Luke Bible Study, Day 15 Today’s passage: Luke 7:18–35 Focus verse: “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard.” (Luke 7:22) John the Baptist appears three times in Luke’s biography of Jesus. First, Luke writes about John’s birth and the events that lead up to it. Next, Luke records John’s baptism […]
While we look at Caiaphas as instrumental in bringing about the decision that Jesus must die, it’s Pilate—occasionally called Pontius Pilate—who has the authority to make it happen. Though Caiaphas gets things rolling, Pilate—although he tries to stop Jesus’s execution—allows the proceedings to gather momentum. After arresting Jesus and deciding he must die, the religious […]
Two guys named Herod appear in Jesus’s story. The first Herod (1) attempts to kill Jesus shortly after he’s born. The second Herod (2) plays a part in Jesus’s death. But before we discuss that, let’s look at some other things Herod (2) does. Remember Herodias? She’s married to Herod, after he takes her from […]
The angel Gabriel says John won’t be just any kid, but a special one. People will celebrate his birth. John’s parents must set him apart for service to God. The Holy Spirit will empower him, and he’ll spark a nationwide revival. In the mold of Elijah, he’ll do amazing things and pave the way for […]
Joanna only appears in Luke’s biography of Jesus. And then just twice, but we can learn much from what Luke writes about her. First, she, along with several other women, helps care for Jesus and support his work. More on this later. Next, Joanna also joins Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and […]
The daughter of Herodias dances for her stepdad at his birthday party. We don’t know if she offers her performance or if Herod commands it. And we don’t know what kind of dance this is. Is it an innocent expression of joy or a suggestive display of sexuality? What we do know is that her […]
Herod is a powerful man, used to getting what he wants. He even takes his brother’s wife, Herodias, and marries her. John the Baptist publicly criticizes Herod for his actions, stating plainly that what he did is illegal, contrary to the Laws of Moses. For his boldness, John ends up in jail. Herod holds him […]