Epaphroditus

Philippians 2:25-30 - But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

I wonder what almost killed Epaphroditus. Did he stay outside in the cold too long and catch pneumonia? (How cold does it get where Paul was? Was he in Rome?) Did Epaphroditus go into a remote area and get bitten by some critter or poisoned by some plant that made him very ill? Did he have some more common ailment like a cold that he just didn't take care of properly letting it nearly cost him his life?

Was he over-devoting (if that's even possible) himself to the spreading of the gospel, so much so that he neglected his health? Or does Paul simply mean to say that the illness came to him in the normal course of his service to the Lord?

Paul's own hand

Galatians 6:11 - See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

I wonder why Paul decided to write part of this letter with his own hand. Did he want to prove he was actually present dictating the rest of it to his scribe? Would there be any doubt about that in the Galatians' minds?

Had his scribe stepped out of the room for a break leaving Paul with nothing better to do? Did Paul write more than this one sentence in his own hand? Did he finish the letter himself?

Why did he use large letters? (Some think he may have had poor eyesight.) Was it just to distinguish his writing from that of his scribe? What made him think to write those particular words; that is, that particular self-referential sentence? Was he trying to be humorous?

Did later scribes copy Paul's handwriting in large letters to help preserve the difference and meaning? Do any handwritten copies in existence today (We don't have the originals.) have larger print for this verse?

Did Paul have neat penmanship?

The brothers who shall not be named

2 Corinthians 8:16-22 - I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.

I wonder why Paul doesn't hesitate to mention Titus by name but seems to go out of his way not to mention two other brothers. Was it for their protection? Was it to keep the Corinthians in suspense as part of a surprise? Paul sometimes used a secretary to do his letter-writing for him. Did he not want that man to know the identity of the two brothers? Was someone else listening, as he dictated to the scribe, who wasn't supposed to know who was being sent to Corinth? Was it one or both of those brothers?

Generous to a fault

2 Corinthians 8:1-3 - And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

I wonder what the "severe trial" was. Was it the poverty itself that they were subjected to? Was it something economic that caused the poverty? A natural disaster? Poor investments? A sharp decline in (the equivalent of) their stock market?

If they were already facing "extreme poverty," how could they give "beyond their ability"? Amazing how the Spirit can move someone no matter what their status or station in life!

Going out for supper?

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 - Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

Why would a Christian eat in an idol's temple? Was it just like going to a fancy restaurant? I imagine they did have good food there. After all, whoever brought the sacrifice probably gave the best they had in order to appease the god.

The Duck-billed Platypus

The female duck-billed platypus does not nurse its young with nipples.

Think about it.

Priscilla and Aquila in Rome?

Romans 16:3-5 - Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house.

When we last heard of Priscilla and Aquila, they had traveled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus and had apparently taken up residence there. Now it sounds like they might be living in Rome. If so, they were quite the travelers like Paul.

I wonder how big their house was. How big was the church (i.e. the congregation) that met there? How often did they meet?

Who finds the money?

Acts 28:30-31 - For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

I wonder who paid the rent. For that matter, how did Paul get anything he needed to live? Did the Roman government handle it all, since Paul was under arrest? If so, then why does it say he was renting? Did Paul have to take up tent-making again to earn wages to pay the rent? Did the Christians support him in return for his preaching to them?

Felix

Acts 24:24-25 - Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

I wonder what Felix was afraid of. I could guess that he was afraid of what Paul either already had discussed or was about to speak about -- something that made Felix realize his sin and the consequences of that sin, if he did not repent of it and change his ways.

I wonder if Paul knew something in particular about Felix that Felix didn't want others to hear, and so Felix stopped Paul's sermon just before he got to that part.

Paul, the Egyptian?

Acts 21:37-38 - As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, "May I say something to you?"

"Do you speak Greek?" he replied. "Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?"

Well, no, Paul wasn't that Egyptian. I wonder what made the commander think he was. Did he look Egyptian, as opposed to Jewish?

I wonder if we know from history who that Egyptian really was.

So terrorism is nothing new. I wonder what that Egyptian was planning to do with 4000 terrorists in the desert. I'm guessing that, whatever they had in mind, they didn't succeed, or we probably would have heard more about it even in the Bible -- assuming it would have had some effect on Jesus or his followers.

A place to stay

Acts 21:1-8 - After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.

I wonder how the travelers knew where the other Christians in each city lived. How easy was it to find them? Could you just ask anyone in the street? Did you get any information at the synagogue? (Assuming there was one and that you could find it.) Did you check with the visitor's bureau? Even if these were smallish cities, it doesn't seem like that easy of a task.

The plot

Acts 20:1-3 - When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

What was the plot against Paul? Was it to kill him? Was it to imprison him? Was it to deport him? Was it supposed to be an ambush?

How many Jews were in on the plot? How did Paul, or his associates, find out about it? This has the feeling of a Tom Clancy novel about it. How did Paul's change of plans and direction foil the plot?

Obviously God had more work for Paul in Macedonia that was of a higher priority at the time than any work that might have been found in Syria just then.

Artemis

Acts 19:23-41 - About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty."

When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

The whole city was in an uproar.
A large number of people (How many?) shouted for about 2 hours.
They were in danger of being charged with rioting.

So where were the police?

50,000 drachmas

Acts 19:17-19 - When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

First, an addendum to yesterday's post. Priscilla and Aquilla are still living in Ephesus when Apollos visits them at their home. It would seem that they settled down there for a while.

I wonder why they (other Ephesians) calculated the value of the stuff they were throwing into a fire. Was it for a tax write-off? Was it just because, as the scrolls kept coming in, someone realized that this was going to be a lot of valuable stuff (money-wise) and decided to see just how much it was worth out of curiosity?

Note that a drachma was about a day's wages. That means that the given value of the trash was about the same as 1 man's wages for 137 years. Or 10 men's wages for almost 14 years.

The point is that the things they once considered valuable now meant nothing and could be tossed into the flames.

I'm curious. Could you please tell me what brought you to this page by mentioning it in a comment? I won't publish the comment, if you ask me not to.

Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila

Acts 18:18-19 - Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

I wonder what Paul's vow was. What kind of solemn promise would you make that ends, "...I will cut off my hair."? I could speculate, but it's probably best not to.

I wonder if Priscilla and Aquila had a family. It seems that they didn't, since no children are mentioned and since they can apparently pick up shop and leave home quite easily. I wonder how long they stayed in Ephesus. Did they settle there permanently? Did they go back home to Corinth? Was Corinth even their original home?

They were tent makers. Was it easy to set up shop in a new town and start earning a living right away? Or did they have to find employment elsewhere for a time? Or was this just a vacation?

Shall we gather at the river?

Acts 16:13 - On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

Perhaps my history education is just lacking, but I wonder why they expected to find a place of prayer down by the riverside. Was that a common place in many locales to pray? Or had they just heard something in town (Philippi) that led them to believe they'd find prayerful folk on the waterfront?

Why would people choose the river's edge as a place for prayer? If it was the only water source in the area, nearly everyone would need to go there daily. If not, then why?

Shaking off the dust

Acts 13:49-51 - The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

I wonder what kinds of things the unbelieving Jews told the prominent people of the city that caused the expulsion of Paul and Barnabas. I wonder if it's the same types of complaints, slanders, lies, and other arguments that are used today when and wherever the Gospel is opposed. There's nothing new under the sun, you know.

Peter and the angel

Acts 12:6-10 - The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

I can understand (sort of) how Peter and the angel could have been invisible to the guards as they walked by. I wonder though if those who were watching the gate -- and surely there would have been guards at the gate -- could see the gate open apparently of its own accord.

I wonder too if someone had to quietly pull it shut later (before anyone important noticed), or if it closed by itself too.

Cornelius the centurion

Acts 10:1-2 - At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.

I wonder whether Cornelius became a God-fearing man before or after he became a centurion. Or for that matter, before or after he became a Roman soldier. Either way, it may very well have been very difficult at times to be both God-fearing and a centurion. The point is though that it was possible.

The grapevine?

Acts 9:11-14 - The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

I wonder how Ananias knew what Saul had done in preparation for his journey to Damascus. Was there a Christian grapevine running between Jerusalem and Damascus? Someone either in the chief priests' company or in Saul's own camp must have leaked the information to Jesus' disciples, and they must have quickly passed it on to those Christians in Damascus.

I wonder if Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea had anything to do with this.

Philip appears

Acts 8:40 - Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

I wonder if anyone saw Philip arrive or materialize, as the case may be.

I wonder what the trip was like. Could Philip remember it? Did he ever try to describe it to anyone? Was it describable?

Philip leaves

Acts 8:39 - When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

I wonder if the eunuch actually saw Philip being taken away. Did he float off into the distance until he was too small to see? Did he dissolve or vanish on the spot? Or did the eunuch turn around and Philip simply wasn't there anymore? Did anyone else in the caravan see him go?

I wonder if Philip's removal was a surprise to anyone in the party. Perhaps it was more surprising to some than to others. It certainly would have been an interesting addition to the story that would be told when they all got home.

I wonder how many travelers were in the troupe -- and how many times they got to tell the story.

Philip sits

Acts 8:30-31 - Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

I wonder how big this chariot was. There was room for at least two men to sit. The chariot had probably stopped moving. Were they sitting on the back edge of a Ben Hur racing style chariot? Was there still a driver aboard? Was this a fancier chariot? This was, after all, the vehicle used for long journeys by an important queen's treasurer. Was it perhaps even enclosed, looking more like a stagecoach? Was it cushioned? Did it have (real) gold trim with jewels?

Philip listens

Acts 8:30 - Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

I wonder why the eunuch was reading aloud. Most people read silently to themselves unless they're reading to someone. Was the eunuch reading to someone else in his company? Was it just his custom to read aloud all the time? Was he trying to teach someone or to learn from them in turn through his own reading?

Peter heals

Acts 3:1-10 - One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

I wonder who brought the crippled man to his begging place every day. Friends? Relatives? Owners?

I wonder if Peter and John were just a little surprised that they could do miracles. Peter seemed very confident, as well he should have been and needed to be. Yet, being human only -- and not the God-man that Jesus is -- I still wonder if later they thought, "Wow! Jesus was right again; we can do miracles!"

Jewish burial customs

John 19:40 - Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

I wonder how you learned how to prepare a body for burial according to Jewish customs. Did everyone have to learn this? Did your parents actively teach this to you? Were both boys (or men) and girls (or women) taught this skill? Or did you learn it just by passively observing other funerals? Were there teachers, sort of like morticians, who specialized in training you?

The other disciple

John 18:15-17 - Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

"You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter.
He replied, "I am not."

It's commonly assumed that the "other disciple" was the writer, John, himself. Whether it was or not, if he was still close enough to hear Peter's exchange with the girl, I wonder what kind of looks he and Peter exchanged afterwards.

To the olive grove

John 18:1-3 - When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

I wonder how Judas knew that the olive grove (the garden of Gethsemane) was where Jesus and the rest of the disciples had gone. Sure, he was familiar with the place, but how did he know Jesus would go there tonight?

Had it been mentioned at supper? I'm pretty sure the Bible doesn't record every single word that was spoken there.

Did Judas have spies tracking Jesus? Was that how he'd spent some of the cash he'd stolen from the money bag?

Did he look for Jesus in other places first? It doesn't seem like it took him very long to get his gang together and to find Jesus though. Then again, it's hard to calculate how much time all of this really took.

Did he stop by the house with the upper room first and ask the owner if he knew where the group had gone? The owner might at least have known the general direction if not the final destination.

Did Judas make an educated guess and get it right the first time? How many other places might Jesus logically have taken his disciples?

Judas the thief

John 12:1-6 - Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

I wonder how many disciples knew Judas was a thief. (Jesus obviously knew.) How long had they known? Did they try to catch him at it or stop him from it? Why did they let him continue to be the "keeper of the money bag"?

What did Judas use the stolen money for? Food? Things he wanted but couldn't otherwise afford? Gambling? Paying debts? Other things that were sinful in and of themselves?

On the other hand, it's possible (though it barely seems likely) that he used the money to help others. Though it does say he didn't care about the poor.

Bethesda

John 5:1-7 - Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

I wonder who first figured out (or was told) that healing would come from the waters of the pool of Bethesda. And when was this learned? I wonder why only the first person to get into the stirred-up waters was healed.

The wedding

John 2:1-2 - On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

I wonder why Mary, Jesus, and his disciples were invited to the wedding. Were they all, as would be the case today, friends or relatives of the bride and/or the groom? Or was Jesus invited because of his reputation? He hadn't done any miracles to this point though, so if he had a reputation, it would have been for something else.

Strength from an angel

Luke 22:43 - An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

I wonder what exactly an angel could do to strengthen Jesus. Speak comforting words? Remind him of his Father's promises? Impart physical strength to his anguished body? Whatever it was, God the Father must have known it was needed and known it would help or he wouldn't have sent the angel in the first place.

See how he loved his one and only Son, even and especially at such a low point in his life! See how he would do the same for any of his children!

Judas

Luke 22:3 - Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.

I wonder if Judas knew that a devil -- Satan himself, no less -- had entered into him. In other cases of demon possession, the possessed usually acted in very strange ways. We don't hear of anything so strange with Judas. Yet he still may have known there was something different and evil inside that hadn't been there before.

I wonder if Satan remained in Judas until his death or if he left before that point. Perhaps he only stayed until the capture of Jesus. Then again, that wasn't very long before Judas hanged himself.

Loud stones

Luke 19:37-40 - When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

I wonder what the sound of a stone crying out is. Would it have been human-like so the people could understand them? Would it have been in a language all its own? Stonese? Would it have been the sounds stones normally make when they clatter together?

I wonder how many Pharisees said or thought, "Yeah, right!"

Fetching a colt

Luke 19:28-32 - After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' "

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

I wonder if Jesus' disciples were at all surprised at his ability to tell of future events. They still didn't understand what he was talking about related to his death because it was hidden from them, but this event was fairly straightforward. They "found it just as he had told them." After all the other miracles they had seen -- feeding thousands with little, healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead -- did seeing into the future inspire even more awe in them?

A wee little man

Luke 19:1-6 - Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

I wonder if Zacchaeus was what we would call a midget or a dwarf. Or was he just shorter than average?

I wonder if Jesus had met, or at least heard of, him before -- or did he almost knock Zacchaeus out of the sycamore-fig tree by calling him by name? How would you react if someone called you by name out of the blue?

The tower of Siloam

Luke 13:4-5 - Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

I wonder why the tower fell. Did it fall during an earthquake? Was it due to poor construction? Was it sabotage? Was it just old and dilapidated?

Was it ever repaired/rebuilt?

Healing in his wings

Luke 9:10-11 - When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

I wonder if Luke, a doctor, ever wished he could heal people as easily as Jesus did.

Herod the Curious

Luke 9:7-9 - Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see him.

I wonder what Herod did to try to see Jesus. Did he send him an invitation to the palace? Did he try to free up his schedule so he could go look for Jesus in person? Did he send couriers, guards, scouts out to find Jesus to arrange a conference? An abduction? Did he consider throwing a party/feast to tempt him into coming to visit?

Family matters

Luke 8:19-20 - Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you."

I wonder why they wanted to see Jesus. Was it just because he hadn't been home in a while? Did they have something to tell him? Did they want to have him come back home with them? Did they have something to ask him -- spiritual or otherwise?

I wonder why the crowd didn't just part and let them through. I'd think they'd have VIP status as far as seeing Jesus was concerned.

Thank you for your support

Luke 8:1-3 - After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

I wonder if Joanna's support of Jesus' ministry had any repercussions at home. Did it affect Cuza's job? Did Cuza contribute as well? (It doesn't sound like it.) Where did Joanna get the funds or other contributions from? Did she have a job too? If so, I wonder what it was.

Simon the Pharisee

Luke 7:36-50 - Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.

"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

I wonder why Simon invited Jesus to his house. Weren't (most) Pharisees Jesus' enemies? If Simon wasn't an enemy, I would think he would have treated Jesus better.

Power or persuasion?

Luke 4:28-30 - All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

I've always wondered about this incident because so few details are given. Did Jesus use a bit of his divine power to quiet the mob? Did he become invisible to them? Did he just hold up his hand as if possibly to speak to the crowd but then just quietly walk away instead? Could the crowd in the end just not bring themselves to do it, especially seeing how Jesus (apparently) put up no fight?

What about me?

Luke 3:7-14 - John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked.

John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?"

"Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told

them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"
He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."

I wonder why the tax collectors and soldiers asked what they, each as a group, should do? What did they think John would say? I mean, wasn't it obvious? Stop doing bad things!

I know what he'd say if I asked. What would he say to you?

Jesus at 12

Luke 2:41-46 - Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

It's generally understood that the 3 days is counted as one day towards home, plus one day back to Jerusalem, plus one day searching the city for him. Even so, that's 2 nights that Jesus (at the age of a modern-day 6th grader) had to spend in the big city without his parents. I wonder who took him in. Was it one (or two) of the same teachers he was found studying with? Was there another relative in town? Maybe one the family had visited while there for the Feast?

Did Jesus spend the better part of those 3 days in the temple area? Did he wander around the town at all? What did he do for meals?

Simeon

Luke 2:25-26 - Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

I wonder who Simeon was; that is, did he have a family? How old was he? What was his job? (We aren't told he was a prophet before he met Jesus.) How long did he live after seeing Jesus? Besides the prophesying, did God set him apart for any other special reason?

I'm not deaf!

Luke 1:62 - Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.

I wonder why the people thought they had to use sign language to communicate with Zechariah. He wasn't deaf; he was dumb. Perhaps it was out of a sort of respect for his handicap, but I think more likely it was sheer forgetfulness.

One among many

Luke 1:1-4 - Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

I wonder how many others Luke knew of who had written about Jesus. How many more were there besides Matthew, Mark, and John? If there were only those 3, I doubt Luke would have said "many."

That said, those 3 and Luke himself (plus Paul and a few others later) are all we need. If there were more, they may not have been inspired by the Spirit anyway.

On the cross

I wonder if you know how long Jesus was on the cross. My first answer (due to a certain church tradition and without stopping to think) would have been wrong.

See Mark 15:25 and Mark 15:33-37.

Don't I know you?

Mark 14:66-67 - While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
"You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.

I wonder how many times, at what distance(s), and how recently the servant girl had seen Peter with Jesus. Did she have a really good memory for faces? Had it not been that long ago? Was Peter that recognizable?

I also wonder, if Peter hadn't been associated with Jesus by those in the courtyard, would he still have been considered suspicious just for being there at that time of the night?

Proper attire, Part 2

Mark 14:51-52 - A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

Some think that this young man was Mark himself. If it was Mark -- one of the 12 who had been with Jesus all evening -- why was he only wearing a linen garment? Why not a cloak or something underneath? Even if it wasn't Mark...same questions.

Why did they seize him in the first place? It was Jesus they wanted -- and already had.

Two lepta

Mark 12:41-44 - Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Who was she? Was there no one to help her after her husband died?

Do you think there were people who scorned her small offering, not knowing her situation as Jesus did? Yeah, me too.

Why did the monetary system include coins (lepta) worth so little? Inflation?

Den of robbers

Mark 11:15-17 - On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written:
" 'My house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' "

I wonder how long the "robbers" stayed out of the temple area. Were they back again a few hours later? The next day? The following week? Did they set up shop elsewhere to avoid another confrontation with Jesus?

I wonder if any of them joined the gang officially known as his enemies.

Two by two

Mark 6:7-13 - Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."

They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

I wonder if any of the Twelve were surprised at Jesus' instructions. How long were they gone? What did Jesus do in the meantime? Probably more of the same things he had been doing -- preaching, healing, etc.

I wonder if any of the disciples' family members tagged along. It seems like they didn't, so maybe they weren't gone very many days. Though it does sound like each pair would go to more than one city or town.

Talitha koum!

Mark 5:41 - He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" ).

I wonder why Mark decided to write Jesus' actual words and then translate or rephrase them for us. Perhaps there's something here in the original language(s) that I'm missing.

Levi

Mark 2:14 - As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

Assuming there were people in line waiting to pay taxes at Levi's booth, I wonder if they were pleased or frustrated when Levi walked away from his job.

Through the roof

Mark 2:1-12 - A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

I wonder what the people inside the building first thought when bits of the roof started falling on or around them. I wonder what the owner thought.

I wonder if any of the teachers of the law had a change of heart after hearing Jesus and seeing the miracle.

We were asleep

Matthew 28:11-15 - While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

I wonder who "leaked the story to the press," so to speak. I can think of only 3 possibilities.

• One of the chief priests and elders couldn't keep his mouth shut.
• One of the soldiers couldn't keep his mouth shut.
• Someone overheard the plot and couldn't keep his mouth shut.

My money is on the soldiers.

I wonder if they kept quiet about how much money they got. I wonder how long they kept it.

I see holy people

Matthew 27:52-53 - The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

I find it interesting that the death of Jesus caused the resurrection of many holy people right then and there. I wonder how many were raised to life. Somehow those who witnessed the resurrected people knew they were holy. Assuming their deaths were normal, their souls had been in heaven. Notice that no souls were brought back from hell -- no sparing of punishment for them.

The question of how long these people lived on earth after this resurrection often comes up. And did they have to die again? No one knows, but I have the hope and the feeling that, since God treated them specially at Jesus' death, he treated them specially and quickly by taking them directly back to heaven as soon as their witnessing work was done.

I wonder how many people in Jerusalem (the holy city) recognized them. The resurrected people must have either been well-known and easily recognizable or they must have gone specifically to those people they had known -- perhaps close friends, relatives, and coworkers.

The earth shook

Matthew 27:51 - At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.

I wonder if this was a "normal" localized earthquake or if the entire planet gave a shudder.

Torn curtain

Matthew 27:50-51 - And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.

I wonder who first put two and two together and figured out that the Temple curtain was torn at the same time that Jesus died. It was probably a priest, teacher of the law, or elder, since there were some of these men at Golgotha who would have later discussed the curtain with others who were at the Temple at the time.

I wonder if any of them grasped the significance of it -- that it was no longer needed due to Jesus' sacrifice of himself for everyone.

I wonder if anyone tried to repair the curtain. If so, they obviously didn't catch the significance.

Passers by

Matthew 27:39-40 - Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

I wonder how well-known and widely spread Jesus' words had become. If these passers by were just your average Shekaniah from Shiloh and his brother Eliphelet from Edom, I wonder how they knew that Jesus had said this about the Temple. If they hadn't been nearby when Jesus spoke those words, they must have heard them 2nd, 3rd, or nth hand from those who had been there.

I find it interesting too that these should be some of the jeers that they shouted. They obviously didn't understand what Jesus was talking about and yet there he was -- beginning to fulfill those very words before their very eyes.

Two robbers

Matthew 27:38 - Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

I wonder what they had stolen. And how many crimes were they guilty of? Even considering Old Testament laws, this seems pretty harsh to be crucified for robbery.

Pilate's wife

Matthew 27:19 - While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

I wonder what the dream -- or was it a nightmare? -- was about. Was Jesus in it or was it just about him? Did Pilate's wife know who Jesus was? How much did she know about him? Did she know he was innocent from the dream or from elsewhere?

Did Pilate's wife really expect her husband to do what she said? To change his mind? Had she ever "interfered" in his business as governor before? (And been successful?) What did she fear if Pilate didn't release Jesus? More bad dreams? Something worse like bad reality? Was she afraid something bad would happen to Pilate?

Maybe she hadn't done anything like this before. Maybe it was God trying to shock Pilate into doing the right thing from a totally unexpected source.

The potter's field

Matthew 27:7 - So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.

I wonder if the potter's field had been up for sale. How many acres was it? Was 30 pieces of silver a fair price for it?

Prior to this purchase, did they have a special place to bury foreigners? Were foreigners never shipped back home for burial?

Legions of angels

Matthew 26:53 - Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

I wonder how many angels there are. To the disciples, a legion would have conjured up thoughts of several thousand, perhaps 5000. So 12 legions would have been a number almost too large for them to imagine in one group -- 60,000. Certainly many more than needed to handle the current situation.

But are there billions of angels like there are billions of people? Is there (at least) one to watch over every individual -- Christian or not -- on the planet? (Nowhere does the Bible say so. I'm just wildly speculating on numbers.) Assume for a minute that there is. Does an angel get "reassigned" when someone dies? Or are there enough for every human that will have ever lived? Infinity plus 1? ;-)

I wonder how many fell from grace and now follow Satan. But I don't wonder much about that.

Betrayed with a kiss

Matthew 26:47-49 - While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

I've always wondered why Judas concocted this relatively elaborate scheme for identifying who Jesus was to the mob that was following him. I would think at least some of them already knew him. Did Judas tell them before they got there that it was Jesus they were going to capture? Perhaps not.

Still, why the fuss? Why not just point to him when they arrived and say, "Take him."? Would there really have been any doubt as to which guy to grab?

Was the plan supposed to trick the 11 disciples into thinking nothing bad was going to happen so they wouldn't be upset or be on the defensive? If so, it didn't work as fas as Peter was concerned.

A hymn

Matthew 26:30 - When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

I wonder what the lyrics were. It may have been a psalm, though psalms and hymns are elsewhere noted as if they are different from each other.

I wonder if they all knew the words from memory. They probably chose one they all knew. I wonder how many they had to choose from.

I wonder how often they sang. Did they ever sing harmony? Four part? 12? 13?

Expensive perfume

Matthew 26:6-7 - While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

I wonder where she (Mary) got the money for the perfume. Had she saved up for it for a long time? Had it been a gift? Had she planned to use it for anointing Jesus from the start? Or even before she acquired it? Or was it a spur-of-the-moment thing?

I wonder where it came from. It seems (from my wiki-search) that it most likely would have been imported from the Far East. Did she have to leave town (Bethany/Jerusalem) to get it? Did she have someone get it for her? Seems like there must have been some very wealthy people in the area who could afford such items, or else they wouldn't have been available.

A year's wages. Think what one item you could spend a year's wages on. Probably a car or a down payment on a house. Would you spend it on something you intended to give away; that is, give to God -- which is to say, to the work he has given us to do today?

The tables are turned

Matthew 21:12 - Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.

I'm a little surprised that Jesus was able to throw all these guys out by himself. Maybe he had a little help, or at least encouragement, from his friends. I wonder that no one stood up to him or tried to stop him. There's no indication that anything miraculous was going on here.

How many buyers and sellers were there to kick out? A handful? Dozens? Hundreds? Did he take them too much by surprise before they could gang up on him?

Cloak and palm

Matthew 21:8 - A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

I wonder who first thought, "Hey, I know! I'll take off my cloak and toss it down on the road in front of the donkeys so Jesus will ride over it." I'm sure they thought it was an honorable thing to do at the time. Perhaps it had some historical precedent and meaning of which I am unaware. If not, then I wonder where the idea came from.

Pretty much the same with the palm branches. Whether they had cut them earlier or on the spot, I wonder who thought it was a good idea to throw them down on the road.

Moses and Elijah

Matthew 17:1-4 - After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."

How did Peter know it was Moses and Elijah? From the topics of their conversations? Divine revelation? Once again, there were no portraits, photos, or jpegs of them that Peter might have linked them to.

12 basketfuls

Matthew 14:17-21 - "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.

"Bring them here to me," he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

I wonder at what point during the distribution the disciples or any of the people realized what was happening. The story is told matter-of-factly. There's no big fanfare or hubbub mentioned to indicate when that might have been.

I remember seeing one Hollywood director's idea of how this happened. There were large baskets (probably several bushels each) with a fish or some bread deep down inside each one. As food was taken out, more replaced it (unseen) until the baskets were soon overflowing with food.

Possible. I'm not creative enough to imagine another method.

I wonder how much each person had to eat before being "satisfied." Did Jesus give the food extra "filling power"?

I wonder what was done with the 12 basketfuls. Perhaps it was given to some of the poorer folk in the crowd.

I wonder who counted the ~5000 men.

Siblings

Matthew 13:55-56 - "Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us?"

Assuming that these brothers and sisters were children of Mary and Joseph and not more distant relatives (since I think these terms can be ambiguous at times in the original -- but I may be wrong), I wonder what it was like growing up with Jesus as a sibling, a real brother, a physical, visible member of the family. I've heard comedians joke about this -- usually implying that it would be tough to be his sibling. If something was wrong, it was never, ever Jesus' fault -- really! He probably got blamed for wrong doing though -- just look at his adult life! You were never quite as good as him at anything.

But I wonder if it really would have been all that bad living with the perfect brother. He never treated you badly. He never got you into trouble by his own bad behavior. He loved you at all times. He helped you whenever possible. He was really your best friend, if you wanted him to be.

Hm, sounds like the Jesus I have as my brother today.

The carpenter's son

Matthew 13:55 - "Isn't this the carpenter's son?"

I wonder if Joseph was the only carpenter in Nazareth. If so, no competition -- a monopoly. Nice...as long as he did good work.

Where ya been?

Matthew 12:38 - Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."

I wonder if these Pharisees and teachers of the law were new to the area. Had they never seen Jesus before? Was their timing (earlier) just bad? How could they not have seen one of his miracles if they were amongst that group who always seemed to be hanging around?

Or were they going to ask for some particular kind of miracle? Was it some sign that they thought would prove something about Jesus one way or the other?

I wonder if any of them understood the sign of Jonah that Jesus did give them.

Dead vs Asleep

Matthew 9:23-25 - When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

We often use Jesus' words here (and elsewhere -- see Lazarus' death) to compare death to falling asleep -- only to wake up the next time either in heaven or in hell. But I wonder if that was really what Jesus had in mind here. He said, "The girl is not dead...." And yet it seems he brought her back to life. I'm not questioning his power to bring someone back to life. (See Lazarus again where he plainly said he was dead.) I'm wondering whether or not the soul of this girl had gone to heaven or hell yet. Was it somewhere else? I'm not advocating Limbo or Purgatory either. "The girl is not dead...." Was her soul still in her body, but her bodily functions had ceased? Was she in some kind of extreme hibernation? Again, Jesus can and did raise people from the dead, but I'm not sure this example can be used to prove it.

Pharisees abounding

Matthew 9:10-11 - While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

There often seem to be Pharisees around ready to criticize Jesus and his followers. It probably wasn't always the same bunch of Pharisees, but I wonder...Didn't they have day jobs to go to? How could they spend so much time following Jesus?

Peter's mother-in-law

Matthew 8:14-15 - When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

I wonder why Peter hadn't (apparently) mentioned to Jesus that his mother-in-law was sick.

• Didn't he know?
• Didn't he like her?
• Did he think Jesus' healing powers were only meant for others?
• Did he "get it" that Jesus hadn't come mainly to heal people's bodies?
• Didn't he think the illness was severe enough to pray; that is, ask Jesus about?
• Was he just too busy, and it slipped his mind?
• Was he just about to mention it, but Jesus beat him to it?

I wonder if anyone in Peter's family asked Jesus to heal her or if he did this miracle of his own accord.

Don't tell anyone

Matthew 8:1-4 - When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

Very often Jesus told those on the receiving end of a miracle, "Don't tell anyone." (Jesus didn't want to be known primarily as a miracle worker but as the promised Savior and Redeemer of everyone.) I wonder how many actually did what he told them to; that is, didn't do what he told them not to do.

It had to be tough to keep something so good to yourself. How could you not tell your family, neighbors, and coworkers? If you had been healed of an awful disease like this man, they'd notice something different about you. If you had a demon removed, they'd notice a drastic change in your behavior.

Faith in Jesus as your Savior and Redeemer is a miracle too -- something only God can accomplish. If you've been the recipient of that miracle, do you find it hard to keep it to yourself? Do your coworkers, neighbors, and family members notice anything different about you, a difference in your behavior, compared to those who haven't yet experienced the miracle of faith?

The Father who sees all

Matthew 6:1-18 - "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

"This, then, is how you should pray:

" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.'

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

On the face of it, this section of Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" is about giving, asking, and giving up (food). All good things if done according to Jesus' guidelines. But I wonder if Jesus was trying to sneak in another point here that's just as important. Did you notice the phrase he used 3 times? "Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

It's not for the reward in and of itself that we do these things -- giving to the needy, praying, fasting. That's like the icing on the cake. Actually I wonder most about that phrase in the middle -- "who sees what is done in secret." I imagine Jesus saying that each time in a tone of voice that would allow the words "mind you" to fit nicely at the end of the phrase. Maybe even holding his pointer finger in the air too, drawing special attention to it, noting that it's a two-sided coin. It's good that the Father sees the good you do in secret, but the implication is that he can see the bad too. So don't do it!

Satan tempts Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11 - Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

First, I think it's important to note (and this often is glossed over or completely overlooked) that Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days -- not just 3 times on the 40th day. (Mark and Luke make this fact clearer.)

I wonder if Satan really thought Jesus would give in to any of his temptations. Maybe he thought he could wear him down by trying over and over again for 40 days. Who knows how many times he tried! Perhaps hundreds or thousands of times.

Not much different than some of the temptations we experience over and over again, is it?

Locusts and honey

Matthew 3:4 - John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

How many locusts are there in one serving? What I'm getting at is this: How many locusts did John have to eat to survive out there? Were the locusts plentiful or scarce? Were they hard to catch? How much honey was available? Was it easy to find? Was there any competition with the local wildlife?

I wonder how long John maintained this diet? Was this his only food in the wilderness or just the unusual items that people mentioned first and most often when John's name came up in the conversation?

Another route

Matthew 2:12 - And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

I wonder how many Magi there were in this party that visited Jesus. There may very well have been just three. Maybe only two. Maybe 24. The exact number doesn't matter, but what I really wonder about relative to this verse is this -- How many of them dreamed the warning dream? Did God give them all the same dream (easily done) and allow them all to remember it (not always easy for you to do, right?)?

Whether it was just one, several, or all of the Magi who were warned, they obviously put more stock in the dream than in the command of Herod. I wonder if they knew the dream was from God. That is, did God tell them so in the dream itself? Or did they just know from experience that a dream like this was not one to dismiss lightly without acting upon it? Or did they already know God well enough to understand that he controlled their dream?

I don't know if this is applying too much meaning to the one word "country", but it sounds like they were all from the same one -- contrary to some traditional stories about these Magi. I wonder which country that was. Perhaps Babylon, where Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were once wise men.

Christmas presents

Matthew 2:11 - On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

I wonder why the Magi decided they should bring gifts to Jesus. The items they brought were expensive. I wonder how much of a security force traveled with them.

They seem to have understood that Jesus was more than an earthly king. Sure, some kings claimed to be gods and forced you to worship them and sacrifice to them, but this was a child whom they voluntarily worshiped and gave gifts to.

I wonder what Mary and Joseph thought of all this. True, they already knew Jesus was special, but foreigners tracking them down, bowing down in worship, and leaving expensive treasures? They hadn't publicized this to anyone yet really -- much less to guys like these from far away. Remember, no cell phones or TV yet.

I wonder what they did with the treasures. Probably sold at least some of it for the trip to Egypt. Or maybe used it as needed along the way.

The star

Matthew 2:9 - After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.

Bethlehem is not that far from Jerusalem. It's just a few miles south. It wouldn't have taken the Magi days to get there. More likely just a few hours. So I wonder if they left Herod and set out after sunset. How else would they have been able to see the guiding star?

I wonder how specific the star was. That is, did it show them the very house where Jesus was? Does "the place" mean "the house"? Or did they only get led to the city and had to ask around once there? Even just leading them to a new city a few miles down the road would have been pretty special.

I wonder if anyone else noticed the star. Surely it was visible to everyone. Even after the Magi mentioned it to Herod and company, did no one else take an interest in it? I suppose it wasn't the first time nor the last when some important item or event was out in the open for all to see, but only those wise enough to realize what it was took any notice of it.