This week the published studies gained 41 notes across 2 chapters in Genesis and Mark. Each entry links to the chapter page, where the note sits beside the text and the commentaries.
Genesis 1
Genesis serves as both the opening of the entire Bible and our introduction to God. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for God, Elohim, is plural. However, the text employs singular adjectives and verbs with it. The plural form probably reflects an ancient writing convention—using the plural to emphasize or honor. The first four words of the Bible teach us a crucial lesson: God should always be honored.
No section of the Bible sparks as much controversy as the “creation” chapters. There are two fundamentally different possibilities for human origin: blind natural process (chance-law) or purposeful intelligent design (creation).
Chance Law proposes that humans arose through random mutations that were preserved through “natural selection” (i.e., only the strongest survive). Darwin proposed and became famous for this theory. For instance, if a tree has high-hanging fruit that is difficult for monkeys to reach, a long-armed monkey will fare better and hence have a better chance of survival than a short-armed monkey. Hence, long-armed monkeys will propagate while short-armed monkeys die out.
On the other hand, intelligent design theory holds that humans originated through the intentional arrangement of their matter, including their DNA-based genetic code, by an intelligent agent. Many scientists today feel that our DNA structure could not have developed by chance. It is far too complex, with too many structural possibilities, to have been formed by random mutations, no matter how much time was allowed for these mutations to occur. Statistically, they believe it is mathematically impossible for humans to have formed randomly on their own – some form of intelligent design was required.
Still, several Christian sects do not believe in a literal reading of the creation chapters and accept “evolution” as a viable explanation for the origin of man that does not contradict what is written in Genesis. They accept scientific theories and point out that they do not necessarily conflict with Christian beliefs. For instance, some note that the Bible specifically says, “let the land produce living creatures,” which could be a reference to the evolution of fish and birds into land-based creatures.
Some argue that the timing and duration of creation, as calculated by biblical scholars and scientists, differ, further fueling the controversy and disagreement between scientists and theologians. Some Bible scholars believe that the “days” mentioned in the Bible are indeed 24-hour days, while other scholars posit that the “days” could encompass any length of time (especially the first few days of the creation story, during which there was no Sun and Moon to mark the 24-hour cycle) and that days are simply a means to communicate six undefined segments of time. As such, some scientists propose that the world is much older than Genesis indicates.
Finally, it is important to note that the first Hebrew word in the Bible is “bereshith,” which is typically translated as “in the beginning.” There are two possible translations for this phrase: (1) a specific, absolute beginning of all time or (2) a more nonspecific, general beginning of time. Thus, the timing of mankind’s beginning is unknowable.
Overall, the difference in opinion is a fundamental difference in point of view, the difference between scientific theory, which seeks hard proof to validate those theories, and Christian “faith”. In the end, it really does not matter. As scientific theory advances, it will fall into line with Christian beliefs and will continue to evolve and advance.
The earth was a formless void, shrouded in darkness, with God’s spirit hovering above. This vivid depiction portrays a universe about to form! It aligns with our limited scientific knowledge about how the universe came into being and could even describe the origin of “existence” itself. An emptiness filled with darkness is infused with a power beyond our comprehension. From that initial moment, that “power” will give rise to everything we know today.
Genesis 1:2 — Spirit of God
The phrase “Spirit of God” is hard to translate due to the verb “hovering”; it more closely resembles “a gusty wind”.
God created the world in six days. The first three days involved acts of separation, progressing from large acts of separation to smaller acts – separating light from darkness, earth from sky, and land from oceans. These days laid the foundation of our universe. On day four, stars and other celestial objects formed as the galaxy’s elements came together. During days five and six, life emerged, marking the beginning of God’s grand plan for humanity.
Day 1 – light and dark
Day 2 – earth and sky
Day 3 – oceans, lakes, and plants
Day 4 – sun, moon, stars
Day 5 – fish and birds
Day 6 – animals and man
Day 7 – God rests
On the first day, God said, “Let there be light.” You might wonder about the difference in the “light” mentioned here and the creation of the stars, Sun, and Moon that followed on day four. Light is a form of energy. According to scientific theory, a massive explosion known as the “Big Bang” marked the origin of the universe, which began with a large, hot explosion. This event most certainly began with a tremendous flash of light. Verse 13 supports this idea, indicating that day four was the first day with visible morning and evening.
The verse “Let us make man in our image” raises the question: who is the “us” that is referred to? Many theologians think that the reference to “us” is referring to God and his angels or to a three-in-one entity consisting of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. What is certain is that the original language used a plural form when mentioning God.
Genesis 1:29 — Interestingly, the Creation story specifically mentions God providing
Interestingly, the Creation story specifically mentions God providing food to man in the form of seed bearing plants. It was not until after the great flood that the Bible specifically sanctioned eating meat which presupposes early Man may have been vegetarians.
Read Genesis 1 with all its notes → · open in the full reader
Mark 14
Other texts state that it was the disciple Peter who cut off Malchus, the high priest’s servant’s ear. Jesus reprimanded Peter and healed the servant’s ear.
The term Eucharist refers to the consecration and sharing of bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus’ Last Supper. It originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning “gave thanks,” as Jesus states in this verse.
Jesus’ references to blood and body symbolize his death as a sacrifice for humanity. He shared his message and anointed his disciples to continue spreading it until he was ultimately killed for the words he proclaimed.
Jesus says he will not drink with them until he drinks in “the kingdom of God”—meaning he will not drink with them until after his death. Indeed, he did not share a drink with them again until his resurrection three days later.
They have finished the Passover meal, which would have started no earlier than sundown. It must have been late when they walked to the Mount of Olives, approximately a mile and a half away.
Jesus states that the disciples will “fall away,” echoing Zechariah 13:7, which says “strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.” This translation is complex and can imply to fall away, desert, reject, run away, stumble, or have one’s faith shaken.
Whether the disciples are afraid or abandon Jesus upon his arrest, Jesus assures them he will reunite with them after his resurrection.
The garden in Gethsemane appears to have been a favorite spot for Jesus. John states that Judas led his captors there, knowing it was a place where Jesus often met with the disciples. The garden was probably peaceful, dotted with olive trees and olive oil presses.
It’s heartbreaking to see this kind-hearted person, who loved and cared for everyone he encountered, in such a deep sorrow.
Jesus asks God if there’s another way to achieve this without dying. However, he states that he will accept his fate if that is God’s will.
Interestingly, the term translated as “Abba” has no direct equivalent in English. It is similar to “father” but carries a sense of reverence, respect, and intimacy.
Jesus was a wanted man, and he needed his disciples to maintain guard while he prayed. It was probably the middle of the night, and they were indeed tired, but Jesus tells them to pray for the strength to stay awake and keep watch.
Jesus returns and finds them sleeping once more. They feel embarrassed and likely ashamed, unsure of how to respond to Jesus.
The “crowd” wielding swords and clubs indicates a group of armed individuals, possibly a militia. This was likely either the temple police or a Roman soldier garrison.
A kiss was (and still is) the normal form of greeting, similar to the Western World’s handshake today.
Jesus notes that the secretive nature of his arrest, with weapons in hand as if he were a dangerous criminal, were meant to fulfill prophecy. He does not state which prophecy but it could be Zechariah 13:7 which says, “Wake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”
The man whose linen cloak was pulled off was not identified. Some suggest it was the author, John Mark, but this is purely speculation.
It’s probably still nighttime, and the elders are hurriedly trying to decide how to prosecute Jesus before sunrise, which is when the Romans held their trials. They quickly took Jesus away in the middle of the night and rushed to prosecute him before the public learned about it.
Matthew and John identify Caiaphas as the high priest. John also mentions that Peter was able to enter the high priest’s courtyard because of his friendly relationship with the doorkeeper.
Remember, other texts indicate that Peter was permitted to enter the courtyard and observe the events, but there were probably several other witnesses who recounted the story to early Christians, including Nicodemus.
It’s quite evident that any witnesses would almost certainly have been false. Who else would have been present in the middle of the night unless the Sanhedrin had arranged witnesses in advance?
The threat to destroy the temple was grave, potentially even a capital offense. Speaking against the temple was considered blasphemy under Jewish law, while threatening it also constituted a Roman crime. Historian Josephus recounted a similar incident in which a man threatened the temple and was flogged by Roman authorities to the bone and then declared insane.
Isaiah 53:7 states, “As a sheep before her shearers is silent, so did he not open his mouth.”. You can sense the frustration of the high priests as they interrogate Jesus, trying to trap him, only to be met with stark silence.
Mark 14:63 — Tearing one's clothes symbolized grief or frustration. You
Tearing one’s clothes symbolized grief or sadness. You might imagine a man pulling at his lapel, mimicking the act of ripping it, though not actually tearing his clothes. It’s probably akin to modern-day throwing up one’s hands or covering the face while shaking the head.
Mark 14:64 — Note that the Sanhedrin condemned Jesus as "deserving
The Sanhedrin would have justified blasphemy on the basis of Jesus claiming authority that they considered belonged only to God. Remember, these were people who believed it was an affront even to say the word “god”. Jesus’ statement must have stunned them.
Note that the Sanhedrin condemned Jesus as “deserving of death,” but they lacked the formal authority to carry out executions at that time. Only the Roman authorities had the power to do so. Thus, the priests agreed Jesus should die, and now they must find a way to persuade the Romans to execute him.
Mark describes how the priests blindfolded him, struck him, and shouted, “Prophesy!” Matthew and Luke elaborate on this scene, stating that the priests (or Temple Guard) blindfolded Jesus, hit him, and asked him to “prophesy” about his attacker without being able to see. Their actions pertain to Isaiah 11:3, which describes the messiah’s ability to judge by smell alone, rather than relying solely on what his eyes see and his ears hear.
Note that despite being spit on, slapped, beaten, and humiliated, Jesus never retaliated against his abusers.
The girl, whom Peter calls the servant girl “watching the door,’ refers to Jesus as “Jesus the Nazarene,” indicating her contempt for him. This suggests to Peter that she is not a supporter. Additionally, since she was a servant girl of one of the high priests, Peter knew that if he admitted to knowing Jesus, she would report him to the priests.
Peter wanted to stay close to Jesus and cared for Him, but fear held him back. Many people rely on Christianity as a crutch to hide their fear, yet following Christ is not promised to be easy. True faith requires not only trust but also courage in the face of fear.
It seems logical that when Peter heard the rooster crow, he would have remembered Jesus’ prediction that he would betray Him before the second crow of the rooster. This might be accurate. Many think that the phrase ‘and the rooster crowed’ at the end of verse 68 was inserted by a copyist. In fact, the NIV Bible omits these words altogether, and other translations consider this fragment to be of “significant doubt”.
The servant girl questions Peter a second time, and then the crowd also questions him. Apparently, his Galilean accent gave him away.
It is not entirely clear what the text means by Peter cursing and swearing.
Interestingly, the ending phrase – “and he broke down and wept” – has been challenging for translators due to its archaic language. As a result, we encounter various versions, such as “he broke down and wept,” “he dashed out,” and even “he threw himself on the ground.”
It’s difficult to speculate why God allowed Peter to deny Jesus, despite Jesus warning him he would do it. But if Peter acknowledged Jesus, he might have faced execution as well. Instead, he remained and became a key figure in spreading Christianity, particularly among Gentiles. He was also regarded as the first bishop of Rome and, by extension, the first Pope.
Read Mark 14 with all its notes → · open in the full reader
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