The Vigil

from John 8:36

Today’s scroll, one verse at a time — each linked to the last by the cross-references rather than by any model of you. The same vigil for everyone, and a different one tomorrow.

a thread opens

John 8:36

If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

Isaiah 49:24

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?

from John 8:36 · a strong link

Matthew 12:29

Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and plunder his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will plunder his house.

from Isaiah 49:24

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the plunder with the strong; because he has poured out his soul to death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

from Matthew 12:29

Luke 23:25

And he released to them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

from Isaiah 53:12

Luke 23:2

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

from Luke 23:25


a thread opens

I Corinthians 8:4

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

Isaiah 44:24

Thus says the LORD, your redeemer, and he that formed you from the womb, I am the LORD that makes all things; that stretches forth the heavens alone; that spreads abroad the earth by myself;

from I Corinthians 8:4

Isaiah 48:13

My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand has spanned the heavens: when I call to them, they stand up together.

from Isaiah 44:24

Isaiah 40:12

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

from Isaiah 48:13

Proverbs 30:4

Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? who has gathered the wind in his fists? who has bound the waters in a garment? who has established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you can tell?

from Isaiah 40:12 · a strong link


a thread opens

I John 3:16

By this we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

I John 4:9

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

from I John 3:16 · a strong link

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

from I John 4:9


a thread opens

I John 2:27

But the anointing which you have received of him remains in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall remain in him.

John 14:26

But the Helper, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.

from I John 2:27 · a strong link

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water to repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:

from John 14:26 · a strong link

John 1:26

John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not;

from Matthew 3:11

Luke 3:16

John answered, saying to them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire:

from John 1:26 · a strong link

Acts 2:3

And there appeared to them divided tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

from Luke 3:16

Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

from Acts 2:3


a thread opens

I Corinthians 12:28

And God has set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, varieties of tongues.

Ephesians 3:5

Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

from Ephesians 4:11

Titus 1:1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is after godliness;

from Ephesians 3:5

Titus 3:9

But avoid foolish controversies, and genealogies, and quarrels and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

from II Timothy 2:23 · a strong link


a thread opens

I Chronicles 29:17

I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy your people, who are present here, to offer willingly to you.

Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, I try the inmost thoughts, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

from I Chronicles 29:17 · a strong link

Jeremiah 11:20

But, O LORD of hosts, that judge righteously, that try the inmost thoughts and the heart, let me see your vengeance on them: for to you have I revealed my cause.

from Jeremiah 17:10 · a strong link

Psalms 10:14

You have seen it; for you see mischief and spite, to repay it with your hand: the poor commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

from Jeremiah 11:20


a thread opens

I Corinthians 5:7

Clean out therefore the old leaven, so that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:

Exodus 12:5

Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: you shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

from I Corinthians 5:7

I Peter 1:18

Since you know that you were not redeemed with perishable things, as silver and gold, from your futile ways received by tradition from your fathers;

from Exodus 12:5

Galatians 1:4

Who gave himself for our sins, so that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

from I Peter 1:18

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from John 8:36 along this chain. Today’s own vigil is laid separately.

Each verse follows the one before it along the chain a study Bible draws — a century old, public, and compiled by people arguing about Scripture rather than about how long you stay. Every card says which verse it came from and opens the chapter it belongs to. Today’s vigil is the same for every reader and is worked out from the date alone, so there is no account, no counter, and nothing stored in your browser or ours.

The text is the Lantern Modern Standard. The links are openbible.info’s cross-reference set (CC BY), the same apparatus behind the reader’s Echoes drawer. Read a whole book · Today’s table