The Vigil

from Matthew 23:35

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 23:35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slew between the temple and the altar.

Genesis 4:8

And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it happened, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

from Matthew 23:35

Micah 7:6

For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.

from Genesis 4:8

Matthew 10:35

For I have come to set a man at discord against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

from Micah 7:6 · a strong link

Micah 7:5

Do not trust in a friend, do not put confidence in a guide: keep the doors of your mouth from her that lies in your bosom.

from Matthew 10:35 · a strong link

Judges 16:5

And the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, Entice him, and see in which his great strength lies, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give you every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

from Micah 7:5


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

Romans 3:28

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

from Romans 3:30


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 4:21

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.

from John 15:12 · a strong link

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

from I John 4:21


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.

I Corinthians 2:13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

from I John 2:27

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

from I Corinthians 2:13

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon your seed, and my blessing upon your offspring:

from Titus 3:6

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

from Isaiah 44:3 · a strong link

John 19:34

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and immediately came there out blood and water.

from Zechariah 12:10 · a strong link


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.

Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

from I Corinthians 12:28

I Corinthians 7:7

For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But every man has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

from Romans 12:6 · 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.

Philemon 1:7

For we have great joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

from I Chronicles 29:17

II Timothy 1:16

The Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus; for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

from Philemon 1:7

Acts 18:2

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came to them.

from II Timothy 4:19 · 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:

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

Malachi 1:14

But cursed be the deceiver, which has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the pagans.

from Exodus 12:5

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 23:35 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