This is Part 1 of a series that will explore the Greek god Dionysus and how John's audience in Ephesus would have understood the Water to Wine miracle.

Dionysus was well known in both Asia Minor, where John was writing, and in the land of Israel. The Greeks had brought Dionysus to Israel hundreds of years before Jesus was born, and he was a very popular agricultural god.

The water-to-wine miracle in John 2 points directly to Dionysus, as he is the god of wine.

In this short introduction, we explore the surprising cultural backdrop of Jesus' first sign—how the Greek god Dionysus, known for turning water into wine, had deeply influenced the land of Israel during the first century.

We highlight:

The mythological connection between Dionysus and the Decapolis city of Scythopolis, said to be founded by the god himself

A quick recap of the Cana wedding story: grace precedes ritual, weddings belong to the “third day,” and resurrection imagery is built into the third day of Creation, when plants—symbols of yearly resurrection—were made

Join us as we begin to uncover the rich layers behind Jesus’ first miracle and what it meant to those living in a world shaped by both Jewish tradition and Greco-Roman mythology.

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Lesson Handout:

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/jesus-is-greater-than-dionysus

The Roman Writer Plutarch commented that Jews Worship Dionysus:

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/plutarch_on_jews_worshiping_dionysus.pdf

More Photos of Beit She'an:

https://www.figtreeteaching.com/beit-shean.html

This lesson is a section of a teaching from 2021. Here is the original lesson: https://youtu.be/tgql4_1Qwko

When asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus responds not with one—but two. He quotes Deuteronomy 6:4-5, the Shema: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart…”—and then adds Leviticus 19:18: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Why two? And why does no one challenge him for it?

In this lesson, we explore how Jesus uses a classic rabbinic technique called Gezerah Sheva, which links commandments that share the same words or ideas. By connecting “love” in both verses, Jesus makes a profound claim: loving your neighbor, who is made in God's image, is the very expression of loving God Himself.

Join us as we uncover the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ answer, the cultural logic behind rabbinic interpretation, and how this teaching continues to challenge and inspire us today.

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Original Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/what-is-the-greatest-commandment

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In this follow-up to our previous lesson on the symbolism of John Chapter 2, we examine the rich cultural and spiritual backdrop of the Wedding at Cana.

What did John mean when he said it was the “third day”? At first glance, this might seem like a small detail, but when viewed through the lens of Jewish wedding traditions, it opens up a powerful layer of meaning that brings the Cana scene to life.

In this lesson, we’ll explore:

- The cultural significance of weddings on the third day of the week in ancient Jewish practice

- How these traditions align beautifully with the wedding at Cana

- The symbolism behind the miracle of water turned into wine.

- Parallels to ancient Near Eastern beliefs—especially how miracles like this one were seen as signs of a god's presence, as in the case of the Greek god Dionysus

Ultimately, we’ll see how this first “sign” reveals God's transformative power through Jesus, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

👉 Don’t miss this lesson as we uncover the hidden richness behind one of the most beloved stories in the Gospels!

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Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/hidden-meaning-of-the-wedding-at-cana

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References:

Shorashim of the Old City: https://shorashimshop.com/

I invite you to join me for a special journey through John Chapter 2, a remarkable section of Scripture that contains two profound events: the Wedding at Cana and Jesus' cleansing of the Temple courts.

Though seemingly unrelated, these stories are deeply connected—and together, they reveal powerful lessons that still speak to our spiritual journey today.

Throughout this series, we will explore the rich layers of meaning found within John 2:

🔹 The Wedding at Cana – Uncover the significance of the town Cana, whose Hebrew name Qanah means “zealous,” and how this ties into the themes of transformation and covenant.

🔹 Water into Wine – Dive into the symbolic meaning of Jesus’s first miracle and why John presents it as the first “sign.”

🔹 Greek and Jewish Context – Contrast Jesus’s miracle with the Greco-Roman mythology of Dionysus, the god believed to turn water into wine—and learn how John sets Jesus apart in a uniquely Jewish framework.

🔹 Faith and Trust – Reflect on what it meant in the first-century world to place your faith or trust in someone like Jesus.

🔹 Glory and Timing – Consider Jesus’s revelation of his glory and his cryptic statement that his “hour had not yet come.”

🔹 Signs and Belief – Discover why John uses the word “signs” instead of “miracles,” and how these signs serve to lead people to believe in Jesus’s name.

🔹 The Temple Cleansing – Explore Jesus’s bold action during Passover and the deeper spiritual meaning behind his confrontation in the Temple courts.

🔹 Jesus’s Name – Learn how the name Yeshua means “God’s Salvation” and how this truth shapes our understanding of who He is.

Whether you’re familiar with these passages or encountering them for the first time, I believe you’ll find fresh insight that deepens your understanding and renews your trust in God’s work—both in the pages of Scripture and in your own life.

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Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/introduction-to-john-chapter-2

Music: Apple Trees by Auxl Studio -

UBLQ6JPV5CHNAJLG

When most people think of Jacob, one word often comes to mind: deceiver. We’ve been told he tricked his brother out of his birthright and deceived his father Isaac—but is that really what the text says?

In this lesson, we take a fresh look at the story of Jacob through the lens of the biblical narrative itself. When we slow down and pay close attention to the details, a very different picture begins to emerge—one that challenges traditional assumptions and invites deeper reflection.

Here are just a few of the surprising insights we explore:

1. The book of Genesis describes Jacob as “tam”—a Hebrew word translated elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible as “blameless,” "righteous," "integrity," or “complete.”

2. Jacob’s name likely does not derive from the Hebrew root meaning “to supplant,” but from a Semitic root that pleads for "divine protection."

3. Esau was not tricked—he willingly sold his birthright, and the writer of Hebrews affirms this interpretation.

4. The plan to deceive Isaac originated with Rebekah, and Jacob clearly expressed discomfort with the scheme.

5. God sends angels to protect Jacob, affirming His favor on Jacob’s journey.

This lesson invites you to read the story of Jacob with fresh eyes and to rediscover what the writer of Genesis may really be telling us.

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Lesson Handout (s): https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/rethinking-jacob-a-righteous-deceiver

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In this lesson, we explore the rich Hebrew idiom “to sit under a fig tree”—a phrase that, in ancient Jewish culture, came to mean sitting under the teaching of a Rabbi.

But how did a fig tree come to symbolize a Rabbi?

We begin with Proverbs 27:18, which compares tending a fig tree to attending to one’s master. The goal is the same: cultivate fruit.

We'll trace this symbolism further through Psalm 1:3, where the one who meditates (Hebrew hagah) on the Torah is described as a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season. In the first century, it was the Rabbis who hagah-ed the Scriptures—ruminating, growling over, and digesting the text in order to pass on insights to their students. In this context, the Rabbi becomes like a fig tree, cultivated for the sake of producing fruit in others.

Join us as we uncover the layered beauty of this ancient imagery and see how sitting under a fig tree becomes a powerful metaphor for discipleship, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment.

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Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/revealing-the-symbolism-of-rabbi-as-a-fig-tree

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Notes on John 1:43-52: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/notes-on-john-143-52

YouTube - https://youtu.be/hHV2DBNSino

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References:

(Support Fig Tree Ministries when you purchase through Amazon using the links below)

Explore the Various Translations of Proverbs 27:18 - https://biblehub.com/proverbs/27-18.htm

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament:

https://amzn.to/3Eepy9T

In this two-part series, we begin by diving deep into the Hebrew concept of meditation—a practice that is far more active and engaged than what most of us imagine today.

In the modern Western world, "meditation" often conjures images of stillness, silence, and mental detachment—emptying the mind to escape the clutter of thought. But in the Bible, the Hebrew word translated as meditate is "Hagah" (הגה)—a word that paints a very different picture.

"Hagah" doesn’t mean silence or stillness. It means to murmur, to groan, or even to growl—like a lion over its prey. And when the object of that groaning is Scripture, it becomes a powerful metaphor for how we are to engage God’s Word. Biblical meditation is not about detachment—it’s about devotion, delight, and diligent pursuit.

In this lesson, we’ll explore:

- Meditation v. Contemplation through the lens of Spiritual Disciplines.

- The original meaning and usage of "hagah" in the Hebrew Bible.

- How this word helps us reimagine what it means to "meditate" on God’s Word.

- Why this ancient practice invites us to seek out the treasures in Scripture with focused intensity.

Join us as we reclaim this dynamic practice of meditation—not as a quiet retreat, but as a vocal, physical, and focused pursuit of God’s Word.

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore the ancient comparison between humans and fruit trees—and how this metaphor connects to the spiritual discipline of meditation.

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Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/biblical-meditation-what-does-it-means-to-hagah-the-scriptures

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Notes on John 1:43-52: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/notes-on-john-143-52

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

Music: Apple Trees by Auxl Studio - C6SQW8OKHAGPMEYS

References:

(Support Fig Tree Ministries when you purchase through Amazon using the links below)

Lion Feeding Video H/T Hannah Wayte - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFyc-CQoiQU

Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament:

https://amzn.to/3Eepy9T

In this lesson, we explore the rich and multi-layered dialogue between Jesus and Nathanael in John 1:47–51.

What begins with a curious statement about a man “under the fig tree” ends with a stunning reference to Jacob’s dream—the vision of angels ascending and descending from Genesis 28:10–15. But the connections don’t stop there.

You’ll discover how Jesus quotes Psalm 32:2, a psalm of David, and yet the ancient Rabbinic Midrash on that same verse ties it directly to Jacob, leading to a remarkable overlap of themes.

Is it a coincidence? Not likely—there are no coincidences in Scripture.

🔍 In this teaching, we explore:

- The significance of Jesus quoting Psalm 32:2

- The Rabbinic Midrash that connects that Psalm to Jacob and the angelic ladder

- Why “sitting under the fig tree” is more than just a casual detail

- How Proverbs 27:18 (“He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit”) helps us interpret Nathanael’s character

- The broader symbolism of angels ascending and descending and what it reveals about Jesus

This lesson introduces the passage's kaleidoscope-like depth, with each layer revealing a new, awe-inspiring angle on Jesus’s identity and mission.

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Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/nathanael-the-fig-tree-and-the-ladder-to-heaven-john-147-51-explained

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Notes on John 1:43-52: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/notes-on-john-143-52

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mh4v8e7FDwOoPhQd7bz7Y

Music: Apple Trees by Auxl Studio - C6SQW8OKHAGPMEYS

References:

(Support Fig Tree Ministries when you purchase through Amazon using the links below)

Mandelbrot Set:

View the Mandelbrot Set: https://math.hws.edu/eck/js/mandelbrot/MB.html

Answers in Genesis: Mandelbrot Set - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlD2rcm971U&t=1s

Sefaria.org - Midrash Tanchuma - Psalm 32:2: https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.32.2?lang=bi&with=Midrash%20Tanchuma&lang2=bi

In today’s lesson, we continue our deep dive into the story of Jesus at the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 4). If you haven’t seen the previous teaching, we highly recommend watching that first to catch the full context of today’s discussion.

At the end of the last lesson, we saw how the crowd in the synagogue turned on Jesus in a moment of intense fury—so much so that they tried to throw Him off a cliff. This wasn’t just mob violence; this was an attempted stoning according to the practices of ancient Jewish law.

In this episode, we ask an important question: If God commands the death penalty for certain crimes, and only says "by stoning," then how exactly was that supposed to be carried out? What principles guided the process? What safeguards were in place to protect justice and prevent abuse? And how might those principles inform the way we think about justice and the death penalty even today?

But that’s not all. We’ll also explore the psychology of group dynamics. Just a few verses before their rage, the synagogue crowd was speaking well of Jesus. What causes such a rapid shift in group behavior? How does anger spread through a crowd? And more importantly—what warning does this story offer to us as modern church communities?

Join us as we study the Hebrew background behind this dramatic moment and uncover lessons that are just as relevant today as they were in the first century.

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Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/nazareth-synagogue-pt-2-why-did-they-try-to-stone-jesus

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Notes on John 1:43-52: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/notes-on-john-143-52

YouTube: https://youtu.be/NtBR99XplEo

Music: Adventurous Life, by L-Ray Music via Premium Beats DMULO45ZPRA3UGK8

References:

(Support Fig Tree Ministries when you purchase through Amazon using the links below)

Join us in this deep dive as we re-examine a pivotal moment in Luke 4 and uncover hidden layers in the familiar narrative. In this lesson, we explore three key insights:

1. The Hidden "Ntzer" Connection -

Our modern chapter and verse numbering can obscure important details. Discover how the word Ntzer—meaning "Branch"—appears in Isaiah 60:21 (just before Isaiah 60:1, which Jesus reads). This verse describes God planting a branch destined to grow into a great and righteous oak, a symbol the people of Nazareth would have recognized, given that their town was named after this very branch.

2. Changing Reactions in the Synagogue -

Initially, the synagogue audience is captivated by Jesus’ words. Luke 4:22 tells us, "All spoke well of him..."—indicating that His early message was well received. Contrary to the common Christian lens that suggests "all Jews rejected Jesus as Messiah," the rejection only emerges when Jesus challenges them further by exposing the disconnect between what they proclaim and how they actually live.

3. The Insult That Shook Nazareth -

Jesus’ rebuke isn’t aimed at their verbal profession of faith but at the gap between their claims and their actions. The Nazarites proclaimed their adherence to God’s ways yet operated contrary to His principles. When church leaders begin to rely on their own power and control instead of trusting God’s path, corruption sets in. By invoking the history of Elijah and Elisha, Jesus confronts this disconnect, igniting the fury of the crowd (Luke 4:28) and ultimately leading to the dramatic response of driving Him out to be stoned.

Slow down with us to closely observe the flow of conversation in this narrative. Remove your blind spots and re-read Luke 4:16-30 with fresh eyes. Bring your curiosity and questions as we unpack how these interactions reveal deeper truths about faith, expectation, and accountability.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more thoughtful explorations into Scripture!

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Lesson Handout: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/nazareth-synagogue-uncovering-hidden-meanings-in-isaiah-and-luke

Explore my digital notes on the Gospel of John, now available at the links below:

Notes on John 1:43-52: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/notes-on-john-143-52

YouTube: https://youtu.be/mqHJDqHwbvg

Music: Adventurous Life, by L-Ray Music via Premium Beats DMULO45ZPRA3UGK8

References:

(Support Fig Tree Ministries when you purchase through Amazon using the links below)