How Did the Gospel Writers Remember All the Words Jesus Spoke?

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The Bible records many of the words that Jesus spoke during His earthly ministry. And if you have a red-letter Bible, it’s easy to identify Jesus’ words because they’re all in red! The questions arise: Are these words accurately recorded? How did the Gospel writers remember all that Jesus said?

Assurance of Accuracy

It’s known that the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, wrote more than 30 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, it’s reasonable to wonder how they could remember all the Lord’s words accurately. This was anticipated by Jesus. And it was answered by Him:

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

As the Gospel writers penned God’s words, the Holy Spirit brought to their minds both the things that had happened and the words that had been spoken. This is what is meant when we say that the Bible is God-breathed, or God-inspired (2 Timothy 3:16). So the answer to the question about the gospel writers is that they were able to accurately remember and record Jesus’ words because the Holy Spirit brought them to their memories and inspired them to write them accurately.

Additionally, we can be sure that Jesus’ words were accurately remembered and written because God has assured us of this.

1. God proclaimed that His words are true.

Prov 30:5 Every word of God is pure…

2. Jesus proclaimed that God’s words are true.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

3. Paul proclaimed the truth of God’s Word.

1 Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.

4. God said that He would reveal truths to His people.

Deut 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” {10} But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. {11} For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

{12} Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. {13} These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

5. God gave His words to His people.

Exo 19:6 …. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

6. Jesus gave the Father’s words to His followers.

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me;

7. God promised His words would not depart.

Isa 59:21 …my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

8. Jesus promised the eternality (preservation) of His words.

Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away

Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Additional Support

Now, a non-believer might suggest that these reasons all come from the Bible. And that is true. However, there are secular historical writings that also document some of the same people, same places, same events, and same words that are recorded in the Bible giving support to the accuracy of the recorded words. Plus, archeological finds support what the Bible teaches.

From all of this, we know that we can trust that all the writers of the Bible really lived. And also that where they lived really existed, the events they wrote about really happened, and the words they recorded were actually spoken.

In conclusion, we can trust that the Bible was accurately written! And that the Bible has been preserved for every generation throughout the centuries past. And it will continue to be preserved for every generation in the centuries future. Why? Because God has promised:

Psa 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever.

2 Pet 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy [of Scripture] never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

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