Biblically Speaking #76 WHY THE GOSPELS SKIP 18 YEARS OF JESUS’ LIFE + Dr. Darrell Bock
Nov 4, 2025
Dr. Darrell Bock, a prominent New Testament scholar and author, dives into the intriguing silence surrounding Jesus' teenage years. He discusses the intentional narrative focus of the Gospels, suggesting they highlight events that align with God's plans. Bock paints a picture of Jesus’ rural upbringing and early signs of self-awareness, while comparing ancient and modern biographies. He also addresses common misconceptions about Jesus and encourages embracing a fuller understanding of His roles, inviting listeners to trust the Gospels for their spiritual journey.
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Why The Gospels Skip Jesus' Teen Years
- The Gospels are selective and omit Jesus' non-ministry years because "when nothing is happening in regard to the plan of God, there's nothing left to tell."
- The evangelists focused on Jesus' impact and mission rather than a full chronological biography.
Memory From A Christmas Service
- Darrell Bock recalls a Christmas testimony where a parent praised baby Jesus as problem-free, but he doubts Mary and Joseph understood him fully then.
- He suggests their experience likely hinted at Jesus' uniqueness through surprising lack of conflict.
Gospels As Eyewitness Impact, Not Autobiography
- The Gospels record the impact of Jesus on witnesses, not his own written words, giving multiple perspectives rather than first-person documents.
- Darrell Bock compares this to asking former students about a professor's teaching to reconstruct his message.