Chapter 1

1:5 - When was Jesus born? Before 4 BCE. Herod the Great died in 4 BCE.

* This verse does not tell us which year Jesus was born.

1:5-6 - According to the Psalms (14:3, 53:3) and Romans (3:10, 23)), no human has ever been righteous. But Luke tells us that both Elisabeth and Zacharias were "righteous before God" and "blameless".

* In both of the passages in Psalms, David is clearly referring to certain people that were unrighteous.  This is obvious when you read verses one and two of each passage.

* In the passages in Romans, Paul is indicating how people need God because they have sinned.  He is quoting David, but using the verse in a different way (one proof of this is the different audience Paul is writing to: the Romans and Gentiles).  Paul is using this phrase David used to indicate that everyone has sinned and needs Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

* Elisabeth and Zacharias were righteous before God and blameless because they obeyed His laws.  This righteousness was a state of being.  Unlike God's righteousness, human righteousness comes and goes as we obey God and disobey Him.

1:17 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

1:20 - God strikes Zacharias dumb for doubting the angel Gabriel's words.

* This is correct.  This was Zacharias' temporary punishment for his lack of faith.

1:34 - Was Jesus the descendent of David?

* Yes, Jesus was a descendant of David because He was adopted by his earthly family and grafted into his lineage.

* Matthew 1:18 and Luke 1:31-35 indicate that Jesus was the offspring of the Holy Spirit.  This is true.  However, Joseph was His earthly and adopted father.

* Matthew 22:45 and Mark 12:35-37 record Jesus talking to some religious leaders about a statement by David.  David is simply recognizing that the Messiah was His Lord.

1:41, 67 - Elisabeth and Zacharias were filled with the Holy Ghost. But how could they have been, since "the Holy Ghost had not yet been given"? (Jn.7:39)

* There are many times in the Old Testament, before the Holy Ghost was given at Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost would fill someone.  Before Pentecost, the Holy Ghost would come and leave.  However, after Pentecost, the Holy Ghost comes and stays in the heart of every believer.

* See Psalm 51:11, Numbers 11:25, Judges 3:10, 2 Chronicles 24:20, etc.

1:50 - Should we fear God?

* Yes, we should fear God.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

Chapter 2

2:1 - When was Jesus born? After 6 CE. Quirinius became governer of Syria in 6 CE, ten years after king Herod's death.

* This verse does not tell us which year Jesus was born.  However, the mention of Quirinius taking the census is likely historically true.  He was a person in whom Augustus confided and he was sent into Syria and Judea with the power to make the census.  In this case, he acted as governor and later, he was officially given the title.  This is revealed in part by the mention of this being his first census.

2:1-7 - Where did Joseph and Mary live before the birth of Jesus? They lived in Nazareth, and traveled to Bethlehem because of a census.

* Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth.

2:14 - This verse claims that Jesus came to bring peace, but Jesus denies this in Mt.10:34 and Lk.12:51.

* This verse is an exclamation of an angel.  It doesn't say anything about Jesus having only one mission - to bring peace.  Jesus brought many different things, depending on whether people rejected Him or trusted Him.

2:22 - Even Mary had to be "purified" after giving birth to Jesus. Was she defiled by giving birth to the Son of God?

* Since there was blood involved, this made her impure according to Jewish law.

2:23 - Males are holy to God, not females.

* It is likely that this passage only mentions "males" because it is telling about the birth of a male.

* This passage says and implies nothing about the impurity of a female.

2:25 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

2:25-26 - Ec.7:20 says that there has never been a just man. But according to this verse Simeon was not only just, but he was also filled with the Holy Ghost -- before the Holy Ghost had been given (Jn.7:39).

* Ecclesiastes 7:20 reads, "For there is not a just man on the earth that does good and does not sin."  The writer is simply saying that no human is perfect and completely without sin.

* Simeon was just and devout.  This doesn't contradict any other passages of scripture.

* The part about the Holy Spirit was answered above.

2:39 - Luke says that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned to Nazareth soon after Jesus' birth; Matthew disagrees (Mt.2:14), saying they went not to Nazareth, but to Egypt.

* Matthew 2:23 indicates that Jesus and His family went to Nazareth to live.  Luke simply omits the flight to and from Egypt.

2:43-49 - When Jesus' parents begin the long trip back to Nazareth, the twelve year old Jesus stays behind, without even asking for their permission. Mary and Joseph search for him for three days and when they finally find him, Jesus doesn't apologize. Rather, he blames them for not knowing that he was doing his real father's business.

* When Jesus' parents find Him, He asks them two, rhetorical questions.  "Why did you seek Me?  Didn't you know that I must be about My Father's business?"

2:52 - How could an omniscient being "increase in wisdom"? And how could God increase "in favour with God."?

* Jesus was both fully human and fully God.  While He was on Earth, in a human body, He grew like a human - physically, mentally and spiritually.  He was our perfect example, too.

Chapter 3

3:9 - Those who fail to bear "good fruit" will be "hewn down, and cast into the fire."

* This was part of a statement by John the Baptist.  He was explaining to them how evil deeds and disbelief will be judged with fire.  This is consistent with other passages of scripture (See Revelation 20).

3:14 - "Be content with your wages" -- no matter how unjust they may be.

* John made a specific statement to the "soldiers" in this verse.  They were to be content with their wages.  This was related to the conversation with the tax collectors in verses 12 and 13.

3:17 - John the Baptist says that Christ will burn the damned "with fire unquenchable."

* This is consistent with the scriptures.  See Revelation 20.

3:22 - In Luke's gospel, God addresses Jesus directly saying, "Thou art my beloved son." But Matthew (3:17) has God speak to those witnessing Jesus' baptism, by saying: "This is my beloved son." Whatever the exact wording, it is strange that after witnessing this even, John the Baptist is still unsure about Jesus (Mt.11:2-3, Lk.7:19, ).

* Matthew and Mark record God saying, "This is my beloved Son, whom I am well pleased."  Since Matthew and Mark have written in this tense, it indicates that God is endorsing Jesus Christ and His ministry; not for His conscious or self-esteem, but for the benefit of others. 

* Luke writes, "You are my beloved Son, whom I am well pleased."  Since Luke has written in this tense, it indicates that God is directly endorsing Jesus Christ and His ministry.  It is likely that both statements were made and an omission was made by each writer.  In the Greek text, there is a very small difference between the two statements.

* John the Baptist gets thrown in prison and begins to lose faith.  Many of the Jews expected their Messiah to be an earthly king that would set up His kingdom on Earth and overthrow the Romans.  This was not Jesus' mission, so some of them got dismayed and misunderstood Him.  John the Baptist may fit into this category.

3:23 - Luke says that Joseph's father (Jesus' grandfather) was Heli; Matthew (1:16) says his name was Jacob. Notice that the genealogy of Jesus given here is entirely different than that in Mt.1:6-16. Luke lists 43 generations from David to Jesus, Matthew has only 29, and except for David at one end and Jesus at the other, only three names in the two lists are the same (and they are completely out of order). Of course we are told to ignore boring genealogies like this in 1 Tim.1:4 and Tit.3:19. So why are they in the Bible then?

* When this verse says that Joseph was the son of Heli, it doesn't mean a literal son.  It means a grandson.  There are no words in the ancient scriptures that indicate grandfather or grandson.  Therefore, the word son is used.

* Luke reveals the genealogy of Mary.  Matthew lists the genealogy of Joseph.

* 1 Timothy 1:4 and Titus 3:19 are for the Jews who were boasting about their lineage.  They were told not to worry about their lineage because Christ had already come and fulfilled the prophecies regarding lineages.  These lineages are important because they verify Jesus Christ as the Messiah.  If He was not from those lines, then He could not have been the Messiah.

3:27 - Who was Zerubbabel's father?

* Pedaiah was Zerubbabel's father.  This is evidenced in 1 Chronicles 3:19.

* Matthew 1:12 and Luke 3:27 use a Hebrew word that is translated "begat," but it refers to lineages and doesn't always refer to father-son relationships.  Therefore, we understand that Salathiel could be Zerubbabel's grandfather, great grandfather, etc.

3:35-36 - Luke says that the father of Salah was Cainan, but Genesis (Gen.10:24, 11:12) says Salah's father was Arphaxad.

* Sala was a descendant of Cainan, but Cainan was not his father.  Sala was also a descendant of Arphaxad.  According to Genesis 5:9, Sala was from Cainan's lineage.  This is consistent with the text and the Hebraic usage of the word "son" instead of ever using grandfather, grandson, great grandfather, etc.

3:37-38 - Was Enoch the sixth or the seventh from Adam?

* In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul refers to the first Adam and the second Adam. The second Adam refers to Jesus Christ; the eternal Christ and second person of the Godhead. Therefore, since we see that Enoch is the sixth from the earthly Adam, we know that he was seventh from the heavenly, eternal Adam: Jesus Christ.
 

Chapter 4

4:5 - The devil takes Jesus to the top of a mountain and shows him "all the kingdoms of the world." I guess the world was flat in those days.

* The Son of God met with the Devil and they had a supernatural experience.  It is entirely possible that God allowed them to see all the kingdoms of the world.

4:12 - Jesus says that we shouldn't tempt God. But according to James (1:13), it is not possible to tempt him.

* Jesus is correct.  Jesus was talking to the Devil about his, specific temptation of Christ.  While Jesus was on the Earth, He took the form of a human and experienced what humans experience.

* James is correct, too.  God the Father cannot be tempted with evil.  He is pure and righteous.

4:12 - Is it ok to test (or tempt) God? No, God doesn't like to be tested or tempted.

* Jesus tells the devil that he should not put God to a test.

4:38 - Peter, who Catholics consider the first pope, was married.

* This is correct.  However, since I'm not a Catholic, I offer no defense for Catholics.

Chapter 5

5:11 - Peter and his partners (James and John) abandon their wives and children to follow Jesus.

* The scriptures state that James and John "forsook all" and followed Jesus Christ.  It doesn't indicate the nature of their relationship with their wives and children.

* Jesus' public ministry lasted approximately 3 years.  During the time when the faultless Son of God walked the Earth, many people forsook their daily routines and regular responsibilities in order to learn from Him, please Him and help Him.

Chapter 6

6:3-4 - Was David alone when he asked for the holy bread at Nob?

* Yes, David was alone.  The Greek words in this passage (and verse 5) translate into the following English words: "Jesus answering them said, 'Have you not read so much as this: what David did when he hungered, that as soon as he went into the house of God, he took and ate the showbread, indeed committing that which is not lawful to eat, except for the priests, alone?"

* By reading the Greek text, we know the words "were with him" are an English insertion into verse 3.  We also know that the words "to them that were with him" are an English insertion into verse 4.

* This passage complements 1 Samuel 21.  They do not contradict.  However, there were people that David was going to feed with the bread that he received.  They were not with him before the priest, but they were with him in hiding.

6:16 - Luke says that Judas the brother of James was one of the apostles, but neither Matthew (10:2-4) nor Mark (3:16-19) include him in their lists. Instead they mention Thaddeus, who isn't listed in either Luke or Acts (1:13).

* Judas Lebbaeus was also called Thaddeus.  This is the same person.  Since Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ, leading to His death, Matthew and Mark use Judas Labbaeus' other name - Thaddeus.  They didn't want readers to get him confused with the evil Judas.  Luke simply uses his "family" or "given" name.

6:18 - Jesus heals people that are "vexed with unclean spirits."

* This is true.

6:24 - What must you do to be saved? Be poor, not rich.

* This verse says nothing about salvation.

6:24-26 - Jesus says that people who are rich, well-fed, happy, or respected are going to hell.

* This is a partial statement by Jesus Christ.  It was given in the middle of a sermon.  He was referring to rich people who did not believe in Christ, full people that were spiritually empty and respected people that were ungodly.

6:29-30 - Invite someone that has hit you to do it again, and if someone steals from you offer them something additional. Don't turn down any borrowers (Do Christian bankers follow this one?), and when you loan something don't ask for it back.

* Jesus is giving some practical examples of how His followers can love others.  He is telling them not to seek revenge, not to worry about material possessions, give to others without expecting to be compensated, etc.

6:31 - The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. Too bad God doesn't follow this rule.

* This is a wonderful rule for humans.  God loves people, but He is also perfect and righteous.  This gives Him the power and ability to judge people for their sins.  Consequently, He may not appear perfect to someone who does not understand Him.

6:35 - "Love your enemies." Well, it's a nice thought. But it seems strange coming from someone who damns his enemies to hell. (Mk.16:16)

* Humans are to love their enemies.  Hate simply eats a person from the inside out.

* God has the power and responsibility to condemn those that reject Him.

6:36 - "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Well I'm glad Jesus thinks we should be merciful. But the Old Testament God is a strange role model for mercy! (See 1 Sam.15:2-3 for an example of the OT God's mercy.)

* God is enacting His judgment on pagan people that have rejected Him for a long time.  This is the perfect, Creator's right.

6:37 - Jesus says, "Judge not," but Paul (1 Cor.5:3, 12-13, 6:2-3) judges people and tells others to do so.

* In this passage, the Greek word for "judge" is better interpreted "condemn."  Jesus tells us not to condemn other people.  Condemning someone is saying there is no hope for them and they are beyond God's grace.  This is not the job for humans, now.

* Many other scriptures tell us to make righteous judgments.  This is God's will for us - to determine what is right and wrong by applying His Word.  He simply wants us to call things like He calls them.  See John 7:24.

6:37 - What must you do to be saved? Don't judge other people.

* Jesus was making a statement about condemning others; not about the way of salvation.  He was clearly talking about earthly treatment of people and not divine judgment.

Chapter 7

7:2-10 - Here was the perfect opportunity for Jesus to condemn slavery. All he'd have to do is say, "OK, I'll heal him. But then you must set your slave free, because slavery is an abomination to God." Does God approve of slavery?

* Verse 2 calls this "slave" a "servant."  Therefore, Jesus didn't have any reason to tell him to free his slave.

7:3 - Luke says that the centurion sent some Jewish elders to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant. But in Matthew (8:5), the centurion himself asks Jesus for help.

* Matthew 8:8 parallels Luke 7:7 (verse 8 indicates the centurion speaking, too), exactly.  Luke simply states that some Jewish elders approached Jesus, first.  This is only an omission on Matthew's part.

7:12-15 - Was Jesus the first to rise from the dead? Will anyone ever rise from the dead?

* Jesus is the "foremost in importance" to rise from the dead.  This is a better, English translation of this Greek passage.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

7:19 - John the Baptist, who is about to die, is still unsure about Jesus. He sends his disciples to Jesus asking: "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" Well, if he's not sure, how can anyone else be?

* John the Baptist gets thrown in prison and begins to lose faith.  Many of the Jews expected their Messiah to be an earthly king that would set up His kingdom on Earth and overthrow the Romans.  This was not Jesus' mission, so some of them got dismayed and misunderstood Him.  John the Baptist may fit into this category.

7:21 - Jesus cures those with "evil spirits."

* This is true and consistent with other scriptures.

7:28 - Who was the greatest prophet? John the Baptist.

* Deuteronomy 34:10 reads, "But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face."  This is true because there was not another prophet like Moses.  John the Baptist was different because he was the last prophet, Jesus' relative, and the forerunner of Christ.

Chapter 8

8:2 - Jesus removes seven devils from the body of Mary Magdalene.

* This is correct.

8:10 - Jesus says that he speaks in parables so "that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."

* Luke 8:10 reads, "And He said, 'To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'"  This was the fulfillment of a prophecy from Isaiah 6:9.

* Jesus spoke in parables and the seekers found what they were seeking - eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Verse 9 clearly states that Jesus' "disciples" (not just apostles) stuck around and found the meaning of His parables.  These were the true seekers.

8:20-21 - Jesus, when told that his mother and brothers want to see him, ignores and insults them by saying that his mother and brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.

* Jesus never insults his mother and brothers.  However, He does exalt the status of those that hear God's Word and do it.  Those were part of His spiritual family. 

* This passage never states that Jesus ignored His family.  It simply omits the nature of His relationship with them at this moment.  It is fully possible that after He taught people about the importance of their spiritual family and obeying God that He met His earthly mother and brothers.  However, even if He didn't, it was His prerogative to continue His work and see them later.

8:27-37 - Jesus heals a naked man who was possessed by many devils. [Both Luke and Mark (5:2) says there was only one man, but Matthew (8:28) says there were two.] Jesus sends the devils into a herd of pigs, causing them to run off a cliff and drown in the sea. This messy, cruel, and expensive (for the owners of the pigs) treatment did not favorably impress the local residents, and Jesus was asked to leave.

* Jesus did heal this man who was possessed.  There were two men, but only one spoke.  This is why Luke and Mark omit the other man.  Luke and Mark do not say there was "only one man."

* These people who owned the swine were Jews living on the outskirts of the country.  Why did they raise unclean animals?  They were supposed to avoid eating and touching these animals.

* Jesus cast the demons into the pigs.  The demons caused the pigs to kill themselves.  Jesus didn't cause the pigs to kill themselves.

8:42 - Both Luke and Mark (5:23) say that Jarius' daughter was dying, but was not ye dead when Jarius asked Jesus for help. But in Matthew (9:18) she is already dead when Jarius approaches Jesus for help.

* In Luke and Mark, this Greek word for "dying" is better translated "dead."  Jarius' daughter was dead when he approached Jesus for help.

Chapter 9

9:1 - Jesus gives his disciples "power and authority over all devils."

* This is correct and is consistent with other scriptures.

9:3 - In this verse Jesus tells his disciples not to carry a staff, but in Mark (6:8-9) he tells them to carry one.

* In this verse, Jesus clearly tells His disciples not to take a lot of things, including "staves" (plural).  In Mark 6:8 and 9, Jesus tells them the same things, but tells them to take "one staff" (singular).  Jesus was telling them not to take multiple staves, but they were permitted to take one.

* Jesus never told His disciples that they had to go barefoot.  This Greek word for "provide," in the phrase "provide neither . . . ," is also translated "get" or "acquire."  Jesus is simply telling His disciples not to go and get extra sandals.

9:7-8 - There were various opinions about the identity of Jesus. Some thought he was Elijah or one of the prophets; others that he was the risen John the Baptist. With such a credulous populace, is it surprising that some people would later claim, and probably even believe, that they had seen the risen Christ?

* There are numerous indicators that Jesus was the Christ.  The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies is a huge indicator.  His resurrection is another.

9:27 - Jesus falsely predicts that some of his listeners would live to see him return and establish the kingdom of God.

* This verse never says anything about Jesus returning to establish the kingdom of God.  Luke 9:27 states, "But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God."  The apostle John heard this and did not die before He was shown the kingdom of God (outlined in the book of Revelation).

9:30 - Was Jesus the first to rise from the dead? Will anyone ever rise from the dead?

* Jesus is the "foremost in importance" to rise from the dead.  This is a better, English translation of this Greek passage.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

9:39-42 - Epilepsy is caused by devils.

* This particular devil caused this person to convulse, foam at the mouth and bruise himself.  This passage never states that epilepsy is caused by devils.

9:41 - Jesus speaks harshly to his disciples because they couldn't cure epilepsy by casting out devils.

* Jesus gave His disciples power to do this, but they didn't have the faith to do it.  Therefore, Jesus was upset and rightfully so.

9:49 - Who can cast out devils in the name of Jesus?  Others can do it, too.

* In verse 50, we find that these people are on Jesus' side.  Therefore, they rightly have the power to cast out demons in Jesus' name, too.

9:50 - The disciples see some other guys casting out devils in Jesus' name (It was a common pastime in those days). But Jesus says it's OK with him because those who are not against him are for him. But elsewhere Jesus says that those who are not for him are against him. I don't know where that leaves me, since I'm neither for or against him. How can you be for or against a mythical person that you know nothing about and may never have even existed?

* These two statements complement one another: "Those who are not against us are for us.  Those who are not for us are against us."

* If you do not love God and obey Him, then you are against Him.  You are either for Him or against Him.  There is no middle ground, lukewarm, "pleasing God without trying to please God" scenario.

9:52-53 - These verses say that the Samaritans did not receive Jesus, but John (4:39-40) says that they believed in him and convinced him to stay with them for two days.

* According to the events before and after these passages in Luke and John, they are referring to two, different trips through Samaria.

9:54 - James and John ask Jesus if they can call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans who didn't much care for Jesus' teaching. They'd like to kill people the way Elijah did. But shucks, Jesus won't let them.

* Jesus wouldn't let them kill these people with fire.

9:59-62 - Jesus won't even let his followers bury their dead parents or say farewell to their families before abandoning them.

* Jesus was teaching these people the importance of following Him immediately and not looking back.  Since a man told Jesus that he'd follow Him later because he had to bury his father, Jesus told him to let the dead bury their own dead and for him to preach the kingdom of God.  He also told another man that those who put their hand on the plow and keep looking back are not fit for the kingdom of God.

* In intelligent language, Jesus indicates to these people and everyone around that they needed to make a commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly, now.  Since Jesus knew their hearts, He surely knew that they would make excuses about following Him.  This was His opportunity to teach how important it was to follow Him.

* Jesus never gives a sweeping, doctrinal statement about leaving family members unburied.

Chapter 10

10:10-15 - Jesus says that entire cities will be violently destroyed and the inhabitants "thrust down to hell" for not "receiving" his disciples.

* Verse 16 explains this passage well.  It reads, "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me."

10:17-19 - The disciples are thrilled that "even the devils are subject" to them. To this Jesus replies, "I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions ... and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

* Verse 17 reads, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."  In verse 20, He tells them to avoid rejoicing about this, but to rejoice because their names are written in Heaven (they have eternal life).

10:21 - Jesus thanks God that only the ignorant and foolish will listen to him.

* Verse 21 reads, "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, 'I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.'"  Jesus is referring to the people who are "wise in their own eyes" and without spiritual wisdom.

10:25-28 - Jesus tells the lawyer that those who love God and their neighbor will be saved. But this is contrary to many New Testament passages that clearly teach that there are other requirements for salvation. (Mt.12:37, Mk.16:16, Jn.3:18, 36) And, of course, it also contradicts the many New testament verses that claim that salvation is by faithalone.

* This man wanted to know how good he had to be in order to be saved.  Jesus was telling this person who was testing Him that He needed to obey the whole law of the Old Testament to be saved.  See Matthew 22:37-40.

* See "Special Questions" for more on this.

* In verse 26, Jesus asked, "What is written in the Law?"  Jesus was referring to the Law of Moses and the Old Covenant that was fading and changing.  He continued and His point was revealed.  According to the Law, this law expert would be condemned.

Chapter 11

11:9-10 - Jesus says that "he who seeketh findeth." But later (13:24) he says that "many ... will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." And Proverbs (1:28) quotes God as saying that they "shall call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me." Which is it?

* Jesus was correct.  While He taught people how to pray, He said, "Those who seek will find."

* In Luke 13:24, when Jesus is answering the question, "Lord, are there few that are saved?," Jesus tells them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able."  He is simply telling them that it may not be easy for people to trust, believe, and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

* In Proverbs 1:28-30 (and verse 26 and 27, too), Solomon is writing about God's reaction to wicked people who have rejected Him.  He won't simply save them from calamity when they ignore and hate Him, but ask Him to keep them from problems and trials.  Proverbs 1:28-30 read, "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.  Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke."  Even more contextual information, insight and understanding can be gained by reading this chapter from the beginning (or at least from verse 22).

* Clearly, Jesus wants people to sincerely trust, believe, and accept Him, now.  People who reject God for a long time deserve His wrath.  People who play games with God upset Him.

11:23 - Jesus says, "He that is not with me is against me." But Mark (9:40) and Luke (9:50) confuse the issue by having Jesus say, "He that is not against me is for me."

* These are semantic arguments regarding the English translations and they are unnecessary because the Greek is much simpler.  Luke 11:23 reads, "Opposition gathers and scatters."  Mark 9:40 reads, "Opposition is not superior (to Me)."  These are complementary statements.

* Luke 9:50 is a different passage altogether and should be taken on its own merit.

11:14 - People who cannot speak are possessed with devils.

* This particular devil was causing this person to be dumb (without voice).  This verse never says or implies that all dumb people are possessed with devils.

11:24-26 - Jesus says it is impossible to get rid of unclean spirits. If you manage to evict one, he'll soon return with seven others "more wicked than himself" and you'll be worse off than you were before. So just learn to live with whatever unclean spirits that are currently possessing you.

* Jesus is referring to unclean spirits and the journey they take after being exorcised.  However, He is referring to a person who is no longer possessed, but does not trust, believe or accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  These people are still vulnerable to possession and the unclean spirit(s) will reutrn.  Now, only ones with the Holy Spirit (saved believers in Jesus Christ) are invulnerable to possession by other spirits.

11:27-28 - Once again, (see 8:20-21) Jesus shows disrespect for his mother by denying that she is blessed.

* Jesus never disrespects His mother or denies that she is blessed.  However, He does exalt those that hear God's Word and obey it.  Verse 28 simply reads, "But He said, 'More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'"

11:29 - Jesus refuses to perform any signs. Yet elsewhere (Mk.16:20, Jn.3:2, 20:30, Acts.2:22) the Bible claims that he performed many signs.

* Jesus didn't give signs to the people who were simply interested in seeing signs (like this crowd, the Pharisees, etc.).  This is obvious from many passages of scripture.  However, Jesus did do many miraculous things for the people who loved Him, needed to be healed, caused Him to show grace, etc.  The wicked people did not receive a special sign, though.

11:31 - Who was greater: Jesus or Solomon?

* Jesus is greater than Solomon.  Jesus is part of the triune Godhead.  He was and is sinless.

* 1 Kings 3:12 reads, "Behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you."  God is talking to Solomon about His gift to him.  God is surely not telling Solomon that he would have greater wisdom (or be greater, in general) than any of the persons in the triune Godhead (God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit).  God is telling him about his blessing that is within a human framework.  Solomon was not one with God and this verse doesn't say or imply he was.  Therefore, he was not greater or equal to Jesus Christ.

* The triune Godhead is uncreated.  Therefore, it wasn't simply before or after Solomon.  It always was and always will be.

11:34 - Jesus thinks that eyes can be evil.

* This verse uses metaphorical language to convey a simple truth.  Jesus could tell a lot from looking into people's eyes.  He could discern whether they were evil or not.  Some humans have a degree of this discernment, too.

11:40 - Jesus calls his critics fools, thus making himself, by his own standards (Mt.5:22), worthy of "hell fire."

* In Matthew 5:22, Jesus warns people against calling people fools without correcting or loving them.  In this passage, Jesus takes the time to correct them.  Therefore, He isn't worthy of hell fire.

* This verse is directed to unbelievers.  It is to point out their sin and explain how an evil attitude was also sinful and worthy of punishment.

11:47-50 - Jesus blames all the deaths of the prophets (from Abel(?) to Zacharias) on his generation.

* In this passage, Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees.  He clearly tells them how their forefathers (verse 47) killed the prophets.  He also tells them that this generation (or age) will be held accountable for their deaths because they have the same spirit that killed them.  They have not repented from their self-righteous attitude and they were not listening to God, again.

Chapter 13

13:23-30 - In Mt.7:7-8 and Lk.11:9-10 Jesus says that "he who seeketh findeth." But in this verse he says that "many ... will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." He says that only a few will be saved; the vast majority will suffer eternally in hell where "there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

* This was answered above.

Chapter 14

14:14 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

14:26 - Jesus says that his disciples must hate their families (mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, children) and themselves.

* This Greek word for "hate" is better translated "love less."

14:33 - If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, you must abandon everything, including your family.

* This verse never tells someone to plainly abandon their family.  However, Jesus does say that His followers should "forsake all they have" and follow Him.  Jesus doesn't want His followers to have priorities that are higher than loving God.

Chapter 15

15:7 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

15:22-25 - Is dancing a sin?

* In these verses, we see the story of the prodigal son. After he returned, his father was so happy that he celebrated and there was dancing. There is no indication that this displeased God.

Chapter 16

16:15 - "That which is highly esteemed among men [love, wisdom, honesty, courage, etc.] is an abomination in the sight of God."

* This verse is better understood with verse 14, too.  They read, "Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.  And He said to them, 'You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.'"

16:16 - Jesus says that the Old Testament laws were applied only until the time of John the Baptist. But he contradicts himself immediately in the next verse.

* Verses 16 and 17 are complementary.  Jesus didn't come to abolish the law.  He came to fulfill it and He did.  The law was an important part of Jewish history and it always will be.

* Since Jesus obeyed the laws and never sinned, He is our salvation, now.  We have eternal life by believing, trusting and accepting Him as Lord and Savior.  We still have some laws and we still transgress them.  Therefore, we still need Him as Lord and Savior.  We cannot become saved by obeying the laws because we all disobey at least one part of it and earn eternal separation from God.

16:17 - All of the vicious Old Testament laws will be binding forever, contrary to Lk.16:16, Rom.7:4-6, and Eph.2:15.

* The word "binding" is never used here.  This was just answered above.

16:18 - In this verse Jesus condemns all divorces. But exceptions are made in other verses..

* Mark 10:11, Luke 16:18, Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9 are all different statements, made by Jesus, about divorce.  They don't contradict each other, though.  They complement each other.

* First, Jesus makes it clear that God created man and woman to enter into a covenant with God to stay married.  He quotes Genesis, too.  This is the ideal.

* Here are the things that we learn from these four statements by Jesus:

1) If a husband or wife divorces the other and marries another, then they commit adultery (Mark 10:11).  Since no reasons or circumstances are given, Jesus is obviously talking about divorce without fornication.

2) If a husband divorces his wife and marries another, then he commits adultery.  If the divorced wife marries another, then she commits adultery (Luke 16:18).  Once again, Jesus is talking about divorce without fornication being the cause.

3) If a husband divorces his wife for any reason besides fornication, then he causes her to commit adultery.  Whoever marries this divorced woman commits adultery (Matthew 5:32).  Now, Jesus is giving instructions about a married person who commits fornication.

4) If a husband divorces his wife for any reason besides fornication and marries another woman, he commits adultery.  Whoever marries this divorced woman commits adultery (Matthew 19:9).  Once again, Jesus is giving instructions about a married person who commits fornication.

* It is obvious from the text that the first two verses are toward people who have not committed fornication.  The third and fourth verses are given to people who have committed fornication.  These don't contradict each other, but they give instructions to people in different circumstances.  Furthermore, they aren't taken from the same times and places in Jesus' ministry, so they cannot be misquotes or omissions.

* 1 Corinthians 7:15 addresses another circumstance.  Paul gives instructions to spouses who have an unbelieving husband or wife that abandons them.  They are no longer in bondage to them.

16:19-31 - In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man goes to hell, because as Abraham explains, he had a good life on earth and so now he will be tormented. Whereas Lazarus, who was miserable on earth, is now in heaven. This seems fair to Jesus.

* Many things were taught in this parable.  At any rate, the rich man was not saved and Lazarus was saved.  Salvation comes through believing, trusting and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

* This passage never says or implies that the rich man simply goes to hell because of his good life on earth and it never says or implies that Lazarus is simply going to heaven because he was poor.  The end of this chapter gives some details about the prophets and their mission - to preach repentance and obedience to God.

16:22-24 - Does Hell exist? Yes.

* These verses clearly mention Hell.

Chapter 17

17:7-9 - Does God approve of slavery?

* This verse doesn't mention God condoning slavery. This is simply a story that is relating a spiritual principle. It wasn't a statement about slavery.

17:27 - Jesus believes the story of Noah's ark. I guess you should too.

* Jesus affirms Genesis' account of Noah and the flood.

17:29-32 - Jesus also believes the story about Noah's flood and Sodom's destruction. He says, "even thus shall it be in the day the son of man is revealed ... Remember Lot's wife." This tells us about Jesus' knowledge of science and history, and his sense of justice.

* Jesus affirms Noah's flood and the destruction of Sodom.

* Lot's wife was commanded to avoid looking at Sodom.  When she disobeyed this command, she suffered the consequences of her sin.

Chapter 18

18:17 - Jesus says that you must be as gullible as a little child if you want to be saved. But Paul (1 Cor.13:11) says that he "put away childish things" -- including faith in Jesus?

* This verse never uses or implies the word "gullible."  However, Jesus is making a comparison between the heart and qualities of young people and the heart and qualities of a person that has saving faith in Jesus Christ.

* In 1 Corinthians 13:11, this Greek word for "childish" can be better interpreted "immature."  Paul is contrasting the immature things of youth with maturity.  There is no contradiction here.  There are simply two, different aspects of children that are being compared and contrasted.

18:29-30 - Abandon your wife and family for Jesus and he'll give you a big reward.

* These verses are Jesus' response to Peter's statement in verse 28.  Peter says, "See, we have left all and followed You."  Jesus tells Peter and His disciples that they would be rewarded for following Him.  He never tells us to abandon our wife or family.  Furthermore, after Jesus' short, earthly ministry, His disciples surely spent quality time with their families.

18:31-33 - Jesus claims that his suffering and death were a fulfillment of prophecy. Hosea 6:2 perhaps? But this verse refers to the people living at the time (hence "us") and therefore cannot be fulfilled by the the death and resurrection of Jesus.

* Many prophecies had a present meaning and a future one.  Hosea 6:2 was surely a prophecy that followed this pattern.

18:33 - Jesus tells his disciples about his impending death and resurrection, but John (20:8-9) says that the disciples had never heard any of this before Jesus' death.

* In John 20:9, the word "knew" is better translated "understood."  Jesus said many things to His disciples, but they didn't understand everything.  Jesus even told them about His death and resurrection.  However, they didn't fully understand what He was saying until they saw the empty tomb.  This is clearly indicated by Luke 18:34.  It reads, "But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken."

18:35 - Luke says that there was only one blind man that was healed near Jericho and Mark agrees (10:46), but Matthew (20:30) says that there were two.

* There were two blind men that received their sight.  As is customary, Mark and Luke simply mention the man that spoke and omitted the man who did not speak.

Chapter 19

19:22-27 - In the parable of the talents, Jesus says that God takes what is not rightly his, and reaps what he didn't sow. The parable ends with the words of Jesus: "bring them [those who preferred not to be ruled by him] hither, and slay them before me."

* Everything belongs to the Creator. 

* When evil people do good and make awesome things, they still glorify God.  Therefore, He "reaps what He doesn't sow."

* Unrighteous people who are unsaved will be judged with their lives.  Unless we have salvation through Jesus Christ, our lives are the payment for our sins.

19:35 - Luke says that Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on a colt, but Jn.12:14 says he rode on an ass, and Matthew (21:7) insists that he rode on both an ass and a colt.

* John 12:14 states that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young ass.  This Greek word in Mark 11:17 and Luke 19:35 indicates that Jesus rode on a "young ass," also.

* Matthew 21:7 tells us that there was a "young ass" for Jesus and also another animal for the other disciples.

Chapter 20

20:35 - Jesus says that everyone in heaven is single. Does that mean that married people can't go there, that they must get a divorce once they arrive, or what?

* Jesus simply said that there is no earthly marriage in Heaven.

20:37 - "Now that the dead are raised ...." But many bible verses say that there is no afterlife.

* The dead will be resurrected.  See "Special Questions" for more on this.

20:38 - Dead people have no God.

* This verse is indicating that those who are spiritually alive recognize God and believe in Jesus Christ.

20:44 - Jesus says that the Messiah is not the descendent of David. They why do Matthew (1:1-17) and Luke (3:23-38) try so hard to show that he was?

* Jesus is asking a rhetorical question, here.  He is showing how the Messiah is both David's offspring and David's Lord.

Chapter 21

21:11 - Should we look for fearful signs in the heavens?

* Luke 21:11 reads, "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven."  Whether you look for them or not, they will be there.

* Jeremiah 10:2 reads, "Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them."  This Hebrew word for "dismayed" means "fearful" or "confused."  These verses don't contradict each other.

21:16-18 - Jesus says that everyone will hate Christians, and some Christians will be killed, yet no Christian will be harmed in any way.

* Verse 18 is better understood by reading verse 19, too.  These verses read, "But not a hair of your head shall be lost.  By your patience possess your souls."  This phrase, "not a hair of your head shall be lost," was simply an expression.  Since the preceding verses talk about physical death and verse 19 refers to the soul, we know that verse 18 is referring to their soul, too.  Christians were going to be persecuted and even put to death, but their souls would not be harmed because they would be safe in God's hands.

21:25 - Does the Bible condemn astrology?

* Astrology involves manipulating God by predicting things without His supervision or blessing. We don't see this condoned anywhere in the Bible.

* This verse refers to the end times. God will give many signs of the end and the sun, moon, and stars are all part of His revelation and plan.

21:27 - Will Jesus' second coming be visible to all?

* Yes, it will be.  John 14:19 is referring to the world seeing His literal, post-resurrection body.

21:32 - Jesus says that all that he describes (his return, signs in the sun, moon, and stars, etc.) will occur within the lifetime of his listeners.

* Jesus never says that all of these things will occur within the lifetime of His listeners.  However, He does say that they will happen before this generation (better translated "age") is finished.  The "Church Age" was being ushered into existence and it would see the things that Jesus described before it passed away, at the end of Revelation 3, marking the beginning of the tribulation period.

21:33 - Jesus says that heaven won't last forever, but will "pass away" like everything else (including the earth, contrary to several scriptures that say that the earth will last forever).

* Jesus is correct.  These things will pass away.

* See "Special Questions" for more on this.

Chapter 22

22:3, 7 - Luke says that Satan entered Judas before the last supper, but John (13:27) disagrees, saying that Satan entered him after the last supper.

* John 13:27 states that Satan entered Judas during the last supper.

* Luke 22:3-7 clearly states that Satan entered Judas on a day that preceded the last supper.  Luke's account of the last supper did not include Judas.  Therefore, it is obvious that Satan entered Judas before the last supper, left him for a time and reentered him during it.

22:34 - Jesus tells Peter that the cock will not crow until Peter denies him three times. But Mark 14:68, 72 says that the cock crowed after Peter's first denial, and crowed twice before his third denial.

* These phrases, "before the cock crows" and "before the cock crows twice" are simply indicators of the same cock that crows before morning.  Cocks crow right before daybreak.  Jesus was simply telling Peter that before morning, he would deny Him three times.  This was fulfilled, too.

* Before alarm clocks, "the cockcrowing" was a time that everyone knew.  It was right before daybreak.  If any employer told his employee to be at work before "the cockcrowing," he would know that this meant to be there before daybreak. 

* The cocks generally crowed between Midnight and 1am, too, but this wasn't considered "the cockcrowing."  Matthew, Luke, and John knew that people recognized "the cockcrowing" as the one right before daybreak.  Mark simply mentioned the first and second cockcrowing.

* It is likely that Jesus made both statements to Peter.  Jesus said, "The cock will not crow before you deny Me three times."  Peter promised he would never deny Jesus and He replied, "Even this night, before the cock crows two times, you will deny Me three times."

22:36 - Did Jesus come to bring peace?

* Jesus brought many things.  He brought love and forgiveness.  He also brought division because some people are divided on who He was/is.

* Eternal peace will not happen until after His 1,000 year reign.

* See "Special Questions" for more on this.

22:47-48 - Did Jesus identify Judas with a kiss? Yes.

* This passage of scripture implies that Judas kissed Jesus.

22:54 - Was Jesus taken to Caiaphas or Annas first? Caiphas.

* This verse tells us that they brought Jesus to the high priest's house.

22:54-62 - To whom did Peter deny knowing Jesus?

* According to the scriptures, Peter denied knowing Jesus before a female servant, another female servant and one of the high priest's servants.  This was all done in a crowd of people.

* See "Special Questions" for more on this.

Chapter 23

23:26 - Luke says that Simon the Cyrenian bore Jesus' cross, But John (19:17) says that Jesus bore his own cross.

* In the Greek text, John 19:17 doesn't clearly state that Jesus carried His own cross.  There are two, different, Greek words here. too.  Matthew, Mark and Luke use "airo" for "bearing" as Simon was "bearing" Jesus' cross.  This word means "to lift."

* John uses the Greek word "bastazo" for "bearing," which can mean "enduring."  It can be used figuratively, and in this case, it surely was.

23:32-43 - Can thieves go to heaven? Yes.

* Yes.  The gospel message applies to everyone.

23:38 - Luke says the sign over Jesus said, "This is the king of the Jews." But none of the other gospels agree (Mt.23:37, Mk.14:26, Jn.19:19).

* All of these accounts mention an inscription that was written in Latin, Greek and Hebrew.  Mark and Luke record it saying "The King of the Jews."  Matthew records, "Jesus the King of the Jews."  John records, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."  These differences are negligible and are not contradicting.  A disagreement or contradiction would be one saying, "Jesus of Lebanon, King of the Greeks."  All of the gospels record similar and congruent statements.

23:39-40 - Luke says that only one of the thieves reviled Jesus; the other one (the "good thief") rebuked him for it. but according to Mark (15:32) both thieves reviled Jesus.

* According to the scriptures, both thieves reviled Jesus.  However, one of them had a change of heart and believed.

23:43 - Jesus tells the "good thief" that they will both be in heaven "today." But how can that be since it's only Friday and , according to the gospels, Jesus lay dead in the tomb Friday night and all day Saturday.

* Jesus did not say that His body would be present in Heaven.  However, He did say that Him and the thief would be.

23:44-45 - When Jesus was crucified, there was three hours of complete darkness "over all the earth." It is strange that there is no record of this extraordinary event outside of the gospels.

* There are many extraordinary things that are only mentioned in the scriptures.  This doesn't mean they did not happen.  Much of the Bible has been verified by archaeology, historical records, ancient writings and manuscripts, etc.

23:46 - Luke disagrees with Matthew (27:46) and John (19:30) on the last words of Jesus.

* After He received the vinegar, John states that Jesus said (in a regular voice), "It is finished."  Matthew 27:46 records Jesus crying, before receiving the vinegar, in a loud voice, "My God, why have you forsaken Me?," but clearly says He said something else in a loud voice (Matthew 27:50) before He died.  Luke 23:46 records Jesus crying, in a loud voice, "Into your hands, I commit my Spirit."

* These are all complementary statements that happened at different times.  They are clearly given by people who are in different proximities from Jesus' crucifixion.  John was near Jesus, but only recorded one of His statements.  Matthew was in the general vicinity of Jesus, before He said, "My God, why have you forsaken Me?," then He moved further from Him and couldn't record anything else He said.  Luke was eventually in the general vicinity and recorded Jesus' very last words.

* None of the disciples made "mutually exclusive" statements that would nullify any of the other accounts.  All of these statements were made my Jesus Christ and Matthew, Mark, Luke and John compiled an account of them.  Were there more statements that were not recorded?

23:47 - What did the centurion call Jesus when he died?

* Luke records the centurion saying, "Certainly, this was a righteous man."  Matthew and Mark record him saying, "Truly, this was the Son of God."  These are complementary phrases, so the centurion surely said both.

23:49 - Luke says that the women who followed Jesus to his crucifixion watched from "afar off." But John (19:25) says that they "stood by the cross."

* These two passages of scripture complement each other.  In John 19:25, the women are standing by the cross before Jesus dies.  This is proven by them clearly being there before Jesus is given the vinegar (John 19:29) and his death in verse 30.  In Matthew, He was given the vinegar in Matthew 27:48 and died in verse 50.  In Matthew 27:55, after Jesus' death, the women are "afar off."

23:50 - Is anyone good? Yes.

* Yes, people can be good.  They can also be bad.

23:50 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

Chapter 24

24:2 - Luke says that the women who came to anoint the dead body of Jesus found the tomb open when they arrived. but Matthew (28:2) says that the tomb was closed.

* Luke does not record all of the events that Matthew records.  For instance, he does not record the conversation with the angel.  However, this is simply an omission.  In this passage, Matthew records more details than Luke.

* Since Matthew was writing about this story after it had happened, Matthew 28:2-4 likely happened before the women arrived.  He simply explained some of the events that preceded their arrival.

24:4 - Luke says that the women saw "two men" inside the tomb, but Matthew (28:2) says that they saw "an angel" who was outside the tomb. Mark (16:5) and John (20:12) add further confusion by saying that the visitors saw "a young man" and "two angels," respectively.

* John records that Mary saw two angels (no sex mentioned), in white, sitting in the tomb.  Matthew mentions a conversation with a different angel - a male angel that was sitting on the stone (outside the tomb).  Mark records a young man sitting in the right side of the tomb.  Luke records two, male angels inside the tomb.

* These are all complementary stories.  None of them contradict each other.  John and Luke record two, male angels inside the tomb.  Mark only records one of them because only one spoke.  Matthew records a conversation with an angel that was outside of the tomb.  This doesn't contradict any of the other accounts. It complements them.

24:6-8 - The angel reminds the women that Jesus told them all about his death and resurrection. Yet John (20:8-9) says that they had never heard any of this before Jesus' death.

* John 20:8 and 9 read, "Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.  For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead."  These verses do not say that they had never heard any of this before Jesus' death.  In fact, the Greek word that has been translated into the English word "know" (in the phrase, "know the Scripture"), is better translated "understand."

* This correlates with other parts of scriptures.  Luke 18:31-34 reads, "Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, 'Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.  They will scourge Him and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again.'  But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken."

24:9 - Luke says that the women "told all these things to the eleven, and to the rest." But Mark (16:8) says the women "were afraid" and told no one.

* Mark 16:10 and 13 clearly state that these women told the rest about Jesus' resurrection.  Verse 8 simply indicates their first reaction.  Nonetheless, Mark tells us (two verses later) that they told the disciples.

24:10 - None of the evangelists agree on the identity of the visitors. Luke says their were five or more women, Matthew (28:1) says there were only two women, Mark (16:1) says there were three women, and John (20:1) says there was only one.

* John does not say that only one woman visited the tomb.  John records Mary Magdalene's visit to the tomb (in the dark).

* Matthew 28:1 reports that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were visiting the tomb at dawn.

* Mark reports that Mary Magdalene, the other Mary and Salome were visiting the tomb while the sun was rising.

* Luke uses the word "they" and does not indicate who was visiting the tomb.  He only indicates who told the account to the disciples.

* These accounts do not contradict.  First, there can be no argument from silence.  With this in mind, there are no conflicting stories, only separate accounts.  In order for a true conflict, one author would need to say that one of the women listed, in one or more of the gospels, was not there.

* If we take these accounts literally and assume each author knew exactly who was where at all times, then Mary Magdalene went to the tomb first.  Next, the other Mary joined her.  Immediately thereafter, Salome joined them.  After this, they returned and told the disciples what had happened.

24:11 - When Mary Magdalene and the other women gave their account of the resurrection to the apostles "their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not."

* This is what is recorded in the scriptures.

24:13-31 - To whom did Jesus make his first post-resurrection appearance?

* Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, first.  None of the New Testament scriptures contradict this.  Mark 16:9 clearly uses the word "first" to indicate that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, first.  No other passages of scripture use this word to indicate Jesus appearing to someone else, first.

24:16 - Two of Jesus' disciples failed to recognize him after his supposed resurrection. Maybe that was because the person they saw wasn't Jesus.

* This verse says that their eyes were "restrained" from recognizing Jesus.

24:23 - Did the women see the risen Jesus?

* Which women?  The scriptures clearly state that Mary Magdalene saw the resurrected Christ.  No scriptures contradict this.

24:25 - The man (whoever he was) who talked with the two unnamed apostles on the way to Emmaus calls them "fools," thereby making himself a candidate for "hell fire." (Mt.5:22)

* The warning about calling people fools is specifically given to people who do not try and correct people in love.  Out of an evil heart, they call people fools and leave them in their foolishness.  In this verse, Jesus corrects the fools, removing Himself as a candidate for hell fire.  Incidentally, Jesus had no sin, so He was never a candidate for hell fire.

24:33, 36 - Luke says that Jesus first appeared to the eleven apostles in a room in Jerusalem, but Matthew (28:16-17) says it occurred on a mountain in Galilee.

* Neither Luke 24, Mark 16, John 20 or Matthew 28 use the word "first."  Therefore, it is impossible to argue that one claimed their recorded appearance of Jesus came first.

* There is a large difference between a Bible writer omitting a particular event and that Bible writer claiming that a particular event occurred before another event written by a different Bible writer.

24:37 - The disciples were "terrified ... and supposed that they had seen a spirit." But John (20:20) says they were "glad."

* Both of these verses are correct and complementary.  These are two, different appearances and situations.

24:39 - In John 20:17, Jesus told the women not to touch him because he hadn't yet ascended to his father. Yet in this verse, before his ascension, he asks the disciples to touch him. Jesus says that "a spirit hath not flesh and bones" and Jn.24 says that "God is a spirit." Therefore, according to these verses, God doesn't have a body. Yet other verses disagree.

* There is no conflict here.

* God the Father (who resides in Heaven) has no body.  Jesus Christ was given an earthly body as He walked the Earth.

24:44,46 - Jesus claims that his suffering and death were a fulfillment of prophecy. But there is no such prophecy in the Old Testament.

* These things were written in many places in the Old Testament.  See Psalm 22, Hosea 6, Psalm 16, Isaiah 53, etc.

24:49 - Jesus tells his disciples to stay in Jerusalem after his ascension and instructs them to wait there to be "endured with power from on high." But in Matthew (28:10) and Mark (16:7), he tells them to go immediately to Galilee.

* In Matthew 28:10 and Mark 16:7, Jesus was telling them to go to Galilee before He ascended to Heaven.  This was before His command in Luke 24:49.  Therefore, He was simply commanding them to go to Galilee, then to stay in Jerusalem. 

* After His resurrection, Jesus walked the Earth for 40 days.  See Acts 1:3.

24:50-51 - Luke says Jesus ascended from Bethany, but Acts (1:9, 12 ) says he ascended from Mount Olivet.

* Mt. Olivet is in West Bethany.  I've been to Bethany and Mt. Olivet and there was no clear distinction between one ending and the other beginning.  

* Luke 19:29 clears up this alleged contradiction.  It reads, "And it came to pass, when He approached Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet . . ."  Luke makes a distinction between Bethany and Mt. Olivet, but clearly states they are in the same location.