Common Misconceptions in the Bible

Scripture Check Up

​Common Misconceptions

in the Bible​

Multiple Choice

What is the common misconception surrounding the story of Adam and Eve?

• that Adam was first created before Eve

• that they lived in the Garden of Eden

• that they ate an apple from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil

• that a snake tempted them to disobey God

Adam and Eve’s Fruit

Contrary to popular belief, Adam and Eve did not eat an Apple in the book of Genesis. The fruit is not actually named at all – it is referred to only as the fruit of “the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil”. The reason this misconception has come about is most likely due to the fact that in Middle English, the word “apple” was used to refer to all fruit and nuts (except berries). Over the centuries, this word has stuck in reference to the Genesis fruit. [Genesis 2:17]

Homeroom Devo | Sept. 30, 2022

Scripture Check Up

Multiple Choice

What is the common misconception surrounding the story of Noah's Ark?

• that the ark landed on top of the mountain after the flood

• that the animals went 2 by 2 into the ark

• that Noah and his family are the only ones who survived

• that the ark's measurements can survive the flood

Noah’s Ark

We all know that the “animals went in two by two”… right? Wrong! In fact, all clean animals went in in groups of seven, and unclean animals in groups of two. According to Jewish dietary law, there are far more clean animals than unclean, so the majority of creatures entering the ark went in as a group of 7. [Genesis 7:2-3]

Homeroom Devo | Sept. 30, 2022

Scripture Check Up

Multiple Choice

What is the common misconception surrounding the story of Jesus' birth?

• that there were three kings who visited him

• that he was born in Bethlehem

• that Mary was his mother

• that there was a star that shone that night

The Three Kings

No doubt most of us have heard the Christmas Carol “We three kings of Orient are;” but in fact, the three “kings” are never referred to as Kings in the Bible. Additionally, they are not referred to as a group of three. The only reference to the number ‘3’ is the number of gifts they carried. [Matthew 2:7-11]

Homeroom Devo | Sept. 30, 2022

Scripture Check Up

Multiple Choice

What is the common misconception surrounding the story of the prodigal son?

• that he had an older brother

• that his father had lots of possessions

• that his father gave him a ring when he returned

• that the word "prodigal" means "the one who lost his way"

The Prodigal Son

Contrary to popular belief, “prodigal” means “characterized by a profuse or wasteful expenditure”—it is not a reference to leaving or returning. [Luke 15:11-32]

Homeroom Devo | Sept. 30, 2022

Scripture Check Up

Multiple Choice

What is the common misconception surrounding the story of Jonah?

• that he was called by God

• that he was sent to Nineveh

• that he was swallowed by a whale

• that he asked to be thrown off a boat

Jonah and the Big Fish

"At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him. But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights." [Jonah 1:7]

Homeroom Devo | Sept. 30, 2022

Scripture Check Up

​Whale of a Story

🐳​ 🐳 ​🐳​

by Mike Wittmer

​Michael wasn't the first.

Jonah was swallowed by “a huge fish” (Jonah 1:17), and he stayed in its belly for three days before being vomited onto land (1:17; 2:10).

Unlike Michael, who was caught by accident, Jonah was swallowed because he hated Israel’s enemies and didn’t want them to repent. When God told Jonah to preach in Nineveh, he caught a boat going the other way. So God sent a whale-sized fish to get his attention.

​That “salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9) is a major theme which can be traced throughout Scripture.

But Jonah was more loyal to the people of God than to the God of all people. God loved Israel’s enemies and wanted to save them. He loves our enemies and wants to save them. With the wind of the Spirit at our backs, let’s sail toward them with the good news of Jesus.