The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 19:16–17 and parallel Gospel passages to explain why Jesus’ question, “Why callest thou me good?”, does not deny his goodness or divinity.

The episode clarifies translation differences, context with the rich young man, Jesus’ teaching method, and how the passage exposes misplaced confidence while strengthening trust in Scripture.

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 Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: [email protected] 

Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/jesus-good.html 

GotQuestions.org articles: https://www.gotquestions.org/good-God-alone.html , https://www.gotquestions.org/why-do-you-call-me-good.html , https://www.gotquestions.org/rich-young-ruler.html

Catholic Answers: “Why Different Translations for Matthew 19:16-17?” https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-different-translations-for-matthew-1916-17

Douglas Groothuis, “Jesus: Philosopher and Apologist,” Christian Research Journal (2002/updated 2009) https://www.equip.org/articles/jesus-philosopher-and-apologist/

Terry J. Hedrick, “Jesus as Shepherd in the Gospel of Matthew,” PhD thesis, Durham University (2007) https://etheses.durham.ac.uk/id/eprint/2536/1/2536_547.pdf

Answering Islam rebuttal by David Thompson: https://www.answering-islam.org/authors/thompson/rebuttals/questionmark/response_where_i_am_god.html

Hold Fast Blog: “Why Do You Call Me Good? Mark 10:18” https://holdfast.blog/2025/11/15/why-do-you-call-me-good-mark-1018/

Beautiful Christian Life: “What Point Was Jesus Making to the Rich Young Ruler?” https://beautifulchristianlife.com/blog/what-point-was-jesus-making-to-the-rich-young-ruler

In episode 239 of Bible Difficulties and Answers, Lance Smith examines Numbers 13:32–33, contrasting the fearful report of ten spies with Joshua and Caleb's faith. He argues the conflict was not over facts about the land's fertility but over differing interpretations—fear versus faith. The episode explains the 'land devours its inhabitants' phrase as hyperbole driven by fear, explores the spies' exaggerations about giants, and draws practical lessons about trusting God when opportunities look daunting.

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 Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: [email protected] 

Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 

Utley, Bob. Free Bible Commentary on Numbers 13. http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/old_testament_studies/VOL02COT/VOL02COT_13.html

Knowing Scripture. “Giants in the Land: A Biblical Theology of the Nephilim, Anakim, Rephaim, and Goliath.” https://knowingscripture.com/articles/giants-in-the-land-a-biblical-theology-of-the-nephilim-anakim-rephaim-and-goliath

Bradley, Jamin. “The Giant Clans of the Bible.” https://jaminbradley.com/2019/07/03/the-giants-clans-of-the-bible/

Hadar Institute. “Uncovering the Spies.” https://www.hadar.org/torah-tefillah/resources/uncovering-spies

The Gospel Coalition. Numbers Commentary. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/commentary/numbers/

In this episode Lance Smith examines Matthew 19:17–19 alongside Mark 10 and Luke 18 to answer the skeptic’s claim that Jesus listed a different number of commandments. Using context, Jewish background, and gospel harmonization, he shows Matthew’s inclusion of “Love your neighbor” is a theological capstone, not a contradiction.

Listeners will learn how the three accounts offer complementary perspectives on the rich young man’s question about eternal life and why the passage highlights discipleship and the heart’s true loyalties.

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 Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: [email protected] 

 

Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/sixth.html 

Michael A. LaFramboise, “A Discourse Analysis of Matthew 19:16-30: The Pericope of the Rich Young Man,” (Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, June 5, 2023).

David N. Bivin, “Rich Man Declines the Kingdom of Heaven,” Jerusalem Perspective (18 Nov 2014): https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/12323/

John J. Collins, “Love Your Neighbor: How It Became the Golden Rule,” TheTorah.com (27 April 2020): https://www.thetorah.com/article/love-your-neighbor-how-it-became-the-golden-rule

David Guzik, “Matthew Chapter 19,” Enduring Word Bible Commentary: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-19/

“Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler he could be saved by obeying the commandments?” GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/rich-young-ruler.html

Layton Talbert, “Diagnosing the Rich Young Ruler’s Problem,” BJU Seminary (20 June 2019): https://seminary.bju.edu/theology-in-3d/what-was-the-rich-rulers-problem/

“Which Commandments Should We Really Follow? (Matthew 19),” Rethinking Scripture: https://rethinkingscripture.com/which-commandments-should-we-really-follow/

Episode 237 explores the apparent discrepancy between Exodus and Numbers where Moses seems to 'rename' Hosea as Joshua. Lance Smith explains how naming conventions, proleptic usage, and theological meaning resolve the difficulty, showing the change highlights Yahweh's role in salvation. Drawing on Jewish tradition and biblical scholarship, the episode argues the shift is clarifying and theological rather than contradictory.

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 Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: [email protected] 

Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 

Zev Farber, “Why Was Joshua Singled Out by Moses? A New Insight into an Old Question,” TheTorah.com (June 10, 2014). https://www.thetorah.com/article/why-was-joshua-singled-out-by-moses

“The 12 Spies (Meraglim) in the Bible,” Chabad.org. https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3700062/jewish/The-12-Spies-Meraglim-in-the-Bible.htm

BibleHub discussion: “Why did Moses change Hoshea’s name to Joshua?” https://biblehub.com/q/Why_did_Moses_rename_Hoshea_Joshua.htm

Mesu Andrews, “Moses Changed Joshua’s Name—Why It Matters.” https://mesuandrews.com/moses-changed-joshuas-name-why-it-matters/

Elinoar Bareket, “What’s in a Name?: The Bible vs. the Middle Ages,” TheTorah.com (December 12, 2016). https://www.thetorah.com/article/whats-in-a-name-the-bible-vs-the-middle-ages

David Frankel, “The Story of the Anonymous Scouts, Modified by the Book of Numbers,” TheTorah.com (June 23, 2022). https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-story-of-the-anonymous-scouts-modified-by-the-book-of-numbers

Episode 236 examines a skeptical claim that juxtaposes Matthew 19 and Deuteronomy 23 to argue the Bible prefers castrated men. Lance Smith walks through context, covenant differences, and historical background to show Jesus’ words address marriage and voluntary celibacy, while Deuteronomy regulated assembly and separation from pagan practices.

The episode traces the biblical trajectory through Isaiah 56 and Acts 8 to demonstrate inclusion and redemption rather than exclusion, concluding that Scripture cares about the heart and faith, not physical condition.

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 Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: [email protected] 

Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/castrated.html 

“The Prohibition of Joining the Assembly of the Lord.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-prohibition-of-joining-the-assembly-of-the-lord

“Even Eunuchs Are Included.” Ligonier Ministries. https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/even-eunuchs-are-included

“Tough Passages #5: Eunuchs and Pharisees (Deuteronomy 23:1).” Redeeming Culture. https://redeemingculture.com/theology/tough-passages/2613-tough-passages-5-eunuchs-and-pharisees-deuteronomy-231

“What is a eunuch in the Bible?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/eunuch-eunuchs.html

“Eunuchs in the Bible.” Biblical Archaeology Review / BiblicalArchaeology.org. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/eunuchs-in-the-bible/

“Difficult Bible Passages: Matthew 19:12.” Bill Muehlenberg. https://billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/30/difficult-bible-passages-matthew-1912/