[Greek] ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimazō), [Latin] parare, [Latin] praepare, [Latin} praecingere [French] arranger, [French] acquerir, [French] predisposer: to prepare, to make ready, to make arrangements (for an event), to furnish; 41 scriptures
John the Baptist is the voice in the desert preparing the way for Christ.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to prepare, to get ready, to furnish, and to make preparations.
Polybius’ Histories 3.72.6: “The Carthaginians got their horses ready and were arming themselves around the fire.”
Euripides’ Alecestis 364: “But now wait for me to arrive there when I die and provide a home where you may dwell with me.”
Euripides’ Heracleidae 472: “But if you know of any other more suitable plan, put it at our disposal, for I am helpless and fearful.”
Herodotus’ Histories 8.24: “Before sending him, Xerxes had made the following preparations.”
Homer’s Iliad 10.57: Place the blood spoils on the stern until they should make ready a sacred offering to Athena.”
Old Testament: This term means to form, to establish, to make firm, to appoint, to prepare, to put in place, to bring about, to make plans, and to devote oneself.
New Testament: This term means to prepare, to make ready, and to send (furnish). I will prepare for you some relevant scriptural examples.
Mt.3:3: “Isaiah had spoken, ‘A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.'” (This alludes to Isa.40:3)
Mt.20:23: “He replied, ‘My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at My right and at My left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.'”
Mt.25:34: “The king said to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'”
Mt.25:41: Depart from me, (goats) you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels
Lk.1:17: “He will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteousness, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” (John the Baptist is cast in the role of the fiery reformer Elijah.)
Lk.2:29-31: “You may let your servant [Simon] go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which You prepared in sight of all the peoples.”
Lk.9:52: Jesus sent messengers ahead of Him. On the way they entered as a Samaritan village to prepare for His reception there.” (The Samaritans were hated enemies opposed by the Jews.)
Lk.12:20: “God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?'” (Spiritual treasures, more favorable to the “eyes” of God, are much more long lasting than earthly treasures.)
Jn.14:2: “In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you.”
1Cor.2:9: “What eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (God’s wisdom is His plan for our salvation.)
Etymology: The Latin verb parare means to prepare, to provide, to raise, and to plan. The related Latin noun paratus means available or on hand. The Latin verb prepare means to make ready. The Latin verb praecingere means to surround and to circle. The Latin noun precinctum means an enclosed boundary.
Conclusion:
Prepare, preparation, arrangement, arrange, acquire, apparatus, precinct, predispose
In Greek Hellenism, this term takes on a more nuanced sense of supplying or offering.
The cup that Jesus offers is one’s share of Jesus’ sufferings for the sake of the gospel. There are some times when must share in this cup (embrace this suffering that Jesus calls us to experience). Rom.8:17 states that we are fellow heirs provided we suffer with Him.
At the judgment, God (like a shepherd) will separate the sheep on the right and the goats on the left. Those on the left (the foolish, intentional, uninformed, slothful, and wicked) will be cursed.
Mt.25:32-34: The goats are those who are wicked, concerned with lusts, impure, shameful, shameful, offensive, contemptible, and depraved.
Update: Now we prepare for Jesus’ coming this Advent
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