Cultural and Archaeological Credibility of the Bible [Sermon]

Kingsville, Maryland, USA

May 2024

1. The Last King of Babylon

2. Pool of Bethesda

John 5:2

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.

3. Fractured legs

John 19:32-34

32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

4. Alexander

Luke 9:59

To another [Jesus] said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

Mark 15:21

And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

5. Names

Matthew 27:17 NIV 2011 edition. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”

6. Widow at Nain

Luke 7:11-15

11 Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the [casket], and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

7. Cost of a Slave

Gen 37:28

Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Exod 21:32

If the ox gores a slave, … the owner shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

Matthew 26:14-15

14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.

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