PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: Christology

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Luke 1:26–38 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel of the Ember Wednesday of Advent, Luke 1:26–38, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). The same reading is also used for the Annunciation of Our Lord (March 25th). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    III. The appearance of the angel before Mary. (v. 26–38)

    Annotated Text

    26. And in the sixth month1 (after Elizabeth had become pregnant)2 the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:11, 19) was sent by God into a city in Galilee, by the name of Nazareth,

    1 Greek: “But in the sixth month” [Ἐν δὲ τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ἕκτῳ]

    † See Luke 1:24, 36.

    27. to a virgin, * who was betrothed (but not yet joined) to a man with the name Joseph, of the house (of the lineage) of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary (who also was born of the lineage of David).

    * Luke 2:5; Matthew 1:18

    28. And the angel came (in an assumed human and yet majestic form) unto her (into the house in which she dwelled in Nazareth, and into the chamber in which she was staying at that time) and said: “Hail to you, favored one (graced specially by God); the Lord is with you (He stands by you with His help and grace, and will especially do good to you), blessèd are you among women. (Luther: “That is ‘You highly-praised one’ in German,” the one whom everyone will praise highly and extol as blessèd, Luke 1:48, because God will endow you with a special blessing which has never befallen any woman.)

    (Genesis 6:8; Judges 6:12)

    29. But when she saw him, she was frightened over his saying and thought, “What kind of greeting is this?” (I am entirely unworthy of this greeting and unaccustomed to it.)

    30. And the angel said to her, “Fear not, Mary, you1 have found grace with God. (Luther: “That is, you have a gracious God.”)

    1 Greek: “For you” [γὰρ]

    31. Behold,1 you * will (very soon) conceive in your body and give birth to a Son, whose name you shall call Jesus (whose name means so much as “Helper,” “Deliverer,” and “Savior,” Matthew 1:21),

    * Isaiah 7:14ff. (Micah 5:3)

    1 Greek: “And behold” (This little word and [καὶ] serves thus to explain what preceded)

    32. He will * be called great (on account of the highness of His person, His office, His miracles, and His sitting at the right hand of God) and a Son of the Most High (the only-begotten, natural, and equally eternal Son of God the almighty Father; which He will be in fact, and will be recognized and known as the eternal Son of God), and God the Lord (His heavenly Father) will give Him the throne of His father David (He will exalt Him to His right hand according to His human nature and bestow upon Him the kingdom and the lordship over His Church, indeed, over all creatures. This kingdom of Christ was prefigured by the kingdom of King David, from whose lineage Christ was to be born according to His human nature, and was promised in particular to David, 2 Samuel 7:12; Psalm 132:11, 17; Mark 11:10).

    * Isaiah 9:7 (Isaiah 54:5)

    33. And He will be a King over the house of Jacob (over the Church and the congregation of the saints, assembled from Jews and Gentiles, which Church was prefigured through the lineage of the Patriarch Jacob) eternally, and * of His kingdom there will be no end (and therefore it will not be an earthly and temporal kingdom, as was David’s, but rather a spiritual, heavenly, and eternal kingdom).”

    * Daniel 4:31, 7:14; Micah 4:7

    (Psalm 45:7; Jeremiah 23:6; Daniel 2:44; Hebrews 12:28)

    34. Then Mary said to the angel (not from unbelief, as previously did Zachariah, Luke 1:18, but rather with wonderment over this high mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, that she shall be the mother of Him, and out of a heartfelt desire for more instruction), “How should this be (that I shall will conceive and give birth to the Messiah)? For I have known no man (that I should have cohabitated with in a married manner).”

    35. The angel answered and said to her, * “The Holy Spirit will come over you (He will purify and sanctify the drops of blood from which the holy body of the Messiah will be built as a pure temple; and will also give you a special divine power, that you may become pregnant without the assistance of a man), and the power of the Most High (the first and only-begotten Son of God, who is Himself the “power of God,” 1 Corinthians 1:24) will overshadow you (and in an entirely special manner will pitch His dwelling in you, namely, by assuming true human nature in your virginal body, so that the incomprehensible, invisible light of His divine nature may be seen under the shadow of the received human nature); therefore also that † Holy One who will be born of you will be called God’s Son. (Because the Holy Spirit Himself will form the fruit of your womb and preserve it from all sinful defilement; indeed, even the eternal self-subsisting power of the heavenly Father, namely, the Son of God, will receive human nature from you and will unite Himself personally with it; therefore, you will carry such a glorious fruit of the womb and bring it forth into the world, who will not only be true man, but also, in the unity of His person, will be called and be the eternal only-begotten Son of God.)

    * Matthew 1:18, 20

    † Daniel 9:24 (Exodus 25:22, 40:34, 38; Numbers 7:89; Luke 9:33ff; Jeremiah 23:5–6)

    36. And behold (receive this sign for the strengthening of your faith), Elizabeth (the wife of the old priest Zachariah), your friend (who is related to you by blood by way of maternal line, from the tribe of Judah), is also pregnant with a son in her old age, and it is now the sixth month, (it is now the sixth month that she is with child) she who in * public reproach was called barren (until now).

    * Isaiah 54:6

    37. For * with God nothing is impossible.”

    * Genesis 18:14; Job 42:4; Psalm 135:5–6; Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Zechariah 8:6; Luke 18:27; Romans 4:21

    38. Now Mary said, “Behold, I am the maidservant of the Lord1 (entirely given to the service and the will of God); let it be to me as you have said.” (These were words of faith, humility, and obedience.) And the angel parted from her.

    1 Greek: “Behold, the Lord’s maidservant!” [ἰδοὺ ἡ δούλη κυρίου]

    Useful Applications

    III. DOCTRINE: Concerning the manifestly great mystery of godliness [see 1 Timothy 3:16], that the Son of God has become true man, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and was born of the Virgin Mary. (v. 31–35)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 7:10–15 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Second Reading (the Epistle Reading) of the Ember Wednesday of Advent, Isaiah 7:10–15, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    II. [Isaiah] deals with the sign which God offered to them, but which Ahaz did not want to request, on account of which the Lord punished him and named the sign, namely, the birth of Christ, or the consolation in the coming Immanuel. (v. 10–16)

    Annotated Text

    10. And the Lord spoke once more to Ahaz (through the prophet Isaiah), and said:

    11. “Ask for a sign of the Lord, your God (to convince you that what I have now said is God’s Word and the truth), be it below in the depths, or above in the heights (whether it be here on earth or above in heaven, so shall it happen; for I am the almighty God, and nothing is impossible for me, Luke 1:37).

    1 Hebrew: “turn yourself downward into the depth and ask, or turn yourself upward into the height” (You are free to demand a miraculous sign from wherever you want.)

    12. But Ahaz said (from an unbelieving heart and with a hypocritical mouth), “I will not ask (hereby Ahaz despises all those things which the prophet had promised him by God’s command, and in order to whitewash his hypocrisy, he says), for I will not test the Lord (he points to Scripture and thereby mocks the prophet’s offer, as if it were contrary to God’s Word, since in Scripture it is forbidden to tempt God the Lord by demanding a sign, Deuteronomy 6:16. Now it is one thing to demand a sign out of unbelief or presumption, and at an importune moment, without need and without a command from God; but is another thing to accept a sign which God Himself offers in order to strengthen the faith of men in order to thank Him and in due obedience).

    (Matthew 12:38; John 4:48)

    13. Then he said (the prophet Isaiah), “Well then, here then you of the house of David: Is it a small thing for you to insult the people (the priest mocks and skins the subjects), that you must (out of the impulse of your wicked heart) also insult my God?1 (in that you reject His Word and gracious promise and thereby want to make Him a liar, so much as it is within you).

    1 Hebrew: “to cause trouble” (through so much futile offering and vain apologizing)

    14. Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign1: Behold, a * virgin2 shall conceive (which is above all nature and contrary to its ordinary course), and will give birth to a Son (who is Christ), whom they will call3 † Immanuel (“God with us,” who is God and true man together in one person; who is the foundation of all the promises of God, 2 Corinthians 1:20, and is the faithful testimony of divine love and grace toward us men, Revelation 1:5).

    * Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:31; Micah 5:2

    † Isaiah 8:8, 10

    1 A supernatural miracle, which although still in the future, was nevertheless an absolute truth among the Jews (see Genesis 3:12; 2 Kings 19:29; Matthew 12:39ff.). At the very least, the house of Judah and David had to be preserved until this Son was born.

    2 This Hebrew word signifies a virgin according to its origin and established use. Otherwise, the matter could not have provided a miraculous sign.

    3 To be called a name often signifies that very fact. [i.e., Christ is truly, not figuratively, “God with us.”] See Isaiah 1:26, 9:6, 56:7; Jeremiah 3:17; Zechariah 6:12, 8:3; Luke 1:25, etc.

    15. He will eat butter and honey (He will be reared in such a common manner and way, as any other boy in the Jewish land), that He might know to reject evil and to choose the good (so long until He comes into His full age, and then can distinguish between good and evil, which happened  during the time that He carried out His teaching office on earth, to which He was consecrated at His baptism through divine revelation, Matthew 3:16–17).1

    * Hebrews 5:14 (Philippians 2:7)

    1 * Until He comes to the years in which children learn to understand the distinction between good and evil.

    16. For before * the boy (namely, Immanuel) learns to reject evil and to choose good (before He is yet to be born and increases in age and wisdom, Luke 2:40, 52)1 the land which you dread (namely, the land of Syria and the ten tribes of Israel) will be forsaken by its two kings (for both Rezin and Pekah were slain before Ahaz had completed the fourth year of his reign [see 2 Kings 15:30, 16:9]).

    * Isaiah 8:4 (v. 4)

    1 * That is, before he comes to these years, or in a short time as a boy comes to His reason. Those who understand such words as concerning the small boy Shear-Jashub [Isaiah 7:3] standing there, to whom the prophet pointed with his finger, come even closer to the matter and to the shortness of the time.

    Useful Applications

    II.  DOCTRINE: That the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary for our redemption. (v. 14)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 40:1–11 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications forthe Old Testament of the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete), Isaiah 40:1–8, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. A prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah, and His forerunner, John the Baptist, what he will preach. (v. 1–11)

    Annotated Translation

    1. “Comfort (with these words God speaks to the prophets, apostles, and their true successors, the servants of Christ, who carry out the office of the New Testament, that they ought to kindly comfort the people of God with these words), comfort My people!” says your God.

    2. “Speak * kindly with Jerusalem,1 and preach to her, that her hard service2 (Luther: “the Divine Service in the Old Testament”) has an end (that the burdensome Divine Services and the arduous exercises in the manifold ceremonies of the Mosaic Law have come to an end, that they are also redeemed from the curse and bane of the Law, as well as from the various accusations of the conscience), for her misdeeds are forgiven3 (for Christ’s sake), for she has received twofold (grace upon grace, John 1:16, Romans 5:20) from the hand of the Lord, for all4 her sins (Luther: “Namely, forgiveness of sins and freedom from the Law of Moses, that is, pure grace for sin, life for death,” etc.).

    (Zephaniah 3:18; Daniel 9:24; Ephesians 5:2; Hebrews 9:8ff.)

    1 Hebrew: “Speak to Jerusalem in her heart” (that is, preach to her what will be comforting to her. See Genesis 34:3, 50:21; Judges 19:3; Hosea 2:14; Zephaniah 3:9).

    2 Hebrew: “Her hard (military) service” (her Divine Service, which she carried out in the army of God, the Israelite Church, according to the Levitical order, which was a hard yoke both in itself, and also on account of the frequent great judgments of wrath. See Acts 15:10; Deuteronomy 8:24ff.).

    3 Hebrew: “reconciled” [i.e., propitiated], see Leviticus 1:4

    4 Hebrew: “in” or “among all” — regardless of their greatness and number.

    3. There is * a voice of a preacher in the wilderness (namely, John the Baptist, who began the New Testament with his preaching and teaching), ‘Prepare (through true repentance and correction) for the Lord (the Messiah, who is true God with the Father and the Holy Spirit) the way (that He may take up lodging in your hearts through true faith), make a level path in the field for our God (that He may enter in among you freely and unhindered).

    * Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23 (Malachi 3:1)

    4.All valleys (all hearts that are oppressed by the burden of the Law) shall be exalted (be set right again through the preaching of the Gospel), and all mountains and hills (proud hearts and hypocritical work-saints) shall be made low (brought to the recognition of their sins, and their trust in their own works will be laid low in their hearts), and what is unlike shall be made even, and what is rough shall be made smooth (Christ will make everything fine and straight, in that all men must live by His grace alone and no one will have any advantage over the other, Acts 10:34–35);

    (Isaiah 42:16; Zephaniah 3:11ff.)

    5. for the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (in Christ and in all His works and miracles); and all flesh shall see it together (Jews and Gentiles, Colossians 3:11; Isaiah 66:23) for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (for Christ’s mouth is truly God’s mouth, therefore, whoever has heard Christ speak has heard God speak).

    (Isaiah 52:6–10; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16)

    6. A voice says, “Preach!” (Christ will command His servants to preach.) And he (the servant of God) said, “What shall I preach?” (Answer, this:) “All * flesh is hay1 (all men, as they are now born after the fall into sin, are sinful and mortal, also unfit for all good, and cannot stand before God’s judgment), and all its goods (Luther: “All good deeds or good living which reason can do and does”) are as flowers in the field (therefore, they only ought to seek their righteousness and salvation in Christ alone, who is proclaimed to them in the Gospel).

    * Isaiah 51:12ff.; 1 Peter 1:24 (Matthew 6:30; James 1:10–11)

    1 Hebrew: “grass;” compare Psalm 37:2, as well as v. 7 here.

    7. The hay withers, the flower fades, for the Spirit of the Lord blows on them (when the Spirit of God tests the works of men who are not yet reborn, stirs their conscience, sharpens the Law, and thereby shines into the heart, then everything upon which they rely withers and falls apart, and all boasting lies down). Indeed, (all) the people are as hay (not only the wicked and godless people, but also the people of God are sinful, mortal, and perishable by nature).

    8. The hay withers, the flower fades, but the * Word our God (through which we are born anew and reborn to eternal life) remains forever.

    * Psalm 119:89; Luke 21:33; 1 Peter 1:25

    9. Zion, you preacher (by this are to be understood the holy apostles, who first preached the Gospel in Jerusalem and in the Jewish land, but afterward had preached it in the entire world, Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8)1, go up onto a high mountain (that your voice may be heard far and wide); Jerusalem, you preacher, lift up Your voice with power, lift it up and fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, there is (Christ) your God (revealed in the flesh, 1 Timothy 3:16, who now Himself speaks with you in His assumed human nature, Isaiah 52:6).

    (Matthew 10:27; Romans 10:18; Malachi 3:1)

    1 † The Hebrew word generally means to proclaim a joyful message. See Isaiah 52:7.

    10. For behold, the Lord YHWH (Christ, the Chief Shepherd of His Church, 1 Peter 5:4) comes with power1 (to content against the devil and everything that hinders and prevents us from salvation, and to cast out the prince of this world, John 12:31), and His arm is glorious (He will powerfully gather together a kingdom out of the human race in which He will rule with His Word and Spirit). Behold, His reward (His gift of grace, which He has acquired by His obedience and suffering) is with Him, and His * recompense (according to which He will do good to believers and will punish unbelievers) is before Him.

    * Romans 2:6ff. (Isaiah 62:11; Revelation 22:12; 1 John 3:8)

    1 Hebrew: alternatively, “against the powerful,” cf. Luke 11:21

    11. He will shepherd His flock as * a Shepherd; He will gather the (tender, young) lambs together in His arms and carry them in His bosom, and lead the sheep mothers (He will faithfully tend the weak sheep1).

    * John 10:11–12ff. (Psalm 23:2; Ezekiel 34:11–12, 23; Micah 5:3)

    1 † Those who understand the “sheep mothers” as the faithful teachers come closer to the purpose and the metaphor.

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTRINE: That we obtain forgiveness of sins, comfort, salvation, and blessedness from Jesus Christ through faith in His Holy Word. (v. 1, 2–10).

  • Notes and Useful Applications for James 5:7–10 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for Wednesday of Ad Te Levavi, James 5:7–10, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    II. A command concerning patience and comfort in tribulation. (v. 7–11)

    Annotated Text

    7. So now be * patient, beloved brothers (you who must allow yourselves to be frightened and oppressed so miserably by the godless rich, and also do not let yourselves be embittered by it), until the coming of the Lord (until Christ appears on the Last Day to hold judgment, who will not only deliver you from such tribulation, but also will reciprocate tribulation upon those who have laid affliction upon you, 2 Thessalonians 1:6). See how a farmer waits for the beautiful fruit of the earth, and is patient over it, until it receives the morning and evening rain (until God gives a fruitful rain, both for sowing and also for harvest time, by which the land is watered and is made rich, its furrows are soaks, its plowed field is moistened, and its growth is blessed, Psalm 65:10–11).

    * Luke 21:19; Hebrews 10:36 (James 1:4; Deuteronomy 11:14)

    8. You also be patient (do not allow yourselves to be moved to impatience by the oppression of the godless rich), and strengthen your hearts (by faithful trust and by the certain hope of the promised redemption and future blessèdness); for the coming of the Lord (Christ for judgment) is near (for the time between the first coming of the Son of God in the flesh and between His second coming for judgment is considered a short time, not only reckoned against eternity, but also against the time of the world which has already passed).

    (1 Corinthians 10:11; Philippians 4:5; Revelation 22:12)

    9. Do not groan against one another (out of impatience, hatred, anger, and vindictiveness), beloved brothers, so that you are not (by impatience, self-vengeance, and loveless sighing and wishing) condemned (for strife, envy, anger, hatred, and vindictiveness belong among the works of the flesh, and those who do these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God, Galatians 5:20–21). Behold, * the Judge is1 at the door (the coming of the Lord Christ, the appointed universal Judge, is so near as if He were already standing at the door).

    * Matthew 24:33 (Colossians 3:13)

    1 Greek: “standing” [ἕστηκεν]

    10. Take, my beloved brothers, * as an example the suffering and patience of the prophets, who had spoken in the name of the Lord (comfort yourselves in your suffering with the example of your teachers, who preached the Gospel of Christ to you and endured much hardship on account of it).

    * Matthew 5:12 (Romans 15:4)

    11. Behold, we praise them as blessèd (the saints of the Old Testament) who have endured1 (who endured much vileness in this world and are now redeemed out of them, and have been exalted to eternal glory). You have heard of the * patience of Job (it is known to you from his history), and the end of the Lord2 (Christ) you have seen (you on your part have seen how Christ endured all adversity, even death itself, with great patience and entered His glory through His suffering, Luke 24:26); for the † Lord is compassionate (of great compassion) and is merciful (He allows the need of His people to go to His heart, and finally redeems them out of all tribulation).

    1 Greek: “who endure steadfastly” [ὑπομείναντας]

    * Job 1:21–22

    2 † Others interpret this as referring to the end of the suffering sent by God, Job 42:10ff.

    † Psalm 103:8 (Matthew 5:11; Numbers 14:18)

    Useful Applications

    II. CORRECTION: To patience in the time of suffering according to the example of the holy prophets, and especially the man of God, Job. (v. 10–11)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 21:1–11 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel of the First Sunday of Advent (Ad Te Levavi), Matthew 21:1–11, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. The advent of Christ to Jerusalem. (v. 1–11)

    Annotated Text

    1. When * they (Christ and His disciples together with the people that followed Him) now drew near to Jerusalem, and came to (opposite of) Bethphage (and Bethany, Luke 19:29) to the Mount of Olives, 1 Jesus sent two disciples,

    * Mark 11:1; John 12:12

    1 Greek: “And when” [Καὶ ὅτε]

    2. and He said to them, “Go into the town which lies before you (into the market which lies opposite you, Luke 19:30) and immediately (when you come into it) you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it (also bound, on which no man has yet sat, Luke 19:30); loose it and bring it to Me. (For what purpose the Lord Christ intended to use this beast of burden He had not yet indicated to the disciples; but He was intent to hold His royal entry into the city of Jerusalem previously proclaimed by the Prophet.)

    3. And if someone should say something to you (and ask: ‘Why are you doing this?’ Mark 11:3; ‘Why do you loose the donkey and the colt?’ Luke 9:31), then say: ‘The Lord has need of it (for His service); and immediately he will allow it (to follow) you (and send them).”

    4. Now all this happened that it would be fulfilled what had been said through the prophet (Zechariah), when he said:

    5. “Say * to the daughter (the inhabitants) of Zion (of the city of Jerusalem, whose highest part was built upon Mount Zion; however, thereby is understood the Israelite Church): ‘Behold, your (heavenly soul-) † King comes to you (that He might have mercy on you and help you; thus, be for your good before others) meek (humble and lowly), and riding upon a donkey and upon a colt, the load-bearing donkey.” (Christ first rode upon the donkey and afterwards He sat Himself on the colt upon which He rode into the city. By the donkey is signified the Jews, the burden-bearing people; by the untamed colt, the Gentiles.)

    * Zechariah 9:9ff.; John 12:15

    † Psalm 24:8 (Isaiah 62:11)

    6. The disciples went out (from willing obedience, and they found it as He had said; for they found the colt tied at the door, outside at the crossroads, and they loosed it. But as they were loosing the colt, certain ones who were standing there said to them, “What are you doing, that you are loosing the colt?” Mark 11:4–5. And its lords said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” Luke 19:33. But they said to them as Jesus had commanded them, “The Lord has need of it,” and they allowed it, Mark 11:6.) and (those who were sent) did, as Jesus had commanded them.

    7. And they brought the donkey and colt (to Jesus), and laid their * garments thereupon (so that He might ride all the more gently) and set Him thereupon (They cast their garments upon the colt, and He sat upon it, Mark 11:7. But such, what had been prophesied by Zechariah and what otherwise happened here, His disciples did not understood beforehand, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that such has been written concerning Him and that they had done such things to Him, John 12:16).

    * 2 Kings 9:13; Mark 11:7–8

    8. Now many people1 spread their garments on the way (Such they did out of reverence toward this new King, as the like happened to Jehu, 2 Kings 9:13.); others2 cut down branches (green boughs) from the trees and strew them on the way (to adorn Him, to bear witness to their joy, and to confess Christ as a peace-rich and victory-rich king. And many people who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus had come to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet Him, John 12:12–13. And as He came near and descended the Mount of Olives, the whole heap of His disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice on account of all the deeds they had seen, Luke 19:37.).

    (1 Maccabees 13:51)

    1 Greek: “most of the people” (who partly came along from Jericho, Matthew 20:29, partly  had already come to Jerusalem for the feast and who went out to meet Him out of amazement concerning the raising of Lazarus).

    2 Greek: “but” [δὲ]

    9. But the (remaining common) people, who went before and followed after, cried out and said, “Hosanna (Luther: “In German, ‘Hosanna’ means ‘Ah, help!’ or ‘Ah, give good fortune and salvation!’—that is what we wish for.”) to the Son of David (to this new King, born of the lineage of David. The Jews had taught their children that when the Messiah would someday present Himself, they should receive Him with these words of the kingly prophet David; thus, because they heard that Jesus of Nazareth wanted to have His entry as the promised Messiah and the King of His Church, they had received Him in such a form)!1 Blessèd is He who comes (as a King) in the name of the Lord (sent by God to His people, that He should be a King of Israel, John 12:13; “Blessed be the kingdom of our father David!” Mark 11:10.)! Hosanna in the highest! (You Son of David who are in the highest, that is, a heavenly King and true God, help us. “Peace be in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38. And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Master, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I say to you, if these should be silent, then the stones would cry out,” Luke 19:39–40.)

    (Matthew 23:39)

    1 † Ordinarily, this formula from Psalm 118:25 was used at the Feast of Tabernacles. But the Jews also spoke it at other times on joyful occasions. See 1 Maccabees 13:51; 2 Maccabees 10:6; etc.

    10. And when He had entered into Jerusalem, the entire city was stirred up (frightened and became distressed) and said (all the inhabitants of that city were frightened and said), “Who is this (who comes riding into the city with such a multitude of people and to whom one wishes good fortune as to a king)?”

    11. But the People said, “This is the (famous) Jesus, * the prophet from Nazareth (who was conceived and raised up in Nazareth, Matthew 2:23; Luke 2:51) of Galilee (which city of Nazareth lies in Galilee. But the Pharisees said among one another, “You see that you are achieving nothing. Behold, all the world is running after Him,” John 12:19.).

    * Luke 7:16; John 1:45

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTRINE: That all things which happened at the time of the revelation of Christ in His received humanity were preached beforehand by all the prophets of the Old Testament, shown here by the citation of the prophet Zechariah concerning the entry of Christ into Jerusalem upon a donkey and a colt. (v. 4–5)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Jeremiah 23:5–8 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Old Testament Reading for the First Sunday of Advent (Ad Te Levavi), Jeremiah 23:5–8, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    III. He sets before them in contrast [to this account of punishment (v. 1–4)], the prophecy concerning the true Helper and Savior Jesus Christ. (v. 5–8)

    Annotated Text

    5. “Behold, * the time (of the New Testament) is coming,” says the Lord, “that I will raise up for David (from his stem and descendants, according to My promise) † a righteous Branch (a Son); and He (namely, the Messiah) shall ** be a (spiritual) King, who will rule well, and establish justice and righteousness on earth (He will acquire perfect righteousness through His obedience and suffering,1 and appropriate it to the members of His kingdom through faith, and protect His Church against enemies).

    * Jeremiah 30:3

    † Isaiah 4:2ff.

    ** Isaiah 32:1 (33:14–16; Psalm 132:17; Isaiah 11:3ff.)

    1 † See Psalm 22:31–32; for He will be a help through an everlasting redemption, v. 6.

    6. At that time * shall Judah (the Christian Church) be helped, and shall Israel (who is each true believer in Christ) dwell secure. And this will be His name (the Messiah’s), that one will call Him (in true faith), “The Lord (the true God), who is our righteousness” (who has brought us eternal righteousness, Daniel 9:24; who also has been made righteousness for us from God, 1 Corinthians 1:30; so that we might become in Him the righteousness which avails before God, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

    * Jeremiah 33:16; Isaiah 45:24 (Isaiah 53:11; Romans 3:21)

    7. Therefore, behold, * the time is coming,” says the Lord, “that one will no longer say, ‘As true as the Lord lives, who has led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt (in a bodily manner),’

    * Jeremiah 16:14–15

    8. but rather, ‘as true as the Lord lives, who has led forth the seed of the house of Israel (in a spiritual manner according to this type), and has brought them out from the land of the north and from all the lands1 into which I had driven them, so that shall dwell in their own land.’”

    1 † This teaches that the talk is of the general assembly of believers in the New Testament, John 10:16; Matthew 8:11; of which those from the north have been a prelude and a sample.

    Useful Applications

    III. DOCTRINE: That Christ the Son of God who has been sent form the heavenly Father into the world (signified through the true Branch of David), is the King of His believers, by whom they obtain righteousness and eternal salvation. (v. 5–6)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for John 4:47–54 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel for the Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity, John 4:47–54, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    II. How Jesus was received in Nazareth and in other places, and also how the royal official’s son was freed from the fever. (v. 43–54)

    Annotated Text

    47. And there was a royal official (a distinguished servant in the house of Herod the tetrarch, who nevertheless was considered a king by the common man and thus was called a king, Matthew 14:1, 9; Mark 6:14), whose son lay sick in Capernaum. This one heard that Jesus came (He had learned that Jesus had come) from Judea in Galilee, and he went to Him (to Cana, about five miles’ way), and he asked Him that He come down (go with him to Capernaum) and help his son, for he was sick unto death (therefore, he also supposed that Christ would have to be present himself for so dangerous an illness, and that he could not perform this work of healing if he were absent, much less raise him from the dead if he should die).

    48. And Jesus said to him: * “If you do not see signs and wonders, ** then you will not believe (“You Jews believe no more than you see. If I go with you, you suppose that I could help your son; but what kind of faith is that?” To believe rightly means not to doubt at all about that which one does not see, Hebrews 11:1, and to ground oneself in the omnipotence and goodness of God insomuch that he can and will help, even above and against all sense and reason).”

    * John 2:18; 1 Corinthians 1:22

    ** behold presently with your own eyes. The answer is aimed at the request to come down in v. 47 and agrees with Matthew 9:18.

    49. The royal official said (further, in the weakness of his faith) to Him, “Lord, come down, before my child dies (otherwise, Your presence will be in vain).”

    50.  Jesus said to him, “Go (at this My Word, to which you shall attach firm faith), * your son (has not died as you think, but) lives (through the divine power of this My Word, and when you come home, you will find him alive and well).” The man believed the Word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went (in certain confidence that the Lord’s Word would come to pass; therefore, he also did not hurry home all at once, to which he could have come that same evening if he had wanted, but rather remained overnight on the way).

    * 1 Kings 17:23

    51. And while he was going (further, on the next day), his servants met him, proclaimed it to him and said, “Your son lives (and is completely alive, healthy, and strong).”

    52. Then he investigated from them the hour in which it had become better with him. And they said to him, “Yesterday, around the seventh hour (according to our time, around 1 PM in the afternoon) the fever left him.”

    53. Then the Father realized (and heard precisely) that it was (exactly) around the hour in which Jesus had said to him, “Your son lives (v. 50).” And he (as now he had been fully convinced of the divine miraculous power of Christ) believed along with his entire household (his wife, children, and household servants were brought through to true faith in Christ. And some hold that this royal official’s wife was Joanna, who is mentioned in Luke 8:3, and that she is called the wife of Chuza, the steward of Herod, who followed the Lord and ministered to Him from her own possessions).

    (Acts 16:32, 18:8)

    54. This is now the second sign that Jesus did when He came from Judea into Galilee. (The first is described in John 2:7ff.)

    Useful Applications

    II. DOCTRINE: What faith or heartfelt confidence in Christ’s Word and promise has for power and might is testified by the royal official (v. 50–53). DOCTRINE: But how the Lord Jesus often uses many wondrous preparations and arrangements to awaken and to strengthen faith is seen from both stories (v. 16–54).

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Romans 3:19–28 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading for the Commemoration of the Lutheran Reformation (Reformation Day), Romans 3:19–28, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    II. The conclusion of the previously led disputation, that, namely, neither Jew nor Gentile know righteousness with works of the Law, because they both trespass the Law. (v. 9–23)

    III. Proof that righteousness comes from faith. (v. 24–31)

    Annotated Text

    19. But we know (as those born Jews, to whom was entrusted what God had spoken, Romans 3:2), that whatever the Law (the Scripture of the Old Testament) says, it says to those who are under the Law (who belong to the Jewish polity);1 so that every (Jewish and Gentile) * mouth be stopped (that no one can boast of their own righteousness, but rather must humble himself before God and recognize His inborn, as well as actual sin), and all the world be accountable to God (that all men in the entire world confess that on account of their sin are subject to the righteous judgment of God and eternal condemnation).  

    1 And either have received it in written manner, or have it inscribed onto their heart by nature (Romans 2:15); for here the saying is of the Law which pertains to all the world.

    * Psalm 107:42; Ezekiel 16:63; Galatians 3:22 (1 Kings 8:46)

    20. Therefore,1 that no flesh (no man, be he Jew or Gentile) * by works of the Law (which are done according to the Ten Commandments) may be justified (nor can be declared righteous before God) by Him (the Lord, his God); for (now after the fall into sin) through the Law (grasped in the Ten Commandments) comes (only) knowledge (and anxious feeling) of sin.

    1 Greek: Alternatively, “Thus it follows…” [διότι]  

    * Galatians 2:16; Psalm 143:2 (Romans 7:7)

    21. But now (in the New Testament) the righteousness which counts before God is without doing the Law (and its works),1 is revealed (in the Gospel, as a high hidden mystery) and (yet previously) is testified through the * Law (of Moses) and the Prophets.

    1 Greek: “the righteousness of God” (which He Himself provides and bestows, also which He only accepts as pleasing to Him and allows to count before His judgment).

    * John 5:46; Acts 10:43 (Genesis 15:6, 22:18; Isaiah 53:11; Jeremiah 23:6)

    22. Now I say of such (fully counting) righteousness before God which then comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all, when they believe (because faith is the only means through we grasp and appropriate to ourselves the promised righteousness won by Christ; but God reckons it to the one who believes in this manner).

    (Philippians 3:9)

    23. For * there is here (between Jews and Gentiles) no distinction;1 they are † altogether sinners (Luther: “Mark this when he says, ‘they are altogether sinners,’ for this is the chief point and the middle place of this epistle and of all of Scripture, namely, that all is sinful which is not redeemed through the blood of Christ and reckoned in faith. Therefore, grasp this text well, for here lies underneath all works, merit, and boast, as he himself says here, and there only remains purely God’s grace and honor”), and lack the glory which they ought to have before God (namely, the increated holiness and perfect inherent righteousness),

    * Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:22, 28

    1 Greek: “Because” [γὰρ]

    † 1 Kings 8:46 (Romans 3:19, 11:32; Colossians 3:11)

    24. and are justified * without (their own) merit from His (from God’s) grace (and pure sheer mercy), through the (perfect) redemption, which has happened through Jesus Christ;

    * Ephesians 2:8

    25. Whom God has set forth (and ordained from eternity) for a * mercy seat (of which the type was the mercy seat, that is, the cover over the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament, Exodus 25:17; because Christ has reconciled us with God and covered our sin which was committed against the Ten Commandments), through faith in His blood (through His blood, which He poured out for us as an atoning sacrifice), that He might demonstrate (and bestow) the righteousness that counts before Him, in that He forgives sin which has previously remained under divine forbearance1 (Luther: “Sin could neither be taken away by the Law nor by any good work; it had to be done by Christ and by forgiveness;” therefore, also in the Old Testament the sins of believers were forgiven solely and only for the sake of the coming Messiah);

    * Leviticus 16:15; Hebrews 4:6 (Acts 13:38ff.; 2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 2:6; Titus 3:5ff.; 1 Peter 1:18; 1 John 2:2ff.)

    1 Greek: Alternatively, “As proof of His (earnest) punishing righteousness, because He had previously (in the Old Testament, until Christ, Hebrews 9:15) allowed committed transgressions to pass by, Romans 3:26, under divine (great) forbearance (so that one might think that God did not consider sin to be great; indeed, I say once more), as a (clear) proof of His punishing righteousness in this (appointed by divine wisdom) fitting time (since Christ, the guarantor, has born the wrath and completely expiated it).”

    26. in order that He might at this time (the world in which the Son came in the flesh, and carried out the work of redemption) demonstrate1 (and bestow) the righteousness which counts before Him (by which we can stand before Him); so that He alone may be righteous (that He might be recognized by everyone as righteous, just as He alone is good, Matthew 19:17, and truthful), and make2 righteous the one who has faith in Jesus (who holds fast to Christ with true faith).

    (Romans 4:5)

    1 Greek: “show” [πρὸς τὴν ἔνδειξιν] (offer to all the world)

    2 * “Nevertheless also,” or according to the Greek, “also in that He makes righteous” [καὶ]

    27. Where * now remains boasting (of one’s own righteousness, as if a man could earn heaven from God the Lord)? It is over1 (and terminated. With such an alien righteousness bestowed purely out of pure grace, it has no place). Through which law (or teaching)? Through the works of the Law (through the teaching which requires works according to the Holy Ten Commandments in us and from us)? Not in this way (for then man would have a reason to boast of it, Romans 4:2), but rather through the law of faith (through the doctrine of the Holy Gospel, which requires faith in Christ for righteousness, and therefore teaches that by our own righteousness we cannot stand before God).

    * Romans 2:17, 23; 1 Corinthians 1:29, 31 (Romans 8:2; Ephesians 2:8–9)

    1 Greek: “excluded” [ἐξεκλείσθη]

    28. Therefore * we now maintain (and infallibly conclude), that a man (be he Jew or Gentile) is (spoken) righteous (before the judgement of God) without works of the Law, only1 through faith (in Christ).

    * Galatians 2:16ff (Acts 13:38)

    1 Although this little word is not expressly found in the Greek text, nevertheless the manner of speaking of the German language requires such a contrast, which also agrees with Paul’s clear words, “as only” (Galatians 2:16), Christ’s procedure (Matthew 4:10; cf. Deuteronomy 6:13), and finally also the example of the Latin common Bible itself (Leviticus 31:2).  

    Useful Applications

    II. DOCTRINE: That all men, none excepted, are sinners, and thus no one can be justified through works of the Law, since they are imperfect and tainted with sin. (v. 20–23) III. DOCTRINE: That we are justified without merit, by God’s grace, through the redemption which has happened through Christ Jesus, by faith in Him. (v. 24–25) DOCTRINE: That when boasting of worthiness before God has been struck down, thereby joy unto thankfulness is all the more awakened, along with all humility. (v. 27–31)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 22:34–46 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, Mark 22:34–46, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    IV. The last discourse of Christ with the Pharisees concerning the greatest commandment in the Law and concerning the Messiah. (v. 34–46)

    Annotated Text

    34. But when the Pharisees heard that He had stopped up the mouth of the Sadducees (thus that they could no longer answer Him nor rebuke His speech), they gathered together (namely, the Pharisees).

    35. And * one among them, a scribe, (who had heard them as they questioned one another, and saw that He had answered them finely; meanwhile, he came forward when the others were gathering together and taking counsel, and asked Him, Mark 12:28, and) tested Him (in the beginning, he had brought forth his question to Christ with a wicked intent, but afterward the Holy Spirit changed his heart), and said,

    * Luke 10:25.

    36. “Master, which is the foremost commandment (before all) in the Law (that we ought to keep and to fulfill before all things? The scribe wants to say this much: Because a resurrection of the dead will follow and another life exists after this one, as you have rightly answered the Sadducees, therefore the question now is, which is the foremost commandments that one must keep before all others if one wants to inherit eternal life)?

    37. But Jesus (answered and) said to him, (The foremost commandment before all commandments is this: “Hear, O Isarel, the Lord, our God, is one singular God,” Mark 12:29, and) * “’You shall love God (the only true God), Your Lord, with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind (and with all your powers, Mark 12:30).’

    *Mark 12:30ff. (Deuteronomy 6:4–6; Luke 10:27)

    38. This is the foremost and greatest commandment (as the foundation of what follows, if it should be upright).

    39. But the second is like it (because God the Lord wants this commandment to be kept just as much as the first; also because both commandments require not only an external obedience, but rather also a inward obedience, and because no one can rightly love God unless he also loves his neighbor, 1 John 4:20–21; finally, because the transgression of the commandment concerning love of the neighbor is just as reprehensible as the transgression of the commandment concerning the love of God): ‘You shall love your neighbor (all those who need your help) as you yourself (thus, that you show them all the love, friendship, and kindness, which you desire, so that it may happen to you from others. There is no other greater commandment than this, Mark 12:31ff.).’

    * Leviticus 19:28; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8; Colossians 3:14.

    40. On these two commandments hang (is grasped or summed up, Romans 13:9) the entire Law and the Prophets (what Moses and the Prophets require of a man when they deal with the doctrine of the Law; they also can neither be sufficiently understood, nor rightly applied for the salvation of souls if one does not recognize from them our incapability to fulfill the Law and how necessary the Mediator is, who fulfills in us the righteousness that is demanded by the Law, Romans 8:3–4. And the scribe said to Him, “Master, You have truly spoken correctly; for there is one God, and there is none other besides Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the mind, and with all the soul, and with all powers and love one’s neighbor as oneself, this is more than bread offerings and all sacrifice.” But when Jesus saw that He had answered reasonably, He said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him further, Mark 12:32–34).”

    41. Now when the Pharisees were with one another, they asked Jesus (when He taught in the temple, Mark 12:35),

    (Matthew 22:34)

    42. and said, “What do you think concerning the Christ (what do you hold concerning the promised Messiah)? * Whose Son is He (from which stem and race will He be born when He comes?)?” They said, “David’s” (from the lineage of David, according to the divine promise).

    (Luke 20:41)

    * He led them there in order to show that the discussion is not settled with the Law, but rather that the knowledge of Christ and His person, as well as His office is necessary above all in the Kingdom of God.

    43. He (answered and) said to them (“How do they say, the scribes, that Christ is David’s Son?” Mark 12:35, Luke 20:41): “How then does David call Him in the Spirit (through the Holy Spirit, Mark 12:36, that is, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) a Lord, when He says (in the book of the Psalms):

    44. * “The Lord (God the Father) has said to my Lord (to Christ, His Son, who is my lord and my God): ‘Sit at My right hand (reign with Me in like majesty, power, and glory, 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:3, 8:1; Ephesians 1:20), until I place Your enemies as a footstool for Your feet (until I fully subject these to you on the Last Day. Then, David indeed calls Him his Lord, Mark 12:37).’”

    * Psalm 110:1; Mark 12:37; Luke 20:42; Acts 2:34; Hebrews 1:13 (Hebrews 10:13).

    45. So now, if David (the mighty king, who acknowledge no higher lord on earth, but rather only the true God in heaven) calls Him a Lord, whose Son then is He? (Christ does not deny that the Messiah will be David’s son according to His human nature, but rather He wants to give the Pharisees the knowledge that He will also be David’s Lord, according to His divine nature.)

    46. And * no one could answer Him a word (nor show the correct understanding and basis of this Davidic saying, because they did not know the Messiah rightly from the Holy Scripture, but rather held Him to be a mere man who would see a worldly kingdom on earth), ** and also no one dared to ask Him a question from the day forward (They tested Him with crafty questions. And many people heard Him gladly, Mark 12:37. But that Christ wanted to conclude all His sermons and miracles with this conversation concerning the Law and the Gospel, thereby He showed that everything contained in Holy Scripture can and ought to be drawn into these two chief points, namely, to the Law and the Gospel, Isaiah 8:20, John 1:17, Romans 11:32).

    * Luke 14:6.

    ** As the interpretation of the Jews today, [applying it] to Abraham, sounds truly wretched.

    Useful Applications

    IV. DOCTRINE: Christ is David’s Son and Lord, both as true man and as true God (v. 42–45). DOCTRINE: Whoever is lacking in this knowledge, is and remains with a legalistic nature and in darkness (v. 42–46).

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Luke 7:11–18 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel of the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 7:11–17 as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    Notes

    II. The Resurrection of the Dead Son of the Widow at Nain (v. 11–18)

    11. Now it happened afterward * that He (the Lord Jesus) came into a city (among the mountains of Hermon, located four miles away from Capernaum) with the name Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him (not only the twelve Apostles, but rather also many other who were His disciples and hearers) and many people (which followed after the Lord Christ for the sake of His teaching and miracles).

    * Greek: “On the following day”

    12. Now as He came near to the gate of the city, behold, there a dead man was being carried out, * who was * the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And many people from the city went out with her (for the burial of her son).

    *For the Jews had to have their graves outside of the city.

    ** 1 Kings 17:17.

    13. And when the Lord saw her, * He was moved with pity for her (from heartful compassion) the same (grieving widow), and said to her, ** “Do not weep (excessively over the deadly departure of your son).”

    * Matthew 9:36

    ** Jeremiah 31:16

    14. And He came forward and touched (with His almighty, life-giving hand)  the casket (the deathbed, the bier, upon which the young the man was openly carried), and the bearers stood. And He said, “Young man, * I (who am the resurrection and the life, John 11:25) say to (command) you, stand up.”

    * Mark 5:41

    15. And the dead man sat upright, and began to speak. * And He gave him (living again) to his mother. (This is the first dead person whom Christ raised in the New Testament; afterward, He also raised the daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the school, Matthew 9:25, and Lazarus, John 11:43–44, from the dead, and in His resurrection there were many bodies of the saints who were raised with Him, Matthew 27:52)

    * 2 Kings 4:36

    16. And fear came upon all of them (for they were greatly astonished over this great miracle), and they praised God and said, “A great prophet (who is the Messiah Himself) has risen among us, and ** God has visited His people (through the sending of this prophet in grace). ***

    * The like had not happened since the time of Elisha, and thus not in nine hundred years, much less with such circumstances.

    ** Luke 1:68, 78 (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18; Matthew 16:14)

    *** Or, according to the Greek: “And (some) said (who still regarded Him as a mere man, but nevertheless held Him to be a prophet), ‘A great prophet has risen among us.’ Or (others, who still went further said), ‘God has visited His people (through the Messiah Himself).’”

    17. And this report of Him resounded in all the Jewish lands and in all the surrounding lands.

    Useful Applications

    II. DOCTRINE: As easy as it was for Christ to raise this young man from the dead with a word, thus will He also by His divine almighty Word raise all the dead on the Last Day (v. 14–15).