Podcast Summary: Through the ESV Bible in a Year with Jackie Hill Perry

Host: Crossway
Episode: January 2 (Genesis 3–4; Psalm 2; Matthew 3–4)
Date: January 2, 2026

Overview

This episode is part of the daily "Through the ESV Bible in a Year" series, where each day features selected readings from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms, intended to guide listeners through the entire ESV Bible in a year. Today's passages include Genesis 3–4 (the Fall, Cain and Abel), Psalm 2 (God’s Anointed), and Matthew 3–4 (Ministry of John the Baptist and the early ministry and temptation of Jesus).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Genesis 3–4: The Fall of Humanity and the First Murder

Theme: Disobedience, consequence, and the beginnings of redemption

• Temptation and the Fall (00:04):

  • The serpent tempts Eve, questioning God’s command and promising wisdom ("You will not surely die; for God knows that when you eat of it… you will be like God, knowing good and evil" – Serpent, 00:30).
  • Eve and Adam eat the forbidden fruit; their eyes are opened, and they feel shame ("Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew they were naked …" – Reader, 00:37).

• Consequences & the Curse (01:03):

  • God confronts Adam, Eve, and the serpent, apportioning curses:
    • Serpent cursed to crawl and eat dust; enmity between serpent and woman (“He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” – God, 01:22).
    • Increased pain in childbearing for women, ruling of the husband over wife.
    • The ground is cursed for Adam; toil and eventual death now part of human experience ("By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground..." – 01:43).
  • Adam and Eve are banished from Eden, and a cherubim with a flaming sword guards the Tree of Life (02:12).

• Cain and Abel (02:20):

  • Eve bears Cain and then Abel.
  • Cain and Abel present offerings to God; God accepts Abel’s, not Cain’s.
  • Cain’s anger leads to the first murder: he kills Abel in the field ("Am I my brother's keeper?" – Cain, 03:16).
  • God curses Cain to a life of wandering; places a mark on him for protection ("…vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." – God, 03:47).

• Genealogy and Early Culture (05:14):

  • Cain’s line is established, including the first city, various professions (livestock, music, metalwork).
  • Lamech's boast of violence ("If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold." – Lamech, 06:04).
  • Adam and Eve have another son, Seth; “At that time, people began to call upon the name of the Lord.” (06:20).

Psalm 2: God’s Sovereignty and His Anointed

Theme: The futility of rebellion against God and the authority of God’s Messiah

• World's Rebellion and God’s Response (06:21):

  • The nations and rulers rebel against the Lord and His anointed ("He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision." – 06:39).

• God’s Decree and Warning (06:42):

  • God establishes His son as King on Zion ("You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage..." – God, 07:01).
  • Call for earthly rulers to serve the Lord with fear and take refuge in Him (“Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” – 07:20).

Matthew 3–4: The Ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus Begins

Theme: Repentance, fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus’ identity and authority

• Introduction of John the Baptist (07:20):

  • John preaches in the wilderness, calling for repentance because the kingdom is near.
  • He fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.” (07:28)
  • John’s baptism draws crowds; he confronts the Pharisees and Sadducees: ("You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" – John, 08:05).
  • John distinguishes between his baptism with water and the coming one (“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” – John, 08:32).

• The Baptism of Jesus (08:35):

  • Jesus comes to John to be baptized; John protests, but Jesus insists ("Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." – Jesus, 08:45).
  • At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descends “like a dove,” and a voice from heaven announces: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (08:58)

• Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness (09:07):

  • Led by the Spirit, Jesus fasts forty days; Satan tempts him three times.
    • Temptation to turn stones to bread: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” – Jesus, 09:25.
    • Temptation to test God’s protection: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” – Jesus, 09:58.
    • Offer of worldly power in exchange for worship: “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” – Jesus, 10:18.
  • Angels minister to Jesus after the devil departs.

• Jesus Begins Public Ministry (10:23):

  • After John’s arrest, Jesus moves to Capernaum in Galilee, fulfilling prophecy ("The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light..." – 10:30).
  • Jesus preaches: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Jesus, 10:38.
  • Calls disciples Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John (“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Jesus, 10:43).
  • Jesus teaches, proclaims the gospel, heals, and his fame spreads as people follow from all around (11:02).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
  – The serpent tempting Eve (Genesis 3, 00:30)

• "He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
  – God to the serpent (Genesis 3, 01:22)
  (Often interpreted as the first messianic prophecy)

• "Am I my brother’s keeper?"
  – Cain responding to God (Genesis 4, 03:16)

• "He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision."
  – Psalm 2 (06:39)

• "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance."
  – John the Baptist to religious leaders (Matthew 3, 08:05)

• "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
  – Voice from Heaven at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3, 08:58)

• "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
  – Jesus resists Satan (Matthew 4, 09:25)

• "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
  – Jesus calls his first disciples (Matthew 4, 10:43)

Important Timestamps

• 00:04 – Genesis 3–4: The Fall, Cain & Abel
• 06:21 – Psalm 2: God’s Anointed King
• 07:20 – Matthew 3: John the Baptist; Baptism of Jesus
• 09:07 – Matthew 4: Temptation of Jesus; Beginning of Ministry

This episode presents foundational themes: humanity's broken relationship with God, the promise of redemption, the calling to repentance, and the revelation of Jesus as God’s Son and Savior. It’s a sweeping overview of why and how the biblical story presses toward restoration and hope, grounding listeners in some of the Bible’s most pivotal moments.