Content on Matthew 21:31–33
56 results
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Matthew, Book Of
The book of Matthew is especially directed to Jews (hence, the heavy appeal to the O.T.). It is designed to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies of the O.T. The apostle cites nearly forty O.T. predictions that were fulfilled by Jesus. He emphasizes th...
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Last Days
Certain religionists, especially those who subscribe to the dogma of DISPENSATIONALISM (see), maintain that the "signs" of Matthew 24:1-34 indicate that the return of Christ is very near; they constantly harp that we "are living in the last days." First, the "signs" of Matthew 24:1ff are related ...
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Synoptics
The term "synoptic" derives from the Greek word sunoptikos, which means "seeing the whole together." The word is used to describe the first three Gospel narratives -- Matthew, Mark, and Luke -- because these records are viewed as portraying the life of Jesus from a rather common vantagepoint. (Jo...
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Apocalyptic
Apocalyptic language is a highly symbolic form of expression. Vivid figures of speech convey the ideas. When the figures are interpreted, the meaning of the message is uncovered. The word derives from the Greek apokalupto, meaning to uncover, to unveil. The first word of the final book of the New...
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John, Book Of
The first three Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are called SYNOPTICS (see), because they present the life of Christ from roughly the same vantage point. John's account is different. His record is not addressed to any particular segment of society. Rather, it is cosmopolitan in nature. J...
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Genealogy
A genealogy is a record of the names of a person's ancestors or descendants. Several genealogical lists are recorded in the Bible, for example, in Genesis, Chronicles, Matthew, and Luke. These are not meaningless, boring lists of names. Rather, they served important functions. These catalogs trac...
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Virgin Birth Of Christ
The doctrine of the virgin birth of Jesus is one of the lines of evidence establishing the Lord's identity as the Son of God. The angel Gabriel said to Mary, a "virgin" (Lk. 1:27): "The holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God" (1:35). Proofs for the historicity of the virgin b...
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Son Of Man
The expression "Son of Man" is found mostly in the Gospel accounts (some 80 times) -- especially the Synoptics (see) -- and it is the term Christ used more than any other to designate himself. In fact, only he uses it of himself. The word is a Messianic title with roots in the O.T. (cf. Dan. 7:13...
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Resurrection, Christ’s
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the very foundation of Christianity. If the Lord was not raised, the religion of Christ is a hoax (cf. 1 Cor. 15:4; 14-19). The Savior's resurrection was foretold by the prophets (Psa. 16:8ff), and promised by Jesus himself (Jn. 2:19-22; Mt. 12:39...
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Jesus Christ
The name "Jesus" means "savior." "Christ" means "anointed." These names suggest that this noble person was "anointed" of God (Acts 10:38) to be prophet, priest, and king, and indeed, the Savior of the world (Matthew 1:21). The following facts about Jesus are paramount: • He existed eternally as t...
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Judge, Judging
The Greek word krino means to render a verdict (Lk. 7:43; Acts 15:9). Prepositions may be attached as prefixes to provide some direction to the term. For example, diakrino suggests the idea of distinguishing between objects (1 Cor. 6:5; 11:31; 14:19); anakrino means to investigate or thoroughly s...
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Truth
The term "truth" carries several connotations in the Bible. (a) Truth can convey the idea of loyalty. Those who abide in Jesus' teaching are "truly" his disciples (Jn. 8:31). (b) True may denote that which is genuine, in contrast to the counterfeit. God is "true" deity; idols are not (1 Thes. 1:9...
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Wine
Several Hebrew words are rendered by the English "wine," the most common of which are yayin (134 times) and tirosh (33 times). The basic term for "wine" in the Greek New Testament is oinos (33 times). In both Hebrew and Greek, wine is a generic term for the liquid produced from squeezed grapes. S...
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War
The New Testament uses two principal Greek words to represent the idea of "fighting" and "war." Polemeo (18 times) means to "fight" or "make war." Strateuomai (7 times) means to "carry out a military engagement, to be a soldier." The Scriptures use war in both literal and figurative senses. Physi...
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Creation
The creation was the act of an omnipotent God, speaking into existence, from no previous materials, the entire Universe and everything within it. This concept is unique to Judeo-Christian theology. The doctrine of fiat creation is affirmed in both Testaments (Gen. 1:1-2:25; Psa. 33:9; Jn. 1:1-3; ...
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Abomination Of Desolation
This phrase has roots in the Old Testament. The book of Daniel alludes to "the abomination that makes desolate" (cf. 9:27, 11:31, 12:11). It is generally believed that 11:31 is a reference to the abominable (evil) power that desolated the Jewish system during that historical period between the Te...
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Law
Law is a mandate that is designed to regulate procedure; it proceeds from a superior, who possesses authority to rule, to a subordinate. Law is viewed from several angles in the Scriptures. (a) The material Universe was made to operate according to law. For example, the moon and stars operate in ...
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Ten Commandments
The "Ten Commandments" constituted the core element of the law of Moses (see Ex. 19:16-20:17). They were written by God himself on the two tables of stone (Ex. 31:18; 32:15-16; 34:1, 28; Dt. 10:4). Moses shattered the first set when he learned of Israel's worship of the golden calf (Ex. 32:19). E...
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Elect
The English "elect" derives from a compound Greek term, eklektos (ek -- "out of," and lego -- "to gather"). It suggests the idea of being selected or chosen. The New Testament uses the term in various senses. • God elected the nation of Israel to be the instrument through which Christ would come ...
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Depravity, Total
The doctrine of hereditary total depravity is also known as "original sin" in Roman Catholicism. This concept asserts that all children come into the world with both the effects and guilt of Adam's original sin. By "heredity," therefore, they are totally (completely) depraved (evil). Proponents o...
