Tool Beta

The Ancient World Behind the Text: Ideas

The customs, offices and ideas a first reader knew without being told, what each meant then, and the nearest thing you already know.

Angels

God's messengers and his heavenly army. Jews of Jesus' day spoke of guardian angels, of the greatest angels standing before God's face, and of angels coming with God at the judgment.

Jewish life and lawWhat people were waiting for

First, in plain English

The king's couriers carried his word, and his protection, wherever they went. In the Bible angels are God's messengers and the soldiers of his heavenly army. By Jesus' day many Jews believed that each of God's people had an angel watching over them, that the greatest angels stood before God's throne, and that angels would come with God when he judged the world. Seeing one was terrifying.

What it meant then

Many Jews believed in guardian angels (Tobit 5:22 among other texts), and Keener says the usual view gave every Jewish person one. Angels took their orders from God's throne, and only the highest angels regularly saw God's glory. It was widely agreed that angels had no children, since in most traditions they did not die, and that they did not usually eat or drink. Heiser reads Jesus' words about the resurrection closely: the text says angels do not marry, not that they cannot. Ancient Judaism typically thought angels were made of fire. God's heavenly armies were invincible (2 Kings 6:17), and a legion was about six thousand soldiers. The angel of the Lord announced special births in the Old Testament (Genesis 16:11; Judges 13:3). Fear met by do not be afraid is the old pattern. Scripture names only Gabriel and Michael (Daniel 8:16; 10:13), though Jewish tradition named many more. Gabriel stood among the archangels before God's throne. Going beyond the Hebrew text, Jewish tradition said the law came through angels. Heiser traces the idea to the Greek text of Deuteronomy 33:2, where angels stand at God's right hand at Sinai. The holy ones who come with God in Zechariah 14:5 were sometimes taken as angels. In the Dead Sea Scrolls, clouds stand for the hosts of angels at God's coming. Many Jewish traditions held demons to be fallen angels. Heiser traces the fire prepared for the devil and his angels to 1 Enoch's account of the Watchers, since the Old Testament says nothing of the kind.

The bridge to today

An analogy: a sovereign's household guard and couriers, who stand in the throne room and are sent out with orders. To meet one is to meet the authority behind him.

What it changes in the reading

Angels act as God's messengers and army, so a Son of Man who sends out his own angels, as in Matthew 24:31, does what belonged to God. Talk of a child's angel who sees God's face assumes the belief in guardian angels. Gabriel standing in God's presence and sent with news of a birth, in Luke 1:19, follows the pattern of the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament. Hebrews 1:14 calls angels ministering spirits sent out to serve.

Where the analogy breaks

Not mere staff. A sovereign's guards are ordinary men in his pay. These sources make angels fiery beings who do not die, and Jewish tradition counted some of them fallen and turned against God. Nor do people become angels when they die.

Where scholars disagree

Whether Matthew 18:10 means one angel for each person. Keener and the cultural backgrounds notes point to the common Jewish belief that every Jew had a guardian angel. The ESV Study Bible says the phrase does not imply an assigned guardian for each disciple. The CSB Study Bible compares the angels of nations in Daniel 10 and reads angels representing believers before God. Second, who the mediator of Galatians 3:19 is. Keener and the ESV Study Bible name Moses, and Wright agrees that "the mediator is clearly Moses." The CSB Study Bible makes an angel the mediator. Heiser holds that "The intermediary is Yahweh in human form." Third, what the worship of angels in Colossians 2:18 was. Keener thinks some Jews abroad prayed to angels and invoked them, and Arnold writes, "It is quite possible Paul was denouncing a magical invocation of angels." The ESV Study Bible takes it as calling on angels for protection. Others read worship with the angels, joining heaven's praise as some Dead Sea Scrolls describe. Wright and Bird point to the Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice. The CSB Study Bible allows either sense, and Keener doubts Paul would attack that idea.

Passages where it appears

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-18-1-14\/","n":"Matthew 18:1-14, Little ones, a millstone and their angels","s":"Asked who is greatest in the kingdom, Jesus stands a child among the disciples. He warns against causing little ones to stumble, speaks of their angels, and tells of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep.","r":"Matthew 18:1-14"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-22-23-33\/","n":"Matthew 22:23-33, Seven brothers and one bride","s":"Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, pose a riddle about a woman married in turn to seven brothers. Jesus answers that the raised do not marry, and that God is the God of the living.","r":"Matthew 22:23-33"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-24-29-51\/","n":"Matthew 24:29-51, The Son of Man on the clouds and the slave in charge","s":"After the distress, sun, moon and stars fail and the Son of Man comes on the clouds to gather his chosen. No one knows the day, so the household must stay ready, like a slave left in charge.","r":"Matthew 24:29-51"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-25-31-46\/","n":"Matthew 25:31-46, Sheep, goats and the least of these","s":"The Son of Man comes in glory with his angels, gathers the nations, and separates them as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, judging them by how they treated the least of his brothers and sisters.","r":"Matthew 25:31-46"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-26-47-75\/","n":"Matthew 26:47-75, Arrest, twelve legions, the council and the rooster","s":"Judas comes with an armed crowd and a kiss. Jesus refuses the sword and the twelve legions of angels, is tried at night before Caiaphas, and is condemned for blasphemy while Peter swears he never knew him.","r":"Matthew 26:47-75"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-28-1-15\/","n":"Matthew 28:1-15, Women at dawn and a bribed guard","s":"At dawn after the Sabbath an angel rolls back the stone and tells two women that Jesus is risen. They meet him on the road, while the chief priests pay the guards to say the disciples stole the body.","r":"Matthew 28:1-15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-1-5-25\/","n":"Luke 1:5-25, A priest's turn at the incense altar","s":"An elderly village priest, picked by lot to offer incense in the sanctuary, learns from the angel Gabriel that his childless wife will have a son who will prepare Israel for God with an Elijah-like power.","r":"Luke 1:5-25"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-1-26-56\/","n":"Luke 1:26-56, A village girl, a greeting and a song of reversal","s":"Gabriel greets Mary, a betrothed girl in Nazareth, with news that she will bear the son of David. She goes to Elizabeth in the hill country and sings of God bringing down rulers and lifting up the humble.","r":"Luke 1:26-56"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-2-8-20\/","n":"Luke 2:8-20, Shepherds hear of a savior","s":"Angels announce to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem the birth of a savior who is Christ the Lord, and the shepherds find the child lying in a manger as they were told.","r":"Luke 2:8-20"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-15-1-10\/","n":"Luke 15:1-10, A lost sheep and a lost coin","s":"Pharisees and teachers grumble that Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. He answers with a shepherd who searches for one lost sheep and a woman who sweeps the house for one lost coin.","r":"Luke 15:1-10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-16-19-31\/","n":"Luke 16:19-31, The rich man and Lazarus","s":"A rich man feasts every day while a beggar named Lazarus lies at his gate. Both die; Lazarus is carried to Abraham's side, and the rich man finds himself in torment in Hades.","r":"Luke 16:19-31"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-20-27-40\/","n":"Luke 20:27-40, The Sadducees and the woman with seven husbands","s":"Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, ask whose wife a woman married to seven brothers will be. Jesus answers that the risen do not marry and are like the angels, and argues from the burning bush.","r":"Luke 20:27-40"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-24-36-53\/","n":"Luke 24:36-53, Not a ghost; hands lifted in blessing","s":"Jesus stands among the disciples, who think they are seeing a ghost. He shows his hands and feet and eats fish, opens the Scriptures to them, and leads them out to Bethany, where he lifts his hands and blesses them.","r":"Luke 24:36-53"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-5-12-42\/","n":"Acts 5:12-42, Peter's shadow, the prison and Gamaliel","s":"Crowds bring the sick for Peter's shadow to fall on them. The apostles are jailed, freed by an angel, and brought before the council, where Gamaliel compares the movement to the failed causes of Theudas and Judas the Galilean.","r":"Acts 5:12-42"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-6-8-7-53\/","n":"Acts 6:8-7:53, Stephen's charge and speech","s":"Men from the Diaspora synagogues accuse Stephen of speaking against the temple and the law. He answers with Israel's story, from Abraham to the temple, and turns the charge back on his judges.","r":"Acts 6:8-7:53"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-12-1-25\/","n":"Acts 12:1-25, Herod Agrippa, the prison and the king struck down","s":"King Herod Agrippa kills James and jails Peter at Passover, but an angel leads Peter out. Later, in Caesarea, the king accepts the crowd's cry that he speaks with a god's voice and is struck down.","r":"Acts 12:1-25"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-22-30-23-11\/","n":"Acts 22:30-23:11, Paul before the council","s":"The tribune brings Paul before the chief priests and the council. Struck on the high priest's order, Paul calls him a whitewashed wall, then declares himself a Pharisee on trial for the hope of the resurrection, and the council splits.","r":"Acts 22:30-23:11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-8-31-39\/","n":"Romans 8:31-39, Angels, rulers and powers","s":"With God on the believers' side, Paul asks who could oppose them, then names hardships and powers, from the sword to angels, rulers, height and depth, and none of them can cut believers off from God's love in Christ.","r":"Romans 8:31-39"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-11-2-16\/","n":"1 Corinthians 11:2-16, Heads covered and uncovered","s":"Paul tells men who pray or prophesy to keep their heads uncovered and women who do so to cover theirs, arguing from headship, creation, the angels, nature and the custom of the churches.","r":"1 Corinthians 11:2-16"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-13-1-13\/","n":"1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Noisy bronze and a dim mirror","s":"Paul says that tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith and even martyrdom are nothing without love, describes what love is, and sets today's partial knowledge, like a dim reflection in a mirror, against seeing face to face.","r":"1 Corinthians 13:1-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-15-35-58\/","n":"1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Seeds, stars and the last trumpet","s":"Asked what kind of body the dead will have, Paul answers with the seed that dies and rises as a plant and with the differing glories of sun, moon and stars, sets the first Adam beside the last, and ends with the trumpet and death swallowed up.","r":"1 Corinthians 15:35-58"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/galatians-3-15-22\/","n":"Galatians 3:15-22, A will no one can change, and a law given through angels","s":"Paul argues from the way a ratified will cannot be altered that the law, coming 430 years after the promise to Abraham and his seed, cannot cancel it, and says the law was added because of transgressions, put in place through angels by a mediator.","r":"Galatians 3:15-22"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/colossians-1-15-20\/","n":"Colossians 1:15-20, Firstborn over creation, over thrones and powers","s":"Paul describes the Son as the image of the unseen God and firstborn over all creation, through whom and for whom everything was made, thrones and powers included, and through whose cross God makes peace with all things.","r":"Colossians 1:15-20"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/colossians-2-16-23\/","n":"Colossians 2:16-23, Food, new moons, Sabbaths and the worship of angels","s":"Paul tells the believers not to let anyone judge them over food, drink, festivals, new moons or Sabbaths, or disqualify them with self-denial, the worship of angels and visions, and calls rules about what not to touch or taste human commands with no power over the flesh.","r":"Colossians 2:16-23"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-4-13-18\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Grief with hope, and the welcoming party","s":"Paul tells a grieving church that believers who have died are not lost: when the Lord comes down from heaven with a shout, the archangel's voice and God's trumpet, the dead in Christ will rise first, and the living will be caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air.","r":"1 Thessalonians 4:13-18"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2thessalonians-1-3-12\/","n":"2 Thessalonians 1:3-12, Suffering now, and the Lord revealed in blazing fire","s":"Paul thanks God for a church whose faith and love keep growing under persecution, and promises that God will repay their persecutors and give them relief when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his powerful angels in blazing fire.","r":"2 Thessalonians 1:3-12"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-3-14-16\/","n":"1 Timothy 3:14-16, God's household and the hymn","s":"Paul writes so that, if he is delayed, Timothy will know how people ought to behave in God's household, the church of the living God, and quotes what seems to be a hymn about Christ.","r":"1 Timothy 3:14-16"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-5-17-25\/","n":"1 Timothy 5:17-25, Double honor, two witnesses, the elect angels and a little wine","s":"Elders who lead well deserve double honor and pay; charges against them need two or three witnesses; Paul charges Timothy before God, Christ and the elect angels to act without favoritism, to lay hands on no one hastily, and to take a little wine.","r":"1 Timothy 5:17-25"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-1-1-14\/","n":"Hebrews 1:1-14, The Son above the angels","s":"God, who spoke in many ways through the prophets, has now spoken through a Son, heir of all things, who made purification for sins and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty. A chain of Scripture quotations sets the Son above the angels, who worship him and are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.","r":"Hebrews 1:1-14"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-2-1-4\/","n":"Hebrews 2:1-4, The message spoken through angels","s":"The readers must hold to what they have heard, or drift away. If the message spoken through angels was binding and every breach was punished, there is no escape for those who neglect the greater salvation announced by the Lord and confirmed by God with signs.","r":"Hebrews 2:1-4"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-2-5-18\/","n":"Hebrews 2:5-18, The world to come is not for angels","s":"God did not put the world to come under angels. Psalm 8 promised rule to human beings; it is not yet seen, but Jesus, made a little lower than the angels for a while, is crowned with glory, and he shared flesh and blood to break the devil's power and become a merciful and faithful high priest.","r":"Hebrews 2:5-18"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-12-18-29\/","n":"Hebrews 12:18-29, Sinai, Zion and the unshakable kingdom","s":"Believers have not come to the burning, quaking mountain of Sinai but to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, with myriads of angels, the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, God the judge, the spirits of the righteous, and Jesus, whose blood speaks better than Abel's. Since God will shake heaven and earth once more, they are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.","r":"Hebrews 12:18-29"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-13-1-6\/","n":"Hebrews 13:1-6, Strangers, angels, prisoners","s":"The writer turns to everyday duties: brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, since some have entertained angels without knowing it, care for prisoners as if in prison with them, honor for marriage, and freedom from the love of money.","r":"Hebrews 13:1-6"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/james-2-14-26\/","n":"James 2:14-26, Faith that shudders, Abraham and Rahab","s":"Faith without deeds is dead, James argues. Wishing a hungry brother well helps no one, the demons believe that God is one and shudder, and Abraham and Rahab were counted righteous by what they did.","r":"James 2:14-26"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/jude-8-13\/","n":"Jude 8-13, Michael and the body of Moses, and hidden reefs at the love feasts","s":"The intruders claim dream visions, defile the body, despise authority and slander the glorious ones, though the archangel Michael, disputing with the devil over the body of Moses, did not dare to slander him but left the rebuke to the Lord. They have taken the way of Cain, Balaam and Korah; they are hidden reefs at the love feasts, waterless clouds, wild waves and wandering stars.","r":"Jude 8-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/jude-14-25\/","n":"Jude 14-25, Enoch's prophecy, scoffers, and a closing doxology","s":"Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about such people that the Lord comes with his countless holy ones to judge all and convict the ungodly. The apostles foretold scoffers in the last times; the readers are to build themselves up, pray in the Holy Spirit, keep themselves in God's love and show mercy, snatching some from the fire. Jude closes with praise to the one able to keep them from stumbling.","r":"Jude 14-25"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-8-1-13\/","n":"Revelation 8:1-13, silence, incense and the first four trumpets","s":"The seventh seal brings half an hour of silence in heaven. Seven angels receive trumpets, an angel offers incense with the prayers of God's people at the golden altar and hurls fire to the earth, and the first four trumpets bring hail and fire, a burning mountain into the sea, the star Wormwood and a darkening of sun, moon and stars.","r":"Revelation 8:1-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-10-1-11\/","n":"Revelation 10:1-11, the mighty angel and the little scroll","s":"A mighty angel robed in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, plants one foot on the sea and one on the land, swears by the one who lives for ever that there will be no more delay, and gives John a little scroll to eat, sweet in his mouth and bitter in his stomach.","r":"Revelation 10:1-11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-12-7-17\/","n":"Revelation 12:7-17, war in heaven and the accuser thrown down","s":"Michael and his angels fight the dragon and throw him out of heaven, and a voice celebrates the fall of the accuser of the brothers, defeated by the Lamb's blood and the witnesses' testimony. On earth the dragon chases the woman, who is given eagle's wings, and when the earth swallows the river he spews after her, he turns to make war on her other children.","r":"Revelation 12:7-17"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-15-1-16-11\/","n":"Revelation 15:1-16:11, the song of Moses and the first bowls","s":"Those who have overcome the beast stand beside a sea of glass mixed with fire and sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. Seven angels dressed like priests come out of the heavenly temple with seven golden bowls of God's wrath, and the first five bring sores, seas and rivers turned to blood, scorching sun and darkness on the beast's throne.","r":"Revelation 15:1-16:11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-19-1-10\/","n":"Revelation 19:1-10, the marriage supper of the Lamb","s":"A vast heavenly crowd shouts hallelujah because God has judged the great prostitute, and again because the Lamb's wedding day has arrived and his bride stands ready in fine linen. The angel declares those invited to the wedding feast blessed, and when John bows to him, tells him to worship God alone.","r":"Revelation 19:1-10"}

Beings in the Gods of the Bible

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/angels\/","n":"Angels","s":"A word that means messenger and describes a job, not a species of being.","r":"2 Kings 19:35"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/gabriel\/","n":"Gabriel","s":"The angel who explains visions and announces births, named four times in the Bible.","r":"Daniel 8:16"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/michael\/","n":"Michael","s":"The angel assigned to Israel, and the only figure the Bible calls an archangel.","r":"Daniel 10:13,21"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/archangel\/","n":"Archangel","s":"A rank that appears twice in the New Testament and belongs to Michael alone.","r":"1 Thessalonians 4:16"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-angel-of-yahweh\/","n":"The Angel of Yahweh","s":"A messenger who shows up speaking as God himself, and gets treated as God by the people who meet him.","r":"Genesis 16:7-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-host-of-heaven\/","n":"The host of heaven","s":"Two things at once: God's heavenly army, and the sun, moon and stars Israel was told not to worship.","r":"1 Kings 22:19"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-watchers-enochic\/","n":"The Watchers (Enochic)","s":"Angels who, in 1 Enoch, come down to earth, marry women, and teach humanity things it should not know.","r":"Daniel 4:13"}

In the Divine Council Index

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/divine-council-index\/daniel-10-13-20-21\/","n":"Daniel 10:13, 20-21","s":"A prince of Persia resists for twenty-one days, a prince of Greece is coming, and Michael fights for Israel.","r":"Daniel 10:13, 20-21"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/divine-council-index\/deuteronomy-32-43-hebrews-1-6\/","n":"Deuteronomy 32:43; Hebrews 1:6","s":"The end of the Song of Moses, where the Masoretic text is one line and every other witness is longer.","r":"Deuteronomy 32:43; Hebrews 1:6"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/divine-council-index\/deuteronomy-32-8-9\/","n":"Deuteronomy 32:8-9","s":"The Most High divided the nations, and the number He divided them by is where the whole argument turns.","r":"Deuteronomy 32:8-9"}

Sources

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Matthew 16:27-28, 18:10, 22:29-33, 24:30, 25:41-45, 26:53-54 and 28:2-4
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Matthew 18:10, 22:30, 24:31, 25:31 and 28:3
ESV Study Bible, study notes on Matthew 18:10 and 26:53
CSB Study Bible, note on Matthew 18:10
Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm, ch. 23, Giant Problems
Michael S. Heiser, Reversing Hermon, ch. 11, section The Lake of Fire: the End of the Watchers
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Luke 1:11, 1:13 and 1:19
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Luke 1:12, 1:13 and 1:19
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Acts 7:53
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, note on Acts 7:53
Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm, ch. 21, God's Law, God's Council
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Galatians 3:19 and 3:20
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, note on Galatians 3:19
ESV Study Bible, study note on Galatians 3:19
CSB Study Bible, note on Galatians 3:19-20
N. T. Wright, Galatians, Commentary, Why Then the Law? (3:19-22)
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Colossians 2:18
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, note on Colossians 2:18
ESV Study Bible, Introduction to Colossians, Purpose, Occasion, and Background, and study note on Colossians 2:18
CSB Study Bible, note on Colossians 2:18
N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird, The New Testament in Its World, ch. 20, box Portals and Parallels: Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice
Clinton E. Arnold, Powers of Darkness, ch. 10, The Problem at Colossae
D. A. Carson, Douglas J. Moo and Leon Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament, ch. 13, Colossians, Occasion
J. D. Douglas and Merrill C. Tenney, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, entry Colossians, Epistle to the

All ideas