Before this passage, nothing exists except God. The universe has no form, and creation has not yet begun. God initiates the creative process by speaking light into existence, separating it from darkness and establishing the first day. This marks the beginning of time and the ordered cosmos. The passage describes the initial state of formless void covered by darkness and water, with God's Spirit hovering over the deep. Through divine command, light appears as the first element of creation, demonstrating God's sovereign power to bring order from chaos and establish the fundamental distinction between day and night.
[1] In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
[3] Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. [4] And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.
Wisdom, personified as a woman throughout Proverbs chapters 1-9, has been contrasted with the foolish woman and the adulteress who lead people astray. The author has repeatedly urged readers to pursue wisdom, describing her value and benefits. Wisdom has been depicted as calling out in public places, offering instruction and understanding to those who will listen. She promises life, favor from the Lord, and protection to those who find her, while warning that those who reject her will face destruction. The preceding chapter contrasts the blessings of wisdom with the consequences of foolishness, emphasizing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Now wisdom takes action by preparing an elaborate feast and sending out invitations to draw people to herself.
[1] Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
[2] She has slaughtered her meat,
She has mixed her wine,
She has also furnished her table.
[3] She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,
[4] “Whoeveris simple, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
[5] “Come,eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
[6] Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.
While Peter is preaching at the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion in Caesarea, the Holy Spirit falls upon all the Gentile listeners. This event follows Peter's vision of unclean animals and God's command to call nothing impure, which led him to accept Cornelius's invitation despite Jewish customs against entering Gentile homes. Cornelius had previously received an angelic vision instructing him to send for Peter in Joppa. When Peter arrived, he found Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends to hear God's message. Peter began explaining that God shows no partiality and accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right, then proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ, His ministry, death, and resurrection. Peter is addressing Cornelius, his household, and the assembled Gentile guests.
[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. [45] And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. [46] For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, [47] “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” [48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Jesus has just been baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. John initially hesitated, feeling unworthy to baptize Jesus and suggesting that Jesus should baptize him instead, but Jesus insisted it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. The baptism marks the beginning of Jesus's public ministry. John had been preaching in the wilderness of Judea, calling people to repentance and baptizing those who confessed their sins. He had also proclaimed the coming of one mightier than himself who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Large crowds from Jerusalem, Judea, and the surrounding region had been coming to hear John's message and be baptized by him.
[16] When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. [17] And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Paul begins his letter by introducing himself as an apostle set apart for the gospel of God, which was promised through the prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures and concerns Jesus Christ, who descended from David according to the flesh and was declared Son of God in power through his resurrection. Paul explains that through Christ he received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations, including the recipients of this letter. He expresses his desire to visit the believers in Rome, noting that he has been prevented thus far, and shares his eagerness to preach the gospel there as well. Paul declares he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew and then to the Greek, revealing God's righteousness from faith to faith. Paul is addressing the Christian community in Rome.
[1] Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God [2] which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, [3] concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, [4] and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. [5] Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, [6] among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
[7] To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
[8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. [9] For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, [10] making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. [11] For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— [12] that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
[13] Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. [14] I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. [15] So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
When Jesus finished delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which began in Matthew 5, the crowds were astonished at his teaching because he taught with authority, unlike their scribes. Jesus then descended from the mountain and large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy approached Jesus, kneeling before him and expressing faith that Jesus could heal him if he was willing. Jesus touched the man, declared his willingness to heal him, and the leprosy immediately disappeared. Jesus instructed the healed man not to tell anyone but to show himself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded as a testimony to them.
[28] And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, [29] for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
[1] When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. [2] And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
[3] Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
[4] And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Jesus has just finished comforting His disciples during the Last Supper, telling them He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father's house and that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Philip has asked Jesus to show them the Father, and Jesus responds by explaining that seeing Him is seeing the Father because He and the Father are one. Jesus emphasizes that His words and works come from the Father dwelling in Him, and He encourages the disciples to believe in this unity based on the miraculous works they have witnessed. He promises that those who believe in Him will do even greater works because He is going to the Father, and whatever they ask in His name, He will do so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Jesus is addressing His disciples.
[15] “If you love Me, keep My commandments. [16] And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— [17] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
[19] “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. [20] At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. [21] He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
[22] Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
[23] Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. [24] He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.