Deity of Christ in James 1:1

James 1:1 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

a) James is the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in the same exact way he is the servant of God.  This would be blasphemy and idolatry if Jesus were not God.  Also, no man can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24), so Jesus and God are one.

b) No mention of being half-brother of Jesus.  This relationship of flesh is no longer important, II Cor. 5:16-17.

Notes partially influenced from David W. Cloud, "James (Advanced Bible Study Series)."

Curse on Jechonias Requires Virgin Birth

Matthew 1:11 - And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

(In the lineage of Joseph, husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus Christ).

NOTE: Jeremiah 22:24-30 curses King Jechoniah so that "no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah."  Jesus, the legal son of Joseph, has the legal right to rule as King.  But He could not be of the physical seed of King Jechoniah (or therefore of Joseph) or this curse of God would also apply to Him.  Therefore, the Virgin Birth of Christ is required to make Christ the King.  He gains the legal right of the throne through Joseph, but not the curse.

VM

John chapters 10, 11, 12 Notes

John 10:16 - And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Speaking of the Church as a whole, which is largely Gentile. Important cross refs: John 11:51-52; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:11-22; I Peter 2:10.

John 10:22 - And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

"Feast of the dedication" = Hanukkah / Festival of Lights. Celebrates the rededication of the temple after the revolt of the Maccabees against Greek rule, 165 B.C.

Note / Quote at John 10:27-28 - "Assurance [of salvation] is only for those who are truly saved, as evidenced by their life of obedience. They follow the One Who's voice they hear. John 10:27 is evidence, John 10:28 is the blessing." - David Cloud. Cross ref Romans 8:13-14.

John 11:47 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

Christ's enemies NEVER denied that He actually performed miracles. They admit it in several places, but still do not believe on Him. Likewise with the Apostles, Acts 4:16.

Note at John 12:39-41 - The vision which Isaiah saw of the glory of God (Isaiah 6:1-10) is said by John to be the glory of Jesus! JESUS IS GOD!

VM

The Seven "I AM" Statements of Jesus

In John's Gospel we find three courses of seven: seven miracles, seven "I AM" statements of Jesus and seven discourses. Having just noted the ultimate "I AM" statement (this note), as the ultimate sum of the seven, it would be helpful to mark the seven, perhaps at the title page of John's Gospel or perhaps through the text.

"I am the bread of life" - John 6:35.

"I am the light of the world" - John 8:12.

"I am the door" (literally, "the gate") - John 10:9.

"I am the Good Shepherd" - John 10:11.

"I am the resurrection and the life" - John 11:25-26.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life" - John 14:6.

"I am the vine" - John 15:5.

"I AM" - John 8:58. This is the ultimate sum of the seven "I am" statements above. Only the "I AM" Jehovah God Almighty could claim all these.

VM

Notes in John chapter 8

Regarding the woman taken in adultery, John 8:1-11: The critical Greek text removes this passage and modern Bible versions cast doubt on it. However, it is authentic, as this event is in direct answer to the end of chapter 7. Nicodemus gave a challenge to the Pharisees: "Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?" in John 7:51. In response to this challenge, the plan was hatched to attempt to get Jesus to speak against the Law - so that Nicodemus and others could "hear him, and know what he doeth." Where was the man with whom the woman was caught? It was likely one of the men who brought her to Jesus. This was a conspiracy to entrap Jesus so that even Nicodemus and others would be against Him if they heard Him speak against the Law. See also Scofield's note on this as well.

John 8:8 - And again he stopped down and wrote on the ground.

"One of the most convicting sermons ever preached was not spoken, but scrawled in the dust, unrecorded for us." - VM

John 8:11 - "...Go and sin no more."

Note here and also at John 5:14 - Don't be foold by the Easy Prayerism crowd that "repentance" is not found in John! If they'd take the trouble to read John instead of word-searching it, they would see John 5:14 and John 8:11.

John 8:44 - Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

"Your father the devil"; Satan as spiritual father: Matthew 13:38; Acts 13:10; I John 3:8-12.

"He was a murderer from the beginning" - Satan as murderer, "from the beginning" - Genesis 3:1-7, the temptation to the Fall, the result of which was death. See I Peter 5:8.

"He...abode not in the truth" - clear evidence that Satan was at one time "in the truth" as a holy angel. See II Peter 2:4; Jude 6. Satan's background and fall described: Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28.

When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own - Genesis 3:4-5; II Chronicles 18:20-22; Acts 5:3; II Corinthians 11:3; II Corinthians 11:13-15; II Thessalonians 2:9-11; Revelation 12:9-10; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 22:15.

John 8:56 - Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Notice, "Your father Abraham", not "My father" or "Our father." Should have sounded odd to the Jews speaking to another Jew. Jesus is in the middle of explaining Who He really is.

Cross refs to John 8:56: Genesis 2:18; Galatians 3:7-9; Hebrews 11:13; I Peter 1:10-12. Compare Luke 10:24.

John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

"I AM" - a clear claim to be Jehovah God, the "I AM" of Exodus 3:14. Hence the Jews' desire to stone Him.

Jesus had used "I AM" several times already in the chapter, not as clear in the KJV because of the italicized words. Remove italics from John 8:24, John 8:28. We see (1) The deity of Christ is only denied by those who will "die in their sins," John 8:24; and (2) The death and resurrection of Christ will prove His claims to who He is, John 8:28.

Jesus uses the "I AM" name again with miraculous power, toppling over backwards the men coming to arrest Him: John 18:4-6 (remove the italics again).

VM

Search the Scriptures - Notes in John chapter 5

John 5:4 - For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

This verse is removed from the critical Greek text and cast in doubt or missing from modern translations. However, this verse explains the man's statement in John 5:7, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me." Without verse 4, this man makes no sense. Verse 4 also explains why these people were waiting around the pool in the first place. This verse is no doubt original and is one of many places where John is explaining Jewish things to his Gentile readers. It was obviously removed because of unbelief in the ministry of angels.

John 5:14 - "...Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

Note here and also at John 8:11 - Don't be foold by the Easy Prayerism crowd that "repentance" is not found in John! If they'd take the trouble to read John instead of word-searching it, they would see John 5:14 and John 8:11.

John 5:22 - For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.

Important cross refs: John 5:27; Matthew 11:27; Matthew 28:18; John 3:35; John 17:2; Acts 17:31; II Timothy 4:1.

John 5:23a - "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father...."

Compare Isaiah 42:8, "My glory will I not give to another." JESUS IS GOD!!!

John 5:23b - "...He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father, which hath sent him."

Cross ref: I John 2:23.

John 5:39 - Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

"Search the scriptures" is indicative, not imperative. In other words, Jesus is saying, "You are in the habit of searching the scriptures to find eternal life. And they testify of Me."

"Jesus is the center, soul, heartbeat and blood of the entire Bible. If He were taken out of the Bible, it would be an empty, meaningless book." - Oliver B. Greene, "John, Volume 1", p. 310.

John 5:40 - And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

"The saddest verse in the Bible!" - VM

John 5:44 - How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

Cross ref: Hebrews 11:6.

John 5:45 - Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

Note: "Accuseth" is present tense, not future. Moses already accuses them in Deuteronomy 31:25-27.

"Moses, in whom ye trust." Note here and at John 9:28, Any true disciple of Moses will become one of Jesus Christ!

John 5:46 - For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

To today's typically lost Lutheran / Methodist / Catholic: "Had ye believed Luther / Wesley / Simon Peter, ye would have believed Jesus, for he wrote of Jesus."

"Moses...wrote of me." - Genesis 3:15; Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18; Genesis 49:10; Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Luke 24:44; John 1:45; Acts 26:22; etc.

John 5:47 - But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

So how can someone who denies the first portion of Genesis (Creation through Flood) claim to believe in Christ?

VM

Born of Water? Not Baptism!

Compare John 3:3 and John 3:5 - Without the new birth, a man cannot enter into the kingdom or even see (perceive / understand) it.

John 3:5 - Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

BORN OF WATER IS NOT WATER BAPTISM!
Compare John 7:37-39, the water is the Holy Spirit. "Born of water and [of] the Spirit" - Notice "of" is in italics in the KJV text and there is no article ("the") in the Greek. Literally, "Born of water and Spirit" indicates this is one birth spoken of in this verse in the Greek.

Also, Nicodemus is reproved for not knowing about what Jesus spoke, John 3:10. But how could Nicodemus have known about Christian baptism? Why would Jesus reprove him for not knowing about baptism?

B. H. Carroll Explains "Born of Water" is Not Water Baptism:

• Christ and Nicodemus discussed but two births, the natural birth and the spiritual birth, John 3:6. Whatever verse 5 means, it is one birth. Otherwise our chapter talks of three births-the natural birth, the baptism birth and the Spirit birth, which is contrary to the context.


• There is no article in the Greek before the words - not even before "Spirit." This is therefore one birth. "Born of water" is the same as "Born of Spirit."


• The context shows that the salvation invovled in John 3 is a salvation of grace and not of sacraments.


• The Lord rebukes Nicodemus for not understanding what He meant. Carroll says, "The censure lies in the fact that what is meant by 'born of water and Spirit' is clearly set forth in the Old Testament, which is so silent about baptism."


• "The phase, 'born of water and Spirit,' is but an expansion of the previous phrase, 'born from above.' It interprets and develops the first phrase, bringing out the two elements in regeneration, namely, cleansing and renewing. It is only when we lose sight of the cleansing element in regeneration that we are liable to go astray in interpreting the phrase 'born of water.' The matter is clearly set forth in Ezekiel 36:25, 26 which declares: 'Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness and from all of your idols, will I cleanse you.' This is the cleansing element of regeneration. 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit....' And this is the renewing element."


• See Hebrews 9:13-14. "The Old Testament idea of clean water...typified the blood of Christ, applied in regeneration by the Holy Spirit.... With this Nicodemus ought to have been familiar. 'Born of water and spirit' simply means 'cleansed by the blood of Christ and renewed by the Holy Spirit.'"


• See similar language of washing in Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-27.

The above is paraphrased from "The Four Gospels, Volume 1" by B. H. Carroll, pp. 325-237.

John 3:7 - Marvel not....

Apparently, Nicodemus marvelled at this doctrine.

John 3:13 - And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Notice the omni-presence of Christ; in heaven and earth simultaneously. This phrase stricken from the critical text and the modern versions, which weaken the deity of Christ.

John 3:14 - And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.

Cross reference: Numbers 21:7-9.

"Even so MUST the Son of man be lifted up." - Must means it is absolutely necessary. Lifted up means lifted up on the cross; crucified. Defined in John 12:32-33. See also John 8:28.

John 3:16 - See "Man's Ruin" (or Romans volume 1) by Donald Grey Barnhouse, pp. 25-26 for excellent devotion on this verse.

VM

Joshua Meets Jesus Christ With Sword Drawn

Joshua 5:13-15 - Joshua saw and spoke with "the captain of the LORD's host."

This is Christ before His incarnation ("pre-incarnate"). Notice:

• Christ leads the host of God, Revelation 19:11-14.


• This is the "Angel" of Exodus 23:20-23, who has God's name in Him.


• This Captain did not refuse worship, as Peter refused (Acts 10:25-26) and as angels refused (Revelation 19:10 and Revelation 22:8-9).


• To be in this Captain's presence was to be on holy ground. Compare Moses with God at the burning bush, Exodus 3:5.

This meeting serves two purposes for Joshua. First, it humbles him to remind him that he - the leader of this great people - is but a servant and under the authority of another. Second, it encourages him to remind him that their victory will come, not by the hand of man, but by the hand of God - that God fights their battles for them and only expects obedience.

VM

The Sign of the Resurrection in John chapter 2

John 2:18-21 - Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.

When the Jews ask for a sign of His authority, Jesus always gives them the sign of the resurrection.

The sign of the resurrection.

The resurrection of Christ proves:

• His authority over God's house - John 2:13-22



• His authority to judge living & dead - Acts 17:31



• His deity, eternal Sonship - Romans 1:4



• His death acceptable to the Father - Romans 4:24-25



• His eternal intercession for our security - Hebrews 7:24-25

The above note also at Matthew 12:38-40.

John 2:13 - And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

As Deuteronomy 16:16 said every adult Jewish man must. Jesus always kept the Law perfectly.

John 2:23-25 - Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

As only God can. Jesus is God!

He also knew some were false professors. They departed later, John 6:64-66.

VM

John Chapter 1 Notes

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

"WORD" = Greek "LOGOS: word, expression, concept." Vine's Dictionary says, "the 'Word,' the personal manifestation, not of a part of the Divine nature, but of the whole Deity."

Jesus is the Word / Expression of God, very God in totality. He reveals God to man: Matthew 1:23; John 10:30; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3, etc.

John calls Jesus the Word: John 1:1; John 1:14; I John 1:1; I John 5:7; Revelation 19:13.

John 1:2 - The same was in the beginning with God.

Compare Deuteronomy 32:39 - "There is no god with me." Jehovah's Witness Bible says, "The word was a god." Contradicts Deut. 32:39. Jesus IS God!

The eternal nature of Christ: Micah 5:2; John 17:5; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 13:8; I John 1:1-2; I John 5:20; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13.

John 1:4 - In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

This note at John 14:6, "I am...the LIFE" - John 1:4; John 3:15-16; John 3:36; John 5:21; John 5:26; John 6:33; John 6:51; John 6:57: John 6:68; John 10:10; John 11:25; John 14:6; John 14:19; John 17:3; Acts 3:15; Romans 6:23; Colossians 3:4; Galatians 2:20; II Timothy 1:1; I John 1:1-2; I John 5:11-12.

John 1:11 - He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

THE RESPONSE OF THE JEWS: (1) Rejected His prophets and preachers, Matthew 23:37. (2) Refused His tender love, Matthew 23:37. (3) Resisted the Holy Ghost, Acts 7:51.

John 1:14 - ...(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)...

Compare Isaiah 42:8 - "...my glory will I not give to another." Jesus is not another because Jesus IS God!

John 1:21 - ...Art thou that prophet?

"That prophet" that should come, promised Deuteronomy 18:15-18. This prophet is Christ: John 6:14; John 7:40; Acts 3:22-24; Acts 7:37.

VM

The Night Before the Cross (from Luke chapter 22)

Luke 22:31-32 - And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Notice the change in pronouns, "you" and "thee." "You" is always plural in KJV, "thee" is singular. Satan desired to sift all the 12, which he did, and one fell out as chaff (Judas). Jesus prayed specifically for Peter, "I have prayed for thee."

See also Job 1, Job 2, regarding Satan's designs on children of God and God's sovereignty over it.

Luke 22:33 - And he [Peter] said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

Note: "Likewise said they all," - Mark 14:31.

"Peter loved the Lord and meant every word but knew not his own weakness." - Ironside on Luke, p. 654. Same note at Matthew and Mark.

See I Corinthians 10:12; Proverbs 16:18.

See full account of Peter's pride, Matthew 26:33-35; Mark 14:29-31.

"Let us be careful not to trust in our own strength, but distrusting ourselves to rely wholly on Him, that we may ever be true to the trust committed to us!" - Ironside, Addresses on Luke, p. 658.

Luke 22:44 - And being in an agony he [Jesus] prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Fulfilling Psalm 22:14.

Luke 22:45 - And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Notice, Even when exhausted from grief is no time to let our spiritual guard down.

This note also at Matthew 26:41 - "A man's regenerated spirit may have good intentions, but it must control his body." - Liberty Commentary. See Romans 12:1; Romans 6; Romans 7; Galatians 5:17.

Luke 22:49-50 - When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

Notice, they asked the Lord, but did not wait for an answer!

See Christ's rebuke of Peter (the swordsman) in Matthew 26:52-54.

Notice how quickly we turn from being asleep when we should be alert, to being hyperactive when we should be quiet, passive and forbearing.

Luke 22:51 - And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

"How busy we keep the Lord putting on ears that we in our mistaken zeal have cut off." - Ironside, Luke, p. 649.

Luke 22:54 - Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

Instead of keeping close to the Lord and being plainly identified by all as a follower. Peter's attachment to Jesus would not let him drift completely away, but he followed "afar off." And so the carnal Christian or backslider. Same note at Matthew 26:58.

Luke 22:56 - But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

Unbelievers can spot a Christian. And this question is on their mind, "Art thou one of them, or one of us?"

Luke 22:65 - And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

Speaking against Jesus can only be called "blasphemy" if Jesus is God!

VM

He Only Is My Rock

Psalm 62:2 & Psalm 62:6 - He only is my rock....

Jehovah God is the only "rock", here & Psalm 18:2; Deuteronomy 32:30-31. But Jesus is also the rock, Romans 9:33; I Corinthians 10:1-4; I Peter 2:4-8.

If God is the only rock and Jesus is also the rock, then Jesus is God!

VM

Notes in Luke chapters 6 through 10

Luke 6:36 - Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Compare Ephesians 4:32.

Luke 7:3-5 - The centurion sending the Jewish elders, and their good report of him, is unique to Luke. Not mentioned in the Matthew 8 account. Luke very thorough in his research.

Luke 7:20-22 - When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard....

Miracles are always confirmatory signs of the message and the messenger. Same note at Matthew 11:2-5; Mark 2:10-11; Luke 5:24.

Luke 8:31 - And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.

"The deep" is the abyss, the bottomless pit where the worst of demons are imprisoned. See Revelation 9; Revelation 20:1-3. Probably the same as Tartarus ("hell") in II Peter 2:4. See also Jude 6.

Luke 9:26 - For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

"In his own glory, and in his Father's" - Jesus returns in the glory of God. But compare Isaiah 42:8, "My glory will I not give to another." So either Jesus is God, or God is a liar. And God is no liar!

Compare Luke 9:51 with Luke 9:62, below.

Luke 9:51 - And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:62 - And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Compare "looking back" vs. "stedfastly set His face." The Lord's faithfulness to His task is our example.

Note at Luke 9:54-56 - Our faithfulness to task does not demand our rudeness, harshness or violence against the opposition.

Luke 10:30-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan is unique to Luke.

VM

Luke's New Wine & Other Notes in Chapters 4 & 5

Luke 4:2 - "Being forty days tempted of the devil...."

Jesus was tempted by Satan the entire forty days, not just at the end. See also Mark 1:13.

Luke 4:14 - "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit..."

One way to be filled with the Spirit and operate in His power is to successfully resist temptation.

Luke 4:23 - And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

Luke did not record these miracles of Capernaum, but they are given in Matthew 4 after the temptation in the wilderness. This is a testament to the unity and agreement of the four Gospels.

Luke 4:25-27 - Mention of two Gentiles converted while O.T. Israel remained in unbelief. A hint of Christ's ministry and the reason for their indignation and wrath toward Him, vv. 28-30.

Luke 5:1 - The Lake of Gennesaret is another name for the Sea of Galilee.

Luke 5:8 - When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Same as Isaiah's response to God in Isaiah 6:3, 5. Points to deity of Christ, sinlessness, holiness, etc.

Luke 5:16-17 - And he withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed.... And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

Not coincidence, but connection. Prayer brings power.

Luke 5:24 - "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins..."

"But that ye may know..." Miracles are always confirmatory signs of the message and the messenger. Same note at Matthew 11:2-5; Mark 2:10-11.

Luke 5:32 - I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Of course there is none righteous, Romans 3:10. Jesus' words indicate the resistance and inability of the self-righteous to trusting Christ.

Luke 5:36-39 - See notes at Matthew 9:16-17.

Luke 5:39 - No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

This verse unique to Luke. Old wine being fermented, deadens taste buds and kills desire for fresh juice. The ruler of the marriage feast in Cana desired the new wine Jesus made, proving that the former was not old wine - no alcohol involved at feast, John 2:9-10. In these parables, old wine is the Law and the new wine is the Grace of Jesus Christ. Enslavement to the Law deadens the taste for Grace.

VM

Daily Notes in First Three Chapters of Luke

See my notes here that I posted at Christmas time for most notes in Luke 1.

Luke 1:3 - It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

"having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first" - literally "having followed", that is, Luke investigated and traced down his information for his Gospel account, interviewing eye-witnesses, examining documentation, and so forth, going all the way back to "the very first," with John the Baptist's parents. "It seemed good" for him to write it because the Holy Spirit was inspiring it!

Luke 2:7 - And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

"Christ was content with a stable when He was born so that we could have a mansion when we die." - Anonymous

Luke 2:8 - And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Some claim this proves the birth not in winter, but the shepherds abide in the fields year-round - still do. What else would they do, leave the sheep in the fields and go into town for a hotel room and let the wolves have their way? Besides, the inn was full! There is no way to prove it was winter and no way to rule it out.

Luke 2:11 - For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

An angel is the first to call Jesus "the Lord" after His birth. Undeniable Deity!

Luke 2:14 - Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Who were the angels worshipping? Jesus! Hebrews 1:6.

Luke 3:1 - Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene...

T. Caesar, "Tiberius Claudius Nero" born 11/16/42 B.C. Ruled jointly with Augustus from A.D. 12 to Augustus' death in A.D. 14 and reigned from 8/19/14 to his death, 3/16/37 A.D. So the "fifteenth year" makes it A.D. 27, reckoning from Tiberius' first year as joint ruler, when Jesus began His public ministry around the age of 30 (Luke 3:23).

VM

Important References to Christ in 45th Psalm

Psalm 45:1 - My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

"A good matter" - the coming Kingdom of Christ!

Psalm 45:2 - Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

"Fairer than the children of men" - Matthew 17:2; John 1:14; Colossians 1:15-18; Hebrews 1:3-4.

"Grace is poured into thy lips" - Luke 4:22; John 7:46.

Psalm 45:3 - Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

See Revelation 1:16, 19:15, 19:21.

Psalm 45:4 - And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

See Revelation 19:11-15.

Psalm 45:6-7 - This is quoted in Hebrews 1:8-9 as the Father speaking to Christ; and the Father calls Christ "God," clearly Deity. See also Luke 1:32-33; Jeremiah 23:5-6.

Psalm 45:8 - All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

See Matthew 2:11 (myrrh); John 19:39 (myrrh and aloes); Exodus 30:23-24 (myrrh and cassia for the holy annointing oil); various references throughout Song of Solomon for these on the Groom (figurative of Christ).

Psalm 45:10-11 - speaking of the Bride of Christ, the Church.

VM

Notes in Last Chapter of Matthew

Matthew 28:16-17 - Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

This appointed meeting place is likely where the 500 brethren saw the resurrected Christ at one time, I Corinthians 15:6.

Matthew 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Go ye therefore - Based on the fact that all power is given unto Him, we go. So we go by His power, and the most powerful One is with us as we go. How can we fear to give out the Gospel?

Teach all nations - Literally, make disciples of [people from] all nations.

Baptizing them in the name... - Literally, baptizing them into the name. So it is their initiation into the right to be publicly called a Christian.

Notice also, it is not "the name of the Father and the name of the Son, etc..." But rather, "the name of the Father, and of the Son, etc..." The name is given once and is singular! It is one name for all three persons of the Godhead! A powerful evidence of the Trinity. Quote: "The 'name' is singular, followed by an elliptical clause indicating that the one name is the name of each person in the Trinity." - Liberty N.T. Commentary, p. 93.

Unto the end of the world - "World" = AION, the age. Indicates the Great Commission was not merely for the apostles, but for us all, till the end.

VM

Notes in Matthew Chapters 21 and 23.

Matthew 21:12 - This is the second time Jesus cleansed the temple.  He did so at the beginning of His earthly ministry, John 2:15.

Matthew 21:33-36 - Parable of husbandmen beating and killing the Master's servants.  See Matthew 23:29 and following, applied directly to Pharisees.

Matthew 21:37 - But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.

"Last of all."  The final and complete revelation of God to man is in the incarnate Christ.  See Hebrews 1:1-2.  This note also made at Mark 12:6.

Matthew 23:7-12 - [The Pharisees love] to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

And some preachers love to be called "The Reverend" or insist on "Doctor" or some title.  Only one is named Reverend in scripture, Psalm 111:9.

Matthew 23:23 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

The New Testament does not remove the tithe.  Jesus says we ought to pay the tithe, but there are weightier matters.

Matthew 23:34 - "I send unto you..."  Jesus speaking as God, the One Who sends prophets.  Also verse 37.

VM

Notes on Moses' Calling

Exodus 2:11 - And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

Moses here about 40 years old, already knew his calling as deliverer, Acts 7:22-25; Hebrews 11:24-27.

Exodus 3:13 - And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

Not an objection (yet) but a valid question.  Moses had already been asked, "Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?" and he had no answer then.  (Exodus 2:14).

Note at Exodus 3:14 - "I AM THAT I AM" / "I AM hath sent me unto you."

Jehovah, commonly LORD in small caps in the Bible text, means "I AM" - the self existent, self sustaining, all sufficient, unchanging One.  Jesus Christ applied it to Himself, John 8:58 (so Jews tried to stone Him for claiming deity).  Jesus has these attributes of this name: Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 1:4, 1:8, 1:17, 4:8.

VM

Notes in Matthew Chapter 16

Note at Matthew 16:1-3 - The saying today is, "Red sky at morning, sailor take warning.  Red sky at night, sailor's delight."  Is due to atmospheric pressure.

Matthew 16:4 - See note at Matthew 12:38-40.

Matthew 16:4 - "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign."

A perfect description of the Corinthian church seeking after the sign gifts; and of the Charismatic confusion of today.

Note at Matthew 16:12 - "Leaven" used here of bad doctrine, as in Galatians 5:9.  "Leaven" used in I Corinthians 5 of bad conduct.  Like "Death in the pot," II Kings 4:38 ff.

Matthew 16:15 - He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Same question He asks of you and me today.  And He expects the same answer.

Matthew 16:16-17 - And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Important cross ref: I Corinthians 12:3.

"Flesh and blood hath not revealed..."  We can know Him today just as well as those who walked with, saw, handled, heard Him (I John 1).  The Holy Spirit still bears Him the same witness.

Matthew 16:21 - From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Note, the Kingdom of Heaven was preached from 4:17 till now.  The Gospel of His death, burial and resurrection preached from here on, after the Kingdom was ultimately rejected by Israel.  See note at 4:17.

Matthew 16:28 - Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Don't let the chapter break divide the context.  This fulfilled in Matthew 17 according to Peter in II Peter 1:16-18.

VM