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Blog
Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
May 2021 Reflections
1st major section done! Deep dive into the beatitudes. Tell me what you’ve learned from the Gospel of Matthew so far. I’ll include a few favorites in next month’s email. (This should be fun!)
How the Apostles died
Scripture records the deaths of only 2 apostles: James (Acts 12:1-2) and Judas Iscariot (Matthew 27:5). Most of what we know about the deaths of the other apostles comes from early Christian writers and church tradition. Most scholars think the Apostle John is the only apostle who died of natural causes. The exact dates are unknown, most are estimates.
16 Who are the Poor in Spirit? And Why are they Blessed? (Matthew 5:1-3)
Unlike those who are self-satisfied and see themselves as spiritually rich, the poor in spirit know that they are morally bankrupt and nothing in this world can give them what they truly need. This knowledge is a core conviction of saving faith.
How to listen to a podcast
Despite the popularity of podcasts today, many people don’t know how to get started listening. Don’t be embarrassed! Ironically, because there are so many different ways to listen, getting started is confusing. Anyone can click on a YouTube video or google a website, but where do you find podcasts? Here are some tutorials.
Israel’s 3 Temples
Israel had 3 temples during its Old & New Testament time period. The original temple was built by Solomon. After the exile, a second temple was built under Zerubbabel. Finally, Herod the Great expanded and enlarged the temple during his reign.
Kings of Persia in Biblical Times
A list of the Kings of Persia in biblical times and where they appear in Scripture.
15 What is a Beatitude? (Matthew 5:1-12)
Before we look at the beatitudes, we need to understand what it means to be blessed, the nature of a beatitudes (Jesus wasn’t the first to employ them) and how Jesus expects us to understand them.
Bible Charts, Lists & Outlines
Here’s my collection of Bible charts, lists, chronologies and outlines.
Distances from Jerusalem
Approximate distances from Jerusalem to key cities and sites in biblical times.
Kings of Babylon in Biblical times
The Babylonian Empire became a world power in 625 BC after the fall of Assyria. Babylon continued its reign until 536 BC. Nebuchadnezzar, its greatest king, reigned in the days of Daniel and took the southern Kingdom of Judah into captivity after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Babylon was finally captured by the Medes and Persians under Cyrus as predicted by the prophet Daniel, and the Babylonian Empire came to an end in 536 BC.
14 How to Understand the Sermon on the Mount Without Getting Lost (Matthew 5-7)
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most important passages in Scripture, as it is a profound and unique body of teaching from the Messiah himself. Yet throughout church history, believers have found it difficult to agree on what this sermon means and how it is to be applied to our lives. In this introduction, I’ll contrast the different approaches to the Sermon on the Mount and explain which approach I take.
Biblical Greek Basics
Learning biblical Greek can enrich your Bible study. Even a little knowledge of biblical Greek can help. Check out these tools and tips.
Jewish Day (1st Century) explained
What does the first watch mean? What is the “third hour”? The Jewish day ran from sunset to sunset and was divided in 8 equal parts called watches and hours. Here’s what they mean.
Kings of Assyria in Biblical times
The Assyrian Empire is important to biblical history for devastation the kingdom of Israel and taking the 10 northern tribes into captivity in 722 BC.
13 Why Jesus Started His Ministry in the ‘Wrong’ Place (Matthew 4:12-25)
Matthew 4:12-25 Explained: Jesus calls his first disciples, fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy in Galilee, and announces the kingdom. Learn what “repent” means and why geography matters in the gospels.
Greek Word Studies
Greek Word Studies: Tools to help you study the Greek words in the New Testament from Wednesday in the Word
The Righteous versus the Wicked in the Psalms
Contrasting the way of the wicked and the righteous is a very common theme in the Old Testament. Here are a few Psalms where we find this theme.
April 2021 Reflections
In May, we’ll start the beatitudes from the Sermon on the mount. We’ll talk about what they mean and how Jesus expects us to respond.
12 Why Jesus Rejected Satan’s Kingdom Offer (Matthew 4:8-11)
Discover why Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of the kingdoms in Matthew 4:8-11. Learn what “The Lord is one” really means, how to recognize modern idolatry, and why God calls us to suffer before glory.
righteousness, dikaiosuné, G1343
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for righteousness: dikaiosunē
righteous, dikaios, G1342
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for righteous: dikaios
11 Why Waiting on God Is Better Than Spectacular Acts (Matthew 4:5-7)
Discover what Jesus’ second temptation in Matthew 4:5-7 teaches about testing God. Learn the difference between faith and presumption, and why waiting on God is greater faith than spectacular acts.
gentle, praus, G4329
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek word for meek or gentle, praus, G4329
How to use e-sword as a concordance
One of the basic parts of a word study is finding and comparing the uses of the word in the rest of Scripture. Before the internet, we used a physical concordance. Here’s how to locate quickly accomplish this task using my favorite Bible study software: e-sword.
10 Why Jesus Chose Starvation Over Self-Reliance (Matthew 4:1-4)
Discover why Jesus refused to turn stones into bread in Matthew 4:1-4. Learn how trusting God in trials matters more than meeting immediate needs—and how to apply this lesson in your wilderness.
blessed, makarios, G3107
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for blessed makarios 63017.
Geography of the New Testament
Geography of the New Testament: Learn the important cities, regions, provinces, and lakes of New Testament Israel from Wednesday in the Word.
09 Why Did Jesus Get Baptized? (Matthew 3:13-17)
Discover why Jesus was baptized, what “Son of God” really means, and how this event proves Jesus is the Messiah. A clear, in-depth study of Matthew 3:13-17.
test, peirazo, G3985
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for test, try, or tempt: peirazō.
baptism, baptizō, G907
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek word for baptism baptizō G907.
March 2021 Reflections
In April, we’ll study the temptations of Jesus from Matthew’s gospel. While I’ve taught this passage many times, the podcast gives me the ability to teach it without a time constraint for the first time! I will finally be able to really explain the Old Testament background, the parallels to the Exodus, and how Jesus fulfills God’s promises to the children of Israel.
Miracles of Elijah & Elisha
A comparison of the miracles of Elijah and Elisha recorded in 1&2 Kings.
08 What Does “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven Is at Hand” Mean? (Matthew 3:1-12)
Explore Matthew 3:1-12 and John the Baptist’s call to repentance. Learn what it means to prepare for the kingdom of heaven and be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire.
repent, metanoeō, G3440
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for repent: metanoeo.
07 Why Matthew Says Jesus Fulfilled a Prophecy That Doesn’t Exist (Matthew 2:19-23)
Discover why Matthew says Jesus was “called a Nazarene” even though the phrase isn’t in the Old Testament. Learn how geography, prophecy, and fulfillment reveal God’s plan.