Matthew Chapter 2 | Episode 6

YouTube video

Abstract

In this YouTube podcast titled “I Don’t Get The Bible,” the hosts discuss various aspects of the Bible, including angels, names of Jesus, genealogies, the significance of Bethlehem, and the wise men. They touch on the use of dreams, visions, and supernatural elements in the Hebrew world and how they differ in Jesus’ time. They also mention the ongoing debate about the accuracy of biblical translations and the contradictions between Matthew and Luke’s genealogies.

Long Description

In this YouTube podcast titled “I Don’t Get The Bible,” the hosts engage in a conversation about various topics related to the Bible. The discussion begins with the mention of angels and how they are a common way in which God communicates with people, even in the New Testament. The hosts reflect on the connection between the Old Testament and the New Testament and how God continues to work with humanity using similar means.

They then delve into the names and titles given to Jesus in the Bible. They discuss the significance of Jesus being called Emmanuel, which means “God with us,” and how it connects to his role as a savior. The hosts explain that Jesus’ Hebrew name is Yeshua, which means “salvation,” and how it is translated to Jesus in Greek. They discuss the different names and titles given to Jesus, emphasizing that Emmanuel is more of a title than a name.

Moving on, the hosts touch upon the significance of Bethlehem in the biblical narrative. They explain that it was prophesied that Jesus would come from Bethlehem, and they mention other places like Nazareth and Egypt where Jesus had connections. They clarify that while some prophecies are specifically fulfilled, there may be some flexibility in interpreting others, like Galilean, which is not necessarily prophetic.

The conversation then shifts to the topic of genealogies in the Bible. The hosts acknowledge that there are contradictions between the genealogies provided in the books of Matthew and Luke, and they express that these contradictions cannot be easily resolved. They mention that attempts to reconcile these contradictions have been unsuccessful and that it highlights the human element in the writing of the Bible.

The hosts also address the issue of Bible translations and the different interpretations that arise from them. They mention the King James Only movement, which believes that the King James Version of the Bible is a perfect translation, but they highlight that no translation is flawless and that discrepancies can arise due to the translation process.

Herod the Great is another topic discussed in the podcast. The hosts explain that Herod was a ruler in the region during the time of Jesus’ birth, and they mention that he was known for his cruelty. They briefly touch upon the confusion surrounding the multiple individuals referred to as Herod in the Bible.

The hosts then talk about the wise men or the Magi who visited Jesus. They acknowledge that there is no definitive information about who they were or why they were considered wise. They mention that different Christian traditions may have assigned names to the wise men, but there is no solid historical basis for those names.

The podcast concludes with a discussion on dreams, visions, and supernatural phenomena in the Bible. The hosts explain that such experiences were prevalent in the Hebrew world and continued to be significant until the time of Jesus. They note that these phenomena are not as prevalent in contemporary times, as Jesus’ victory over them is seen as fulfilling their purpose.

Overall, the podcast provides insights into various aspects of the Bible, including angelic communication, names and titles given to Jesus, prophecies, genealogies, translations, historical figures, and supernatural experiences. The hosts express their views and interpretations while acknowledging that some aspects may remain uncertain or open to different perspectives.