The Vigil

from Matthew 4:17

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 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

from Matthew 4:17 · a strong link

Luke 15:1

Then drew near to him all the tax collectors and sinners to hear him.

from Acts 2:38

Matthew 9:10

And it happened, as Jesus sat at table in the house, look, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

from Luke 15:1 · a strong link

Matthew 5:46

For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the tax collectors the same?

from Matthew 9:10

Luke 6:32

For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? for sinners also love those that love them.

from Matthew 5:46


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

Job 9:8

Which alone spreads out the heavens, and treads upon the waves of the sea.

from Isaiah 44:24

Isaiah 40:22

It is he that sits upon the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in:

from Job 9:8

Jeremiah 10:12

He has made the earth by his power, he has established the world by his wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

from Isaiah 40:22


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.

Romans 16:4

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

from I John 3:16

I Thessalonians 2:14

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

from Romans 16:4


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

Luke 11:13

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

from John 14:26 · a strong link

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 Luke 11:13

Matthew 12:43

When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

from Isaiah 44:3 · a strong link

Psalms 63:1

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

from Matthew 12:43


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.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

from I Corinthians 12:28 · a strong link

Ezekiel 33:7

So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

from Hebrews 13:17

Ezekiel 2:7

And you shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

from Ezekiel 33:7

Ezekiel 3:10

Moreover he said to me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart, and hear with your ears.

from Ezekiel 2:7


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.

Ezekiel 11:20

That they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

from Psalms 119:1 · 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:

James 1:21

Therefore put away all moral filth and rampant wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

from Ephesians 4:22 · a strong link

John 6:68

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life.

from James 1:21

That is the whole thread.

Every verse the cross-references reach from Matthew 4:17 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