Topic
Forerunner
4 passages cited, from 3 classic reference works.
These works date from 1896–1915 and are in the public domain. They reflect the Protestant scholarship of their time: their history, archaeology and dates can be out of date, and where they interpret, other traditions read the text differently. The verses are shown in the King James Version, the wording these works were written against.
The verses
The passages the works cite, those cited by more of them first.
- Hebrews 6:20Easton · ISBE · Nave Figurative of Christ
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
- Mark 1:2Easton
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
- Mark 1:3Easton
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
- Hebrews 12:2ISBE
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
In the reference works
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · 3 references
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915) · 2 references
for-run'-er (prodromos):
This word occurs but once in the Bible: "Whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us" (Heb 6:20). The word signifies one who comes in advance to a place where the rest are to follow, or one who is sent on before as a scout to take observations. In this sense Christ is our forerunner for He has gone into heaven to prepare a place for His people into which He will eventually lead them. The idea of a forerunner is peculiar to the Christian dispensation. The Old Testament Levitical economy knew nothing of such. The high priest was a representative, not a forerunner: where he led, namely, into the Holy of Holies, the people could not follow. He was not the pioneer of the people; Christ is. Christ goes nowhere but where His people may follow. He is the file-leader (compare Heb 12:2, "the author .... of faith"). He goeth before His people to prepare the way for them, to open the gates of heaven by His atoning blood and priestly intercession. The believer is led into full fellowship with God through Jesus Christ.
See also JOHN THE BAPTIST; RUNNER.
William Evans
In the topical indexes
Nave's Topical Bible (1896) · 1 references, grouped by sub-topic
- → Figurative of Christ Heb 6:20
Texts: Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897); International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915); Nave's Topical Bible (1896), from the CrossWire SWORD modules (public domain). Verse references were parsed from the works' own markup and checked against the KJV verse list.