Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—
The cross references for Hebrews 11:37 relate to the overall theme of suffering and persecution. These passages depict individuals who were mistreated and killed in various ways, including being stoned, sawn in two, and killed with the sword. These stories illustrate how the faithful followers of God were willing to endure great suffering and even death in order to remain faithful to Him. The accounts also demonstrate God's faithfulness to His people, even in the midst of their suffering, and His willingness to deliver them from their enemies.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| 1 Kings 19:10: He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” | Both passages demonstrate the faithfulness of God's people in the face of great suffering and persecution. In Hebrews 11:37, the author recounts the many ways in which God's people were mistreated and persecuted for their faith. In 1 Kings 19:10, Elijah laments that he is the only one left to serve God, and that his life is also in danger. Both passages demonstrate the faithfulness of God's people who endured suffering and persecution for their faith in God. |
| 1 Kings 21:13-15: And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.” As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” | Both passages reference the persecution of the faithful. Hebrews 11:37 is a general reference to the persecution of Old Testament believers and mentions that some were stoned to death, which is what happened to Naboth in 1 Kings 21:13-15. In 1 Kings, the story is further elaborated, detailing the false charges against Naboth and the consequences of his death. |
| 2 Kings 1:8: They answered him, “He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” | Both passages refer to Elijah and his clothing. Hebrews 11:37 mentions that Elijah and others were "destitute, afflicted, mistreated" and wore "skins of sheep and goats." 2 Kings 1:8 describes Elijah's clothing more specifically, saying he wore a "garment of hair" with a "belt of leather about his waist." This further emphasizes the poverty and adversity of Elijah's situation. |
| 2 Chronicles 24:21: But they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. | Both passages discuss people who were stoned to death. Hebrews 11:37 describes a group of people who were mistreated and killed in various ways, including stoning. 2 Chronicles 24:21 tells the story of a specific individual who was stoned to death by command of the king. This passage serves as an example of the mistreatment described in Hebrews 11:37. |
| Jeremiah 26:23: and they took Uriah from Egypt and brought him to King Jehoiakim, who struck him down with the sword and dumped his dead body into the burial place of the common people. | Both passages discuss the mistreatment of God's people by their oppressors. Hebrews 11:37 speaks of the mistreatment of God's people in a general sense, highlighting the various ways in which they were persecuted. Jeremiah 26:23 is a specific example of this persecution, telling the story of Uriah who was struck down with the sword and buried with the common people. |
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the example of faithfulness that we see in the lives of those who went before us. We thank You for the courage of those who were willing to suffer for the sake of Your name. We thank You for Your grace and mercy in the midst of suffering and persecution.
Help us to be faithful in our own lives, even when it is difficult. Give us the strength to stand firm in the face of adversity, and the courage to speak Your truth in love.
We pray for those who are currently suffering for their faith, and we ask that You would give them courage and strength.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.