The Vigil

from Matthew 2:23

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

Matthew 2:23

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Judges 13:5

For, look, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

from Matthew 2:23

II Samuel 8:1

And after this it happened, that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

from Judges 13:5

I Chronicles 18:1

Now after this it happened, that David struck the Philistines, and subdued them, and took Gath and her towns out of the hand of the Philistines.

from II Samuel 8:1

I Samuel 26:21

Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do you harm, because my soul was precious in your eyes this day: look, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.

from I Samuel 27:4


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

Hebrews 1:2

Has in these last days spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

from Isaiah 44:24

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.

from Hebrews 1:2 · a strong link

John 13:3

Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God, and went to God;

from Matthew 28:18 · 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.

Philippians 2:17

Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

from I John 3:16 · a strong link


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

II Corinthians 13:14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.

from John 14:26 · a strong link

Romans 16:20

And the God of peace shall crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

from II Corinthians 13:14 · a strong link

Zechariah 10:5

And they shall be as mighty men, who tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.

from Romans 16:20

Haggai 2:22

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the pagans; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

from Zechariah 10:5

Judges 7:22

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the army: and the host fled to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, to Tabbath.

from Haggai 2:22


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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.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, Look, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes will not panic.

from Ephesians 2:20 · a strong link

Genesis 49:10

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and to him shall the gathering of the people be.

from Isaiah 28:16 · a strong link

John 19:12

And from then on Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If you let this man go, you are not Caesar’s friend: whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.

from Genesis 49:10

John 18:33

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him, Are you the King of the Jews?

from John 19:12


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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.

II Corinthians 1:12

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conduct in the world, and more abundantly toward you.

from I Chronicles 29:17

Acts 23:1

And Paul, earnestly seeing the council, said, Men and brothers, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

from Acts 24:16 · a strong link

II Timothy 1:3

I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day;

from Acts 23:1 · a strong link


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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:

Acts 8:32

The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb mute before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

from I Corinthians 5:7

Jeremiah 51:40

I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.

from Acts 8:32 · a strong link

Jeremiah 50:27

Slay all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter: woe to them! for their day has come, the time of their visitation.

from Jeremiah 51:40

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 2:23 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