PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: Weimarische Bibelwerk

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Malachi 4:1–6 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Old Testament Reading for the Wednesday of Populus/Filia Zion (the Second Week of Advent), Malachi 4:1–6, 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 sharp admonition and threat against the despisers, and a promise for the pious. (v. 1–3) II. An admonition from the Law. (v. 4) III. A prophecy concerning John the Baptist and his office. (v. 5–6)

    Annotated Text

    1. “For behold, a day is coming, burning like an oven (in which the Lord’s wrath will burn against the unrepentant, stiff-necked Jews and will consume them together with their temple, cities, and land as fire burns something up in an oven), then all despisers (of Christ and His Word) and (the) godless shall be as stubble, and the coming day will set them on fire,” says the Lord of Sabaoth, “and it will leave neither root nor branch (God will leave to the Jewish people neither a kingdom nor a priesthood, but rather will completely uproot them so that they shall never more come up, just as a tree who has no root cannot ever sprout forth again. However, because the unbelieving Jews still must await the hardest judgment and worst punishment on the Last Day, this prophetic text can at the same also be applied to the final Day of Judgment, in which all the godless together with them shall be destroyed and tossed into the hellish fire).1

    (Psalm 1:4; Isaiah 1:31, 5:24)

    1 † See Isaiah 66:24, where the prophecy is to be taken exactly in its scope [literal sense?].

    2. But for you, who fear My name, * the Sun of Righteousness (Christ Jesus, the Light of the world, John 8:12, and the bright Morningstar, Revelation 22:16, shall rise in your hearts, 2 Peter 1:19, enlighten them with the saving knowledge of God, make them alive and gladden them through His merit and costly-purchased righteousness, warm them through His Spirit, and make them fruitful for all good works) shall arise with salvation in His wings (that is, His rays.1 Just as the sun gives light, warmth, and light to the creatures on earth through its rays, thus Christ will impart spiritual life and eternal salvation to believers through the Word of the Gospel and through the Holy Sacraments), and you shall go out and come in (and find pasture, John 10:9. Christ will also be your Shepherd, who will lead you to the wholesome, fruitful pasture of His Word, under whose protection you will be secure, and your soul will be able to graze) and † increase like the stall-fed calves (you will grow daily in the saving knowledge of God and Christ, His Son, and leap and spring in faith for joy like the stall-fed calves that have feed to the full).

    * Luke 1:78

    † Isaiah 55:2 (Psalm 84:12; Isaiah 53:11; Daniel 9:24; Psalm 23:1ff.)

    1 † Because several parables are set together among the prophets in the east, so also here could the expression “under the wings” (Matthew 23:37) take place in its proper understanding

    3. You will trample the godless, for they shall be ashes under your feet on the day in which I will do this (you will, in the power of the victory which Christ has obtained for you and for your good against sin, death, devil, and hell, also overcome enemies through faith and tread them under your feet as earth and ashes, Psalm 91:13; Luke 10:19; Romans 16:20. Also, no bodily enemy, no tyrant, will overpower you or take your salvation from you, but in Christ and through Christ you will overcome them all),” says the Lord of Sabaoth.

    (Isaiah 25:10; Zechariah 10:5)

    4. “Remember the * Law of Moses, my (faithful) servant, which I commanded him at Mount Horeb to all Israel, together with the commandments and laws (diligently keep the Ten Commandments, the ecclesial laws, and the civil laws which I have given to you through My servant Moses on Mount Horeb, otherwise called Sinai. Because Malachi was the last prophet of the Old Testament, he therefore wanted with this admonition, so to speak, seal and close it, for the Jews were to be guarded and shut up under the Mosaic Law for the faith that would be revealed, and the Law was to be their disciplinarian to Christ, Galatians 3:23–24). He then should afterward bring forth the doctrine of the Gospel1 from the bosom of His heavenly Father, John 1:18.

    * Exodus 20:1ff. (Hebrews 3:5)

    1 † Because the commandments and laws (that is, the Levitical and civil law) are particularly mentioned, so there is no doubt that along with the very earnest command and warning (Deuteronomy 18:18ff.), here the types hidden beneath them are also pointed out (cf. John 5:46ff.).

    5. Behold, I * will send you the prophet Elijah (John the Baptist, who will rebuke the false doctrine and the godless life unafraid in the Spirit and power of Elijah) before then comes the great and terrible day of the Lord (the day of the first coming of Christ, which was a great and glorious day because Christ obtained great treasures and glorious benefits for believers on that day; however, it was a terrible day for the devil and all his hellish power, because Christ came to execute vengeance against him, Isaiah 61:2, to crush his head, Genesis 3:15, and to destroy his kingdom along with his works, 1 John 3:8).

    * Matthew 11:14, 17:12 (Mark 9:12–13)

    6. He shall convert the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers (in a similar manner as the prophet Elijah with great zeal rebuked and abolished the idolatry of Baal, and led them back to the old true religion to which the old patriarchs were devoted, 1 Kings 18:39, so also will John the Baptist likewise zealously rebuke the false doctrine of the Pharisees and scribes and convert the people again to the true God, whom their forefathers had served according to His Word.1 Therefore, you Jews, listen to John the Baptist and follow his teaching, and with true faith receive the Messiah, whom he will point to with his finger [John 1:29–31]), so that I do not come and strike2 earth with the ban (so that I may not destroy you and hurl you into eternal condemnation on account of your unbelief).

    (Luke 1:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:16; Hebrews 10:18–31)

    1 † Which includes the parents with the children, and the children with the parents, that is, all of them together (cf. Matthew 3:5). This adheres more closely to the Hebrew עַל which happens often in this understanding (see Genesis 32:12; Exodus 20:5; and Judges 15:8).

    2 † This last thing (alas!), the sad outcome has demonstrated. See Deuteronomy 32.

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Romans 15:4–13 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for the Second Sunday of Advent (Populus Zion), Romans 15:4–13, 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 proof from the example of Christ. (v. 1–13)

    Annotated Text

    4. Now whatever was written * beforehand (in the Psalms of David and other books of Holy Scripture concerning Christ and other articles of our Christian faith) was written for our instruction, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scripture (through patience which grows out of the comforting sayings of Scripture) would have (no one therefore may think that what is written about Christ does not concern us, but rather that we also are hereby directed to Christian patience with the weak) hope (of the redemption from all crosses and of eternal life).

    * Romans 4:23–24; 1 Corinthians 10:11 (2 Timothy 3:16)

    5. Now may the God of patience and comfort (who imparts patience and comfort to His own in the power of the Holy Spirit through His Word) grant you that * you be of a single mind among one another1 (and do not stir up quarrels among one another on account of differing uses of middle things, but rather bear with one another and yield to one another) according to Jesus Christ (according to Christ’s teaching and example);

    * Philippians 3:16ff. (Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Psalm 133:1)

    Greek: “in the same way, be minded among one another and toward one another” [τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν ἀλλήλοις]

    6. that you praise and single-mindedly with one mouth (and heart) praise the God and Father (God, the Lord, who is the Father) of our Lord Jesus Christ (to whose praise and honor all your doings ought to be directed).

    (Acts 1:14, 4:24)

    7. Therefore, receive one another among yourselves, just as1 Christ has received you (and us all) to God’s praise (that we, for this our redemption which has happened through Christ, praise God the Lord here temporally and there eternally and thank Him and also show much patience to our neighbor Christians to the same end).

    (Romans 14:1ff.)

    1 Greek: “also” [καὶ]

    8. Now I say (Luther: “This is the summary of summaries of this epistle: Both Jews and Gentiles shall be saved, etc.”), that Jesus Christ became * a servant of the circumcision (Luther: “Servant, that is, apostle, preacher, and messenger, sent personally to the Jews and not to the Gentiles), for the sake of the truth of God, to confirm (to fulfill) † the promises made to the fathers. (Christ has deemed the Jews worthy in a high way, those to whom He was especially promised, that He, in His own person, preached the Gospel to them; therefore, the Gentiles ought not despise them on account of the fact that they still observe some things from the Levitical Law.)

    * Matthew 15:24

    † Acts 3:25

    9. But that the Gentiles praise God for the sake of * His mercy (which they have obtained from God through Christ; therefore, because Christ also received the Gentiles into grace and has had the Gospel preached to them through His apostles, the Jews ought not despise them as strangers of the testaments of the promise; on the other hand, those converts from the Gentiles ought to patiently endure that weakness of the [Jews], when they cannot resign themselves at once to the freedom of Christians from the Mosaic  ordinances), as it stands written: “Therefore, I (Christ) will praise You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name (I will have the Gospel preached also among the Gentiles and thereby work in their hearts that they may rightly know You, My heavenly Father, and may also praise and extol Your name).”

    * Romans 11:30

    † Psalm 18:50; 2 Samuel 22:50 (Ephesians 2:16)

    10. And once more * He says (Christ through Moses), “Rejoice you Gentiles with His people (as fellow-partakers of His people).”

    * Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 67:5

    11. And once more (through David), * “Praise the Lord, all Gentiles, and praise Him all peoples.”

    * Psalm 117:1

    12. And once more * says Isaiah, “There shall be the † Root of Jesse (Christ, in the time of the New Testament, will spring forth from the root of Jesse, that is, from the lineage of David, the Son of Jesse), and the one who will arise to rule (in His Kingdom of grace through His Word and Spirit) over the Gentiles (who will stand as “a banner for the peoples,” as the words in the prophet read, [Isaiah 11:10]); in Him will the Gentiles hope (and seek Him, as the prophet says).”

    * Isaiah 11:10

     Revelation 5:5 (22:16)

    13. Now the God of hope (the one who works hope and all Christian virtues in believers) fill you with all (spiritual) * joy and peace (the peace which springs forth from peace with God) in faith, that you have1 (receive in your hearts) the full hope (of eternal salvation) through the power of the Holy Spirit.

    * Romans 14:17

    1 Greek: “overflowingly,” that is, “that you do still more than I say to you in the hope, etc.”

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTRINE: That the Holy Divine Scripture was given to us so that we might have patience, comfort, and the hope of eternal life among the tribulations of this life through its teaching and instruction. (v. 4)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Luke 21:25–33 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent (Populus Zion), Luke 21:25–33, 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. A prophecy concerning the end of the world, in which signs are recounted in like manner. (v. 25–38)

    Annotated Text

    25. “And * there will be seen signs in the sun, moon, and stars (for the sun and the moon will lose their radiance and the stars will fall from heaven); and there will be anxiety among the people1 (especially the godless), and they will be timid (so that they do not know what to do); † and the sea and the waves will roar (The waters will burst forth, destroy land and people, and otherwise roar and rage in terrible unheard ways).

    * Isaiah 31:10; Matthew 24:29

    1 Greek: “the peoples” [ἐθνῶν]

    † Psalm 46:4 (Mark 13:24; Joel 3:4; Revelation 6:12)

    26. And men will be * languishing from fear and from expectation of the things which are shall come upon the earth (on account of the terrifying signs; therefore, the people on earth will have to wait for nothing other than the Last Day and the end of the world); for even the powers of the heavens will be shaken (the heavens with their stars will not be as powerful as before for warmth, fruitfulness, and for hidden workings).

    * Isaiah 64:7; Ezekiel 24:23

    27. And * then (immediately after these preceding signs) they (the people on earth) will see the Son of Man (Christ in His assumed humanity) coming in the clouds with great power and glory (He will allow His divine omnipotence and glory communicated to Him according to His human nature to be seen and heard everywhere).

    * Daniel 7:13 (Matthew 26:64)

    28. But when you see these things begin to happen (do not wait only for the last moment, but rather when you see beforehand these things that are preached come into fulfillment more and more), so (you believers) look up (be renewed in your courage), and raise your heads (and hearts with joyful confidence and heartfelt longing), * for your redemption (indeed more and more) draws near (because it is present that through the Last Day you shall be completely delivered from all evil, Romans 8:23).”

    * Romans 8:21, 23

    29. And He (Christ) spoke to them a parable (how to recognize the presence of the Last Day), * “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

    * Matthew 24:32 (Mark 13:28)

    30. When they are already budding, you see in them and take note that summer is now near.

    31. So also you (believers and pious people), when you see all these things happening, then know that the Kingdom of God is near (do not be all to terrified at the signs previously recounted, but rather assure and comfort yourselves that you shall soon be relocated into the kingdom of eternal joy and glory and shall have your joyful everlasting summer there).

    32. Truly, * I say to you, this generation (of the Jews) will not pass away (not entirely be eradicated, but rather wander about, scattered here and there), until all this happens (until the Last Day shall come upon the previously mentioned signs).

    * Matthew 24:34ff.

    33. * Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words † will not pass away.

    * Luke 16:17; Psalm 102:27; Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 5:18

    † Isaiah 40:8

    34. But guard yourselves, that your hearts are not weighed down (that they cannot lift themselves to God on high with devotion in prayer, faith, hope, etc.) with * gluttony and drunkenness, and with cares of sustenance, and the day (the day of judgment) comes upon you quickly.

    * Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18 (1 Thessalonians 5:5ff.; 1 Peter 4:7ff.)

    35. For * it will come as a snare upon all who dwell on earth (just as a bird-catcher casts the net unexpectedly and swiftly over the birds when they hop about on the ground, pick up the grains, and fear no evil, so also when the godless and the earthly minded children of the world are secure, gorging and getting and drunk, and indulging in the lusts of this world, they will be suddenly and unexpectedly trapped and startled by the Last Day).

    * 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (2 Peter 3:10)

    36. So now you therefore be vigorous (vigilant) at all times (flee security and live always in Christian preparedness), and pray, that you may be worthy (deemed worthy by God by grace), to escape all these things that (before and on the Last Day, in a terrible manner, especially with swift abruptness, v. 35) shall happen, and to stand1 before the Son of Man (that you may appear before the judgment seat of Christ with a joyful countenance and a good conscience and not be rejected by Him with the godless, Psalm 1:5; Wisdom 5:1).”

    (Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:34ff; Revelation 3:2, 16:15)

    1 * “to persist,” see Psalm 1:5

    Useful Applications

    III. WARNING: That one ought to expect the Last Day at all times, and that we ought to guard ourselves against gluttony, drunkenness, and the cares of sustenance (or avarice) so that the Last Day may not overtake us while we are unprepared, for by these things the hearts of men are weighed down and many damnable sins are committed. (v. 34)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 3:1–6 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel for Wednesday of Ad Te Levavi, Matthew 3:1–6, 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.

    John, the Preacher in the Wilderness, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

    I. Concerning the person of John the Baptist, as to what constituted his office, doctrine, food, and clothing. (v. 1–4), and II. Concerning the great influx of the people to John, and how he on such occasion preached against the hypocrisy of the Jews. (v. 5–12)

    Annotated Text

    1. At that time1 (when Christ was almost thirty years old, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, when Pilate was the Roman governor, and Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, Luke 3:1–2, but the Lord Jesus still kept Himself at Nazareth) * came (appeared or emerged) John (a son of the priest Zachariah, who had begotten him with his old housewife Elizabeth, Luke 1:24, 57) the Baptist (who is called thus on account of the baptism which he carried out at God’s command at the beginning of the New Testament) and he preached (called out with a loud voice) in the wilderness of the Judean land (in a place of the land in Judea, located by the Jordan, not far from Jericho, Luke 3:3; a place called “the plain of the wilderness,” 2 Samuel 17:16, 22, because there was much forest and mountains there and thus it was inhabited less than other places, although several cities were located in that same place, in which Zachariah, John the Baptist’s father, dwelt, Luke 1:39–40. Luther: “This ought to be a certain sign that the Messiah was coming when they heard one preaching not in the temple at Jerusalem, nor in the [Pharisaical] schools, but rather in the wilderness, who preached in this manner: ‘The Lord is coming,’ as John had done.”).2

    1 Greek: “Now” [δὲ]

    * Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3

    2 † This wilderness was a region of land in the Jewish mountains, Luke 1:39, 80, where the Word of the Lord first came to John, Luke 3:2. From that same region he went forth until he came to the Jordan.

    2. And he said, * “Repent (turn yourselves from your godless way of life); the Kingdom of Heaven (that is, the time of grace, when God Himself appears in Christ on earth and draws men away from trust in their own righteousness, in Levitical external worship, and fleshly thinking, and, on the other hand will establish a spiritual Kingdom through faith in the hearts of men) has come near (The prophecies of the prophets concerning the Kingdom of the Messiah are now fulfilled; for He has appeared and will soon enter His office with the public preaching of the Gospel, in which He will offer the grace of God, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal salvation to all men and will impart it to the who truly repent and believe, and will also win such treasures and benefits for them through His obedience, suffering, and death).”

    * Matthew 4:17 (Mark 1:15)

    3. And1 he (John the Baptist) is the one of whom the Prophet Isaiah * had spoken, saying: “A voice of a preacher (a voice calling) in the wilderness (saying thus): ‘Prepare for the Lord (the coming Messiah, who is our righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6) the way (clear out of the way the filth of errors and the great logs of misdeeds through true knowledge of sins and heartfelt contrition over them; adorn the way with the fervent longing for the grace of God  with true faith in the promised and now appeared Messiah with the earnest intent of amendment and with all kinds of Christian virtues; just as one clears all hindrances and filth out of the way when a king or a prince intends to make his entrance and adorns the way with tapestries, grass, and trees [cf. Matthew 21:8]), and make His paths straight2 (so that the heart may not be lifted up through spiritual pride nor be made crooked and uneven through hypocrisy, because without true repentance, His gospel cannot be received and grasped and hearts in a fruitful manner).

    1 Greek: “For he” [or, “for in this way,” οὗτος γάρ]

    * Isaiah 40:3 (Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23)

    2 Greek: “footpaths” (where He wants to teach, preach, walk, and be received)

    4. Now John had a * garment of camel’s hair (a meagre, hairy,  rough garment prepared from coarse camel’s hair, in which form the prophet Elijah was also clothed in the Old Testament, 2 Kings 1:8, for “He will go before Him [the Lord] in the spirit and power of Elijah,” Luke 1:17, and was the true Elijah who was to come, Malachi 4:5 and Matthew 11:14; thus [John] also wanted by his clothing to be compared to [Elijah]) and a leather girdle around his loins (the like of which Elijah also wore); his food was locusts (which was a different kind of locust than those we have, and which the common poor people in the eastern lands were accustomed to using for food, both fresh and dried in smoke; the Jews also were allowed to eat them, Leviticus 11:22, yet, it was a humble, disdained food) and wild honey (honey of wild bees, which was not as good and sweet as other honey;1 because John was a preacher of repentance, so he also wanted to lead a hard and strict life, both in his food and also in his clothing).

    * 2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6 (Matthew 11:8, 18; 1 Samuel 14:27)

    1 † Some understand here the flowing sap of date and fig trees, which is also called honey among the Hebrews and was found in the region of Jericho as well as near the Jordan. But it is better that one remains with the more common meaning of “wild honey.”

    5. Then went out to him the city (the inhabitants of the city) of Jerusalem and the entire Jewish land all lands (the people from all the cities and villages of the Jewish land and of the surrounding neighboring regions, such as Galilee, Perea, Trachonitis, etc.) at the Jordan.

    (Luke 3:7)

    6. And they allowed themselves to be baptized by him in the Jordan and they confessed their sins (They acknowledged their guilt before God, and confessed publicly that they were poor sinners and then humbly asked God for forgiveness; thereafter, John admonished them that they ought to believe in Christ, the Messiah and Savior of the world, who had now appeared, and afterwards baptized them for the forgiveness of sins by God’s command, Luke 3:3).

    Useful Applications

    I. CORRECTION: That the foremost purpose of all Church teachers in their office ought to be to teach concerning repentance as did John. (v. 2).

    [There are no useful applications listed for verses 5–6.]

  • 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 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Trinity, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, 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. A prohibition, that one ought to not wickedly inquire after the certain day and hour of the coming of Christ. (v. 1–5) II. An admonition as to how one should at all times be prepared for the coming of Christ. (v. 6–10) III. Several specific rules for true Christianity, together with the conclusion. (v. 11–28)

    Annotated Text

    1. Concerning the * times and the hours, (the time and the hour in which Christ will come for judgment, in like manner how long a time will have to pass until then, or in what circumstances the world and the Church of God will be found then) beloved brothers, it is not necessary (it is neither necessary nor edifying) to write to you (since no one knows the day nor the hour, not even the angels in heaven, but rather only God the heavenly Father, Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32, which has been reserved in His authority, Acts 1:7).

    * Matthew 24:3, 36

    2. For you yourself (already) know, 1 that the day of the Lord (Christ, that is, the last day of judgment) will come (will happen), * as a thief in the night (before men will know of it).

    * Matthew 24:42–43; Luke 12:39; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3, 16:15

    1 Greek: “from the doctrine pronounced (by us) with great diligence (concerning this to you)” [This is not in any Greek text that I could find, I think that it is meant to be an explanation of the perfect tense of οἴδατε.]

    3. For if they (the godless) are saying, * “There is peace (all remains well), there is no danger (that the Last day will come even now); then doom (the condemnation, which will then begin upon them) will fall upon them quickly, 1 just like pain (the birth anxieties) come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape it (such is their doom).

    * Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11 (Luke 21:34–35)

    1 Greek: “Thus, the speedy doom (already) stands (hovers) over their heads.” [Again, this is not in any manuscript, but an explanation of the text]

    4. But you, beloved brothers, * are not in the darkness (of false doctrine, great sin, and fleshly security), that the (Last) Day snatch you up (that you have fear for the sake of such sudden coming) as a thief (suddenly and unexpectedly).

    * Ephesians 5:8

    5. You are altogether * children of the light (enlightened through the Word of God and through the Holy Spirit with the saving knowledge of God) and are children of the day (that you go along in true faith and godly life); we are not of the night, nor of the darkness (erring in faith and godless in life).

    * Luke 16:8; Romans 13:12

    6. So let us not sleep now (snoring in the sleep of sin and living therein in certainty), as the others (the unbelievers), but rather let us watch (be valiant, live in a God-pleasing way, renouncing our security, hoping daily in the coming of Christ) and be sober (disciplined and temperate).

    (Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Luke 21:36)

    7. Fort those who sleep (even naturally), sleep at night, and those who drink (according the manner of the world), get drunk (commonly) at night.

    8. But we, who are (children) * of the day (who walk in the right light of faith), ought to be sober (renounce drunkenness, and our souls be valiant and alert), dressed † with the shell (the armor) of faith (protected in the heart with upright faith against all fiery darts of the hellish evildoer) and love (toward God and the neighbor), 1 and with the helmet of the (certain) hope to salvation.

    * Romans 13:12

    † Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:14, 17ff. (1 Corinthians 15:34, 16:13; 1 Peter 5:8)

    1 * Through faith we shield ourselves against the devil and an evil conscience; but through love we protect ourselves against the accusation of the enemies and blasphemy.

    9. For * God has not appointed us (believers) to wrath (ordained us to damnation), but rather appointed us to salvation (that we should obtain it) through our Lord Jesus Christ (as He has called us to the knowledge of Him leading to salvation, and has worked faith in Him in our hearts),

    * Romans 9:23 (1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Peter 3:9)

    10. who died for us (for our sins), so that, * whether we wake or sleep (if the day of the Lord comes at the time when we sleep or at the time when we are awake), we shall live together with Him (in eternal blessedness).

    * Romans 14:8–9; 2 Corinthians 5:15

    11. Therefore, * admonish one another (to godliness) and build one another up (be promotive to this), as you are doing then.

    * 1 Thessalonians 4:18; Hebrews 10:24–25

    Useful Applications

    I. WARNING: Concerning fleshly certainty, so that no one be overtaken unprepared on the Last Day (like a pregnant woman by her birth-pains), and thereby fall into eternal damnation. (v. 3) II. CORRECTION: For Christian wariness, watchfulness, and preparation for the coming of Christ for judgment, especially through a sober, temperate life. (v. 6–8)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 25:1–13 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 25:1–13, 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 parable of the ten virgins. (v. 1–13)

    Annotated Text

    1. Then (when Christ comes to hold the judgment) 1 the Kingdom of Heaven (the estate of those who publicly confess themselves to [be part of] the Church of God and to the Gospel) will be like ten 2 virgins, who 3 took their lamps  (presented themselves externally as Christians) and went out to meet the Bridegroom (Christ).

    1 Or, much more in the last times and with reference to His second coming.

    2 † A number of which was commonly required at solemn Jewish ceremonies.

    3 * Invited as guests for a wedding, which in those lands was for the most part held in the evening.

    2. But five of them were foolish (by which those are to be understood who do not deal wisely in their Christianity and who do not let their salvation be a matter of true seriousness to themselves), and five were wise (by which those are to be understood who are upright Christians, who are understanding what the will of the Lord is, Ephesians 5:17, and who fulfill it in deed).

    (2 Timothy 3:5; Revelation 14:4)

    3. The foolish took their lamps; however, they did not take oil along with themselves 1 (they did not have true saving faith and Christian virtues, but rather were only hypocrites).2

    1 In separate vessels, to refill their lamps in the case of a longer delay.

    2 † Here, the oil is the grace of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 45:8), which is mediated by the Word and Sacraments, which works faith, love, and all good in men, and which prepares their hearts in the grace of God for willing and joyful service.

    4. But the wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps (also well provided with oil). (Luther: “The lamps without oil are good works without faith, which must all be quenched. The vessel of oil however is faith in the conscience in the grace of God, which does good works that endure.”)

    5. Now, when the Bridegroom was delayed (with His coming), they * all became drowsy and slept (in such a form that they did not wait with due care for the coming of Christ).

    * James 3:2

    6. But, at midnight (when they least expected it) there was a cry (through the sound of the trumpet): “Behold, the Bridegroom comes; go out to meet Him!”

    [For the trumpet sound, see Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52]

    7. Then * all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps (they prepared their lamps and poured oil into them).

    * Luke 12:36ff.

    8. But the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are quenched.”

    9. Then the wise answered and said, “Not so, so that there may not be a lack for us and you. But go away to the merchants and buy for yourselves (buy where you want, we have nothing left over for you. Luther: “But just as here none gives the oil to another, so also must each believe for himself”).

    10. And when they went out to buy, the Bridegroom came, and those who were ready * went in with Him to the wedding (into the joy of eternal life), and the door was shut (so that no one could come in anymore).

    * Revelation 19:7

    11. Finally, the other virgins also came and * said, “Lord, Lord (they repeated this word ‘Lord’ from hypocritical hearts, Matthew 7:22; Luke 6:46), open to us!”

    * Luke 13:25ff.

    1 * Or also, from all too-late recognition of the majesty of Christ, Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10–11

    12. But He answered and said, “Truly, I say to you, * I do not know you (I regard you not; you do not belong to My wedding, for you had the time of grace, and when you ought to have sought the oil of true faith working through love, you did not pay attention to it; and now it is too late).

    * Matthew 7:23; Psalm 1:6

    1 * I cannot recognize you, with your fruitless behavior, as the companions of My bride.

    13. Therefore, * watch (be prepared at all times), for you neither know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man will come. (In the following parable [i.e., the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14–30], Christ reminds us that each person ought to righty use and employ the gifts God has imparted to him during the time of his [earthly] life, so that on the Last Day, he may receive a reward for his faithfulness and diligence, yet by grace. But it is to be understood with this parable, that Christ will deal with us in this manner.)

    * Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:33ff.; Luke 21:36 (Revelation 16:15)

    Useful Applications

    I. CORRECTION: That we ought to be watchful at all times in faith and remain in preparedness (which is signified by the oil and the burning lamps of the virgins), so that we meet the heavenly Bridegroom spiritually when He appears in His glory for judgment, and so that we do not neglect the time of grace according to the likeness of the foolish virgins. (v. 1–13)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 18:21–35 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 18:21–35, 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. Peter’s conversation with Christ concerning brotherly reconciliation, and the parable belonging to it concerning the wicked servant. (v. 21–35)

    Annotated Text

    21. Then Peter came to Him (to Christ) and said, “Lord, how often must I then (according to Your admonition, Luke 17:3) forgive my brother (my neighbor and fellow Christian), who sins against me? Is seven times enough?”1

    1 Greek: alternatively, “How often may my brother sin again me, so that I must forgive him? May it perhaps happen as many as seven times? (Peter must have thought so many times would be enough.)

    22. Jesus said to him, “I say to you, not seven times, but seventy times seven (that is, as often as he offends you and asks you for forgiveness, you ought to be willing and ready to forgive him).

    (Luke 17:4)

    23. Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a king (The estate of the Church of God here upon earth can very justifiably be compared to a great and mighty king), who wanted to reckon with his servants (to inspect the income and expenditure of his servants, in order to learn how they have managed his goods).

    24. And as he began to reckon, one came before him, who owed him ten thousand pounds (A talent or pound is estimated at six hundred crowns; therefore, ten thousand pounds thus makes six million crowns, or six tons of gold).

    25. Now when he had nothing with which to repay, the Lord commanded him to be sold and his wife and his children and all that he had, and (from the redeemed gold) payment to be made. (For in previous times, the debtors who could not pay were sold along with all those who belonged to them into servitude, in order that his debt might be repaid from the money that had been obtained from them to the creditor.)

    26. Then the servant fell down and prayed to him (that out of great humility he fell at his feet) and said, “Lord, have patience with me; I will repay you all.”

    27. Then the Lord of the servant pitied him, released him freely (that neither he nor his wife nor his children might be sold), and also forgave him the debt (from pure meekness and goodness).

    28. Then that same servant went out 1 and found a fellow servant who owed him a hundred pennies (A denarius or a penny is valued at one Schreckenberger, as we call it; ten denarii are reckoned approximately at one crown, and thus a hundred pennies make ten crowns); and he grabbed him and choked him (he grabbed him by the neck so that he might have strangled him) and said, “Pay me what you owe me!”

    1 Greek: “But” [δὲ] (This little word already reveals the abomination of ingratitude.)

    29. Then his fellow servant fell down (at his feet), and pleaded with him and said, “Have patience with me (do not press me so hard), I will repay you all (in time).

    30. But he did not want to (wait with patience for the payment), but rather went and threw him (allowed him to be thrown) into prison, until he should repay what he owed.

    31. But when his fellow servants saw such, then were very troubled and they came and brought everything before their Lord (they recounted to Him in an orderly manner), what had happened.

    32. Then his Lord demanded him before Him and said to him, “You wicked servant (you ungrateful spiteful fellow), all this (great) debt I have remitted to you, because you prayed to me.

    33. Should not * you also have had compassion upon your fellow servant, as I myself had compassion upon you?”

    * Matthew 5:7; James 2:13

    34. And his Lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors (that they should cast him into prison and torment him therein, and also let him remain stuck in prison), 1 * until he should repay all that he owed Him (which could never have, for it was impossible for him to repay such a great sum).2

    1 † For when bondservants had committed a great crime, they were not only thrown into prison, but rather also kept therein in harsh conditions.

    * Matthew 5:26

    2 Since he had forfeited the former forgiveness, and on the contrary had brought forth his old sins anew and approved them. See Ezekiel 33:12.

    35. In this way * My heavenly will also do to you (He will punish you in a similar form), if each of you does not forgive his brother his faults (everything with which he offended him) from your hearts.”

    * Mark 11:25–26 (Matthew 6:15)

    Useful Applications

    III. WARNING: Concerning irreconcilableness and mercilessness toward the neighbor, which is a sin that will be punished with the eternal torment of hell. (v. 33–35); DOCTRINE: Whereby all previously obtained forgiveness shall not help if one falls back again into the old sin or into a new sin. (v. 33–35)

  • 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).