LTRBE Seminar | Section 14: Using Cross References

Learn To Read The Bible Effectively

Section 14
Using Cross References

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Section 14: Using Cross References

There is no better commentary on the Bible than itself. No source is more appropriate for interpreting God's Word than God Himself. It is in this area that the use of Cross References can be so valuable.

WHAT IS A CROSS REFERENCE?
They are verse "references" supplied by the translators which direct the reader to other locations in the Bible where the same word or the same or similar event or phrase may be found.

TYPES OF CROSS REFERENCES INCLUDE:

1. Center References
2. End of Verse/Footnotes
3. Separate books (Treasury of Scripture Knowledge)

USES OF CROSS REFERENCES:

1) Link Teachings/Prophecies Between OT & NT

Luke 1:31-33 - Gabriel's words to Mary
- throne of David
Cross Reference to:
2 Samuel 7:11

John 1:19-28 - Jew's question to John the Baptist
- "Art thou that prophet?"
Cross Reference to:
Deut. 18:15-18

Luke 4:16-21 - Christ reading from Isaiah
- "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me..."
Cross Reference to:
Isaiah 61:1,2
Leviticus 25:9-10 (Jubilee)

Acts 13:16-37 - Paul speaks to the Jews in Antioch
- numerous quotes
Cross References to:
Psalm 2:7
Isaiah 55:3
Psalm 16:10

2) Fill in details on Persons, Places, Subjects, etc.

Hebrews 5:6 - Melchizedek
- who is he?
Cross References to:
Psalm 110:4
Hebrews 7:17,21
Passage in Hebrews 7 also references:
Genesis 14:18-20

Matthew 12:38-42 - Queen of the South
- who is she?
Cross Reference to:
1 Kings 10:1

Acts 1:1 - The former Treatise
- what was it?
Cross Reference to:
Luke 1:3

Ezekiel 21:25-27
- "whose right it is"
Cross Reference to:
Gen. 49:10

3) Filling in of details of Parallel Accounts

History of Kings of Israel & Judah

1 Kings 15:34 - King Baasha
- walked in the ways of Jeroboam...
Cross References to:
1 Kings 12:28-29
1 Kings 13:33
1 Kings 14:16
1 Kings 16:2,19,26

1 Kings 15:23-24 - King Asa
- diseased in his feet...
Cross References to:
2 Chronicles 16:12

1 Kings 22:41-45 - King Jehoshaphat
- he made peace with the king of Israel
Cross References to:
2 Chronicles 18:1
2 Chronicles 21:6
2 Chronicles 22:2
2 Kings 8:18

Gospel Accounts

Luke 21:5-36 - Mt. Olivet Prophecy
- who are the "they" that asked him in v.7?
Cross References to:
Matthew 24:1-51 (disciples, privately)
Mark 13:1-37 (in particular, Peter, James, John, and Andrew, privately)

Luke 9:7-9 - Concerning John the Baptist
- John was beheaded by Herod, why?
Cross References to:
Matthew 14:1-3
Mark 6:14-16

Luke 23:39-43 - Repentant Thief
- Thief repents on cross
Cross References to:
Matthew 27:44
Mark 15:29-30

4) Clarification of Passage/Meaning

Matthew 9:10-13 - "Mercy, and not sacrifice"
- "I will have mercy..."
Cross References to:
Matt. 23:23
Micah 6:8
1 Sam. 15:22
Hosea 6:6

Acts 8:27-40 - Philip and the Eunuch
- Reading from Isaiah
Cross Reference to:
Isaiah 53:7,8

John 4:3-42 - Preaching to Samaritans
- Location (v. 5)
Cross References to:
Genesis 33:19
Joshua 24:32 (note context of chapter 24)