We began the last article looking at one of Satan’s favorite lies: the average man cannot understand the Bible. Several points were made to counter that lie (see Article 1 in this series).  To further counter the devil’s argument, let’s focus on the attitude of Jesus toward this subject. This should settle the matter—if we intend to be followers of Jesus.

First, Jesus expected people to read the Scriptures (the O.T. Scriptures would have been in existence during Jesus’ day). In discussing points of doctrine, Jesus often asked the question, “Have you never read?” and would then quote the passage they should have read (Matt. 12:3, 5; 19:4; 21:16; 21:42; 22:31). On one occasion, when there was a misunderstanding about the resurrection, Jesus said, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures” (Matt. 22:29). The implication, of course, is that they should have known the Scriptures. On another occasion Jesus based his argument on a single word in a passage (John 10:33-36), another time on the tense of a word (Matt. 22:29-33). Clearly, Jesus expected the Jews, to whom the law had been given, to have a thorough knowledge of it.

If anything, our responsibility is even greater today, seeing that we also have the N. T. Scriptures. Think about it—God has revealed “all truth” to us (John 16:13), told us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3), given us the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Wouldn’t it be a shame if we didn’t even bother to read (or hear) what God has revealed?

Of course, Jesus also expected folks to understand what they read (and what they heard Him teach). In Matthew 15:10, before teaching on a particular subject, Jesus began by saying “hear and understand.” When they failed to understand, Jesus gently rebuked them by saying, “Are you also still without understanding?” (Matt. 15:16). In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talked about someone who “hears the word and understands it” (Matt. 13:23). According to Jesus, understanding the Parable of the Sower was the key to understanding the other parables (Mark 4:13). Jesus made other statements like: “If you had known what this means” (Matt. 12:7); “Go and learn what this means” (Matt. 9:13); “How is it that you do not understand?” (Matt. 16:11); “Why do you not understand My speech?” (John 8:43). So on this point there can be no dispute—Jesus expects us to understand God’s word. If someone doesn’t understand, he has himself to blame.

Perhaps there would be less talk about our inability to understand the Bible  if we just tried harder—if we pursued understanding with the zeal described in the following passage: “My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).

Don’t trust others to tell you what the Bible says. Read it for yourself—you may be surprised how much you learn.