by Gary L. Evans
58 — When the Israelites dwelt in Shittim they committed adultery with the daughters of Moab. God struck them with a plague. How many people died in that plague?
Twenty-four thousand (Numbers 25:1-9)
Num 25:1-9 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
Twenty-three thousand (1 Corinthians 10:8)
1Co 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Dr. Bullinger explains the difference in the passage of Numbers: “three and twenty thousand. See Num_25:1-9 where the number is given as 24,000, but this included the princes of the people of verse 4. See note there. [Conversion note: verse 4 of what book and chapter? Num_25:4? 1Co_10:4? Neither verse describes “princes of the people”, so I left the original text as verse 4.]”
Num 25:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
Dr. Bullinger explains this verse: “heads: i.e. chiefs or princes of the People. The number not stated here, but must have been 1,000, and included in the 24,000 of Num_25:9, and excluded in 1Co_10:8. The 23,000 mentioned in 1Co_10:8 “fell in one day”: the day of the plague, verses: Num_25:9, Num_25:18. And those who were hanged prior to that (verses: Num_25:4, Num_25:5) are not included.”
59 — How many members of the house of Jacob came to Egypt?
Seventy souls (Genesis 46:27)
Gen 46:26-27 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were threescore and six; And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
Dr. Bullinger states: “out of his loins. This is said in order to distinguish the numbers sixtysix and seventy from Stephen’s seventy-five, in Act_7:14, which includes Jacob as well as “all his kindred” (which are not included in the direct descendants of this verse). These extra nine are made up in part by the five in 1Ch_7:14-20 (Machir, Gilead, Shuthelah, Tahath, Eden, as in Septuagint: also here).”
Seventy-five souls (Acts 7:14)
Act 7:13-14 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
See Dr. Bullinger’s note above.
60 — What did Judas do with the blood money he received for betraying Jesus?
He bought a field (Acts 1:18)
Act 1:16-20 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Dr. Bullinger States: “purchased = caused to be purchased. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect). App-6. See App-161.”
So Judas did not himself buy a field with the money, but the murderous chief priests who had Jesus crucified bought the field.
He threw all of it into the temple and went away. The priests could not put the blood money into the temple treasury, so they used it to buy a field to bury strangers (Matthew 27:5)
Mat 27:3-10 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
61 — How did Judas die?
After he threw the money into the temple he went away and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5)
Mat 27:3-5 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
The words “hanged himself” is from “ap-ang’-khom-ahee” which means to strangle oneself off (that is, to death): – hang himself.”
The use of this Greek word assumes that Judas committed suicide.
Dr. Bullinger states: “hanged himself. Greek. apagchomai. Occurs only here. Act_1:18 describes what took place, in consequence, afterward. He must have been hanging before he could “fall forward”. See note there. Greek. apagcho. Occurs only here (Mat_27:5) in N.T. Septuagint for hanak. 2Sa_17:23, only of Ahithophel, the type of Judas (Psa_55:14, Psa_55:15). See note on Act_1:18.”
Note that Dr. Bullinger states that “He must have been hanging before he could fall forward.”
After he bought the field with the price of his evil deed he fell headlong and burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out (Acts 1:18)
Act 1:17-19 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Recall that Dr. Bullinger stated above that “He must have been hanging before he could fall forward.”
The word “headlong” is from “pray-nace'” and means “leaning (falling) forward (“prone”), that is, head foremost.”
The words “burst asunder” are from “las’-kho” and means “A strengthened form of a primary verb, which only occurs in this and another prolonged form as an alternate in certain tenses; to crack open (from a fall).”
The word “bowels” is from “splēn” and means “(the “spleen”); an intestine (plural); figuratively pity or sympathy.”
The words “gushed out” is from “ek-kheh’-o” and means “to pour forth; figuratively to bestow.”
Putting these linguistic facts together as any investigator would, and without assuming suicide but also being open minded of the possibility of homicide, what do we actually know about this case?
Judas was strangled. He was not found hanging from a tree but somehow he had apparently fallen forward after he died. His abdomen was opened up such that his intestines fell out on the ground.
What causes strangulation? Hanging from a tree is one way, but his body was found on the ground. So it is very possible that someone strangled him to death.
Since he died by strangulation, what would cause him to fall forward? Was he pushed? Or did his body just drop down after he died?
What causes the abdomen to open up so completely that the intestines fall out? Falling from a high place onto rocks far down below can do that. That event was not described in this case. And most often it is caused by a knife cutting the abdomen from below the navel up to the sternum.
In my opinion, the descriptions provided by these witnesses of Judas’s dead body, there is clear evidence of likely homicide. It is possible from the evidence that someone strangled him, while someone else cut his belly from bottom to top, then pushed him over and down causing his intestines to fall out.
So who would have a motive to murder Judas? The High Priests who had born false witness against Jesus to cause Him to be crucified. False witness in that case is punishable by death, so to prevent Judas’s possible testimony against them after he repented, eliminating him would be necessary.
Deu 19:16-19 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
62 — Why is the field called “Field of Blood”?
Because the priests bought it with the blood money (Matthew 27:8)
Mat 27:3-8 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Because of the bloody death of Judas therein (Acts 1:19)
Act 1:18-19 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
Note that Judas threw the money onto the floor of the Temple, then immediately went out and died somehow, either by suicide or by homicide. But the point is, he didn’t have the money anymore to buy anything with it.
Judas did not “purchase a field” but his repentance and subsequent throwing the money back to those High Priests who had paid him to betray Jesus resulted in those Priests using the money to buy the field.
63 — Who is a ransom for whom?
“The Son of Man came…to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). “Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all… “ (1Timothy 2:5-6)
Mark 10:42-45 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The word “ransom” is from the Greek “loo’-tron” which means “something to loosen with, that is, a redemption price (figuratively atonement).”
1Ti 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
This word “ransom” is from the Greek “an-til’-oo-tron” which means “a redemption price.”
“The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright” (Proverbs 21:18)
Pro 21:18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
This word “ransom” is from the Hebrew “ko’-fer” and means “properly a cover, that is, (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as used for coating), and the henna plant (as used for dyeing); figuratively a redemption price.”
This Hebrew word is very different than what our Lord and Savior did for us, my friends.
64 — Is the Law of Moses useful?
Yes. “All scripture is… profitable…” (2 Timothy 3:16)
2Ti 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
No. “. . . A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness…“ (Hebrews 7:18)
Heb 7:12-13 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
The tribe of Levi was ordained to be the Priesthood.
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a descendant of Nathan who was a son of David, who was of the tribe of Judah.
Heb 7:15-17 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
The Lord declared that The Messiah would be an Eternal Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Now that Christ is The Eternal Priest, the Mosaic Law ordaining a temporal flesh tribe of man as priests is superseded by The Eternal Order.
Psa 110:4-5 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.
This flesh world will pass away, my friends.
Heb 7:18-19 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The ordaining of the tribe of Levi could not save us from sin and death, but The New Covenant sealed by The Blood of Christ certainly can make us perfect, by giving us a new heart and mind, the Heart and Mind of Christ, Who is without sin. This is why Christ has given us a better hope than the tribe of Levi ever could.
The ordinances of The Temple and the Priesthood of the tribe of Levi are all superseded by Christ Jesus and the New Covenant in His Blood. Note I say “the Temple ordinances.” And these are separate from The Commandments, Laws, and Statutes. We no longer have a temple, and no longer need a man priest to mediate between us and God. We are the Temple, and our Eternal Priest and our God dwells in us.
Using modern laws for examples, the difference between Criminal Law and Civil Law are the difference between the Commandment, “Thou shalt not murder,” which carries the death penalty for transgression, and the Temple ordinances. Although transgressing the ordinances for a priest especially could carry the death penalty, in general they were more like our civil laws. For example, “Do not exceed 65 mph,” which carries a fine as a penalty for transgression but not the death penalty. And such ordinances are subject to change as traffic conditions change over time.
Heb 7:20-21 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
The Messiah was declared a Priest by an oath of God Who “sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”
Heb 7:22-25 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
65 — What was the exact wording on the cross?
“This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37)
Mat 27:35-37 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Dr. Bullinger states: “set up over His head. This is not therefore the inscription written by Pilate and put upon the cross before it left Pilate’s presence (Joh_19:19); this was brought after the dividing of the garments; and was probably the result of the discussion of Joh_19:21, Joh_19:22. See App-163.”
Dr. Bullinger’s note above informs us that after The High Priests argued with Pilate about what he had written in the original title placed on the cross before the crucifixion, they appear to have have placed a revised title over His head after Jesus was crucified.
John 19:21-22 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
Likely translated from the Hebrew inscription.
“The King of the Jews” (Mark 15:26)
Mark 15:26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Dr. Bullinger states: “superscription, &c. = inscription of His indictment. Not the writing put “over His head “(Mat_27:37). See App-163.”
Likely translated from the Latin inscription.
“This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38)
Luk 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Likely translated from the Greek inscription.
“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19)
Joh 19:19-22 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
John informs us that these inscriptions in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin were written by Pilate himself. “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross.”
TSK Cross Reference with John 19:19 states: “And the: The apparent discrepancy between the accounts of this title given by the Evangelists, which has been urged as an objection against their inspiration and veracity, has been most satisfactorily accounted for by Dr. Townson; who supposes that, as it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, it might have slightly varied in each language; and that, as Luke and John wrote for the Gentiles, they would prefer the Greek inscription, that Matthew, addressing the Jews, would use the Hebrew, and that Mark, writing to the Romans, would naturally give the Latin.”
Likely translated from the Greek inscription.
This is definitely a confusing issue, but every time the Kenites get their way, the simple truth is obfuscated by twisting the truth making it confusing. Pilate had originally written a TITLE that he had placed on the cross BEFORE THE CRUCIFIXION. Then the High Priests argued with Pilot and insisted that the accusation against Him in the trial about what He had supposedly said be placed over His head AFTER HIS CRUCIFIXION. So there may have been two different inscriptions placed on the cross, and each one was written in three different languages. Naturally there are differences in translations.
66 — Did Herod want to kill John the Baptist?
Yes (Matthew 14:5)
Mat 14:3-5 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
The phrase “when he would” is from the Greek “thel’-o” which means “to determine (as an active voice option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 properly denotes rather a passive voice acquiescence in objective considerations), that is, choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication to wish, that is, be inclined to (sometimes adverbially gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism to delight in: – desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, -ling [ly]). So it means “to wish” or “be inclined to.”
Dr. Bullinger states: “when he would have put him to death. = wishing (App-102.) to kill him.”
Herod’s wife Herodias hated John The Baptist, and because of her he had John put into prison to please her, and also obviously remained conflicted about him because of her.
No. It was Herodias, the wife of Herod who wanted to kill him. But Herod knew that he was a righteous man and kept him safe (Mark 6:20)
Mark 6:17-20 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
Dr. Bullinger states: “observed = kept him (John) safe [from her]: or, protected him; i.e. for the reason given. Occurs only here, and Mat_9:17. Luk_2:19; Luk_5:28,”
So Herod protected John from his wife because he respected him and enjoyed hearing him teach.
Each account complements the other together providing a clearer picture of how Herod felt about John The Baptist. It was his unlawful wife, Herodias, who was also the wife of Herod’s brother, who obsessed over having John killed to shut him up.