# The only object Jesus made was a whip? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 26, 2019, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236 "2019-02-26T12:33:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/41 "2019-03-01T17:26:49Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > You guys are no fun at all. What? Have you never seen an elephant fly? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2019, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/42 "2019-03-01T21:33:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What? Have you never seen an elephant fly? I’ve seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band… ---
**Author:** ![ALOHA\_HATER](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/76d3ee/32.png) [@ALOHA\_HATER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ALOHA_HATER)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/43 "2019-03-02T18:10:58Z")
Is the OP asking because Jesus was a carpenter but we don’t see him carpent? If that matters, I’ll only add that the word typically translated as ‘carpenter’ actually has broader meaning and would be better rendered as ‘builder.’ While writing this I got semantic satiation on the word carpenter and had to look it up in the dictionary to make sure ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/44 "2019-03-02T18:54:40Z")
> [@ALOHA\_HATER](#): > > … the word typically translated as ‘carpenter’ actually has broader meaning and would be better rendered as ‘builder.’ What is the relevant distinction between the two terms? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/45 "2019-03-02T19:39:52Z")
Regarding Jesus being the “son of a carpenter,” have a look at this thread from way back in 2002. It’s not necessarily a sure thing: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-125771.html](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-125771.html) My contribution: > [@](#): > > In one book on Jesus – I don’t recall whose, unfortunately – it was claimed that there was a proverbial expression at that place and time that went something like “What Carpenter or Son of a Carpenter Could do \_\_\_\_\_\_?” He was suggesting that someone reputed to do miraculous things might, by virtue of the proverb, be “assigned” the position of a carpenter and a son of a carpenter. In other words – the legend of Christ accumulated details over the years, and this is how that detail was generated. Interesting theory, but I haven’t heard anyone else corroborate it. **RedNaxela** ’s response: > [@](#): > > CalMeacham, that’s particularly interesting because there is in fact such an expression in the Talmud (Avodah Zarah 50b), about a knotty problem of Jewish law: “there is no carpenter nor son of a carpenter that could answer this.” [The Aramaic root for “answer,” parak, literally means “to take apart,” so that may have suggested the image of a carpenter working on it.] ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/46 "2019-03-02T20:38:51Z")
> [@ALOHA\_HATER](#): > > I’ll only add that the word typically translated as ‘carpenter’ actually has broader meaning and would be better rendered as ‘builder.’ > [@scr4](#): > > What is the relevant distinction between the two terms? The difference is between someone who makes chairs, and someone who makes the timber frame for houses. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2019, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/47 "2019-03-02T21:18:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What? Have you never seen an elephant fly? How it got into my fly I’ll nev . . . wait… CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![GMANCANADA](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gmancanada/32/2837_2.png) [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2019, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/48 "2019-03-03T07:31:00Z")
If time flies like an arrow, then elephant flies like…? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2019, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/49 "2019-03-03T09:27:44Z")
A jumbo jet. ---
**Author:** ![GMANCANADA](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gmancanada/32/2837_2.png) [@GMANCANADA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GMANCANADA)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/50 "2019-03-03T13:24:47Z")
@Peter Morris - I had about a 2 second delay - then almost fell off my chair laughing. Outstanding!! ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/51 "2019-03-05T04:17:58Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > The difference is between someone who makes chairs, and someone who makes the timber frame for houses. Someone who makes chairs is a joiner or a cabinetmaker. Carpenters do heavier, stronger work in wood. Your carpenter will (help to) construct your house; your joiner will make furniture and fittings for the house, unless it is particularly fine furniture, in which case you want a cabinetmaker. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/52 "2019-03-05T12:10:29Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > That’s trivial to refute with Matthew 26:52 (ESV): > > Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Or alternatively : > [@Jesus](#): > > and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. > [@Jesus](#): > > I did not come to bring peace, but a sword ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/53 "2019-03-05T14:51:11Z")
A “builder” could also be working in materials other than wood (such as stone or other masonry). But the distinction is irrelevant for this thread, because he’s never described as building anything, either. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/54 "2019-03-05T15:09:38Z")
Jesus is also said to have made mud. John 9:6 > [@](#): > > When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, (Similarly John 9:11) Furthermore, in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas he makes birds out of clay, and brings them to life > [@](#): > > II. 1 This little child Jesus when he was five years old was playing at the ford of a brook: and he gathered together the waters that flowed there into pools, and made them straightway clean, and commanded them by his word alone. 2 And having made soft clay, he fashioned thereof twelve sparrows. And it was the Sabbath when he did these things (or made them). And there were also many other little children playing with him. A similar story appears twice in the Quran. > [@](#): > > As a Messenger to the tribe of Israel, saying: “I have brought you a sign from your Lord. I will create the shape of a bird out of clay for you and then breathe into it and it will be a bird by God’s permission…” (Surah Al 'Imran, 49) > > Remember when God said, “Jesus, son of Mary, remember My blessing to you and to your mother when I reinforced you with the Purest Spirit so that you could speak to people in the cradle and when you were fully grown; and when I taught you the Book and Wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel; and when you created a bird-shape out of clay by My permission, and then breathed into it and it became a bird by My permission…” (Surat al-Ma’ida, 110) These aren’t canonical Christian sources, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dana\_Scully](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5daacb/32.png) [@Dana\_Scully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dana_Scully)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/55 "2019-03-06T16:52:21Z")
How much long is this dead horse going to be flogged? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/56 "2019-03-06T17:35:28Z")
> [@Dana\_Scully](#): > > How much long is this dead horse going to be flogged? **Moderator Note** Let’s not threadshit. If the subject doesn’t interest you, there is no need for you to post. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/57 "2019-03-06T17:53:12Z")
> [@Dana\_Scully](#): > > How much long is this dead horse going to be flogged? With a Jesus whip? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/58 "2019-03-06T17:57:58Z")
Didn’t he and his mother once make a Jesus and Mary Chain? ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/59 "2019-08-17T23:26:29Z")
> [@Dana\_Scully](#): > > How much long is this dead horse going to be flogged? Don’t look at me, I didn’t do it. It’s all his doing this time, the wise acre. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2019, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236/60 "2019-08-17T23:41:28Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > How much long is this dead horse going to be flogged? > > **Moderator Note** > > Let’s not threadshit. If the subject doesn’t interest you, there is no need for you to post. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator Whoosh. Whip. Flogged. Get it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-only-object-jesus-made-was-a-whip/830236.md?page=4)