Help questions about the bible

[Vindieselwalker]

im reading about the Jesus Crucifixion in Mathew and im wondering the the conversations had in there and all through out the bible. and im wondering if they are the conversations they truly had or are they assumptions or story’s and if they are real conversations how were they documented and kept im very new on reading the bible so forgive me if this is a simple answer

 

[truthnlife]

im wondering if they are the conversations they truly had or are they assumptions or story’s and if they are real conversations how were they documented

It doesn’t matter, in the grander scheme of things. If we look at all four gospels and the passion story, we see many differences…its like asking 4 different witnesses what they saw and remember…however, the Gospels though written by man, were inspired by God…so it is the message and not the text that is most important in opening our hearts to God’s gracious plan of salvation!

 

[Todd_Easton]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 126, quoting the Second Vatican Council document, Dei Verbum, 19, says, in part:

The sacred authors, in writing the four Gospels, selected certain of the many elements which had been handed on, either orally or already in written form; others they synthesized or explained with an eye to the situation of the churches, the while sustaining the form of preaching, but always in such a fashion that they have told us the honest truth about Jesus. (source)

 

[midori]

Some parts are verbatim-- like when Jesus speaks in Aramaic.

Other parts, I expect, are edited to convey the thought succinctly, rather than trying to be a literal transcription. So in Luke, you have:

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

which happens at the Last Supper. And Jesus uses it as an opportunity to explain that the greatest is the one who serves others the most.

Over in Mark, however, it happens maybe a day or so earlier, before they’ve actually traveled to Jerusalem–

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Over in Matthew, you have, also before they’ve reached Jerusalem–

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
“What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first must be your slave–
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

So here’s a situation where the point is ultimately the same, but it differs somewhat. Which isn’t a big problem, because it seems to be a subject that comes up frequently— like in Luke 9, which is where Jesus explains that, knowing what they were arguing about, he points out that whoever receives a child receives him, and that the least is greatest.

 

[midori]

So there’s nothing that says the subject didn’t get dredged up multiple times, and that Luke recorded the one with the little children and the one at the Last Supper with everyone around, and Matthew and Mark were talking about the time when they discussed it while they were still in Jericho or wherever, and the other ten find out about it after the fact. But Mark has them asking Jesus directly, and Matthew has their mom getting in on the conversation. But even though the details of Jesus’ response change—

“You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

vs

“You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

—the point is still the same.

One of the best things to look at when you’re figuring out how edited something is, is how does it portray the people? If people are portrayed in an unflattering light— Peter’s weakness and betrayal; James’ and John’s desire for rank; these disciples abandon their Master during his time of trial; those disciples are being petty; these guys get reprimanded for something. If people are portrayed with all their flaws and weaknesses intact, it has a better chance of being accurate. If someone’s portrayed as being perfect 100% of the time (or being evil 100% of the time)… you can take that depiction with a grain of salt.

 

[De_Maria]

im reading about the Jesus Crucifixion in Mathew and im wondering the the conversations had in there and all through out the bible. and im wondering if they are the conversations they truly had or are they assumptions or story’s and if they are real conversations how were they documented and kept im very new on reading the bible so forgive me if this is a simple answer

The Crucifixion is real. Could you be more specific about which conversations you’re talking about. Perhaps provide chapter and verse.

As for the rest of the Bible, it is written in many genres. Some are fiction. But with a message. They are called myths and parables. Some are historical. Some are Laws. Some are rituals. So, each has to be considered on its own.