The Vigil

from Matthew 20:28

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 20:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.

John 11:50

Nor consider that it is better for us, so that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

from Matthew 20:28

John 18:14

Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, so that it was beneficial that one man should die for the people.

from John 11:50 · a strong link

John 11:49

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said to them, You know nothing at all,

from John 18:14


a thread opens

Leviticus 10:3

Then Moses said to Aaron, This is it that the LORD spoke, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

Ezekiel 28:22

And say, Thus says the Lord GOD; Look, I am against you, O Sidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of you: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.

from Leviticus 10:3

Ezekiel 39:13

Yes, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, says the Lord GOD.

from Ezekiel 28:22

Zephaniah 3:19

Look, at that time I will undo all that afflict you: and I will save her who limps, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

from Ezekiel 39:13

Hebrews 12:13

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

from Zephaniah 3:19

Galatians 6:1

Brothers, if a man is caught in a trespass, you which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

from Hebrews 12:13 · a strong link

I John 5:16

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not to death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not to death. There is a sin to death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

from Galatians 6:1 · a strong link


a thread opens

Jude 1:24

Now to him that is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

I Peter 4:13

But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.

from Jude 1:24

Acts 5:41

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

from I Peter 4:13

Matthew 5:10

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

from Acts 5:41

II Timothy 3:11

Persecutions, afflictions, which came to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

from Matthew 5:10 · a strong link

Acts 13:45

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

from II Timothy 3:11 · a strong link


a thread opens

Jude 1:11

Woe to them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Genesis 4:3

And in process of time it happened, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.

from Jude 1:11

Numbers 18:12

All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer to the LORD, them have I given you.

from Genesis 4:3

Exodus 34:26

The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in his mother’s milk.

from Numbers 18:12

Deuteronomy 14:21

You shall not eat of anything that dies of itself: you shall give it to the stranger in your gates, so that he may eat it; or you may sell it to an alien: for you are a holy people to the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in his mother’s milk.

from Exodus 34:26


a thread opens

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Psalms 96:11

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and its fullness.

from Luke 2:14

Isaiah 49:13

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD has comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

from Psalms 96:11

Isaiah 51:3

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found in it, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

from Isaiah 49:13


a thread opens

Luke 18:7

And shall not God give justice to his own elect, which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them?

Hebrews 2:2

For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty;

from Hebrews 10:35

Hebrews 10:28

He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

from Hebrews 2:2 · a strong link

Romans 3:19

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

from Galatians 4:21


a thread opens

Luke 14:26

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Psalms 73:25

Whom have I in heaven but you? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside you.

from Luke 14:26 · a strong link

Psalms 63:3

Because your loving devotion is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

from Psalms 73:25 · a strong link

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Look, how great a forest a little fire kindles!

from Psalms 63:3

Ezekiel 28:2

Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD; Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet you are a man, and not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God:

from James 3:5

II Thessalonians 2:4

Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

from Ezekiel 28:2 · a strong link

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 20:28 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