Biblical Studies / Life of Jesus

  • Judas’ Wicked Scheme

    Matthew 26:14–16

    Judas’ betrayal of the Savior is the most wicked deed ever committed. It warns us to be careful lest sin take hold of our hearts and make us turn our backs on Christ. Those who truly know Jesus will not ...Read More

  • Anointed for Burial

    Matthew 26:6–13

    Notably, Jesus says that Mary will be remembered on account of the great service she provided to the Lord. Matthew Henry writes, “The honor of Christ is principally intended in the gospel, yet the honor of his saints and servants ...Read More

  • The Plot to Kill Jesus

    Matthew 26:1–5

    John Chrysostom comments on these Pharisees, saying that “they never were afraid of the judgment of God but only the judgment of people” (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, first series, vol. 10, p. 477). We can be led into sin and ...Read More

  • Jesus Leaves the Temple

    Matthew 24:1–2

    It is a terrible thing to think that the Lord can become so fed up with those who claim to be His servants that He departs from their presence. God sometimes seems absent to us because we have grieved Him ...Read More

  • From the Mouth of Babes

    Matthew 21:14–17

    Pride has traditionally been regarded as the greatest of all sins — and with good reason. Those who are puffed up with themselves are too proud to admit their failures and need of God. The proud become so concerned with maintaining ...Read More

  • Jesus Cleanses the Temple

    Matthew 21:12–13

    Our Redeemer’s cleansing of the temple at the very least illustrates how concerned He is with the purity of worship. Our corporate praise and prayer is something that is always in need of reformation, for it is easy for ...Read More

  • The Triumphal Entry

    Matthew 21:1–11

    Matthew Henry comments on the laying of palm branches and clothing upon Jesus’ path, saying, “Those who take Christ for their King must lay their all under his feet.” This crowd, in the end, did not want Jesus to rule ...Read More

  • The Resurrection Predicted

    Matthew 17:22–23

    Many Christians do not think about the future resurrection, assuming that we will live forever in heaven as spirits without a body. Yet this is not the Bible’s picture of our final state. Though there is an intermediate state ...Read More

  • A Mission of Service

    Matthew 12:15–21

    The truth that Jesus will not snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed is one of the most encouraging truths of Christianity. When others would give up on us because of our failures, lack of money, talent ...Read More

  • Jesus Commissions the Twelve

    Matthew 10:1–15

    Jesus’ selection of twelve disciples is intentional and patterned on the twelve tribes of Israel. Just as God once formed His people from the twelve sons of Jacob, so too does Christ form a new people starting with the twelve ...Read More

  • Laborers for the Harvest

    Matthew 9:35–38

    Our study of Matthew 10 will look at some ways we all can be involved in the shepherding work of Christ. For now, we must observe Jesus’ command to pray for harvest workers (Matt. 9:38), a prayer the Lord ...Read More

  • Freed from Bondage

    Matthew 9:32–34

    Luke 16:19–31 tells us that there are some who will not believe even if they see someone rise from the dead. Apologetic arguments and ministries of mercy are good things and powerful witnesses to the truth of God ...Read More

  • The Healing Touch of Christ

    Matthew 9:18–26

    As when He healed the leper (Matt. 8:1–4), Jesus again shows His ability to make clean the unclean. These miracles are clear evidence that the old distinctions between the ceremonially clean and unclean pass away in the new ...Read More

  • Wine for Fresh Wineskins

    Matthew 9:14–17

    Many of Jesus’ contemporaries were unwilling to accept the change God was bringing to His covenant with them, and they rejected Him. Though the essence of God’s covenant of grace is the same for those who live on either ...Read More

  • Jesus, Friend of Sinners

    Matthew 9:9–13

    We are all recovering Pharisees who must get over our tendency to frown only upon certain sins. John Calvin comments that we must “never think it strange that he should gather to salvation those who have been the worst of ...Read More