Exegesis is the critical interpretation of a Biblical text, to explore its meaning, significance and relevance.
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5answers
3k views
What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law but did not abolish it?
We hear that we are no longer under the law. It even says so in Galations:
Galations 3:23-25
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith ...
15
votes
4answers
425 views
Why do OEC discount the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis?
This is to rephrase the question Are scientific findings a test to Christians' Faith?
It seems to me that, without any outside interference, the Bible itself gives no suggestion that the Book of ...
1
vote
3answers
707 views
Why did Paul want God to repay Alexander the metalworker?
In II Timothy 4:14-15, Paul writes:
Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord
will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your
guard against him, because he ...
3
votes
1answer
37 views
What exactly is the biblical reference to a serpent?
Well I'm a little confused here! Everywhere in the bible serpents are referred to Satan/devil. But in Mathew 10:16 Christ says "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye ...
18
votes
9answers
2k views
What is “The Parable of the Shrewd Manager” about?
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (full text below) is perhaps one of the hardest parables to interpret. At first glance it seems to be about rewarding dishonesty!
What lesson is Jesus teaching His ...
10
votes
4answers
902 views
Why does Jesus speak of himself in the third person?
There are a number of places where Jesus refers to himself in the third person. The most common is when he uses the title 'Son of Man' (by my count, there are some 78 times Jesus uses that title in ...
6
votes
2answers
162 views
Why did Ezekiel say that God gave laws to the people that were not good?
Ezekiel 20:23-25
23 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries; 24 Because they had not executed ...
26
votes
9answers
1k views
What is the specific meaning of “day” in Genesis 1?
In the Creation account in Genesis 1 (and 2), God's work of Creation is famously split into 7 "days". For example, the first "day" occurs in verse 5:
Genesis 1:5 (NLT)
God called the light "day" ...
5
votes
2answers
83 views
Why did the people believe that no one would know where the Christ came from?
In John 7:25-27, Jesus is speaking to a crowd of people. They seem pretty impressed with Him and begin to wonder if He could be the Messiah. However, one of their objections is that they know where ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
What does it mean “born of water” in John 3:5?
John 3:5 (NKJV)
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of
water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Does "born of water" means baptism i.e., ...
1
vote
4answers
131 views
When, if ever, is eisegesis a valid interpretation of scripture over exegesis?
Typically, exegesis is used when interpreting scripture, so that value, meaning, and instruction is derived from the words.
When is eisegesis, or reading-into scripture, a valid interpretational ...
14
votes
7answers
1k views
What does Matthew 5:27-30 (“Cast off your eye/hand/etc”) mean?
For reference, here's the text of Matthew 5:27-30:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already ...
10
votes
4answers
760 views
Why 'Seventy times seven'?
Twice in the bible, God makes reference to "seventy times seven" (or "seventy-seven times"). Once in Genesis 4:24 (dealing with Cain's punishment for his murder of Abel), and the other in Matthew ...
24
votes
3answers
438 views
What is significant about the torn curtain?
When Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom:
Mark 15:38-39 (NIV)
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39
And when the centurion, who stood ...
4
votes
2answers
38 views
What is “your peace” in Matthew 10?
In Matthew 10, Jesus is instructing his disciples, whom he is sending out to preach to the children of Israel as follows:
11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person ...
1
vote
1answer
407 views
Is Leviticus 14 describing a cure for leprosy?
It seems like a "cure" for leprosy that involves taking two birds, killing one and dipping the other in the blood of the first, then sprinkling the blood in a particular fashion, multiple times.
...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
What is the significance of water from Jesus' side?
John 19:34 "one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear,
bringing a sudden flow of blood and water."
I know this is supposed to be something great as in the next verse the apostle ...
3
votes
2answers
124 views
How much authority does a father have over his wife and children?
Some people might claim that a wife must do what her husband says in every situation and they will site the Bible as it being the Divine order of things.
It does seem that the Bible gives authority ...
5
votes
2answers
320 views
What did Jesus mean when He said we must “eat His flesh and drink His blood”?
In John 6, Jesus states that unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we have no life in us.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of
the Son of Man and drink ...
8
votes
5answers
1k views
What does “gates of hell” mean in Matthew 16:18?
Matthew 16:18 (KJV):
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I take it "gates of hell" is a ...
8
votes
2answers
183 views
Is “Love and Respect” consistent with Eph 5:33
The title is a bit broader than what I really intend to ask. More precisely, I am interested in whether Dr. Eggerichs's understanding of the terms "love" and "respect" in "Love and Respect" is ...
6
votes
4answers
201 views
How do Protestants interpret Matthew 16:13-20
The verses reads like this:
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
What do the verses in Luke 5:20-25 teach us?
They have always puzzled me and I fail to understand what is what.
Luke 5:20-23
When Jesus saw their faith he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Then the experts in the law and the ...
4
votes
3answers
76 views
How is a Christian supposed to fear God when “there is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18)?
In both the Old and New Testaments, we are commanded to "fear the Lord".
Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. Deuteronomy 10:20 ESV
Honor ...
4
votes
5answers
186 views
Is Matthew 28 saying something about Baptism?
On our sister site I asked a question about what the correct grammatical interpretation of Matthew 28:19 is with relation to baptism.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing ...
3
votes
4answers
935 views
What does the Bible say about giving your life away for Jesus?
On a Christian radio station I constantly hear the phrase "to give your life away for Jesus" but they never say what that means.
I am very confused about this concept. Any clarification is helpful, ...
1
vote
1answer
116 views
How do mainstream Christians handle the Epistle of St. Barnabas' prophecy that Jesus will return in the next 50 years?
In the Epistle of Barnabas, it says
Barnabas 15:3 Of the Sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the
creation; And God made the works of His hands in six days, and He
ended on the seventh day, ...
7
votes
1answer
73 views
In the book of Job, it suggests that angels sin. Do they?
In the 4th chapter in the book of Job, it states in verses 17 and 18 that: ‘Can mortal man be in the right before[b] God? Can a man be pure before his Maker? Even in his servants he puts no trust, and ...
12
votes
8answers
6k views
What is the significance of Jesus seeing Nathanael under the fig tree?
In John 1:46-50, Nathanael is introduced to Jesus for the first time.
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son ...
8
votes
2answers
771 views
Is Levi from Luke 5:27 and Mark 2:14 referring to the apostle Matthew
Both Luke 5:27 and Mark 2:14 mention a tax collector named Levi:
27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name
of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to ...
14
votes
1answer
329 views
Why did Paul say “I am pure from the blood of all men”?
In Acts 20 Paul is saying his farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He is bringing to their memory the manner, in which he had spent all that time with them - in humility (Acts 20:19).
Then he says: "
...
5
votes
3answers
88 views
When scripture quotes a non-biblical source, without any opposition of the source, does it imply any endorsement?
In addition to alluding to various Jewish proverbs, sayings, and parables, sometimes the Bible seems to directly quote Greek philosophers (Acts 17:28), Jewish oral traditions (Jude 9, 12) or possibly ...
9
votes
2answers
341 views
What is meant by “Get behind me Satan”?
Considering
Matthew 16:23:
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Why did Jesus ...
17
votes
5answers
2k views
What is the meaning of “Let the dead bury their dead”
In Mathew 8:21-23 says "And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when he ...
4
votes
1answer
82 views
What is Typology in the context of Christianity, and how does it help understand doctrinal matters?
What is Typology in the context of Christianity, and how does it help understand, or enhance our understanding of doctrinal matters?
Also, is this something that the Church has always believed ...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
When was “time” created in Genesis?
When was "time" created in Genesis? Was it on "day three", when day and night were created?
4
votes
2answers
145 views
What does Paul mean when he says Jesus “emptied himself”?
In Philipians 2:7 Paul writes:
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[a] being born in
the likeness of men (ESV)
I always understood this to mean that he was humble enough to ...
12
votes
6answers
322 views
What does “in the image of God” mean?
Genesis 1:26:
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild ...
41
votes
10answers
2k views
Does wine really mean wine in the Bible?
In discussions I have had in the past over the acceptability of a Christian drinking alcohol I have heard that some 'dry' believers say that the wine in the Bible is not wine as we know it commonly ...
8
votes
6answers
453 views
Is it wrong that Jesus is usually portrayed as European looking?
Is it wrong that Jesus is usually portrayed as European looking, having certain facial and bodily features (muscular)?
Would most people follow Him if he did not look white or was heavy set?
It ...
6
votes
2answers
213 views
What does it mean that all scripture is God-Breathed?
In 2 Tim 3:16, Paul writes
All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,
correcting and training in righteousness (NIV)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and ...
4
votes
7answers
254 views
Who is Father or God in Christianity
The following are some lines in which Jesus (Peace be upon him) mentions "Father" or "God".
Is Islam we consider "Father" or "God" to be referring to Allah as Jesus (Peace be upon him) is ...
9
votes
3answers
194 views
Should we put God to test?
No –
Luke 4:12 ... Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
Yes –
Judges 6:39 “Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time
make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered ...
13
votes
3answers
259 views
Does God hate Sinners like he hates Sin?
I've heard it a thousand times, God loves the sinner but hates the sin. Recently I came across a verse in Psalms 5:5
Psalm 5:5 King James Version (KJV) 5The foolish shall not stand in
thy ...
6
votes
2answers
94 views
Why is “fornication” used to describe the actions of “Babylon the Great” in Revelation 18?
For because of the wine of the anger of her fornication all the nations have fallen [victim], and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the traveling merchants of the earth ...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
Why isn't God mentioned in Esther?
As you may know, God is never mentioned in the book of Esther, either by name (Yahweh), title (Adonai), or being (El). Neither is prayer.
Why not? I realize this is rather open ended, so I'll try to ...
13
votes
5answers
568 views
Blood transfusions and Christianity?
Inspired by this question, if we choose to allow a doctor to heal us, how far is too far?
In Lev 17:13-14:
13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any
animal or bird ...
2
votes
1answer
461 views
What does the Bible say in regards to technological development? [closed]
With regards to technological advances, the study of technology and continuing to make medical and convenience advancements that prolong life, and the "playing god" complex.
What does the Bible have ...
10
votes
4answers
511 views
What does it mean to interpret the Bible literally?
Here are some common definitions from a dictionary for ‘literal’:
Being in accordance with, conforming to, or upholding the exact or primary meaning of a word or words.
Word for word; verbatim: a ...
11
votes
4answers
196 views
What guidelines or rules should be used when interpreting the Bible?
It seems that a lot of misunderstanding of the Bible comes from scripture being taken out of context. What are some other rules or guidelines for taking a literal or first interpretation (like 'Jesus ...
