Mat 3:11-12 Is baptism an Old Covenant rite? Is the rite of baptism ever mentioned in the Old Testament Scriptures? Where did it come from? See Lev 11:32, 14:49-53, Num 19:17-21, Joh 2:6, 3:22-26, Mar 7:1-4, Heb 6:2, 9:10.[1] Was John’s baptism basically the same as what we know as Christian baptism? See Act 19:1-6. …
Mat 3:1-6 What two words in Mat 3:1 describe the two-fold ministry of John? See also Mat 3:6. Where did he preach and baptize? What is the significance that a message like that of John’s comes from “the wilderness”? Do such messages arise from those who are surrounded by the world and the things of…
Mat 2:13-15: By what means did the Lord warn and direct Joseph? See Mat 2:13, and cf. Mat 2:12,19,22. Are we attentive to our dreams if perchance God should speak to us in them? How long does it appear that Joseph waited before giving heed to the warning in his dream and departing for Egypt? …
Mat 2:1-12: What does Mat 2:1 teach us about the date when Jesus was born?[1] Who were the magi, and where were they from?[2] What significance would the inclusion of the coming of the (Gentile) magi have held for Matthew’s readers at a time when the gospel was spreading rapidly among the Gentiles and generating…
Mat 1:18-19: What do Mat 1:18-19 teach us about the binding nature of betrothal in the Jewish culture? Cf. Deut 22:23-27. Why was Joseph going to divorce Mary? Consider the emotions of betrayal and the threat to Mary’s marriage relationship with Joseph that her miraculous conception would cause, as well as the shame and humiliation…
Some suggest that Luke gives Jesus’ descent through Mary, which is a possible, but somewhat strained explanation in light of Luk 3:23 which would otherwise seem to clearly indicate that Luke too is tracing Jesus’ line through Joseph. Consider also that since Mary was related to Elizabeth (Luk 1:36) who was “from the daughters of…
Mat 1:1 Note: “book” is the Greek word transliterated as biblos from which we get our word Bible. Note: “genealogy” in this verse is the same word translated in Mat 1:18 as “birth” and is the Greek word transliterated as “genesis”; why is such a term appropriate in describing the human beginnings of the Son…
Introduction to Matthew: It is appropriate that Matthew is placed first in the New Testament because it is the most Jewish of the gospels and forms a natural bridge from the Old Testament. Matthew’s gospel contains more quotes and allusions to the Old Testament than any other New Testament book. A Jew himself, Matthew’s purpose…
Luke’s Gospel: There is strong internal evidence that Luke had written and was distributing copies of his gospel prior to 56 a.d. This is the approximate date Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia during his third missionary journey. In it Paul wrote that Titus, who had just returned from Corinth with comforting news to the apostle…
The Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because of the similarities in the chronicle of Christ’s life and ministry they present. However, in addition to their similarities each also has its unique differences so that the question arises about their literary relationship: Was there some common source of…