Search the Scriptures Live

In Matthew chapter 12, the Pharisees increasingly challenge the Lord for what they perceive to be his violations of the Law of Moses. But the Lord defends his actions artfully, and in one healing story, Matthew shows how the Lord makes his rabbinic argument.

Christ thanked the Father for "hiding" his teaching from the "learned and wise" and revealing it to children. Why would God do that if God loves us all and Christ came to save us? Does God prevent some people from understanding?

"The kingdom of heaven suffers violence." For most modern commentators, this is a most enigmatic saying. But for Orthodox Christians this statement is well understood and has always been interpreted in the same way in the history of the Church. What does it mean? Tune in and find out!

“Are you the one who is to come or shall we look for another?” This seems to be an odd question from St. John the Forerunner, who had dedicated his life to preparing the way for Christ. Did John have doubts about Jesus? Learn Christ’s answer and what he thought of John.

In Church history, many people were forced to choose between Christ and their own family members, who sometimes even persecuted them. The Lord predicted this and invited us to pick up our cross. Does picking up your cross mean enduring life's troubles or something else?

In Matthew 10, the sermon known as The Missionary Discourse, the Lord tells his disciples to expect persecution. All true Christians should expect persecution and must endure until the end to be saved. But why are Christians persecuted? The Lord and the Fathers explain.

“Brother will deliver up brother to death.” The Lord foretold that we would face persecution for his sake, even from members of our family. The Fathers of the Church explain this and St. John Chrysostom considers how our lives compare to those of the apostles.

This week, we continue the patristic explanation of the Missionary Discourse of the Lord’s Instructions to the disciples before sending them out on their first mission of teaching and healing. What does it mean to be a sheep? A serpent? A dove?

This instruction by the Lord to the disciples led St. John Chrysostom to make a lengthy comment about his personal experience as a priest. He repeatedly blessed the congregation but his blessing of “peace” was not returned by them.

The Lord bluntly described the challenging circumstances the disciples faced when he sent them out to preach. They were to take no money and no extra clothing. "Freely you have received, freely give." How were they to live, and why did the Lord give these instructions?