The life of Jesus as presented by Matthew. The gospel covers His virginal birth to His death and resurrection. Matthew also presents Jesus as the Lion of Judah and the fulfillment of prophecy. It is placed first in the New Testament because many of the early church leaders believed it to be the ...
18
votes
4answers
7k views
What does “meek” mean in Matthew 5:5?
Matthew 5:5 (NIV)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
What does "meek" mean in the original language? Is "meek" a good translation for the original Greek word?
12
votes
4answers
2k views
Who are “the least of these my brothers” in Matthew 25?
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches that when the Son of Man comes in his glory, he will separate sheep and goats along certain lines, saying: "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
Are the 'ten virgins' told in Jesus' parable multiple brides or just general wedding party?
Jesus told a parable about the kingdom of God involving "ten virgins" and a "bridegroom". It starts out in the beginning of Matthew:
Matthew 25:1-2 (ESV)
1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be ...
11
votes
3answers
625 views
How is it that Jesus could be “three days and three nights in the heart of the earth”?
This verse is usually interpreted as a prophetic word by Jesus about Himself:
Matthew 12:40: For as Jonas was three days and three nights
in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three ...
11
votes
1answer
144 views
Does baptizing come after discipling in Matthew 28:19?
Matthew 28:19 (ESV) reads:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
In the Greek, (according to Blue ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Why is the “give to Caesar what is Caesar's” answer so great?
After being asked whether it was right to pax taxes, Jesus repies:
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Why is that an answer that "amazed" them? To a modern person, it ...
10
votes
3answers
611 views
Why does Matthew double people?
Matthew seems to mention two people (or animals) where other Gospels mention just one, e.g.
two demon possessed men, in Matthew 8:28-34 (compare Mark 5:1-17 and Luke 8:26-39)
two blind men, in ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Comparison of English word “fool” in original Hebrew and Greek
Question is based on this comment on Christiantity SE.
In the OT, the word fool is apparently used to describe atheists:
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1 and Psalm ...
9
votes
3answers
5k views
What is the significance of '14 generations' in Matthew’s account of Jesus's genealogy?
After giving Jesus's genealogy in the first chapter, Matthew goes on to point out the number of generations between significant events:
Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to ...
8
votes
5answers
501 views
What does Jesus mean in Matthew 26:64 with “You have said so”?
There was a question recently about this verse and what Jesus actually meant here. So, I thought I'd post this question to see what you guys thought.
In Matthew 26, Jesus is before the Sanhedrin. ...
8
votes
3answers
91 views
How many animals is the King of Zion to ride according to Zechariah?
I've read that Zechariah prophesied that the King of Zion would enter the city on a donkey with another donkey in tow. But the passage seems to indicate just one animal to me:
Rejoice greatly, O ...
8
votes
4answers
846 views
Are good works supposed to be seen or not?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his disciples, saying, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew ...
8
votes
3answers
168 views
What is the difference in the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God?
Some assert the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God refer to the same thing while others say they are synonyms. Which is accurate?
For example: Luke 17:21 uses Kingdom of God while Matthew 11:11 ...
8
votes
2answers
129 views
If a “house divided cannot stand” how did non-disciples cast out demons?
Really what I'm getting at is two lines of reasoning I see in gospel accounts that seem to contradict one another.
In particular I'm thinking of the pericope in which Jesus is accused of casting out ...
7
votes
4answers
921 views
Forgive us our “debts”? “sins”? “trespasses”? Which is the most accurate translation?
It seems that there are three popular versions of this passage in the Lord's prayer. "Forgive us our sins", "Forgive us our debts", and "Forgive us our trespasses".
I see one version here in the ...
7
votes
1answer
264 views
Jesus's genealogy: 28 generations or 41 since David?
These questions keep me wondering:
Firstly, how is it possible that Matthew and Luke came up with completely different genealogies of Jesus ancestors, if they are both following the masculine line?
...
7
votes
4answers
233 views
What does it mean for Jesus to fulfill the law?
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says he didn't come to abolish the law or Prophets but to fulfill them. What does it mean to "fulfill the law"?
7
votes
3answers
156 views
Does Theophilus of Antioch's statement have any bearing on interpreting Mathew 5:28?
I found a quote on this site which calls into question the accuracy of Matthew 5:28 in the KJV according to a quotation of Theophilus of Antioch:
"ἡ δὲ εὐαγγέλιος φωνὴ ἐπιτατικώτερον διδάσκει ...
7
votes
1answer
813 views
Why pray, “lead us not into temptation”?
Those famous words from The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:13:
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
I find puzzling. Why would anyone ask God not to lead is into ...
7
votes
2answers
215 views
“My son” in Hosea 11:1 quoted in Matt. 2:14-15
Matthew 2:14-15 (NASB) reads:
14So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill ...
7
votes
1answer
143 views
What does Jesus mean by “vain repetition” or “babbling” in Matthew 6:7?
What ancient tradition of prayer is Jesus critical of in Matthew 6:7?
In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. (NABRE)
But ...
6
votes
5answers
4k views
When did Jesus change his view on preaching to Gentiles?
In John 10:16 Jesus says (ESV quoted):
And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
The ...
6
votes
2answers
486 views
What are the arguments in favor of Matthean Priority?
The synoptic problem refers to scholars' attempts to understand the relationship among the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke (known as the synoptic gospels because they have so much material in ...
6
votes
1answer
121 views
How did Judas die?
In fact, there are multiple discrepancies between these two verses, what did really happen?
Matthew 27:5-8
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged ...
6
votes
2answers
141 views
Matthew 11:25: What question is Jesus answering here?
Matthew 11:25: “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes”
...
6
votes
4answers
417 views
Misleading “but” in Matthew 5:22 KJV?
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother
without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever
shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: ...
6
votes
3answers
185 views
How does Jesus' being from Nazareth fulfill the prophets?
In Matthew 2:23 we read, "And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: 'He shall be called a Nazarene.'" Since there doesn't seem to be a ...
6
votes
1answer
43 views
Who are the disciples to fear in Matthew 10:28?
Who is Jesus telling the disciples to fear here in Matthew 10:28 (ESV):
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in ...
6
votes
2answers
72 views
Did Jesus teach people to literally pluck their eye out and cut their hand off?
The passage from the Sermon on the Mount (and see also Matthew 18:8-9) is a familiar one:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at ...
6
votes
1answer
188 views
How can the flight to Egypt in Matthew 2:15 be a fulfillment of Hosea 11:1? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“My son” in Hosea 11:1 quoted in Matt. 2:14-15
I don't understand the basis for dual fulfillment, specifically as referenced:
Now when they had departed, behold, an ...
6
votes
5answers
8k views
What is the meaning of “poor in spirit” in Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - KJV Matthew 5:3
How can the "poor in spirit" get the kingdom of heaven? Is there a similar usage else where?
6
votes
5answers
661 views
Who is being “taken” in Matthew 24:40-41?
Matthew 24:40-41 (ESV)
Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two
women will be grinding oat at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
One of the interpretations ...
6
votes
3answers
236 views
What is the sign of the Son of Man?
What is the sign of the Son of Man spoken of in Matthew 24:30?—
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in
the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see
the ...
5
votes
3answers
183 views
Satan: Stumbling Block or Accuser?
I was always taught that Satan meant "stumbling block" or some such. When Jesus cursed Peter saying, "Get behind me Satan" (Matthew 16:23), my parish priest, at least, always says Jesus is saying ...
5
votes
2answers
316 views
How did Jesus say “Unless the marriage is unlawful”?
Often, when passages have parentheses they're meant to convey an extra meaning or add to the context of the sentence or something of that nature.
But when Jesus says this:
31“It was also said, ...
5
votes
1answer
72 views
Why does Luke 11:20 read “The Finger of God” instead of “Spirit of God”?
In Matthew's account (12:27-28), we read (All quotes from NIV, all empahsis mine):
And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ...
5
votes
1answer
45 views
How should πονηρός be translated in Matthew 7:11, and why?
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone ...
5
votes
2answers
276 views
Does the New Testament predict Jesus' return on Rosh Hashanah?
The day of the Lord's return is sometimes associated with trumpets in the New Testament:
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and ...
5
votes
1answer
209 views
Translation of “this generation will not pass away” in Matthew 24:34?
I'm curious specifically regarding the translation of the word "generation" here in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32.
Matthew 24:34 (NIV)
Truly I tell you, this generation will ...
4
votes
3answers
263 views
Did Jesus endorse tithing for all when addressing the Pharisees?
Here's the text of Luke 11:42:
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the ...
4
votes
7answers
466 views
What does Matthew 18:8-9 say about eternity?
Matthew 18:8-9 (NIV):
8If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and ...
4
votes
3answers
240 views
Why are fathers missing in Mark 10:30?
Mark 10:29 mentions father, but Mark 10:30 doesn't.
Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my ...
4
votes
1answer
137 views
Why is there numerical ambiguity in Matthew 18:21-22?
Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus ...
4
votes
7answers
459 views
What does it mean that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist?
Matthew 11:11 (KJV):
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is ...
4
votes
2answers
110 views
Is “puppies” a justifiable translation of κυναρίοις?
Mark 7 contains an odd little story:
And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. But ...
4
votes
2answers
55 views
Parallelism in the Beatitudes
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit ...
4
votes
1answer
122 views
Was Barabbas' given name Jesus?
The ESV is typical in it's rendering of Barabbas' name:
Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious ...
4
votes
2answers
116 views
Matthew 27:62: “the day that followed the day of the preparation” - Why not call Sabbath a Sabbath?
In the following verse
Matthew 27:62 Now the next day, that followed the day of
the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto
Pilate
Why didn't Matthew simply say "on ...
4
votes
1answer
135 views
Why is Zerah mentioned in Matthew's genealogy?
In Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, he records the names of both of the sons of Judah and Tamar: Perez and Zerah, who were twins. Zerah is not a direct ancestor of Jesus, since the line goes through ...
4
votes
2answers
303 views
Peter's Denial and the Rooster Crowing
In Matthew 26:34, we see Jesus telling Peter that before rooster crows, you will disown me three times:
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown ...
