Getting To Jerusalem

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 1 to study Luke 19:28-48 (the Triumphal Entry).  Luke's version of this event is slightly different from the other three (none of which are the same).  So be sure to also read Matthew 21:1-16, Mark 11:1-10, and John 12:12-19.  The details will show in two Gospels, but none of them has all of them.

Read through Luke's account in a few translations.  Look for differences in words or phrasing between older and newer, or smoother and rougher translations.  See if you can figure out why on the Blue Letter Bible site.  Make your notes and jot down questions as you find things.

Take your notes and look through a commentary or study Bible notes.  See if you find some answers (or more questions), and revise your notes and questions.  After you've done that, then go back through with the questions below:

• A colt is a baby whatever.  Only in Matthew does it say it was a donkey colt, but John mentions a version of the same prophecy mentioning the donkey colt.  In any case, why do you think it was necessary to have a colt on which no one had ridden?
• The disciples throw their cloaks on the colt and on the road.  What do you think this signifies?
• How do you think Jesus knew there was a colt in the opposite village, and why do you think no one seems to mind Him using it?
• The "multitude of disciples" are rejoicing.  How many do you think there were following Jesus at this time?
• The ending of what the disciples cry out is somewhat different than any other Gospel.  What does the phrase, "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest" remind you of?
• The disciple specifically refer to Jesus as the King.  John has this detail as well.  Considering the previous parable, what do you think might have been in their mind at this point?
• Some of the Pharisees in the crowd ask Jesus to silence His disciples.  If these were the ones following Him since early on, why do you think they have a problem with what the disciples are saying?
• Jesus says that if the disciples are quiet the rocks will cry out.  What do you think is Jesus' point?
• If Jesus knows what's coming, and He's predicted it so He obviously does, what do you think is going through His mind as He hears the shouts of joy and adulation of the crowds, palms and cloaks in the road, and all the pomp? 
• Jerusalem comes into view and Jesus weeps over it.  Only in Luke do we have this detail.  Jesus describes how the Romans conquered Jerusalem in AD 75.  Luke may have been written around that time.  What do you think this detail means for his readers/hearers?
• If Jerusalem had known.  How much of what we know has an effect on living active faith in Jesus?  We have the amazing gift of Scripture, so we know more than they would have in the moment.  How well do we know the things that make for peace on the day of our visitation?
• Jesus says that these things have been hidden from their eyes.  Why do you think God would do that?  Why setup the city of Jerusalem for destruction?  What does that remind you of?
• Jesus goes directly into the Temple and throws out the sellers of goods.  Then teaches.  There's not a lot of detail here, but He does use the "House of Prayer"/"Den of Robbers" reference.  It seems so tame here in Luke.  But how do you think Jesus still makes His point?
• Look up Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, and John 2:14-16 (the most detail is in John).  We make a lot of Jesus' clearing the Temple, but most Gospels (except for John) have little more than the Scripture references to Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7.  Why do you think that might be?  Why do you think the details were scant in the Gospels?
• Only John reminds his readers of the reference to Psalm 69:9, that "Zeal for Your house will consume Me."  Why do you think this helps understand Jesus' actions?
• So, do you think the money changers and sellers of animals remained outside the Temple the rest of the week?
• Luke has the phrase that the people were "hanging on every word He said" and this is literally how he wrote it, with the verb "hanging".  None of the other Gospels have this phrase.  So is this where we get our colloquialism, "hanging on every word"? (I couldn't find it when I Googled this)

That should keep us plenty busy.  Remember to put yourself in the scene as you read.  Then consider who you are more like, the crowd, the disciples, the Pharisees, or someone else.  Always ask what this means for you; what is God saying to you through this passage?

Of Taxes, Minas, and Bruttal New Kings

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting November 10 to study Luke 19:1-27.  The odds are very long that we will actually get to verse 27.  Even if we get through the familiar account of Zacchaeus, I doubt the parable will be able to go through in one week.  It's just too weird.

Read through the passages in several translations.  It would be good to read the parable in Matthew 25:14-30.  This is the one with which we're most familiar.  Jot down notes and questions; there will probably be lots of questions.

Go through a commentary or two.  You will probably want more than one opinion here.  There may be some disagreement about details in Luke. 

After you go through your own and commentary study, go back through with the questions below:

• Jesus is passing through Jericho, so it doesn't seem He intends to stay.  Why do you think Luke would include this detail considering who is waiting to see Jesus?
• Luke includes two details about Zacchaeus, he's the chief tax collector and he's rich.  What might that tell you about how Zacchaeus conducts his "collecting"?
•  Zach can't see Jesus because he's short.  What do you think about this detail in the story and how Zach finds a solution?
• Jesus sees Zach, and acts like He's come on appointment to stay with him.  What do you think is going on here?  Could it have been an appointment?
• Jesus says it is necessary for Him to stay at Zach's house.  Why is that?
• The people grumble, so what do they obviously think of Zach?
• If Zach is being honest with Jesus about what he is doing to do, what does that tell you about how Zach actually collects taxes?
• Jesus claims to have recovered a son of Abraham.  What do you think that means culturally for Zach and everyone who witnessed this interaction?
• Jesus claims to have come to seek and save what was lost.  Look back to Luke 15.  If this relates that chapter, then what has Zach done here?
• In verse 11, Jesus transitions to a parable.  What do you think of the differences between this account and Matthew 25:14-30?
• Luke adds detail about a king leaving to receive a kingdom.  This actually happened with Herod and then with Archelaus, his son.  The Roman Emperor gave them their kingdoms.  But the detail about killing those who opposed him didn't happen.  Considering that most of those hearing Jesus would probably have been familiar with this historical fact, what do you think they thought of the parable?  Especially the ending?
• The reason behind the parable is that the people are expecting the Kingdom to appear.  Why do you think Luke uses that word, normally he uses "come"?
• In this passage, minas aren't birds.  Look up how much it is here.  Why give a "slave" so much money?  What do you think Jesus is referring to here, and who receives it?
• Look up the word for "do business" is here.  Listen to the pronunciation.  What English word do you hear sort of in the midst of this one?
• Who do you think the people who send a delegation to renounce the king might refer to?
• What do you think the 1-slave means by his description of his master?
• The master doesn't disagree with the slave.  If the master is "God", then what do you think this tells us about God?
• Why would those hearing question giving the mina to the one with 10?  Doesn't that sound like a good investment?
• Jesus explains that those having will be given, and those not having, even what they have will be taken away.  So what do you think that means?  Having what?
• So who do you think the "enemies" slain before the king refer to?
• Again, if the "king" is God, then what does this "slay them in my presence" tell us about God?

That should take way more time than we have Thursday.  I consider the chances excellent that we could take 3 weeks on these passages.  As we do, remember to consider yourselves in the accounts.  What is God revealing to you about your own relationship with Him?