Answers
It’s answers you seek! The Bible doesn’t answer every question, but our DYK pages try to make sense of some details.
Creation
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Bonus Questions
When the earth was formless, what was the Spirit of God hovering over? (Genesis 1:2)
Where does Genesis say God planted a garden? (Genesis 2:8)
Main Thought
The creation narrative in Genesis is clear that God is the creator of all things. He creates all things on a cosmic level in Genesis 1 and in Genesis 2 the story’s setting is a specific place on earth, in the east, in Eden. A story of the order of creation on a cosmic level and a story of God being creative in one particular special place would mean we don’t have to try to make the narratives fit into each other and in doing so the Bible would still be true.
BibleProject Podcast – The Genealogical Adam and Eve feat. Dr. S. Joshua Swamidass
Plagues
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Bonus Questions
Why did God perform these signs? (Exodus 7:5, 10:2)
Who said, “This is the finger of God.”? (Exodus 8:19)
Main Thought
What would have happened if these signs had of occurred in a different order?
Commandments
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Bonus Questions
What happened to the first set of stone tablets? (Exodus 34:1)
Which commandment did Jesus say was the greatest? (Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:27)
Main Thought
We know what God commands us to do, but not everyone agrees on the order these are numbered. Jesus and the Pope would probably number them differently. What’s important is God never says here are the 10 things I command.
Wikipedia – Ten Commandments § Numbering schemes
Genealogy
View Answers for Luke
View Answers for Matthew
Bonus Questions for Luke’s Genealogy
If Cainan (13th generation) and Admin (28th generation) aren’t found in Genesis 11:10-32, 1 Chronicles 2:9-10, or Ruth 4:18-22, why would Luke add them in Jesus’ genealogy?
(The result of these additions moves Abraham to the 21th generation and David to the 35th generation, creating a pattern where every 7th generation a special person or name appears. It would appear Luke is using the number seven purposely.)
Why would Luke include seventy-seven generations to Jesus in his genealogy? (1 Enoch 10:12) 1 Enoch?!
(Consider Enoch is the 7th generation from Adam – 70 generations later – Luke places Jesus on the scene.)
Bonus Questions for Matthew’s Genealogy
Why does Matthew mention the women he does in Jesus’ genealogy?
Tamar – Genesis 38
Rahab – Joshua 2
Ruth – Ruth 1-4
Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11
Mary – Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-56)
Why does Matthew include forty-two generations (3 sets of 14) to Jesus in his genealogy?
(Whatever the reason, the symbolism of the number fourteen and the aspect of three are important.)
Main Thought
We tend to want cold hard facts and answers when we read the Bible. It would seem Matthew and Luke are making theological claims in the branches of their recording of Jesus’ family tree.
Wikipedia – Genealogy of Jesus
Temptations
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Bonus Questions
Who came to Jesus after the Devil left? (Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13)
How much of the Bible has the Devil read? (?)
Main Thought
Different Biblical authors recount the details of Jesus’ life differently and with a purpose. Why do Matthew and Luke record the order of the temptations differently? Why does Mark not mention specific details? Why does John leave the whole temptation narrative out of his gospel? Understanding the style and for what purpose each Biblical author is writing their gospel will give any reader more insight.
Names
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Bonus Questions
Will you be victorious? (Revelation 2:17)
What will your new name be? (Revelation 2:17)
Main Thought
Names are important!
Nicknames
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Bonus Questions
What phrase did Jesus use most to describe himself? (Matthew 18:11)
When the one called The Word of God comes back, what is his written name? (Revelation 19:12-13)
Main Thought
No wonder it’s difficult to remember 12 guy’s names!
Disciples
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Bonus Questions
What did Jesus do the night before he chose his 12 disciples? (Luke 6:12-13)
Who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot? (Acts 1:21-26)
Main Thought
There’s not a lot written about all of these guys.
Miracles
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Bonus Questions
What is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? (HINT – It’s on the page)
What does John say would be the result if everything that Jesus said and did was written about? (John 21:25)
Main Thought
The gospel authors don’t all share the same miracles Jesus did in the Bible. What point are the authors making by including or excluding one of Jesus’ miracles in their telling of the story?
Supper
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Bonus Questions
How did many of Jesus’ disciples react after hearing him say, “For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.”? (John 6:60)
After many of Jesus’ disciples stopped following him, what did Jesus ask the Twelve? (John 6:67)
Main Thought
Mythology and folklore, with tales of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and ghouls, have captured imaginations for generations. Fantasy fiction can attract us with romantic, charismatic characters with an alluring mystique about the supernatural, but these characters, wrapped in darkness, want to take something from us. The story of Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12), is that he came not to take our lives from us, but to give us life.
Death
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Bonus Questions
What is the significance of Jesus being dead for three days? (1 Corinthians 15:4)
Where did Jesus go after He died? (Luke 23:43; 1 Peter 3:18-20)
Main Thought
Death is a reality for all of us (maybe not Enoch and Elijah!). But, in death, what happens to our body and what happens to that other part of us is something we should consider.
Authority
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Bonus Questions
Which person seeking healing for their servant recognized Jesus’ authority, and Jesus was amazed by their faith? (Matthew 8:5-10)
To whom did Jesus give the authority, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven”? (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:18)
Main Thought
Jesus, who was given all authority in Heaven and on Earth (Matthew 28:18), gives those who believe and follow Him power and authority over darkness. If you’re a believer, does that scare or empower you?
View Answers
Bonus Questions
What letter, lost to us, does Paul tell the Colossians to also read? (Colossians 4:16)
Who wrote most of the letters that are in the Bible? (Books of the Bible)
What is the Greek word for letter? (Wikipedia)
Main Thought
The Bible isn’t just one book, it’s a collection of many books. It even includes letters written to specific people!
Words
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Bonus Questions
If God is everywhere, where isn’t He? (Psalm 139:8)
Main Thought
How many big words or Biblical concepts do you need to know to be saved by Jesus?
Have a good idea for new DYK Bible page or topic we should cover? Email us and let us know – jesuslovesyou@notsoboringbible.com