Consider Jesus’ teaching on the sanctity of marriage and the seriousness of divorce: what is the spiritual significance of marriage that makes it so important in the eyes of God? Recall the nature of God and the creative relationship of the Father through the Son (Gen 1:26-27, Joh 13:3, 16:28[1], Joh 1:1-3, 1Co 8:6, Col…
Leviticus 21:7 [Of priests:] 'They shall not take a woman who is profaned by harlotry, nor shall they take a woman divorced from her husband; for he is holy to his God. Leviticus 21:13-15 [Of the high priest:] ‘And he shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow, or a divorced woman, or one…
Recall from Mat 19:3 that the Pharisees had asked Jesus if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause at all, His answer to which was clearly “no” because they are no longer two but one flesh. Are we to then understand that there is no cause for which it…
What question had the Pharisees just asked Jesus in Mat 19:3, and what was His reply? See Mat 19:4-6. How did the Pharisees understand Jesus’ answer, and how does that contrast with most Christians’ understanding today? See Mat 19:7. What was their response? Had Moses in fact given a command regarding divorce as they were…
What question did the Pharisees pose to Jesus in Mat 19:3? Were they sincere in really wanting to know His thoughts on the matter? What word indicates their insincerity? Where was Jesus at when the Pharisees came to him with their question? See Mat 19:1. What is the significance that this was the territory of…
What does Mat 19:1 say Jesus did after finishing His discourse with the disciples about their attitudes toward little ones in the faith, dealing with the sins of those who stray, and forgiveness (Mat 18)? Cf. Mar 10:1. What does Luke add about this journey? See Luk 9:51-56. In harmonizing the gospel accounts, what does…
When does Matthew say that Jesus explained this parable? See Mat 13:36. What is the significance that it was only after leaving the multitudes and entering into the house that He explained its meaning? See Mat 13:11; cf. Luk 8:16. What does this teach us about how we are to come to understand the “things…
Who does the thorny soil represent in the parable of the sower? See Mat 13:22. Does seed that is sown among thorns sprout, and even take root? What does this imply about those who are like seed sown among thorns? In the terms used by many churches today, would they say, and would these be…
What does Mat 13:18 indicate about how willing Jesus is to explain His parables to those who are willing to forsake their lives in this world to follow Him? Cf. Luk 8:16-18 and think: what is the lamp, who has lit it, and what must one do in order to see its light? In this…
To what does Jesus refer in Mat 13:12? I.e., “whoever has, to him shall more be given”: but has what, and what is it that more shall be given to him? See Mat 13:11 and think: besides to see and to hear, what word occurs three times in the next three verses? By what means…