NL-Day204 Jeremiah 5-6; Psalm 140; John 18:28-19:27

Daily Bible Reading Podcast

JEREMIAH 5-6:God, speaking through the prophets, frequently says how he feels about idolatry. He considers it just like the faithlessness of a wayward wife. It is moving that Jeremiah could so clearly see what would happen— the anguish of the people when his prophecies are fulfilled and they will be attacked by armies from the north.

PSALM 140:This is a prayer for anyone who fears the imminent attack of wicked enemies.

JOHN 19a:The chapter break here interrupts the story of Jesus’ trial before Pilate. Jesus has already told Pilate that he is a king, but his kingdom is not of this world. Then when Jesus said, “I was born and came into the world for this one purpose, to speak about the truth. Whoever belongs to the truth listens to me.”— Pilate asked his famous rhetorical question,

38“And what is truth?”

Then Pilate went back outside to the people and said to them, “I cannot find any reason to condemn him.

39 But according to the custom you have, I always set free a prisoner for you during the Passover. Do you want me to set free for you the king of the Jews?”40 They answered him with a shout, “No, not him! We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a bandit.)

NLT Translation notes:Jer. 5:6 I said to [You/the] LORD, “You are my God!”Listen, O LORD, to my cries for mercy!11 Don’t let [these] liars prosper here in our land.Cause great disasters to fall on [those violent men//the violent].12 But I know [that You, Lord//the LORD] will help those they persecute;[You/he] will give justice to the poor.====John 19:3 “Hail[ to you,!] King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of [the high king] Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did [(without knowing they were fulfilling Scripture)].26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, [there/here] is your son.”

[Here and in verse 27, the literal Greek is “See-imperative.” It is a matter of interpretation whether in the first instance Jesus could be saying, “See what I have become,” or, “Look at that guy next to you. He is your son.” The difference would be a nod of the head or a motion of Jesus’ eyes. I think that Jesus’ intention was correctly interpreted by John in 27b.]27 And he said to this disciple, “[That/Here] is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten [the deaths of the crucified men//their deaths] by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down.35 ([John writes a parenthetical comment:] This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. [I speak/He speaks] the truth so that you also can believe.) 37 and “They will look on the one they [have] pierced.”

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.