## Introduction: Reading the Bible with New Eyes
Have you ever turned the pages of your Bible and thought, “What does this really mean?” Many of us approach Scripture hoping for clarity, only to find certain verses or stories puzzling. But the Bible was not written in a cultural vacuum. Each chapter, story, and teaching emerged from a particular history, geography, and language. When we explore the original context in which these words were spoken and penned, God’s Word shines with greater relevance and depth, urging us not just to understand, but to live differently. Let’s journey together to unlock God’s Word by learning to see it as its first listeners heard it—embracing both its richness and its enduring power for today.
---
## The Value of Context in Bible Study
### Why Historical Context is the Key to Understanding
Scripture was written over centuries, in various regions, and often to people radically different from ourselves. Without appreciating those settings, we risk missing the heart of its message. Consider when Jesus declared, **“I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”** (John 6:35, NASB). To first-century Jewish ears, this was not just poetic language. It was a bold echo of the manna God provided their ancestors during the Exodus.
Matthew Henry, in his classic commentary, reminds us that “Christ here invites them to Himself as the true bread, surpassing the manna their fathers ate.”[1] Jesus positioned Himself as the once-for-all provision, not merely for bodily sustenance, but for soul-deep satisfaction. Without recognizing the crowd’s memory of miraculous wilderness bread, Jesus’s statement loses its radical edge.
### Practical Tips to Dive Deeper
How can we unlock this kind of insight for ourselves? Here are some starting points:
- **Read background notes in trusted commentaries.** Conservative theologians like John Calvin often illuminate social and religious customs that explain difficult passages. For example, Calvin explains that Jesus’s “bread of life” invitation speaks to a universal human hunger only God can satisfy.[2]
- **Use historical resources and Bible atlases.** Tools like Bible maps or timelines help us situate stories in their physical and historical locations, making the text’s claims tangible.
- **Explore key words in the original languages.** Resources that explain Greek or Hebrew terms (such as “logos” in John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word...") can unlock layers of meaning behind seemingly simple statements.
*Key Takeaway:* When we seek out the time, place, and culture of Scripture, God’s Word becomes living and active in new ways—anchoring our faith in history and inviting us into its ongoing story.
---
## Illustration: The Radical Message of the Good Samaritan
### Seeing Familiar Stories with Fresh Eyes
Some passages only reveal their original power when we appreciate their historical backdrop. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37, summarized below) is a familiar story, but its impact grows when we realize how Jews and Samaritans viewed each other with deep mistrust and even hatred.
**Summary:** In this parable, a man is beaten and left for dead. Passing by are two respected Jewish leaders who do nothing. Finally, a Samaritan—someone Jews considered spiritually contaminated—shows compassion and rescues the wounded man.
### Commentary Insight
John Calvin notes that Jesus “strips away all excuses” for ignoring those in need, using a Samaritan hero to overturn his listeners’ social prejudices.[3] Likewise, Charles Spurgeon observes that “the gospel makes neighbors of those who were once strangers or enemies.”[4] For Jesus’s audience, the idea of a good Samaritan was shocking, even scandalous.
*Key Takeaway:* When we grasp the hostilities of first-century Palestine, we realize this parable is not just about kindness, but a radical command to love even our enemies—an ethic that still challenges us today.
---
## Applying Historical Insights Today
### How Old Truths Speak into Modern Life
Understanding historical context is not just an academic exercise; it transforms how we live out our faith. Here’s how contextual insights shape biblical application:
- **Old Testament Laws:** Many rituals and civil laws were given to set Israel apart and point forward to Christ. Jesus says, **“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”** (Matthew 5:17, NASB). Knowing these laws’ purpose helps us see how Christ completes them and shows us what endures for the new covenant community.
- **Psalms and Worship:** When we read the Psalms, we’re reading Israel’s hymnbook—a record of communal fears, triumphs, and longing for a coming Messiah. Recognizing their use in Israel’s corporate worship helps us join in the same prayers of faith and hope.
### Contextual Application Tips
- Before applying a verse, ask: “What did this mean for its first readers?”
- Study reputable commentaries for cultural insights, and discuss findings with fellow believers.
- Use digital tools and apps (such as those from trusted ministries) to access background information.
*Key Takeaway:* Historical context doesn’t just solve puzzles; it points us to Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises and deepens our love for Scripture’s unified message.
---
## Summary and Call to Action: Becoming Faithful Stewards of God’s Word
Unlocking the historical and linguistic context of Scripture brings the Bible to life. We move from confusion to clarity, from surface reading to transformed living. The invitation is simple but profound:
- **Pursue Study Aids:** Use commentaries, atlases, language tools, and reliable online resources.
- **Read and Pray:** As you study, ask the Holy Spirit for insight, and seek to obey what you learn.
- **Share with Others:** Pass on new discoveries—discipleship thrives when we grow together.
**Start today:** Set aside 10 minutes this week to use a trusted commentary or study Bible. Explore a passage you find confusing, and share one fresh insight with a friend or small group.
*Reflective Question:* What is one Bible passage you’ve struggled to understand? How might learning its historical context open new meaning and invite you into deeper connection with God’s story?
---
## Bible Verse References Cited
- John 6:35, NASB: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.’”
- John 1:1, NASB: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
- Luke 10:25-37, NASB (summarized)
- Matthew 5:17, NASB: “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
---
## Footnotes
[1] Matthew Henry, *Commentary on the Whole Bible*. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mhc.html
[2] John Calvin, *Commentary on John 6*. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom34.vii.ii.html
[3] John Calvin, *Commentary on Luke 10*. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom33.ii.ii.html
[4] Charles Spurgeon, *The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:30-37*, in *Sermons on the Parables*. https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-good-samaritan/
---
**Tags:** historical context, Bible study, Scripture, Jesus, Matthew Henry, John Calvin, parables, Old Testament