The Vigil

from Matthew 23:11

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 23:11

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Galatians 5:13

For, brothers, you have been called to freedom; only do not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but by love serve one another.

from Matthew 23:11

Romans 15:1

We then that are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

from Galatians 5:13 · a strong link

I Kings 4:20

Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

from Proverbs 14:28


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.

Mark 12:29

And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

from I Corinthians 8:4

Romans 3:30

Seeing it is one God, who shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

from Mark 12:29

Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

from Romans 3:30

Romans 2:25

For circumcision truly profits, if you keep the law: but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.

from Philippians 3:3


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.

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.

from I John 3:16

Hebrews 2:10

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

from Matthew 20:28

Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

from Hebrews 2:10 · 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 16:13

However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

from I John 2:27

I Corinthians 2:10

But God has revealed them to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

from John 16:13 · a strong link

Romans 11:33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unfathomable are his judgments, and his ways beyond tracing out!

from I Corinthians 2:10

Ephesians 3:10

To the intent that now to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places might be known by the church the multifaceted wisdom of God,

from Romans 11:33 · a strong link

Luke 11:49

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

from I Corinthians 1:24


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.

Matthew 16:18

And I say also to you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

from Ephesians 2:20 · a strong link

Galatians 2:9

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the pagans, and they to the circumcision.

from Matthew 16:18

Galatians 2:2

And I went up by revelation, and laid before them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

from Galatians 2:9

I Thessalonians 3:5

For this cause, when I could endure it no longer, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.

from Galatians 2:2


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.

I Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

from I Chronicles 29:17

I Kings 8:39

Then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart you know; (for you, even you only, know the hearts of all the children of men;)

from I Samuel 16:7 · a strong link

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 Kings 8:39 · a strong link


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:

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

from I Corinthians 5:7

Revelation of John 7:9

After this I saw, and, look, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

from John 1:29

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 23:11 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