The Bible in Context
As I was reading a commentary today, the author’s (C. H. Dodd) translation of a verse caught my attention: “Courage! I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:33). These are the last words of Jesus to his disciples in his farewell discourse (Jn 14-16). I like the translation because it’s concise, direct, and commanding. I can imagine … Read more
We are blessed to have many English translations of the Bible and free online resources. We can easily use biblegateway.com to see how any verse is translated in more than 60 versions. Just type in the book, chapter, and verse in the search bar then click on the link that says “in all English translations.” … Read more
I recently read a quote that made me think: in the Jesus of the Gospels it is not ‘self-consciousness’ that strikes us, but God-consciousness. Throughout the story we get the impression of one who, with all His high claims, kept thinking far less of Himself than of the Father. Even in Him—or should we say, … Read more
The following passage in John 7 has baffled me for a long time. 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this … Read more
Among the four Gospels, only John mentions “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” But does he clearly identify him? In his award-winning book, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses, Richard Bauckham makes eye-opening claims about the beloved disciple and back them up with strong support. I will incorporate his insights below. John 13 The first explicit reference to … Read more