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A Sabbath Day's Journey

By: Rev. Paul Landgraf
What is a Sabbath day's journey? First of all, it is a Jewish expression. We measure distances in meters or yards. The Jews had a certain distance that they could walk on Saturday before it would be considered work. So their synagogues that they went to on Saturday could not be very far away. The word appears only in Acts 1:12 and indicates a distance of about three-quarters of a mile.

With that in mind, I think it is important to remember the origins of Christianity. Just because we have an Old Testament, it does not mean that we call it the 'Outdated Testament'. Much of the Old Testament has a literary structure that we are not aware of because of our modern emphasis on chapter and verse divisions. Within many of these blogs, I try to get the reader to see a bigger picture, a larger perspective that often includes the Old Testament and the environment that was present when the New Testament was seeing the Light of the day.

Second, a Sabbath day's journey is intentionally short. These 'journeys' with a text, almost always one of the three readings for that Sunday, are deliberately brief discussions. This blog was never designed to be a comprehensive look at any text. Sometimes a specific word is studied in detail. But, as a whole, a blog entry, by itself, is meant to be quite brief.

Finally, since the term 'Sabbath day's journey' appears in Acts, it is meant to appeal to a wide variety of people. This blog is meant for those who cannot come on Sunday mornings. And it is also for those who do come on Sunday mornings but would also like a further study of the text. It is also for those who live somewhere else in the world (besides Drake and Freedom, Missouri, USA) and would simply like a further study of the text. It was meant to get these different groups of people to start thinking about the biblical texts. Part of the reason for this blog is that I am not able to have a bible class on Sunday mornings with either congregation, and so, to have a blog like this seemed like a good idea. I hope it is helpful for you, in whatever situation you may be.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. And thank you for taking the time to read this!

June 14th, 2025

6/14/2025

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The season of Pentecost continues, with the first Sunday after Pentecost being usually devoted to looking at the doctrine of the Trinity. Hopefully that happens since this year is also the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. Certainly the point is not to understand the Trinity, but to receive this knowledge of the Triune, Three-in-One God as a very wonderful thing, a gift.

The Gospel Reading for this special Sunday is from that special Gospel according to John (8:48-59). The readings for the weeks after that, through the long season of Pentecost, will be from the Gospel according to Luke, and they will follow a progression through a majority of that account. The writings of this website have been going through the four gospel accounts, and we are currently going through the entire text of the Gospel according to Luke, a section at a time, in the order that was laid out by the writer.

There is a section of the Gospel according to Luke below that is in italics. The text is given in an EXTREMELY literal translation, even taking into account the order in which the words appear in the language of the New Testament. Having the order of the words can be helpful to see what words come first; these are often the important ones.

The hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. And the particular words in English have been chosen to show a close connection between the English and the Greek. And with the immense vocabulary of a doctor being the writer of the text, a helpful clue may be given regarding the large and rare words that are sometimes used.

It should also be stated that, with such a translation, the strong recommendation is to look also at another translation, or perhaps a study bible, to help you better understand the text below. Although there are countless ways to translate a text, hopefully this is a helpful one. Now what follows is from Luke 13:1-21:

Now  they-were-present,  some  in  that,  the  time,  messengering  to-him  concerning  the  Galileans,  whose  the  blood  Pilate  mixed  with  the  sacrifices  of-them.  And  having-answered,  he-said  to-them,  “Do-you-think  that  the  Galileans,  these,  sinners,  beyond  all  the  Galileans,  they-became,  because  these-things  they-have-suffered?  No,  I-am-saying  to-you,  but-on-the-contrary,  if  not  you-repent,  all  likewise,  you-will-be-destroyed.  Or  those,  the  ten-eight,  upon  whom  it-fell,  the  tower  in  the  Siloam,  and  it-killed  them;  do-you-think  that  they,  debtors,  they-became  above  all  the  men,  the-ones  dwelling-in  Jerusalem?  No,  I-am-saying  to-you,  but-on-the-contrary,  if  not   you-repent-now,  all  likewise,  you-will-be-destroyed.”

Now  he-was-saying  this,  the  parable:  “A-fig-tree,  he-had,  a-certain-man,  having-been-planted  in  the  vineyard  of-him,  and  he-came  seeking  fruit  in  it,  and  not  he-found.  Now  he-said  toward  the  vinedresser,  ‘Behold,  three  years  from  of-which  I-come  seeking  fruit  in  the  fig-tree,  this,  and  not  I-find;  therefore  cut-down  it;  why  even  the  ground  does-it-use-up?’  Now  the-one  having-answered,  HE-SAYS  to-him,  ‘Lord,  leave  it  also  this,  the  year,  until  which  I-dig  around  it,  and  I-throw  manure.  And-if,  on-the-one-hand,  it-makes  fruit  into  the  future,  on-the-other-hand,  if  not  indeed,  you-will-cut-down  it.’”

Now  he-was  teaching  in  one  of-the  synagogues  in  the  Sabbath.  And  behold,  a-woman,  a-spirit  having  of-weakness,  years  ten-eight,  and  she-was  being-bent-over  and  not  being-able  to-straighten  into  the  completeness.  Now  having-seen  her,  the  Jesus,  he-called-toward,  and  he-said  to-her,  “Woman,  you-have-been-released  of-the  weakness  of-you.”  And  he-placed-upon  her,  the  hands,  and  at-once  she-was-straightened,  and  she-glorified  the  God.

Now  having-answered  the  synagogue-ruler,  being-angry  that  in-the  Sabbath  he-was-therapeutic,  the  Jesus;  he-was-saying  to-the  crowd,  “Six  days  there-are  in  which  it-is-necessary  to-work,  therefore  in  them,  coming,  be-therapeutic,  and  not  in-the  day  of-the  Sabbath.”

Now  he-answered  him,  the  Lord,  and  he-said,  “Hypocrites,  each-one  of-you  in-the  Sabbath,  not  does-he-loosen  the  ox  of-him  or  the  donkey  from  the  manger,  and  having-led-away,  give-drink?  Now  this-one,  a-daughter  of-Abraham  being,  whom  he-bound,  the  Satan,  behold,  ten  and  eight  years,  not  was-it-necessary  to-be-loosened  from  the  bond,  this,  in-the  day  of-the  Sabbath?”  And  these-things  saying  he,  they-were-being-shamed,  all  the-ones  opposing  him,  and  all  the  crowd  were-rejoicing  over  all  the  glorious-things,  the-ones  happening  by  him.

Therefore  he-was-saying,  “To-what  like,  is  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  and  to-what  may-I-compare  it?  Like  it-is  to-a-grain  of-mustard,  which  having-taken,  a-man  threw  into  a-garden,  his,  and  it-grew,  and  it-became  into  a-dendron,  and  the  birds  of-the  heaven  camped  in  the  branches  of-it.”  And  again  he-said,  “To-what  I-may-compare  the  kingdom  of-the  God?  Compare  it-is  to-leaven,  which  having-taken,  a-woman,  she-hid-in  into  of-flour,  satons  three,  until  of-which  it-was-leavened,  all.”

One may have noted the use of the historical present, where a past tense verb is expected, but a present tense appears. This appears in the text in capital letters, to help make it stand out among the rest of the words. The variety of people in this Gospel account who are connected to the historical present is significant.
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You may have also noticed that, instead of using the name of Jesus, the writer responds to the synagogue leader with the title of “Lord.” This also has a variety of appearances within this account, the first use of it being when Jesus had compassion on a woman whose son had just died. With this title it is hard not to think of Jesus’ own death, and the use of that special title of “Lord” is much more frequent after his resurrection. And Jesus is certainly the Lord for a great variety of people.
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June 07th, 2025

6/7/2025

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 It is now the season of Pentecost, with the festival of Pentecost celebrated this Sunday. The Gospel Reading for this very special day is John 14:23-31, and it may be helpful to look at some of the verses before and after that text, to help see the direction that Jesus is headed. Even on the day of Pentecost, with all the work of the Holy Spirit, the focus should still be Jesus. In that Person of the Trinity, there is a great sacrificial love.

Jesus says and does a lot of things that are not found in the other three gospel accounts, but that should not cause us to doubt the veracity of such a text. This gospel account may be connected to the living creature of the eagle, and an eagle has a very different perspective than the animals on the ground. And John happens to be known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. And you might say that this love has a very different perspective as well, and it is very different from the love that is often seen in this world.
The writings of this website have been going through the four gospel accounts, and we are currently going through the entire text of the Gospel according to Luke, a section at a time, in the order that was laid out by the writer. There is a section of the Gospel according to Luke below that is in italics. The text is given in an EXTREMELY literal translation, even taking into account the order in which the words appear in the language of the New Testament. Having the order of the words can be helpful to see what words come first; these are often the important ones.

The hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. And the particular words in English have been chosen to show a close connection between the English and the Greek. And with the immense vocabulary of a doctor being the writer of the text, a helpful clue may be given regarding the large and rare words that are sometimes used.

It should be prominently stated that, with such a translation, the strong recommendation is to look also at another translation, or perhaps a study bible, to help you better understand the text below. There are often countless ways to translate a text, and hopefully this is a helpful one. Now what follows is a continuance of Jesus talking, and it is from Luke 12:35-59:
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“Let-be  of-you  the  loins,  having-been-girded,  and  the  lamps  burning;  and  you,  like  people  waiting-for  the  lord  of-themselves,  when  he-may-return  from  the  wedding-festivities,  in-order-that,  having-come  and  having-knocked,  immediately  they-may-open-up  to-him.  Blessed  the  slaves,  those,  whom  having-come,  the  lord,  he-will-find  being-gregarious;  amen,  I-am-saying  to-you  that  he-will-gird-himself  and  he-will-make-to-recline  them,  and  having-come-along,  he-will-be-a-deacon  to-them.  And-if  in  the  second  and-if  in  the  third  watch  he-comes  and  he-finds  thus,  blessed  are  those.  Now  this  know,  that  if  he-had-known,  the  house-despot,  in-what  hour  the  kleptomaniac  comes,  not  would   he-have-allowed  to-be-dug-through,  the  house  of-him.  And  you,  become  prepared,  because  in-what  hour  not  you-think  the  Son  of-the  Man  is-coming.”

Now  he-said,  the  Peter,  “Lord,  toward  us  the  parable,  this,  you-are-saying,  or  also  toward  all?”

And  he-said,  the  Lord,  “Who  then  is  the  faithful  house-lawyer,  the  wise,  whom  he-will-appoint,  the  lord,  over  the  therapists  of-him,  the  to-give  in  right-time,  the  grain-ration?  Blessed  the  slave,  that,  whom  having-come,  the  lord  of-him,  he-will-find  doing  so.  Truly,  I-am-saying  to-you  that  over  all  the  possessions  of-him  he-will-appoint  him.  Now  if  he-says,  the  slave,  that,  in  the  heart  of-him,  ‘He-is-delaying,  the  lord  of-me,  to-come,  and  he-begins  to-strike  the  male-servants  and  the  female-servants,  to-eat  both  and  to-drink  and  to-become-drunk,  he-will-come,  the  lord  of-the  slave,  that,  in  a-day  in-which  not  he-expects  and  in  an-hour  in-which  not  he-knows,  and  he-will-cut-in-two  him,  and  the  portion  of-him  with  the  unbelievers  he-will-put.  Now  that,  the  slave,  the-one  having-known  the  will  of-the  lord  of-him,  and  not  having-prepared  or  having-done  toward  the  will  of-him,  he-will-be-beaten  many;  now  the-one  not  having-known,  now  having-done  things-worthy  of-stripes,  he-will-be-beaten  few;  now  to-all  to-whom  it-was-given,  much;  much  will-be-demanded  from  him,  and  with-whom  it-was-given-over  much,  more-exceedingly  they-will-ask  him.”

“Fire  I-came  to-throw  upon  the  earth,  and  what  I-want  if  already  it-was-kindled.  Now  a-baptism  I-have  to-be-baptized,  and  how  I-am-pressed-together  until  when  it-is-finished.  Do-you-think  that  peace  I-arrived  to-give  in  the  earth?  No,  I-am-saying  to-you,  but-on-the-contrary,  rather  division.  For  it-will-be  from  the  now,  five  in  one  house,  having-been-divided,  three  against  two  and  two  against  three,  they-will-be-divided,  father  against  son  and  son  against  father,  mother  against  the  daughter,  and  daughter  against  the  mother,  mother-in-law  against  the  daughter-in-law  of-her,  and  daughter-in-law  against  the  mother-in-law.”
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Now  he-was-saying  also  to-the  crowds,  “When  you-see  the  cloud  rising  upon  west,  immediately  you-are-saying  that  a-rainstorm  is-coming,  and  it-happens  so.  And  when  a-south-wind  blowing,  you-are-saying  that  a-scorching-heat  it-will-be,  and  it-happens.  Hypocrites,  the  face  of-the  earth  and  of-the  heaven  you-know  to-discern,  now  the  time,  this,  how  not  you-know  to-discern?  Now  why  even  from  yourselves  not  you-do-judge  the  righteous-thing?  For  as  you-go-away  with  the  adversary  of-you  upon  a-ruler,  in  the  way  you-give  pains  to-be-rid  from  him,  lest  he-drag  you  toward  the  judge,  and  the  judge,  you,  he-will-deliver-over  to-the  officer,  and  the  officer  you,  he-will-throw  into  prison.  I-am-saying  to-you,  certainly  not  you-may-come-out  from-there  until  even  the  eschaton  lepton  you-pay-back.”
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May 31st, 2025

5/31/2025

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The season of Easter continues on for one more Sunday, and it is also the Sunday after the celebration of the Ascension. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday, no matter what year of the three-year series, is from the Gospel according to John, the seventeenth chapter. This is what is called by some as the high-priestly prayer. This year, since we are in the C-series (and looking mainly at the Gospel according to Luke), we are looking at the last part of that high-priestly prayer, John 17:20—26.

In the writings of this website, for this year, we are going through the entire text of the Gospel according to Luke, a section at a time, in the order that was laid out by the writer. In the last writer, what is called ‘chapter eleven’ was just finished. It could be seen that the popularity of Jesus is increasing. It is interesting that in this account, when Jesus is getting arrested (and—spoiler alert—finally killed), this account does not mention the disciples running away. It is as if his popularity continues to grow. And the book of Acts continues that theme.

As was mentioned, there is a section of text below that is in italics. It may be called an EXTREMELY literal translation of the text, even taking into account the order in which the words appear in the language of the New Testament, the Greek. Having the order of the words can be helpful to see what words come first. These, generally speaking are the more important.

Two more things could be mentioned. The hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. And the particular words in English have been chosen to show a close connection between the English and the Greek. And with the vocabulary of a doctor being the writer of the text, a hint is given of the large and rare words that are sometimes used.

With that said (actually written), it is recommended that at least one other translation (or a study bible) be nearby to help understand the text below. And what follows is Luke 12:1-34:

In  which-things,  being-assembled,  the  myriads  of-the  crowd,  so-as  to-walk-upon  one-another,  he-began  to-say  toward  the  disciples,  his,  first:  “Take-heed  to-yourselves  from  the  yeast,  which  is  hypocrisy,  of-the  Pharisees.  Now  nothing  having-been-completely-covered,  there-is  which  not  will-be-apocalypse,  and  crypt  which  not  will-be-known.”

“On-account  being,  what-things  in  the  darkness  you-said,  in  the  light  it-will-be-heard,  and   what  toward  the  ear  you-spoke  in  the  private-rooms,  it-will-be-proclaimed  upon  the  roofs.  Now  I-am-saying  to-you,  the  friends,  my,  not  do-be-afraid  from  the  killing  the  body  and  after  these-things  no  having  anything-more  what  to-do.  Now  I-will-warn  you  whom  you-fear;  fear  the-one  after  the  to-kill,  having  authority  to-throw-in,  into  the  Gehenna.   Yes,  I-am-saying  to-you,  this-one  fear.”

“Yes, not  five  sparrows  are-sold  for-farthings  two?  And  one  of  them  not  is  having-been-forgotten  in-front-of  the  God.  But-on-the-contrary,  even  the  hairs  of-the  head  of-you,  all  they-have-been-numbered.  Not  do-fear;  from-many  sparrows  you-differ.  Now  I-am-saying  to-you,  all  who  ever  confesses  in  me  in-front-of  the  men,  also  the  Son  of-the  Man,  he-will-confess  in  him  in-front-of  the  angels  of-the  God;  now  the-one  denying  me  in-front-of  the  men,  he-will-be-denied  in-front-of  the  angels  of-the  God.  And  all  who  shall-say  a-word  into  the  Son  of-the  Man,  it-will-be-forgiven  him;  now  the-one  into  the  Holy  Spirit  blaspheming  not  it-will-be-forgiven.  Now  when  they-bring-into  you  upon  the  synagogues  and  the  rulers  and  the  authorities,  not  be-anxious  how  or  what  you-may-apologize  or  what  you-may-say;  for  the  Holy  Spirit  will-teach  you  in  same,  the  hour,  what-things  it-is-necessary  to-say.”

Now  he-said  someone  out-of  the  crowd  to-him,  “Teacher,  say  to-the  brother  of-me  to-divide  with  me  the  inheritance.”

Now  the-one  said  to-him,  “Man,  who,  me,  appointed  a-judge  or  a-divider  over  you?”  Now  he-said  toward  them,  “Beware  and  guard  from  all  covetousness,  because  not  in  the  to-abound  to-anyone  the  life  of-him  is  of  the  things-existing  to-him.”

Now  he-said  a-parable  toward  them  saying,  “Of-a-man,  a-certain-one,  rich,  it-bore-well,  the  land.  And  he-dialogued  in  himself,  saying,  ‘What  I-may-do,  because  not  I-have  where  I-may-gather  the  fruits  of-me?’  And  he-said,  ‘This  I-will-do;  I-will-pull-down  of-me  the  barns  and  larger-ones  I-will-build,  and  I-will-gather  there  all  the  wheat  and  the  goods  of-me.  And  I-will-say  to-the  soul  of-me:  “Soul,  you-have  many  goods  laid  into  years,  many;  take-rest,  eat,  drink,  be-glad.’”  Now  he-said  to-him,  the  God,  ‘Fool,  this  the  night,  the  soul  of-you  they-demand  from  you;  now  the-things  you-have-prepared,  to-whom  will-they-be?’  Thus  the  one  treasuring  to-himself  and  not  into  God  being-rich.”
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Now  he-said  toward  the  disciples  of-him(?),  “On-account-of  this  I-am-saying  to-you:  Not  do-be-anxious  for-the  life,  what  you-may-eat,  nor  for-the  body  of-you,  what  you-may-put-on.  For  the  life,  more  it-is  of-the  food,  and  the  body,  of-the  clothing.  Consider  the  ravens,  that  neither  they-sow  nor  they-reap,  to-which  not  it-is  storehouse  nor  barn,  and  the  God  feeds  them;  by-how-much  rater  you,  you-differ  from-the  birds.  Now  who  from  you,  being-anxious  is-able  upon  the  stature  of-him  to-add  a-cubit?  Therefore,  if  not  the-least  you-are-able,  why  concerning  the  other-things  are-you-anxious?  Consider  the  lilies,  how  neither  they-spin  nor  they-weave;  now  I-am-saying  to-you,  not  Solomon  in  all  the  glory  of-him,  he-was-arrayed  as  one  of-these.  Now  if  in  a-field,  the  grass  being  today  and  tomorrow  into  an-oven  being-thrown,  the  God  so  clothes,  by-how-much  rather  you,  few-faiths.  And  you,  not  do-seek  what  you-may-eat  and  what  you-may-drink,  and  not  be-meteorize;  for  these-things  all,  the  ethnics  of-the  world  they-seek-after;  now  you,  the  Father  knows  that  you-have-need  of-them;  nevertheless  seek  the  basilica  of-him,  and  these-things  will-be-added  to-you.  Not  do-fear,  the  micron  flock;  because  he-is-well-pleased,  the  Father  of-you,  to-give  to-you  the  basilica.  Sell  the  possessions  of-you  and  give  alms;  make  for-yourselves  purses  not  becoming-old,  a-treasure  unfailing  in  the  heavens,  where  a-thief  not  comes-near  nor  a-moth  corrupts;  for  where  is  the  treasure  of-you,  there  also  the  heart  of-you  it-will-be.”
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May 24th, 2025

5/24/2025

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The season of Easter still continues on, although there is the matter of the ascension of Jesus to consider as well. That is coming this Thursday, forty days after his resurrection. And the presence of Jesus is a good topic of discussion, especially because some Christians consider Jesus’ ascension to be an important part in determining the extent of his presence in the supper which he instituted before he made his sacrificial death. When Jesus says, “This is my body,” it follows that there is to be nothing in the mind that says he is not able to make that happen. As true God, he can do whatever he wants.

A different aspect that takes Jesus into the present is the presence of what is typically called an “historical present”. That means that, instead of the text saying that a person “did” something, the form of the verb is that the person “does” something. The verbs that are in the historical present in the Gospel according to Luke have a great amount of variety when it comes to the persons attached to those verbs. And that characteristic is important if the connection to this account is made to a specific LIVING creature of the Lord’s throne, the living creature of the ox. A throne typically shows the ramifications or the authority of the one who sits on that throne. And the ox is a powerful but gentle creature and able to work with a variety of others, especially when compared to the living creature of the lion. Jesus, true God, was able to work with a huge variety of people.

It should also be said that the verbs in the historical present in the text below are in capital letters. And the hyphens below are given to help give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. And the particular words in English have been chosen to show a close connection between the English and the Greek.

With all of the above taken into account, and with all the possible choices that a translation could be, the following is called an EXTREMELY literal translation of a particular Greek text. Although the Gospel reading for this Sunday is also a choice, like last Sunday, they are both from the Gospel according to John (16:22-33; 5:1-9). With the writings of this website, we are currently going through the Gospel according to Luke. And we are looking at the work in the order that was laid out by the writer, a section at a time.

Hopefully such a translation will be helpful. It is highly recommended that at least one other translation or a study bible is nearby to help understand the text below. And what follows is Luke 11:29-54.

Now  the  crowds  pressing-upon,  he-began  to-say,  “The  generation,  this  generation,  evil  it-is;  a-sign  it-seeks,  and  a-sign,  no,  will-be-given  to-it,  if  not  the  sign  of-Jonah.  For  even-as  he-became,  Jonah  to-the  Ninevites,  a-sign,  so  he-will-be  also,  the  Son  of-the  Man,  to-the  generation,  this.  Queen  of-south,  she-will-be-raised  in  the  judgment  with  the  men  of-the  generation,  this,  and  she-will-condemn  them,  because  she-came  from  the  extremities  of-the  earth  to-hear  the  wisdom  of-Solomon,  and  behold,  a-greater-thing  than-Solomon,  here.  Men,  Ninevites,  they-will-rise-up  in  the  judgment  with  the  generation,  this,  and  they-will-condemn  it,  because  they-repented  into  the  proclamation  of-Jonah,  and  behold,  a-greater  than-Jonah,  here.”

“No-one  a-lamp,  having-lit  into  a-crypt,  he-puts,  now-not  under  the  basket,  but-on-the-contrary,  upon  the  lampstand,  that  the-ones  coming-into,  the  light  they-may-see.  The  lamp  of-the  body,  it-is  the  eye  of-you.  When  the  eye  of-you,  single,  it-is,  also  whole,  the  body  of-you,  bright  it-is;  now  when  evil  it-is,  also  the  body  of-you,  dark.  Therefore,  scope,  not  the  light,  the  in  you,  darkness  it-is.  Therefore,  if  the  body  of-you  whole,  bright;  not  having  part  any  dark,  it-will-be  bright,  whole,  as  when  the  lamp,  with-the  ray-of-light,  it-enlightens  you.”

Now  in  the  to-speak,  HE-ASKS  him,  a-pharisee,  that  he-would-dine  beside  him;  now  having-come-into,  he-reclined.  Now  the  pharisee,  having-seen,  he-marveled  that  not  first  he-was-baptized  before  the  dinner.  Now  he-said,  the  Lord,  toward  him,  “Right-now  you,  the  pharisees,  the  outside  of-the  cup  and  of-the  dish,  you-catharsis,  now  the  inside  of-you  is-full  of-robbery  and  wickedness.”

“Unwise-ones,  not  the-one  having-made  the  outside  also  the  inside  he-made?  Nevertheless,  the-things  being-within  give  mercies,  and  behold,  all-things  clean  to-you  they-are.  But-on-the-contrary,  woe  to-you,  to-the  pharisees,  because  you-take-a-tenth-from  the  mint,  and  the  rue,  and  every  herb,  and  you-come-along  the  judgment  and  the  agape  of-the  God;  now  these-things  it-is-necessary  to-do  and-those  not  to-send-along.”

“Woe  to-you,  to-the  pharisees,  because  you-agape  the  proto-cathedral  in  the  synagogues  and  the  greetings  in  the  agoras.  Woe  to-you,  because  you-are  as  the  tombs,  the  unseen,  and  the  people,  the  walking-around  over,  not  they-do-know.”

Now  having-answered,  one  of-the  legalists,  HE-SAYS  to-him,  “Teacher,  these-things  saying,  also  us  you-are-insulting.”

Now  the-one  said,  “Also  to-you,  to-the  legalists,  woe;  because  you-burden  the  people  with-burdens  difficult-to-carry,  and  yourselves  with-one  of-the  fingers  of-you,  not  you-do-touch  the  burdens.”

“Woe  to-you,  because  you-build  the  tombs  of-the  prophets,  now  the  fathers  of-you,  they-killed  them.  So  witnesses  you-are,  and  you-entirely-approve  the  works  of-the  fathers  of-you,  because,  on-the-one-hand,  they,  they-killed  them;  on-the-other-hand,  you,  you-build.  On-account-of  this,  also  the  wisdom  of-the  God  said,  ‘I-will-send-out  into  them  prophets  and  apostles,  and  out-of  them,  they-will-kill,  and  they-will-persecute,  that  it-may-be-sought-out,  the  blood  of-all  of-the  prophets,  the  having-been-shed  from-the  foundation  of-world,  from  the  generation,  this;  from  blood  of-Abel  until  blood  of-Zachariah,  of-the  having-perished  between  the  altar  and  the  house;  yes,  I-am-saying  to-you,  it-will-be-sought-out  from  the  generation,  this.’”

“Woe  to-you,  to-the  legalists,  because  you-took  the  key  of-the  knowledge;  yourselves,  not  you-did-come-into,  and  the-ones  coming-into  you-prevented.”

And-from-there,  coming-out,  he,  they-began,  the  grammatists  and  the  pharisees,  terribly  to-be-angry  and  to-draw-out-from-the-mouth  him  concerning  a-great-number-of-things,  lying-in-wait-for  him,  to-trap  something  out-of  the  mouth  of-him.

Perhaps you “caught” that the vocabulary near the end of this section was quite complicated, and it was also terribly negative. Well, Luke was a doctor, and a doctor usually has a rich vocabulary. A doctor also usually sees a variety of bad bodies, and he knows that these bodies are wasting away. This particular doctor also knows the end of the story about Jesus’ body. And his death is truly not the end of the story. There is more to come. There is MUCH more to come.
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The use of the word “Lord” above in the third paragraph also gives us an indication of what is to come. The word started a few chapters ago when there was compassion for a widow whose son had just died. There is sadness in the world. There is sin. There are a lot of words that keep us distracted from the Lord of sin, the Lord of death, the Lord of life. Here is Jesus.
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May 17th, 2025

5/17/2025

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The season of Easter continues on, and that is a good thing. The resurrection of Jesus is an important thing to remember, especially since this world is so focused on the here and the now.

This Sunday is known as the “Fifth Sunday of Easter”. And this Sunday is somewhat unique in that there are two options for the Gospel Reading, that of John 16:12-22 or John 13:31-35. With both readings, Jesus has that broad perspective that is typical in this Gospel account, as he is getting so close to his death and resurrection. With the weekly writings of this website, we are currently looking at the Gospel according to Luke, we are looking at the work in the order that was laid out by the writer, a section at a time, and we are approximately half-way through that account.

The reader of this writing has been warned: What follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of the Greek text. As a result, what was a familiar text may not be that way below. And you almost certainly have learned the Lord’s Prayer from its gift in the Gospel according to Matthew.

It could be said that what is considered to be the Lord’s Prayer below comes without the additional things which are given within the Sermon on the Mount. Our true Father is the One in heaven. That Father’s will is to hallow his name and to let his kingdom come. And we are delivered from evil when our sins are forgiven and we are kept from temptation. There is some good in the world, and we would like that good to remain, as long as we are also in this world.

The order of the words below is the order that they occur in the Greek, and that may not be helpful in understanding the message. It is a good reminder that the verb is usually near the front of the sentence, and it is usually an important part of the sentence. God could have stayed up in heaven. Instead, he chose to come down to earth, and he did some verbs.

It should also be said that the hyphens below are designed to give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one-word in Greek. And the words given in English below have been chosen to help the reader see the many connections that the English language has to the Greek. There are a LOT of different ways that these words could have been translated.

Hopefully such a translation will be helpful. It is highly recommended that at least one other translation or a study bible is nearby to help understand the text below. What follows is Luke 11:1-28.

And  it-happened  in  the,  to-be,  he,  in  a-place,  a-certain-one,  praying;  as  he-paused,  he-said,  a-certain-one  of-the  disciples,  his,  toward  him,  “Lord,  teach  us  to-pray,  even-as  also  John  taught  the  disciples,  his.” 

Now  he-said  to-them,  “When  you-pray,  say,  ‘Father,  let-it-be-hallowed,  the  name  of-you;  let-it-come,  the  kingdom  of-you;  the  bread  of-us,  the  supersubstantial,  give  to-us  the,  according-to  day;  and  release  us  the  sins  of-us,  for  also  ourselves,  we-forgive  all  owing  to-us;  and  not  lead-into  us  into  temptation.”

And  he-said  toward  them,  “Which  out-of  you,  he-will-have  a-friend,  and  he-would-go  toward  him  at-midnight,  and  he-would-say  to-him,  ‘Friend,  lend  me  three  breads,  since  a-friend  of-me,  he-arrived  out-of  a-way  toward  me,  and  not  I-have  what  I-may-set-before  him.’  And-that-one  from-within,  having-answered,  he-would-say,  ‘Not  to-me  troubles,  cause;  already  the  door,  it-has-been-shut,  and  the  children  of-me,  with  me  into  the  bed  they-are;  not  I-am-able,  having-risen-up,  to-give  to-you.’  I-am-saying  to-you,  if  also  not  he-will-give  to-him,  having-risen-up  because-of  the,  to-be,  a-friend  of-him,  yet  on-account-of  the  shamelessness  of-him,  having-risen,  he-will-give  to-him  as-much-as  he-needs.”

“And-I,  to-you  I-am-saying,  ask,  and  it-will-be-given  to-you;  seek,  and  you-will-find;  knock,  and  it-will-be-opened  to-you.  For  every,  the-one  asking,  he-receives,  and  the-one  seeking,  he-finds,  and  to-the-one  knocking,  it-will-be-opened.  Now  what  out-of  you,  the  father,  he-will-ask-for,  the  son,  a-fish,  and  anti  fish,  a-serpent  to-him,  he-will-give-over?  Or  also,  he-will-ask-for  an-egg,  he-will-give-over  to-him  a-scorpion?  Therefore,  if  you,  evil  existing,  you-know  gifts,  good,  to-give  to-the  children  of-you,  how-much  more  the  Father,  the-One  out-of  heaven,  he-will-give  Spirit,  Holy,  to-the-ones  asking  him.”

And  he-was  throwing-out  a-demon,  and  it,  it-was  mute;  now  it-happened,  of-the  demon  having-come-out,  he-was-speaking,  the  mute-man;  and  they-marveled,  the  crowds;  now  certain-ones  out-of  them,  they-said,  “In  Beelzebub,  the  arch  of-the  demons,  he-throws-out  the  demons.”  Now  hetero-ones  tempting,  a-sign  out-of  heaven,  they-were-seeking  from  him.
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Now  he,  knowing  of-them  the  thinking-through,  he-said  to-them,  “Every  kingdom  against  itself  having-been-divided,  it-is-made-desolate,  and  a-house  against  a-house,  it-falls.  Now  if  also  the  Satan,  against  himself,  he-was-divided,  how  it-will-stand,  the  kingdom  of-him?  Because  you-say  in  Beelzebub  to-throw-out,  me,  the  demons.  Now  if  I,  in  Beelzebub,  I-throw-out  the  demons,  the  sons  of-you,  in  what  they-do-throw-out?  On-account-of  this,  they  of-you,  judges,  they-will-be.  Now  if,  in  a-finger  of-God  I,  I-throw-out  the  demons,  then  it-has-arrived  upon  you,  the  kingdom  of-the  God.”

“When  the  strong-man,  having-been-well-armed,  he-guards  the  of-himself  a-palace,  in  peace,  it-is  the  belongings  of-him;  now  when  a-stronger  than-him,  having-come-upon,  he-conquers  him,  the  armor  of-him,  he-takes,  upon  which  he-had-trusted,  and  the  spoils  of-him  he-distributes.  The-one  not  being  with  me,  against  me  he-is;  and  the-one  not  gathering-together  with  me,  he-scatters.”

“When  the  unclean  spirit,  he-comes-out  from  the  person,  he-comes-through,  through  waterless  places  seeking  rest,  and  not  finding,  then  he-says,  ‘I-will-turn-back  into  the  house  of-me  from-where  I-came-out,’  and  having-come,  he-finds,  having-been-swept  and  having-been-arranged-in-order.  Then  he-goes,  and  he-takes  other  spirits  more-evil  than-himself,  seven,  and  having-come-into,  he-dwells  there;  and  it-becomes  the  eschaton  of-the  person,  that-one,  worse  of-the  first.” 
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Now  it-happened  in  the  to-say,  him,  these-things,  having-lifted-up,  a-certain-one  a-voice,  a-woman,  out-of  the  crowd,  she-said  to-him,  “Blessed  the  womb,  the  having-borne  you,  and  breasts,  which  you-nursed.” 
Now  he,  he-said,  “Rather,  blessed  the-ones  hearing  the  word  of-the  God  and  guarding.”
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May 10th, 2025

5/10/2025

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The season of Easter continues. And if you guessed that this Sunday is known as the “Fourth Sunday of Easter”, you would be correct. And perhaps you also knew that this Sunday is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is John 10:22-30. And although this is the Easter season, this text is approximately half-way through that Gospel account.

With the weekly writings of this website, we are currently looking at the Gospel according to Luke, we are looking at the work in the order that was laid out by the writer, and we are approximately half-way through that account as well. It is more of a midway point when it comes to the topic and not to the totals of verses or words. Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration. And now Jesus is headed toward Jerusalem. And that is a significant place, and he is a significant person. With both of those components, this is a significant action.

Last week’s reading ended with the point that, if the Son of God is rejected, then God is rejected as well. That makes for a serious mission, a serious sending.

Before giving the text from the remainder of the tenth chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, if this is the first time you are reading this writing, it should be said that what follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of the Greek text. The order of the words below is the order that they occur in the Greek. And that is not always helpful in getting the meaning of the sentence. But the order may be helpful to see what words are more important, since the important ones tend to be the earlier ones in the sentence. It should also be said that the hyphens below are designed to give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one-word in Greek. And the words in English given below are designed to help the reader see that many English words have at least some connection to the Greek language. It should also be noted with this Gospel account that sometimes this very literal translation gives you an idea of the great vocabulary of the writer, since Luke was a doctor.

In the end, hopefully such a translation will be helpful. It should also be noted that, because of what was stated above, another translation or a study bible nearby may be helpful in your study of the text. So, what follows is Luke 10:17-42:

Now they-returned,  the  seventy  two,  with  joy,  saying,  “Lord,  also  the  demons  submit  to-us  in  the  name  of-you.”

Now  he-said  to-them,  “I-was-beholding  the  Satan,  as  lightning,  out-of  the  heaven,  having-fallen.  Look,  I-have-given  to-you  the  authority  of-the  to-tread  upon  serpents  and  scorpions,  and  upon  all  the  dynamite  of-the  enemy,  and  nothing,  you,  certainly  not,  he-shall-hurt.  Nevertheless,  in  this  do-not  rejoice,  that  the  spirits  to-you  they-submit,  now  rejoice  that  the  names  of-you,  they-have-been-written  in  the  heavens.”

In  same,  the  hour,  he-exulted  in-the  Spirit,  the  Holy,  and  he-said,  “I-confess-out  to-you,  Father,  Lord  of-the  heaven  and  of-the  earth,  that  you-have-hidden  these-things  from  wise  and  intelligent,  and  you  apocalypse  them  to-infants;  yes,  the  Father,  because  such  good-pleasure  it-happened  in-front-of  you.  All-things  to-me  were-given-over  by  the  Father  of-me,  and  no-one  knows  who  is  the  Son,  if  not  the  Father,  and  who  is  the  Father,  if  not  the  Son,  and   to-whom  ever  he-wills,  the  Son,  to-apocalypse.”

And  having-turned  toward  the  disciples,  according-to  their-own,  he-said,  “Blessed  the  eyes,  the-ones  seeing  the-things-which   you-are-seeing.  For  I-am-saying  to-you  that  many  prophets  and  kings,  they-desired  to-see  the-things-which  you,  you-are-seeing,  and  not  they-did-see,  and  to-hear  the-things-which  you-are-hearing,  and   not  they-did-hear.” 

And  look,  a-lawyer,  a-certain-one  stood-up,  tempting-out  him,  saying,  “Teacher,  what  having-done,  life  eternal,  I-may-inherit?”
Now  the-one  said  toward  him,  “In  the  Law,  what  has-been-written?  How  do-you-know-up?”

Now  the-one,  having-answered,  he-said,  “You-will-love  Lord,  the  God  of-you  from  whole  the  heart  of-you,  and  in  whole,  the  soul  of-you,  and  in   whole  the  strength  of-you,  and  in  whole  the  mind  of-you,  and  the  neighbor  of-you  as  yourself.”

Now  he-said  to-him,  “Rightly  you-answered;  this  do,  and  you-will-live.”

Now  the-one,  wanting  to-justify  himself,  he-said  toward  the  Jesus,  “And  who,  he-is  my  neighbor?”

Having-taken-up,  the  Jesus  said,  “a-man,  a-certain-one,  he-was-going-down  from  Jerusalem  into  Jericho,  and  robbers  he-fell-among,  who  both  having-stripped  him  and  blows  having-laid-upon,  they-came-away,  having-left  halfdead.  Now  according-to  coincidence,  a-priest,  a-certain-one,  he-was-going-down  in  the  way,  that,  and  having-seen  him,  he-came-alongside-opposite.  Now  likewise  also  a-Levite,  happening  according-to  the  place,  having-come  and  having-seen,  he-came-alongside-opposite.  Now  a-Samaritan,  a-certain-one,  journeying,  he-came  according-to  him,  and  having-seen,  was-feeling-inward-parts,  and  having-come-toward,  he-bound-up  the  traumas  of-him,  pouring-upon  oil  and  wine;  now  having-caused-to-mount  him  upon  the  own  pack-animal,  he-led  him  into  an-inn,  and  he-cared-for  him.  And  upon  the  morrow,  having-taken-out,  he-gave  two  denarii  to-the  innkeeper,  and  he-said,  ‘Care-for  him,  and  the  what  ever  you-spend-in-addition,  I,  in  the  to-come-back  me,  I-will-repay  you.’  Who  of-these  of-the  three,  a-neighbor,  it-seems  to-you  to-have-become  of-the-one  having-fallen-in,  into  the  robbers?

Now  the-one  said,  “The-one  having-done  the  mercy  with  him.”

Now  he  said  to-him,  the  Jesus,  “Go  and  you,  you-do  likewise.”

Now  in  the  to-go,  they;  he,  he-came-into,  into  a-village,  a-certain-one;  now  a-woman,  a-certain-one,  by-name  Martha,  she-received  him.  And  to-her  was  a-sister,  being-called  Mariam,  who  also  having-sat-beside  toward  the  feet  of-the  Lord,  she-was-hearing  the  word  of-him.  Now  the  Martha  was-drawn-around  concerning  much  serving;  now  having-come-upon,  she-said,  “Lord,  it-does-does-it-not  matter  to-you  that  the  sister  of-me,  alone,  me  she-left-down  to-serve?  Therefore,  tell  her  that  me  she-may-take-up-alongside.”

Now  having-answered,  he-said  to-her,  the  Lord,  “Martha,  Martha,  you-are-anxious  and  you-are-disturbed  about  many-things,  now  of-one-thing  there-is  a-need;  for  Mariam,  the  good  part  she-said-out,  which  not  it-will-be-taken-away-from  her.”
​
There are basically a huge number of ways in which the above words could be translated. But repetition is a good thing. And Jesus repeats himself when he talks to Martha. And the writer of this account repeats himself when he calls Jesus “Lord” and not simply “Jesus”. Now this will be an important title when it comes to the book of Acts. And we also have three other accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, each providing a unique and helpful perspective.
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May 3rd, 2025

5/3/2025

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The season of Easter continues. And this Sunday is known as the “Third Sunday of Easter”. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is John 21:1-14, and there is the option of including verses 15-19, and that is not a bad idea.

With the weekly writings of this website, we are currently looking at the Gospel according to Luke, and we are looking at the work in the order that was laid out by the writer. And we are much closer to the middle of the book. With the last reading, the middle point of what is called the Transfiguration occurred. And it was an appropriate time to include the admonition of listening to what Jesus was saying. He is starting to give his followers an idea of what will happen on what we call a GOOD Friday.

If this is the first time you are reading this writing, it should be said that what follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of a section of the text. The order of the words below is the order that they occurred in the Greek, the language of the New Testament. And the words chosen in English are designed to help the reader see the sometimes-close connection between the two languages. Because of this type of translation, and it may be helpful for the reader to have another translation or a study bible nearby. Another thing that should be noted is that the hyphens below are designed to give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one-word in the Greek. So, what follows is Luke 9:51-10:16 [and it could be noted here that the two lines in between the paragraphs below point out the chapter division within the text]:

Now  it-happened  in  the  to-be-fulfilled,  the  days  of-the  assumption  of-him,  and  he,  the  face,  he-set-firmly,  of-the  to-journey  into  Jerusalem,  and  he-sent-out  angels  before  face,  his.  And  having-journeyed,  they-came-into,  into  a-village  of-Samaritans,  so-as  to-prepare  for-him;  and   not  they-received  him,  because  the  face,  his,  it-was  journeying  into  Jerusalem.  Now  having-seen,  the  disciples,  Jacob  and  John,  they-said,  “Lord,  do-you-want  we-should-tell  fire  to-come-down  from  the  heaven  and  to-destroy  them?”  Now  having-turned,  he-dishonored  them.  And  they-journeyed  into  a-hetero  village.

And  journeying,  they  in  the  way,  he-said,  a-certain-one,  toward  him,  “I-will-follow  you  where  ever  you-go-away.”

And  he-said  to-him,  the  Jesus,  “The  foxes,  holes  they-have,  and  the  birds  of-the  heaven,  encampments;  now  the  Son  of-the  Man,  not  he-has  where  the  head  he-may-lay.”  Now  he-said  toward  a-hetero,  “Follow  me.”
Now  the-one  said,  “Lord,  allow  me  having-come-away,  first,  to-bury  the  father  of-me.”

Now  he-said  to-him,  “Leave  the  dead  to-bury  the  of-themselves,  dead;  now  you,  having-come-away,  herald  the  kingdom  of-the  God.”
Now  he-said  also,  a-hetero,  “I-will-follow  you,  Lord,  now  first  allow  me  to-detach  from-the-ones  into  the  house  of-me.”

Now  he-said  toward  him,  the  Jesus,  “No-one  having-thrown-upon  the  hand  upon  a-plow  and  looking  into  the-things  behind,  well-placed  he-is  for-the  kingdom  of-the  God.”
 
Now  after  these-things  he-appointed,  the  Lord,  others,  seventy  two,  and  he-sent-out  them  each  duo,  duo,  before  face  of-him,  into  every  city  and  place  where  he-was-about  he,  to-come.  Now  he-was-saying  toward  them,  “The,  on-the-one-hand,  harvest,  great;  on-the-other-hand,  the  workers,  few;  therefore  beg  of-the  Lord  of-the  harvest  that  workers  he-would-throw-out  into  the  harvest,  his.  Go-away;  behold,  I-am-sending-out  you  as  lambs  in  midst  of-wolves.  Not  do-pick-up  a-moneybag,  nor  a-wallet,  nor  sandals;  and  no-one  along  the  way  greet.  Now  into  what  ever  you-come-into  a-house,  first  say,  ‘Peace  to-the  house,  this.’  And  if  there  is  a-son  of-peace,  it-will-rest-upon  upon  it,  the  peace  of-you.  Now  if  not  indeed,  upon  you  it-will-return.  Now  in  same,  the  house,  remain,  eating  and  drinking  the-things  with  them;  for  worthy  the  worker  of-the  pay,  his.  Not  do-change  from  house  into  house.  And  into  what  ever  city  you-come-into,  and  they-receive  you,  eat  the-things  being-set-before  you,  and  be-therapeutic  the,  in  it,  no-strength-ones,  and  say  to-them,  ‘It-has-come-near  upon  you,  the  kingdom  of-the  God.’  Now  into  what  ever  city  you-come-into,  and  not  they-do-receive  you,  having-come-out  into  the  streets  of-it  say,  ‘Even  the  dust,  the  having-gotten-stuck  to-us,  of  the  city  of-you,  into  the  feet,  we-shake-off  to-you;  nevertheless  this  know,  that  it-has-come-near,  the  kingdom  of-the  God.’  I-am-saying  to-you  that  for-Sodom  in  the  day,  that,  more-bearable  it-will-be  than  the  city,  that.”
​
“Woe  to-you,  Chorazin,  woe  to-you,  Bethsaida;  because  if  in  Tyre  and  Sidon  they-happened,  the  dynamites,  the  things-having-happened  in  you,  long-ago  ever,  in  sackcloth  and  ashes  sitting,  they-would-have-repented.  Nevertheless,  for-Tyre  and  Sidon  more-bearable  it-will-be  in  the  judgment  than  for-you.  And  you,  Capernaum,  not  until  heaven  you-were-lifted?  Until  the  hades  you-will-go-down.  The-one  hearing  you,  me  he-hears,  and  the-one  rejecting  you,  me  he-rejects;  now  the-one  me,  rejecting,  he-rejects  the-one  having-sent-out  me.”
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April 26th, 2025

4/26/2025

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The season of Easter continues on. And it should be said at the start that this Sunday is not known by the title of the “First Sunday after Easter”, but it is the “Second Sunday of Easter”. The reality of Jesus coming back to life continues to make a difference. Jesus’ resurrection makes a significant difference because it comes as a result of his sacrificial death for all sins on Good Friday. It was a GOOD Friday, but this makes the entire season of Easter a VERY good one.

The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is the same one whatever year it is within the three-year series. It is also the same with the one-year series. The Gospel Reading is John 20:19-31. And it is good to have the perspective of another account.

Currently, within the weekly writings of this website, we are going through the Gospel according to Luke, much like this year in the three-year series. And we are taking a section at a time, in the order in which the writer laid out the text. Currently we are in what is typically called the ninth chapter.

You could say that this is a significant “highpoint”. In the first part of the text below, Jesus is on what is usually called the Mount of Transfiguration. And at this “highpoint” there is significant reference to what could be called “the End”. There will be a mention of an “exodus”. That, hopefully, is a familiar word. After one gets to the middle, thinking about the end is a lot more easily done.

If this is the first time you are reading the writings of this website, it should be said that what follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of the text of the New Testament. And any type of translation could be written in any number of ways. In this translation, the order of the words in English is the order that the words are in Greek. It would be a generality to say that the important words in Greek are the earlier ones in the sentence.  It should also be said that the English words chosen are designed to help make a connection to the original language of the text. Both of these factors may end up making the translation below a bit confusing, and, therefore, it probably will be helpful to look at another translation or a study bible. It should also be said that the hyphens below are designed to give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek. Ultimately, what follows is hopefully helpful, and what follows is Luke 9:28-50:

Now  it-happened  after  the  words,  these,  about  days,  eight,  and  having-taken-along  Peter  and  John  and  Jacob,  he-went-up  into  the  mountain  to-pray-toward.  And  it-happened  in  the  to-pray-toward  him,  the  appearance  of-the  face,  his,  hetero,  and  the  clothing,  his,  white,  sending-out-flashes.  And  behold,  men,  duo,  they-were-speaking-with  him,  who  they-were  Moses  and  Elias,  who  having-appeared  in  glory,  they-were-speaking-of  the  exodus,  his,  which  he-was-about  to-fulfill  in  Jerusalem.

Now  the  Peter  and  the-ones  with  him,  they-were  having-been-burdened  with-sleep;  now  having-been-thoroughly-awakened,  they-saw  the  glory,  his,  and   the  duo  men,  the-ones  standing-with  him.  And  it-happened  in  the  complete-removal,  they,  from  him,  he-said,  the  Peter,  toward  the  Jesus,  “Overseer,  good  it-is  for-us,  here,  to-be,  and  let-us-make  tents,  three;  one  for-you,  and  one  for-Moses,  and  one  for-Elias,”  not  knowing  what  he-says.

Now  these-things  he,  saying,  it-happened,  a-cloud,  and  it-was-overshadowing  them.  Now  they-feared  in  the  to-come-into,  they,  into  the  cloud.  And  a-voice  happened  out-of  the  cloud,  saying,  “This  is  the  Son,  my,  the-one  having-been-chosen;  him,  hear.”  And  in  the  to-happen,  the  voice,  he-was-found,  Jesus,  alone.  And  they,  they-were-silent,  and  to-no-one,  they-reported  in  those,  the  days,  nothing  of-what  they-have-seen.

Now  it-happened  in-the  afterward  day,  having-come-down,  they,  from  the  mountains,  it-met-with  him,  a-crowd,  great.  And  behold,  a-man  from  the  crowd,  he-shouted,  saying,  “Teacher,  I-beg  of-you  to-look-upon,  upon  the  son,  my,  because  only-begotten  to-me  he-is;  and  behold,  a-spirit  takes  him,  and  suddenly  he-cries-out,  and  it-tears  him  with  foam,  and  hardly  it-goes-away  from  him,  shattering  him;  and  I-begged  the  disciples,  your,  that  they-would-throw-out  it,  and  not  they-were-able.”
Now  having-answered,  the  Jesus,  he-said,  “O  generation,  unbelieving  and  having-been-twisted,  until  when  I-will-be  toward  you  and  I-will-endure  you?  Lead-toward  here,  the  son  of-you.”

Now  yet  coming-toward,  he,  it-tore  him,  the  demon,  and  it-threw-violently.  Now  he-rebuked,  the  Jesus,  the  spirit,  the  unclean,  and  he-cured  the  boy,  and  he-gave-back  him  to-the  father,  his.  Now  they-were-pounded-out,  all,  upon  the  majesty  of-the  God.

Now  all,  marveling  upon  all-things  which  he-was-doing,  he-said  toward  the  disciples,  his:  “Place,  you,  into  the  ears  of-you,  the  words,  these:  For  the  Son  of-the  Man  is-about  to-be-given-over  into  hands  of-men.”  Now  the-ones  were-ignorant-of  the  word,  this,  and  it-was  having-been-covered  from  them,  in-order-that  not  they-might-perceive  it,  and  they-were-afraid  to-question  him  about  the  saying,  this.

Now  it-came-into,  a-dialogue  in  them,  the  who  might  be  greater  of-them.  Now  the  Jesus,  knowing  the  dialogue  of-the  heart  of-them,  having-taken-up  a-child,  he-stood  him  beside  himself.  And  he-said  to-them,  “Who  ever  receives  this,  the  child,  upon  the  name,  my;  me  he-receives;  and  who  ever  me,  he-receives,  he-receives  the-one  having-sent-out  me;  for  the-one  lesser  in  all  you  being,  this-one  is  great.”

Now  having-answered,  John  said,  “Overseer,  we-saw  someone  in  the  name  of-you,  throwing-out  demons,  and  we-were-preventing  him,  because  not  he-follows  with  us.”

Now  he-said  toward  him,  the  Jesus,  “Not  do-prevent;  for  the-one  not  he-is  against  you,  for-the-sake-of  you  he-is.”
​
You might want to make a note that there will be another dispute among the disciples as to which one is greater, and this happened VERY near the end, right after Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, in Luke 22:24. And the word there is significantly stronger than what could be called “dialogue” above. The word used later is a “love-of-strife”. The problems can seem to get bigger. And Jesus still has the solution.
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April 19th, 2025

4/19/2025

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This Sunday is very special. This Sunday we celebrate “The Resurrection of Our Lord”, and it is much more commonly known as Easter. And Jesus’ resurrection after his death is so important that it is also a long season, much like Lent. But where Lent is only forty days long, Easter beats Lent by being ten days longer.

This being the year that the Gospel Readings in the three-year series particularly focus on the Gospel according to Luke, the Gospel Reading for this “Easter Day” is Luke 24:1-12. In the weekly writings of this website, we are currently going through that same Gospel account, a little bit at a time, enough to get us through the entire account this year, in about fifty weeks, but we are going through that account in the order that was laid out by the writer. And obviously we are not anywhere near the last chapter of that Gospel account.

This week’s writing will begin what is commonly known as chapter nine of that account. And it should be made clear that this is an extremely literal translation of this account. It may be difficult to understand what is going on because of the words chosen and their unusual order. To say it in a very general way, it could be said that the verbs are usually quite early within the sentence. And in English that does not always happen (case in point).

Now the importance of verbs fits with history, since it really is HIS STORY. Jesus did not just sit around on a throne. He lived. He died. And now he lives again. And he does all those verbs for a very special reason—to save, to rescue, to do what his name means. Verbs are incredibly important. And here is the first part of chapter nine in the Gospel according to Luke (9:1-27):

(If this is your first encounter with the writings of this website, please note that the hyphens below are designed to give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek, the language of the New Testament. And the translation is designed to help the reader to see the close connections to the Greek language; and this is especially true since we have a doctor for a writer this year. A doctor tends to have a great vocabulary. And a strong recommendation is to look at this text also in another translation; a study bible may also be helpful.)

Now  having-called-together  the  twelve,  he-gave  to-them  power  and  authority  upon  all  the  demons  and  diseases,  to-be-therapeutic;  and  he  sent-out  them  to-proclaim  the  kingdom  of-the  God  and  to-cure  the-ones  without-strength,  and  he-said  toward  them,  “Nothing  take  into  the  way,  neither  staff,  nor  pouch,  nor  bread,  nor  silver,  nor  each  duo  tunics  to-have.  And  into  what  ever  house  you-come-into,  there  remain,  and  from-there,  you-come-out.  And  as-many  as  not  they-receive  you,  coming-out  from  the  city,  that,  the  dust  from  the  feet  of-you,  shake-off,  into  a-witness  upon  them.”  Now  coming-out,  they-were-going-through,  according-to  the  villages,  evangelizing  and  being-therapeutic  all-places.

Now  he-heard  Herod,  the  tetrarch,  the  things-happening,  all,  and  he-was-thoroughly-perplexed  on-account-of  the  to-be-said  by  some  that  John,  he-was-raised  from  dead-ones,  now  by  some  that  Elias  appeared,  now  others,  that  a-prophet,  a-certain-one  of-the  archaic-ones,  he-rose-up.

Now  he-said,  Herod,  “John  I,  I-beheaded;  now  who  is  this,  about  whom  I-hear  such-things?”  And  he-was-seeking  to-see  him.

And  having-returned,  the  apostles,  they-narrated  to-him  as-much-as  they-did.  And  having-taken-aside  them,  he-departed,  according-to  their-own,  into  a-city  being-called  Bethsaida.  Now  the  crowds,  having-come-to-know,  they-followed  him;  and  having-welcomed  them,  he-was-talking  to-them  about  the  kingdom  of-the  God,  and  the-ones  a-need  having  of-therapy,  he-was-curing.

Now  the  day  began  to-decline;  now  having-come-toward,  the  twelve,  they-said  to-him,  “Set-free  the  crowd,  so-that  having-gone  into  the  circular  villages  and  farms,  they-may-lodge,  and  they-may-find  provisions,  because  here  in  a-desert  place  we-are.”

Now  he-said  toward  them,  “Give  to-them,  you,  to-eat.”

Now  the-ones  said,  “Not  they-are  for-us  more  than  breads,  five,  and  fishes,  two,  if  not  having-gone,  we,  we-may-agora  into  all  the  people,  this,  foods.”  For  there-were  about  men,  five-thousand.
Now  he-said  toward  the  disciples,  his,  “Make-to-recline  them,  cliques  about  each  fifty.”  And  they-did  thus,  and  they-made-to-recline  all.

Now  having-taken  the  five  breads  and  the  two  fish,  having-looked-up  into  the  heaven,  he-eulogized  them  and  he-made-a-cataclysm,  and  he-was-giving  to-the  disciples  to-set-before  the  crowd;  and  they-ate,  and  they-were-satisfied,  all,  and  it-was-picked-up,  the  excesses  to-them  of-fragments,  wicker-baskets,  twelve.

And  it-happened  in  the  to-be  he,  praying  according-to  one,  they-were-with  him,  the  disciples,  and  he-questioned  them  saying,  “Whom  me,  they-say,  the  crowds,  to-be?”

Now  the-ones  having-answered,  they-said,  “John  the  Baptist,  now  others,  Elias,  now  others,  that  a-prophet,  a-certain-one  of-the  archaic-ones,  he-rose-up.”

Now  he-said  to-them,  “Now  you,  whom,  me,  you-say  to-be?”

Now  Peter,  having-answered,  he-said,  “The  Christ  of-the  God.”

Now  the-one  having-rebuked  them,  he-commanded  to-no-one  to-tell  this,  having-said,  ‘It-is-necessary,  the  Son  of-the  Man,  many-things  to-suffer,  and  to-be-rejected  by  the  presbyters  and  archpriests  and  grammatists,  and  to-be-killed  and  on-the  third  day,  to-be-raised.” 
​
Now  he-was-saying  toward  all,  “If  anyone  wants  after  me  to-come,  let-him-deny  himself  and  let-him-take-up  the  cross,  his,  according-to  a-day,  and  let-him-follow  me.  For  who  ever  wants  the  life,  his,  to-save,  he-will-lose  it;  now  who  ever  loses  the  life,  his,  for-the-sake  of-me,  this-one,  he-will-save  it.  For  what  is-profited  a-man,  having-gained  the  world,  whole,  now  himself   having-lost  or  having-suffered-loss?  For  who  ever  is-ashamed-of  me  and  the  my  words,  this-one,  the  Son  of-the  Man  will-be-ashamed-of,  when  he-comes  in  the  glory,  his,  and  of-the  Father  and  of-the  holy  angels.  Now  I-am-saying  to-you  truly,  they-are,  some  of-the-ones  here,  standing,  who  no  NO  they-may-taste  of-death  until  when  they-see  the  kingdom  of-the  God.”
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April 12th, 2025

4/12/2025

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This Sunday continues our walk within the Lenten season. And this particular Sunday has a special title, or you could say that it has two special titles. This Sunday is Palm Sunday. It is also known as the Sunday of the Passion.

It is a good thing that these two themes are brought together, especially since Jesus, for most of his lifetime, did not often have recorded his going to Jerusalem. And when he gets to Jerusalem this final time, he does not pick myriads of angels to ride upon. He instead picks a slow, small, and borrowed donkey. And his enemies think that they can bring him down. But he goes down willingly. And you might say that he goes UP willingly. And you also might say that he is very passionate about this.

In the writings of this website, we are going through the Gospel according to Luke in the way that was laid out by the writer. And currently we are in the midst of going through what is typically called chapter eight of the account, much earlier than Palm Sunday. What follows is an extremely literal translation of essentially the latter half of chapter eight.

It should also be noted that the words in capital letters below are to note an historical present, where a past tense verb is expected, but a present tense verb is given. The first time this happened was with Simon, the Pharisee, at Luke 7:40. The people connected to these special verbs are not very special.  But we will be seeing a significant (and therefore special) amount of variety of those who are connected to these special verbs, in much the same way that the Gospel goes out to a variety of people in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. By the way it could be said at this point that there are historical presents within this work as well. And a connection could also be made to the living creature connected to the Gospel according to Luke, that of an ox, a tame animal that can deal with a large variety of other living things.

If this is your first encounter with the writings of this website, please note that the hyphens below are designed to give the reader an idea of how many words in English are from the one word in the Greek, the language of the New Testament. And although some of the translations of the words below are quite awkward, they are designed to show how similar the Greek language is to the English. And in general, the verbs are usually at the beginning of sentences, so when other words appear before the verb, they are given a greater emphasis. A strong recommendation is to look at this text also it at least another translation or perhaps a study bible. There are many different ways to translate the same text. And what follows is Luke 8:26-56:

And  they-sailed-down  into  the  country  of-the  Gerasenes,  which  it-is  opposite  the  Galilee.  Now  having-come-out,  him,  upon  the  land,  he-met-up-with  a-man,  a-certain,  out-of  the  city,  having  demons,  and  for-time,  sufficient,  not  he-put-on  a-garment,  and  in  house,  not  he-was-remaining,  but-on-the-contrary,  in  the  tombs.

Now  having-seen  the  Jesus,  having-cried-out,  he-fell-toward  him,  and  with-a-voice,  great,  he-said,  “What  with-me  and  with-you,  Jesus,  Son  of-the  God  of-the  Highest?  I-beg  you,  not  me  torment.”  For  he-commanded  the  spirit,  the  unclean,  to-come-out  from  the  man,  for  with-many  times  it-had-seized-with  him,  and  he-was-being-bound  with-chains  and  with-fetters  being-guarded,  and  ripping-apart  the  bonds,  he-was-driven  by  the  demon  into  the  deserts.  Now  he-questioned  him,  the  Jesus,  “What  your  name  is?”

Now  the-one  said,  “Legion,”  because  it-entered,  demons,  many,  into  him.  And  they-were-exhorting  him  that,  not  he-would-command  them  into  the  abyss  to-come-away.  Now  it-was  there,  a-herd  of-pigs,  sufficient,  grazing  in  the  hill,  and  they-exhorted  him  that  he-would-allow  them  into  those,  to-come-into,  and  he-allowed  them.

Now  having-come-out,  the  demons,  from  the  man,  they-came-into,  into  the  pigs,  and  it-rushed,  the  herd,  down  the  steep-bank,  into  the  lake,  and  it-choked.

Now  having-seen  the-ones  grazing,  the-thing  having-happened,  they-fled,  and  they-reported-back  into  the  city  and  into  the  fields.  Now  they-came-out  to-see  the-thing  having-happened,  and  they-came  toward  the  Jesus,  and  they-found,  sitting,  the  man  from  whom  the  demons  came-out,  having-been-clothed  and  being-in-his-senses  by  the  feet  of-the  Jesus,  and  they-were-phobic.  Now  they-reported  to-them,  the-ones  having-seen  how  he-was-saved,  the  demonized-one. 

And  it-asked  him,  all  the  multitude  of-the  surrounding-region  of-the  Gerasenes,  to-come-away  from  them,  because  with-phobia,  a-great,  they-were-seized;  now  he,  having-stepped-in  into  a-boat,  he-returned.  Now  he-was-begging  of-him,  the  man  from  whom  it-had-come-out,  the  demons,  to-be  with  him;  now  he-dismissed  him  saying,  “Return  into  the  house  of-you,  and  describe  what-things  to-you,  he-did,  the  God.”  And  he-came-away,  throughout  whole  the  city,  proclaiming  what-things  he-did  to-him,  the  Jesus.
Now  in  the  return,  the  Jesus,  it-welcomed  him,  the  crowd;  for  they-were  all  expecting  him.  And  behold,  he-came,  a-man,  to-whom  name,  Jairus,  and  this-one,  a-ruler  of-the  synagogue  he-existed;  and  having-fallen  at  the  feet  of-the  Jesus,  he-was-exhorting  him  to-come-into,  into  the  house  of-him,  because  daughter,  only-begotten  was  to-him,  as  of-years,  twelve,  and  she,  she-was-dying. 

Now  in  the  going-off,  his,  the  crowds,  they-were-pressing-upon  him.  And  a-woman,  being  in  a-flow  of-blood  from  years,  twelve,  who  on-physicians,  having-spent-up  whole,  the  livelihood,  not  she-had-power  from  no-one  to-be-therapeutic;  coming-toward  from-behind,  she-touched  the  fringe  of-the  garment  of-him,  and  at-once  it-stood,  the  flow  of-the  blood  of-her.  And  he-said,  the  Jesus,  “Who  the-one  having-touched  me?”

Now  denying,  all,  he-said,  the  Peter,  “Overseer,  the  crowds  press-upon  you,  and  they-jostle.”

Now  the  Jesus,  he-said,  “He-touched  me,  someone;  for  I,  I-knew  power,  having-gone-out  from  me.”

Now  having-seen,  the  woman,  that  not  she-was-hidden,  trembling  she-came,  and  having-fallen-toward  him,  for  what  cause  she-touched  him,  she-announced  before  all  the  people,  and  how  she-was-cured  at-once.

Now  the  one  said  to-her,  “Daughter,  the  faith  of-you,  it-has-saved  you;  go  into  peace.” 

Still  he  speaking,  HE-COMES  a-certain-one  from  the  arch-synagogue,  saying,  “She-has-died,  the  daughter  of-you;  no-more  trouble  the  teacher.”

Now  the  Jesus,  having-heard,  he-answered  him,  “Not  do-phobia;  only  believe,  and  she-will-be-saved.”  Now  having-come  into  the  house,  not  he-allowed  to-come-into  anyone  with  him,  if  not  Peter  and  John  and  Jacob,  and  the  father  of-the  child,  and  the  mother.

Now  they-were-weeping,  all,  and  they-were-bewailing  her.  Now  the-one  said,  “Not  do-weep;  for  not  she-did-die,  but-on-the-contrary  she-is-sleeping.”  And  they-were-ridiculing  hem,  knowing  that  she-died.​

Now  he,  having-held  the  hand  of-her,  he-called,  saying,  “The  child,  rise.”  And  it-returned,  the  spirit  of-her,  and  she-rose-up  at-once,  and  he-instructed  her  to-be-given  to-eat.  And  they-stood-out,  the  parents  of-her;  now  the-one  commanded  them,  no-one  to tell,  the-thing  having-happened.

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