The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Lance Smith examines the apparent contradiction between biblical commands to honor parents and Jesus' strong sayings about family priority. Using context, cultural idiom, and examples from Matthew, Luke, and John, he shows how phrases like “hate your father” are hyperbolic calls for ultimate allegiance to God, not literal family rejection. The episode explains the passages, defends Jesus' respect for his mother, and concludes the B...

Host Lance Smith begins a 31-episode tour through Numbers by tackling a major question: could Moses have written this book, or is it a later compilation as the documentary hypothesis claims?

Smith reviews the biblical claims, Jesus’ testimony, archaeological evidence, and ancient literary practices to argue that the evidence supports Mosaic authorship and that the question matters for how we read Scripture today.

References to item...

Host Lance Smith examines the classic ‘‘Jonah and the Whale’’ question by reading the Hebrew and Greek texts, consulting the Septuagint, and comparing translations. The episode explains how ancient language and translation choices—not contradiction—account for ‘‘great fish’’ versus ‘‘whale,” and shows why Jesus’ reference in Matthew 12:40 aligns with the original text.

The show also listens to skeptical objections, reviews Christia...

Episode 205 concludes the Leviticus series by tackling Leviticus 26:30 and the question: did God despise Israel? Lance Smith explains this strong language as covenantal, judicial judgment against persistent idolatry rather than ultimate rejection, showing how discipline aims at restoration and preserves God’s covenant promises.

The episode connects the chapter’s blessings and curses to covenant enforcement, cites scholarly perspect...

Host Lance Smith reviews the podcast's 2025 growth, key milestones, and listener-driven series that shaped the year.

He shares download stats, geographic and platform trends, standout episodes, and plans for 2026 while thanking the community for its support.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Diffi...

In this episode Lance Smith examines Matthew 12:38–41 and Luke 11:29 to explain why Jesus refused to perform a sign on demand and instead pointed to "the sign of Jonah." Drawing on scripture and scholarly insights, the episode shows that Jesus wasn’t denying his miracles but rebuking a hard‑hearted generation and pointing ahead to his death, burial, and resurrection as the ultimate sign.

Listeners will hear how Jonah’s three days i...

Episode 202 examines Leviticus 23:42–43 and the seeming tension between Israel dwelling in "tents" during the wilderness and being commanded to live in temporary "booths" for Sukkot. Host Lance Smith explains that tents were the practical homes of a nomadic people, while the festival booths were symbolic, short-term structures meant to teach dependence on God and to recall the fragile beginnings after the Exodus.

Drawing on biblica...

Host Lance Smith marks episode 200 by tackling an apparent contradiction between Matthew 12:37 and Psalm 143:2. He explains how Psalm 143:2 shows that no one can earn righteousness before God, while Matthew 12:37 highlights how our words reveal the heart and confirm genuine faith. The episode resolves the tension by distinguishing forensic justification by faith from evidential justification seen in transformed speech and actions.

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Episode 199 unpacks an apparent contradiction in Leviticus about whether the Day of Atonement starts on the ninth or the tenth day. Lance Smith explains the biblical sunset-to-sunset reckoning, shows how the evening of the ninth begins the tenth, and cites scholars and commentaries that clarify the timing.

The episode also explores the rituals of Yom Kippur—fasting, atonement, and priestly action—and connects the observance to Jesu...

Episode 198 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast. Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 12:30 and parallel passages in Luke and Mark to address the apparent contradiction between "anyone who isn’t with me is against me" and "anyone who is not against you is for you."

The episode walks scene-by-scene through the context, consults classical and modern commentators, and explains how both sayings reflect different situations: when...

Episode 197 examines whether Leviticus condemns homosexuality because it allegedly threatens Israel's fertility. Lance Smith walks through the text, historical context, and scholarly responses to argue the prohibition centers on holiness and covenant boundaries, not a population agenda.

The episode contrasts traditional and progressive readings, addresses the death‑penalty argument, and emphasizes pastoral care and grace while clar...

Episode 196 examines the alleged contradiction about David asking for the holy bread at Nob: did he go alone or with companions? Host Lance Smith walks through 1 Samuel 21, the Gospel citations, such as Matthew 12:3-4, and scholarly insights to show that the texts focus on different moments of the same event and highlight mercy over ritual.

This short dive connects Ahimelech, David, and Jesus to explain how ancient storytelling, pr...

Host Lance Smith examines Leviticus 18.22, comparing ceremonial laws like dietary restrictions with moral laws about sexual ethics. The episode surveys conservative and progressive scholarly views, New Testament passages on law and fulfillment, and the pastoral implications for same-sex–attracted Christians

Listeners are offered practical takeaways about how to balance conviction with compassion, understand the moral versus ceremon...

Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 12:1-2 in episode 194 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, exploring whether Jesus rescinded the Sabbath or fulfilled its purpose.

The episode weighs Old Testament commands, New Testament examples, and recent scholarship (including David Wilber) to show the Sabbath as covenant context and Jesus as the fulfiller who deepens its meaning—concluding it’s not a contradiction but a progression ...

Host Lance Smith walks through Leviticus 16:6–22, explaining the Day of Atonement ritual, the roles of the slaughtered goat and the live scapegoat, and how the rites purified the sanctuary and the people.

The episode explores ancient Near Eastern context and competing views of Azazel, addresses a classic objection about two goats versus one sacrifice, and connects the ritual’s meaning to Jesus as the ultimate atonement.

References ...

In this episode Lance Smith examines the apparent contradiction between Jesus calling John the Baptist “Elijah” (Matthew 11, 17) and John’s own denial when asked if he was Elijah (John 1). The conclusion: John is not Elijah literally, but he fulfills Elijah’s mission in spirit and power — a typological fulfillment rooted in Malachi and explained across Matthew, Luke, and John.

Listeners will hear biblical passages, scholarly perspe...

Hey there, truth seekers. Ever cracked open your Bible and hit something that makes you stop and go, wait, huh? Leprosy in clothes? That's gotta be a translation glitch or some ancient superstition, right? Or maybe you've wondered, if the Bible's inspired, why would God tell priests to quarantine wool sweaters like they're biohazards? And here's the big one. Does this mean Scripture's just recycling old pagan rituals? Or is there s...

Episode 190 examines Matthew 11:2–3 and John the Baptist’s shift from boldly declaring Jesus the Messiah to sending a question from prison. Lance Smith weighs interpretations—doubt, discipleship, or a mix—and shows how Jesus meets the struggle with evidence and mercy.

Key takeaways: doubt doesn’t disqualify you; bring others into your questions; and Jesus answers with presence and proof rather than shame.

References to items discus...