Exegetically Speaking
Wheaton College
"Exegetically Speaking" is a weekly podcast of the friends and faculty of Wheaton College, IL and The Lanier Theological Library. Hosted by Dr. David Capes, it features language experts who discuss the importance of learning the biblical languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—and show how reading the Bible in the original languages "pays off." Each podcast lasts between seven and eleven minutes and covers a different topic for those who want to read the Bible for all it is worth. Click on the ⓘ symbol below for each episode to read the description.
If you're interested in going deeper, learn more about Wheaton's undergraduate degree in Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin) and our MA in Biblical Exegesis.
If you're interested in going deeper, learn more about Wheaton's undergraduate degree in Classical Languages (Greek, Hebrew, and Latin) and our MA in Biblical Exegesis.
Episodes
Mentioned books
18 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 13min
Who is I?, with Ben Witherington III: Romans 7:7-25
Ben Witherington III, New Testament scholar and seasoned Pauline commentator, unpacks who speaks in Romans 7:7-25. He traces a shift from Adam's past-tense voice to a present-tense portrayal of humanity bound by sin. He explores rhetorical impersonation, links to the Fall narrative, and how chapter 8 introduces the Spirit as the solution.
9 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 15min
Immoral or Missionary: Perspectives on the Woman at the Well, with Benjamin Wall: John 4:16-18
Benjamin Wall, Professor of Theology and Ethics and Lanier resident scholar, explores how assumptions shape readings of John 4. He examines whether the Greek term for 'husband' implies marital history, offers non-sexual readings like widowhood or divorce, traces patristic allegory and Eastern praise, and considers how cultural sexualization affected interpretation.
8 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 10min
The Scope of Christ's Kingdom, with Daniel C. Fredericks: Psalm 103:17-19
Daniel C. Fredericks, Professor of Biblical Studies and Provost Emeritus at Belhaven University, reflects on Psalm 103 and kingdom language. He contrasts Israel-focused covenant kingship with the universal rule proclaimed in verse 19. He explains how Old Testament kingdom terms shape New Testament claims about Christ and outlines the biblical sequence of Israel first, then the nations.
11 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 13min
Feet Like a Deer, with Oliver Hersey: Habakkuk 3:19
Oliver Hersey, president of Jerusalem University College and biblical languages scholar, brings field-tested insight from Israel. He explores Habakkuk 3:19 in Hebrew terms. Short segments trace deer imagery, musical and psalmic context, and how seeing ibex in the land sharpens interpretation. Practical tips for learning Hebrew appear along the way.
13 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 13min
In Form Like His Body of Glory, with Chris Kugler: Philippians 2:6-7 and 3:20-21
Chris Kugler, lecturer in theology at Baylor and author on Paul and Christology, digs into Philippians 2 and 3. He traces key Greek terms from the Christ hymn and shows how Paul reuses them in 3:20–21. Conversations explore language, literary links, and how the original hearers would have perceived the letter. Short, precise, and driven by close Greek reading.
7 snips
Feb 23, 2026 • 10min
Grab Ahold of From Alongside From Behind, with Stephen L. Jones: Romans 8:26
Stephen L. Jones, Director of Global Theological Education for Hamoreh Ministries who trains pastors in East Africa, unpacks Greek words in Romans 8:26. He highlights how the Spirit supports believers from alongside and behind. He also explains the intensified sense of the Spirit interceding on our behalf. Short, linguistic, and vividly illustrated.
8 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 7min
What is Exegesis? (encore), With John Walton
John Walton, Old Testament scholar and Professor Emeritus known for the 'Lost World' series, walks through the step-by-step process of exegesis. He talks about starting with genre and ancient context. He explains discourse analysis versus lexical meaning. He outlines how textual study builds toward theology and practical application.
7 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 9min
How God Loved the World, with George Kalantzis: John 3:16
George Kalantzis, Wheaton professor and early Christianity scholar, explores the Greek of John 3:16. He reads the verse in Greek and argues the wording conveys how God loves, focusing on manner and action. The discussion contrasts translations, highlights love shown by giving the Son, and stresses incarnate, faithful love rather than mere emotion.
9 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 11min
A Sealed Biblion, with Christian Askeland: Revelation 5:1
Christian Askeland, advisor and manuscript scholar focused on early Christianity, joins to unpack Revelation 5:1. They probe the Greek term biblion and first-century book forms. Conversations cover manuscript variants, whether the scroll is written on both sides, and how seven seals function as both a physical and theological device.
7 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 9min
Working Together for Good, with Joseph Dodson: Romans 8:28
Joseph R. Dodson, Craig L. Blomberg Chair of New Testament at Denver Seminary and Paul scholar, explains the Greek ambiguity in Romans 8:28. He unpacks who might be the agent in the verse, argues for "all things" as subject, and explores pastoral implications about suffering, the Spirit's role, and how language shapes theological meaning.
