Bible Facts
Connections across Scripture
Direct biblical statementJesus rode a colt no one had riddenJesus sent two disciples to bring a young donkey "on which no one has sat", and rode it into Jerusalem.Direct biblical statementThe rooster crowed twiceJesus told Peter that before the rooster crowed twice he would deny him three times; Mark records it happened.Direct biblical statementThe rainbow is a covenant signAfter the flood God set the rainbow in the clouds as the sign of his covenant never again to destroy the earth by flood.Direct biblical statementThe lilies are dressed better than SolomonJesus said not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like the lilies of the field.Direct biblical statementLot's wife looked backAs Lot's family fled Sodom, Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt; Jesus later said "Remember Lot's wife."Direct biblical statementEzekiel ate a scroll as sweet as honeyIn a vision God told Ezekiel to eat a scroll; it was as sweet as honey in his mouth.Direct biblical statementNicodemus came at nightNicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler, came to Jesus by night; later he helped bury Jesus.Text-derived calculationPsalm 117 is the shortest chapterPsalm 117 has just two verses, the fewest of any chapter.Direct biblical statementThe Magi found Jesus in a houseMatthew says the Magi came "into the house" and saw "the young child", not a newborn in a manger.Literary or interpretive observationGenesis 3 calls the tempter a serpentGenesis 3 speaks of a serpent; Revelation later calls the devil "the old serpent".Direct biblical statementJesus answered temptation with DeuteronomyIn the wilderness Jesus answered each temptation with words from Deuteronomy: "It is written."Translation-dependent observationTwo versions of the Lord's PrayerMatthew and Luke both record the Lord's Prayer; Luke's version is shorter and comes after a disciple asks to be taught to pray.Text-derived calculation"It is finished" is only in JohnJesus' words "It is finished" from the cross are recorded only in John's Gospel.Direct biblical statementWomen were the first at the empty tombAll four Gospels say women came first to the tomb; Mary Magdalene is named in each account.Direct biblical statementA Persian king sent the exiles homeCyrus king of Persia issued a decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.Translation-dependent observationHosea's children had message namesHosea's children were named Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah ("not pitied") and Lo-Ammi ("not my people") as signs to Israel.Direct biblical statementMicah named BethlehemMicah prophesied that a ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah; Matthew quotes this in the account of the Magi.Direct biblical statementRuth was David's great-grandmotherRuth, a Moabite woman, married Boaz; their son Obed was the father of Jesse, the father of David.Direct biblical statementAn Ethiopian official was reading IsaiahPhilip met an Ethiopian court official in a chariot reading Isaiah aloud, explained it to him, and baptized him.Literary or interpretive observationForty days, three timesForty days marks Moses on the mountain, Elijah's journey to Horeb and Jesus in the wilderness.Literary or interpretive observationTwelve tribes and twelve apostlesJesus chose twelve apostles and spoke of them sitting on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.Text-derived calculationMatthew's three groups of fourteenMatthew arranges Jesus' genealogy in three groups of fourteen generations.Direct biblical statementIshmael also had twelve sonsLike Jacob, Ishmael had twelve sons, called "twelve princes, according to their nations".Literary or interpretive observationMoriah: Abraham's mountain and the temple siteGod sent Abraham to "the land of Moriah", and Chronicles says Solomon built the temple on Mount Moriah.Literary or interpretive observationJohn called Jesus "the Lamb of God"John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"Literary or interpretive observationHannah's song and Mary's songMary's song in Luke 1 shares many themes with Hannah's song in 1 Samuel 2: God lifts the humble and fills the hungry.Literary or interpretive observationMelchizedek brought bread and wineMelchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, brought bread and wine and blessed Abram; Hebrews reflects on him at length.Literary or interpretive observationJesus spoke of "the sign of Jonah"Jesus compared Jonah's three days in the fish with the Son of Man's three days in the heart of the earth.Direct biblical statementThirty pieces of silverJudas agreed to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver; Matthew connects the later purchase of a field with a prophecy.Direct biblical statementSoldiers cast lots for Jesus' tunicThe soldiers divided Jesus' clothes and cast lots for his seamless tunic; John links this to Psalm 22.Literary or interpretive observationThe Bible begins "In the beginning"The first words of the Bible are "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."