Why didn't Jesus tell people that disease was caused by germs, rather than evil spirits or witchcraft?

Question

It would have taken all of 30 seconds for the omniscient creator of the universe to point this out. . .think of all the suffering he could have saved his beloved human beings if he'd just pointed that out. . .or maybe discussed irrigation or something. . .my guess would be that he never discussed these things because he was as ignorant as all the other people back then. . .

Answer 1

I do not think the term "germ" was known in the language then. Many things were believed, seriously, to be caused by evil...we know better now.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 2

First, people knew about irrigation in ancient times. They dug irrigation ditches, and also made aquaducts, cisterns, etc. Sometimes they even simply used buckets of water from a nearby river or stream to water crops. Why would Jesus need to tell them about irrigation?

Since He created the universe, he knew what germs were. But the rest of the people back then didn't know what germs were so they wouldn't have believed him anyway, duh. Besides, The Jews already had prohibitions about touching dead bodies, washing hands before eating, strict dietary laws, etc., which prevented the spread of germs and diseases anyway.

Jesus never said sickness was caused by witchcraft or evil spirits. In fact, he told people sin doesn't cause sickness (John 9:1-7)

They're are people today calling themselves witches who think they can cause sickness and death through magic. Read Drum and Candle by David St. Clair. People will always think this.

If everyone would love one another and keep the 10 comandments, the world would be a wonderful place. Imangine no killing, no stealing, no unfaithful spouses, no lying, etc.

Jesus told people the rules for a happy life. Humanity still didn't follow them. And you think a hygeine lecture would have helped?

Answer 3

A. The people would not have understood
B. The people would not have believed
C. _Some_ human maladies are attributed to non-human possession even now in the 21st century.
D. Those folks back in AD 0-30 were pretty good farmers who used irrigation, crop rotation, grain storage, and all
E. BTW, Jesus is not the 'omniscient creator of the universe', He is the SON of that creator.

Answer 4

Maybe because not all diseases are caused by germs. Some diseases are caused by disobedience to God's word (sin) and I think, being the Son of God, that was the point Jesus was trying to make. He himself never told anyone their disease was caused by witchcraft, in fact he didn't really dwell on the cause, just the cure, which is Him! Even some scientists are beginning to study the link between diseases like heart disease and arthritis with emotional or spiritual things like bitterness and unforgiveness, for which only Jesus can heal a person! Remember He didn't just heal physical ailments, but also emotional and mental ones as well.

Answer 5

Ok, imagine you are are ignorant of all the worlds technologies, and you know that in the real world the only animals that hurt people are the kind with teeth.

Then someone says "Look, there's these really tiny tiny animals you can't even see, let alone feel, and when they get inside your body sometimes they make you sick". You'd laugh at them.

Whether he knew about bacteria or not is irrelevant, people weren't read for that kind of knoweledge. Even if they did know, the didn't have the technology or resources to do much about it, I suppose washing your hands and treating open wounds with distilled alcohol would have helped, but thats about it.

Answer 6

Christians believe that Jesus was true man as well as true God. Insofar as he was a human being, he wouldn't know everything; he would be a man of his time -- with a keen sense of what was going on, but a man, nonetheless, who could learn. Even the Gospel says that Jesus "grew in wisdom, age and grace."

The interaction of His humanity and His divinity is a mystery which is not revealed to us.

Answer 7

Either God did not know, Jesus did not know about germs, or did not know how to educate people.

It's PATHETIC to blame one's ignorance on "evil" and "demons". Just like stone age people think fire is made by a fire god!

Anyway, people have been giving too much credit to their imaginary God. It's time to examine the truth!!!!

Answer 8

Jesus was definitely not an ignorant individual as you claim He must have been. Here are my reasons:

1) His message was not about hygiene or health, it was about gaining eternal life in heaven through His death and suffering.
2) It would have been hard enough to get people to realize who He was and what he had come to earth for let alone telling them about organisms they cannot see.
3) Being the Son of God eliminates you from the ignorant category.

I realize you probably just wanted to get a rise out of Christians reading your question, but all I feel is regret from your lack of understanding of who Jesus Christ really is and the lack of respect you have displayed with your question.

Answer 9

My guess was because in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter. We are born, we sleep,eat, mate, then die. Germs are only 1 way we die, so why worry about 1/1,000,000,000,000+ ways of dieing? Besides Jesus never ranted about evil spirits or withcraft, just good vs evil, and God.

Answer 10

Because He wasn't a scientist or a medical researcher?? Why didn't He tell people about electricity? Or the internal combustion engine? Think of all the suffering that could have prevented! Should He also have told people about antibiotics and surgery? Or would it be enough for them to know what was killing them, but be unable to do anything about it?