Judas betrays Jesus Christ

Did Jesus Wash Judas’ Feet? (What the Gospels Reveal)

Judas Iscariot is one of the most notorious characters in the Bible. He betrayed Jesus with a kiss, which led the authorities to arrest and crucify Christ. In a scene just prior to these events, Judas sat with the other disciples as Jesus washed their feet. Many people want to know if Jesus washed Judas’…

crucified with Christ

What Does It Mean To Be Crucified With Christ?

The Apostle Paul’s declaration about being crucified with Christ is one of the most profound statements he makes in all his New Testament letters. It’s a staggering first-person revelation that unites him with the execution of Jesus of Nazareth, a man he once persecuted in unfathomable ways (Acts 9:4). To be crucified with Christ means…

Jesus Christ meditation

Did Jesus Christ Meditate? (What the New Testament Says)

Meditation has become a mainstream activity in popular culture. Medical doctors, counselors and therapists, self-help teachers, and celebrity influencers, champion meditation for various reasons. Jesus Christ is one of the most well-known spiritual teachers in history, so naturally many people want to know if he meditated. The Bible never mentions that Jesus meditated. According to…

What did Jesus teach

What Did Jesus Teach? (Some Miss His Main Theme)

The Gospels make clear that Jesus Christ was a remarkably gifted and effective teacher. People would abandon their work, risk social ostracism, upset their families, and miss meals just to hear Jesus talk about God, people, and life. Yet, Jesus was no self-help sage or trendy spiritual guru. His teaching reflected truths that were far…

Jesus arrested

Why Was Jesus Arrested? (The Charges Against Him)

The arrest of Jesus Christ is one of the most intense moments in the climactic section of each New Testament Gospel. Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ innocence collide when the arrest occurs, resulting in one of the most dramatic scenes in the Bible. One of the most common questions people ask about Jesus’ arrest is what…

Gentle and Lowly Dane Ortlund

Book Review: Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

“This is a book about the heart of Christ.” So begins Dane Ortlund’s book Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. I am an avid reader of Christian books of all types, including, but not limited to, devotional, theological, historical, commentaries, apologetics, and more. Yet, only a few times in my…

Jesus personality type

What Personality Type Was Jesus Christ?

In the field of Psychology, personality types are commonly defined as a collection of traits that are thought to occur consistently together in people’s thinking, behavior, and emotions. Since Jesus Christ was a real human being, many people are interested to know what his personality type was. Jesus’ personality, as it’s revealed in the Gospels,…

What did Jesus wear

What Did Jesus Wear? (How the Bible Describes His Clothes)

What did Jesus look like? A lot of people ask this question because they want to know about his skin, hair, eyes, height, weight, and even the clothes he wore. While the four Gospels in the New Testament don’t describe Jesus’ skin, hair, or other physical features, they do refer to his clothes on multiple…

Jesus Christ smoke marijuana

Did Jesus Christ Smoke Marijuana?

Smoking marijuana is a popular topic in Western societies today as more voters legalize its use and regulators govern its sales. Denominations, churches, and Christians are involved in the discussion, exchanging different convictions and applications of the drug. One question that many people want to know is if Jesus smoked marijuana. Jesus didn’t smoke marijuana…

Jesus Nazirite

Was Jesus Christ a Nazirite? (Did He Make the Vow?)

The Gospels provide readers with many details about the life of Jesus Christ, all of which are important to understanding his character, message, and mission. One question that arises in the minds of some people is, given Jesus’ divine and holy identity, was he a Nazirite according to the Old Testament law? There is no…

Jesus fulfill prophecies

How Many Prophecies Did Jesus Fulfill? (Over 50 Examples)

Bible scholars agree that the Old Testament includes many prophecies about the person, life, and character of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Details about Jesus, foretold hundreds and thousands of years before he lived, are extraordinary examples of God’s sovereignty. Many people are interested to know how many prophecies Jesus fulfilled. Jesus fulfilled between 200…

Nicodemus follow Christ

Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? (How His Story Ends)

Nicodemus, who was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, is one of the most fascinating people in the Gospel of John. Bible readers first meet him when he has a secret, nighttime conversation with Jesus about being born again. Did Nicodemus become a follower of Jesus after that? The details of Nicodemus’ story…

How Old Was Jesus When He Started His Ministry

How Old Was Jesus When He Started His Ministry?

The public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth lasted approximately three years. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John describe Jesus’ miraculous birth and a few stories from his early life like his family’s escape to Egypt. Yet the majority of the Gospels describe his public ministry. Many people want to know what Jesus’ age was when he…

Bible addiction

What Does the Bible Say About Addiction?

Addiction is a craving, habit, or dependency, which often has temporary physical or emotional gratification, but in the long term is enslaving and destructive. Examples of addictions that people succumb to include alcohol, drugs, and pornography. Given the power of the Word of God, many people want to know what the Bible teaches about addiction….

soul tie bible

What is a Soul Tie in the Bible? (Christian Explanation)

According to the modern self-help movement, a “soul tie” is a unique connection that a person makes with someone else, often as the result of having sex with them. The word “soul” in the phrase “soul tie” is meant to describe the inner person. “Tie” refers to a deep connection, bond, or attachment that a…

Mary Bible

How Many Marys Are In the Bible? (Compare Them All)

The name “Mary” appears many times in the New Testament and in some of its most significant stories. Readers encounter a woman named “Mary” in the Gospels, the book of Acts, and in one of Paul’s letters. A “Mary” was at Jesus’ birth, his death, his resurrection, and in a passage that describes the first…

do Catholics read the Bible

Do Catholics Read the Bible? (Percentages Explained)

Christianity has always valued the Bible, but segments of the tradition haven’t always encouraged individuals to read and study it. Protestants have a reputation for Bible reading, but Catholics don’t. Is this reputation deserved? What does the Catholic Church teach today about its members reading the Bible? According to recent research, 25% of Catholics read…

Simon Peter

Who Is Simon In the Bible? (Hint: There’s More Than One)

Readers of the New Testament find the name Simon multiple times in the Gospels and in the book of Acts. “Simon” appears in important stories in the life of Christ, like in the description of Jesus’ family and in the calling of the twelve apostles. The name also appears in passages that describe the establishment…

mediums

What Does the Bible Say About Mediums? (And Engaging the Dead)

Mediums are people who say they can communicate with the dead. In the Bible, those who attempt to interact with the dead are referred to as mediums, necromancers, spiritists, or sorcerers, depending on the context and translation. What does the Bible teach about mediums? The practice of mediums is strictly forbidden in the Bible. The…

Holy Bible

What Does Raca Mean in the Bible? (Anger and Hell)

Certain teachings of Jesus Christ can result in questions, and even some confusion, for readers who are 2,000 years removed from their original context. Matthew 5:22 is an example of this, as Christ uses the term raca, which is unfamiliar to most modern readers. Since committing raca can result in going to hell according to…

5 in the Bible

What Does the Number 5 Mean in the Bible? (Symbols in Scripture)

Some people are fascinated with numerology in the Bible, especially the symbolic meaning of certain figures. There is general agreement that numbers like 3, 4, 7, and 12 have significant symbolic meaning in Scripture. But what about the number 5? The number 5 doesn’t have a clear symbolic meaning in the Bible, according to scholars,…

Bible reading

Where Should I Start Reading the Bible? (Begin Today!)

Reading the Bible is an important part of the Christian life. It helps a person learn about God’s nature, character, and promises. The Bible, whose writings are inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16-17), also has stories about faithful men and women, which convict and encourage believers today. But where should a person start…

Bible aliens UFOs

Does the Bible Talk About Aliens and UFOs? (Assess the Claims)

As the History Channel’s series Ancient Aliens demonstrates, alleged encounters between people and extraterrestrials are popular stories, even if most people like them for entertainment value as opposed to serious history. Nevertheless, the Bible is one of the oldest books in human history so many people are interested to know if it refers to aliens…

Bible say astrology

What Does the Bible Say About Astrology? (Zodiac, Horoscopes)

Astrology is a worldview that people have practiced for thousands of years. Not to be confused with astronomy, astrology is the belief that stars, planets, and other phenomena in the solar system determine people’s emotions, finances, relationships, health, and more. Many people want to know what the Bible teaches about astrology. The Bible teaches that…

Are There White People in the Bible

Are There White People in the Bible? (Assess the Evidence)

The Bible teaches that people of all races are descendants of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:20). Common ancestry and the fact that all people bear the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), unite the human race, even though it’s made up of people of different nationalities, cultures, languages, and skin colors. A question many people have…

verses in the Bible

How Many Verses Are in the Bible? (You Might Be Surprised)

The Bible is a long book containing 66 individual books. Some common-use Bibles can weigh between 4 and 5 pounds. Some decorative church and family Bibles can weigh much more. It’s not uncommon for Bibles to exceed 2,500 pages in length in a two-column format. All 66 books are divided into verses, but how many…

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: Advent Hymn for Christmas

O Come, O Come Emmanuel is a beautiful Advent hymn that transports people back to ancient Israel before the time of Jesus Christ. It reflects the challenge of waiting for the arrival of the Messiah in a world that desperately needs him. It also expresses a faith that perseveres in the midst of suffering, grief,…