Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 12/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello, Im a Bible believing Christian. I have questions though. I feel its ok to ask questions because answers bring us closer to GOD (correct ones). Why is it that the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, written  decades after Mark, mention the virgin birth story? Where did luke/matthew get it from? Why didnt Mark mention it, since it is important to show any prophesy being fullfilled?

ANSWER: Dear Christopher,

Thank you for your question about the record of the virgin birth.

I do not know why Mark did not record this important event. I’m not sure that the reason for the silence would in any way mean that Mark did not believe in the virgin birth. It just didn’t fit into the purpose of his gospel.

Each gospel writer seems to have addressed a different audience, or had an agenda to proclaim:

Matthew seems to have written primarily to the Hebrew mindset, because he appears to “nail” every point down with an Old Testament prophecy. The virgin birth, therefore, was essential to prove that Jesus was the Messiah, predicted by the prophets.

Mark’s gospel appears to be the story of Peter, and has sometimes be referred to as “the gospel of Peter.” So the story begins where Peter first became associated with Jesus.

Luke wrote to the Greek audience. He was an educated man—a physician—and took the gathering of data regarding the life of Christ quite seriously. Notice his prelude:

Luke 1:1  Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
Luke 1:2  just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
Luke 1:3  Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
Luke 1:4  so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke took considerable time investigating the life of Christ, and probably interviewed every one he could find who had seen or heard Jesus. It seems apparent too that he must have talked with Jesus’ mother and with others that were very close to Jesus, because he was able to include even the wording of private conversations.

We’re not sure who Theophilus was, but he seems to have been a person of note who asked for the information. Some scholars have suggested that he may have worked for the emperor and wanted an accurate record of the life of Jesus. To such a record, the virgin birth would be essential.

John, the theologian, sought to proclaim Jesus as the divine-human Savior of the world, and spends a great deal of time dwelling upon Jesus’ relationship with the Heavenly Father, and to the Holy Spirit.

It’s vital to the future of our lives now, and to be ready for the coming of Jesus, that we study the gospels carefully. We need to know as much about Jesus as we can so that we may order our lives after His example.

Stay close to Jesus.

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
PettyPress@gmail.com
Check out my web site, www.PettyPress.com, where I’ve posted 20 e-books, 42 Bible Study Guides, and much more.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I thank you for your insightful and enlightening answer. I could not help but notice he last bible verse you quoted form Gal. 2:20. I checked three to four different versions and they all said it the same way. If Paul believed that Christ was ressurected and seated at the right hand of GOD then why did he not write that Jesus..."LOVES ME"..instead of LOVED ME? I know this seems like I dont believe, but I do, its just maybe we should always keep an open mind towards the BIBLE and our interpertaion of it.  

Answer
Dear Christopher,

I wasn’t aware that I had quoted Gal. 2:20. But let me address your question:

Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

I think you’ll find your answer by noticing the grammar of the passage. The first phrase is in present perfect, designating that the action is ongoing—Paul was crucified with Christ when he accepted Him as his Savior, and continues to be crucified with Christ by daily surrender to Him.

The rest of the text is in the present: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God . . .”

Then we get to the two phrases that are in past tense: “who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Didn’t Christ still love him? Of course. But the giving of Himself for Paul was something that had happened in the past—at Calvary. So, since the giving was past, the loving has to be past as well, for the loving is connected with the giving.

So: Jesus “loved” Paul so much that He “gave” himself on Calvary to die for Paul.

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
PettyPress@gmail.com
www.PettyPress.com