Justin Houtz

1 Kings 13, Mark 16

DateVersionReading Plan
October 31, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

1 Kings 13

Observation & Interpretation

1 Kings 13:2 – A man of God came out of Judah by word of the LORD to Bethel, cried against the altar and said that a son would be born of the household of David who would sacrifice the priests of the high places on the altar. This man’s name would be Josiah.

  • While Jeroboam was offering incense at the altar in Bethel, a man of God was sent from Judah to denounce the idolatrous altar. He predicted that a king named Josiah would arise in Judah and would burn the idolatrous priests on the altar. The fulfillment of the prophecy in verse 2 is found in 2 Kings 23:15, 16. Over 300 years elapsed between the prophecy and its fulfillment. (BBC)
  • As we shall see in 2 Kings 23:15-20, these actions will be fulfilled three centuries later. In this context, the focus is clearly on the fact that the LORD will bring this to pass and will do it so in judgment of the great evil occurring in the north. (ESVEC – Comment)

1 Kings 13:20-22 – The word of the LORD came to the prophet who had tricked the other prophet and told him that he would not come to the tomb of his fathers because he had not kept the command given him by the LORD.

  • God’s disapproval of the one who hears the word of God and yet chooses to ignore it will be made obvious. (ESVEC – Comment)

Mark 16

Observation & Interpretation

Mark 16:12-13 – Jesus approved to two disciples in another form who went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

  • The full account of this appearance is found in Luke 24:13–31. Here we read that He appeared in another form to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. (BBC)

Mark 16:9-20 – Regardless of whether the text of Mark 16:9-20 is considered original to the Gospel of Mark on the basis of manuscript evidence, there is no doubt that most of the content of what is narrated in this section is found elsewhere in various uncontested sections of the NT. (ESVEC – Introduction)

  • The soul ground for faith in Jesus is the testimony of the atoning death and divine resurrection and vindication of Jesus. Obedient faith in this redeeming Jesus saves. (ESVEC – Response)

Resources