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By Joseph S. Exell · 1887 · 1,353 illustrations
The Biblical Illustrator is a 56-volume reference work compiled by Joseph S. Exell in the late 19th century. Each passage of Scripture is illuminated with historical anecdotes, biographical sketches, analogies from nature, and homiletical observations drawn from ancient and contemporary sources. These illustrations have been carefully restored from the original public-domain text and rewritten for clarity and accessibility — preserving the historical depth while removing Victorian OCR artifacts.
The world's policy, like the world itself, fluctuates and deceives—uncertain in both objects and means, it knows nothing of the steadfastness that religious principle imparts to mind and conduct.
For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done ...
This ancient custom illuminates Psalm 24:8—"Who is this King of glory?
Among the Roman Christians, fierce strife erupted over a trifle: whether believers could eat meat or must subsist on herbs alone.
Rather, He presented moral pictures to His hearers' minds with such vividness and power that truth could not be perverted or forgotten.
King Ahaz had hired a cheap knife for Judah's deliverance, yet the Lord appropriates that same instrument for shameful judgment.
He does not say merely "with you," as in other epistles, but specifically "with your spirit," thus withdrawing the Galatians from carnal preoccupations and displaying throughout the beneficence of God.
First, in Creation, Christ's operations display order, regularity, and perfect adaptation.
Paul "strived" to preach Christ where His name had never been spoken—a holy ambition rooted in Christian love and respect for others' labour.
To pray is to *ask* (*aiteo*) of God; the more childlike the asking, the better.
Many professing Christians require conversion; many churches require Christianization.
The Judaizers' insistence on circumcision and Jewish law constituted blasphemy against Christ's redemptive work, shocking Paul's reverence for the One they dishonoured.
Jesus appeared distant in the man's apprehension, yet he was far from God in four critical ways: in character—separated by the gulf between holiness and sin; in knowledge—aware of Jesus but ignorant of His love; in hope—the demons had extinguished...
The Apostle Paul identifies five essential components: man's utmost happiness (salvation itself), the means to attain it (the gospel), the grace required (believing), the faculty necessary (memory), and the relationship binding them together.
Ye are of more value.—The worth of human nature flows from four sources, according to Dr. H. W. Williams: First, from the capacities inherent in that nature itself. Second, from the fact that mankind is the object of special regard...
The four Gospels contain only five formal discourses—at Nazareth, the Mount, Capernaum, the seashore, and Jerusalem—yet the remainder consists of dialogue and monologue.
Exell observed that sleep's dominion is absolute—even the mightiest minds cannot resist it.
Joseph Exell observed in 1887 that Moses' law was geographically confined to Judea, while other systems adapted to local customs and remained regional.
Christ teaches that false messiahs will arise, claiming "Lo, here is Christ" or "There!" yet believers possess sufficient tests to unmask pretenders.
What a remarkable paradox—poverty combined with power that accomplishes almost anything.
Weakness becomes the vessel for His empowerment, as vine-sap fills the hollow branch and water flows into the hollowed basin.
If God be for us, who can be against us?
All intelligent creatures act from some consideration—money, pleasure, regard for others—yet Christ calls us to a higher ordering of life itself.
The upright man bequeaths his heirs three precious gifts: (1) His example—a living testimony that sons and daughters may trace throughout their own success.