Barton's Bible Study Notes

Life of Christ: Unit 12 - Sections 55-57

Read Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. The centurion was a Roman military commander. He was probably a convert to the Jewish religion, although he had never taken the official steps to be considered Jewish. He had done much good for the people in his town.

1. Why did the centurion not come himself to Jesus?

2. What did Jesus commend about this man?

3. What is the one thing in particular that God looks for in our lives today?

Read Matthew 12:22-45 and Mark 3:22-30. Jesus had just cast out a demon which had caused a man to be both blind and unable to speak. When the crowds reacted by asking, “This couldn’t be the Son of David, could it?” the religious leaders responded by trying to explain away the miracle.

4. What do the people mean when they ask if Jesus could possibly be the Son of David?

5. Why do the Pharisees want to be able to explain away our Lord’s ability to cast out demons?

6. What was the explanation of the religious leaders as to how Jesus was able to perform this miracle?

7. In Matthew 12:28, Jesus says to these religious authorities, “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” What is He saying?

8. Jesus explains to these religious leaders why they should know this could not be Satanic. What is our Lord’s argument?

9. What does Jesus mean when he says to the Pharisees, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.”?

10. Judging by what these religious leaders had done, what, in your opinion, is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

11. Why is the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit an unforgivable sin?

Read Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:20-21 and 31-35 and Luke 8:19-21. Family relationships were much more important in the culture of that day than in ours. One’s first responsibility was to one’s family. If a family member made a request of you, you gave this request priority.

12. When Jesus’ family heard how He was being mobbed by people to the extent that He did not have time to eat, what was their reaction?

13. When Jesus’ family showed up to take custody of Him, what did the people tell Jesus? What do you think they expected Him to do?

14. What was Jesus’ reply to the crowd when they told Him His family was waiting?

15. What do you think Jesus meant by this answer?

The Applications:

What are the applications of these passages to our lives today? Identify as many as you are able.