Chapter 4
Jesus

One of the Bible’s major players was none too careful about what he said, or the authors of the New Testament were none too careful about what they said about him.

Perfection

4.1 Jesus must have been impure sometime, since he must have touched Mary during the first seven days after his birth which the Old Testament considered unclean.

"…how can he be clean that is born of a woman…" Job 25:4

"What is man, that he can be clean? Or he that is born of a woman…" Job 15:14

God: "…A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period…Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to the purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred…until the day of her purification are over." Lev 12:1

"…[her impurity] will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening." Lev 15:19

The doctrine of immaculate conception (i.e. Mary was born pure, so Jesus wasn’t contaminated by being born of an unclean woman per Jewish law) was invented to clean up this problem, but that doesn’t square with Mary’s need for purification in Luke.

"When the time of purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took [Jesus] to Jerusalem…" Lk 2:22

4.2 How can Jesus have been righteous?

"What is man…born of woman, that he can be righteous…" Job 15:14

"I have not seen the righteous forsaken…" Ps 37:25

Jesus: "My God…why have you forsaken me?" Mt 27:46

4.3 Jesus was the very personification of truth and perfection, but he didn’t consider himself good.

"…did no sin, neither was guile…in his mouth" 1Pet 2:22

"And in him is no sin" 1Jn 3:5

"…[Jesus] is pure." 1Jn 3:3

"…Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1Pet 1:19

Jesus: "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is God." Mk 10:18

Jesus vs. the Bible

4.4 How could Jesus have been the savior when the Bible said only God could save?

"…the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Tit 2:13

God: "I…am the Lord…beside me there is no savior." Isa 43:11

God: "Thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no savior beside me." Hos 13:4

"Salvation belongs to the Lord." {Pre-Jesus} Ps 3:8

4.5 Was John the Baptist really Elijah or not?

Jesus: "John [the Baptist] is the Elijah…" Mt 11:14

"Are you Elijah?"
John the Baptist: "I am not." Jn 1:21

4.6 Jesus said that no one had ascended to heaven before, but the Old Testament told of a number of cases.

Jesus: "No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven…" Jn 3:13

"Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." 2Kgs 2:11

"Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him." Gen 5:24

"…Enoch was translated that he should not see death…because God had translated him." Heb 11:5

4.7 Jesus claimed to be descended from David, contrary to the Bible’s claims of his virgin birth.

"I Jesus…am the root and the offspring of David…" Rev 22:16

Jesus’ father, Joseph was descended from David (Mt 1:7-16 & Lk 3:23-31) but his mother, Mary, was a virgin when Jesus was conceived by God (Mt 1:18, Lk 1:27,34)

4.8 Jesus said that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was unforgivable; but on the other hand, one could gain forgiveness through Christ.

Jesus: "…the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. [He] who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." Mt 12:31-32

Jesus: "…whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven…" Mk 3:29

"Through [Jesus] everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses." Acts 13:39

4.9 Will the earth pass away or not?

Jesus: "Heaven and earth shall pass away…" Mt 24:35

"…the earth abideth forever." Ecc 1:4

4.10 Should the disciples have gone forth and baptized or not?

Jesus: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…" Mt 28:19

"For Christ did not send me to baptize…" 1Cor 1:17

4.11 Jesus claimed to uphold the old law, but he revised it and violated it.

Jesus: "I have not come to abolish [the Law of the Prophets] but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven…" Mt 5:17-19

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish aught from it…" Deut 4:2

Jesus violated the old laws:

- Dietary laws. Mt 15:11, Mk 7:15
- Washing of hands. Lk 11:37-38, Mt 15:1-3
- Sabbath. Mt 12:1-5, Lk 6:1-4, 13:10-16, Jn 5:8-11,16
- Fasting. Mk 2:18-20
- Adultery. Jn 8:4-11
- Divorce. Mt 5:32

Jesus omitted five commandments, added one from Lev 19:13 which was not one of the ten commandments, and made one up.

"Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness. Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother." Mk 10:19

"Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour…" Lev 19:13

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." Jn 13:34

4.12 Does salvation require faith? The Bible said no.

"…what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"
Jesus: "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother…sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor…"
{Jesus hereby omits five commandments, invents one, and puts the buyers of "whatsoever thou hast" into peril of damnation.} Mk 10:17-21

Man: "…what must I do to inherit eternal life?…
Jesus: You know the commandments [against murder, adultery, theft, false witness and the golden rule]…"
Man: "…all these I have kept since I was a boy…
Jesus: One thing you lack…go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." Mt 19:17-21

Lawyer: "…what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’
Jesus: "What is written in the law?"
Lawyer: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart…soul…strength, and…mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." Lk 10:25-28 and Mt 19:17

"…no one will be declared righteous…by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." Rom 3:20

"…know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we…may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified." Gal 2:16

The Bible said yes.

"…whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." Jn 3:18

"…who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1Jn 5:12

"No one comes to the Father except through me." Jn 14:6

"…faith without deeds is useless" Jas 2:20

"…if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe…that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Rom 10:9

"…one is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." Jas 2:24

4.13 Jesus again referred to the Old Testament in error. He must have been referring to the First Commandment, but he misquoted and misconstrued it. It didn’t say "worship" and it didn’t say "only."

Jesus: "…for it is written, ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve’." Mt 4:10

God: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Ex 20:3, Deut 5:7

4.14 Jesus said that God had not been seen or heard.

"…Ye have neither heard his [the Father himself] voice at any time, nor seen is shape." Jn 5:37

The Old Testament said that God had been seen and heard.

"And they heard the voice of the Lord God…" Gen 3:8

"And the Lord said unto Moses…" Ex 20:22

"And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words…" Deut 4:12

"…for I have seen God face to face." Gen 32:30

4.15 Jesus disagreed with John about loving the world. If it was okay for God, why not for us?

"Love not the world…" 1Jn 2:15

Jesus: "For God so loved the world…" Jn 2:15

4.16 Jesus contradicted Isaac in the matter of arms.

Isaac: "And by thy sword shalt thou live…" Gen 27:40

Jesus: "…they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Mt 26:52

4.17 Jesus was at odds with Paul in I Corinthians about the salvation of thieves.

Jesus to the thief crucified alongside him: "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Lk 23:43

"Nor thieves…shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1Cor 6:10

4.18 Jesus said one couldn’t be a disciple, if one didn’t hate one’s brethren.

"If any man come to me, and hate not his…brethren…he cannot be my disciple." Lk 14:26

The Bible, however, said that if you hated your brother, you’d be damned.

"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." 1Jn 3:15

4.19 Jesus said there would be no signs except the sign of Jonas (Jonah).

"But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: " Mt 12:39

But Jesus evidently did a number of signs.

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: " Jn 20:30

Jesus vs. God

4.20 Jesus told people not to swear.

"Do not swear at all…" Mt 5:34

God swore.

God: "By myself I have sworn…" Isa 45:23

"…The Lord sware and will not repent…" Heb 7:21

4.21 God promised David an eternal dynasty.

God: "…your throne will be established forever." 2Sam 7:16

God: "I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations." Ps 89:3-4

God: "…if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, and their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever." Ps 132:11[DM1]

Jesus said the earth would end within a generation.

"Heaven and earth shall pass away…" Mt 24:35

"There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." Mt 16:28

4.22 God unsheathed the sword.

God: "That all flesh may know that I the Lord have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more." Ezek 20:5

God: "Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: " Joel 3:10

Jesus said not to use the sword.

"…for all who draw the sword shall die by the sword." Mt 26:51-52

Jesus vs. Himself

4.23 Jesus contradicted himself on the question of salvation by faith or by deeds. He said it was by deeds.

Jesus: "If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." Mt 19:17

Man: "…what must I do to inherit eternal life?…
Jesus: You know the commandments…"
Man: "…all these I have kept since I was a boy…
Jesus: One thing you lack…go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." Mk 10:17-21

He also said it was by faith.

Lawyer: "…what must I do to inherit eternal life?…
Jesus: What is written in the law?…
{lawyer: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus…Do this and you shall live." Lk 10:25-28

Jesus: "No one comes to the Father except through me." Jn 14:6

4.24 Jesus said his ministry was just for Israelis.

"I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel…" Mt 15:24

"…for salvation is of the Jews." Jn 4:22

Jesus then sent his disciples worldwide.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." Mt 28:19

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mk 16:15

"And the gospel must first be published among all nations." Mk 14:10

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations…" Lk 24:47

4.25 Even Jesus, himself, did what he told his disciples not to do.

"Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel." Mt 10:5-6

"Then cometh [Jesus] to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar…and he abode there two days." Jn 4:5-40

4.26 Jesus said his witness was valid.

"Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid…" Jn 8:14

Jesus said his witness was not valid.

"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid." Jn 5:31

4.27 Jesus blessed peace.

"Blessed are the peacemakers…" Mt 5:9

But Jesus was no pacifist.

"I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Mt 10:34

"…if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." Lk 22:36

In one passage, Jesus was worried that one of his men would be killed resisting the cops. He was not saying that using a sword was morally wrong, he said that it would be suicidal under the circumstances.

"With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
Jesus: ‘Put your sword back in its place…for all who draw the sword shall die by the sword.’" Mt 26:51-52

4.28 Jesus said he would be going to heaven three days after his crucifixion.

"…the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Mt 12:40

Jesus said he would be in heaven on the day of his crucifixion.

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Lk 23:43

4.29 Jesus contradicted his own resurrection prophecy.

- Three days and three nights. Mt 12:40
- After the third day. Mt 27:63
- After three days. Mk 8:11
- On the third day. Lk 24:46, Mk 9:31, Mt 17:23

4.30 Jesus contradicted himself on the cross.

"My Father…let this cup pass from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will." Mt 26:39

"Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" Jn 18:11

4.31 Jesus’ admonished us not to temp God.

"…Thou shalt not tempt the Lord, thy God." Mt 4:7

Then he claimed that true believers would be protected by God from faith-proving mortal dangers..

"They will pick up snakes with their hands, and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all…" Mk 16:18

4.32 Jesus told his disciples that he’d be with them always.

"I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Mt 28:20

Then Jesus said he wouldn’t.

"For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always,." Mt 26:11

"Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come." Jn 7:34

4.33 Jesus confounded his followers with contradictory pictures about their expected burden. He said the burden would be easy.

"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Mt 11:30

He said the burden would be hard.

"But beware of men…they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake…" Mt 10:17,18

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake." Lk 21:17

"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer…" Jn 16:33

4.34 Jesus said there was to be no righteous but God.

"…there is none good but one, that is, God." Mk 10:18

Who, then, were these other "righteous" people?

"…for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Mt 9:13

4.35 Jesus gave contradictory advice about public piety. Do good in public.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father…" Mt 5:16

Do good in private.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father…" Mt 6:1

4.36 Well, which is it? Should we serve God and mammon or not?

"And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness…" Lk 16:9

"Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Lk 16:13

4.37 Jesus said he was all-powerful.

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." Jn 3:35

"Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands…" Jn 13:3

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Mk 28:18

So why couldn’t he make the final seating arrangements?

"…but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give…" Mt 20:23

4.38 Jesus guidance on adultery was inconsistent.

"Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her." Mk 10:11

"Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery; and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Mt 19:9

4.39 Jesus again contradicted himself. To judge or not to judge?

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged…" Lk 6:37

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." Jn 7:24

4.40 Who was to judge mankind? Jesus denied that he came to judge men.

"And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" Lk 12:14

"Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man." Jn 8:15

"And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." Jn 12:47

Jesus also said he would judge.

"For judgment I am come into this world…" Jn 9:39

"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: " Jn 5:22

"And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man." Jn 5:27

"…I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: " Jn 8:15,16

"…as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just;" Jn 5:30

4.41 Who was to be the light of the world?

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Jn 9:5

"Ye are the light of the world." Mt 5:14

4.42 Jesus had contrary opinions as to his own glory.

"And I seek not mine own glory…" Jn 8:50

"…for I am meek and lowly in heart…" Mt 11:29

"The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." Jn 12:23

4.43 How could there be people without any need of repentance if everyone needed repentance?

"…joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." Lk 15:7

"…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Lk 13:3,5

4.44 Jesus had contrary views of the need for weapons.

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Mt 10:34

"…he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Lk 22:36

"…they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." Mt 26:52

4.45 Jesus said the twelve apostles were to judge mankind.

"…Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Mt 19:28

Jesus also said one of the twelve was a devil, and it were better that he had not been born.

"…Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" Jn 6:70

"…woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born." Mk 14:21

4.46 Jesus said the disciples risked death, or did they?

"And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death." Lk 21:16

"But there shall not an hair of your head perish." Lk 21:18

Genealogy

4.47 Jesus was a bastard. Mary never married God, she was not yet married to Joseph when they went to Bethlehem, and no marriage ceremony was mentioned prior to his birth.

"[Joseph went to Bethlehem] with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." Lk 2:5

4.48 Matthew said there were 41 or 42 generations from Abraham to Jesus. (I suspect he counted Jechonias twice in Mt 1:17.)

"Abraham begat Isaac… Jacob… Judas… Phares… Esrom… Aram… Aminadab… Naasson… Salmon… Booz… Obed… Jesse… David the king [14 generations]… Solomon… Roboam… Abia… Asa… Josaphat… Joram… Ozias… Joatham… Achaz… Ezekias… Manasses… Amon… Josias… Jechonias… about the time they were carried away to Babylon [14 more generations] And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias… Salathie… Zorobabel… Abiud… Eliakim… Azor… Sadoc… Achim… Eliud… Eleazar… Matthan… Jacob… begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. [13 more generations, a total of 41]" Mt 1:2-16

"So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. [Total, 42]" Mt 1:17

Luke said there were 56 generations from Abraham to Jesus.

"And Jesus… the son of Joseph… Heli… Matthat… Lev… Melchi… Jann… Joseph… Mattathias… Amos… Naum… Esli… Nagge… Maath… Mattathias… Semei… Joseph… Juda… Joanna… Rhesa… Zorobabel… Salathiel… Neri… Melchi… Addi… Cosam… Elmodam… Er… Jose… Eliezer… Jorim… Matthat… Levi… Simeon… Juda… Joseph… Jonan… Eliakim… Melea… Menan… Mattatha… Nathan… David… Jesse… Obed… Booz… Salmon… Naasson… Aminadab… Aram… Esrom… Phares… Juda… Jacob… Isaac… Abraham… " Lk 3:23-34

4.49 Matthew said there were 27 or 28 generations from David to Jesus. (I suspect he counted Jechonias twice in Mt 1:17.)

"… David the king begat Solomon… Roboam… Abia… Asa… Josaphat… Joram… Ozias… Joatham… Achaz… Ezekias… Manasses… Amon… Josias… Jechonias… about the time they were carried away to Babylon [14 generations] And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias [counted above] Salathie… Zorobabel… Abiud… Eliakim… Azor… Sadoc… Achim… Eliud… Eleazar… Matthan… Jacob… begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. [13 additional generations, a total of 27]" Mt 1:6-16

"So all the generations from… David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. [Total, 28]" Mt 1:17

Luke said there were 43 generations from David to Jesus.

"And Jesus… the son of Joseph… Heli… Matthat… Lev… Melchi… Jann… Joseph… Mattathias… Amos… Naum… Esli… Nagge… Maath… Mattathias… Semei… Joseph… Juda… Joanna… Rhesa… Zorobabel… Salathiel… Neri… Melchi… Addi… Cosam… Elmodam… Er… Jose… Eliezer… Jorim… Matthat… Levi… Simeon… Juda… Joseph… Jonan… Eliakim… Melea… Menan… Mattatha… Nathan… David… " Lk 3:23-31

4.50 Joseph was descended from which of David’s sons?

Solomon. Mt 1:7-16

Nathan. Lk 3:23-31

4.51 Who was Joseph’s father?

Jacob. Mt 1:16

Heli. Lk 3:23

4.52 How can Jesus have had a genealogy, if he had no natural father?

"(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh" Rom 1:2, 3

"[David] was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne." Acts 2:30

Joseph, not Mary, was descended from David, one way or another. Mt 1:6-16, Lk 3:23-31

"… before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Ghost." Mt 1:18

"… that which is conceived in [Mary] is of the Holy Ghost." Mt 1:20

Mary: "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"… Angel: "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Lk 1:34, 35

4.53 Some claim that it was Mary’s genealogy in Luke, but Mary was not mentioned, Joseph was. Besides, no woman would have been qualified as an heir to the throne of David, so she could not have passed it to her son. No woman’s genealogy was listed in the entire Bible-genealogy was done only by sires.

"… Joseph a descendant of David… " Lk 1:27

"… [Joseph] belonged to the house and line of David" Lk 2:4

"… declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers" Num 1:18

4.54 Mary’s lineage cannot have been eligible for the throne of David anyway, since Mary was descended from Shealtiel and Zerubabbel who were descendants of Jeconias [Coniah]. According to prophecy, Coniah would never have a descendant sitting on the throne of David.

"… this man Coniah… Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah." Jer 22:28,30

Crucifixion

4.55 Jesus obviously didn’t go to die voluntarily. How could he promise to save others when he couldn’t save himself?

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Mt 27:46 & Mk 15:34

"My Father… let this cup pass from me. Yet, not as I will, but as you will." Mt 26:39

Why did Jesus need strengthening?

"An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." Lk 22:43

If Jesus came to die, Judas would have done God’s will, but Jesus called him a betrayer and a son of Satan.

"… one of you shall betray me." Jn 13:21

"… none of [the apostles] is lost except the son of perdition… " Jn 17:12

4.56 Jesus told the Pharisees he would be buried three days, but he told the thief he’d be with him in Paradise on the day of the crucifixion.

"… the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Mt 12:40

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Lk 23:43

4.57 What color was the robe that was put on Jesus?

Scarlet. Mt 27:28

Purple. Mk 15:17, Jn 19:2

4.58 When was the robe put on Jesus?

During his trial. Jn 19:1-2,5

After Pilate delivered him to be crucified. Mt 27:26-28, Mk 15:15-17

4.59 Simon of Cyrene carried the cross.

"And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross." Mt 27:32

"And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian… to bear his cross." Mk 15:21

"… they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian… and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus." Lk 23:26

Jesus carried the cross.

"… And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: " Jn 19:16,17

4.60 Jesus was crucified on a cross.

"Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him… " Jn 19:16-18

Jesus was hung on a tree.

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree." Acts 5:30

"And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: " Acts 10:39

"And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre." Acts 13:29

4.61 At what time was Jesus crucified?

At the third hour. Mk 15:25

Before the sixth hour. Lk 23:43-44

After the sixth hour. Jn 19:14-16

4.62 What did the soldiers at the cross gamble for?

The garments. Mt 27:35, Mk 15:24,, Lk 23:34

His coat alone. Jn 19:23-24

4.63 What was Jesus given to drink on the cross?

Vinegar. Mt 27:48, Lk 23:36,, Jn 19:29-30

Vinegar mingled with gall. Mt 27:34

Wine mingled with myrrh. Mk 15:23

4.64 Which women watched the crucifixion?

Many. Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James & Joses, mother of Zebedee’s sons. Mt 27:55-56

Some. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger & Joses, and Salome. Mk 15:40

Jesus’ mother and sister, Mary the wife of Clopus, and Mary Magdalene. Jn 19:25

4.65 Who mentioned Elijah?

The man who offered Jesus the sponge. Mk 15:36

Those with the man who offered Jesus the sponge. Mt 27:48-49

4.66 How many thieves reviled Jesus on the cross?

One. Lk 23:39-40

Both. Mt 27:44, Mk 15:32

4.67 Where did the women observe the crucifixion?

From afar. Mt 27:55-56, Lk 23:49,, Mk 15:40

Near the cross. Jn 19:25

4.68 What words appeared on the cross?

"This is Jesus the King of the Jews" Mt 27:37

"The King of the Jews" Mk 15:26

"This is the King of the Jews" Lk 23:38

"Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews" Jn 19:19

4.69 Jesus didn’t want to die for the cause.

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Mt 27:46, Mk 15:34

4.70 What were Jesus’ last words?

"… Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?… Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost." Mt 27:46,50

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Lk 23:46

"… [Jesus] said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." Jn 19:30

4.71 John said that Pilate approved a coup de grace, so that Jesus’ body would not remain on the cross during the sabbath.

"The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day… besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away… But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: " Jn 19:31,33

Mark said Pilate was surprised that Jesus was dead already.

"… because it was the preparation… Joseph of Arimathaea… went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph." Mk 15:42-45

4.72 Luke said only one of the crucified thieves reviled Jesus, and that one was rebuked by the other.

"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?" Lk 23:39,40

Matthew said both thieves reviled Jesus.

"The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth." Mt 27:44

"And they that were crucified with him reviled him." Mk 15:32

4.73 What did the centurion say after Jesus died?

"Surely this was a righteous man." Lk 23:47

"Surely this was the Son of God" Mt 27:54

4.74 The centurion believed in Jesus because of the earthquake.

"Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God." Mt 27:54

The centurion believed because of Jesus’ suffering.

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man." Lk 23:46,47

4.75 Matthew told of major cataclysms and zombies, but none of the other gospel writers mentioned these rather significant events.

"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." Mt 27:50-53

4.76 Where did Jesus die?

Golgotha. Mt 27:33, Mk 15:22,, Jn 19:17

Calvary. Lk 23:33

4.77 Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried Jesus with spices.

"And after this Joseph of Arimathaea… came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus… and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." Jn 19:38-40

Joseph, alone, buried Jesus without spices. Afterward, the women viewed Jesus in the sepulcher, then they prepared spices for his corpse.

"And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre… And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him." Mk 15:45-16:1

"[Joseph of Arimathea] went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre… And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them." Lk 23:52-24:1

Resurrection & Ascension

4.78 Was resurrection even possible? The Bible said no.

"For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same, as one dies so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts; for all is vanity. All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down to the earth?" Ecc 3:19-21

"He that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more." Job 7:9

"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." Ecc 9:5

"They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise." Isa 26:14

"The King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality." 1Tim 6:15-16

4.79 What time of day was Jesus resurrected?

"… at dawn… " Mt 28:1

"… just after sunrise… " Mk 16:1-2

"… very early in the morning." Lk 24:1

"… while it was still dark… " Jn 20:1

4.80 What time did the women visit the tomb?

Sunrise. Mk 16:2

Before dawn. Jn 20:1

4.81 Who were the women at the tomb?

Mary Magdalene. Jn 20:1

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Mt 28:1

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. Mk 16:1

Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women. Lk 24:10

4.82 How was the tomb configured?

Open. Lk 24:2

Closed. Mt 28:1-2

4.83 Whom did the women see at the tomb?

The angel. Mt 28:2

A young man. Mk 16:5

Two men. Lk 24:4

Two angels. Jn 20:11-12

4.84 Where was/were he/it/they?

Outside. Mt 28:2

Inside. Mk 16:5, Lk 24:3-4, Jn 20:11-12

4.85 What were they doing?

Standing. Lk 24:4

Sitting. Mt 28:2, Mk 16:5, Jn 20:112

4.86 Did the women tell the disciples what they saw?

Yes. Lk 24:8-9

No. Mk 16:8

4.87 Jesus appeared to Mary Magdelane first.

"[Mary Magdelane] turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing… " Jn 20:14

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene… " Mk 16:9

Jesus appeared first to the two Marys.

"… as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre… And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them… " Mt 28:1,9

Jesus appeared first to two disciples, not to either of the Marys.

"… two men stood by them in shining garments… they said unto them… He is not here, but is risen… And [they] returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles… And, behold, two [disciples] went that same day to a village… And it came to pass, that… Jesus himself drew near… " Lk 24:4-6,9,10,13,15

4.88 Mary Magdelane recognized Jesus when he first appeared.

"And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." Mt 28:9

Mary Magdelane did not recognize Jesus when he first appeared.

"… she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus." Jn 20:14

4.89 All the disciples recognized Jesus when he appeared.

"After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias… Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord." Jn 21:1,12

Not all of the disciples recognized Jesus when he appeared.

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted." Mt 28:16,17

4.90 The disciples were glad when they saw Jesus.

"… came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." Jn 20:19,20

The disciples were frightened when they saw Jesus.

"… Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted… " Lk 24:36,37

4.91 The disciples were permitted to touch Jesus before he ascended.

"… they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." Mt 28:9

No one was permitted to touch Jesus before he ascended.

"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father…" Jn 20:17

4.92 Peter visited the sepulcher with Simon Peter and another.

"Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre… Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre… " Jn 20:3,6

Peter visited the sepulcher alone.

"Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre… " Lk 24:12

4.93 Jesus said he’d raise himself.

"Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days… the temple he had spoken of was his body." Jn 2:19-21

God raised Jesus.

"… Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead." Acts 3:15

"But God raised him from the dead." Acts 13:30

"[God] raised up Jesus, whom ye slew." Acts 5:30

4.94 Who told the women that Jesus had risen?

The angel sitting on the outside. Mt 28:5-6

Man on the right side inside the tomb. Mk 16:5-6

The two men inside the tomb. Lk 24:5-6

4.95 Where did Jesus tell the disciples to go just before the ascension? Matthew and Mark said they were to go to Galilee.

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them." Mt 28:16

"… he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." Mk 16:7

Luke and Paul said they were to hang around Jerusalem.

"… tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Lk 24:49

"And… [Jesus] commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me." Acts 1:4

4.96 Where did the ascension occur? Mark said it was in a room in Jerusalem.

"Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat… So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." Mk 16:14,19

Luke said it was in Bethany.

"And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Lk 24:50,51

Paul said it was at Mount Olivet.

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight… Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet… " Acts 1:9,12

Matthew said Jesus last met the disciples at a mountain in Galilee, but no ascension was mentioned.

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them… lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Mt 28:16,20

4.97 The women did not tell what happened at the sepulchre.

"And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid." Mk 16:8

The women did tell what happened at the sepulchre.

"And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles." Lk 24:9,10

4.98 Mary Magdelane could touch Jesus after the resurrection.

"And as [Mary Magdelane and the other Mary] went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." Mt 28:9

Mary Magdelane could not touch Jesus after the resurrection.

"Jesus saith unto [Mary Magdelane], Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." Jn 20:17

4.99 How many times was Jesus seen after the resurrection, before the ascension? Matthew listed two sightings.

By the two Marys, Sunday on their way to tell the disciples. Mt 28:9

By the eleven at a mountain in Galilee. Mt 28:16

Mark listed three sightings.

By Mary Magdelane, Sunday. Mk 16:9

By two disciples as they walked. Mk 16:12

By the eleven afterward. Mk 16:14

Luke listed three sightings.

By two disciples at Emmaus. Lk 24:13,15

By Simon. Lk 24:34

By eleven disciples. Lk 24:36

John said there were four sightings.

By Mary Magdelane at the tomb, Sunday. Jn 20:14

By ten disciples at dinner, Sunday evening. Jn 20:19

By the disciples eight days later. Jn 20:26

"… Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias… This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead." Jn 21:1,14

Paul listed four sightings, not to mention his own vision in 1Cor 15:8.

By Cephas, the new guy. 1Cor 15:5

By five hundred brethren at once. 1Cor 15:6

By James. 1Cor 15:7

By all the apostles. 1Cor 15:7

4.100 The Holy Ghost was bestowed on Jesus on the Pentecost.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come… they were all filled with the Holy Ghost… " Acts 2:1,4

The Holy Ghost was bestowed on Jesus before the Pentecost.

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week… came Jesus… And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: " Jn 20:19,22