Problem: Preterists argue that Jesus would return before the disciples were finished with their ministry. If Jesus invisibly returned in AD 70, then this passage would be perfectly fulfilled.
30
Jun
2020
Month: June 2020
29
Jun
2020
Matthew 10:23—Did Jesus promise to return to earth during the lifetime of the disciples?
Problem: Jesus sent His disciples on a mission and promised them, “you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” However, it is obvious that He never even went to heaven, to say nothing of returning again, before they had returned from their evangelistic tour.
28
Jun
2020
Matthew 10:22 – Does this passage deny eternal security?
Problem: Jesus told the disciples, “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved” (Mt. 10:22). Does this mean that believers need to persevere in order to be saved? Can believers lose their salvation?
27
Jun
2020
Matthew 10:13-14 – Isn’t it cruel to not pursue unwilling people?
Problem: Jesus said, “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14 Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet” (Mt. 10:13-14). Isn’t it cruel to refuse people the gospel?
26
Jun
2020
Matthew 10:5-6 – Was Jesus cruel in not ministering to the Gentiles?
Problem: Jesus told the Twelve, “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 10:5-6). He also said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 15:24). Was Jesus racist against Gentiles? Why does Jesus only care about the Jews?
25
Jun
2020
Matthew 10:5–6—Did Jesus come only for Jews or also for Gentiles?
Problem: Jesus told His disciples to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19), because He had “other sheep … which are not of this fold” (John 10:16). Even the OT prophets declared that Jesus would be “a light to the Gentiles” (Isa. 49:6). However, Jesus Himself instructed His disciples, “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans” (Matt. 10:5). Later, He affirmed, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24).
24
Jun
2020
Matthew 10:1-15 – Does the commissioning of the Twelve contradict Mark and Luke’s account?
Problem: Matthew records that the disciples shouldn’t acquire “a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff” (Mt. 10:9-10). Mark records, “[Jesus] instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt—but to wear sandals” (Mk. 6:8-9). Whereas Luke records that Jesus instructed, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece” (Lk. 9:3).
23
Jun
2020
Matthew 9:13 – Why does Jesus quote Hosea 6:6?
Problem: This doesn’t refer to replacing the Temple sacrifices (see “Common Jewish Questions about Jesus”). The context for Hosea is false repentance (Hos. 6:4ff). The Pharisees brought their sacrifices to the Temple, but they didn’t love. They believe that they’re healthy, because they are sacrificial. This tax collector was a sinner, but he realized his need for forgiveness. He’s sick and knows it (v.12). He needs God’s compassion.
22
Jun
2020
Matthew 8:28–34 — How many demoniacs were healed?
Problem: Matthew reports that two demoniacs came to Jesus, while Mark and Luke say that only one demoniac approached Him. This appears to be a contradiction.
21
Jun
2020
Matthew 8:28–34 —Where were the demoniacs healed?
Problem: The first three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) each give an account of Jesus healing demoniacs. Matthew states that the place where the healing took place was the country of the Gadarenes. However, Mark and Luke say it was in the country of the Gerasenes.
20
Jun
2020
Matthew 8:22 – Wasn’t it absurd for Jesus to tell the dead to bury their own dead?
Problem: A man wanted to follow Jesus but first asked Jesus if he could go and bury his father. Jesus responded, “let the dead bury their own dead.” But the dead can’t bury anyone. This doesn’t seem to make any sense.
19
Jun
2020
Matthew 8:21-22 – Wasn’t this insensitive and cruel?
Problem: One of the disciples said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father” (Mt. 8:21). But Jesus said, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead” (Mt. 8:22). Wasn’t this a cruel and insensitive statement from Jesus?
18
Jun
2020
Matthew. 8:5-13 – Does this contradict the account in Luke 7:1-10?
Problem: In the account of Jesus healing the centurion’s servant, there appear to be differing accounts. Of course, the biggest difference between the accounts is in the fact that Luke mentions that there are intermediaries between the centurion and Jesus. Matthew makes it seem like the centurion and Jesus met face to face, but Luke explains that they met through messengers. Which is it?
17
Jun
2020
Matthew 8:5–13 —Is there a mistake in the accounts concerning Jesus and the centurion?
Problem: Matthew seems to present the centurion as the one who seeks the help of Jesus (Matt. 8:5); but, Luke seeems to say that the centurion sent elders to see Jesus (Luke 7:3). Also, Matthew appears to say that the centurion himself comes to talk with Jesus. However, in Luke, the Bible says only the centurion’s representatives saw Jesus.
15
Jun
2020
Matthew 8:3 – Jesus breaking the law in touching a leper?
Problem: Jesus healed a leper by touching him. However, the Hebrew law stated that it is wrong to touch lepers. Leviticus 5:3 states, “If he touches human uncleanness, of whatever sort his uncleanness may be with which he becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, and then he comes to know it, he will be guilty.” Did Jesus commit a sin by touching the leper?