The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 18:3 and the apparent tension with Paul's admonition to "put away childish things." The episode explains the crucial distinction between childish immaturity and childlike trust, drawing on Gospel contexts and Luke's emphasis on Jesus welcoming children. Listeners receive practical applications: grow in spiritual maturity while embracing humble dependence on God.

References to items discussed and/or...

Episode 227 examines the apparent discrepancy between Exodus 16 and Numbers 11 about the taste of manna. Lance Smith reads the verses, consults scholars and rabbinic traditions, and shows how raw versus prepared manna and overlapping flavors (honey and oil) harmonize the accounts.

The episode also reflects on how the changing descriptions mirror Israel’s shifting attitude toward God’s provision and invites listeners to see depth ra...

Host Lance Smith examines the apparent discrepancy in the Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration — Matthew and Mark’s “six days” versus Luke’s “about eight.” He explains how inclusive reckoning, Jewish timekeeping, and theological symbolism reconcile the wording without contradiction.

The episode shows how different expressions convey the same event, highlights Sinai parallels and early church interpretation, and presents the apolo...

In episode 225, Lance Smith examines an apparent tension in Numbers 10 — whether the Ark of the Covenant led Israel or remained in the center of the camp. He compares ancient Jewish interpretations, classical harmonizations, and critical scholarship, and argues that both images are complementary: God dwells in the midst and goes before his people in specific moments of guidance.

Through careful reading of the text and commentary, L...

In episode 224 Lance Smith examines whether Jesus clearly predicted his death and resurrection by comparing repeated Gospel predictions with John 20:9, which says the disciples didn’t understand. He shows how the issue is not that Jesus failed to warn them but that they lacked the framework to connect his words with Scripture.

The episode walks through key Gospel passages, cultural context, and scholarly insights to explain how par...

Host Lance Smith examines Numbers 10:31 and the apparent tension between divine guidance (the pillar of cloud) and Moses inviting Hobab as a guide. The episode explains how God’s macro-direction and human practical wisdom work together, clarifies Hobab’s identity as Moses’ brother-in-law and his family’s integration into Israel, and applies the lesson: trusting God doesn’t exclude seeking wise help.

References to items discussed an...

Episode 222 examines an apparent contradiction: did Peter learn Jesus was the Messiah from his brother Andrew (John 1) or by revelation from the Father (Matthew 16)?

The host explains these are two moments in Peter’s journey — an initial introduction by Andrew and a later, deeper revelation from God — and shows how the Gospels record the growth from hearing about Jesus to truly knowing him.

The episode draws on commentaries and his...

Host Lance Smith tackles an apparent contradiction between Numbers 6 and 1 Corinthians 11 about men’s long hair, showing that the Nazarite vow’s uncut hair was a temporary sign of consecration while Paul’s instruction addressed everyday worship practices in Corinth.

By exploring cultural and textual context — including Paul’s own vow in Acts 18 — Smith explains there’s no contradiction, only different purposes and settings for the ...

This episode traces the Bible’s changing food story from Genesis’s plant-based ideal, through post‑Flood permission and the Mosaic dietary laws, to Jesus’ and the apostles’ teaching that ceremonial food restrictions no longer bind Christians.

Listeners will get a clear, concise answer: New Testament believers are not biblically restricted in what animals they may eat, but they are called to act in love and conscience toward others ...

Episode 219 examines Numbers 5:13–22 and the objection that the Sotah ritual is superstition. The host explores explanations including psychosomatic effects, the ritual’s role as a legal restraint protecting women from vigilante violence, and its theological connections pointing toward Christ’s cup of judgment. The episode argues the passage refines justice rather than endorsing magic.

References to items discussed and/or used on t...

Host Lance Smith examines whether the Bible supports capital punishment by unpacking Old Testament laws, the story of Cain, Jesus' actions in John 8, and New Testament teachings like Romans 13 and Genesis 9:6.

The episode explains the difference between Israel’s theocracy (where civil death penalties applied) and the New Testament church (which emphasizes forgiveness), while noting that governments retain authority to punish wrongd...

This episode tackles an apparent contradiction between Exodus 25:15 and Numbers 4:6 about whether the Ark of the Covenant’s poles were removed for transport. By examining the Hebrew verb, archaeological parallels (like Egyptian ritual chests), and later biblical references, the host shows the poles remained attached but were positioned for carrying, resolving the difficulty.

The conclusion highlights the importance of careful readi...

Episode 216 examines whether Herod Antipas thought Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead, comparing Matthew and Mark (which record Herod's confident conclusion) with Luke (which highlights his puzzled, unsettled reaction).

The episode argues the accounts are complementary: guilt and remorse explain Herod's fearful conclusion, while Luke records the confusion and inner turmoil before that conclusion settles.

By reading the...

This episode unpacks why Numbers 4:3, Numbers 8:24, and Ezra 3:8 list different ages for Levitical service and shows they are not contradictions but reflect different roles and historical contexts.

It explains that 25 marks apprenticeship in the wilderness, 30 denotes full responsibility for heavy tabernacle duties, and 20 reflects the settled temple-era and Davidic reforms—making the system coherent, wise, and situational.

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Episode 214 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast examines the apparent contradiction between Luke 4 and Matthew/Mark about when Jesus was rejected in Nazareth. Lance Smith compares Luke’s early, dramatic account with Matthew and Mark’s later, quieter version and explores whether these are two separate visits or one event presented differently.

The episode surveys scholarly views, explains how ancient biographies arrange ma...

Why does Numbers devote so much space to censuses, genealogies, and detailed regulations—and what are we supposed to do with them as Christians?

In this episode of Bible Difficulties and Answers, we take a closer look at Numbers 3 and the replacement of Israel’s firstborn with the tribe of Levi. Did God change His mind, or is something deeper happening in the structure of Israel’s worship and identity?

We explore the biblical backg...

Hey there, truth seekers. In this episode Lance Smith examines an apparent tension between the Gospels: Matthew (and Mark) claim Jesus always taught the crowds in parables, while John records extended theological dialogues instead of short parables. The episode compares context, literary style, and scholarly arguments to show how both accounts can be complementary—Matthew highlights Jesus’ public parabolic teaching, while John emph...

Host Lance Smith examines why the Bible records the exact same census total—603,550—twice in Exodus and Numbers. He explains that the Exodus count was for atonement and tabernacle contributions, while the Numbers count, taken one month later, was a military census for organizing Israel to move.

The episode addresses objections about the large population figure and concludes the matching totals reflect two distinct, closely timed co...

In this episode Lance Smith examines the apparent tension between Jesus saying some understand the "secrets of the kingdom" (Matthew 13:10–11) and his claim at his trial that he "said nothing in secret" (John 18). Using clear translation, historical context, and scholarship, Lance shows parables function as a public filter—revealing truth to the receptive and concealing it from the hardened—while private explanations and timing exp...