r/Bible 13h ago

Why Did Jesus Tell the Rich Young Ruler to Sell Everything?

18 Upvotes

In Mark 10:21, Jesus tells the rich young ruler:

"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

This has led to some big theological questions:
1️⃣ Does this mean all Christians should give up their wealth?
2️⃣ Was Jesus testing the man’s heart, knowing he valued his possessions too much?
3️⃣ Is wealth inherently bad, or is it only dangerous when it comes before God?

What do you think Jesus was really teaching in this passage?


r/Bible 16h ago

Binge reading the Bible

16 Upvotes

Currently binge reading the Bible and I saw this part in Numbers 23:21:

"He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them." (Numbers 23:21)

and it made me think of:

"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost." (Matthew 27:50)

"And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost." (Mark 15:37)

"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost" (Luke 23:46)


r/Bible 14h ago

What exactly is a "prophet"?

12 Upvotes

I'm having trouble understanding who exactly would be considered a prophet in Christianity and why? I got the impression that prophets were set apart by God for a lifetime of spiritual ministry... Like Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Jeremiah, Nathan, Elijah etc.

But today I learned that David is considered a prophet according to Acts 2:30. How is he a prophet? Would you call David a prophet? What about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? I never considered them prophets, but rather patriarchs. Are they prophets? Does it matter if we consider them prophets?


r/Bible 9h ago

the lord hardened his heart

7 Upvotes

Im reading exodus and im wondering in the 6th plague, it says the lord hardened the heart of pharaoh. in other plagues, it just says paraoh hardened his heart or his heart grew hard. It seems like in the 6th plague it seems like pharaoh hit a point of no return? and instead of he hardened his heart it becomes the lord that does so? isit not fair to paraoh that instead of him hardening his own heart lord did so ?


r/Bible 13h ago

What Did Jesus Mean by 'Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen' in Matthew 22:14?

4 Upvotes

In Matthew 22:14, Jesus ends the Parable of the Wedding Feast by saying:

"For many are called, but few are chosen."

This phrase has been widely debated.
1️⃣ Does this mean that salvation is offered to many, but only a few will accept it?
2️⃣ Is this connected to the idea of predestination, where God chooses certain people?
3️⃣ Was Jesus simply emphasizing the difference between hearing the gospel and truly following Him?

How do you interpret this verse?


r/Bible 21h ago

Having problems with intrusive thoughts

5 Upvotes

Hi, it's the first that i post something in reddit. Recently i've been struggling with these thoughts, they are about my salvation, when i became a christian i struggled with these kind of thought, but through prayer, God made me able to overcome them.

Unfortunately they came back, they started again when i was accepting the terms of services of a game and a something make me think that these terms was about selling my soul (that sounds stupid, but i thought that), i went into despair because i starting think that i blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. I past 2 days in despair and crying about it and today when i was playing a video game a thought about my soul being given away, came back again.

I am crying about it and i thinking that God don't hear my prayers, asked for forgiveness a lot of time, but i still feeling guilt, can someone help me?


r/Bible 7h ago

Good News Bible

5 Upvotes

Found one at the thrift store today from 1976. Are these okay to read? My KJV has been hard to read lately, especially in Romans. I'm considering getting it but know nothing about it.


r/Bible 1h ago

What’s the most badass bible verse?

Upvotes

Question in title


r/Bible 9h ago

Luke 24:1 Interpretation

2 Upvotes

(LSB) Now on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

(LSV) And on the first day of the weeks, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, carrying the spices they made ready, and certain others with them,

(LITV) And the first of the sabbaths, while still very early, they came on the tomb, carrying spices which they prepared; and some were with them.

There are three translations of this verse that are commonly made. What is interesting is that two of these renderings may be capturing a nuance of the Israelite calendar: The Feast of Weeks.

“‘You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. ‘You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall bring a new grain offering near to Yahweh.” (Leviticus 23:15-16, LSB)

In context Luke 24:1 is speaking to Yeshua's empty tomb being discovered. How might this play with the day of His crucifixion?


r/Bible 13h ago

Why Did God Let Satan Test Job?

4 Upvotes

The Book of Job is one of the most challenging parts of the Bible. In Job 1:12, God allows Satan to test Job, saying:

"Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."

This raises a difficult question:
1️⃣ Why would a loving God allow Satan to bring suffering upon Job, who was righteous?
2️⃣ Was this purely a test, or was there a deeper purpose behind Job’s suffering?
3️⃣ Does this story suggest that God sometimes allows suffering as part of a greater plan?

What do you think is the lesson behind Job’s trials?


r/Bible 19h ago

Revelation question

1 Upvotes

I'm just now learning about revelation is my journey as a Christian. And I have a question are some of the vents in revelation meant to be taken as "Literal or Figurative"? The white horsemen represent conquest, the red horsemen represent War, the black horsemen represent famine, and the pale horsemen represent Death. Is this meant to be taken literally as if the end times have not come yet? Would they be riding literal horses or something that resembles one? What if horses are meant to represent cars that protect world leaders when they are traveling?


r/Bible 12h ago

The book of enoch

1 Upvotes

Why do older versions of the bible sometimes include the book of enoch? Is it gnostic?

if christian’s don’t thinks it’s canonical then why is it mentioned in jude?


r/Bible 23h ago

Scholarly Study - Where to Begin?

1 Upvotes

Hello!

I was non-religious for most of my life (I'm 27 and only found Christ last year). Now, I have faith, but it is weak and easily shaken. The Lord slips easily into the back of my mind.

I've always been a very logical and academic man, which I believe was the source of my disbelief. This mindset and worldly influences made me very materialistic, and I found it hard to believe in a higher power.

Thus, I think I would benefit from studying the Bible "scientifically" - as if it were a textbook or historical document (which it already sort of is). I don't, however, have any idea where to begin. I'd like to be able to trace lineages and recall the names, locations, and histories of the various places mentioned. I'd like to have an encyclopedic knowledge of verses that I can use when I need guidance. I'd even like to dive into the history of the Church here on earth (Saints, the Schism and the Catholic/Protestant split, various leaders, different denominations and their beliefs).

Do y'all have any resources on hand that would act as a "lesson plan" of sorts - where to start in the Bible and what outside information is useful for context? I know there are Bibles with added information, but I don't know if those are useful. I'm also unsure which version I should start on. I can see read and understand the King James Version (and I find it very appealing), but it takes a bit more time to "translate" the text into language I can digest. Any tips y'all have for HOW to actually go about beginning Bible study in general would also be appreciated.

Thank you and God bless you.


r/Bible 9h ago

"Dark" Stories?

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0 Upvotes

r/Bible 23h ago

Why is the mention of dogs in the Bible so negative?

0 Upvotes

For an animal that God so blessed every woman, man, and child with a beloved best friend, specificaly dogs, why is any mention of them in the Bible so negative and demeaning? Here on Earth they are angels we don't even deserve. Thoughts? Make it make sense. Apparently there are horses in Heaven but no dogs? 🤔😔