Olive Tree Blog
Category

New Testament

Category

New Testament

Wanting to learn more about the New Testament? Here are some posts on topics, scholarly questions, and more on New Testament passages. Some are our own thoughts and some are the thoughts of prominent Christian scholars.

New Testament

Give Us Barabbas!

When we look at the Passion Week, we rightly look to the work of Jesus Christ. We even focus on individuals like the disciples or Pilate. Yet, a character we rarely give any attention to is Barabbas, the man who was freed in place of Jesus. So, as we look…

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New Testament

Weeping on Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday can sound like a joyous celebration if we tell the story a certain way. There’s a big crowd waving palm branches, shouting “hosanna.” Jesus rides in on a donkey—his triumphal entry. Then, we get our kids to relay the scene on stage at church. It’s cute and fun…

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New Testament

The Faith of a Dying Thief

In Christ’s Words from the Cross, Charles Spurgeon talks in great lengths about Jesus’ crucifixion, including those who were crucified with him. The dying thief did the impossible that day. In front of multitudes of scoffers, he used the only part of his body not nailed to the cross (his…

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New Testament

An Ancient Perspective on the Beatitudes

Beatitudes

Learning from ancient Christians is priceless (here’s why). But it can be difficult to find out what they each had to say about a specific passage of the Bible. For example, it wouldn’t be super easy to find commentary on the Beatitudes from a handful of church fathers. Not only…

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Jesus Leadership Formula
New Testament

Jesus’ Leadership Formula

The Bible has a lot to say about leadership – especially in the Gospels. So, study tools like the NIV Leadership Bible Notes are very helpful for processing and applying these passages to your own leadership style. In Matthew 20:20-26, Jesus makes one of the most profound statements on being…

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bereans
New Testament

Be Noble: Studying Scripture Like the Bereans

“As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every…

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New Testament

Sealing the Tomb of Jesus

Picture of open tomb

Ever wondered if there’s more to know about Jesus’ tomb? Then let archaeology experts teach you! This blog post is an excerpt from the Zondervan Handbook of Biblical Archaeology. TOMB NEAR MEGIDDO ARE ALL TOMBS THE SAME? According to Jewish practice the body of the deceased was initially laid to…

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marriage at resurrection
New Testament

Marriage at the Resurrection

Matthew 22:24-32 speaks on marriage at the resurrection. LET’S LEARN MORE USING THE LIFE APPLICATION BIBLE COMMENTARY NEW TESTAMENT SET In this post, we are going to walk through the commentary provided by the Life Application Bible Commentary for Matthew 22:24-32. This series does a great job including all the…

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structure of thanksgiving
New Testament

The Structure of Thanksgiving

The NIV Application Commentary is a great tool for in-depth study of the Bible while ALSO helping you apply the Bible to your life. Below is an excerpt taken from the commentary on Colossians, by David E. Garland, on thanksgiving. THE IMPORTANCE OF PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THE COLOSSIANS: THANKSGIVING Paul…

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New Testament

Life Lessons: Ephesians 2:1-22

SITUATION The Ephesians forgot what God did to save them and to make them a part of his Body. OBSERVATION God’s mercy plucks us from the destruction of our countless sins and places us in Jesus Christ’s righteousness. INSPIRATION When I read a verse like Ephesians 2:4, I feel I…

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