Difference between revisions of "Points of Contention with the Life of Christ"

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(How did Joseph of Arimathaea acquire Jesus’ body?)
(Were there guards at Jesus' tomb?)
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== Were there guards at Jesus' tomb? ==
 
== Were there guards at Jesus' tomb? ==
 
*'''Yes.''' The tomb had to be guarded, because the angel terrified some guards (MAT 28:4).
 
*'''Yes.''' The tomb had to be guarded, because the angel terrified some guards (MAT 28:4).
*'''No.''' When the women found that the tomb was open, they asked each other why, because there were no guards to ask (MAR 16:2-6).
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*'''No.''' When the women found that the tomb was open, they asked each other why; because there were no guards to ask (MAR 16:2-6).
  
 
== Who did the women see at the tomb? ==
 
== Who did the women see at the tomb? ==

Revision as of 05:06, 22 January 2019

Contents

Was Jesus a descendant of David?

  • Yes. Jesus was explicitly stated to be “made of the seed of David” (ROM 1:3), and two different (though contradictory) genealogies explain Jesus' relation to David (MAT 1:1-16; LUK 3:23-38).
  • No. An angel informed Mary that God, via the Holy Spirit, was the father of her child (LUK 1:34-35); therefore, Joseph’s genealogy is irrelevant. Mary’s bloodline (LUK 1:5; 1:36; 2:5) indicated that she was a Levite, whereas David descended from Judah.

When did Jesus live, with respect to the time of Abraham?

  • 40 generations later, as explained in a genealogy (MAT 1:2-16).
  • 55 generations later, as explained in a genealogy (LUK 3:23-38).
  • 42 generations later, since there 14 generations between Abraham and David, between David and the Babylonian captivity, and between the Babylonian captivity and Jesus (MAT 1:17).

When did Jesus live, with respect to the time of David?

  • 28 generations later. The time of Abraham, the time of David, the Babylonian captivity, and the time of Jesus all occur 14 generations apart from one another (MAT 1:17).
  • 42 generations later. Jesus’ entire paternal bloodline was explicitly listed to prove his connection to David (LUK 3:23-31).

Who was Joseph's father?

  • Jacob (MAT 1:16).
  • Heli (LUK 3:23).

Was Joseph the biological father of Jesus Christ?

  • Yes. Jesus was “made of the seed of David” (ROM 1:3).
  • No. Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit before Mary and Joseph ever had a chance to have sex (MAT 1:18).
  • Maybe? The wording of LUK 3:23 ("as was supposed") implied that Luke was uncertain of Jesus’ parentage.

When did the Annunciation occur, and to whom?

  • The Annunciation was given to Mary, prior to conception (LUK 1:30-31).
  • The Annunciation was given to Joseph, after conception (MAT 1:20).

Did Jesus' family and friends know that God had honored him?

  • Yes. An angel appeared to personally inform Jesus’ family of this fact (MAT 1:20 -21; LUK 1:26-33).
  • No. Jesus’ family thought he'd lost his mind when he claimed divinity (MAR 3:20-21). Jesus cited this skepticism as proof of his divinity, since prophets are rejected in their families, and in their hometowns (MAR 6:4).

When did Jesus receive the Holy Ghost?

  • Jesus was imbued with the Holy Spirit during the Annunciation, well before his birth (LUK 1:31,41,67).
  • Jesus was not imbued with the Holy Spirit during his lifetime; only after his resurrection (JOH 7:37-39).

When did Jesus become the Messiah?

  • At the moment of his conception (LUK 1:35).
  • At the moment of his birth (LUK 2:11).
  • After his baptism (ACT 1:22).
  • During the moment of his resurrection (ACT 2:36).
  • After his resurrection (ACT 13:33, ROM 1:3).

When was Jesus born?

  • Between 37-4 BCE, during the reign of King Herod (MAT 2:1).
  • Between 6-7 CE, when Cyrenius (Quirinius) was governor of Syria (LUK 2:1, 7).

Where was Jesus born?

  • In Bethlehem (MAT 2:1).
  • In Galilee (JOH 7:41-42).

What was Jesus' hometown?

  • Jesus’ home was in Capernaum (MAR 2:1).
  • Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea (MAT 2:1). Judea is Jesus’ “native place” (JOH 4:3, 43-44).
  • Jesus grew up in Nazareth, in Galilee (LUK 4:14-16, 24).

What was the city of David?

  • Zion (2SAM 5:7; 1KIN 8:1; 1CHR 11:5; 2CHR 5:2).
  • Jerusalem (2KIN 14:20).
  • Bethlehem (LUK 2:4, 11).

Was John the Baptist born before Jesus?

  • Yes. John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus' conception (LUK 1:13, 24, 26-27, 31).
  • No. John claims that Jesus came before him (JOH 1:30). Jesus confirms this by saying that he came before Abraham (JOH 8:58).

Did Herod kill all of the young children in Bethlehem?

  • Yes. Herod ordered the deaths of all children in the greater Bethlehem area who were under age 2 (MAT 2:16).
  • No. Since John the Baptist (LUK 3:2-3) was born 6 months prior to the conception of Jesus (LUK 1:13, 24, 26-27, 31), he should have been among the slain -- yet he survived.

Where did Joseph, Mary and Jesus go after Jesus’ birth?

  • They fled to Egypt, where they remained until King Herod's death (MAT 2:14-15).
  • They traveled to Jerusalem, to have Jesus named and circumcised, and for Mary to receive the mandated post-childbirth purification. Afterward, they returned to Galilee, and settled in Nazareth (LUK 2:21-22, 39).

Was John the Baptist really Elijah/Elias, who had returned to Earth?

  • Yes. Jesus taught his disciples that John the Baptist was secretly Elias, who had returned to Earth (MAT 11:13-14; 17:12-13).
  • No. When directly questioned by the Levite priests, John the Baptist denied being the Christ, Elias, or a prophet (JOH 1:19-21).

Where did John the Baptist baptized people?

  • In the River Jordan (MAT 3:4; MAR 1:9).
  • At Bethabara/Bethany (JOH 1:28).

Were the Pharisees baptized by John?

  • Yes. The Pharisees attended John’s baptisms (MAT 3:7), where he gladly received them (MAT 3:11).
  • No. The Bible explicitly states that the Pharisees were unbaptized (LUK 7:29-30).

Who baptized Jesus, and when?

  • Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan (MAR 1:9) prior to John’s arrest (MAR 1:14).
  • Jesus was baptized by an anonymous person, when John the Baptist was imprisoned (LUK 3:19-22)

Had John the Baptist and his disciples heard of the Holy Ghost?

  • Definitively yes. All four gospels unanimously agree that John baptized Jesus with the Holy Ghost (MAT 3:11, MAR 1:8, LUK 3:16, JOH 1:33).
  • No. Paul met people who had received John’s baptisms in Ephesus, and they were ignorant of the very concept of a Holy Ghost (ACT 19:1).

Did John the Baptist know Jesus prior to his baptism?

  • Yes. John the Baptist knew Jesus’ reputation, which is why he felt that he did not have the authority to baptize Jesus (MAT 3:13-14). However, Jesus convinced John to perform the baptism anyway. (MAT 3:15-16)
  • No, and the details are sketchy:
    • John the Baptist did not know Jesus -- or that he was the messiah -- prior to either Jesus’ baptism (JOH 1:32) or John’s imprisonment (JON 3:24)
    • John the Baptist did not know Jesus, or if he was divine, even after baptizing him. John learned about Jesus’ divinity after he was imprisoned, when John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the messiah (MAT 11:1-3).

Where did Jesus go after his baptism?

  • After his baptism, (MAR 1:9) Jesus was called into the wilderness, where he remained for 40 days (MAR1:11-13).
  • Jesus went to Galilee (JOH 1:43) the day after his baptism (JOH 1:32).

Where was the first place that the devil took Jesus to?

  • The pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem (MAT 4:5).
  • To a high mountain top (LUK 4:5).

When did Jesus begin his ministry?

  • Before John the Baptist's imprisonment. Jesus began his ministry (JOH 2:11) by scourging the moneychangers and flipping their tables (JOH 2:15), which occurred before John's imprisonment (JOH 3:22-24).
  • After John the Baptist's imprisonment. Hearing the news of John the Baptist’s imprisonment (MAT 4:12) is what provoked Jesus to start his ministry in the first place (MAT 4:17).

How did Simon Peter learn that Jesus was the Christ?

  • From God (MAT 16:15-17).
  • From his brother, Andrew (JOH 1:40-41).

When did Jesus call upon Simon and Andrew?

  • After (MAR 1:16-18) John’s imprisonment. (MAR 1:14)
  • Prior to (JOH 1:40-24) John’s imprisonment (JOH 3:24).

When did Simon and Andrew begin to follow Jesus?

  • As Jesus walked by them, at the Sea of Galilee (MAR 1:16-18).
  • After Jesus filled their ships with fish at Lake Gennesaret, which was another name for the Sea of Galilee (LUK 5:1-11).
  • After they spent a day with him at Bethabara (JOH 1:28, 35, 39-42).

Where was Simon and Andrew's home?

  • In Capernaum (MAR 1:21).
  • In Bethsaida (JOH 1:44).

Where did Jesus rename Simon?

  • At Caesarea Philippi (MAT 16:13, 18).
  • At Capernaum (MAR 2:1; 3:13, 16).
  • In “a certain city” (LUK 5:12; 6:12-14).
  • At Bethbara (JOH 1:28, 41-42).

Who were the Apostles of Jesus?

The Apostles of Jesus Christ
# Name MAT 10:2-4 MAR 3:16-19 LUK 6:13-16 JOH 21:2 ACT 1:13 GAL
1 Andrew X X X X
2 Bartholomew X X X X
3 James Alphaeus X X X X
4 James (Jesus' brother) X
5 James Zebedee X X X X X
6 John Zebedee X X X X X
7 Judas (James' brother) X X
8 Judas Iscariot (Simon's son) X X X X
9 Judas (not Iscariot) X X
10 Labbaeus Theaddeus X X
11 Levi Alphaeus, the Publican X X
12 Matthew, the Publican X X X
13 Nathanael of Cana X
14 Nicodemus (?) ?
15 Philip X X X X X
16 Simon Peter X X X X X X
17 Simon the Cannanite X X
18 Simon Zelotes X X
19 Thomas Didymus X X X X X

Where did Jesus preach his first sermon? Who was the audience?

  • Jesus preached to the multitudes from atop a mountain; thus, the “Sermon on the Mount” (MAT 5:1; 7:28-29)
  • Jesus preached privately to his disciples (LUK 6:20) while they stood on a plain (LUK 6:17).

When Did Jesus deliver the Sermon on the Mount?

  • Before (MAT 5:1-11) healing Peter’s mother-in-law (MAT 8:14-15).
  • After (LUK 620:23) healing Peter’s mother-in-law (LUK 4:38).

What were the Beatitudes that Jesus gave during the Sermon on the Mount?

Blessed are…
# MAT 5:3-11 LUK 6:20-23
1 The poor in spirit The poor
2 They that mourn Those who hunger now
3 The meek Those who weep now
4 They who hunger and thirst for righteousness Those who are hated, shunned, reproached and cast out for Christ’s sake
5 The merciful
6 The pure in heart
7 The peacemakers
8 Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake
9 Those who are reviled and persecuted for Christ’s sake

To whom did Jesus teach the Lord's Prayer?

  • To the multitudes (MAT 5:1).
  • Only to his disciples (LUK 11:1).

Did Jesus want others to know that he was the Messiah?

  • No. Jesus explicitly told his disciples not to tell people that he was the Christ, and that it should be a secret (MAT 16:20; MAR 8:29-30; LUK 9:20-21), because he knew that the Pharisees were out to get him (MAT 12:14-16).
  • Maybe? Jesus was proclaimed to be the Son of God by the devils he exorcised (LUK 4:41), but since these devils were “of God” (1JOH 4:2, 15), one could invoke the Trinity to argue that Jesus knew the devil would do this as a way to tell people he was the Messiah.
  • Yes. Jesus publicly advertised that he was the Messiah (JOH 4:25-26, 8:58, 9:35-38).

Did Jesus tell his disciples everything?

  • Yes. Jesus told his disciples everything he had heard from God (JOH 15:15).
  • No. Jesus withheld “many things” from his disciples, because they were not ready for them (JOH 16:12).

Who did Jesus command his disciples to teach?

  • Only to wayward Jews. Christ ordered Peter and other disciples to avoid Gentiles entirely. (MAT 10:2, 5-6)
  • Jesus commanded his disciples to “teach all nations” (MAT 28:18-19). Peter made it a point to seek out and teach the Gentiles (ACT 15:7).

Did Christ extend his message to the Samaritans?

  • Yes. Jesus was explicitly stated to be extremely popular among the Samaritans (LUK 9:52; JOH 4:39-41). Phillip later spread the gospel to Samaria (ACT 8:5).
  • No. Jesus explicitly told his disciples to avoid Gentiles and Samaritans, and that they should stick to “the lost sheep of Israel” (MAT 10:5-6).

Was Jesus well-received by the Samaritans?

  • Yes. When Jesus went to rest at the Samaritan village, he wound up staying for two days, because he was so sought after (JOH 4:39-40).
  • No. Jesus tried to stay at a Samaritan village while traveling to Jerusalem, but “they did not receive him” (LUK 9:51-3).

What did Jesus tell his disciples to bring on their journey?

  • Jesus explicitly told his disciples that they only needed shoes and staves for their journey (MAR 6:7-9).
  • Jesus explicitly told his disciples not to bring shoes or staves for their journey; they required absolutely nothing (MAT 10:5, 9-10; LUK 9:3).

Did Jesus require the testimony of witnesses?

  • No. Jesus has no need for man’s testimony (JOH 5:33-34).
  • Yes. Jesus requires witnesses to vouch for him (JOH 15:27).

Did Jesus perform miracles besides those explicitly listed in the Book of John?

  • Yes. Jesus reportedly performed many other miracles (JOH 20:30; ACT 2:22).
  • No. Jesus performed no miracles besides those listed in the Book of John. Jesus was put off by everyone seeking signs from above, and called for a moratorium on displays of divinity for the remainder of his generation (MAR 8:12).
  • Not yet. However, Jesus will usher in the Second Coming with a grand, unmistakable display of divine power (JOE 2:30-31; MAT 24:29-33; MAR 13:24-29).

Did Herod want to kill John the Baptist?

  • Yes. Herod feared John because he was considered to be a prophet, and could rally crowds of people (MAT 14:5).
  • No. Herod was reluctant to kill John, because he enjoyed his company (MAR 6:20).

What did Herod think of Jesus?

  • Herod was the first to think that Jesus was a resurrected John the Baptist (MAT 14:1-2; MAR 6:16).
  • Herod heard rumors that John the Baptist had resurrected, but was not convinced that this was Jesus (LUK 9:7, 9).

Did Jesus baptize people?

  • Yes. Jesus baptized his disciples in Judea (JOH 3:22-26).
  • No. The Bible explicitly states that Jesus did not baptize others, though his disciples did (JOH 4:2).

Who asked Jesus to help the centurion’s servant?

  • The centurion himself (MAT 8:5-8).
  • Jewish elders, acting on the centurion’s behalf (LUK 7:2-3).

When did Jesus calm the storm?

  • Jesus calmed the sea (MAT 8:26) before he called the publican (MAT 9:9) and before praising John the Baptist (MAT 11:11).
  • Jesus calmed the sea (LUK 8:24) after he called the publican (LUK 5:27-28) and before praising John the Baptist (LUK 7:24, 26-27).

What was the situation regarding the demonic possessions at Gadarenes/Gergesenes?

  • A single man came out of the tombs, possessed by Legion. Legion begged not to be sent into the country (MAR 5:1-2, 9-10).
  • Two men came out of the tombs (MAT 8:28).
  • One man came out of the city, possessed by Legion. Legion begged not to be sent into the deep (LUK 8:27, 30-31).

What was the condition of Jarius' daughter when Jesus was approached?

  • She was on the brink of death (MAR 5:23; LUK 8:42).
  • She was dead when Jesus arrived (MAT 9:18).

What did the disciples on the ship do after Jesus walked on the water?

  • Those in the ship began to worship him (MAT 14:33).
  • No one worshiped Jesus for this miracle; this was so stunning that everyone forgot everything, including the recent miracle of the loaves and the fish (MAR 6:51-52).

After feeding the 5000, where did Jesus go?

  • To Gennesaret (MAR 6:52).
  • To Capernaum (JOH 6:13, 16-17).

When and how did Jesus cure the blind man?

  • Jesus cured the blind man at Bethsaida, by spitting on his eyes, and through the laying-of-hands (MAR 8:22-25).
  • Jesus cured the blind man outside the temple, by anointing him with a paste of spit and clay, then telling the man to wash himself (JOH 8:59, 9:1-6).

Are miracles proof of a divine mission?

  • Yes. Miracles provide a basis for belief:
    • The Israelites feared and believed in both God, and his servant, Moses, simply because of the wondrous feats they performed to defeat the Egyptians (EXO 7:10-12; 8:7; 14:31).
    • When questioned by John, Jesus used the testimony of those he healed as evidence of his divinity (MAT 11:2-5; JOH 5:36; HEB 2:4).
    • The common people accepted Jesus' miracles as proof of divinity, and sought him as a teacher for this reason (JOH 3:2).
  • No. Miracles, signs, and other wonders are the hallmarks of false prophets who are trying establish credibility. These Satanic people (LUK 11:19; 2THE 2:9) will only deceive you (REV 13:13-14) and turn you away from God (DEU 13:1-3). Likewise, anyone who performs miracles and claims to be the Christ is really just one of many false Christs who appear from time to time (MAT 24:24).

Why did Jesus perform miracles?

  • Jesus performed miracles out of compassion. He used his power simply because he wished to alleviate the suffering of others (MAT 9:27; MAR 5:19, 41-42).
  • Jesus performed miracles to convince others of his divinity (JOH 4:48, 20:30-31; ACT 2:22).

Whose daughter was exorcised by Jesus?

  • A Canaanite woman (MAT 15:22).
  • A Greek woman; specifically, a Syrophenician (MAR 7:26).

When did Jesus heal the blind? How many did he help?

  • Jesus healed a single blind man on the way to Jericho (LUK 18:35).
  • Jesus healed two blind men on the way from Jericho (MAT 20:29-30).

Who can cast out devils in the name of Jesus?

  • Only the disciples were granted that power (MAR 3:14-15).
  • Anyone who believes in Jesus’ name has this power (MAR 16:17).

Can Jesus' disciples heal sicknesses?

  • Yes. The Bible explicitly states that Jesus “gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (MAT 10:1).
  • No. “I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him” (MAT 17:16).

Why did the disciples fail when they tried to cast out a demon?

  • They did not have enough faith to do so (MAT 17:19-20).
  • They did not pray and fast (MAR 9:28-29).

Did Jesus' disciples fast?

  • Yes. Jesus instructed his disciples on how to fast without becoming a hypocrite in the process (MAT 6:16-17).
  • No. Jesus was questioned about his unusual practice of not fasting, since fasting was a common practice among the Pharisees and John’s disciples (MAR 2:18).

How did Jesus react to Peter at Caesarea Philippi?

  • He honored him. Jesus gave Peter his new name, and made him his most trusted lieutenant. Christ’s entire plan on earth was left to Peter to carry out (MAT 16:18).
  • He chastised him, and tried to drive him out, just like he was a demon (MAT 16:23).

When did Jesus prophesize his passion, with respect to the transfiguration?

  • 6 days afterward (MAT 17:1-2).
  • 8 days afterward (LUK 9:22).

What was Jesus’ message?

  • Christ advocated violent revolution, and that “the kingdom of heaven suffered violence, and the violent take it by force” (MAT 11:12). Jesus encouraged everyone to arm themselves, even if it meant selling the clothes they were wearing (LUK 22:36). Jesus made a scourge, and used it to assault people before flipping the moneychanger’s tables (JOH 2:15).
  • Christ advocated non-violence (MAT 5:5) and passive resistance (MAT 5:39), which would render weapons unnecessary (MAT 26:52).

When did Jesus start flipping tables?

  • Jesus was explicitly stated to have attacked the money changers at the beginning of his ministry (JOH 2:11-15).
  • Jesus’ attack on the money changers occurred after smiting the fig tree for failing to bear fruit (MAR 11:15). This had to have occurred towards the end of his ministry, because it was the table-flipping incident that finally scared the Pharisees into plotting against Jesus (MAR 11:18).
  • The table flipping happened on the day Jesus entered Jerusalem (MAT 21:10-12), before smiting the fig tree (MAT 21:12).

Could Jesus produce food when needed?

  • Yes. Jesus had the power to miraculously produce enough food to feed 5,000 men (MAR 6:41-44).
  • No. Jesus condemned a fig tree for failing to produce fruit at his command (MAR 11:12-14).

How long did it take for the fig tree to die?

  • When Jesus smote the fig tree, it withered and died instantly (MAT 21:19-20).
  • When Jesus smote the fig tree (MAR 11:13-15), it didn’t die until the next day (MAR 11:19-20).

Where was Mary and Martha’s home located?

  • In Bethany (JOH 11:18-20).
  • Somewhere between (LUK 10:38) Samaria (LUK 9:51-53) and Jericho (LUK 18:35). Jesus did not arrive in Bethany until after (LUK 19:29) visiting Mary and Martha.

Who scolded whom for anointing Jesus? Where and when did this take place?

  • An unnamed woman anointed Jesus (MAT 26:6-7) only to be scolded by the disciples (MAT 26:8-9).
  • An unnamed woman anointed Jesus’s head at Simon the Leper’s house (MAR 14:3), only to be scolded by some people (MAR 14:4-5). This took place after Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem (MAR 11:7-11).
  • An unnamed woman anointed Jesus' feet at a Pharisee’s house (LUK 7:36-38).
  • Mary anointed Jesus’ feet at Lazarus’ house (JOH 12:1-3). Only Judas Iscariot had a problem with this (JOH 12:4-5). This took place prior to Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem (JOH 12:12-15).

Did the disciples ask Jesus where he was going?

  • Yes. Both Simon Peter (JOH 13:36) and Thomas (JOH 14:5) asked, but Christ didn't answer.
  • No. Jesus chastised his disciples for never asking where he was going (JOH 16:5).

How many times does Jesus go to Jerusalem?

  • Only once (MAT 21:10, MAR 11:11).
  • Three times:
    • Once as a 12 year-old with his parents (LUK 2:42), then later with Satan (LUK 4:9), and then with his disciples (LUK 19:28).
    • After Passover (JOH 2:13), after a feast (JOH 5:1), and again during another feast (JOH 7:9, 14).

How did Jesus ride into Jerusalem?

  • On a colt (MAR 11:7, LUK 19:35), provided by his disciples (MAR 11:2, LUK 19:30).
  • On a young donkey that he found (JOH 12:14).
  • On both a donkey and a colt. (MAT 21:6-7), provided by his disciples (MAT 21:2).

How did the crowds in Jerusalem respond to Jesus?

  • They proclaimed Jesus, covering his path with fine garments as they sung praises (MAR 11:7-11).
  • They condemned Jesus, and cheered for his crucifixion with such enthusiasm that even Pilate thought it was absurd. Pilate only released Barabbas and crucified Jesus to appease these crowds (MAR 15:12-15).

When was the first communion and Last Supper take place?

  • The first communion took place on Passover (MAT 26:20, 26-28; MAR 14:22-23; LUK 22:16-20), during the Last Supper (MAT 26:19; MAR 14:12, 16-17, 22; LUK 22:13-15).
  • The first communion (JOH 6:54, 56, 59) took place prior to the Last Supper (JOH 13:1-2, 29), which occurred before Passover (JOH 18:28).

Was Jesus aware of Judas’ betrayal?

  • Yes. Jesus called Judas out on his betrayal as it happened (LUK 22:47).
  • No. Jesus did not suspect anything (MAT 26:49-50).

When did Jesus tell his disciples he would be betrayed?

  • Before the first communion (MAR 14:18, 22).
  • After the first communion (LUK 22:19-21).

When did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus?

  • Judas betrayed Jesus (MAR 14:10-11) before the Last Supper (MAR 14:22).
  • Judas betrayed Jesus (JOH 13:30) after the Last Supper (JOH 13:26-27).

When did Satan enter Judas?

  • Before the Last Supper (LUK 22:3-4, 7).
  • After the Last Supper (JOH 13:3-4, 26-27).

What in what order was the first communion offered?

  • Bread was served before wine (MAR 14:22-23).
  • Wine was served before bread (LUK 22:17-19).

Where did Jesus predict Peter's denial?

  • While standing on Mt. Olives (MAT 26:20, 30, 34).
  • During the Last Supper (LUK 22:19, 34, 39).

How did the chief priests identify Jesus prior to his arrest?

  • The chief priests paid Judas to kiss Jesus, and only Jesus, to single him out from the crowd to arrest (MAR 14:43-44).
  • The chief priests already knew who Jesus was after he barged into the temple (MAR 11:15, 17-18).

How many times did Jesus leave his disciples to pray on Mt. Olives?

  • Once (LUK 22:39-47).
  • Three times (MAR 14:34, 41).

Did Jesus accept his fate with courage?

  • Yes. “He [Jesus] humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (PHILI 2:8).
  • No. Jesus begged God for a way to escape the crucifixion, but God refused (JOH 12:27-28). During the crucifixion, Jesus was afraid, and he cried the entire time (HEB 5:7).

Were Jesus' prayers at Gethsemane identical?

  • Yes, Jesus “prayed, and spake the same words” (MAR 14:39).
  • No. Jesus prayed two separate prayers (MAT 26:39, 42), and later repeated the second one (MAT 26:44).

Were there witnesses to Jesus' prayer on the Mount of Olives?

  • No. Jesus was alone, as demonstrated by the fact that Jesus found that all of his disciples were asleep when he returned from his prayers (LUK 22:45).
  • Yes. Since the Bible quotes what Jesus spoke in his prayer on the Mount of Olives (MAT 26:39, 42; MAR 14:36; LUK 22:41-42), someone had to witness this event in order to record his words.

Does Judas identify Jesus to the authorities?

  • Yes. Judas identified Jesus, by being the one that he kissed (MAT 26:49, MAR 14:45).
  • Not really. Judas tried to identify Jesus with a kiss, but Jesus called him out on his plan before he could do so (LUK 22:47-48).
  • No. Although Judas told the authorities Jesus’ whereabouts (JOH 18:1-2), Judas never singled him out. When asked, Jesus freely identified himself (JOH 18:4-5).

When was Jesus taken away?

  • Before someone amputated the ear of high priest’s servant with a sword (MAR 14:46-47).
  • After someone amputated the ear of high priest’s servant with a sword (LUK 22:50, 54).

What happened to Judas Iscariot?

  • Judas rejected the silver, and threw it down in the temple. He later hung himself (MAT 27:5). Since the silver was considered "blood money," the Pharisees could not legally deposit it into their treasury. After consulting with their lawyer, the Pharisees used the money to buy a clay mine (a “potter’s field”), which doubled as a graveyard because it was uncultivatable land with deep holes in it. This place became known as the “field of blood,” since it was purchased with blood money (MAT 27:6-8).
  • Judas kept the silver, and purchased the potter’s field for himself. He died shortly thereafter, when he was disemboweled after he tripped and fell on a rock in his new field This place became known as the “field of blood,” as a reference to the strange, gory death which occurred there (ACT 1:18-19).

Are the 30 pieces of silver and the Potter’s Field significant?

  • Yes, because this fulfilled one of Jeremy’s (Jeremiah’s) messianic prophecies (MAT 27:9-10).
  • No, because Jeremiah made no such prophecy. This “prophecy” is a paraphrase of one of Zechariah’s statements (ZEC 11:12-13).

Who did Jesus’ captor first take him to?

  • Caiaphas, the high priest (MAT 26:57).
  • Annas, Caiaphas’ father-in-law (JOH 18:13).

When did Jesus' trial take place?

  • Jesus’ trial (MAT 26:59, 65-66) took place at night; the Bible explicitly states that the crucifixion took place the next morning (MAT 27:1-2).
  • Jesus’ trial took place early in the morning (LUK 22:66, 71).

Was Lazarus really dead?

  • No. Lazarus was not dead, just incredibly ill (JOH 11:3-4).
  • Yes. Jesus explicitly stated that Lazarus was dead (JOH 11:14-15).

Did Pilate try and condemn Jesus?

  • Yes. Pilate arrested and tried Jesus (JOH 18:12-35), and later issued a death sentence (JOH 19:15-16).
  • No. The high priests, scribes, and elders assembled (MAT 26:57), convicted Jesus of the crime of blasphemy, and sentenced him to death (MAT 26:65-66).
  • Yes and no. The high priests, scribes, and elders assembled (LUK 22:66), and convicted Jesus of the crime of blasphemy (LUK 22:71), but they did not sentence him. The council brought the matter to Pilate (LUK 23:1-2), and stated that Jesus claimed to be a king, which was a capital offense under Roman law. Pilate was then required to issue the death penalty (LUK 23:1-24).

What crime was Jesus officially charged with?

  • Blasphemy (MAT 26:65).
  • Claiming kingship (JOH 19:12).
  • Claiming kingship as a part of a tax fraud scheme (LUK 23:2).

When asked, did Jesus tell the high priest that he was the Christ?

  • Yes. Jesus explicitly told the high priest that he was, in fact, the Christ (MAR 14:61-62).
  • Not exactly. While Jesus did not claim to be the Christ, he did not deny it either (MAT 26:63-64).
  • No. Jesus had no need to make such a claim, and told the high priest to “ask them who heard me” (JOH 18:19, 21).

How did Pilate feel about Jesus?

  • Pilate found no fault in Jesus (LUK 23:4) and “sought to release him”, but was goaded into killing him instead (JOH 19:12).
  • Pilate was part of a global conspiracy to kill Jesus (ACT 4:26 -27).

What did Jesus say to Pilate during his trial?

  • Jesus remained silent, and put forth no defense (MAT 27:11-14).
  • Jesus claimed to be a king, but his kingdom was “not of this world.” Jesus did not claim to be the king of the Jews (JOH 18:33-37).

Can Jesus testify about himself?

  • Yes. “Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true....’” (JOH 8:14).
  • No. “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true” (JOH 5:31).

When was Jesus scourged?

  • Jesus was explicitly shown to be scourged (JOH 19:1) prior to receiving his death sentence (JOH 19:15-16).
  • Jesus was explicitly shown to be scourged after sentencing (MAR 15:15).

Were the Jews legally justified in killing Jesus?

  • Yes. Claiming to be the Son of God was a capital offense under Jewish law (JOH 19:7).
  • No. When asked, the Jews claimed their legal system explicitly forbade the death penalty (JOH 18:31).

Who is responsible for the death of Jesus?

  • The Jews. Since all Jewish people played a role in -- and are thus responsible for -- the death of Jesus Christ, they now suffer a “blood debt,” whereby all Jews are equally and in parallel guilty of this crime for all eternity (MAT 27:25).
  • The chief priests came up with the idea, who then passed it along to Pilate (LUK 23:23-24).
  • It was Pilate’s idea, and he asked the chief priests for their consent (JOH 19:15-16).
  • The princes of this world are responsible (1COR 2:8).
  • Jesus accepted the responsibility for his own death (JOH 10:17-18).

Who dressed Jesus prior to his execution, and in what?

  • Herod’s soldiers did the dressing (LUK 23:11).
  • Pilate’s soldiers dressed Jesus in purple robe (JOH 19:1-2).
  • The governor’s soldiers dressed Jesus in a scarlet robe (MAT 27:27-28).

Who carried the cross?

  • Jesus was explicitly stated to have carried his own cross (JOH 19:16-17).
  • Simon the Cyrenian carried the cross for Jesus (MAR 15:21).

How did Jesus die?

  • Jesus was slain, then hung on a tree (ACT 5:30).
  • Jesus died on the cross (MAT 27:40).

Are those who hang on a tree cursed?

  • Yes. Anyone who hangs on a tree is intrinsically cursed (DEU 21:23; GAL 3:13).
  • No, because Jesus was hung from a tree (ACT 5:30).

When was Jesus crucified?

  • Before the Passover meal (JOH 18:28; 19:14, 23).
  • After the Passover meal (LUK 22:13-16).
  • Jesus was explicitly stated to have been crucified at 3:00 PM (MAR 15:25).
  • Jesus must have crucified late in the day, since Pilate’s trial took place around 6:00 PM (JOH 19:14-18).

What was written on the sign above Christ’s head?

  • “This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (MAT 27:37).
  • “The King of the Jews” (MAR 15:26).
  • “This is the King of the Jews” (LUK 23:38).
  • “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (JOH 19:19).

How many thieves reviled Jesus on the cross?

  • 2 (MAR 15:32).
  • 1 (LUK 23:39-40).

Did Jesus receive vinegar on the cross?

  • Yes. After receiving the vinegar, he said, "It is finished," and died (JOH 19:30).
  • No. Jesus did not receive the wine/myrrh cocktail, as he died before it was offered (MAR 15:23).

Where were the women during the crucifixion?

  • They stood by the cross (JOH 19:25-26).
  • They watched the crucifixion from afar (MAT 27:55).

What were Jesus’ last words?

  • “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (MAT 27:46).
  • “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (LUK 23:46).
  • It is finished” (JOH 19:30).
  • Nothing, per se. He just “cried with a loud voice” (MAR 15:37).

When was the temple curtain torn in half?

  • After Jesus died (MAR 15:37-38).
  • Before Jesus died (LUK 23:45-46).

How did Joseph of Arimathaea acquire Jesus’ body?

  • Joseph of Arimathaea boldly asked Pilate for Jesus' body while he still hung on the cross. Pilate complied upon hearing the news of Jesus’s death (MAR 15:43-45).
  • Joseph of Arimathaea asked Pilate for Jesus’ body in secret, after he died, because he feared retribution from the Jews (JOH 19:33, 38).

Who buried Jesus?

  • Joseph of Arimathaea buried him alone (MAR 15:45-46).
  • Joseph of Arimathaea buried Jesus with Nicodemus' help (JOH 19:38-42).
  • The rulers of Jerusalem buried Jesus (ACT 13:27-29).

When did the woman (or women) arrive at the sepulcher?

  • Before sunrise (JOH 20:1).
  • At sunrise (MAT 28:1; MAR 16:2).
  • After sunrise (LUK 24:1).

Who visited the tomb?

  • Mary Magdalene went alone (JOH 20:1).
  • Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” (MAT 28:1).
  • Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James), and Salome (MAR 16:1).
  • Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James), Joanna, and other women (LUK 24:10).

Why did the women go to Jesus' tomb?

  • They wanted to anoint Jesus’ body (MAR 16:1).
  • They wanted to see the tomb (MAT 28:1).
  • They went to the tomb for no particular reason (JOH 20:1).

When was Jesus' body anointed?

  • Jesus was anointed prior to internment in the tomb (JOH 19:38-42).
  • Jesus’s body was interred (MAR 15:45-47) before being anointed. The women went to the tomb with the intention of anointing the body (MAR 16:1-2).

Was the tomb was open when the women arrived?

  • Yes, it was already opened when they arrived (MAR 16:4; LUK 24:1-3; JOH 20:1-2).
  • No. The tomb was closed when they arrived, and they witnessed an angel rolling the stone aside (MAT 28:1-3).

Were there guards at Jesus' tomb?

  • Yes. The tomb had to be guarded, because the angel terrified some guards (MAT 28:4).
  • No. When the women found that the tomb was open, they asked each other why; because there were no guards to ask (MAR 16:2-6).

Who did the women see at the tomb?

  • “An angel” outside the tomb, sitting on the stone door (MAT 28:1-4).
  • “A young man” sitting inside the tomb (MAR 16:5).
  • “Two men” standing inside the tomb (LUK 24:3-4).
  • “Two angels” sitting inside the tomb (JOH 19:40).

Were the women told what had happened to Jesus' body?

  • Yes. The women were explicitly told that Jesus had risen (MAR 16:5-6).
  • No. The women were convinced Jesus was the victim of graverobbers (JOH 20:2).

Did the women tell the disciples about the empty tomb?

  • Yes, but the details are sketchy:
    • They quickly informed all of the disciples (MAT 28:8).
    • They only told a group of 11 disciples. The other one was told later (LUK 24:9).
    • They only talked to Simon Peter and another disciple (JOH 20:2).
  • No. The women said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid (MAR 16:8).

Who raised Jesus from the dead?

  • God did (ACT 2:32).
  • The Holy Spirit did (ROM 8:11).
  • Jesus resurrected himself (JOH 2:19-21).

Where did Jesus first appear?

  • At the tomb (JOH 20:11, 14).
  • Near the tombs (MAT 28:8-9).
  • On the road to Emmaus (LUK 24:13-15).

Who was the first to see the resurrected Jesus?

  • Mary Magdalene (MAR 16:9).
  • Two of his disciples, though it is unclear which two (LUK 24:13-15).
  • Peter (1COR 15:5-8).

How did Mary Magdalene react to the risen Jesus?

  • She felt a combination of “fear and great joy,” and ran off to tell the other disciples. She recognized Jesus and worshiped at his feet (MAT 28:8-9).
  • Mary ran off at the sight of the open tomb, to get other disciples. Mary only met Jesus later, when she returned. She cried from sadness and grief, because Jesus was a probable victim of graverobbers. She was unaware that she met Jesus (JOH 20:1-15).

Did Jesus tell the apostles that he would die and be resurrected?

  • Yes. Jesus outlined the resurrection story to the apostles ahead of time (LUK 18:33).
  • No. Jesus alluded to the resurrection, but he never directly explained it to the apostles (JOH 13:36). Although prophets mentioned the resurrection, the apostles were laborers who did not study the scriptures (JOH 20:9).

Where did Jesus first appear to his eleven remaining apostles?

  • In Galilee (MAT 28:16-17).
  • In Jerusalem (LUK 24:33, 36-37).

How did the resurrected Jesus appear to his disciples?

  • In his corporeal body, exactly as he was in life. Jesus explicitly pointed out that he was not a spirit, and remained comprised of flesh and bone (LUK 24:39).
  • Jesus appeared “in another form” (MAR 16:12) since “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1COR 15:50). Since Jesus was now “free from the law of sin and death” he could no longer be comprised of flesh, which is intrinsically sinful. Therefore, after the resurrection he appeared in an alternate form which was “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (ROM 8:1-3).

Did the disciples believe in Jesus' resurrection?

  • Yes. The disciples believed in the resurrection, and they wanted in on it (MAR 10:34-37).
  • No. The disciples did not initially believe in the resurrection (MAR 16:11) because it sounded like a tall tale (LUK 24:11).

How did the disciples react to the resurrected Christ?

  • They worshiped him (MAT 28:9), even though some doubted what had happened (MAT 28:17).
  • They were utterly terrified (LUK 24:36-37).
  • They were glad (JOH 20:19-20).

How many of his apostles did Jesus visit after his resurrection?

  • Only to eleven of them (MAR 16:14), because Thomas Didymus was elsewhere (JOH 20:24).
  • Peter at first, and then the rest of the twelve (1COR 15:5).

Did Jesus allow his believers to touch him before the ascension?

  • Yes (LUK 24:39). The disciples held his feet (MAT 28:9), and Thomas was allowed to stick his fingers into Jesus’ spear wound to prove that it was really him (JOH 20:26-27).
  • No. Jesus refused to let anyone touch him (JOH 20:16-17).

Where did Jesus go immediately after resurrecting?

  • He ascended into Heaven (JOH 20:17).
  • He went to Galilee (MAT 28:10).

Where did the resurrected Jesus tell his disciples to go?

  • To Galilee (MAT 28:10).
  • Nowhere; he wanted them to remain in Jerusalem (LUK 24:49).

Was Jesus the first to rise from the dead?

  • Yes (1COR 15:20). Christ is “the first that should rise from the dead,” (ACT 26:23) and the “first begotten of the dead” (REV 1:5).
  • No. Others were resurrected before Jesus; he was just one of many:
    • Elijah restored the dead to life (1KIN 17:22-23; 2KIN 4:32-35).
    • The deceased Elisha resurrected the corpses that touched his bones (2KIN 13:21).
    • Jesus resurrected a maid (MAT 9:23-25), a young man (LUK 7:12-15), and most famously, Lazarus (JOH 11:43).
  • Maybe? The Witch of Endor brought Samuel back from the dead (1SAM 28:14-15). However, since Samuel’s grave was in Ramah (1SAM 28:3), that story likely referred to channeling his spirit in a séance.

When did Jesus ascend?

  • The day after the Sabbath (MAR 16:9, 19; LUK 23:54-55; 24:1-3, 13, 15, 51).
  • 9 days after the Sabbath (JOH 19:31; 20:1, 17, 26; 21:1, 14).
  • 40 days after the Sabbath (ACT 1:1-3).
  • Many days after the Sabbath (ACT 13:30-31).

From where did Jesus ascend to Heaven?

  • Galilee (MAR 16:7).
  • Bethany (LUK 24:50-51).
  • Mt. Olivet, a day’s journey away from Jerusalem (ACT 1:9, 12).

When was the Holy Spirit given to the apostles?

  • On Easter Sunday, prior to the ascension (JOH 20:17-22).
  • On Pentecost (2:1-4), after the ascension (ACT 1:9).

How many believers were there immediately following Jesus' ascension?

  • ~120 (ACT 1:15).
  • >500 (1COR 15:4-7).

When will Jesus arise?

  • Jesus would arise after three days and three nights (MAT 12:40).
  • Jesus would arise sometime on the third day (MAT 20:19).
  • Jesus would wait three days, and then arise (MAT 27:63).

When did Jesus ascend into Heaven?

  • The same day he resurrected (LUK 23:43).
  • Three days after the resurrection (LUK 24:21, 51).

How long did Jesus spend in his tomb?

  • 3 days and 3 nights, to emulate Jonah and the whale (MAT 12:38-40).
  • 2 days and 2 nights. He died on a Friday, and spent that night in the tomb (MAT 27:1-2, 35, 57), where he remained all of Saturday (MAT 27:1-62, 64; MAR 15:42-43; LUK 23:46; JOH 19:30), before resurrecting on Sunday morning (MAT 28:1, 6; MAR 27:1; LUK 24:1; JOH 20:1).