
Exegetically Speaking
“Exegetically Speaking” is a weekly podcast of the friends and faculty of Wheaton College, IL and The Lanier Theological Library. Hosted by Dr. David Capes, it features language experts who discuss the importance of learning the biblical languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—and show how reading the Bible in the original languages “pays off.” Each podcast lasts between seven and eleven minutes and covers a different topic for those who want to read the Bible for all it is worth. Click on the ⓘ symbol below for each episode to read the description.
If you're interested in going deeper, learn more about Wheaton's undergraduate degree in Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin) and our MA in Biblical Exegesis.
Latest episodes

Jun 30, 2025 • 9min
A Figura Etymologica in Jesus’ Teaching, with Alexander Loney: Matthew 7:2
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew’s Greek utilizes figures of speech that can be impossible to translate into English but which lend force and memorability to his words. Dr. Alexander Loney is Associate Professor of Classical Languages and the Coordinator of the Classical Languages program at Wheaton College. His publications include The Ethics of Revenge and the Meanings of the Odyssey and (co-editor) The Oxford Handbook of Hesiod. He has contributed several episodes to our podcast. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4npvVsB M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4eJpHjz

Jun 23, 2025 • 9min
How Not to Run Amuck, with Richard Schultz: Proverbs 29:18
The English words, “where there is no vision, the people perish,” would seem to commend the need of a good plan for a desired future, but the Hebrew sentence points in a different direction. Dr. Richard Schultz is the Blanchard Professor of Old Testament in Wheaton College Graduate School. In addition to other publications, he has authored Out of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible and The Search for Quotation: Verbal Parallels in the Prophets; he has co-edited with Daniel Block, Bind Up the Testimony: Explorations in the Genesis of the Book of Isaiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4e7CgVw M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3HFTMnn

Jun 16, 2025 • 11min
This God, with Bradley Cameron: Ecclesiastes 3:10
Is Ecclesiastes 3:10-14 about a despotic, distant god or a benevolent, known God? It depends on whether we recognize the force of a Hebrew definite article. Bradley Cameron (PhD, Wheaton) is Visiting Instructor in Old Testament at Wheaton College. His dissertation was, “Learning to Fear: An Exploration of the Fear of God in Ecclesiastes through the Lens of Emotion.” Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4l0bd0B M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4kx3ozy

Jun 9, 2025 • 8min
The Express Image, with Philip Graham Ryken: Hebrews 1:3
Heb. 1:1-4 is a beautifully rounded Greek sentence in praise of God’s Son in and as whom God has spoken. One metaphor conveys the uniqueness of this person as the “express image” of God himself. It is this metaphor that Dr. Ryken explains. Dr. Phil Ryken, who has been a regular on our podcast, is the President of Wheaton College, 8th in the college’s history. His most recent book is I Have My Doubts: How God Can Use Your Uncertainty to Reawaken Your Faith. You can hear many of his talks at Family Life Ministry – Podcast or at Every Last Word. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/43wN0Yw M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3FwNk1l

Jun 2, 2025 • 13min
Food as an Identity Assertion, with Aubrey Buster and John Walton: Daniel 1:8-16
Daniel’s refusal to eat the food provided by the king of Babylon is among the most popular of the Bible’s stories. But what food did Daniel refuse, what did he request, and why? A new look at the Hebrew text and its background suggests new answers. Dr. Aubrey Buster, who has been with us before, is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. Her publications include Remembering the Story of Israel: Historical Summaries and Memory Formation in Second Temple Judaism. Dr. John Walton, Old Testament Professor Emeritus at Wheaton Graduate School, is a frequent contributor to this podcast. He has many volumes in his “Lost World” series along with many other publications, including Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Dr. Buster and Dr. Walton are collaborating on a major commentary on Daniel (NICOT). The first volume on Daniel 1-6 is due out soon. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3Sm7pdH M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/43IbAqx

May 26, 2025 • 15min
He Became Wisdom, with Jon Laansma: 1 Corinthians 1:30
Jon Laansma, a distinguished professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis at Wheaton College, dives deep into 1 Corinthians 1:30. He unpacks the rich nuances of Greek language and its impact on understanding wisdom, righteousness, and redemption. The conversation reveals intricate theological interpretations of being 'of God' and 'in Christ,' exploring how identity and salvation are expressed. Laansma also emphasizes the importance of humility in church leadership, linking scriptural themes with contemporary insights.

May 19, 2025 • 11min
Amen God and He’ll Amen You, with Richard Schultz: Isaiah 28:16
The choice for Israel is between quiet trust and anxious haste in an important prophetic passage. Prof. Schultz explains the background, Hebrew imagery, and the NT’s interpretation of Isaiah 28:16. Dr. Richard Schultz is the Blanchard Professor of Old Testament in Wheaton College Graduate School. In addition to other publications, he has authored Out of Context: How to Avoid Misinterpreting the Bible and The Search for Quotation: Verbal Parallels in the Prophets; he has co-edited with Daniel Block, Bind Up the Testimony: Explorations in the Genesis of the Book of Isaiah. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3EWIdHE M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/42Pce5h

May 12, 2025 • 9min
Not Every Woman at the Party is a Concubine, with Aubrey Buster: Daniel 5:2
Dan. 5:2, within the Aramaic portion of Daniel, has always been taken to refer to the king, his nobles, his wives, and his concubines, but a fresh look at the Aramaic and its context suggests that the last were female officials, not concubines. Dr. Aubrey Buster, who has been with us before, is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. Her publications include Remembering the Story of Israel: Historical Summaries and Memory Formation in Second Temple Judaism. She and John Walton are co-authoring a major commentary on Daniel (NICOT). The first volume on Daniel 1-6 is due out soon. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4m02lJy M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4jUhz0K

May 5, 2025 • 9min
Hunger for Justice, with George Kalantzis: Matthew 5:6, 10
The Greek word usually translated as ‘righteousness’ in the Beatitudes (and elsewhere), is closer to the concept of ‘justice,’ signaling the down-to-earth concern of a people living under an unjust regime. Dr. George Kalantzis grew up in Athens, Greece, and has been at Wheaton College since 2007, where he is Professor of Theology and the Director of The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies. Among his publications are Theodore of Mopsuestia: The Gospel of John and Caesar and the Lamb. He has co-authored, Evangelicals and the Early Church. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3EDw2zf M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4lLI2zm.

Apr 28, 2025 • 7min
Wheaton’s M.A. in Biblical Exegesis, with Andrew Abernethy
The M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton has been running for about a quarter of a century and it recently broadened its mission to enroll remote learners. Prof. Abernethy explains this transition, along with the program’s resolute commitment to the acquisition and use of the original languages. Dr. Andrew Abernethy, a frequent contributor to this podcast, is Professor of Old Testament, Assistant Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies in the Litfin Divinity School, and Program Director of the M.A. in Biblical Exegesisat Wheaton Graduate School. He is currently President of the Institute of Biblical Literature. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4jwANK8 M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/4cYI6Ic