Bible Study Timeline - Simple and Accessible

Bible Study Timeline

A simplified guide to understanding the timeline of biblical events based on the study of Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32.

Recent Events

March 16, 2025: Bible Ministries International recorded Part 19 of their study on Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32, focusing on the Greek words "neither," "angels," "heaven," and "except."

Previous Week: Study of the Greek word "neither" and its various forms.

Old Testament Events

  • Prophecies about Jesus speaking in parables ( Psalm 78:2, Isaiah 6:9-10 )
  • Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt
  • The parting of the Red Sea
  • Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
  • God speaking to Moses from the burning bush
  • Gideon's encounter with the Angel of Jehovah

New Testament Events

  • Jesus' birth and Herod's attempt to kill Him
  • Jesus' teachings and parables in Matthew 13
  • Jesus' predictions about the end times ( Matthew 24 )
  • Jesus' resurrection and appearance to disciples on the road to Emmaus
  • The Apostle Paul's teachings on being unequally yoked

Future Events

  • Next Sunday: Study of the last two words in Matthew 24:36: "my father only"
  • Future comparison between Hebrew and Greek translations of Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32
  • The Day of Judgment
  • The new heavens and earth

Key Ideas from the Study

Parables in Matthew 13

What are parables? Stories Jesus used to teach spiritual truths about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Why Jesus used parables:

  • To reveal truth to those who seek God
  • To conceal truth from those who don't ( Matthew 13:13-15 )

Examples of parables: The Sower, The Mustard Seed, The Treasure in the Field

Word Study: "Neither" (οὐδέ)

A Greek adverb with six unique forms. The form in Matthew 24:36 appears in 120 other Bible verses.

Word Study: "Angels" (ἄγγελοι)

Can refer to:

  • Heavenly messengers (spirit beings)
  • The Angel of Jehovah (Christ himself)
  • God's redeemed (the elect)

Word Study: "Heaven" (οὐρανός)

Appears 41 times in this specific form, with 8 occurrences in Matthew 13 alone.

Can refer to the sky, deep space, or God's dwelling place.

Key Biblical Figures Mentioned

Jesus Christ

The Son of God, central figure of the New Testament. Also referred to as the Angel of Jehovah, the Messiah, the Lord, the Savior, and the Good Shepherd.

God the Father

The first person of the Trinity. The only one who knows the day and hour of Jesus' return ( Matthew 24:36 ).

Moses

Prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt. God knew him "face to face" ( Deuteronomy 34:10 ).

Other Key Figures

  • Adam and Eve: The first man and woman
  • Pharaoh: His army was drowned in the Red Sea
  • Herod the Great: King who sought to kill infant Jesus
  • The Disciples: Followers of Jesus
  • John the Baptist: Forerunner of Jesus

Study Quiz: Matthew 24:36 & Related Biblical Study

Test your understanding of the material with these questions.

Question 1:

What is the significance of the Greek adverb "neither" (οὐδέ) as discussed in relation to Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32?

The Greek adverb "neither" has six unique forms, and the most common form, found in Matthew 24:36, appears in 120 other entries, including twice as "not" and "nor" in Mark 13:32, emphasizing the exclusivity of knowledge.

Question 2:

Why is it important to distinguish between different types of "angels" (ἄγγελοι) when studying biblical passages?

It is crucial to distinguish between Heavenly Messengers (spirit beings), the Angel of Jehovah (Christ himself), and God's redeemed (the elect) when the word "angels" appears in Scripture to understand the specific context and meaning.

Question 3:

According to the source material, what is a fundamental principle for Bible study highlighted in Matthew 13:34-35 and further elaborated in verses 9-15?

A fundamental principle is that Jesus spoke in parables to hide truth and only reveal it to those whom God chooses, as supported by Old Testament prophecy and Jesus' own explanation of why he used parables.

Question 4:

What does the "disjunctive negative particle" "except" (εἰ μή) indicate, and how often does the specific form used in Matthew 24:36 appear in the New Testament?

The disjunctive negative particle "except" indicates separation. The form used in Matthew 24:36 is the most common in the New Testament, appearing over 900 times and 11 other times in Matthew 24.

Question 5:

What is the grammatical function of the Greek word "the" (ὁ/ἡ/τό) as discussed in the context of the day, the hour, the angels, and the heaven in Matthew 24:36?

"The" is a direct object and appears frequently in biblical Greek (20,444 times in 63 unique forms). In Matthew 24:36, it precedes "day," "hour," "angels," and "heaven," often left untranslated in English as it's grammatically understood.

Question 6:

What does the pronoun "my" (μου) modifying "father" in Matthew 24:36 highlight regarding the interconnectedness of Scripture?

The pronoun "my" and the nouns it modifies illustrate the intricate connections between words within a verse, a chapter, a book, and the entire Bible, highlighting the divine tapestry of Scripture emanating from God.

Question 7:

In John 10:15-18, what does Jesus say he will lay down on behalf of the sheep, and what is the significance of his statement regarding his authority?

Jesus says he will lay down his life on behalf of the sheep and has the authority to lay it down and take it again, receiving this command from his Father, emphasizing his divine authority and sacrificial love.

Question 8:

In the account of the two men on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), what prevented them from recognizing Jesus initially, and what finally opened their eyes?

God had not yet opened their eyes, causing them to reason from their own understanding. Their eyes were opened when Jesus took, blessed, broke, and gave them bread, pointing to himself as the Living Word.

Question 9:

According to the speaker, what is the glory of God and the glory of kings as stated in Proverbs 25:2, and how does this relate to understanding Scripture?

The glory of God is to conceal a matter, while the glory of kings is to search it out. This emphasizes the need for diligent study of Scripture to uncover the hidden truths God has concealed.

Question 10:

What is the significance of the breaking of bread in the Emmaus account (Luke 24:30-31) in relation to understanding the scriptures?

The breaking of bread pointed to Christ's body being broken for humanity, as read in John 6, and being the Living Word of God, it was this act that spiritually illuminated their understanding of the scriptures.

Essay Format Questions

For deeper study, consider preparing answers to these essay questions:

  1. Discuss the significance of examining individual Greek and Hebrew words in biblical study, using examples from the provided source material to illustrate how such analysis can deepen understanding.
  2. Analyze the use of parables in the teachings of Jesus, as highlighted in Matthew 13, and explain the purpose and implications of God's intentional hiding of truth within these stories.
  3. Explore the different ways the term "angels" is used in Scripture, based on the provided text, and discuss the importance of context in correctly interpreting passages involving angelic beings.
  4. Based on the discussion of Luke 24:13-35, analyze the process by which spiritual understanding is attained according to the source material, emphasizing the role of Scripture and divine revelation.
  5. Discuss the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testaments as suggested by the analysis of specific words and concepts in the source material, providing examples of how understanding one part of Scripture can illuminate another.

Glossary of Key Terms

Reference these important terms for your study:

  • Adverb (Greek): A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often indicating manner, time, place, or degree. Example: οὐδέ (neither).
  • Direct Object (Greek): A noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb. Often preceded by the definite article (ὁ, ἡ, τό). Example: τὴν ἡμέραν (the day).
  • Heaven (Greek - οὐρανός): A noun referring to the sky, the atmospheric heavens, or the spiritual realm where God dwells.
  • Angels (Greek - ἄγγελοι): A noun meaning messengers, often referring to spirit beings, but can also refer to human messengers or even Christ in specific contexts (Angel of Jehovah) or the elect.
  • Parable: A short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.
  • Disjunctive Negative Particle (Greek - εἰ μή): A particle that indicates separation or exception, often translated as "if not" or "except."
  • Conjunction (Greek): A word used to connect clauses or sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause. Example: καί (and).
  • Pronoun (Greek): A word that replaces a noun or noun phrase. Example: μου (my).
  • Kingdom of Heaven: A key concept in the teachings of Jesus, often referring to the spiritual reign of God or the future Messianic kingdom.
  • Scribe: In the context of Matthew 13:52, refers to someone schooled in the teachings of the kingdom of heaven, likened to a master of a house bringing forth new and old treasures.
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