The Bible presents parables as one of Jesus’ favorite ways to teach his disciples about the kingdom of heaven. He uses some 40 parables across the three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Many of these parables — such as the Prodigal Son, the mustard seed, and hiding a lamp under a bushel — are among the best-known biblical images in Western culture.
Yet the familiarity of these parables sometimes belies how strange they are. A shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for one. A stranger — even an enemy — becomes the example of neighbor-love. Workers hired at the end of the day receive the same wage as those who worked from morning. A father welcomes home a son who wasted everything, while the obedient older brother stands outside the celebration.
When we stop and think about them, these illustrative stories are just as shocking and countercultural now as they were when Jesus first told them.
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Bible News
The latest Bible-related and Bible-adjacent news
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Max Lucado Discusses How Christians Misunderstand Anxiety — June 26: Max Lucado argues that , misreading Paul’s words in . He says anxiety is a human emotion, not a moral failure, and that believers should feel free to seek prayer, community, counseling, or medication when needed. Drawing from , he urges the church to replace shame with compassion and to see anxiety as something that can be faced faithfully rather than hidden. (RELEVANT)
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Catholic Cardinals Signal Intention to Move Beyond "Just War" Theory — June 27: At a Vatican consistory, cardinals backed Pope Leo XIV’s call to in favor of a “right to proportionate defense.” Church leaders argued that the classic just war framework has become inadequate in a world of modern warfare, where the scale and imbalance of military force can make the older, medieval criteria ineffective. The discussion is expected to continue. (Aleteia)
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Research Reveals Herod's Secret Tomb in Cave of the Patriarchs — June 28: New Israeli research suggests Herod built the monumental structure over the Cave of Machpelah during his reign , as well as a memorial to the biblical patriarchs. Though Herod was ultimately buried at Herodium, the researchers argue the Machpelah site fits the pattern of a Hellenistic sacred burial precinct and point to what they describe as a hidden burial cell within the underground system. (Israel 365)
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Here’s your Bible Gateway verse-of-the-day calendar for the month of July! Click each link to read the verse in your preferred translation — or scroll to the bottom to download the image (or PDF) of all verse references.
Plus — a closer look at one of this month's verses, Jeremiah 17:9-10, using the new NKJV Enduring Word Study Bible in Bible Gateway Plus. We can't know what's in our own hearts — but God does.
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Ever read a passage and wish you understood what it really means? Bible Gateway Plus gives you $5,300+ in study resources right alongside Scripture—so you can move from reading to really understanding in one click.
Try it free for 7 days!
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Genesis Chapter 2 ends in a beautiful setting: Man, woman, God’s perfect rhythm, and no shame to be found. Within His order, He provided for their sustenance via a multitude of trees in the garden. There was only one prohibition: to stay away from one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Then, into this rhythmic, shameless, euphoric setting, walks the incarnation of shame himself — the shiny, crafty, talking Dragon-Snake.
“Wait. A walking, shiny, crafty, talking, Dragon-Snake,” you ask? To each of these I reply with a hearty “Yes.”
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Wycliffe Bible Translators recently announced that the best-selling book in the history of the world has just chalked up its 800th translated language of the entire Bible (not just the New Testament).
With roughly 8.3 billion people alive right now, and estimates of 5–7 billion Bibles printed over time, it’s almost enough for every person in the world to have a Bible or New Testament of their own.
Except, even if everyone had a Bible, many would not be able to read it.
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Recommendations for Your Library
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The Lie You Don't Know You Believe
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In The Lie You Don't Know You Believe, Jennie Allen pulls back the curtain on the enemy's oldest trick—and shows you how to dismantle it with the spiritual authority you already have in Christ.
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With his signature warmth and biblical wisdom, bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado helps you confront your deepest fears head-on—equipping you to trade anxiety for unshakable bravery through trusting God's extraordinary grace.
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Devotionals and Reading Plans
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Bible Audio App
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ChurchSource's Back to Church Sale is here—with savings up to 50% on resources for the season ahead and the moments right in front of you.
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*All prices are in USD. Additional sales tax may apply. The free trial is available to new subscribers only.
*FaithGateway sale price ends on 07/05/26 at 11:59 PM. Limited quantities available. Sale pricing excludes ebooks and audiobooks. Free Standard Shipping for U.S. orders over $35 excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
*ChurchSource offers valid until July 26th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST or while supplies last. Offer valid online and by phone only. Shipping, gift cards, or customization of products does not qualify towards minimum purchase requirements. Save 50% on your order when you purchase 50 or more resources from Alpha, Emotionally Healthy, and Celebrate Recovery with code BTC50. Offer only available to customers in the United States age 18 and older. To redeem offer, enter promo code during online checkout or provide the code to a representative during phone orders. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other discount offer. ChurchSource reserves the right to de-activate the promo code in the event of fraud or technical issues and limit quantities of individual items eligible for purchase with this discount. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Not valid for resale.
This email was sent to alitealbum.biblegateway@blogger.com by Bible Gateway, 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214, USA. You received this message because you signed up to receive updates and offers from Bible Gateway and its sponsors. If you have questions or comments about
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