Q. What did Jesus mean when He told His disciples to “fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell,” if the soul never dies? Also, please comment on John 6:53.

A. The word “destroy” in Matthew 10:28 (KJV) doesn’t mean a complete annihilation. Rather, it indicates “condemnation” or “doom.” The lost will be sentenced to spend eternity being tormented in the Lake of Fire, reaping their rejection of Christ.

John 6:53 reads, “Then Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” These words greatly offended the Jews He was addressing, as they probably thought of the Old Testament law against eating blood (Leviticus 7:26, 27). But Jesus was speaking of spiritually appropriating Him in order to have eternal life, just as a person appropriates food for physical sustenance.

Do you have feedback or a Bible question to submit? Send your Bible questions to nolson@garbc.org, or mail to Norman A. Olson in care of the Baptist Bulletin, 1300 N. Meacham Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173-4806.