Tag Archives: Romans 8:28-30

A Shadow of the Good Things, Part 5

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Another statement of the law of the Sabbath in Exodus reads as follows:

Masoretic Text

 Septuagint
Exodus 23:12 (Tanakh) Exodus 23:12 (NET) Exodus 23:12 (NETS)

Exodus 23:12 (English Elpenor)
Six days thou shalt do thy work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest (תִּשְׁבֹּ֑ת); that thine ox and thine ass may have rest (יָנ֗וּחַ), and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease (shâbath, תשבת), in order that your ox and your donkey may rest (nûach, ינוח) and that your female servant’s son and the resident foreigner may refresh themselves. Six days you shall do your tasks, but on the seventh day you shall rest (ἀνάπαυσις) in order that your ox and your draft animal might rest (ἀναπαύσηται) and that the son of your female servant and the guest might be refreshed. Six days shalt thou do thy works, and on the seventh day there shall be rest (ἀνάπαυσις), that thine ox and thine ass may rest (ἀναπαύσηται), and that the son of thy maid-servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

All of these translations pass the test—The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath[1]—in my opinion.  Here rest was תִּשְׁבֹּ֑ת (shâbath) in the clause but on the seventh day thou shalt rest in the Masoretic text, and ἀνάπαυσις in the Septuagint.  The Hebrew root is the same in and He rested (shâbath, וַיִּשְׁבֹּת֙) on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.[2]  The Greek root is the same in Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (ἀνάπαυσιν, a form of ἀνάπαυσις) for your souls.[3]

The second rest—that thine ox and thine ass may have rest—was יָנ֗וּחַ (nûach) in the Masoretic text and ἀναπαύσηται (a form of ἀναπαύω) in the Septuagint.   The Hebrew root is the same in the ten commandments: in six days HaShem made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested (nûach, וַיָּ֖נַח) on the seventh day.[4]  The Greek root is the same in Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (ἀναπαύσω, a form of ἀναπαύω).[5]

I looked up may be refreshed out of curiosity: It was וְיִנָּפֵ֥שׁ (nâphash) in the Masoretic text and ἀναψύξῃ (a form of ἀναψύχω) in the Septuagint.  There is only one occurrence of a form of ἀναψύχω in the New Testament (2 Timothy 1:16-18 NET):

May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed (ἀνέψυξεν a form of ἀναψύχω) me and was not ashamed[6] of my imprisonment.  But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly[7] searched for me and found me.  May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!  And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus.

I was about to return to Exodus when a question came to mind: Did Paul consider Onesiphorus a fellow believer?  May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!  Is that the way he would write about a fellow believer?  I won’t argue yea or nay here.  But it sent me back to Jesus’ teaching as it shed some light on something I had heard the night before.  I’ll try to put all this back into perspicuous form.

I don’t listen to Todd Friel often.  He is a bit snarky for my taste.  (Perhaps, I should say that his snarkiness appeals way too much to my flesh.)  Apparently, he did stand-up comedy[8] in another life.  The night before I began this study a YouTube video titled, “The #1 reason there are so many FALSE Christian converts,” was the clickbait I needed to deviate from my usual course.  Mr. Friel explained:

The problem is they aren’t presenting the gospel…God will pull the rug out from under anybody to get their attention.  But it’s not that He wants them to come to him so the rug can be replaced.  He wants to get their attention so that they recognize: You’re at the end of your rope because I hold the rope, and one day I’m going to pull your rope in and I am going to judge you for every thought, word and deed.  And if you are not hidden in the cleft of the rock, My Son the Lord Jesus Christ, I will grind you to powder.

The next morning Paul’s prayer for Onesiphorus—May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—sent me back to Jesus’ description of that day (Matthew 25:31-40 NET):

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.  All the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats [Table].  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited[12] me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you?  When did we see you sick[13] or in prison and visit you?’  And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’

The Greek word translated brothers or sisters was ἀδελφῶν (a form of ἀδελφός).  Paul wrote believers in Rome (Romans 8:28-30 NET):

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (ἀδελφοῖς, another form of ἀδελφός).  And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Those who were accursed demonstrated no care or concern (Matthew 25:42-45) for Jesus’ brothers and sisters: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels!’[14]  And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous (e.g., those who demonstrated some level of care or concern for Jesus’ brothers and sisters) into eternal life.”[15]

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, Jesus taught his disciples, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes (John 5:21-24 NET).

Furthermore, the Father does not judge anyone, but has assigned all judgment to the Son, so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father.  The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him [Table].

“I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.

Jesus defined eternal life for us in a prayer to his Father: Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.[16]  And the Holy Spirit reminded me of more knowledge of the Judge the Father appointed, who He is, how He judges.  Jesus taught his disciples (Matthew 10:40-42 NET):

Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.  Whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive[17] a prophet’s reward.  Whoever receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive[18] a righteous person’s reward.  And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, I tell you the truth, he will never lose his reward.

I received a gospel similar to the one presented by Mr. Friel: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or burn in hell for all eternity.  I was five.  I don’t recall any of the emotional baggage that would be so offensive to adults.  It was simply another fact, like cross at the crosswalk with the light, or a bus will run you down.  But there was always an undercurrent, and since I wasn’t availing myself of the word of God as a precision diagnostic and surgical instrument, I didn’t recognize that undercurrent as the flesh or the old man.

That undercurrent became progressively more vociferous throughout my young life:

I wanted to save myself from an eternity in a lake of fire.  And now, lo and behold, I find that I have become—inadvertently—a Christian!  Not a day goes by that I don’t discover yet another restriction in an endless list of prohibitions to which I must conform because I am a Christian!  On top of that there is another endless list of things I must do because I am a Christian, chief among these is to rope my friends into a way of life I would not wish on my worst enemy.

If that undercurrent sounds a little like Joe Pesci in the movie My Cousin Vinny, well, that’s a bit of literary license.  As a hilariously triumphant example of all things working together for good, even that undercurrent has become a strong motivation to rest in the fruit of the Holy Spirit—once I began to recognize that the voice of that undercurrent wasn’t mine.

I was one of the most false converts to Christ.  But God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit hasn’t given up on me yet.  Mr. Friel also mentioned substitutionary atonement as something important to the Gospel: For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.[19]  For the wages of sin is death.[20]

Clearly substitutionary atonement is of first importance.  Given my history, however, I’m wary whenever the doctrine of substitutionary atonement substitutes faith in punishment for faith in Jesus Christ.  David Instone-Brewer in his essay, “Did God Punish Jesus on the Cross?,” offers a better introduction to this concern than I have done or am doing here.

None of this is to discourage anyone from answering the call of God in Jesus Christ, just a reminder that God is not the enemy here.  Sin is the enemy.  For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received—that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures[21] because this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.[22] I will not speak with you much longer, Jesus told his disciples, for the ruler of this world[23] is coming.  He has no power over me, but I am doing just what the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.[24]

When Joeseph considered divorcing Mary because she was already pregnant, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit [Table].  She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”[25]  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness.  By his wounds you were healed.[26]  John Piper preached a sermon—Christ Died for Our Sins That We Might Die to Sin—that is clearer than anything I’ve written.

It is true that there was wrath in the past.  The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a visible memorial to a time when The Lord regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended.[27]  There is a time of wrath and revelation of Jesus Christ yet to come.  Now, dear friends, Peter wrote, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day.  The[28] Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you,[29] because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.[30]

Different believers estimate the strength of μακροθυμεῖ (a form of μακροθυμέω; NET: patient; KJV: longsuffering) and βουλόμενος (a form of βούλομαι) in different ways.  The NET translators, for instance, chose wish for βουλόμενος where the KJV translators chose longsuffering.  The Koine Greek Lexicon online indicates that forms of βούλομαι with a negative, as it is here (μὴ βουλόμενος), mean “to refuse, not to consent.”  Likewise, I may have a different experience of God’s patience than one who has never strayed far from Christian faith.

To end this excursion where it began: the man who marveled at Jesus’ definition of eternal life in my musical composition not only alerted me to how illiterate I had actually become, caring more for the sounds of words than their meaning, he also provided me with a handy tool—this is—to begin to understand the Bible better.  This Jew who found philosophical comfort in Buddhism, who thought that salvation by faith was too non-human to be true the last time I had any contact with him, was a great help to me in my journey to know the only true God and Jesus Christ.  May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day.

Tables comparing Exodus 23:12 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and Exodus 23:12 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following those are tables comparing 2 Timothy 1:16, 17; 25:36; 25:39; 10:41; John 14:30 and 2 Peter 3:9 in the NET and KJV.

Exodus 23:12 (Tanakh)

 Exodus 23:12 (KJV)

Exodus 23:12 (NET)
Six days thou shalt do thy work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest; that thine ox and thine ass may have rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed. For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, in order that your ox and your donkey may rest and that your female servant’s son and the resident foreigner may refresh themselves.

Exodus 23:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 23:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἓξ ἡμέρας ποιήσεις τὰ ἔργα σου τῇ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀνάπαυσις ἵνα ἀναπαύσηται ὁ βοῦς σου καὶ τὸ ὑποζύγιόν σου καὶ ἵνα ἀναψύξῃ ὁ υἱὸς τῆς παιδίσκης σου καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος ἓξ ἡμέρας ποιήσεις τὰ ἔργα σου, τῇ δὲ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀνάπαυσις, ἵνα ἀναπαύσηται ὁ βοῦς σου καὶ τὸ ὑποζύγιόν σου, καὶ ἵνα ἀναψύξῃ ὁ υἱὸς τῆς παιδίσκης σου καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος

Exodus 23:12 (NETS)

Exodus 23:12 (English Elpenor)
Six days you shall do your tasks, but on the seventh day you shall rest in order that your ox and your draft animal might rest and that the son of your female servant and the guest might be refreshed. Six days shalt thou do thy works, and on the seventh day there shall be rest, that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and that the son of thy maid-servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

2 Timothy 1:16, 17 (NET)

2 Timothy 1:16, 17 (KJV)
May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment. The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
δῴη ἔλεος ὁ κύριος τῷ Ὀνησιφόρου οἴκῳ, ὅτι πολλάκις με ἀνέψυξεν καὶ τὴν ἅλυσιν μου οὐκ ἐπαισχύνθη δωη ελεος ο κυριος τω ονησιφορου οικω οτι πολλακις με ανεψυξεν και την αλυσιν μου ουκ επησχυνθη δωη ελεος ο κυριος τω ονησιφορου οικω οτι πολλακις με ανεψυξεν και την αλυσιν μου ουκ επαισχυνθη
But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me. But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἀλλὰ γενόμενος ἐν Ῥώμῃ σπουδαίως ἐζήτησεν με καὶ εὗρεν αλλα γενομενος εν ρωμη σπουδαιοτερον εζητησεν με και ευρεν αλλα γενομενος εν ρωμη σπουδαιοτερον εζητησεν με και ευρεν

Matthew 25:36 (NET)

Matthew 25:36 (KJV)
I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
γυμνὸς καὶ περιεβάλετε με, ἠσθένησα καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθε με, ἐν φυλακῇ ἤμην καὶ ἤλθατε πρός με γυμνος και περιεβαλετε με ησθενησα και επεσκεψασθε με εν φυλακη ημην και ηλθετε προς με γυμνος και περιεβαλετε με ησθενησα και επεσκεψασθε με εν φυλακη ημην και ηλθετε προς με

Matthew 25:39 (NET)

Matthew 25:39 (KJV)
When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενοῦντα ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε ποτε δε σε ειδομεν ασθενη η εν φυλακη και ηλθομεν προς σε ποτε δε σε ειδομεν ασθενη η εν φυλακη και ηλθομεν προς σε

Matthew 10:41 (NET)

Matthew 10:41 (KJV)
Whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward.  Whoever receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ὁ δεχόμενος προφήτην εἰς ὄνομα προφήτου μισθὸν προφήτου λήμψεται, καὶ ὁ δεχόμενος δίκαιον εἰς ὄνομα δικαίου μισθὸν δικαίου λήμψεται ο δεχομενος προφητην εις ονομα προφητου μισθον προφητου ληψεται και ο δεχομενος δικαιον εις ονομα δικαιου μισθον δικαιου ληψεται ο δεχομενος προφητην εις ονομα προφητου μισθον προφητου ληψεται και ο δεχομενος δικαιον εις ονομα δικαιου μισθον δικαιου ληψεται

John 14:30 (NET)

John 14:30 (KJV)
I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this world is coming.  He has no power over me, Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
οὐκέτι πολλὰ λαλήσω μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν, ἔρχεται γὰρ ὁ τοῦ κόσμου ἄρχων· καὶ ἐν ἐμοὶ οὐκ ἔχει οὐδέν ουκ ετι πολλα λαλησω μεθ υμων ερχεται γαρ ο του κοσμου τουτου αρχων και εν εμοι ουκ εχει ουδεν ουκετι πολλα λαλησω μεθ υμων ερχεται γαρ ο του κοσμου αρχων και εν εμοι ουκ εχει ουδεν

2 Peter 3:9 (NET)

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
οὐ βραδύνει κύριος τῆς ἐπαγγελίας, ὥς τινες βραδύτητα ἡγοῦνται, ἀλλὰ μακροθυμεῖ εἰς ὑμᾶς, μὴ βουλόμενος τινας ἀπολέσθαι ἀλλὰ πάντας εἰς μετάνοιαν χωρῆσαι ου βραδυνει ο κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις ημας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι ου βραδυνει ο κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις ημας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι

[1] Mark 2:27 (NET) Table

[2] Genesis 2:2b (Tanakh) Table

[3] Matthew 11:29 (NET) Table

[4] Exodus 20:11a (Tanakh) Table

[5] Matthew 11:28 (NET)

[6] The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had ἐπαισχύνθη here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had επησχυνθη.

[7] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had σπουδαίως here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had σπουδαιοτερον (KJV: very diligently).

[8] The online ad for one of his books describes the author this way: “Todd Friel studied to be a pastor for four years but neglected to actually get saved.  He abandoned church ministry plans and did secular TV, radio and stand-up comedy for 6 years.  Gratefully, God saved Todd (from hell and stand-up comedy).”

[12] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἤλθατε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ηλθετε (KJV: ye came).

[13] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἀσθενοῦντα here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ασθενη.

[14] Matthew 25:41 (NET)

[15] Matthew 25:46 (NET)

[16] John 17:3 (NET)

[17] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had λήμψεται here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ληψεται (KJV: shall receive).

[18] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had λήμψεται here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ληψεται (KJV: shall receive).

[19] 1 Corinthians 15:3 (NET)

[20] Romans 6:23a (KJV)

[21] 1 Corinthians 15:3b, 4 (NET) Table

[22] John 3:16, 17 (NET) Table

[23] The Stephanus Textus Receptus had τουτου following world and preceding ruler. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

[24] John 14:30, 31 (NET)

[25] Matthew 1:20, 21 (NET)

[26] 1 Peter 2:24 (NET) Table

[27] Genesis 6:6 (NET) Table

[28] The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article ο preceding Lord.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

[29] The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὑμᾶς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ημας (KJV: us).

[30] 2 Peter 3:8, 9 (NET)

Romans, Part 49

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If [the gift] is showing mercy (ἐλεῶν, a form of ἐλεέω),[1] he must do so with cheerfulness.[2]  This is my gift, the one given to me.  It is the way I see Jesus and his Father.  It is the way I see the world.  It is my bias.  Blessed are the merciful (ἐλεήμονες, a form of ἐλεήμων),[3] for they will be shown mercy (ἐλεηθήσονται, a form of ἐλεέω).[4]  Given that bias it is probably good to start with something I do not mean by mercy.

“Have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on us, Son of David!”[5] two blind men shouted.  Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”  They said to him, “Yes, Lord.”  Then he touched their eyes saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”  And their eyes were opened.[6]

The blind men asked Jesus for mercy, believed He was able to do what they asked, and received the mercy they asked for, according to [their] faith.  And I don’t want anything to do with this kind of faith or this kind of mercy.

Jesus sternly warned (ἐνεβριμήθη, a form of ἐμβριμάομαι)[7] them, “See that no one knows about this.”[8]  But they disobeyed Him; they went out and spread the news about him throughout that entire region.[9]

As he was entering a village, ten men with leprosy met him.  They stood at a distance, raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on us.”  When he saw them he said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”[10]  It took some faith to obey Jesus, to go back to priests who were likely to tell them what they already knew, that they were leprous.  And as they went along, they were cleansed.[11]  You see that [their] faith was working together with [their] works and [their] faith was perfected by works.[12]

Then one of them, when he saw he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.  He fell with his face to the ground at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.  (Now he was a Samaritan.)  Then Jesus said, “Were not ten cleansed?  Where are the other nine?  Was no one found to turn back and give praise to God except this foreigner?”[13]

Assuming that the other nine were descendants of Israel, they may have been too busy to turn back and give praise to God, too busy trying to make themselves worthy of the mercy Jesus had shown them, too busy obeying the law (Leviticus 14:1-20 NET):

The Lord spoke to Moses: “This is the law of the diseased person on the day of his purification, when he is brought to the priest.  The priest is to go outside the camp and examine the infection.  If the infection of the diseased person has been healed, then the priest will command that two live clean birds, a piece of cedar wood, a scrap of crimson fabric, and some twigs of hyssop be taken up for the one being cleansed.  The priest will then command that one bird be slaughtered into a clay vessel over fresh water.  Then he is to take the live bird along with the piece of cedar wood, the scrap of crimson fabric, and the twigs of hyssop, and he is to dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird slaughtered over the fresh water, and sprinkle it seven times on the one being cleansed from the disease, pronounce him clean, and send the live bird away over the open countryside.

“The one being cleansed must then wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe in water, and so be clean.  Then afterward he may enter the camp, but he must live outside his tent seven days.  When the seventh day comes he must shave all his hair – his head, his beard, his eyebrows, all his hair – and he must wash his clothes, bathe his body in water, and so be clean.

“On the eighth day he must take two flawless male lambs, one flawless yearling female lamb, three-tenths of an ephah of choice wheat flour as a grain offering mixed with olive oil, and one log of olive oil, and the priest who pronounces him clean will have the man who is being cleansed stand along with these offerings before the Lord at the entrance of the Meeting Tent.

“The priest is to take one male lamb and present it for a guilt offering along with the log of olive oil and present them as a wave offering before the Lord.  He must then slaughter the male lamb in the place where the sin offering and the burnt offering are slaughtered, in the sanctuary, because, like the sin offering, the guilt offering belongs to the priest; it is most holy.  Then the priest is to take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the right earlobe of the one being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.  The priest will then take some of the log of olive oil and pour it into his own left hand.  Then the priest is to dip his right forefinger into the olive oil that is in his left hand, and sprinkle some of the olive oil with his finger seven times before the Lord.  The priest will then put some of the rest of the olive oil that is in his hand on the right earlobe of the one being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the blood of the guilt offering, and the remainder of the olive oil that is in his hand the priest is to put on the head of the one being cleansed.  So the priest is to make atonement for him before the Lord.

“The priest must then perform the sin offering and make atonement for the one being cleansed from his impurity.  After that he is to slaughter the burnt offering, and the priest is to offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar.  So the priest is to make atonement for him and he will be clean.[14]

Get up and go your way, Jesus said to the foreigner who returned to Him and gave praise to God.  Your faith has made you well.[15]  This is better, perhaps, but still not the mercy I want.

The next example is found in three gospel accounts:

Matthew

Mark

Luke
As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed them.  Two blind men were sitting by the road.

Matthew 20:29, 30a (NET)

 They came to Jericho.  As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

Mark 10:46 (NET)

 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.

Luke 18:35 (NET)

If someone wants to impeach the witnesses the discrepancies in these accounts seem very important.  They sound like the limited perceptions and faulty memories of eye witnesses who didn’t necessarily understand what they were seeing, and the alterations that naturally occur when favorite stories are passed on by word of mouth.  The more I want to know God, however, the less important they seem.

Matthew

Mark

Luke
When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on us, Lord, Son of David!”  The crowd scolded them to get them to be quiet.  But they shouted even more loudly, “Lord, have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on us, Son of David!”

Matthew 20:30b, 31 (NET)

 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on me!”  Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on me!”

Mark 10:47-48 (NET)

 When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was going on.  They told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.”  So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on   me!”  And those who were in front scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted even more, “Son of David, have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on me!”

Luke 18:36-39 (NET)

Though the accounts differ regarding when and how many blind men asked for Jesus’ mercy, they agree that the crowd scolded him/them but couldn’t silence him/them.

Matthew

Mark

Luke
Jesus stopped (στὰς, a form of ἵστημι),[16] called (ἐφώνησεν, a form of φωνέω)[17] them…

Matthew 20:32a (NET)

 Jesus stopped (στὰς) and said, “Call (φωνήσατε, another form of φωνέω) him.”  So they called (φωνοῦσιν, a form of   φωνέω) the blind man and said to him, “Have courage!  Get up!  He is calling (φωνεῖ, a form of φωνέω) you.”  He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

Mark 10:49, 50 (NET)

 So Jesus stopped (σταθεὶς, another form of ἵστημι) and ordered (ἐκέλευσεν, a form of κελεύω)[18] the beggar to be brought to him.

Luke 18:40a (NET)

This is new[19] relative to the first two stories of mercy.  In each of these accounts Jesus stopped (στὰς in Matthew and Mark, σταθεὶς in Luke) and called (ἐφώνησεν, a form of κελεύω) them (Matthew).  Mark offered detail to that call: Jesus stopped (στὰς) and said, “Call (φωνήσατε) him” to those who traveled with Him, presumably his disciples.  So they called (φωνοῦσιν) the blind man and said to him, “Have courage!  Get up!  He is calling (φωνεῖ) you.”  The blind man threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.  Luke, the historian, resolved these accounts with, So Jesus stopped (σταθεὶς) and ordered (ἐκέλευσεν, a form of κελεύω)[20] the beggar to be brought to him.

These are not the words Paul used to describe God’s calling, but together they form a vivid picture of what he meant by them.  And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called (κλητοῖς, a form of κλητός)[21] according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined, he also called (ἐκάλεσεν, a form of καλέω);[22] and those he called (ἐκάλεσεν, a form of καλέω), he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.[23]

Matthew

Mark

Luke
…and said, “What do you want me to do for you?”  They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”  Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes.  Immediately they received their sight and followed (ἠκολούθησαν, a form of ἀκολουθέω) him.

Matthew 20:32b-34 (NET)

 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?”  The blind man replied, “Rabbi, let me see again.”  Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he regained his sight and followed (ἠκολούθει, another form of ἀκολουθέω) him on the road.

Mark 10:51, 52 (NET)

 When the man came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”  He replied, “Lord, let me see again.”  Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”  And immediately he regained his sight and followed (ἠκολούθει, another form of ἀκολουθέω) Jesus, praising God.

Luke 18:40b-43a (NET)
When all the people saw it, they too gave praise to God.

Luke 18:43b (NET)

In the first story two blind men thought it was more important to tell others about Jesus than to obey Him themselves.  In the second story obedience was not at issue.  There is no indication that the lepers were doing anything other than obeying Jesus’ command, Go and show yourselves to the priests.  At issue was the matter of gratitude, demonstrated in praise for God.  Jesus raised the question whether the other nine lepers were praising God or, perhaps, praising themselves for their adherence to the works of the law.  For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.[24]

Yet the blind man/men called by Jesus followed Him, not because he/they were given a law.  Jesus did not say, Follow Me.  Yet the work of the law [was] written in their hearts.[25]  They were doers, poets, of the law, speaking their own lines from their own hearts, as opposed to actors (hypocrites), wearing a false face and speaking a poet’s lines.  They not only praised God themselves, When all the people saw it, they too gave praise to God.

This is more like it, mercy that causes me to follow Jesus, praising God, a mercy that causes others, when they see me following Jesus, to praise, not me, but God.  I will have mercy (ἐλεήσω, another form of ἐλεέω) on whom I have mercy (ἐλεῶ, another form of ἐλεέω), and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.  So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy (ἐλεῶντος, a form of ἐλεέω).[26]  This is the mercy I want to receive.  This is the mercy I long to extend to all around me.  This is the mercy Paul found in the Lord when he had great sorrow and unceasing anguish in [his] heart.[27]

Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy (ἠλεήθητε, a form of ἐλεέω) due to their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy (ἐλέει, a form of ἔλεος)[28] shown to you, they too may now receive mercy (ἐλεηθῶσιν, a form of ἐλεέω).  For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy (ἐλεήσῃ, a form of ἐλεέω) to them all.[29]

This mercy is to be shown with cheerfulness (ἱλαρότητι, a form of ἱλαρότης),[30] not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful (ἱλαρὸν, a form of ἱλαρός)[31] giver.[32]  I fall down here because of the gospel presented as law rather than grace handed down to me from my religion that still adheres to my religious mind: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ before you die, or burn in hell for all eternity.”  I am the dark side of the proverb, Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.[33]  To counteract that darkness I want to look at two instances when Jesus didn’t want to show someone mercy.

A Canaanite woman from [the region of Tyre and Sidon] came and cried out, “Have mercy (ἐλέησον, a form of ἐλεέω) on me, Lord, Son of David!  My daughter is horribly demon-possessed!”[34]

This woman was a living remnant of the people Jesus, as Yahweh, had commanded Israel to exterminate with extreme prejudice—because the Canaanites were wicked idolaters?  Yes, as a matter of legal justification, but more to the point, for the faithfulness of his chosen people: for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invites you, you will eat from his sacrifice; and you then take his daughters for your sons, and when his daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will make your sons prostitute themselves to their gods as well.[35]

So Jesus ignored the woman’s persistent plea.  Then his disciples came and begged him, “Send her away, because she keeps on crying out after us.”[36]

So Jesus began to explain to the woman the obligations of righteousness, the law He was under from his Father: I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.[37]

But she came and bowed down before him and said, “Lord, help me!”[38]

“It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs,” he said.[39]

The Canaanite woman might have said, “I’m as good as any Jew here!”  And Jesus might have agreed with her, but I don’t think that response would have moved him from the law of his Father.

“Yes, Lord,” she said instead, “but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”[40]

When Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them,[41] He meant what He said.  So He answered the Canaanite woman, “Woman, your faith is great!  Let what you want be done for you.”  And her daughter was healed from that hour.[42]

So, did Jesus sin by disobeying the law of his Father?  No, because Jesus and his Father knew, long before Paul wrote any letter to the Galatians, that if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law,[43] and regarding the fruit of the Spirit: Against such things (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) there is no law.[44]

The second instance deserves its own essay.  I’ll conclude this one with Paul’s words of gratitude because it seems fitting in the context of the gift of showing mercy.  My religion teaches me to present the gospel with Paul’s words from his letter to the Romans (Romans 1:18-20 NET):

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made.  So people are without excuse.

But privately in his letter to the young preacher Timothy, Paul wrote (1 Timothy 1:12-17 NET):

I am grateful (Χάριν, a form of χάρις)[45] to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful (πιστόν, a form of πιστός)[46] in putting me into ministry, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man.  But I was treated with mercy (ἠλεήθην, a form of ἐλεέω) because I acted ignorantly (ἀγνοῶν, a form of ἀγνοέω)[47] in unbelief (ἀπιστίᾳ),[48] and our Lord’s grace (χάρις) was abundant, bringing faith (πίστεως, a form of πίστις)[49] and love (ἀγάπης, a form of ἀγάπη)[50] in Christ Jesus.  This saying is trustworthy (πιστὸς) and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them!  But here is why I was treated with mercy (ἠλεήθην, a form of ἐλεέω): so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience (μακροθυμίαν, a form of μακροθυμία),[51] as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.  Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever!  Amen.

[2] Romans 12:8 (NET)

[4] Matthew 5:7 (NET)

[5] Matthew 9:27 (NET)

[6] Matthew 9:28-30a (NET)

[8] Matthew 9:30b (NET)

[9] Matthew 9:31 (NET)

[10] Luke 17:12-14a (NET)

[11] Luke 17:14b (NET)

[12] James 2:22 (NET)

[13] Luke 17:15-18 (NET)

[14] Leviticus 14:1-20 (NET)

[15] Luke 17:19 (NET)

[19] In Luke’s account the lepers stood (ἔστησαν, another form of ἵστημι) at a distance (Luke 17:12b NET).

[23] Romans 8:28-30 (NET)

[24] Romans 3:20 (NET)

[25] Romans 2:15 (NET)

[26] Romans 9:15, 16 (NET)

[27] Romans 9:2 (NET)

[29] Romans 11:30-32 (NET)

[32] 2 Corinthians 9:7b (NET)

[33] Proverbs 22:6 (NET)

[34] Matthew 15:22 (NET)

[35] Exodus 34:15, 16 (NET)

[36] Matthew 15:23 (NET)

[37] Matthew 15:24 (NET)

[38] Matthew 15:25 (NET)

[39] Matthew 15:26 (NET)

[40] Matthew 15:27 (NET)

[41] Matthew 5:3 (NET)

[42] Matthew 15:28 (NET)

[43] Galatians 5:18 (NET)

[44] Galatians 5:22, 23 (NET)

Son of God – John, Part 5

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Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Portico.[1]  Religious leaders surrounded him and asked, “How long will you keep us in suspense?  If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus replied, “I told you and you do not believe (πιστεύετε, a form of πιστεύω).”[2]  They did not think it was true; they were not persuaded.[3]  The deeds (ἔργα, a form of ἔργον)[4] I do in my Father’s name testify (μαρτυρεῖ, a form of μαρτυρέω)[5] about me.[6]  The ἔργα that Jesus did in his Father’s name testified that He is the Christ, as opposed to those who loved the darkness rather than the light, because their ἔργα were [full of labours, annoyances, and hardships].[7]

But you refuse to believe (πιστεύετε), Jesus continued, because you are not my sheep.[8]  The word translated refuse is simply οὐ,[9] the absolute as opposed to the relative negation in Greek.  You believe not, Jesus said, because you are not my sheep.  They were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day.”[10] 

My sheep listen (ἀκούουσιν, a form of ἀκούω)[11] to my voice, Jesus continued.[12]  This is in contrast to those who had not been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven:[13]  For this reason I speak to them in parables: Although they see they do not see, and although they hear they do not hear (ἀκούουσιν) nor do they understand.[14]  And Paul wrote, they did not stumble into an irrevocable fall, did they?  Absolutely not!  But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous.[15]

Still speaking of his sheep, Jesus said, I know (γινώσκω, a form of γινώσκω)[16] them, and they follow me.[17]  These are they who are called according to [God’s] purpose, because those whom he foreknew (προέγνω, a form of προγινώσκω)[18] he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.[19]

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand.  The Father and I are one.[20]  Then by their actions the religious leaders proved Jesus’ original words, that they did not believe that his deeds testified that He was the Christ.  They picked up rocks again to stone him to death.[21]  I have shown you many good deeds from the Father, Jesus said.  For which one of them are you going to stone me?[22]  We are not going to stone you for a good deed, the religious leaders answered, but for blasphemy, because you, a man, are claiming to be God.[23]

They lacked the knowledge that was revealed to Peter by Jesus’ Father in heaven:[24] You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.[25]  They did not share Nathaniel’s insight that Jesus was the Son of God and the king of Israel.[26]  Apparently the religious leaders assumed that the Christ would serve their interests as they perceived their interests not supersede them, certainly not question their leadership.  “Is it not written in your law,” Jesus answered them, “‘I said, you are gods’?  If those people to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’ (and the scripture cannot be broken), do you say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?”[27]

There is a lot to say about this turn in Jesus’ argument.  I hope to get to it in time.  For the moment I want to highlight Jesus’ heart.  In the heat of debate he did not ask the religious leaders to believe that He was a new species of human being, born of the flesh of Adam through his mother Mary and born of the Spirit of his Father.  He simply referred to those instances in the book of Exodus where human judges, those entrusted to judge according to God’s law, were called elohim, gods.[28]  If God called Israel’s judges gods, He reasoned, is it right to “say about the one whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?”

If I do not perform the deeds (ἔργα) of my Father, Jesus continued, do not believe (πιστεύετε) me.[29]  And here again He revealed his heart.  But if I do them, even if you do not believe (πιστεύητε, another form of πιστεύω) me, believe (πιστεύετε) the deeds (ἔργοις, another form of ἔργον)…[30]  Though he had hardened them so that by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles,[31] though we live by faith, not by sight,[32] though it is a true and trustworthy statement that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved,[33] face-to-face with his beloved adversaries Jesus encouraged them to trust their sight, the deeds they saw Him accomplish, so that you may come to know (γνῶτε; another form of γινώσκω) and understand (γινώσκητε, another form of γινώσκω) that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.[34]

This was essentially what Jesus said to the messengers from John the Baptist when they asked, “‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’”  At that very time Jesus cured many people of diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and granted sight to many who were blind.  So he answered them, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them.  Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”[35]

The religious leaders tried unsuccessfully to seize Him again.  Jesus, however, continued performing the deeds (ἔργα) of [his] Father (John 11:1-4 NET).

Now a certain man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived.  (Now it was Mary who anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and wiped his feet dry with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)[36]  So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, look, the one you love is sick.”  When Jesus heard this, he said, “This sickness will not lead to death, but to God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

“Lazarus, come out!” Jesus said to the corpse that had laid four days in its tomb.  The one who had died came out, his feet and hands tied up with strips of cloth, and a cloth wrapped around his face.  Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”[37]  “We have a law, the religious leaders said, and according to our law [Jesus] ought to die, because he claimed to be the Son of God!”[38]

Now Jesus performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, John concluded, which are not recorded in this book.  But these are recorded so that you may believe (πιστεύητε; another form of πιστεύω) that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing (πιστεύοντες; another form of πιστεύω) you may have life in his name.[39]  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, John wrote (or Jesus said) but that the world should be saved through him.[40]

[1] John 10:23 (NET)

[2] John 10:24, 25a (NET)

[3] πιστεύετε was derived from πείθω.

[6] John 10:25b (NET)

[7] John 3:19 (NET)

[8] John 10:26 (NET)

[10] Romans 11:7b, 8 (NET)

[12] John 10:27a (NET)

[13] Matthew 13:11 (NET)

[14] Matthew 13:13 (NET)

[15] Romans 11:11 (NET)

[17] John 10:27b (NET)

[19] Romans 8:28b-30 (NET)

[20] John 10:28-30 (NET)

[21] John 10:31 (NET)

[22] John 10:32 (NET)

[23] John 10:33 (NET)

[24] Matthew 16:17 (NET)

[25] Matthew 16:16 (NET)

[26] John 1:49 (NET)

[27] John 10:34-36 (NET)

[29] John 10:37 (NET)

[30] John 10:38a (NET)

[31] Romans 11:11 (NET)

[32] 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NET)

[33] Romans 10:9 (NET)

[34] John 10:38b (NET)

[35] Luke 7:20-23 (NET)

[36] See: Luke 7:36-50 (NET)

[37] John 11:43b, 44 (NET)

[38] John 19:7 (NET)

[39] John 20:30, 31 (NET)

[40] John 3:17 (NET)

Romans, Part 40

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So I ask, Paul continued, God has not rejected his people, has he?  Absolutely not!  For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.  God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew (προέγνω, a form of προγινώσκω)![1]  The word προέγνω leads me directly back to Romans 8:28-30 (NET):

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew (προέγνω, a form of προγινώσκω) he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Do you not know (οἴδατε, a form of εἴδω; literally see) what the scripture says about Elijah, Paul continued, how he pleads (ἐντυγχάνει, a form of ἐντυγχάνω) with God against Israel?  “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left and they are seeking my life!”[4]  To plead against is certainly a valid translation.  But to fully appreciate Paul’s sarcasm I think I must revisit the other two times he used ἐντυγχάνει in Romans, as well as the story when the Lord determined that Elisha would replace Elijah as prophet.

The Spirit helps us in our weakness, Paul wrote, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes (ἐντυγχάνει, a form of ἐντυγχάνω) on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.[5]  And, Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is the one who will condemn?  Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding (ἐντυγχάνει, a form of ἐντυγχάνω) for us.[6]  So I begin to see the contrast that Elijah sounded more like an accuser than an intercessor, Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars; I alone am left and they are seeking my life!

The Lord strengthened and helped Elijah flee from Jezebel for forty days.  But after he had spent the night in a cave at Horeb, the Lord spoke to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?”[7]  I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord, the sovereign God, Elijah answered, even though the Israelites have abandoned the agreement they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword.  I alone am left and now they want to take my life.[8]

After a demonstration where Elijah saw that the Lord was not in a mighty wind, an earthquake, or a fire, but a soft whisper,[9] He gave him another chance to answer the same question, Why are you here, Elijah?[10]  But Elijah gave exactly the same answer.  So Elijah’s prophetic ministry was close to its end, at least for the time being.  Go back the way you came and then head for the Desert of Damascus, the Lord told him. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria.  You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet.[11]

He doesn’t seem to be angry with Elijah.  The Lord simply recognized that Elijah had reached the end of that measure of faith He had distributed to him: For by the grace given to me, Paul wrote the Romans, I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith.[12]

Elijah thought he had performed the ultimate empirical test before all Israel, proving once and for all, The Lord is the true God![13]  He didn’t understand that, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,[14] the soft whisper rather than the cacophony of wind, earthquake or fire.  But the Lord said to him, I still have left in Israel seven thousand followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him.[15]

But what was the divine response to [Elijah]? Paul continued in Romans, “I have kept for myself seven thousand people who have not bent the knee to Baal.”  So in the same way at the present time there is a remnant chosen (ἐκλογὴν, a form of ἐκλογή) by grace.  And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.[17]  Earlier Paul wrote, when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our ancestor Isaac – even before they were born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose in election [ἐκλογὴν, a form of ἐκλογή] would stand, not by works but by his calling [καλοῦντος, a form of καλέω] – it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger,” just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[19]

The word translated calling above, καλοῦντος in Greek, is a form of καλέω, as is ἐκάλεσεν translated called in, And those he predestined, he also called (ἐκάλεσεν, another form of καλέω); and those he called (ἐκάλεσεν, another form of καλέω), he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.[20]  And Paul described God as the One who makes the dead alive and summons (καλοῦντος, a form of καλέω) the things that do not yet exist as though they already do.[21]

What then? Paul continued.  Israel failed to obtain what it was diligently seeking, but the elect (ἐκλογὴ; i.e., ἐκλογὴν χάριτος, those chosen by grace) obtained it.  The rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day.”  And David says, “Let their table become a snare and trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see, and make their backs bend continually.”[22]

But why?  Why would God do this to his chosen people?  For this is what the Lord has commanded us, Paul and Barnabas said in Pisidian Antioch, “I have appointed you to be a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”[23]  And to the Romans Paul wrote, I ask then, they did not stumble into an irrevocable fall, did they?  Absolutely not!  But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous.[24]

Even in Acts Luke made it plain, When the Gentiles [in Pisidian Antioch] heard this, they began to rejoice and praise the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed (τεταγμένοι, a form of τάσσω) for eternal life believed.[26]  This knowledge that God calls people to salvation “in a certain order” should fill one with hope.  Now if [Israel’s] transgression means riches for the world, Paul continued, and their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full restoration (πλήρωμα) bring?[28]

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, Jesus said, because the patch (πλήρωμα, or filling) will pull away from the garment and the tear will be worse.  And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the skins burst and the wine is spilled out and the skins are destroyed.  Instead they put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.[29]  This was Jesus’ answer to a question asked by John the Baptist’s disciples, why Jesus’ disciples did not adhere to their religious norms, and those of the Pharisees.

[1] Romans 11:1, 2a (NET)

[4] Romans 11:2b, 3 (NET)

[5] Romans 8:26, 27 (NET)

[6] Romans 8:33, 34 (NET) Table

[7] 1 Kings 19:9 (NET)

[8] 1 Kings 19:10 (NET)

[9] 1 Kings 19:12 (NET)

[10] 1 Kings 19:13 (NET)

[11] 1 Kings 19:15, 16 (NET)

[12] Romans 12:3 (NET)

[13] 1 Kings 18:39 (NET)

[14] Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

[15] 1 Kings 19:18 (NET)

[17] Romans 11:4-6 (NET)

[19] Romans 9:10-13 (NET)

[20] Romans 8:30 (NET)

[21] Romans 4:17b (NET)

[22] Romans 11:7-10 (NET)

[23] Acts 13:47 (NET)

[24] Romans 11:11 (NET)

[26] Acts 13:48 (NET)

[28] Romans 11:12 (NET)

[29] Matthew 9:16, 17 (NET)

The Will of God – Jesus, Part 1

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For whoever does (ποιήσῃ, a form of ποιέω) the will (θέλημα) of God is my brother and sister and mother,1 Jesus said.  I searched to see what else Jesus said about the θέλημα of God.  So pray this way: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored, may your kingdom come, may your will (θέλημα) be done (γενηθήτω, a form of γίνομαι) on earth2 as it is in heaven [Table].3  Jesus associated his Father’s will being done or becoming on earth as it is in heaven with his name being honored and the coming of his kingdom.  And this was in contrast to the prayer of the Gentiles (Matthew 6:7, 8 NET).

When you pray, do not babble repetitiously4 like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does (ποιῶν, another form of ποιέω) the will (θέλημα) of my Father in heaven,”5 Jesus said.  “On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy6 in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do (ἐποιήσαμεν, another form of ποιέω) many powerful deeds (δυνάμεις, a form of δύναμις)?’ [Table]  Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew (ἔγνων, a form of γινώσκω) you.  Go away from me, you lawbreakers (KJV, that work [ἐργαζόμενοι, a form of ἐργάζομαι] iniquity [ἀνομίαν, a form of ἀνομία])!’”7

That statement has always shocked me.  The only sense I have ever made of these miracle working lawbreakers who are unknown to Jesus is by contrast to those who love (ἀγαπῶσιν, a form of ἀγαπάω) God, who are called (κλητοῖς, a form of κλητός) according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew (προέγνω, a form of προγινώσκω) he also predestined (προώρισεν, a form of προορίζω) to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those he predestined (προώρισεν, a form of προορίζω), he also called (ἐκάλεσεν, a form of καλέω); and those he called (ἐκάλεσεν, a form of καλέω), he also justified (ἐδικαίωσεν, a form of δικαιόω); and those he justified (ἐδικαίωσεν, a form of δικαιόω), he also glorified (ἐδόξασεν, a form of δοξάζω).8

After I wrote that it felt a bit lazy on my part.  The least I could do is a Google search, I thought.  I typed in “spiritist Jesus” and got 1,090,000 entries in 0.30 seconds.  Obviously, Jesus is more aware of my world than I am.  I didn’t spend enough time there to verify miracles or ascertain violations of God’s law.  But since there are apparently spiritists claiming allegiance to Jesus I’ll repeat the law.

Do not turn to the spirits of the dead and do not seek familiar spirits to become unclean by them.  I am the Lord your God.9  A man or woman who has in them a spirit of the dead or a familiar spirit must be put to death.10  Now I’m not advocating the death penalty for a spiritist any more than I would for an adulterer like me.  I quote the law simply to get some idea of its weight in God’s mind.  Its penalty is equivalent to adultery.  God never said that it was impossible to gain knowledge from the spirits of the dead or familiar spirits, he simply forbade his people from gaining that knowledge that way.

After Samuel the prophet died King Saul longed for his advice when the Lord would no longer answer him (1 Samuel 28:7-14 NET).

So Saul instructed his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her.”

His servants replied to him, “There is a woman who is a medium in Endor.”

So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing and left, accompanied by two of his men.  They came to the woman at night and said, “Use your ritual pit to conjure up for me the one I tell you.”

But the woman said to him, “Look, you are aware of what Saul has done; he has removed the mediums and magicians from the land!  Why are you trapping me so you can put me to death?”

But Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not incur guilt in this matter!”

The woman replied, “Who is it that I should bring up for you?”

He said, “Bring up for me Samuel.”

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly.  The woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me?  You are Saul!”

The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid!  What have you seen?”

The woman replied to Saul, “I have seen one like a god coming up from the ground!”

He said to her, “What about his appearance?”

She said, “An old man is coming up!  He is wrapped in a robe!”

Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed his face toward the ground and kneeled down.

Thus far the essentially rationalist bias of my mind can console itself with the idea that this was all mumbo jumbo.  After all, who knows what they were smoking in that ritual pit.  But I am also filled by the Holy Spirit who supplies me daily with faith (πίστις).  So when the Scripture continues, Samuel said to Saul, my biased, essentially rationalist, mind is compelled to sit down, shut up and pay attention (1 Samuel 28:15-19 NET).

“Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”

Saul replied, “I am terribly troubled!  The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me.  He does not answer me – not by the prophets nor by dreams.  So I have called on you to tell me what I should do.”

Samuel said, “Why are you asking me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy?  The Lord has done exactly as I prophesied!  The Lord has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor David!  Since you did not obey the Lord (1 Samuel 15) and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this thing to you today.  The Lord will hand you and Israel over to the Philistines!  Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me.  The Lord will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!”

Jesus told a parable about a man with two sons.  He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard11 today.”  The boy answered, ‘I will not.’  But later he had a change of heart (μεταμεληθεὶς, a form of μεταμέλλομαι) and went.  The father went12 to the other13 son and said the same thing.  This boy answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go.  Which of the two did (ἐποίησεν, another form of ποιέω) his father’s will (θέλημα)?14  Those standing there answered, the first, and Jesus did not dispute their answer.

That servant who knew (γνοὺς, another form of γινώσκω) his15 master’s will (θέλημα) but did not get ready or16 do (ποιήσας, another form of ποιέω) what his master asked (θέλημα) will receive a severe beating.  But the one who did not know (γνοὺς, another form of γινώσκω) his master’s will and did (ποιήσας, another form of ποιέω) things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.17

Jesus said to his disciples, “My food is to do18 (ποιήσω, another form of ποιέω) the will (θέλημα) of the one who sent me and to complete (τελειώσω, a form of τελειόω) his work (ἔργον).”19  For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will (θέλημα) but the will (θέλημα) of the one who sent me.20  And to the Jewish leaders He said, I can do (ποιεῖν, another form of ποιέω) nothing on my own initiative.  Just as I hear (ἀκούω), I judge (κρίνω), and my judgment (κρίσις) is just (δικαία, a form of δίκαιος), because I do not seek my own will (θέλημα), but the will (θέλημα) of the one who sent me.21

 

Addendum: December 6, 2020
Samuel described Saul’s offense as not fearing the Lord by the definition I gleaned from Deuteronomy.  He said, thou didst not hearken (Tanakh), you did not obey (NET), שָׁמַ֙עְתָּ֙ (shama`) in Hebrew in the Masoretic text, or you did not hear (NETS), thou didst not hearken (English Elpenor), ἤκουσας (a form of ἀκούω) in Greek in the Septuagint.  Saul didst not execute (Tanakh), and did not carry out (NET), עָשִֹ֥יתָ (asah) in Hebrew, or did not carry out (NET), thou didst not execute (English Elpenor), ἐποίησε(ν) (a form of ποιέω) in Greek.

Saul did not have the fear of the Lord: a heart to hear and do whatsoever the Lord our God shall speak.  Here, too, holy genocide was the whatsoever Saul refused to hear and do.

While I do think that Jesus is the fear of the Lord—the heart to hear and do whatsoever the Lord our God shall speak, He used the words hear and do somewhat differently (John 5:30 NET):

I can do (ποιεῖν, a form of ποιέω) nothing on my own initiative.  Just as I hear (ἀκούω), I judge, and my judgment is just because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the one who sent me.

As I hear, I judge (κρίνω) is Jesus’ unique take on “to hear and do whatsoever the Lord our God shall speak” (John 5:19b-23 NET):

I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do (ποιεῖν, a form of ποιέω) nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing (ποιοῦντα, another form of ποιέω).  For whatever the Father does (ποιῇ, another form of ποιέω), the Son does (ποιεῖ, another form of ποιέω) likewise [Table].  For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does (ποιεῖ, another form of ποιέω), and will show him greater deeds than these, so that you will be amazed.  For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes.  Furthermore, the Father does not judge (κρίνει, a form of κρίνω) anyone, but has assigned all judgment (κρίσιν, a form of κρίσις) to the Son, so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father.  The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

The standing order of the day for those who have been shown mercy (Romans 9:14-24; Matthew 18:21-35) remains (Matthew 7:1, 2 NET):

Do not judge (κρίνετε, another form of κρίνω) so that you will not be judged (κριθῆτε, another form of κρίνω).  For by the standard you judge (κρίνετε) you will be judged (κριθήσεσθε, another form of κρίνω), and the measure you use will be the measure (μετρηθήσεται, another form of μετρέω) you receive [Table].

Tables comparing Leviticus 19:31; 20:27; 1 Samuel 28:7; 28:8; 28:9; 28:10; 28:11; 28:12; 28:13; 28:14; 28:15; 28:16; 28:17; 28:18 and 28:19 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing Leviticus 19:31; 20:27; 1 Samuel (Reigns, Kings) 28:7; 28:8; 28:9; 28:10; 28:11; 28:12; 28:13; 28:14; 28:15; 28:16; 28:17; 28:18 and 28:19 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow. Tables comparing Matthew 6:7; 7:22; 21:28; 21:30, 31; Luke 12:47 and John 4:34 in the NET and KJV follows those.

Leviticus 19:31 (Tanakh)

 Leviticus 19:31 (KJV)

Leviticus 19:31 (NET)
Turn ye not unto the ghosts, nor unto familiar spirits; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am HaShem your G-d. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Do not turn to the spirits of the dead and do not seek familiar spirits to become unclean by them.  I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19:31 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 19:31 (Septuagint Elpenor)
οὐκ ἐπακολουθήσετε ἐγγαστριμύθοις καὶ τοῗς ἐπαοιδοῗς οὐ προσκολληθήσεσθε ἐκμιανθῆναι ἐν αὐτοῗς ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν οὐκ ἐπακολουθήσετε ἐγγαστριμύθοις καὶ τοῖς ἐπαοιδοῖς οὐ προσκολληθήσεσθε, ἐκμιανθῆναι ἐν αὐτοῖς· ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν

Leviticus 19:31 (NETS)

Leviticus 19:31 (English Elpenor)
You shall not follow after ventriloquists, and you shall not attach yourselves to enchanters, to be thoroughly polluted by them; it is I who am the Lord your God. Ye shall not attend to those who have in them divining spirits, nor attach yourselves to enchanters, to pollute yourselves with them: I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 20:27 (Tanakh)

 Leviticus 20:27 (KJV)

Leviticus 20:27 (NET)
A man also or a woman that divineth by a ghost or a familiar spirit, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them. A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. “‘A man or woman who has in them a spirit of the dead or a familiar spirit must be put to death.  They must pelt them with stones; their blood guilt is on themselves.’”

Leviticus 20:27 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 20:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή ὃς ἂν γένηται αὐτῶν ἐγγαστρίμυθος ἢ ἐπαοιδός θανάτῳ θανατούσθωσαν ἀμφότεροι λίθοις λιθοβολήσατε αὐτούς ἔνοχοί εἰσιν Καὶ ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή, ὃς ἂν γένηται αὐτῶν ἐγγαστρίμυθος ἢ ἐπαοιδός, θανάτῳ θανατούσθωσαν ἀμφότεροι· λίθοις λιθοβολήσετε αὐτούς, ἔνοχοί εἰσι

Leviticus 20:27 (NETS)

Leviticus 20:27 (English Elpenor)
And a man or a woman—whoever among them becomes a ventriloquist or an enchanter, let both by death be put to death; with stones you shall stone them; they are liable. And [as for] a man or woman whosoever of them shall have in them a divining spirit, or be an enchanter, let them both die the death: ye shall stone them with stones, they are guilty.

1 Samuel 28:7 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:7 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:7 (NET)
Then said Saul unto his servants: ‘Seek me a woman that divineth by a ghost, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.’  And his servants said to him: ‘Behold, there is a woman that divineth by a ghost at En-dor.’ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her.  And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. So Saul instructed his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her.”  His servants replied to him, “There is a woman who is a medium in Endor.”

1 Samuel 28:7 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τοῗς παισὶν αὐτοῦ ζητήσατέ μοι γυναῗκα ἐγγαστρίμυθον καὶ πορεύσομαι πρὸς αὐτὴν καὶ ζητήσω ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῗδες αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἐγγαστρίμυθος ἐν Αενδωρ καὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ· ζητήσατέ μοι γυναῖκα ἐγγαστρίμυθον, καὶ πορεύσομαι πρὸς αὐτὴν καὶ ζητήσω ἐν αὐτῇ· καὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν· ἰδοὺ γυνὴ ἐγγαστρίμυθος ἐν ᾿Αενδώρ

1 Reigns 28:7 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:7 (English Elpenor)
And Saoul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a ventriloquizing woman, and I will go to her and inquire by her,” and his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a ventriloquizing woman at Aendor.” Then Saul said to his servants, Seek for me a woman who has in her a divining spirit, and I will go to her, and enquire of her: and his servants said to him, Behold, [there is] a woman who has in her a divining spirit at Aendor.

1 Samuel 28:8 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:8 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:8 (NET)
And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said: ‘Divine unto me, I pray thee, by a ghost, and bring me up whomsoever I shall name unto thee.’ And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing and left, accompanied by two of his men.  They came to the woman at night and said, “Use your ritual pit to conjure up for me the one I tell you.”

1 Samuel 28:8 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ συνεκαλύψατο Σαουλ καὶ περιεβάλετο ἱμάτια ἕτερα καὶ πορεύεται αὐτὸς καὶ δύο ἄνδρες μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς τὴν γυναῗκα νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ μάντευσαι δή μοι ἐν τῷ ἐγγαστριμύθῳ καὶ ἀνάγαγέ μοι ὃν ἐὰν εἴπω σοι καὶ συνεκαλύψατο Σαοὺλ καὶ περιεβάλετο ἱμάτια ἕτερα καὶ πορεύεται αὐτὸς καὶ δύο ἄνδρες μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔρχονται πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· μάντευσαι δή μοι ἐν τῷ ἐγγαστριμύθῳ καὶ ἀνάγαγέ μοι ὃν ἐὰν εἴπω σοι

1 Reigns 28:8 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:8 (English Elpenor)
And Saoul disguised himself and put on other clothes and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night, and he said to her, “Do seek divinations for me by a ventriloquist, and bring up for me whomever I say to you.” And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he goes, and two men with him, and they come to the woman by night; and he said to her, Divine to me, I pray thee, by the divining spirit within thee, and bring up to me him whom I shall name to thee.

1 Samuel 28:9 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:9 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:9 (NET)
And the woman said unto him: ‘Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that divine by a ghost or a familiar spirit out of the land; wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?’ And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? But the woman said to him, “Look, you are aware of what Saul has done; he has removed the mediums and magicians from the land!  Why are you trapping me so you can put me to death?”

1 Samuel 28:9 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς αὐτόν ἰδοὺ δὴ σὺ οἶδας ὅσα ἐποίησεν Σαουλ ὡς ἐξωλέθρευσεν τοὺς ἐγγαστριμύθους καὶ τοὺς γνώστας ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἵνα τί σὺ παγιδεύεις τὴν ψυχήν μου θανατῶσαι αὐτήν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἡ γυνή· ἰδοὺ δὴ σὺ οἶδας ὅσα ἐποίησε Σαούλ, ὡς ἐξωλόθρευσε τοὺς ἐγγαστριμύθους καὶ τοὺς γνώστας ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς· καὶ ἱνατί σὺ παγιδεύεις τὴν ψυχήν μου θανατῶσαι αὐτήν

1 Reigns 28:9 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:9 (English Elpenor)
And the woman said to him, “Behold, indeed you know what Saoul did, how he cut off the ventriloquists and those in the know from the land, and why are you laying a snare for my life to put it to death?” And the woman said to him, Behold now, thou knowest what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who had in them divining spirits, and the wizards from the land, and why dost thou spread a snare for my life to destroy it?

1 Samuel 28:10 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:10 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:10 (NET)
And Saul swore to her by HaShem, saying: ‘As HaShem liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.’ And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. But Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not incur guilt in this matter!”

1 Samuel 28:10 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ὤμοσεν αὐτῇ Σαουλ λέγων ζῇ κύριος εἰ ἀπαντήσεταί σοι ἀδικία ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ καὶ ὤμοσεν αὐτῇ Σαοὺλ λέγων· ζῇ Κύριος, εἰ ἀπαντήσεταί σοι ἀδικία ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ

1 Reigns 28:10 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:10 (English Elpenor)
And Saoul swore to her, saying, “The Lord lives, if injustice shall befall you in this matter.” And Saul swore to her, and said, [As] the Lord lives, no injury shall come upon thee on this account.

1 Samuel 28:11 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:11 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:11 (NET)
Then said the woman: ‘Whom shall I bring up unto thee?’  And he said: ‘Bring me up Samuel.’ Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee?  And he said, Bring me up Samuel. The woman replied, “Who is it that I should bring up for you?”  He said, “Bring up for me Samuel.”

1 Samuel 28:11 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνή τίνα ἀναγάγω σοι καὶ εἶπεν τὸν Σαμουηλ ἀνάγαγέ μοι καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνή· τίνα ἀναγάγω σοι; καὶ εἶπε· τὸν Σαμουὴλ ἀνάγαγέ μοι

1 Reigns 28:11 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:11 (English Elpenor)
And the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”  And he said, “Bring up Samouel for me.” And the woman said, Whom shall I bring up to thee? and he said, Bring up to me Samuel.

1 Samuel 28:12 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:12 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:12 (NET)
And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying: ‘Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.’ And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly.  The woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me?  You are Saul!”

1 Samuel 28:12 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶδεν ἡ γυνὴ τὸν Σαμουηλ καὶ ἀνεβόησεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς Σαουλ ἵνα τί παρελογίσω με καὶ σὺ εἶ Σαουλ καὶ εἶδεν ἡ γυνὴ τὸν Σαμουὴλ καὶ ἀνεβόησε φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς Σαούλ· ἱνατί παρελογίσω με; καὶ σὺ εἶ Σαούλ.

1 Reigns 28:12 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:12 (English Elpenor)
And the woman saw Samouel, and she cried out with a loud voice, and the woman said to Saoul, “Why did you deceive me?  And you are Saoul!” And the woman saw Samuel, and cried out with a loud voice: and the woman said to Saul, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

1 Samuel 28:13 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:13 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:13 (NET)
And the king said unto her: ‘Be not afraid; for what seest thou?’  And the woman said unto Saul: ‘I see a godlike being coming up out of the earth.’ And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou?  And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid!  But what have you seen?”  The woman replied to Saul, “I have seen a divine being coming up from the ground!”

1 Samuel 28:13 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ βασιλεύς μὴ φοβοῦ εἰπὸν τίνα ἑόρακας καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Θεοὺς ἑόρακα ἀναβαίνοντας ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ βασιλεύς· μὴ φοβοῦ, εἰπὸν τίνα ἑώρακας. καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἡ γυνή· θεοὺς ἑώρακα ἀναβαίνοντας ἐκ τῆς γῆς

1 Reigns 28:13 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:13 (English Elpenor)
And the king said to her, “Have no fear; tell whom you have seen.”  And she said to him, “I have seen gods coming up out of the ground.” And the king said to her, Fear not; tell me whom thou hast seen.  And the woman said to him, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

1 Samuel 28:14 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:14 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:14 (NET)
And he said unto her: ‘What form is he of?’  And she said: ‘An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a robe.’  And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and prostrated himself. And he said unto her, What form is he of?  And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle.  And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. He said to her, “What about his appearance?”  She said, “An old man is coming up!  He is wrapped in a robe!”  Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed his face toward the ground and kneeled down.

1 Samuel 28:14 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ τί ἔγνως καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἄνδρα ὄρθιον ἀναβαίνοντα ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ οὗτος διπλοΐδα ἀναβεβλημένος καὶ ἔγνω Σαουλ ὅτι Σαμουηλ οὗτος καὶ ἔκυψεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· τί ἔγνως; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἄνδρα ὄρθιον ἀναβαίνοντα ἐκ τῆς γῆς, καὶ οὗτος διπλοΐδα ἀναβεβλημένος. καὶ ἔγνω Σαούλ, ὅτι οὗτος Σαμουήλ, καὶ ἔκυψεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ

1 Reigns 28:14 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:14 (English Elpenor)
And he said to her, “What did you perceive?”  And she said to him, “A man, standing, coming up out of the ground, and he is wrapped in a double-cloak.”  And Saoul knew that this was Samouel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and did obeisance to him. And he said to her, What didst thou perceive? and she said to him, An upright man ascending out of the earth, and he [was] clothed with a mantle.  And Saul knew that this was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the earth, and did obeisance to him.

1 Samuel 28:15 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:15 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:15 (NET)
And Samuel said to Saul: ‘Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?’  And Saul answered: ‘I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and G-d is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams; therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.’ And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up?  And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”  Saul replied, “I am terribly troubled!  The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me.  He does not answer me anymore—not by the prophets nor by dreams.  So I have called on you to tell me what I should do.”

1 Samuel 28:15 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ ἵνα τί παρηνώχλησάς μοι ἀναβῆναί με καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ θλίβομαι σφόδρα καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πολεμοῦσιν ἐν ἐμοί καὶ ὁ θεὸς ἀφέστηκεν ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐπακήκοέν μοι ἔτι καὶ ἐν χειρὶ τῶν προφητῶν καὶ ἐν τοῗς ἐνυπνίοις καὶ νῦν κέκληκά σε γνωρίσαι μοι τί ποιήσω καὶ εἶπε Σαμουήλ· ἱνατί παρηνώχλησάς μοι ἀναβῆναί με; καὶ εἶπε Σαούλ· θλίβομαι σφόδρα, καὶ οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι πολεμοῦσιν ἐν ἐμοί, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς ἀφέστηκεν ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐπακήκοέ μοι ἔτι καὶ ἐν χειρὶ τῶν προφητῶν καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἐνυπνίοις· καὶ νῦν κέκληκά σε γνωρίσαι μοι τί ποιήσω

1 Reigns 28:15 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:15 (English Elpenor)
And Samouel said, “Why did you disturb me that I ascend?”  And Saoul said, “I am greatly distressed, and the allophyles are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and no longer heeds me, either by the hand of prophets or by dreams, and now I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” And Samuel said, Why hast thou troubled me, that I should come up?  And Saul said, I am greatly distressed, and the Philistines war against me, and God has departed from me, and no longer hearkens to me either by the hand of the prophets or by dreams: and now I have called thee to tell me what I shall do.

1 Samuel 28:16 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:16 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:16 (NET)
And Samuel said: `Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing HaShem is departed from thee, and is become thine adversary? Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? Samuel said, “Why are you asking me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy?

1 Samuel 28:16 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ ἵνα τί ἐπερωτᾷς με καὶ κύριος ἀφέστηκεν ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ γέγονεν μετὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου καὶ εἶπε Σαμουήλ· ἱνατί ἐπερωτᾷς με; καὶ Κύριος ἀφέστηκεν ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ γέγονε μετὰ τοῦ πλησίον σου

1 Reigns 28:16 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:16 (English Elpenor)
And Samouel said, “Why do you inquire of me?  And the Lord has turned from you and is with your neighbor, And Samuel said, Why askest thou me, whereas the Lord has departed from thee, and taken part with thy neighbour?

1 Samuel 28:17 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:17 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:17 (NET)
And HaShem hath wrought for Himself; as He spoke by me; and HaShem hath rent the kingdom out of thy hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David. And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: The Lord has done exactly as I prophesied!  The Lord has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor David!

1 Samuel 28:17 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ πεποίηκεν κύριός σοι καθὼς ἐλάλησεν ἐν χειρί μου καὶ διαρρήξει κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν σου ἐκ χειρός σου καὶ δώσει αὐτὴν τῷ πλησίον σου τῷ Δαυιδ καὶ πεποίηκε Κύριός σοι καθὼς ἐλάλησε Κύριος ἐν χειρί μου, καὶ διαρρήξει Κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν σου ἐκ χειρός σου καὶ δώσει αὐτὴν τῷ πλησίον σου τῷ Δαυίδ

1 Reigns 28:17 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:17 (English Elpenor)
and the Lord has done to you just as he spoke by my hand, and the Lord will tear your kingdom out of your hand and give it to your neighbor Dauid. And the Lord has done to thee, as the Lord spoke by me; and the Lord will rend thy kingdom out of thy hand, and will give it to thy neighbour David.

1 Samuel 28:18 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:18 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:18 (NET)
Because thou didst not hearken to the voice of HaShem, and didst not execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath HaShem done this thing unto thee this day. Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. Since you did not obey the Lord and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this thing to you today.

1 Samuel 28:18 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)
διότι οὐκ ἤκουσας φωνῆς κυρίου καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησας θυμὸν ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ ἐν Αμαληκ διὰ τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ἐποίησεν κύριός σοι τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ διότι οὐκ ἤκουσας φωνῆς Κυρίου καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησας θυμὸν ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ ἐν ᾿Αμαλήκ, διὰ τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ἐποίησε Κύριός σοι ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ

1 Reigns 28:18 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:18 (English Elpenor)
Because you did not hear the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore the Lord did this thing to you this day. because thou didst not hearken to the voice of the Lord, and didst not execute his fierce anger upon Amalec, therefore the Lord has done this thing to thee this day.

1 Samuel 28:19 (Tanakh)

 1 Samuel 28:19 (KJV)

1 Samuel 28:19 (NET)
Moreover HaShem will deliver Israel also with thee into the hand of the Philistines; and to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me; HaShem will deliver the host of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.’ Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. The Lord will hand you and Israel over to the Philistines!  Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me.  The Lord will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!”

1 Samuel 28:19 (Septuagint BLB)

1 Kings 28:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ παραδώσει κύριος τὸν Ισραηλ μετὰ σοῦ εἰς χεῗρας ἀλλοφύλων καὶ αὔριον σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου μετὰ σοῦ πεσοῦνται καὶ τὴν παρεμβολὴν Ισραηλ δώσει κύριος εἰς χεῗρας ἀλλοφύλων καὶ παραδώσει Κύριος τὸν ᾿Ισραὴλ μετὰ σοῦ εἰς χεῖρας ἀλλοφύλων, καὶ αὔριον σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου μετὰ σοῦ πεσοῦνται, καὶ τὴν παρεμβολὴν ᾿Ισραὴλ δώσει Κύριος εἰς χεῖρας ἀλλοφύλων

1 Reigns 28:19 (NETS)

1 Kings 28:19 (English Elpenor)
And the Lord will hand over Israel along with you into the hands of allophyles, and tomorrow you and your sons with you shall fall, and the Lord will give the camp of Israel into the hands of allophyles.” And the Lord shall deliver Israel with thee into the hands of the Philistines, and to-morrow thou and thy sons with thee shall fall, and the Lord shall deliver the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.

Matthew 6:7 (NET)

Matthew 6:7 (KJV)
When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles because they think that by their many words they will be heard. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Προσευχόμενοι δὲ μὴ βατταλογήσητε ὥσπερ οἱ ἐθνικοί, δοκοῦσιν γὰρ ὅτι ἐν τῇ πολυλογίᾳ αὐτῶν εἰσακουσθήσονται προσευχομενοι δε μη βαττολογησητε ωσπερ οι εθνικοι δοκουσιν γαρ οτι εν τη πολυλογια αυτων εισακουσθησονται προσευχομενοι δε μη βαττολογησητε ωσπερ οι εθνικοι δοκουσιν γαρ οτι εν τη πολυλογια αυτων εισακουσθησονται

Matthew 7:22 (NET)

Matthew 7:22 (KJV)
On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many powerful deeds in your name?’ Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
πολλοὶ ἐροῦσιν μοι ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ· κύριε κύριε, οὐ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι ἐπροφητεύσαμεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δαιμόνια ἐξεβάλομεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν πολλοι ερουσιν μοι εν εκεινη τη ημερα κυριε κυριε ου τω σω ονοματι προεφητευσαμεν και τω σω ονοματι δαιμονια εξεβαλομεν και τω σω ονοματι δυναμεις πολλας εποιησαμεν πολλοι ερουσιν μοι εν εκεινη τη ημερα κυριε κυριε ου τω σω ονοματι προεφητευσαμεν και τω σω ονοματι δαιμονια εξεβαλομεν και τω σω ονοματι δυναμεις πολλας εποιησαμεν

Matthew 21:28 (NET)

Matthew 21:28 (KJV)
“What do you think?  A man had two sons.  He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ But what think ye?  A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Τί δὲ ὑμῖν δοκεῖ; ἄνθρωπος εἶχεν τέκνα δύο. |καὶ| προσελθὼν τῷ πρώτῳ εἶπεν· τέκνον, ὕπαγε σήμερον ἐργάζου ἐν τῷ ἀμπελῶνι τι δε υμιν δοκει ανθρωπος ειχεν τεκνα δυο και προσελθων τω πρωτω ειπεν τεκνον υπαγε σημερον εργαζου εν τω αμπελωνι μου τι δε υμιν δοκει ανθρωπος ειχεν τεκνα δυο και προσελθων τω πρωτω ειπεν τεκνον υπαγε σημερον εργαζου εν τω αμπελωνι μου

Matthew 21:30, 31 (NET)

Matthew 21:30, 31 (KJV)
The father went to the other son and said the same thing.  This boy answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but did not go. And he came to the second, and said likewise.  And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
προσελθὼν δὲ τῷ |ἑτέρῳ| εἶπεν ὡσαύτως. ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν· |ἐγώ, κύριε, καὶ οὐκ| ἀπῆλθεν και προσελθων τω δευτερω ειπεν ωσαυτως ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν εγω κυριε και ουκ απηλθεν και προσελθων τω δευτερω ειπεν ωσαυτως ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν εγω κυριε και ουκ απηλθεν
Which of the two did his father’s will?”  They said, “The first.”  Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, tax collectors and prostitutes will go ahead of you into the kingdom of God! Whether of them twain did the will of his father?  They say unto him, The first.  Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
τίς ἐκ τῶν δύο ἐποίησεν τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πατρός; λέγουσιν· ὁ |πρῶτος|. λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι οἱ τελῶναι καὶ αἱ πόρναι προάγουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ τις εκ των δυο εποιησεν το θελημα του πατρος λεγουσιν αυτω ο πρωτος λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους αμην λεγω υμιν οτι οι τελωναι και αι πορναι προαγουσιν υμας εις την βασιλειαν του θεου τις εκ των δυο εποιησεν το θελημα του πατρος λεγουσιν αυτω ο πρωτος λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους αμην λεγω υμιν οτι οι τελωναι και αι πορναι προαγουσιν υμας εις την βασιλειαν του θεου

Luke 12:47 (NET)

Luke 12:47 (KJV)
That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating. And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Ἐκεῖνος δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ὁ γνοὺς τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ καὶ μὴ ἑτοιμάσας ἢ ποιήσας πρὸς τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ δαρήσεται πολλάς εκεινος δε ο δουλος ο γνους το θελημα του κυριου εαυτου και μη ετοιμασας μηδε ποιησας προς το θελημα αυτου δαρησεται πολλας εκεινος δε ο δουλος ο γνους το θελημα του κυριου εαυτου και μη ετοιμασας μηδε ποιησας προς το θελημα αυτου δαρησεται πολλας

John 4:34 (NET)

John 4:34 (KJV)
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· ἐμὸν βρῶμα ἐστιν ἵνα ποιήσω τὸ θέλημα τοῦ πέμψαντος με καὶ τελειώσω αὐτοῦ τὸ ἔργον λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους εμον βρωμα εστιν ινα ποιω το θελημα του πεμψαντος με και τελειωσω αυτου το εργον λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους εμον βρωμα εστιν ινα ποιω το θελημα του πεμψαντος με και τελειωσω αυτου το εργον

1 Mark 3:35 (NET); also Matthew 12:50 (NET)

2 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article της preceding earth.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

3 Matthew 6:9, 10 (NET); also Luke 11:2 (KJV) but not (NET) Note in NET: “Most mss (א A C D W Θ Ψ 070 Ë13 33vid Ï it) read at the end of the verse ‘may your will be done on earth as [it is] in heaven,’ making this version parallel to Matt 6:10. The shorter reading is found, however, in weighty mss (Ì75 B L pc), and cannot be easily explained as arising from the longer reading.”

5 Matthew 7:21 (NET) Table

7 Matthew 7:22, 23 (NET)

8 Romans 8:28b-30 (NET)

9 Leviticus 19:31 (NET)

10 Leviticus 20:27a (NET)

11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μου (KJV: my) following vineyard.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

12 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ following went, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And) following it (KJV: came).

14 Matthew 21:28-31a (NET)

16 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἢ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μηδε (KJV: neither).

17 Luke 12:47, 48 (NET)

19 John 4:34 (NET)

20 John 6:38 (NET) Table

21 John 5:30 (NET) Table