International Bible Teaching Ministries
What Jesus Did and Didn’t Do
Question 1: During the temptation of Christ, did he actually fast for forty days or is this just estimation?
ANSWER: Christ actually fasted for forty days and forty nights! There is no scriptural reason to think otherwise. Note that Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (I Kings 19:8) also fasted for forty days.
Question 2: Was Jesus in the grave for three days and three nights?
ANSWER: Yes, as the Jews reckoned time! Today, three days and three nights means seventy-two hours. This was not necessarily true in the first century. The Jews often spoke in round numbers, taking a part for the whole! Christ's body was in the earth part of the day Friday, which the Jews reckoned as a whole day; that is, a day and a night (First). His body was in the earth all day Saturday (the Sabbath), a day and a night (Second). It was in the earth part of the day Sunday, which the Jews reckoned as a whole day; that is a night and a day (Third). Thus, according to the reckoning of that time, Jesus' body was in the heart of the earth three days and three nights!
Question 3: Would you provide evidence that Christ used the Greek language? Was Greek the only language He knew? What language did Jesus use in Matthew 4:17 and Luke 2:46-49?
ANSWER: Jesus while on this earth undoubtedly spoke most often in His native tongue. The language used most commonly in Palestine at that time was a mixture of Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Syriac, called Syro-Chaldaic or Aramaic. This is evidenced further by use of phrases in this language by the inspired writers in Mark 7:34 and Matthew 27:46.
However, since the Bible is verbally (word for word) inspired (I Corinthians 2:13), we can be assured that Christ spoke (Hebrews 1:2) in concert with the Holy Spirit, giving the writers of the New Testament the exact Greek words that He wanted them to use and record in the original manuscripts. In fact, in Matthew 16:18, Christ is understood to be actually speaking in the Greek tongue as He uses a play on the two Greek words Petros (Peter-masculine) and petra (rock-feminine), showing that the church was not built upon Petros, but rather upon petra, i.e., the confession that Peter had made in Verse sixteen. The usage of the Greek genders in this passage was critical to the understanding of the apostles as He spoke directly to them and just as critical for us today. The Aramaic would not have provided the necessary distinction!
Undoubtedly, Jesus, being God, can speak any language He so desires. In the passages in question (Matthew 4:17 and Luke 1:46-49), Jesus, without doubt, spoke in the language of His hearers (Palestinians) at the time of the speaking. The words that He spoke through the Holy Spirit to the apostles, and which were divinely recorded for you and me, were, with rare exception (e.g., Mark 7:34; Matthew 27:46), in the Greek tongue!
Question 4: Did Jesus drink alcoholic beverages?
ANSWER: No! That Christ stands opposed to the use of alcoholic beverages is made clear in Proverbs 23:29-35 and Isaiah 5:11. Note that these two passages show a connection between "wine" and "strong drink." Then consider Habakkuk 2:15, "Woe unto them that givest his neighbour drink, that puttest the bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness." Certainly, this does not suggest that our Lord who was without sin, having kept the Old Law perfectly, including this passage, gave His neighbour (the twelve and those at the wedding in Cana) to drink and "put the bottle to them." Neither does it suggest that He Himself drank alcoholic beverages. Clearly the opposite is taught!
Question 5: Did Christ resurrect in body? If yes, explain I Peter 3:18 and I Corinthians 15:42-44, 50.
ANSWER: Yes! Christ was bodily resurrected (Matthew 28:6; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-29), as we shall be (John 5:28-29; II Corinthians 5:1-10).
I Peter 3:18 simply teaches that Christ was quickened (made alive/resurrected) through the power and agency of the Holy Spirit, the same power by which our bodies shall one day be resurrected (Romans 8:11)!
I Corinthians 15:42-44 emphasizes the fact that the bodies that will come forth from the grave in the general resurrection (all are to be raised at the same time) will be incorruptible, unlike our present corruptible bodies. Being different from our present "natural" bodies, they are referred to in Verse forty four as "spiritual” bodies, not as "spirits without bodies" (II Corinthians 5:2-3)! The flesh of which the spiritual (heavenly/celestial-Vs.40) body is to be made will be unlike anything that now exists on earth. It will not be as the flesh of present man; as beasts, fishes, or birds (I Corinthians 15:35-39), but, rather, God will provide a body that pleases Him (Vs.38). These facts are also evidenced and implied in Verse fifty where we are told that our present flesh and blood bodies, which are corruptible, cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (which is incorruptible). Therefore, we will be clothed (II Corinthians 5:1-3) in the resurrection with incorruptible, spiritual bodies unlike our present fleshly, corruptible, natural bodies. Note very carefully what Paul is saying in Verse fifty. He does not say that incorruptible "flesh and bones" cannot enter heaven! He is saying that corruptible "flesh and blood" cannot enter heaven! Note also in Luke 24:39 that Jesus' resurrected body consisted of "flesh and bones." That His resurrected body had been "changed" is further seen by the placing of Thomas' fingers “into the print of the nails" and the thrusting of his hand "into His side," indicating an absence of blood as we know it! This is the incorruptible, glorious, "flesh and bones" body that the disciples saw taken up into heaven and the same incorruptible, glorious, "flesh and bones" body that all shall see returning from heaven one day (Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 1:7). In that great day He has promised to 'change our vile (corruptible) bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto His glorious (resurrected) body, . . .' (Philippians 3:21) and then "we shall be like Him" (I John 4:2)! Note, as well, that the corruptible bodies of those who are alive when the resurrection occurs will also be "changed" into incorruptible bodies (spiritual bodies) fit for an eternity in heaven (I Corinthians 15:51-52)!
Question 6: Did Jesus become a sinner when He died on the cross for our sins?
ANSWER: No! II Corinthians 5:21 says that Christ "knew no sin." It was because of this that He could be "made to be sin for us." This passage does not teach that He became a sinner or even that He literally became sin. It is teaching that He suffered as though He were the sinner; that He only, because of His sinlessness, could do such and be the one perfect sacrifice (sin-offering) whereby "we might be made the righteousness of God in Him!" Those who teach that Christ became a sinner at the cross are in error!
Question 7: If Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him, why did he continue to permit him to be a disciple? Why did he not tell the other disciples so that Judas could be excluded from His closest circle of followers?
ANSWER: Mere man would have so done. But Christ was more than man. Being the Son of God, He would do nothing to thwart the prophetic will of God (John 10:11-18).
Question 8: If Jesus knew that one of his disciples would betray him, why should he say that all twelve disciples would sit upon twelve thrones (Matthew 19:28)?
ANSWER: Certainly, this passage is symbolic and teaches that the judging would come through the word that the apostles would be given. As well, it is certain that with Judas’ betrayal the number of twelve (symbolically or otherwise) would be in no way diminished. It had been prophesied (Psalms 109:8) and fulfilled in Acts 1:20-26.
Question 9: If Jesus knew that he was to die on the cross, why did he spend all night praying in the Garden of Gethsemane seeking deliverance: “Father if it is possible may this cup be taken from me (Matthew 26:39)?
ANSWER: His human nature was deeply affected by the ordeal that He faced. If there was any other way that man could be redeemed surely Jesus, the man, would have desired that, as would we all. But the divine side, Jesus, the Son of God, bowing to the will of the father acceding to the will of the Father, humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8) as a sacrifice for your sins and mine (Hebrews 9:26-28; Hebrews 10: 10-12).