Christ Assembly Baby Jesus in the Arms of Simeon │ Luke 2:27-35 │ Christ Assembly

December 19, 2013

Baby Jesus in the Arms of Simeon

If you do not recall a day in your life when you received eternal life as a free gift from Jesus, then this article will not make sense to you. Please click the eternal life button now and learn more about finding peace with God and being born again today. Eternal Life ^[1]

I often read the Bible at Bicentennial Park in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida with my friends. As I watch the loving Lord Jesus give eternal life to people at the Park, I see Him open their eyes to the Bible, which is the Word of God. I love to share their joy as they read through the wonderful Word of God and experience great joy as they hear Jesus speak to them through His Bible. At this time of year, we love to read the story of God the Son taking flesh and living among men. I wish you could see the joy on their faces as they read the Word of God. Eyes sparkle, hearts overflow, and smiles remind me of the true spiritual power of Christmas. So, I wanted to share the joy of the Word of God concerning Simeon with you today.

The story of Simeon centers upon the birth of Jesus, when God the Son took flesh and lived among men. God used different people, and angels, to proclaim the good news of the birth of God the Son in human flesh. In fact, these prophesies concerning the birth of God the Son began long before Jesus was born, (Jonah Study) ^[2] was a sign to the Ninevites. ⁵¹Luke 11:30. If you read the story of Jonah, you will see that Nineveh was a very wicked city, and Jonah wanted them to perish eternally. Jonah feared if he preached the Gospel to them, the city would repent and not perish. God sent Jonah to Nineveh because Jesus always seeks the lost so that they may receive His salvation as a free gift by faith alone. Through the reluctant preaching of Jonah (Jonah Study), the people of Nineveh repented of their sins and found salvation, in contrast to the Jews of Jerusalem who opposed the preaching of Jesus, and ultimately crucified Him. Jesus came to His own, and His own did not receive Him (John 1:11. Therefore, we understand that the term “opposed” means here that the Jewish generation of Jesus witnessed His signs, but generally opposed Jesus and rejected Him as their Messiah. Yet, God’s plan of salvation came to perfect fulfillment in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, all according to the Word of God. ⁵²1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

As Jesus drew near the day of the cross, He declared that He had fulfilled the work that His Father had given Him to do, ⁵³John 17:4. and from His cross Jesus exclaimed immediately before He gave up His spirit an died: “It is finished.” ⁵⁴John 19:30. The opposition of the Jews to Jesus never derailed the plans of Jesus, nor did God permanently give up on the Jews, and God never fails to fulfill all the promises to the Jews as a nation. Israel still holds its place as God’s chosen people, and in the future, Jesus will return to rule Israel from His throne in Jerusalem, ⁵⁵2 Samuel 7:12-16–Nathan the prophet of God declared to David that his throne would be established forever. Jesus, as both the lineal, fleshly descendant of David and the Lord of King David (Matthew 22:41-46) will sit upon that throne in the millennial kingdom. and He will be king over all the earth, and His name will be the only name in the whole earth. ⁵⁶Zechariah 14:9; Romans chapters 9 through 11 explain in detail the plan of God for the restoration of the Jews to the land of Israel after the fullness of the Gentiles comes to completion.

and a sword will pierce even your own soul–to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.
Luke 2:35

Simeon: The Sword Will Pierce Your Own Soul. Simeon continued his prophecy directly to Mary. Simeon spoke of a sword. The Greek term here for “sword” (“ῥομφαία”) falls into several categories.

The New Testament Use of the Word Sword (“ῥομφαία”)

1. The Sword from the Mouth of Jesus the King. In the Book of Revelation, a sharp, two-edged sword proceeds from the mouth of Jesus.

The Sword of Jesus. In Revelation 1:16, a sharp, two-edged sword came out of the mouth of Jesus. At this first description, we get our first view of the sword in Revelation. We see that sword in action when Jesus strikes down the nations at His second coming (Revelation 19:15; 19:21).

The Sword at Pergamum. In Revelation 2:12, the One with the sharp two-edged sword pronounced judgment upon the earth. We know from the other uses of the term “two-edged sword” in the Book of Revelation that the sword proceeds from the mouth of Jesus. In His message to Pergamum, Jesus declared He would use that sword (“ῥομφαίᾳ”) to make war with those at Pergamum who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

2. The Sword of Death and Hades. In Revelation 6:8, Jesus broke the fourth seal and an ashen horse, ridden by Death, with Hades following him, went forth to kill a fourth of the earth with the sword (“ῥομφαίᾳ”) and famine, pestilence, and wild beasts.

3. The Sword that Pierced Mary’s Soul. With Mary, we see that the sword (“ῥομφαίᾳ”) penetrates her soul. This use of the sword differs from the physical use of the sword (“ῥομφαίᾳ”) described elsewhere. Because of its association as proceeding exclusively from the mouth of Jesus as He inflicts destruction upon the wicked, that use does not fit well with Mary. We must understand that Mary would suffer in her soul (“τὴν ψυχὴν”) because of Jesus. One instance in the life of Mary also requires attention. Early in the public ministry of Jesus, some of Jesus’ “own people” (“οἱ παρ’ αὐτοῦ”) came to take custody of Him, because they had heard he had lost his senses (“ἐξέστη”). Perhaps Mary shared that concern. If Mark 3:31, (notice the term “arrived”) links Mary and the brothers of Jesus to “His own people” who believed He lost his senses, then Mary had a problem because she was in effect interfering with the life and ministry of Jesus. This view finds further support in the statement of Jesus that only those people who do the will of God the Father are truly the mothers and brothers of Jesus. It must have been very penetrating to Mary to hear her beloved Son, Jesus, telling the entire crowd that she was not truly His mother, and implied that she was not doing the will of God. This spiritual use of the sword (“ῥομφαίᾳ”) does parallel the use of the sword by Jesus later in Revelation, although Mary was not destined for destruction. Also, please note that his brothers were unbelievers at this point in the life of Jesus (John 7:5), but along with Mary, became believers, (Acts 1:14.) That sword will pierce ⁵⁷The Greek term “will pierce” (“διελεύσεται”) means to travel through, to go through, to penetrate through. The term only occurs here in the New Testament. through the soul ⁵⁸The Greek term here is soul (“ψυχὴν”). of Mary. Notice that in the English translators separated the clause “and a sword will pierce even your own soul.” The Holy Spirit, writing through Luke, indicated here that because of Jesus, Mary would suffer greatly, like a sword penetrating through her. Mary loved Jesus, and seeing Him beaten and crucified must certainly have fulfilled that prophecy to Mary.

Notice that after Simeon concluded his short statement about the sword piercing the soul of Mary, he returned to his prophecy of Jesus as a sign to be opposed. Simeon prophesied that people all over Israel would oppose Jesus, while claiming to love God. Yet, when the people of Israel rejected Jesus, they fulfilled Simeon’s prophecy that Jesus would be a sign to be opposed to the end that “thoughts,” from many hearts may be revealed. The Greek term here for “thoughts” (“διαλογισμοί”) has several meanings in the New Testament.

Jesus and the Thoughts of Men

Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees. Jesus perceived in His spirit that the scribes and Pharisees hated Him and His works. The word “reasoning” and its various forms all speak to the evil thoughts and intentions of the Pharisees and scribes as they listened and watched Jesus work. Very often, these “reasonings” spring from the heart of man as a form of evil. The root word for “reasoning” appears virtually every time in the New Testament as a negative aspect of the heart’s activity.

The Paralytic Forgiven (Mark 2:6). Jesus revealed the “reasoning in the hearts” (“διαλογιζόμενοι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις”) of the scribes. Jesus perceived that within themselves, the scribes were accusing Him of blasphemy for pronouncing the sins of the paralytic forgiven (see also Luke 5:21). Jesus was aware (“ἐπιγνοὺς”) in His spirit (“τῷ πνεύματι αὐτοῦ”) that they were “reasoning” (“διαλογίζονται”) within themselves (Mark 2:8).

The Withered Hand Healed (Luke 6:8). Jesus knew (“ᾔδει”) the “thinking” (“διαλογισμοὺς”) of the scribes and Pharisees as they were looking for a reason to accuse Him. In response, Jesus healed the man with the withered hand. The miracle of healing only provoked the Pharisees and the scribes to rage, and they then discussed among themselves (“διελάλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους”) how to destroy Jesus.

Jesus and His Disciples. Jesus also demonstrated His divinity by reading the thoughts of His disciples. Please recall that not only the Word of God judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12), but every creature and all things are laid bare before the eyes of God (Hebrews 4:13).

The Disciples with No Bread (Matthew 16:8). Jesus observed that His disciples were “discussing” (“διαλογίζεσθε”) among themselves that they had no bread. Jesus reproved them for their little faith (Mark 8:17, indicating that their “discussion” arose from a hardened heart, and that they lacked eyes to see).

The Evil Thoughts of Men (Matthew 15:19). Jesus explained that out of the heart come “evil thoughts” (“διαλογισμοὶ πονηροί”), murders, adulteries, etc. Notice that the thoughts here do not proceed out of the mind, but out of the heart (see also Mark 7:21). Compare Hebrews 4:2, where merely hearing the good news preached to you will do you no good unless it is united by faith (“συγκεκερασμένους τῇ πίστει”), so that you may enter the rest provided by God alone. Romans 10:10, provides proof that with the heart (“καρδίᾳ”) a person believes (“πιστεύεται”), resulting in righteousness (“δικαιοσύνην”) (compare Romans 10:9). Faith resides in the heart of man.

The Doubting Disciples (Luke 24:38). After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples, and they were startled and frightened, and thought (“ἐδόκουν”) they were seeing a spirit. Jesus asked them why they were troubled (“τεταραγμένοι ἐστέ”), and why did doubts (“διαλογισμοὶ”) arise in their hearts.

The Disputing Disciples (Luke 9:46-48). Shortly after the transfiguration of Jesus, His disciples began arguing among themselves regarding which of them might be the greatest. Jesus, knowing (“εἰδὼς”) what they were thinking in their hearts (“τὸν διαλογισμὸν τῆς καρδίας αὐτῶν”), taught that they must receive children in His name, and so the least among them would be greatest.

Paul and Reasoning.

Paul: Avoid Dissensions while Uniting in Prayer (1 Timothy 2:8). Paul used the term “dissension” (“διαλογισμοῦ”) to warn believers to avoid fighting, arguing, and dividing when they unite for prayer.

Paul: The Reasonings of the Wise Are Useless (1 Corinthians 3:20). Paul observed that the Lord knows (“γινώσκει”) that the reasonings of the wise (“τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς τῶν σοφῶν”) are “useless” (“μάταιοι.”). See also Psalm 94:11).

Paul: Mature Believers Must Not Accept Immature Believers Solely To Pass Judgement upon Their Opinions (Romans 14:1). Paul used the term “opinions” (“διαλογισμῶν”) to describe the views of the weak in faith. As we can see from other passages, the usual translation of the Greek term amounts to reasonings or thoughts. In this case, Paul described the weak in faith as having “opinions.” As new believers weak in faith, those people had their own views about diet, days, and duty. Paul warned other believers to give the weak believers some patience and leave the judgment to God and His Word.

Paul: Believers Must Do All Things without Disputing (Philippians 2:14). Paul taught the Philippians that they live all the time and do everything by God working in them, so that they will not fall into “grumbling” (“γογγυσμῶν”) and “disputing” (“διαλογισμῶν”).

Paul: Unbelievers Prefer Futile Speculations to the True Knowledge of God (Romans 1:21). In Romans 1:18-24, Paul described how and why the wrath of God has been revealed against unbelievers who suppress the spiritual truth about God and prefer to worship the creation, rather than the Creator. Paul testified that those unbelievers became “futile in their speculations (“τοῖς διαλογισμοῖς”) and their foolish heart was darkened.”

James, Luke and Evil Motives.

James: Making Distinctions among Believers Reveals Evil Motives (James 2:4). James commanded believers not to make distinctions among themselves, particularly by favoring the rich in the assembly. If such practices continued, then they were acting like judges with evil motives (“διαλογισμῶν πονηρῶν”).

Luke and the Wondering Crowds (Luke 3:15). In Luke 3:15, we see that the crowds were “wondering” (“διαλογιζομένων”) in their hearts about whether John was the Christ. I actually believe the better translation, in light of the other uses of the term, would be “questioning” (ESV translation) in the sense that they were disputing the matter among themselves, with evil motives.

From all these examples, we see that Jesus generally used the term “reasonings” in a very negative way, and in fact, all the New Testament writers followed Jesus in His usage. Therefore, we may see that “reasonings” in the heart generally speak of evil thoughts and plans. Notice that these thoughts come from the heart, and not from the mind. The power of the sign of Jesus will reveal the thoughts of many people, as they either (1) accept Jesus as Messiah, God in the flesh, and the only Savior of all people, or (2) reject Him. Jesus taught repeatedly that if they had truly known God, then they would have loved Jesus when He appeared. ⁵⁹John 8:42.

Simeon had great spiritual qualities we would do well to follow.

1. Righteous. Simeon had the spiritual quality of being righteous. As we have seen above, our righteousness comes from Jesus Christ alone. By faith in Christ Jesus, we receive His righteousness as a free gift, so that we live in right relationship with God.

2. Devout. Simeon was devout in his faith, fully obedient to God. Part of his devotion to God included his desire to look for the consolation of Israel.

3. Holy Spirit upon him. The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon enabling him to prophesy concerning the baby Jesus. As New Testament believers, we see that the Holy Spirit indwells each believer at the moment of salvation, and remains with us for our entire life.

4. Faith in God’s Word. Simeon had received a revelation from God that he would not die until he saw Christ in the flesh. Simeon believed the Word of God revealed to him, and lived accordingly. Simeon expected to see the baby Jesus one day, and after holding the Christ in his arms, he knew that God had kept His promise to him. Simeon also spoke the Words of God given to him. As believers, we do not have the same revelation that Simeon had coming to us, but we do have the Word of God given to us in the Bible. As Simeon faithfully proclaimed the Word of God at the temple, so we should proclaim the Word of God to all the world, making disciples in the name of Jesus Christ.

So, we learn more about the baby Jesus in the arms of Simeon today.

● God always keeps His promises to us, no matter if it takes decades or just a few days.

● Jesus really is the light of revelation to the Gentiles, so that we may have eternal life as a free gift from Jesus Christ.

● Because Jesus came to earth, He is a sign to be opposed and He will reveal the thoughts of many hearts. I will count upon Him today to reveal all the thoughts I have about Him. I pray that my thoughts may be more pleasing to Him today. I want to love Jesus all day today.

Application for Today

As I walk through life today, I want to keep in mind the great promises made through Simeon for today. Jesus has become the light of salvation for all Gentiles, and Jesus remains a sign to be opposed. Jesus will reveal the thoughts from many hearts. Today, I want to see Jesus opening hearts, and drawing hearts to Himself. But, I also know that many people will oppose Jesus, and in so doing, will expose the true spiritual character of their own hearts. Will you oppose Jesus today, or walk with an open heart filled with Christ today?

Reference [+]

Reference
↑1	Jesus Himself proclaimed that all the prophecies concerning Himself in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Luke 24:44.
↑2	The angel tells Mary to name the child “Jesus” and that He will be called the Son of God–Luke 1:30-33.
↑3	The angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told Joseph to call the child “Jesus” because He will save His people from their sins–Matthew 1:21.
↑4	Matthew 1:21.
↑5	Notice the very precise language of John 1:1. The Holy Spirit communicated in John 1:1 these words: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” These words emphasize three points about God the Word, otherwise known as God the Son who took flesh and dwelt among men (the Word became flesh = Jesus of Nazareth–John 1:14). First, in words similar to Genesis 1:1, God the Word existed in the beginning. Notice that God the Word was not created in the beginning, but He was already in existence “in the beginning.” Second, God the Word was with God. This word “with” (“πρὸς”) means that God exists with God. In other words, God exists eternally and simultaneously in different Persons. The word does not describe separate Gods, but one God existing in three different persons. In other Bible passages, we learn that God the Son eternally exists with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:13-17; Colossians 2:9). They eternally exist with each other as one united God. Third, God the Word was God. Therefore, we learn that God the Word always existed, even before the beginning, and God the Word existed with God, and God the Word was God. All three of these aspects of God the Word have always been true, are true right now, and will always be true.
↑6	Jesus lived without sin (Hebrews 4:15), and so fulfilled every part of the law (Matthew 5:17-18), so that Christ is the end of the law to all who believe in Him (Romans 10:4). Furthermore, because of Christ condemning sin in the flesh, all the requirements of the Law have been fulfilled by believers who walk in the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-4.)
↑7	Luke 1:28
↑8	Matthew 1:19.
↑9	Matthew 1:19
↑10	In some cases, the virgin who has sex with a man before marriage may cause one or both of them to suffer the death penalty–Deuteronomy 22:23-29.
↑11	Matthew 1:24-25.
↑12	Exodus 13:1-16. God explained that every firstborn belongs to Him, and the firstborn of the animals are sacrificed, but the firstborn male children are redeemed by offering a sacrifice. The sacrifice reminded people that God used His mighty hand to deliver the people of Israel from Pharaoh by killing the firstborn males of Egypt, both of animals and humans.
↑13	Leviticus 5:1-10.
↑14	Luke uses the Greek term “righteous” (“δίκαιος”) in several ways. It means upright and keeping the commands of God (Luke 1:6, speaking of Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist). The term also includes an attitude of turning away from disobedience to God, and embracing God’s will, as “people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). Jesus also used the term to speak of the “righteous” who falsely believed they did not need repentance preached by Jesus (Luke 5:32; Luke 15:7), but trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt (Luke 18:9). Some people even pretended to be “righteous,” and acted like spies trying to catch Jesus in some statement so that Jesus could be prosecuted before the evil religious authorities (Luke 20:20). Luke, writing under the influence of the Holy Spirit, also described Joseph of Arimathea as a “good” (“ἀγαθὸς”) and righteous (“δίκαιος”) man, waiting for the kingdom of God (Luke 23:50). The term also includes staying in right relationship with God, by being obedient to God’s will for your life. Righteousness comes only from God and enters our lives by the power of God crediting it to our lives by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:8-9) so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24).
↑15	The Greek term “devout” (“εὐλαβής”) means the quality of someone committed to following the commands of God, as part of a person’s spiritual reputation (Acts 22:12.
↑16	The Greek term for “consolation” (“παράκλησιν”) here points to the Messiah, Who brings comfort and consoles Israel. In Luke 6:20-24, Jesus preached on the Beatitudes. In Luke 6:24, Jesus used the same word to describe the “comfort” given to the rich people on earth during their lifetime. In contrast to the earthly “comfort” for the rich, Jesus pronounced eternal blessings upon “the poor” who now suffer hunger and weeping, ostracizing, insulting, and all kinds of evil for the sake of the Son of Man. Luke used a related word for “comfort” (“παρακλήσει”) in Acts 9:31, to describe the work of the Holy Spirit in providing “comfort” to the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. In John 14:16, Jesus promised that the Father would give the believers “another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” In John 14:16, Jesus used the precise words “another Helper” (“ἄλλον παράκλητον”). Jesus made two important points there. First, Jesus was a “Helper” (“παράκλητον”) sent from the Father, and Jesus was returning to heaven. Therefore, the Father would send another “Helper” of the same kind (“ἄλλον”) as Jesus. In other words, John informed us that the Holy Spirit would be divine just like Jesus, and would perform a similar ministry of “help” to believers. Of course, Jesus had already prophesied that His disciples would do greater works than He performed, because He was going to His Father in heaven (John 14:12).
↑17	In many instances, the Spirit of God moved men to speak for God –2 Peter 1: 20-21.
↑18	Exodus 35:30-35–The LORD filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, in understanding, and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship, to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in bronze, and in cutting of stone for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work. God also gave to both Bezalel and Oholiab to learn from God the skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple, and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs. Also, other people had received skills of craftsmanship from God to work on the tabernacle and its contents (Exodus 36:2).
↑19	The Holy Spirit came upon the seventy elders selected by Moses to help with judging the people of Israel, and the elders even prophesied once (Numbers 11:17-26).
↑20	Othniel delivered Israel from Cushan-Rishathaim (Judges 3:10); Gideon, Judges 6:34; Jephthah, Judges 11:29; Samson (in one case, when the Spirit came upon Samson, he grabbed a young lion charging at him with his bare hands and ripped him apart as a man rips a young goat (Judges 14:6; see also Judges 14:19; Judges 15:14.
↑21	The Greek phrase here “the Holy Spirit was upon him” (“καὶ πνεῦμα ἦν ἅγιον ἐπ’ αὐτόν”) emphasizes that God the Holy Spirit had a particular purpose in mind for Simeon. As the Holy Spirit empowered Simeon and revealed the spiritual significance of the child before him, we see the Old Testament type of ministry of the Holy Spirit coming upon a person for a particular event. In this case, as we will see, Simeon will be moved by the Holy Spirit to be at the right place to fulfill the prophesy concerning the Christ appearing.
↑22	Compare Jeremiah 26:2 “Do not omit a word!” (“אַל-תִּגְרַע, דָּבָר”).
↑23	See 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21.
↑24	“ἤλειφον”–notice the continuous action of the imperfect tense
↑25	Ponder Martha’s statements about the resurrection and the reply and wonderful proclamation of Jesus in John 11:23-27.
↑26	Acts 1:8.
↑27	Do not misunderstand, the church actually began at Pentecost, with the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the believers (Acts 2:1-13), just as Jesus had promised that He would build His church (Matthew 16:18), and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, His disciples would be His witnesses in all the world (Acts 1:8).
↑28	The Greek term for “took” (“ἐδέξατο”) means either to receive or to take. In this case, both meanings seem to apply. Joseph and Mary probably offered the baby Jesus to Simeon, and Simeon received the baby Jesus into his arms by mutual agreement.
↑29	You may also recall John the Baptist saying that he would not have recognized Jesus, except that the Holy Spirit came down and alighted upon Jesus (John 1:33-34). In some way, God had revealed to Simeon that he was now looking at God the Son in the flesh, and so the prophecy was fulfilled.
↑30	Of course, Jesus is God in the flesh. But here, the blessing by Simeon amounted to praise and worship of God. Compare the Lord Jesus taking (“ἐναγκαλισάμενος”) children in his arms and blessing them (Mark 10:16).
↑31	The Greek term for “bond-servant” (“δοῦλόν”) means a slave, or one who has willingly taken the role of a slave.
↑32	The Greek term here for “Lord” (“δέσποτα”) designates a master holding sway over the slave (Titus 2:9ff.; 1 Peter 2:18; 1 Timothy 6:1-2.) Of course, the term can also describe the Lord God as master (2 Timothy 2:21; Jude 1:4), even the master of unbelievers (2 Peter 2:1).
↑33	Isaiah 9:6.
↑34	Luke 2:14).
↑35	John 14:27; Philippians 4:7, 10.
↑36	Galatians 4:4.
↑37	Matthew 28:19-20.
↑38	You may recall that Jesus ministered extensively in Galilee, and was raised in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23), and used Capernaum as his base for ministry in the region. (Matthew 4:13).
↑39	Romans 9-11.
↑40	Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Romans 1:16.
↑41	John 1:9.
↑42	The Greek term for “appointed” (“κεῖται”) was used of an axe laid at root of the trees (Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9) and of a veil which lies over the heart of the Jews listening to Moses being read in the synagogue. Metaphorically, the word means to be placed in a certain place, as you swing an axe at the specific target. In this case, God will use Jesus for the rise and fall of many in Israel.
↑43	The Greek word for fall (“πτῶσιν”) speaks of evil sinners falling into destruction.
↑44	Isaiah 53:1, page 1154; Romans 10:16).
↑45	The Greek term “rise” (“ἀνάστασιν”) often means resurrection (e.g., Luke 20:27), but here it means to rise in the sense of standing up as opposed to falling down.
↑46	Matthew 20:28.
↑47	Romans 4:25.
↑48	The Greek term for “opposed” (“ἀντιλεγόμενον”) means to reject, speak against, and to stand against. Literally, the word means spoken against, or an anti-word. So, we may glean that just as the Jews before Pilate charged Jesus with opposing Caesar, so also the Jews actually opposed Jesus as their God and King (John 19:12). Compare Acts 28:22, where Paul was under arrest in Rome, but called together the leading men of the Jews to hear the Gospel. Those men told Paul they wanted to hear from him directly, because they had heard that his “sect” was spoken against (“ἀντιλέγεται”) everywhere.
↑49	Luke 24:26.
↑50	The Greek term “sign” (“σημεῖον”) means to be a guide for identification (Luke 2:12–the shepherds were to use the sign of the baby lying in a manger, wrapped in cloths). Likewise, the disciples of Jesus sought a sign of the future events, including the return of Jesus to earth to establish His reign (Luke 21:7). Even King Herod hoped to see Jesus perform a sign, because the King had heard that Jesus had done many miraculous things (Luke 23:8). Finally, remember that the crowds said that when the Christ comes, He would not perform more signs than Jesus performed (John 7:31).
↑51	Luke 11:30. If you read the story of Jonah, you will see that Nineveh was a very wicked city, and Jonah wanted them to perish eternally. Jonah feared if he preached the Gospel to them, the city would repent and not perish. God sent Jonah to Nineveh because Jesus always seeks the lost so that they may receive His salvation as a free gift by faith alone. Through the reluctant preaching of Jonah (Jonah Study), the people of Nineveh repented of their sins and found salvation, in contrast to the Jews of Jerusalem who opposed the preaching of Jesus, and ultimately crucified Him. Jesus came to His own, and His own did not receive Him (John 1:11.
↑52	1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
↑53	John 17:4.
↑54	John 19:30.
↑55	2 Samuel 7:12-16–Nathan the prophet of God declared to David that his throne would be established forever. Jesus, as both the lineal, fleshly descendant of David and the Lord of King David (Matthew 22:41-46) will sit upon that throne in the millennial kingdom.
↑56	Zechariah 14:9; Romans chapters 9 through 11 explain in detail the plan of God for the restoration of the Jews to the land of Israel after the fullness of the Gentiles comes to completion.
↑57	The Greek term “will pierce” (“διελεύσεται”) means to travel through, to go through, to penetrate through. The term only occurs here in the New Testament.
↑58	The Greek term here is soul (“ψυχὴν”).
↑59	John 8:42.

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