I’m your host Lance Smith. Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!
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I’m your host Lance Smith. Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!
Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 9:23-25–Was Jesus Really the First to Rise? Resuscitations vs Resurrection
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast
30 minutes
4 weeks ago
Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 9:23-25–Was Jesus Really the First to Rise? Resuscitations vs Resurrection
This episode examines the question: if people were raised from the dead before Jesus, how can the New Testament call him the "first" to rise? Lance Smith walks through examples from the Old and New Testaments—Saul and Samuel, Elijah and Elisha, Jairus’ daughter, Lazarus, and the saints after Jesus—to clarify the difference between temporary resuscitation and Jesus’ unique, permanent resurrection.
Using passages like Matthew 9:23–25, Acts 26, and 1 Corinthians 15, the episode explains the theological meaning of "firstfruits" and why Jesus’ resurrection guarantees future glory for believers.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
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Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/first.html
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible: New Living Translation. Thomas Nelson, 2006. Available at: https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/macarthur-study-bible/
Bar, Shaul. "Resurrection in the Old Testament: Belief or Not?" Old Testament Essays 24, no. 1 (2011): 1-17. https://scielo.org.za/pdf/ote/v24n1/01.pdf
Yates, Gary E. "The Motif of Life and Death in the Elijah-Elisha Narratives and its Theological Significance in 1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 13." Liberty University Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=lts_fac_pubs
Goeman, Peter. "Full List of Resurrections in the Bible." PeterGoeman.com. https://petergoeman.com/full-list-of-resurrections-in-the-bible/
McLatchie, Jonathan. "The Firstfruits Feast and the Case for the Resurrection." JonathanMcLatchie.com. https://jonathanmclatchie.com/the-first-fruits-feast-and-the-case-for-the-resurrection/
"Christ—the Firstfruits." Apologetics Press. https://apologeticspress.org/christthe-firstfruits-783/
Craig, William Lane. "Is There Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus? The Craig-Ehrman Debate." Reasonable Faith. https://www.reasonablefaith.org/media/debates/is-there-historical-evidence-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus-the-craig-ehrman
Craig, William Lane. "Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus’ Resurrection." Reasonable Faith. https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/old-testament-prophecies-of-jesus-resurrection
"What does it mean that Jesus is the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18)?" GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/firstborn-from-the-dead.html
Katz, David. "Gehazi and the Miracle Staff of Elisha." Jewish Bible Quarterly. https://jbqnew.jewishbible.org/current-issue/gehazi-miracle-staff-elisha/
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast
I’m your host Lance Smith. Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!
