Mat 6:1 What three religious acts does Jesus single out in Mat 6:1-18 as deeds of righteousness? See Mat 6:2,5,16. Is His criticism against these acts themselves? How do these three acts exemplify the “pure and undefiled religion” that James mentions in Jam 1:27? I.e., which of the three looks after orphans and widows in…
Mat 5:43-48 See again Mat 5:20: what is the fifth example that Jesus gives in which our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven? Lev 19:18 from which Jesus quotes does not mention hate for enemies; from where did this rabbinical tradition that…
Mat 5:33-37 See again Mat 5:20: what is the third example that Jesus gives in which our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven? What is the purpose of swearing an oath or taking a vow? See Num 30:2, Heb 6:16. What is…
Mat 5:27-28 See Mat 5:20: what is the second example that Jesus gives in which our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven? See Mat 5:17; with what fullness did Jesus fill the seventh commandment of Moses? How does this and the fullness with…
Mat 5:20-22 What is the first example that Jesus gives in which our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees if we are to enter the kingdom of heaven? Read Mat 5:17; with what fullness did Jesus fill the sixth commandment of Moses? Where does murder take place as God sees it and…
“Whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” 1) What is the fiery hell, and how is it different from Hades or Sheol? “Fiery hell” is literally the “Gehenna of fire”; Gehenna is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew “Valley of Hinnom” (Gey-Hinnom, valley of lamentation) that in…
Mat 5:13: With what figure does Christ describe His disciples in this verse? What is salt used for, and how is that like Christians are to be in the world? See Lev 2:13, Col 4:6. Give examples of what it means for a Christian to become “tasteless” in society. Is it significant that the word…
Mat 5:6 For what does the carnal man who sees only in the temporal realm hunger and thirst? See Luk 15:11-13, Joh 6:26. Are those who live only for their flesh ever truly satisfied? See Luk 15:14-16; cf. Ecc 1:8, 2:10-11, 4:8, 5:10, 6:7. Who does Jesus say in this verse shall be satisfied? What…
Mat 5:3 What is meant by “blessed” in this and the following verses? Note: “blessed” in English has two meanings that correspond to two different Greek words: to be well spoken of, and to be happy or fortunate; the Greek word for the latter (makarios) is what is used here. What does it mean to…
Mat 4:23-25 Describe the four aspects of Jesus’ ministry that Matthew records in Mat 4:23. What was the central precept of the gospel of the kingdom he was proclaiming and for which John had prepared the people? See again Mat 4:17, 3:2. Why is it significant that the “healing” aspect of Jesus’ ministry is mentioned…