Let’s read through the book of Hebrews one verse at a time in 2023. Every day explore a single verse and its cross references. AI-generated text draws the passages together. RSS feed.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
The cross references for Hebrews 13:2 all emphasize the importance of hospitality and welcoming strangers. The passages from Genesis, Leviticus, Matthew, Romans, and 1 Peter all emphasize the need to treat strangers with kindness and to show hospitality to those in need. These passages remind us of the importance of showing kindness and hospitality to strangers, as we never know who we may be entertaining.
| Passage | How It’s Related (AI-Generated) |
|---|---|
| Genesis 18:1-19:3: And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” | Both passages emphasize the importance of hospitality in the eyes of God. Hebrews 13:2 encourages believers to show hospitality to strangers, as it is possible that they may be entertaining angels unaware. Genesis 18:1-19:3 gives an example of hospitality, as Abraham welcomes three strangers and offers them food and rest. Abraham's hospitality is rewarded as the strangers turn out to be angels sent by God. |
| Leviticus 19:34: You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. | Both passages emphasize the importance of showing hospitality to strangers. Hebrews 13:2 suggests that by doing so, we may be unknowingly helping angels. Leviticus 19:34 commands us to love strangers as ourselves, because the Israelites were once strangers in Egypt. This passage is a reminder that, just as God showed kindness to the Israelites, we should also show kindness to strangers. |
| Matthew 25:35: For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, | Both passages emphasize the importance of showing hospitality to strangers. Hebrews 13:2 encourages readers to show hospitality to strangers, as it is possible that they may be entertaining angels unawares. Matthew 25:35 emphasizes the importance of hospitality to strangers, as Jesus teaches that those who show hospitality to strangers are showing hospitality to Him. |
| Matthew 25:43: I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ | Both passages emphasize the importance of hospitality and kindness towards strangers. Hebrews 13:2 encourages us to show hospitality to strangers, as we may be entertaining angels without knowing it. Matthew 25:43 speaks of a time when a stranger was not welcomed, clothed, or visited, and serves as a warning to us to be mindful of how we treat others. |
| Romans 12:13: Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. | Both passages emphasize the importance of hospitality. Hebrews 13:2 suggests that hospitality is so important that it can even extend to entertaining angels unawares. Romans 12:13 encourages believers to contribute to the needs of the saints and to show hospitality to those in need. This hospitality could be shown to strangers, as suggested in Hebrews 13:2, or to fellow believers. |
| 1 Peter 4:9: Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. | Both passages emphasize the importance of hospitality. Hebrews 13:2 encourages hospitality specifically to strangers, as it warns that they may be angels in disguise. 1 Peter 4:9 expands on this concept by emphasizing the importance of hospitality to all, without grumbling. Both passages emphasize the importance of hospitality as a way to serve others and honor God. |
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Word which instructs us to show hospitality to strangers. We thank You for the example of Abraham, who welcomed You into his home and showed You hospitality. We thank You for the commandment in Leviticus to treat the stranger with love and kindness, just as we would a native. We thank You for Jesus' words in Matthew, which remind us to be hospitable, even to those who are hungry, thirsty, and in need.
We thank You for Your call to us to be hospitable, to contribute to the needs of the saints, and to seek to show hospitality to all. Help us to be obedient to Your commands and to be willing to open our hearts and homes to those in need. Give us the courage to love and serve others, even when it is difficult.
We thank You for Your grace and mercy and for the reminder to show hospitality to strangers. In Jesus' name, Amen.
This reading plan reads through a single verse each day, six days a week, paired with the most-popular cross references for the verse. AI-generated (and human-reviewed) text provides an opening thought and concluding prayer along with an explanation for how each cross reference relates to the verse. In 2023, this reading plan works through Hebrews one verse at a time. Every seventh day is a catchup day. Want more info? Try this blog post.
Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.