Bible Facts
Jesus and the Gospels
Direct biblical statementJesus rode a colt no one had riddenJesus sent two disciples to bring a young donkey "on which no one has sat", and rode it into Jerusalem.Direct biblical statementA coin in a fish's mouthJesus told Peter to catch a fish and he would find a coin in its mouth to pay the temple tax for them both.Direct biblical statement153 large fishAfter the resurrection the disciples caught 153 large fish, and John notes that the net did not tear.Direct biblical statementA camel through a needle's eyeJesus said it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.Direct biblical statementThe rooster crowed twiceJesus told Peter that before the rooster crowed twice he would deny him three times; Mark records it happened.Direct biblical statementThe Spirit came down like a doveAt Jesus' baptism the Spirit descended on him like a dove, and a voice from heaven spoke.Direct biblical statementJesus pointed to the ravensJesus told his disciples to consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, and God feeds them.Direct biblical statementOne lost sheep mattersIn Jesus' parable a shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for one lost sheep, and rejoices when he finds it.Direct biblical statementNot one sparrow is forgottenJesus said that not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from God, and that the hairs of your head are numbered.Direct biblical statementA star went ahead of the MagiMatthew says the star the Magi had seen went before them until it stood over where the young child was.Direct biblical statementDarkness at middayThe Gospels record darkness over the land from the sixth hour to the ninth hour while Jesus was on the cross.Direct biblical statementThe tiny mustard seedJesus compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed: small when sown, but growing larger than the garden plants.Direct biblical statementThe lilies are dressed better than SolomonJesus said not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like the lilies of the field.Direct biblical statementJesus' first sign was at a weddingJohn says Jesus' first sign was turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.Direct biblical statementThe crowd was bigger than "five thousand"Matthew says about five thousand men ate, "in addition to women and children". The total number is not given.Direct biblical statementTwelve baskets of leftoversAfter the five thousand ate, the disciples gathered twelve baskets full of broken pieces.Direct biblical statementJesus fed a crowd twiceBesides the five thousand, Mark and Matthew record Jesus feeding about four thousand people with seven loaves.Direct biblical statementPeter also walked on waterWhen Jesus walked on the sea, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus before he began to sink.Direct biblical statementJesus slept through a stormDuring a fierce storm Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the boat; he woke and calmed the wind and waves.Direct biblical statementLazarus had been dead four daysWhen Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days; Jesus called him out alive.Direct biblical statementZacchaeus climbed a sycamore treeZacchaeus, a short chief tax collector, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus.Direct biblical statementNicodemus came at nightNicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler, came to Jesus by night; later he helped bury Jesus.Text-derived calculation"Jesus wept" is the shortest verse in this editionIn the World English Bible on BibleKenya, John 11:35 "Jesus wept." is the shortest verse by number of letters.Direct biblical statementThe sign on the cross was in three languagesJohn says the title on Jesus' cross was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek.Direct biblical statementThe Bible does not say there were three wise menMatthew records three kinds of gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) but does not say how many Magi there were.Direct biblical statementThe Magi found Jesus in a houseMatthew says the Magi came "into the house" and saw "the young child", not a newborn in a manger.Direct biblical statementLuke does not mention a donkey or an innkeeperLuke says Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem and laid the baby in a manger; he does not mention a donkey or an innkeeper.Direct biblical statementThe angels "said", not "sang"Luke says the heavenly army was "praising God and saying" Glory to God in the highest; it does not say they sang.Translation-dependent observationForgive "seventy times seven"When Peter asked if he should forgive seven times, Jesus said "until seventy times seven" (or "seventy-seven times").Direct biblical statementJesus was about thirty when he beganLuke says Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.Direct biblical statementJesus stayed behind in the temple at twelveWhen Jesus was twelve, he stayed in the temple in Jerusalem, listening to the teachers and asking questions.Direct biblical statementJesus welcomed the childrenWhen the disciples rebuked people for bringing children, Jesus was indignant and said "Allow the little children to come to me!"Literary or interpretive observationFour of Jesus' brothers are namedMatthew and Mark name James, Joses (Joseph), Simon and Judas as Jesus' brothers, and mention sisters without naming them.Direct biblical statementJesus prayed alone early in the morningMark records that very early, while it was still dark, Jesus went to a deserted place to pray.Direct biblical statementThe risen Jesus made breakfastAfter the resurrection Jesus cooked fish and bread on a charcoal fire and invited the disciples: "Come and eat breakfast!"Direct biblical statementJesus was buried in a new rock tombJoseph of Arimathea laid Jesus' body in his own new tomb cut in the rock and rolled a great stone against the door.Direct biblical statementJesus answered temptation with DeuteronomyIn the wilderness Jesus answered each temptation with words from Deuteronomy: "It is written."Translation-dependent observationTwo versions of the Lord's PrayerMatthew and Luke both record the Lord's Prayer; Luke's version is shorter and comes after a disciple asks to be taught to pray.Text-derived calculation"It is finished" is only in JohnJesus' words "It is finished" from the cross are recorded only in John's Gospel.Direct biblical statementSimon of Cyrene carried the crossSoldiers made Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, carry Jesus' cross.Direct biblical statementWomen were the first at the empty tombAll four Gospels say women came first to the tomb; Mary Magdalene is named in each account.Direct biblical statementThomas was invited to touch the woundsThomas said he would not believe unless he touched Jesus' wounds; a week later Jesus invited him to, and Thomas said "My Lord and my God!"Direct biblical statementSeen by more than 500 at oncePaul writes that the risen Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people at one time, most of whom were still alive.Direct biblical statementMicah named BethlehemMicah prophesied that a ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah; Matthew quotes this in the account of the Magi.Direct biblical statementWomen supported Jesus' workLuke names women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna, who travelled with Jesus and supported him from their own means.Direct biblical statementTwo disciples walked to Emmaus with JesusOn the day of the resurrection, two disciples walked to Emmaus, sixty stadia from Jerusalem; Jesus walked with them but they did not recognise him.Literary or interpretive observationTwelve tribes and twelve apostlesJesus chose twelve apostles and spoke of them sitting on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.Literary or interpretive observationJohn called Jesus "the Lamb of God"John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"Literary or interpretive observationJesus spoke of "the sign of Jonah"Jesus compared Jonah's three days in the fish with the Son of Man's three days in the heart of the earth.Direct biblical statementThirty pieces of silverJudas agreed to hand Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver; Matthew connects the later purchase of a field with a prophecy.Direct biblical statementSoldiers cast lots for Jesus' tunicThe soldiers divided Jesus' clothes and cast lots for his seamless tunic; John links this to Psalm 22.