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December 27th, 2025

12/27/2025

Because of the significant holiday this past Thursday, the title for this Sunday is the First Sunday after Christmas. This year the appointed Gospel Reading for this Sunday is Matthew 2:13-23. This is the only year it is not Luke 2:22-40, when Jesus is presented in the temple. With the current writings of this website, we are going through the Gospel according to John, a small section at a time, not skipping anything, and presenting each section with a particularly unique EXTREMELY literal translation of the text.

If you are familiar with what that means, you may skip this paragraph and the next one. The reasoning behind such a translation is that it reminds the person reading this that this is important information, and some of the information may not be too clear. And it may have been that way with some of the first people to read the so-called “Bible” when it first came out. Having some help may be helpful. (With my Sunday schedule, I am not able to lead a Bible study on Sunday morning, and this website is meant to help take the place of such a thing. Members can, therefore, contact me at other times with questions or thoughts regarding the text.)

Here are the details regarding this EXTREMELY literal translation: The words with hyphens occur when more than one English word is used to describe a single word of the ancient Greek. And possibly the most difficult thing to deal with is that the order of the words below is also the same order that is in the ancient Greek. In general, the verbs appear slightly earlier in the sentence than we have in English. The verbs are in such a special form that they do not need the subject before them in the sentence, as we have in English. And generally speaking, the earlier in the sentence, the more important the word is. But sometimes the last word could be important as well. And although it should be somewhat obvious, it should be mentioned that a word which is repeated is important. And although there are no examples of historical presents with this small section of scripture (the last section had a LOT of them), it should also be mentioned that the verbs in capital letters are designed to show something more than just a “vividness”. These special verbs of this account may be connected to the living creature of the LORD’s throne, the eagle (see Ezekiel 1).

This is the text after Jesus had completed his first “sign”. (And I do not think it a coincidence that the Jews below are talking about wanting to see a sign.) As promised, what follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of John 2:12-25:

After  this  he-went-down  into  Capernaum,  he,  and  the  mother  of-him,  and  the  brothers  of-him,  and  the  disciples  of-him,  and  there  they-remained,  not  many  days.  And  near  was  the  Pascha  of-the  Jews,  and  he-went-up  into  Jerusalem,  the  Jesus.

And  he-found  in  the  temple,  the-ones  selling  oxen  and  sheep  and  doves,  and  the  coin-changers  sitting.  And  having-made a-lash  out-of  ropes,  all  he-threw-out,  out-of  the  temple,  both  the  sheep  and  the  oxen,  and  of-the  money-changers,  he-poured-out  the  coins,  and  the  tables  he-over-turned,  and  to-the-ones,  the  doves  selling,  he-said,  “Take  these-things  from-here;  not  do-make  the  house  of-the  Father  of-me  a-house  of-emporium.”

They-remembered,  the  disciples  of-him,  that  having-been-written  it-is,  “The  zeal  of-the  house  of-you,  it-will-eat-up  me.”

Therefore,  they-answered,  the  Jews,  and  they-said  to-him,  “What  sign  do-you-show  to-us,  that  these-things  you-are-doing?”

He-answered,  Jesus,  and  he-said  to-them,  “Destroy  the  temple,  this,  and  in  tris  days,  I-will-raise  it.”

Therefore,  they-said,  the  Jews,  “In-forty  and  hex  years  it-was-built,  the  temple,  this,  and  you,  in  tris  days,  you-will-raise  it?”  Now  that-one  was-speaking  about  the  temple  of-the  body  of-him.  Therefore,  when  he-was-raised  out-of  dead-ones,  they-remembered,  the  disciples  of-him,  that  this  he-was-saying,  and  they-believed  the  Graph  and  the  word  which  he-said,  the  Jesus.

Now  as  he-was  in  the  Jerusalem,  in  the  Pascha  in  the  Feast,  many  believed  into  the  name  of-him,  beholding  of-him  the  signs  which  he-was-doing.  Now  he,  Jesus,  not  did-he-believe  himself  to-them,  because  the  him,  to-know  everyone,  and  that  no  need  he-had  in-order-that  anyone  should-witness  concerning  the  man;  for  he,  he-knew  what  was  in  the  man.

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December 20th, 2025

12/20/2025

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The season of Advent continues on for one more Sunday. And so this Sunday’s title is the Fourth Sunday in Advent. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is a great text, Matthew 1:18-25. It is a great text because many biblical books at their start often give a hint as to what to expect structurally, and it seems like this happens in this text. At the middle and the end of this text is the name Jesus, and that gives a structure as to what is important as the sermons and the actions of Jesus are laid out within this book. In the middle of this Gospel account, Jesus starts to go to Jerusalem to die and rise, and he does just that at the end. And, surprisingly, this structure also fits with Jesus’ coming in the “middle” of time and at the end of time. And it should be no surprise that ANY coming of Jesus is important.

If you have been recently reading the writings of this website, you would know that we are currently going through the very different Gospel according to John. With the last writing, we finished what is usually called the first chapter of that Gospel account.

On the other hand, if you are unfamiliar with the writings of this website, there are some things that should be mentioned.  First of all, it should be said that this is an EXTREMELY literal translation. Such a translation may be seen as a type of first step, to get an idea of what is important in the words which have been laid out within the text.

When it comes to the text, words are definitely important. And so, to help with that emphasis, the words with the hyphens occur when more than one English word was used to help translate a single Greek word, the language of the New Testament. And when it comes to words, it should also be said that the order of words is also important. Generally speaking, the verbs appear early within the sentence, and any words before that may receive a special emphasis. One more thing to note is regarding the so-called “historical presents” (when a past-tense verb is expected, but a present one is given), that they are given in all capital letters. They are meant to all work together to bring glory to Jesus and, ultimately, to God, the Father Almighty.

In conclusion, it should be said that since this translation is an unusual one, it will probably be helpful to have another bible translation or a study bible nearby, to help you with your study of God’s Word.

There are many different translations of the text, even into the one language of English. As promised, what follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of John 2:1-11:

And  in-the  day,  the  third,  a-wedding  happened  in  Cana  of-the  Galilee,  and  she-was,  the  mother  of-the  Jesus,  there;  now  they-were-called,  both  the  Jesus  and  the  disciples  of-him,  into  the  wedding.  And  having-failed  wine,  SHE-SAYS, the  mother  of-the  Jesus,  toward  him,  “Wine  not  they-have.”

And  HE-SAYS  to-her,  the  Jesus,  “What  to-me  and  to-you,  woman?  Not-yet  it-is-come,  the  hour  of-me.”

SHE-SAYS,  the  mother  of-him,  to-the  deacons,  “The  what  ever  he-says  to-you,  do.”  Now  they-are  there,  stone  hydrias,  hex,  according-to  the  catharsis  of-the  Jews,  lying,  containing  each  measures,  duo  or  trice.

HE-SAYS  to-them,  the  Jesus,  “Fill  the  hydrias  of-water.”  And  they-filled  them,  up-to  top.  And  HE-SAYS  to-them,  “Draw  presently  and  carry  to-the  master-of-the-feast.”  Now  the-ones  carried.

Now  as  he-tasted,  the  master-of-the-feast,  the  water,  wine  having-become,  and  not  he-knew  from-where  it-is,  now  the  deacons  knew,  the-ones  having-drawn  the  water,  HE-CALLS  the  bridegroom,  the  master-of-the-feast,  and  HE-SAYS  to-him,  “Every  man,  first  the  good  wine  sets,  and  when  they-become-drunk,  the  lesser;  you,  you-have-kept  the  good  wine  until  presently.”

This  he-did,  beginning  of-the  signs,  the  Jesus,  in  Cana  of-the  Galilee,  and  he-manifested  the  glory  of-him,  and   they-believed  into  him,  the  disciples  of-him.

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December 13th, 2025

12/13/2025

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The season of Advent continues on. This Sunday’s title is the Third Sunday in Advent. The Gospel Reading for this Sunday is Matthew 11:2-15.

Now if you have been recently reading the writings of this website, you would know that we are currently going through the Gospel according to John, and you almost assuredly know that the Gospel according to John is a significantly different Gospel account when compared to the other three. And it should be no surprise that much has been said and written about that difference. In terms of a living creature, the Gospel according to John is connected to the eagle, and an eagle is a significantly different creature, especially when compared with those who are normally on the earth.

For the past two weeks, with the writings of this website we have been looking at a biblical text from what has been called the first chapter of that account. Chapter divisions have been added relatively recently, but they may be helpful when looking at a small part of the entire account. This final section of chapter sets up Jesus to have followers, and that characteristic sets the situation up for the next events, the so-called ‘signs’ surrounding Jesus’ ministry. Much could also be said about such a thing. But we should not get too far ahead.

If you are unfamiliar with the writings of this website, some important things should be stated. Most important is that the following biblical text will be given in what could be called an EXTREMELY literal translation, so it may be helpful to have another translation or a study bible nearby.

The frequent hyphens within the text below are designed to point out when more than one English word is connected to one word in the language of the New Testament, the ancient Greek. Also important to note is that the order which the words appear below is the order in which they are given in the Greek. And regarding that point, it may be helpful to note that with the Greek language, the important words tend to be at the forefront of the sentence.

One more thing to note is that the verbs in capital letters below are called ‘historical presents’, and they may be connected to the LIVING creature of the EAGLE as part of the LORD’s throne (see Ezekiel 1). There will be a significant number of those historical presents in the text this time. You might say that the eagle sees a lot of small things happening, and when you add them up, together they make some significant and God-related events.

There are many ways in which words can be translated into other languages. As promised, what follows is an EXTREMELY literal translation of John 1:35-51:

In-the  next-day,  again,  he-stood,  the  John,  and  out-of  the  disciples  of-him,  two,  and  having-looked-at  the  Jesus  walking,  HE-SAYS,  “Behold,  the  Lamb  of-the  God.”  And  they-heard,  the  two  disciples  of-him  speaking,  and  they-followed  the  Jesus.

Now  having-turned,  the  Jesus,  and  having-examined  them  following,  HE-SAYS  to-them,  “What  are-you-seeking?”

Now  the-ones  said  to-him,  “Rabbi  (which  it-says,  being-translated,  ‘teacher’),  where  are-you-remaining?”

HE-SAYS  to-them,  “Come  and  you-will-see.”  Therefore  they-came,  and  they-saw  where  he-is-remaining,  and  alongside  him,  they-remained  the  day,  that;  hour  was  about  tenth.

It-was  Andrew,  the  brother  of-Simon  Peter,  one  out-of  the  two,  the-ones  having-heard  alongside  John  and  having-followed  him;  HE-FINDS  this-one  first,  the  brother,  the  own,  Simon,  and  HE-SAYS  to-him,  “We-have-found  the  Messiah  (which  is  being-translated  ‘Christ’).”

He-led  him  toward  the  Jesus.  Having-looked-at  him,  the  Jesus,  he-said,  “You,  you-are  Simon,  the  son  of  John;  you,  you-will-be-called  Cephas  (which  is-interpreted  ‘Peter’).”

In-the  next-day  he-wanted  to-come-out  into  the  Galilee,  and  HE-FINDS  Philip.  And  HE-SAYS  to-him,  the  Jesus,  “Follow  me.”

Now  he-was,  the  Philip,  from  Bethsaida,  out-of  the  city  of-Andrew  and  Peter.  HE-FINDS,  Philip,  the  Nathanael,  and  HE-SAYS  to-him,  “The-one-of-whom  he-wrote,  Moses,  in  the  Law  and  the  Prophets,  we-have-found,  Jesus,  son  of-the  Joseph,  the-one  from  Nazareth.”

And   he-said  to-him,  Nathanael,  “Out-of  Nazareth,  is-it-possible,  anything  good  to-be?”

HE-SAYS  to-him,  the  Philip,  “Come  and  see.”

He-saw,  Jesus,  the  Nathanael,  coming  toward  him,  and  HE-SAYS  concerning  him,  “Behold,  truly,  an-Israelite  in  whom  decoy,  not  is.”

HE-SAYS  to-him,  Nathanael,  “From-where  me,  do-you-know?”

He-answered,  Jesus,  and  he-said  to-him,  “Before  the  you,  Philip,  to-call,  being  under  the  fig-tree,  I-saw  you.”

He-answered  him,  Nathanael,  “Rabbi,  you,  you-are  the  Son  of-the  God;  you,  king,  you-are,  of-the  Israel.”

He-answered,  Jesus,  and  he-said  to-him,  “Because  I-said  to-you  that  I-saw  you  underneath  the  fig-tree,  do-you-believe?  Greater  than-these-things  you-will-see.”  And  HE-SAYS  to-him,  “Amen,  amen,  I-am-saying  to-you,  you-will-see  the  heaven  having-been-opened  and  the  angels  of-the  God  going-up  and  going-down  upon  the  Son  of-the  Man.”

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December 6th, 2025

12/6/2025

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The season of Advent continues. This Sunday’s title is the Second Sunday in Advent. And although this year the Gospel Readings are basically focusing on the Gospel according to Matthew (with this week’s Gospel Reading being Matthew 3:1-12), the writings of this website are currently going through the significantly different Gospel according to John.

If you are unfamiliar with the writings of this website, it should be said that a part of the biblical text will be given in an EXTREMELY literal translation. What does this mean? The frequent hyphens are designed to point out when more than one English word is connected to one word in the language of the New Testament, the ancient Greek. Also important to note is that the order which the words appear below is the order in which they are given in the Greek. And regarding that point, it may be helpful to note that the important words tend to be at the forefront of the sentence. And hopefully it is obvious that words that are repeated are important. One more thing to note is that the verbs in capital letters are called ‘historical presents’, and they may be connected to the LIVING creature of the EAGLE as part of the LORD’s throne (see Ezekiel 1). A throne is how a king shows his glory, his significance, his importance, and these verbs may show that as well, especially when it comes to the LORD of all heaven and earth, the One with an especially larger perspective. To sum it all up, it may be helpful to have another translation or study bible nearby.

There are an EXTREMELY huge number of ways in which words can be translated into other languages. What follows is an extremely literal translation of John 1:19-34 (and you may check out some of the website writings of 2023 if you are interested in the translation of the Gospel according to Matthew):

And this is the witness of-the John, when they-sent-out toward him, the Jews out-of Jerusalem, priests and Levites, that they-might-question him, “You, who are-you?”

And he-confessed, and not he-denied, and he-confessed, “I, not, I-am the Christ.”

And they-questioned him, “What therefore? You, Elias, are-you?”

And HE-SAYS “Not I-am.”

“The Prophet, are-you, you?”

And he-answered, “No.”

Therefore, they-said to-him, “Who are-you, that an-answer we-may-give to-the-ones having-sent us; what are-you-saying about yourself?”

He-replied, “I, a-voice of-one-shouting in the wilderness, ‘Making-straight the way of-the-Lord,’ as he-said, Esaias, the prophet.”

And the-ones-having-been-sent-out were from the Pharisees. And they-questioned him, and they-said to-him, “Therefore, why are-you-baptizing if you, not, are the Christ, and-not Elias, and-not the Prophet?”

He-answered them, the John, saying, “I, I-baptize in water, among you stands he-whom you, not you-know, the-one after me coming, of-whom not I-am, I, worthy, that I-should-loosen of-him, the strap of-the sandal.” These-things in Bethany, they-happened, beyond the Jordan, where he-was, the John, baptizing.

On-the next-day HE-SEES the Jesus coming toward him, and HE-SAYS, “Behold, the Lamb of-the God, the-One taking-away the sin of-the world. This is-he on-behalf-of whom I, I-said, ‘After me he-comes a-man who before me he-has-become, because first of-me he-was.’ And-I, not, I-knew him, but-on-the-contrary, that he-might-be-manifested to-the Israel, on-account-of this, I-came, I, in water baptizing.”

And he-witnessed, John, saying, “I-have-beheld the Spirit coming-down as a-dove, out-of heaven, and it-remained upon him. And-I, not I-knew him, but-on-the-contrary, the-one having-sent-me to-baptize in water, that-one to-me he-said, 'Upon whom ever you-see the Spirit coming-down and remaining upon him, this, he-is the-one baptizing in Spirit, Holy.' And-I, I-have-seen, and I-have-witnessed that this is the Son of-the God.”

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A Sabbath Day's Journey

December 27th, 2025

December 20th, 2025

December 13th, 2025

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