Justin Houtz

1 Chronicles 1, John 11

DateVersionReading Plan
December 5, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

1 Chronicles 1

Observation & Interpretation

1 Chron. 1:34 – The Chronicler lists the sons of Isaac and Israel (referring to Jacob as “Israel”).

  • This verse refers to Jacob as “Israel” – the name he was given by God (Gen. 32:27-28).

1 Chron. 1:5:23 – As in Genesis 10 (similarly in subsequent lists in both Genesis and Chronicles), details of noncontinuing lines are given first. Thus the descendants of Shem, the son of Noah who is the ancestor of the continuing line of Israel, come after the descendants of the other sons, Jepheth and Ham. (ESVEC – Comment)

  • The description of “Nimrod” as the “first on earth to be a “mighty man” (1 Chron. 1:10) matches Genesis 10:8.

1 Chron. 1:28-54 – [The Chronicler] consistently uses “Israel” rather than “Jacob” when naming Isaac’s sons (apart from 16:13, 17, where “Jacob” and “Israel” are in parallel in a song). This highlights both the promise behind the name (cf. Gen. 32:28; 35:10) and the common lineage of “all Israel”…(ESVEC – Comment)

1 Chron. 1:1-54 – If those in Christ are ever asked, “Where do you belong?” their first answer is to be, “I am a member of God’s family, called to be a blessing to all peoples.” (ESVEC – Response)

John 11

Observation & Interpretation

John 11:9-10 – Jesus answered the disciples’ concern about returning to Judea with a question about the number of hours in the day and speaking of walking in the day vs. walking in the night.

  • The spiritual meaning of the Lord’s words is as follows: The Lord Jesus was walking in perfect obedience to the will of God. There was thus no danger of His being killed before the appointed time. He would be preserved until His work was done. (BBC)

John 11:14 – Jesus knew that Lazarus had died.

  • How calmly the disciples received the news! They did not ask the Lord, “How do you know?” He spoke with complete authority, and they did not question His knowledge. (BBC)

John 11:15 – Jesus expressed His gladness that He was not present at Lazarus’ death for the sake of the disciples, so that they may believe.

  • If He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. Nowhere is it recorded in the NT that a person died in the presence of the Lord. The disciples would see a greater miracle than the prevention of death. They would see a man raised from the dead. In this way, their faith would be strengthened. (BBC)

John 11:16 – Thomas wanted the disciples to join Jesus in going to Lazarus so that they could die with him.

  • If the disciples went with Jesus, [Thomas] was sure that they too would be killed. And so in a spirit of pessimism and gloom, he urged them all to accompany Jesus. His words are not an example of great faith or courage, but rather of discouragement. (BBC)

John 11:27 – Martha expressed her belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.

  • Martha says, “is coming”, rather than “has come”.

John 11:51 – Caiphas did not speak of Jesus’ death of his own accord but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation.

  • As the Jewish high priest, Caiaphas “prophesied,” speaking better than he knew. (BBC)

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