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Why was Jesus going to walk past the disciples as they were rowing on the Sea of Galilee?
Mark records the famous walking-on-water miracle:
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain…
Jon Ericson
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19
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What is the significance of Methuselah's name?
I've heard that Methuselah's name was given to him by Enoch in response to a prophecy concerning the flood. Since he seems to have died in the year of the flood (according to the Masoretic and Samaritan texts), it's not surprising that interpreters…
Jon Ericson
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Leviticus says animal sacrifice will cleanse you from your sins. Hebrews says it's impossible. What does "clean" mean?
Leviticus 16:
2The Lord said...6Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household...9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering...30...Then, before…
adamdport
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The lexicology of Pharaoh's heart
In the narrative of Exodus 4-14 (spanning from the time of Moses's initial assignment until the crossing of the Red Sea), there are three different verbs used to describe the action against and/or the status of Pharaoh's heart, generally all…
Susan
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Could Philippians 4:3 refer to Paul's wife?
Philippians 4:3 reads:
ναὶ ἐρωτῶ καὶ σέ, γνήσιε σύζυγε*, συνλαμβάνου αὐταῖς, αἵτινες ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ συνήθλησάν μοι μετὰ καὶ Κλήμεντος καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν συνεργῶν μου, ὧν τὰ ὀνόματα ἐν βίβλῳ ζωῆς. (NA27)
* or σύνζυγε
Yes, I ask you also, true…
ThaddeusB
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Who is the author of Hebrews quoting in Hebrews 10:38?
Who is the author of Hebrews quoting in Hebrews 10:38?
Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul
shall have no pleasure in him.
The "just shall live by faith" part seems to be a quote of Habakkuk 2:4. However, the…
brilliant
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Is there any reason to think that Mark 7:19 has a later addition?
This is Mark 7:19 from the NIV:
For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
Every time I see a parenthetical note in an ancient text, I feel like it was a…
user2055
19
votes
16 answers
In Matthew 25:8-9 what does the oil in the ten virgins parable represent?
The parable of the ten virgins is found in Matthew 25:1-12. Verses 8-9 (ESV) read:
And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us…
Stanly
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Who incited David to take a census and what's wrong with taking a census anyway?
According to 2 Samuel 24:1 (NRSV) it was the Lord who incited David:
Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, "Go, count the people of Israel and Judah."
But according to 1 Chronicles 21:1…
Bruce Alderman
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What was the lesson Elisha wanted to teach Joash using the arrows?
In 2 Kings 13:14–17 we find that Joash, the king of Israel, took a bow and some arrows as Elisha told him.
And the 17th verse:
Elisha said, “Open the east window,” and he did so. Elisha said, “Shoot!” and he did so. Elisha said, “This arrow…
Ionică Bizău
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Does Song of Songs 8:6 contain a reference to YHWH?
It has been pointed out that Song of Songs is one of only two books1 among the canonical Hebrew scriptures without direct reference to God. However, there is an enigmatic יָה- (-yah) at the end of 8:6 that has been variously translated:
ESV
Set me…
Susan
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Was Jesus angry and if so why in Mark 1:41?
Mark 1:41 NIV:
Jesus was indignant.[a] He reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’
[a] Many manuscripts Jesus was filled with compassion
The Easy-To-Read version has an interesting footnote:
Mark 1:41…
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE
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19
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5 answers
Why is the "give to Caesar what is Caesar's" answer so great?
After being asked whether it was right to pax taxes, Jesus repies:
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Why is that an answer that "amazed" them? To a modern person, it sounds like He was avoiding the question! How would it…
Reinstate Monica - Goodbye SE
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18
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What did Paul mean by "Arsenokoitēs"? Was he condemning homosexual activity as we know it today?
The below two paragraphs often pop up when one discusses/debates about Biblical stance towards homosexuality.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom
of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters,…
Graviton
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What was Ruth's legal status?
I apologize in advance for the length of the question.
The book of Ruth is incredibly romantic and powerful, but I don't understand the legal portion of the drama:
Now Boaz had gone up to the gate and sat down there. And behold, the redeemer, of…
Jon Ericson
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