Ephesians 3:5

Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Cross-reference

Ephesians 3:9 repeats that the mystery hidden for ages is now revealed, reinforcing the same truth about the apostles and prophets.

Ephesians 2:20 establishes apostles and prophets as the church's foundation, who are the recipients of the mystery in 3:5.

Ephesians 1:17 prays for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, the same Spirit that made the mystery known in 3:5, linking source and result.

Ephesians 2:13 describes Gentiles brought near by Christ's blood, which is the core of the mystery now revealed to the apostles.

Ephesians 4:11 lists apostles and prophets among Christ's gifts to the church, the same offices entrusted with the mystery.

Luke 10:24 Parallel

Luke 10:24 similarly notes that prophets and kings desired to see and hear but did not, matching the hiddenness of the mystery before now.

Romans 16:25 speaks of the mystery kept secret for long ages now revealed, a direct parallel to the revelation described here.

Acts 10:28 Historical context

Acts 10:28 records God revealing to Peter that Gentiles are not unclean, a specific case of the mystery that Gentiles are fellow heirs now revealed.

John 16:13 Parallel

In John 16:13, the Spirit guides the apostles into all truth — directly describing the revelation process referenced in Ephesians 3:5.

John 14:26 Parallel

In John 14:26, the Holy Spirit teaches the apostles all things — the same Spirit who reveals the mystery in Ephesians 3:5.

Matthew 13:17 says many prophets and righteous longed to see but did not, directly illustrating the mystery not made known in past generations.

Hebrews 11:40 explains the full revelation was reserved for the NT era, complementing the unveiling of the mystery to apostles.

1 Peter 1:10-12 details how OT prophets predicted but did not fully understand the gospel now revealed to apostles.

Isaiah 55:5 Allusion

Isaiah 55:5 prophesies a nation that did not know you shall run to you — prefiguring the inclusion of Gentiles in the mystery.

1 Timothy 3:16 explicitly calls the incarnation and proclamation the 'mystery of godliness,' parallel to the mystery made known in 3:5.

Galatians 3:28 reveals the inclusive nature of the mystery—all are one in Christ—showing the content of what was revealed to the apostles.

In Galatians 1:16, God reveals His Son to Paul for preaching to Gentiles — a personal instance of the mystery Paul describes as revealed to apostles.

In 1 Corinthians 2:10, God reveals hidden wisdom through the Spirit — directly parallel to the Spirit revealing the mystery to apostles in Ephesians.

Acts 11:18 Historical context

In Acts 11:18, the church acknowledges that God granted repentance to Gentiles — confirming the mystery revealed to apostles in Ephesians.

Acts 10:45 Historical context

In Acts 10:45, Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit — a concrete event of the mystery Paul describes being revealed through the Spirit.

Isaiah 52:15 describes things not told being seen and understood — directly foretelling the revelation of the mystery to the nations.

Matthew 13:35 cites the psalm about uttering things hidden since the foundation — directly relating to the now-revealed mystery.

Daniel 2:22 Parallel

Daniel 2:22 declares God reveals deep and hidden things — directly paralleling the unveiling of the mystery in Christ.

Isaiah 64:4 Allusion

Isaiah 64:4 says no eye has seen a God who acts for those who wait — echoing the hiddenness of God's plan that is now revealed.

Hebrews 11:39 confirms OT saints did not receive the promised revelation, aligning with the hiddenness in previous generations.

Jude 1:17 Parallel

In Jude 1:17, the apostles' predictions are remembered — paralleling the apostles as those through whom the mystery was revealed.

2 Peter 3:2 Parallel

In 2 Peter 3:2, prophets and apostles are cited as authoritative sources — echoing their role as recipients of revelation in Ephesians 3:5.

Titus 1:3 Parallel

Titus 1:3 speaks of God's word manifested at the proper time through preaching, matching the timing and means of revelation in Ephesians.

Titus 1:1 Parallel

Titus 1:3 emphasizes the timely revelation of God's word, echoing the unveiling of the mystery to apostles in the Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:10 Related theme

2 Timothy 1:10 describes Christ's appearing bringing life and immortality to light, akin to the revelation of the mystery now made known.

Matthew 16:17 shows Peter's confession came by divine revelation — mirroring that the mystery was revealed by the Spirit to apostles.

Luke 2:26 Parallel

In Luke 2:26, Simeon receives a Spirit-given revelation — similar to the Spirit revealing the mystery to apostles and prophets in Ephesians 3:5.

John 15:15 Parallel

In John 15:15, Jesus makes known everything from the Father to His disciples — parallel to the Spirit now revealing the mystery to apostles in Ephesians.

Acts 10:19 Parallel

In Acts 10:19, the Spirit speaks directly to Peter — a concrete example of Spirit revelation like that in Ephesians 3:5.

1 Corinthians 12:28 lists apostles and prophets as church offices, the same group through whom the mystery is revealed.