by Gary L. Evans
39 — When Jesus met Jairus was Jairus’ daughter already dead?
Yes. Matthew 9:18 quotes him as saying, “My daughter has just died.”
Mat 9:18-19 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
The word “ruler” is from the Greek “ar’-khone” and means “Present participle of G757; a first (in rank or power).” So a ruler or magistrate came and worshiped Jesus, and asked Him to raise his daughter from the dead.
Mat 9:23-26 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
Jesus went to the ruler’s house and explained to the mourners there that the girl was not dead but only sleeping. But Jesus used the word “sleep” to represent the death of the flesh body as opposed to the death of the soul in The Lake of Fire. Then Jesus raised the girl from the dead.
No. Mark 5:23 quotes him as saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death.”
Mark 5:21-24 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
A ruler of the synagogue came and worshiped Jesus and begged Him to come to his house and heal his dying daughter. And Jesus went with him.
Mark 5:35-37 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
But even before they left, someone from the ruler’s house arrived and told the ruler that his daughter was already dead, so why bother Jesus. Then Jesus told him not to be afraid but just believe that He could raise her from the dead.
Mark 5:38-40 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
When they got to the man’s house, Jesus explained that the girl was only sleeping, implying that only her flesh body had died but her soul was still alive in Heaven.
Mark 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
Then Jesus raised the girl from the dead and told those around them to give the girl something to eat.
In both of the accounts, in Matthew and in Mark, before they left the crowd to go to the ruler’s house, his daughter was already dead. So the ruler had to believe that Jesus could raise the dead before they went to his house.
Note that every investigator understands that if two or more people observe an event at the same time and then later write down how he or she remembers that event, the investigator will get a different description of that event from each observer. This difference is quite natural because people remember different aspects of the event, and their memories can change over time. But their different recollections does not mean that anyone is lying. Even with their differences, their accounts may still be true and reliable, just that some have more detail than the others.
40 — Did Jesus allow his disciples to keep a staff on their journey?
Yes (Mark 6: 8)
Mark 6:7-9 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
The Lord’s instruction was to go as they were, carrying nothing extra for the trip.
The TSK Cross Reference states: “save: Matthew says that they were to take “neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves;” but this precept plainly means, “Go just as you are; take no extra coat, pair of shoes, or staff other than what you already have.”
A “scrip” was a shepherd’s bag for carrying food and other supplies when traveling or working outside for the entire day.
1Sa 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
Young David, who was a shepherd, put five stones in his shepherd’s bag before he went to battle the giant.
The Smith’s Bible Dictionary states: “Scrip. The Hebrew word thus translated appears in 1Sa_17:40, as a synonym for the bag in which the shepherds of Palestine carried their food or other necessities. The scrip of the Galilean peasants was of leather, used especially to carry their food on a journey, and slung over their shoulders. Mat_10:10; Mark_6:8; Luk_9:3; Luk_22:35. The English word “scrip” is probably connected with scrape, scrap, and was used in like manner for articles of food.
No (Matthew 10:9; Luke 9:3)
Mat 10:5-10 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
The word “meat” in the Old English simply means “food,”
The keywords here are “provide neither…” and “neither two…”, indicating that they were not to take any of some things like money and food nor to take more than one of some other things, just what they were wearing.
The word “stave” is from the Greek “hrab’-dos” which means “a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or a baton of royalty): – rod, sceptre, staff.”
The implication is that they were not to carry more than one staff. Note that “staves” is plural of “staff.”
Luk 9:1-3 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
The phrase “take nothing” simply implies that they were not to carry anything extra for their journey other than what they were already wearing or carrying.
41 — Did Herod think that Jesus was John the Baptist?
Yes (Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:16)
Mat 14:1-2 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
Matthew states that Herod said “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead” showing how convinced he was.
Mark 6:14-16 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
Mark also states that Herod said “That John the Baptist was risen from the dead” showing how convinced he was.
No (Luke 9:9)
Luk 9:7-9 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
Luke states that Herod said “John have I beheaded: but who is this?”
The word “perplexed” is from the Greek “dee-ap-or-eh’-o” which means “to be thoroughly nonplussed: – (be in) doubt, be (much) perplexed.”
People were saying that Jesus could be John The Baptist “risen from the dead” and that possibility worried Herod, because he had beheaded him, and had a very guilty conscience. This passage does not say that Herod did not believe that Jesus was John. On the contrary it explains how worried he was after hearing so many rumors about Jesus. And that’s why he wanted to see Jesus to find out the truth of the matter.
42 — Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus before his baptism?
Yes (Matthew 3:13-14)
Mat 3:13-15 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
No (John 1:32-33)
Joh 1:25-27 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
The hypocrites were asking John The Baptist why he baptized the people. And he answered, “I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not…” So John knew already that The Messiah was among the people.
It is important to note that John The Baptist was the cousin of Jesus. When John’s mother, Elisabeth, was pregnant with John. her cousin Mary visited her after she was impregnated by The Holy Spirit. And when Mary arrived with Jesus in her womb, Elisabeth’s baby leapt in her womb for joy. Then Mary told Elisabeth everything that had happened to her and what the angel had said to her.
So John had known Jesus since they were children, being just six months apart.
Joh 1:29-34 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Perhaps after not seeing Jesus since He was twelve, John may not have easily recognized his cousin now that He was thirty. But the moment he perceived The Holy Spirit in Jesus, John knew precisely who He was, The Son of God.
43 — Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus after his baptism?
Yes (John 1:32-33)
Joh 1:32-34 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
No (Matthew 11:2)
Mat 11:2-6 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
John was in prison and could not see what was happening outside the prison walls. But he was hearing rumors and surely things that his disciples were telling him about. And he wanted Jesus to verify that this was indeed the set time and that Jesus was indeed The Messiah who was to be killed according to Daniel’s Prophesy to seal The New Covenant.
So Jesus sent back to John a clear description of the works that He was performing, knowing that John would recognize them in The Scriptures as pertaining to The Messiah. Note that Jesus did not begin His ministry UNTIL AFTER John was cast into prison and therefore John could not know what Jesus had been doing except by hearsay. But now Jesus responded in this way to send him a resounding, “YES!”
44 — According to the Gospel of John, what did Jesus say about bearing his own witness?
“If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true” (John 5:31)
Joh 5:30-31 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
The Law required that every matter be establish by two or more credible witnesses, excluding personal testimony which is expected to be biased. So Jesus said that if He testified of Himself, The Law required us not to believe it without other witnesses. Then Jesus stated that John The Baptist testified of Jesus, and he was a credible witness who could be believed.
Joh 5:32-34 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
Then Jesus explained that the very works which He did were also a witness that He had been sent by God The Father to do these things.
Joh 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
Then Jesus stated that God The Father through His Word was a witness of Jesus’ identity and mission to provide Eternal Life to us.
Joh 5:37-39 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
So even without accepting Jesus’ testimony, He already showed how He had three other credible witnesses who testified of Him.
“Even if I do bear witness to myself, my testimony is true” (John 8:14)
Joh 8:12-14 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Recall that Jesus had three credible witnesses testify of His identity and mission from God. So His credibility and trustworthiness was fully established.
The hypocrites accused Jesus of bearing witness about Himself, thus could not be believed. Jesus answered by simply saying that even if He did testify of Himself, He knew who He was and could testify about Himself in truth, because Jesus always spoke the truth and never lied. It is impossible for God to lie.
45 — When Jesus entered Jerusalem did he cleanse the temple that same day?
Yes (Matthew 21:12)
Mat 21:10-11 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
A large crowd of people came with Jesus, who was riding on a donkey, spreading their garments along the path as they would for a king coming into Jerusalem.
Mat 21:12-13 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mat 21:15-17 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Smith’s Bible Dictionary states: “Beth’any. (house of dates, or house of misery). A village which, scanty as are the notices of it contained in Scripture, is more intimately associated in our minds, than perhaps any other place, with the most familiar acts and scenes of the last days of the life of Christ. It was situated “at” the Mount of Olives, Mark_11:1; Luk_19:29, about fifteen stadia, (furlongs, that is, 1 1/2 or 2 miles), from Jerusalem, Joh_11:18, on, or near, the usual road from Jericho to the city, Luk_19:29. Compare Mark_11:1, and Mark_10:46.
No. He went into the temple and looked around, but since it was very late he did nothing. Instead, he went to Bethany to spend the night and returned the next morning to cleanse the temple (Mark 11:1-17).
Mark 11:9-11 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
Dr. Bullinger states: “when He had looked round about upon. There fore not the same entry as in Mat_21:12-16. Compare verses: Mark_11:15, Mark_11:16.”
This was a different entry into Jerusalem than the one just described in Matthew. So Matthew may have just omitted this initial visit to the Temple since Jesus did not do anything except look around and then decided to leave for the night. But they returned the next morning when He cleansed the Temple.
Note that each Gospel writer presents the various events in their own way and with emphasis often on different things than the other writers. But the differences are not contradictions but instead are complementary in that they provide additional information. Matthew and Mark were both eye-witnesses of our Lord’s ministry, and naturally had different memories which they presented in their accounts of The Gospel story which occurred over a three and a half year period. Also note that it is unreasonable to expect that each writer presents their accounts in the chronological order of each event described.
Mark 11:15-19 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. And when even was come, he went out of the city.
Note that after Jesus cleansed the Temple, the scribes and chief priests wanted to find out how they could kill Jesus. But the account we just reviewed in Matthew only stated that those hypocrites “were sore displeased.” So this is a different account that provides more information than Matthew.
46 — The Gospels say that Jesus cursed a fig tree. Did the tree wither at once?
Yes. (Matthew 21:19)
Mat 21:17-22 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
No. It withered overnight (Mark 11:20)
Mark 11:12-15 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
Mark 11:19-26 And when even was come, he went out of the city. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Mark’s account states that Jesus cursed the fig tree in the morning as He was traveling to Jerusalem to enter the Temple to cleanse it, and then the next day as they were returning to Jerusalem they noticed that the tree had withered away.
Matthew presents this event as Jesus cleansing the Temple first and then while leaving the Temple cursing the fig tree and seeing it immediately wither away. Two different accounts by two different Disciples, one with more detail than the other.