Typos in the Torah #7: If your book isn’t a buzz, it’s not the Bible.
JOHN THE BAPTISER ASKED THE CORRECT QUESTION
How many Messiahs were expected?
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Prologue
If you have already read a Holy Hormones article you know what to expect. If this is your first visit, it is advised that you read THIS first.
Introduction
In an article dated 1992–07–24 a Jim Meritt posted, “A List of Biblical Contradictions.” There were about 65 of them. This series will gradually work through them, as time allows.
Who is this post for?
Those who waste their time finding fault with the Word of God.
THE ALLEGED CONTRADICTION
John the Baptist (aka Baptiser) was not convinced.
In John 1:29–36, John the Baptiser seems convinced that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
But in Matthew 11:2–3 he is not so sure. Couldn’t he make up his mind?!
Answer
It is written in Matthew 11:2–3║And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another (G2087 — heteros)?”
There are a number of Greek words translated as another into English. The two most important are:-
G243 — allos = another of the same nature, form, class, kind.
G2087 — heteros = another of a different nature, form, class, kind.
For instance, if you want another ham sandwich, you tell the waiter you want a G243 — allos sandwich and he knows. But ask for a G2087 — heteros and he will have to enquire what kind.
So John the Baptist is asking should he expect someone different to Jesus.
Jesus answered him by presenting the evidence. He gave a précis of what He had been doing, which confirmed what He claimed in Luke 4:16–21 , which was the Prophecy of Isiah 61:1–2.
The answer was, “No.”
So what?
Jewish tradition speaks of two redeemers, each one called Mashiach. Both are involved in ushering in the Messianic era. They are Mashiach ben Yossef and Mashiach ben David.
Messiah Ben Yosef being the Suffering Messiah, and Mashiach ben David, the Exalted Messiah. The essential task of Mashiach ben Yossef is to act as precursor to Mashiach ben David: he will prepare the world for the coming of the final redeemer.
Judaism expected two separate people. One person fulfilling the two roles was not in their Theology. Resurrection was not (is not) in their thinking. Jesus corrected their Doctrine.
Actually, the word Messiah/Mashiach doesn’t appear in the Tanakh. The term is along the lines of The Anointed One or The Chosen one. Messiah/Mashiach came along later but everyone knew what was meant. The same applies to the term, “Shekhinah Glory,” which came into popular use in medieval Europe. In the OT it is H3519 — kāḇôḏ; but everyone knew what it meant. The same applies to the Factoid that homosexuals were invented in 1948. There were other terms before that but much ink has been spilt by those with a vested interest on that subject so that topic won’t be pursued here.
SO JOHN WAS A COGNOSCENTE OF JEWISH DOCTRINE AND WELL COGNIZANT OF WHAT HE WAS SAYING.
The forgoing evidence has not been presented to convince any reader but to allow a personal decision to be made. There is much more to know about this subject. Perhaps you’ll pay another visit, sometime. If you have seen something you like, I encourage plagiarism. So, always check everything I say first, then please re-cycle, re-brand, re-structure, re-issue, re-label, or re-gurgitate in any manner you please. No need to acknowledge me because the Holy Spirit Who holds the Intellectual Rights.
All Glory to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
(We all have a plank in our eye. It’s bigger than we think.)
