Mat 16:4 How did Jesus answer the request of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Considering that Jesus did many signs in order that people might believe (see Joh 20:30-31), indeed, so many as to fill the whole world with books (Joh 21:25), what does his response indicate about the way that God answers those whose hearts…
Mat 16:1 Where was Jesus when the Pharisees and Sadducees came up to test Him? See Mat 15:39. What is significant about the fact that the Pharisees and Sadducees came together in order to test Him? Cf. Act 23:6-10 and think: were the Pharisees and Sadducees political allies or rivals? Considering their bitter opposition…
In what ways was this event similar to the feeding of the 5000 recorded in Mat 14:13-21 and Mar 6:30-44? Think: what was multiplied? Was it a large or small number who were fed? Were women and children included in the count of those who were fed at each? Was it in Judea or Galilee…
Mat 15:29 From where had Jesus just departed? See Mat 15:21. Where in particular around the sea of Galilee does Mark say that Jesus departed to? See Mar 7:31. Where was the region of Decapolis in relation to Galilee that was ruled by Herod Antipas, and to Iturea and Trachonitis (Luk 3:1) that was ruled…
Mat 15:24-25 To whom does Jesus say He was sent to minister and provide deliverance and salvation? See Mat 15:24. What was His reception from those to whom He was sent? See Mat 15:1-2, 12:22-24, Joh 1:11, etc… How was His reception by this cursed Canaanite woman much different? After being put off twice, what…
Mat 15:21 For what reason did Jesus withdraw? See the previous context and cf. Mat 4:12, 12:14-15, 14:12-13. What does Jesus’ example teach us about what is the prudent thing to do when confronted with endangering opposition? Cf. Mat 10:23. What is significant about the region of Tyre and Sidon? Think: were these Jewish cities? …
What concern seems to be behind the disciples’ question to Jesus in Mat 15:12? See again Mat 15:1 and think: if the power brokers of our own day went out of their way to meet with us, would we consider it in our best interests to say something that we knew might offend them even…
Consider the spiritual counterpart of “eating bread”, namely, studying the word of God, meditating upon it, and taking it to heart; what would the spiritual counterpart of washing the hands be in this context? Cf. Jam 4:8. Is it necessary for a person to have already first repented of all his sins and so washed…
Again, about what issue did the Pharisees and scribes challenge Jesus? See Mat 15:2; cf. Mar 7:2-3. Isn’t it a good idea to wash your hands before you eat? What notions were behind their regard for cleanliness, and were their notions much different from ours today? I.e., were their notions entirely ceremonial, or did they…
What did Jesus call the Pharisees for their religious pretense? See Mat 15:7. The Greek word for hypocrite means literally an actor; in what way is this a good description of those whose religious profession is not sincere? In the day of judgment, will God judge men on the basis of their acting ability, or…