthew 11:28-30)
(Matthew 11:28-30)
e) The Disciples Pluck the Heads of Grain on the Sabbath
(Matthew 12:1-8)
(Matthew 12:1-8)
f) The Healing of the Withered Hand on the Sabbath and the Plot to Kill Jesus
(Matthew 12:9-21)
(Matthew 12:9-21)
g) Of Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 12:22-37)
(Matthew 12:22-37)
h) The Sign of the Prophet Jonas
(Matthew 12:38-45)
(Matthew 12:38-45)
i) Jesus’ True Relatives
(Matthew 12:46-50)
(Matthew 12:46-50)
2. THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: CHRIST TEACHES IN PARABLES
(MATTHEW 13:1-58) (The Third Collection of the Words of Christ)
a) The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23)
(MATTHEW 13:1-58) (The Third Collection of the Words of Christ)
a) The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23)
b) The Parable of the Tares in the Field
(Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43)
(Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43)
c) The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Leaven
(Matthew 13:31-35)
(Matthew 13:31-35)
d) The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
(Matthew 13:44-46)
(Matthew 13:44-46)
e) The Net Cast Into the Sea of Peoples
(Matthew 13:47-53)
(Matthew 13:47-53)
f) Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
(Matthew 13:54-58)
(Matthew 13:54-58)
3. JESUS’ MINISTRY AND TRAVELING
(MATTHEW 14:1 – 17:27)
a) The Death of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12)
(MATTHEW 14:1 – 17:27)
a) The Death of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12)
b) Feeding the Five Thousand
(Matthew 14:13-21)
(Matthew 14:13-21)
c) Jesus Walks on the Sea
(Matthew 14:22-27)
(Matthew 14:22-27)
d) Peter Sinks Down in the Lake
(Matthew 14:28-35)
(Matthew 14:28-35)
e) Defilement Within and Without
(Matthew 15:1-9)
(Matthew 15:1-9)
f) Out of the Heart Proceed Evil Thoughts
(Matthew 15:10-20)
(Matthew 15:10-20)
g) The Phoenician Woman’s Great Faith Shown by her Humility
(Matthew 15:21-28)
(Matthew 15:21-28)
h) Four Thousand Men Fed
(Matthew 15:29-39)
(Matthew 15:29-39)
i) Jesus Attacks Fanaticism and Shallowness
(Matthew 16:1-12)
(Matthew 16:1-12)
j) Peter’s Decisive Confession of Jesus’ Divinity
(Matthew 16:13-20)
(Matthew 16:13-20)
k) True Faith is a Gift of the Father’s Revelation
(Matthew 16:17-20)
(Matthew 16:17-20)
l) Jesus First Prediction of His Death and Resurrection
(Matthew 16:21-28)
(Matthew 16:21-28)
m) The Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Hermon
(Matthew 17:1-8)
(Matthew 17:1-8)
n) The Clarification of Elijah’s Promised Coming
(Matthew 17:9-13)
(Matthew 17:9-13)
o) The Epileptic Boy Cured
(Matthew 17:14-21)
(Matthew 17:14-21)
p) Jesus’ Second Prediction of His Death and Resurrection
(Matthew 17:22-27)
(Matthew 17:22-27)
4. PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
(MATTHEW 18:1-35) (The Fourth Collection of the Words of Christ)
a) The Disciples’ Pride and the Children’s Humility
(Matthew 18:1-14)
(MATTHEW 18:1-35) (The Fourth Collection of the Words of Christ)
a) The Disciples’ Pride and the Children’s Humility
(Matthew 18:1-14)
b) Mutual Forgiveness Among Brothers
(Matthew 18:15-17)
(Matthew 18:15-17)
c) Prohibiting and Forbidding in Christ’s Name
(Matthew 18:18-20)
(Matthew 18:18-20)
d) Infinite Forgiveness
(Matthew 18:21-22)
(Matthew 18:21-22)
e) The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
(Matthew 18:23-35)
(Matthew 18:23-35)
PART 4
JESUS’ MINISTRY IN THE JORDAN VALLEY DURING HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
(MATTHEW 19:1 – 20:34)
JESUS’ MINISTRY IN THE JORDAN VALLEY DURING HIS JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
(MATTHEW 19:1 – 20:34)
1. The Order of True Marriage
(Matthew 19:1-6)
(Matthew 19:1-6)
2. The Sin of Divorce
(Matthew 19:7-9)
(Matthew 19:7-9)
3. Abstention from Marriage for the Sake of Christ’s Ministry
(Matthew 19:10-12)
(Matthew 19:10-12)
4. Christ Loves and Blesses Little Children
(Matthew 19:13-15)
(Matthew 19:13-15)
5. The Rich Young Man and the Danger of Richness
(Matthew 19:16-26)
(Matthew 19:16-26)
6. Can a Rich Man Enter Heaven?
(Matthew 19:23-26)
(Matthew 19:23-26)
7. The Wages of Those Who are Persecuted for Christ’s Sake
(Matthew 19:27-30)
(Matthew 19:27-30)
8. The Equal Wages to All Laborers
(Matthew 20:1-16)
(Matthew 20:1-16)
9. Jesus’ Third Prediction of His Death and Resurrection
(Matthew 20:17-19)
(Matthew 20:17-19)
10. Stupid Pride Among Jesus’ Followers
(Matthew 20:20-23)
(Matthew 20:20-23)
11. Who is the Greatest and Who is the Least?
(Matthew 20:24-28)
(Matthew 20:24-28)
12. Two Blind Men Receive Their Sight in Jericho
(Matthew 20:29-34)
(Matthew 20:29-34)
PART 5
JESUS’ LAST MINISTRIES IN JERUSALEM
(MATTHEW 21:1 – 25:46)
JESUS’ LAST MINISTRIES IN JERUSALEM
(MATTHEW 21:1 – 25:46)
A – A DISPUTE IN THE TEMPLE
(MATTHEW 21:1 – 22:46)
1. Jesus’ Entrance into Jerusalem
(Matthew 21:1-9)
(MATTHEW 21:1 – 22:46)
1. Jesus’ Entrance into Jerusalem
(Matthew 21:1-9)
2. Jesus Cleanses the Temple
(Matthew 21:10-17)
(Matthew 21:10-17)
3. The Unfruitful Fig Tree Cursed
(Matthew 21:18-22)
(Matthew 21:18-22)
4. Jesus Questioned by the Elders of the Jews
(Matthew 21:23-27)
(Matthew 21:23-27)
5. Jesus Gives Four Parables
(Matthew 21:28 – 22:14)
a) The Parable of the Two Sons
(Matthew 21:28-32)
(Matthew 21:28 – 22:14)
a) The Parable of the Two Sons
(Matthew 21:28-32)
b) The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers
(Matthew 21:33-41)
(Matthew 21:33-41)
c) The Parable about the Stumbling Block
(Matthew 21:42-46)
(Matthew 21:42-46)
d) The Parable of the Great Wedding Feast
(Matthew 22:1-14)
(Matthew 22:1-14)
6. The Things that are Caesar’s, and Those that are God’s
(Matthew 22:15-22)
(Matthew 22:15-22)
7. In the Resurrection they neither Marry nor are Given in Marriage
(Matthew 22:23-33)
(Matthew 22:23-33)
8. The Great Commandment
(Matthew 22:34-40)
(Matthew 22:34-40)
9. Christ is the Lord
(Matthew 22:41-46)
(Matthew 22:41-46)
B – CHRIST REBUKES AND WARNS THE JEWISH SPIRITUAL LEADERS
(MATTHEW 23:1-39) (The Fifth Collection of the Words of Jesus)
1. Rebuke of the Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-7)
(MATTHEW 23:1-39) (The Fifth Collection of the Words of Jesus)
1. Rebuke of the Scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-7)
2. The Humility of Faithful Teachers
(Matthew 23:8-12)
(Matthew 23:8-12)
3. The First Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees
(Matthew 23:13)
(Matthew 23:13)
4. The Second Woe
(Matthew 23:14)
(Matthew 23:14)
5. The Third Woe
(Matthew 23:15)
(Matthew 23:15)
6. The Fourth Woe
(Matthew 23:16-22)
(Matthew 23:16-22)
7. The Fifth Woe
(Matthew 23:23-24)
(Matthew 23:23-24)
8. The Sixth Woe
(Matthew 23:25-26)
(Matthew 23:25-26)
9. The Seventh Woe
(Matthew 23:27-28)
(Matthew 23:27-28)
10. The Eighth Woe
(Matthew 23:29-33)
(Matthew 23:29-33)
11. Jesus’ Prophesy about Jerusalem
(Matthew 23:34-36)
(Matthew 23:34-36)
12. The Hardheartedness of the People of Jerusalem in Front of Christ’s Mercy and Compassion
(Matthew 23:37-39)
(Matthew 23:37-39)
C – CHRIST’S SERMON ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
(MATTHEW 24:1-25:46) (The Sixth Collection of Words of Jesus)
1. Christ Leaves the Temple (Matthew 24:1-2)
(MATTHEW 24:1-25:46) (The Sixth Collection of Words of Jesus)
1. Christ Leaves the Temple (Matthew 24:1-2)
2. The Disciples’ Questions (Matthew 24:3)
3. Take Heed that no One Deceives You
(Matthew 24:4-5)
(Matthew 24:4-5)
4. God’s Wrath Falling on Men
(Matthew 24:6-8)
(Matthew 24:6-8)
5. They Will Deliver You up to Tribulation
(Matthew 24:9-14)
(Matthew 24:9-14)
6. The Destruction of Jerusalem
(Matthew 24:15-22)
(Matthew 24:15-22)
7. False Christs
(Matthew 24:23-26)
(Matthew 24:23-26)
8. The Clear Signs of Christ’s Second Coming
(Matthew 24:27-31)
(Matthew 24:27-31)
9. The End of the Worlds
(Matthew 24:32-36)
(Matthew 24:32-36)
10. The Salvation of the Believers
(Matthew 24:37-41)
(Matthew 24:37-41)
11. Watch!
(Matthew 24:42-51)
(Matthew 24:42-51)
12. The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
(Matthew 25:1-13)
(Matthew 25:1-13)
13. The Parable of the Talents
(Matthew 25:14-30)
a) Are You Talented?
(Matthew 25:14-18)
(Matthew 25:14-30)
a) Are You Talented?
(Matthew 25:14-18)
b) The Lord Rewards the Faithful
(Matthew 25:19-23)
(Matthew 25:19-23)
c) The Lord Judges the Lazy Servant
(Matthew 25:24-30)
(Matthew 25:24-30)
14. Christ is the Eternal Judge
(Matthew 25:31-33)
(Matthew 25:31-33)
15. Christ’s Judgment on His Loving Followers
(Matthew 25:34-40)
(Matthew 25:34-40)
16. The Judge’s Judgment on the Evil Ones
(Matthew 25:41-46)
(Matthew 25:41-46)
PART 6
CHRIST’S SUFFEINGS AND DEATH
(MATTHEW 26:1-27:66)
CHRIST’S SUFFEINGS AND DEATH
(MATTHEW 26:1-27:66)
1. Jesus Prophesies His Death
(Matthew 26:1-2)
(Matthew 26:1-2)
2. The Consultation against Jesus
(Matthew 26:3-5)
(Matthew 26:3-5)
3. The Shrouding of Christ
(Matthew 26:6-13)
(Matthew 26:6-13)
4. The Treachery of Judas
(Matthew 26:14-16)
(Matthew 26:14-16)
5. Preparing the Passover
(Matthew 26:17-19)
(Matthew 26:17-19)
6. The Declaration of the Coming Treachery
(Matthew 26:20-25)
(Matthew 26:20-25)
7. The First Lord’s Supper
(Matthew 26:26-29)
(Matthew 26:26-29)
8. Jesus’ Predictions on His Way to Gethsemane
(Matthew 26:30-35)
(Matthew 26:30-35)
9. Christ’s Prayer in Gethsemane
(Matthew 26:36-38)
(Matthew 26:36-38)
10. Jesus’ Struggle in His Prayer
(Matthew 26:39)
(Matthew 26:39)
11. Pray Lest You Enter into Temptation
(Matthew 26:40-41)
(Matthew 26:40-41)
12. Jesus’ Entire Submission to His Father’s Will
(Matthew 26:42-46)
(Matthew 26:42-46)
13. Jesus Arrested
(Matthew 26:47-50)
(Matthew 26:47-50)
14. Jesus Heals His Attacker’s Ear
(Matthew 26:51-56)
(Matthew 26:51-56)
15. Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
(Matthew 26:57-68)
(Matthew 26:57-68)
16. Peter Denies Christ
(Matthew 26:69-75)
(Matthew 26:69-75)
17. Jesus Delivered to the Governor
(Matthew 27:1-2)
(Matthew 27:1-2)
18. The End of the Traitor
(Matthew 27:3-5)
(Matthew 27:3-5)
19. The Prophecy has its Accomplishment: Concerning the Price of Betrayal
(Matthew 27:6-10)
(Matthew 27:6-10)
20. Jesus Before the Roman Civil Court: The Doubts about Jesus’ Kingship
(Matthew 27:11-14)
(Matthew 27:11-14)
21. The Choosing of an Insurgent
(Matthew 27:15-23)
(Matthew 27:15-23)
22. They Cursed Themselves and Their Children
(Matthew 27:24-26)
(Matthew 27:24-26)
23. The Roman Soldiers Mock Jesus
(Matthew 27:27-30)
(Matthew 27:27-30)
24. Simon of Cyrene Bears Jesus’ Cross
(Matthew 27:31-34)
(Matthew 27:31-34)
25. The Holy One was Crucified Between Two Robbers
(Matthew 27:35-38)
(Matthew 27:35-38)
26. The Official Blasphemy
(Matthew 27:39-44)
(Matthew 27:39-44)
27. The Frowns of God and Nature on the Crucified
(Matthew 27:45-50)
(Matthew 27:45-50)
28. The Strange Events at the Death of Jesus
(Matthew 27:51-53)
(Matthew 27:51-53)
29. Witnesses for the Death of Christ
(Matthew 27:54-56)
(Matthew 27:54-56)
30. The Burial of Christ
(Matthew 27:57-61)
(Matthew 27:57-61)
31. The Tomb Sealed and Guarded
(Matthew 27:62-66)
(Matthew 27:62-66)
PART 7
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
(MATTHEW 28:1-20)
THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
(MATTHEW 28:1-20)
1. The Empty Tomb and the Angel’s Words
(Matthew 28:1-4)
(Matthew 28:1-4)
2. The Determined Resurrection of the Crucified
(Matthew 28:5-7)
(Matthew 28:5-7)
3. The Appearance of Christ
(Matthew 28:8-10)
(Matthew 28:8-10)
4. The Artifice of the Elders of the Jews
(Matthew 28:11-15)
(Matthew 28:11-15)
5. The Appearance of Christ in Galilee and His Command to Preach to the World
(Matthew 28:16-18)
(Matthew 28:16-18)
6. The Unlimited Authority of Christ
(Matthew 28:18-19)
(Matthew 28:18-19)
7. Christ’s Command to Preach to all the Nations
(Matthew 28:19)
(Matthew 28:19)
8. Christ’s Command to Baptize
(Matthew 28:19)
(Matthew 28:19)
9. Christ’s Command to Teach Sanctification
(Matthew 28:20)
(Matthew 28:20)
10. Christ’s Promise to be with His Followers
(Matthew 28:20)
(Matthew 28:20)
King Herod and the supreme Jewish council closed their hearts against the call of God. They neither repented of their sins nor believed the wise men. So Herod called the visitors from the East to a secret meeting and inquired the exact time the star had appeared in order to learn the time when Christ was born. He had already learned from the priests and scribes where he was born. He cunningly sent the wise men to Bethlehem to search for the royal child among the numerous children of the town with intent to kill him.
Herod pretended before the wise men that he would follow them to worship the divine child. All this might look suspicious, if he had not covered it with a show of religion: "that I may come and worship him also." The greatest wickedness often conceals itself under the mask of religion and piety.
Most likely, neither Herod nor the scribes, nor anyone in Jerusalem believed the story of the wise men. The Jews and Romans considered their sayings a legend and mocked the wise men of the east. The chief priests did not believe that God might send Christ without informing them since they considered themselves just men and other nations unclean. The thought that God might disclose his secrets to strangers was contrary to their perception.
In any case, Herod asked the wise men to bring back word to him upon finding the child. Had Herod been wise, he would have chosen someone loyal to him to do his bidding. Bethlehem being so close to Jerusalem, he could easily have sent spies to watch the wise men, and even destroy the child when they found him.
God can blind the eyes of enemies of the church from seeing methods they might easily use to destroy the church; just as he can "make the judges fools" and "lead princes away spoiled" (Job 12:17, 19).
While the chiefs of the Jews at first closed their hearts against Christ, the wise men observed on the fourth day of December 7 BC, for the third time, the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. How astonishing! This time, their conjunction happened in the south not in the east. They were already traveling from east to west but they changed their direction towards Bethlehem, which is located about six km to the southwest of Jerusalem. The star, as it apparently seemed, was going ahead of them.
The wise men came from a far country to worship the newborn child while the Jews, his kinsmen, would not go to the next town to bid him welcome. It might have been a discouragement to these wise men to find him whom they sought so neglected at home. Yet the wise men persisted in their resolution. We must continue in our coming unto Christ. Though we may be alone, we must serve the Lord no matter what others do. If they will not go to heaven with us, we must not go to hell with them.
If we serve the Lord in every area he directs us, God will enable us to do that which we cannot do; "Arise and be doing, and the Lord will be with you" (1 Chronicles 22:16). A Latin proverb says, "The law affords its aid, not to the idle, but to the active."
The star had left them for some time and then returned. Those who hold fast to God in the dark will find that light is always reserved to illuminate their path. God led Israel by a pillar of fire to "the promised land", and he led the wise men by a star to "the promised Seed", who is himself "the Bright and Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16). God would rather "create a new thing" than leave those at a loss who diligently and faithfully seek him.
God did not abstain from giving the believers a sign from the Gentiles. Although the wise men were not scribes and knew not the scriptures, they took a long journey to see the King of Kings and to seek his blessing. They were filled with unspeakable joy when they saw, for the third time, the conjunction of the two planets in the sky. Until now, great joy fills all those who seek God and search for him with all their hearts. They worship him and delight in him.
We must recognize these days that the Lord gives some non-Christians dreams and visions to attract them to Christ, to his words and to his church. They seek and find the truth they were introduced to in the person of Jesus. Unfortunately many educated Christians do not believe that Jesus was born of God. They mock his resurrection and they consequently lose the eternal treasure deposited in their hands. Which one of those parties do you follow? Do you seek God with all your heart aiming at nothing else but him? Is he your treasure? Or you wish for earthly presents? Leave everything and seek Jesus and his light since he is the only hope for our worried world. He was born for your sake. Christ is your greatest present. Will you present yourself to him without any reservation?
Now that Christ, the Sun of righteousness is born, we do not need to observe the stars and planets any longer to learn and discover the secrets of the future. Christ satisfies, secures and guides us; whoever relies on stars, astrology, or palmistry to foresee the invisible denies Christ and remains a distant shadow.