The Vigil

from Matthew 23:31

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 23:31

Therefore you be witnesses to yourselves, that you are the children of them which killed the prophets.

I Thessalonians 2:15

Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all people:

from Matthew 23:31

Luke 23:13

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

from Luke 24:20

Matthew 27:21

The governor answered them, Whether of the two will you that I release to you? They said, Barabbas.

from Luke 23:13


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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.

Psalms 115:8

They that make them are like to them; so is every one that trusts in them.

from Isaiah 41:24 · a strong link

Isaiah 44:18

They have not known nor understood: for he has shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

from Psalms 135:18


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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 Peter 3:18

For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, so that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit:

from I John 3:16

Zechariah 13:7

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, says the LORD of hosts: strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.

from Romans 4:25


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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 15:4

Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it remain in the vine; no more can you, except you remain in me.

from I John 2:27

I Samuel 15:11

It repents me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried to the LORD all night.

from II Corinthians 12:8

I Samuel 13:13

And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly: you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, who he commanded you: for now would the LORD have established your kingdom upon Israel for ever.

from I Samuel 15:11 · a strong link

II Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the LORD run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein you have done foolishly: therefore from now on you shall have wars.

from I Samuel 13:13 · a strong link


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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.


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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.

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 21:14

But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, says the LORD: and I will kindle a fire in its forest, and it shall devour all things around it.

from Jeremiah 17:10

Jeremiah 9:25

Look, the days come, says the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;

from Jeremiah 21:14

Romans 2:8

But to them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

from Jeremiah 9:25


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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:

Hebrews 4:15

For we have not a high priest which is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

from I Peter 2:22

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 23:31 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