In this lesson, we explore the powerful connection between John 3:16 and Genesis 22, the story known in Jewish tradition as The Binding of Isaac (the Akedah).
While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture—"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son"—its language and message draw directly from Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to offer up his son, his only son, whom he loves.
This was not lost on first-century Jewish audiences. By Jesus’ time, Isaac was no longer viewed simply as a passive figure, but as a willing and obedient martyr, joyfully accepting his role in God’s redemptive plan.
The Gospel of John echoes this interpretation, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of that pattern—a Son given, not taken, whose willing sacrifice becomes the ultimate act of love.
We'll cover:
- The literary and theological structure of John 3:14–18
- How the first mention of “love” in the Bible (Genesis 22:2) shapes the meaning of John 3:16
- The concept of “olah” (burnt offering) and drawing near to God
- How Abraham’s journey mirrors the spiritual journey of offering what we love most
- The surprising symbolism of the disappearing donkey
- And a look at ancient Aramaic Targums, which show how Isaac’s story was interpreted in Jesus’ day
This is a rich and layered study that connects two foundational texts in a deeply meaningful way.
👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to see how the Gospel of John is rooted in the soil of the Hebrew Scriptures.
🔔 Subscribe to stay connected with more in-depth Bible studies rooted in ancient Jewish context.
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Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/BqiPTem2fQ0
Lesson Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-316-explained-through-genesis-22
Genesis 22 with Interpretive Notes:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_genesis_22_interpretive_notes.pdf
Targum Comparison:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_binding_of_isaac_targum_comparison.pdf
Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below.
Abraham & Family - https://amzn.to/4j0aLQ6
All content for Fig Tree Ministries Podcast is the property of Scott Broberg and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this lesson, we explore the powerful connection between John 3:16 and Genesis 22, the story known in Jewish tradition as The Binding of Isaac (the Akedah).
While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture—"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son"—its language and message draw directly from Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to offer up his son, his only son, whom he loves.
This was not lost on first-century Jewish audiences. By Jesus’ time, Isaac was no longer viewed simply as a passive figure, but as a willing and obedient martyr, joyfully accepting his role in God’s redemptive plan.
The Gospel of John echoes this interpretation, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of that pattern—a Son given, not taken, whose willing sacrifice becomes the ultimate act of love.
We'll cover:
- The literary and theological structure of John 3:14–18
- How the first mention of “love” in the Bible (Genesis 22:2) shapes the meaning of John 3:16
- The concept of “olah” (burnt offering) and drawing near to God
- How Abraham’s journey mirrors the spiritual journey of offering what we love most
- The surprising symbolism of the disappearing donkey
- And a look at ancient Aramaic Targums, which show how Isaac’s story was interpreted in Jesus’ day
This is a rich and layered study that connects two foundational texts in a deeply meaningful way.
👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to see how the Gospel of John is rooted in the soil of the Hebrew Scriptures.
🔔 Subscribe to stay connected with more in-depth Bible studies rooted in ancient Jewish context.
---------------------------------------------------------
www.figtreeteaching.com
Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Starting January 14th, 2026
Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html
Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries
Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI
YouTube: https://youtu.be/BqiPTem2fQ0
Lesson Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-316-explained-through-genesis-22
Genesis 22 with Interpretive Notes:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_genesis_22_interpretive_notes.pdf
Targum Comparison:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_binding_of_isaac_targum_comparison.pdf
Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below.
Abraham & Family - https://amzn.to/4j0aLQ6
#189 - Dividing Wall of Hostility: Jesus, the Temple, and the Soreg - Gospel of John (pt. 27a)
Fig Tree Ministries Podcast
27 minutes 10 seconds
5 months ago
#189 - Dividing Wall of Hostility: Jesus, the Temple, and the Soreg - Gospel of John (pt. 27a)
In this lesson, we explore the dramatic moment in John chapter 2 when Jesus clears the Temple courts. What provoked such zeal from the Prince of Peace?
One possible answer lies in something called the Soreg—a dividing wall in the Second Temple that separated Gentiles from the inner courts of worship. The penalty for crossing it? Death.
In Jesus’ day, this physical barrier symbolized deeper religious and cultural divisions, born from centuries of foreign intrusion—Antiochus Epiphanes desecrating the sanctuary, Pompey entering the Holy of Holies, Pilate defiling the gates with Roman symbols.
In response, the people erected barriers—both physical and spiritual. And in many ways, we do the same today.
As secular culture presses in, some churches lock down, creating their own modern-day Soregs to protect what they believe is sacred. But in doing so, are we possibly excluding the very people God wants to welcome in?
Join us as we examine:
- The historical and religious meaning of the Soreg
- How Jesus’ actions challenge a fortress mentality
- Paul’s message in Ephesians 2 about tearing down the dividing wall of hostility
This lesson will challenge us to reflect on our own attitudes and how we use Scripture: Do we build walls that divide—or doors that invite?
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www.figtreeteaching.com
Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club: https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html
Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries
Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI
Lesson Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/the-dividing-wall-of-hostility
Soreg Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/the-dividing-wall-of-hostility
Article - "Destroy This Temple" - The Messianic Promise of Rebuilding
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_article_background_to_john_2_18_19.pdf
YouTube: https://youtu.be/BifAsBGBO8E
Fig Tree Ministries Podcast
In this lesson, we explore the powerful connection between John 3:16 and Genesis 22, the story known in Jewish tradition as The Binding of Isaac (the Akedah).
While John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture—"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son"—its language and message draw directly from Genesis 22, where God commands Abraham to offer up his son, his only son, whom he loves.
This was not lost on first-century Jewish audiences. By Jesus’ time, Isaac was no longer viewed simply as a passive figure, but as a willing and obedient martyr, joyfully accepting his role in God’s redemptive plan.
The Gospel of John echoes this interpretation, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of that pattern—a Son given, not taken, whose willing sacrifice becomes the ultimate act of love.
We'll cover:
- The literary and theological structure of John 3:14–18
- How the first mention of “love” in the Bible (Genesis 22:2) shapes the meaning of John 3:16
- The concept of “olah” (burnt offering) and drawing near to God
- How Abraham’s journey mirrors the spiritual journey of offering what we love most
- The surprising symbolism of the disappearing donkey
- And a look at ancient Aramaic Targums, which show how Isaac’s story was interpreted in Jesus’ day
This is a rich and layered study that connects two foundational texts in a deeply meaningful way.
👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to see how the Gospel of John is rooted in the soil of the Hebrew Scriptures.
🔔 Subscribe to stay connected with more in-depth Bible studies rooted in ancient Jewish context.
---------------------------------------------------------
www.figtreeteaching.com
Join the Fig Tree Coffee Club - Starting January 14th, 2026
Check Website for Times and Dates https://www.figtreeteaching.com/store/p3/Fig_Tree_Coffee_Club.html
Support Fig Tree Ministries:
https://donorbox.org/support-figtree-ministries
Support the Ministry when you shop at Amazon! Fig Tree Amazon Portal:
https://amzn.to/3USMelI
YouTube: https://youtu.be/BqiPTem2fQ0
Lesson Handout:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/blog/john-316-explained-through-genesis-22
Genesis 22 with Interpretive Notes:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_genesis_22_interpretive_notes.pdf
Targum Comparison:
https://www.figtreeteaching.com/uploads/1/1/9/7/119763168/fig_tree_ministries_binding_of_isaac_targum_comparison.pdf
Books Mentioned - We participate in the Amazon Affiliate Program. You will support Fig Tree Ministries when you use the links below.
Abraham & Family - https://amzn.to/4j0aLQ6
