letters to surfers

Question :

I don't read anything in the Bible telling me that Simon is Martha's husband. You must be guessing, if you are guessing then you should write as such. Bible warns us about adding or taking from the Word

Answer by Robert Brow   (www.brow.on.ca)  

 

Answer :  You are right.   There is no absolute proof that Simon was Martha's husband.   My conclusion was based on putting various facts together.  Simon was not there when Jesus visited Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42).  During the last few days before his arrest, Jesus went out to a house in Bethany (Matthew 21:17, Mark 11:11).  The house in Bethany belonged to Simon the Leper (Matthew 26:6, Mark 14:3).  Jesus is recorded as healing several lepers.   My guess is that Simon got leprosy, was healed by Jesus, his wife Martha was very grateful and invited Jesus to her home.   There was then a time when Simon was still quarantined, and the dinner where Mary anointed Jesus was to celebrate Simon's return to normal life.

 
I agree I should have explained this was a hypothesis based on the above facts.   But you will see that preachers who try to make a story relevant will inevitably make some guesses.
 
Robert Brow
browr@sympatico.ca
www.brow.on.ca



model theology home | essays and articles | books | sermons | letters to surfers | comments