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Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Textual changes in favor of the newer Greek Texts are underlined.

1 Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of [the] LORD(a) descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who hath been crucified. 6 He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. 9 And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and paid homage(b) to him. 10 Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pass. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money unto the soldiers, 13 saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor`s ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews until today's day.

16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they paid homage(b); but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me(c) in heaven and on the earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in my name(d): 20 and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.

Footnotes

(a) The phrase "angel of the LORD" is used incorrectly in most Bibles about 55 times in the Old Testament as an alternative for the correct rendering of "angel of Jehovah." The Greek in Matthew 28:2 omits the definite article, which seems to necessitate that there be a a name here rather than a title like "Lord."
(b) Greek: PROSKUNEW/proskuneo. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance: "From pros and a probable derivative of kuon (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore) -- worship."
(c) All authority hath been given unto me. These words prove Jesus was not Almighty God. Almighty God already has "authority" and cannot be given authority. Almighty God does not need to be GIVEN ANYTHING.
(d) Some scholars believe that the triadic formula (baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit) at Matthew 28:19 is a later interpolation, or addition, to the Bible's text. The verse doesn't appear in early manuscripts of Matthew. Eusebius, who had an original copy of Matthew, didn't quote the verse in the long form. His copy read: “En to onomati mou”..."in my name." This seems to be the correct reading as the early Christians didn't follow the instruction to baptize in the formula in Matthew 28:19. (Acts 19:5) “The command to baptize into the threefold name is a late doctrinal expansion. Instead of the words, ‘baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost’ we should probably read simply: ‘into my name’" (Peake's Bible Commentary, p. 723).
If you are a strict adherent to Granville Sharp's Rule, then the traditional rendering of Matthew 28:19 presents a problem. The presence of the definite article “the” before Father, Son and Holy Spirit, along with the fact that all three are connected by “kai” (and), seems to indicate three distinct beings, not one being.

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Robert A. Wagoner, in The Great Debate Regarding the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, writes:
"The Bible has many verses which "teach" justification, "teach" repentance, "teach" baptism, "teach" the resurrection, but not one verse in the entire Bible “teaches” the doctrine of the Trinity. No verse describes it, explains it, or defines it. And no verse tells us to believe it. When one considers just how different the Trinitarian view is from the traditional Jewish view of God, you have to ask yourself, where are all the arguments to get the Jew to change his view? Why, when the Apostle Paul spends entire chapters getting the Jew to change his view of the law, isn’t there just one text to get the Jew to change his view of God? This vital, but missing piece, is the Trinity’s single biggest flaw.
The more I looked at the Trinity, the more I saw a doctrine rich in tradition, and passionately defended by brilliant and sincere people, but severely weak in reason and badly wanting in Biblical support." (p. 88-89)

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Matthew 27 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

Textual changes in favor of the newer Greek Texts are underlined.

1 Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2 and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou [to it]. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged(a) himself. 6 And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood. 7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter`s field, to bury strangers in. 8 Wherefore that field was called, the field of blood, unto this day. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom [certain] of the children of Israel did price; 10 and they gave them for the potter`s field(b), as the Lord appointed me.

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said, Thou sayest(c). 12 And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13 Then saith Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? 14 And he gave him no answer, not even to one word: insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

15 Now at the feast the governor was wont to release unto the multitude one prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called [Jesus] Barabbas. 17 When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? [Jesus](d) Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him up. 19 And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 But the governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? And they said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do unto Jesus who is called Christ? They all say, Let him be crucified(e). 23 And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified. 24 So when Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing, but rather that a tumult was arising, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this man; see ye [to it]. 25 And all the people answered and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he unto them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified(e).

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered unto him the whole band. 28 And they stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 And they braided a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30 And they spat upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify(e) him.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to go [with them], that he might bear his stake. 33 And they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34 they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted it, he would not drink. 35 And when they had crucified(e) him, they parted his garments among them, casting lots; 36 and they sat and watched him there. 37 And they set up over his head his accusation written,

THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Then are there crucified(e) with him two robbers(f), one on the right hand and one on the left. 39 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the stake. 41 In like manner also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said, 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. He is the King of Israel; let him now come down from the stake, and we will believe on him. 43 He trusteth on God; let him deliver now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44 And the robbers also that were crucified(e) with him cast upon him the same reproach.

45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying,

Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? that is, My God, my God(g), why hast thou forsaken me?

47 And some of them stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save him. 50 And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost(h). 51 And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent; 52 [and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming forth out of the tombs(i) after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many.] 54 Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was a Son of God. 55 And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57 And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus` disciple: 58 this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded it to be given up. 59 And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the tomb.

62 Now on the morrow, which is [the day] after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, 63 saying, Sir(j), we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again. 64 Command therefore that the tomb be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go, make it [as] sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the tomb sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

Footnotes

(a) Acts 1:18: "Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." Compare this to the death of Ammesai at 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 20:10: "And Amessai observed not the dagger that was in the hand of Joab: and Joab smote him with it on the loins, and his bowels were shed out upon the ground..." Brenton LXX
(b) A potter's field, paupers' grave or common grave is a place for the burial of strangers, criminals, and the poor.
(c) "Jesus replied to him in the affirmative." RDNT
(d) Five people are named Jesus: Jesus Barabbas, Elymas Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6-8), Jesus Justus (Col. 4:11) and Jesus, son of Nun (Acts 7: 45 Joshua)
(e) Crucified (STAURWQHTW/Staurotheto, from the verb stauroo) comes from the Latin word CRUX. "...the words crucifixion or crucify would not exclusively refer to execution on a 't' shaped frame but would include execution on 'other wooden instruments', including a tree, frame or upright pole." https://biblereadingarcheology.com. "The Latin word crux means 'stake' or 'pole' and was used to describe the instrument of execution known as the gibbet. The Greek word for the same instrument was stauros." Google's AI Overview
(f) According to apocryphal writings, the names of the robbers were Demas (Dismas) and Gestas.
(g) My God, my God: Jesus called upon His God. Almighty God does not have a God, therefore Jesus cannot be Almighty God.
(h) ASV: "yielded up his spirit"; KJV: "yielded up the ghost"; Buzzard, NRSV, NRSVue, NEB, REB: breathed his last; KGV: gave up his breath. I reverted back to the old English phrase which was popularized by the King James Bible which simply meant "to die", though it can be traced back to Miles Coverdale's Bible version in 1535.
(i) Verses 52 and 53 are probably a later interpolation. There are no parallel accounts, and the historical world is silent about this event. Read more at https://2001translation.org/notes/matthew27-5253
(j) Sir. Greek: KURIE, the vocative form of Kyrios/KURIOS, the word for "Lord."

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From: Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating, 1988, Ignatiuis Press, pp. 144,145

"Consider the doctrine of the Trinity. It is not present on the face of Scripture, not just in the sense that the word Trinity is never used-its first use was by Theophilus of Antioch in 186-but also in the sense that it is by no means obvious, from the surface meaning of the text, that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person. We naturally read back into the Bible the beliefs we already hold, each of us having been instructed in the Faith before ever picking up the Bible. References to the Holy Spirit's divinity seem to jump out at us. If we imagine ourselves as ancient pagans or as present-day non-Christians, coming across the Bible for the first time, we realize that the status of the Holy Spirit is by no means clear. If we think of ourselves as having no recourse to divine Tradition and to the Magisterium of the Church, we can appreciate how easy it must have been for the early pneumatological heresies to arise."

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Matthew 26 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

Textual changes in favor of the newer Greek Texts are underlined.

1 And it came to pass(a), when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified(b). 3 Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas; 4 and they took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him. 5 But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among people.

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 there came unto him a woman having an alabaster jar of exceeding precious ointment, and she poured it upon his head, as he sat [at meat]. 8 But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 But Jesus perceiving it said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she poured this ointment upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, that also which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him [unto them.]

17 Now on the first [day] of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20 Now when even was come, he was sitting to eat with the twelve; 21 and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I(c), Lord? 23 And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. 25 And Judas, who betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I(c), Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and giving it to the disciples, said, Take, eat; this meaneth(d) my body. 27 And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 for this meaneth(d) my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father`s kingdom. 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out unto the mount of Olives.

31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. 33 But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended. 34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 35 Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, I will not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. 40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 Again a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cannot pass away, except I drink it, thy will be done. 43 And he came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And he left them again, and went away, and prayed a third time, saying again the same words. 45 Then cometh he to the disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me.

47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas(e), one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priest and elders of the people. 48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him. 49 And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Friend, [do] that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51 And behold, one of them that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. 52 Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and he shall even now send me more than twelve legions(f) of angels? 54 How then should the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be? 55 In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves(g) to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not. 56 But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to [the house of] Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; 60 and they found it not, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two, 61 and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild in three days. 62 And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus said unto him, Thou hast said(h): nevertheless I say unto you,

Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand(1) of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.

65 Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy: 66 what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy(j) of death. 67 Then did they spit in his face and cuffed him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ: who is he that struck thee?

69 Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean. 70 But he denied in front of everyone, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another [damsel] saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. 73 And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art [one] of them; for thy speech maketh thee known. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear(k), I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Footnotes

(a) The expression "And it came to pass" is used 397 times in the ASV. It is used 1165 times in the Book of Mormon, which left Mark Twain to write that if Joseph Smith had left that phrase out, "his Bible would have been only a pamphlet."
(b) ASV: crucified. Bullinger: "hung upon a stake. Greek. stauros was not two pieces of wood at any angle. It was an upright pale or stake. Same as xulon, a piece of timber (Act_5:30; Act_5:10, Act_5:39. Gal_1:3, Gal_1:13. 1Pe_2:24). Even the Latin crux means a mere stake, or stave (compare verses: Mat_26:47, Mat_26:55, &c.); while stauroo (here) means to drive stakes."
(c) Here we have the disciples and Judas all saying ego eimi. However, whenever Jesus says ego eimi, the claim to divinity is supposed to be explicit. Some Bibles even capitalize the I AM when Jesus says it to make sure that you understand that when ego eimi is uttered, he is proclaiming Himself to be Jehovah. See John 8:58.
(d) ASV has "this is my body." Moffatt: "it means my body." See also NWT. Bullinger, KGV & ELB: "represents."
(e) Judas is a very Jewish name, so much so that many like Jerome would not distinguish between the two: "Judas is cursed, that in Judas in particular, was torn asunder by demons — and the [Jewish] people as well."
(f) According to Bullinger a legion consists of 6,000 (6,000 x 12 = 72,000). According to Charles B. Williams a legion is "one hundred thousand angels" while William F. Beck translates this as "more than seventy thousand angels."
(g) Staves: clubs, see ED & Wilton.
(h) 2001: ‘You’re saying it yourself!
(i) The Bible speaks repeatedly of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55, 56; Matthew 22:44 etc), which should be odd if Jesus was in fact "God."
(j) KJV: "He is guilty of death"
(k) "A new development of profanity. Hitherto he had merely sworn. Now he adds imprecation; invoking curses on himself if the case be not as he says." Word Studies in the New Testament by Martin R. Vincent

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Professor Charles C. Ryrie, writing in his well known work, Basic Theology, says:

"The N. T. contains no explicit statement of the doctrine of the Trinity of God (since “these three are one” in 1 John 5:7 is apparently not a part of the genuine text of scripture (p. 60). A definition of the Trinity is not easy to construct. Some are done by stating several propositions. Others err on the side of oneness or threeness (p. 61). Even with all the discussion and delineation that we attempt in relation to the Trinity, we must admit that in the final analysis it is a mystery (p.61). In the second half of the fourth century, three theologians from the province of Cappadocia in eastern Asia Minor gave definitive shape to the doctrine of the Trinity (p.65). But many doctrines are accepted by evangelicals as being clearly taught in the Scripture for which there are no proof texts. The doctrine of the Trinity furnishes the best example of this. It is fair to say that the Bible does not clearly teach the doctrine of the Trinity. In fact, there is not even one proof text, if by proof text we mean a verse or passage that “clearly” states that there is one God who exists in three persons (p. 89). The above illustrations prove the fallacy of concluding that if something is not proof-texted in the Bible we cannot clearly teach the results … If that were so, I could never teach the doctrine of the Trinity or the deity of Christ or the deity of the Holy Spirit." (p.90)

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Matthew 25 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

Textual changes in favor of the newer Greek Texts are underlined.

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: 4 but the wise took vessels of oil with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed(a) their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, No, there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord(b), open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

14 For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey at once. 16 He that received the five talents(c) went and traded with them, and made five more. 17 Likewise he also that [received] the two gained other two. 18 But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord`s money. 19 Now after a long time the lord(d) of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. 20 And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 And he also that had the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; 25 and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. 26 But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; 27 thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. 28 Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents(e). 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but of him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. 30 And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth(f).

31 But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: 32 and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; 33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; 36 naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? 38 And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me(g).

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left(h) hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire(i) prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me. 46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment(j): but the righteous into eternal life.

Footnotes

(a) Trim: to prepare or adjust (a lamp or a fire) for proper burning. Williams: "trimmed their lamp-wicks"
(b) This is an example of epizeuxis, a rhetorical device that involves repeating a word or phrase multiple times in close succession, usually within the same sentence. Epizeuxis is utilized to create an emotional appeal.
(c) Five talents - AT: five thousand dollars; NEB: five bags of gold; Unvarnished: five bars of silver.
(d) Lord, Greek: Kyrios/KURIOS. The word is used as a title of respect of men in authority, as well as the Divine. Many translations render this as "Master" in this Scripture.
(e) This parable depicts investing, not hoarding, as a righteous thing.
(f) The weeping and the gnashing of teeth is mentioned seven times in the Bible, and only in the Gospels. (Matt. 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28).
(g) I reverted back the KJV for this Scripture as it was worded better.
(h) In many religions, including Christianity, the right hand of God is the favored hand. For example, Jesus sits at God's right side. Those who fall from favor with God are sent to left, as described in Matthew 25: 32–33, in which sheep represent the righteous and goats represent the fallen. In 19th-century Europe, homosexuals were referred to as "left-handed". In Protestant-majority parts of the United Kingdom, Catholics were called "left-footers", and vice versa in Catholic-majority parts of Ireland and Irish America. During the Spanish Inquisition, the Catholic Church would condemn and occasionally execute those who used their left hand. During the time of the Salem Witch Trials, use of the left hand could lead to one’s burning at the stake. Black magic is sometimes referred to as the "left-hand path", which is strongly associated with Satanism.
(i) The eternal fire, or lake of fire, was never intended for people.
(j) What many hope this means is that "everlasting punishment" should be interpreted as "eternal torment in a fiery hell." Notice that the Scripture says "punishment" not "punishing." Also, Romans 6:23 says that "the wages of sin is death" not an eternity of torment. John 3:16 lays out two options for believers: "eternal life" or "perish." What Mt 25:46 is saying is that there are those who will perish for an eternity. Those ones will be dead forever.

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"Christ, according to the faith, is the second person in the Trinity, the Father being the first and the Holy Ghost third. Each of these persons is God. Christ is his own father and his own son. The Holy Ghost is neither father nor son, but both. The son was begotten by the father, but existed before he was begotten--just the same before as after. Christ is just as old as his father, and the father is just as young as his son. The Holy Ghost proceeded from the Father and Son, but was equal to the Father and Son before he proceeded, that is to say, before he existed, but he is of the same age as the other two. So it is declared that the Father is God, and the Son and the Holy Ghost God, and these three Gods make one God. According to the celestial multiplication table, once one is three, and three time one is one, and according to heavenly subtraction if we take two from three, three are left. The addition is equally peculiar: if we add two to one we have but one. Each one equal to himself and to the other two. Nothing ever was, nothing ever can be more perfectly idiotic and absurd than the dogma of the Trinity."
[Ingersoll's Works, Vol. 4, p. 266-67].

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Matthew 24 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

Textual changes in favor of the newer Greek Texts are underlined.

1 And Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered and said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy presence(a), and of the end of the age(b)? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ(c); and shall lead many astray. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for [these things] must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places. 8 But all these things are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name`s sake. 10 And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. 12 And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. 13 But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.

15 When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation(d), which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), 16 then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains: 17 let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house: 18 and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. 19 But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! 20 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath: 21 for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect`s sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe [it] not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you beforehand. 26 If therefore they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; believe [it] not. 27 For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the presence(a) of the Son of man. 28 Wheresoever the corpse is, there will the vultures be gathered together(e).

29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days
the sun shall be darkened,
and the moon shall not give her light, (Isaiah 13:10)
and the stars shall fall from heaven,
and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30 and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send forth his angels with a great trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh; 33 even so ye also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is nigh, [even] at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you that, This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be accomplished. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son(f), but the Father only. 37 For as the days of Noah, so shall be the presence(a) of the Son of man. 38 For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39 and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so also shall be the presence(a) of the Son of man. 40 Then shall two man be in the field; one is taken, and one is left: 41 two women [shall be] grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. 44 Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the lord(g) hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord(g) when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath. 48 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord(g) tarrieth; 49 and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; 50 the lord(g) of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, 51 and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

Footnotes

(a) Greek: parousia. ASV and KJV translate this as "coming." Thayer's Lexicon gives "presence" as the primary definition. "Parousia" translated as "presence" and not as "coming", can easily be derived from the context. Jesus answered his disciples, "Just as the days of Noah were, so shall be the presence of the Son of man." If parousia was to be translated as "coming", referring to the arrival only, then the comparison to the "days of Noah", which is clearly a considerable period of time, would not be a very valid comparison. The original ASV says at Matthew 24:37, "And as were the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of man." The word "coming" does not fit grammatically with the comparison being made with "the days of Noah". The word "coming" is a singular event, whereas "days of Noah" is evidently a period of time. The only way that comparison makes any sense is that parousia at Matthew 24 can ONLY mean "presence".
(b) ASV & KJV has "world" here, however most Bibles translate this as "age." See Thayer and BDAG.
(c) This verse reads 'I am Christ', lacking the definite article, in the Geneva Bible (1599) and the KJV.
(d) Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11; 1 Maccabees 1:54. NRSV use the phrase "desolating sacrifice."
(e) ASV: "Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together."
(f) The UBS3 gives oude ho huios (nor the Son) a C grade indicating a considerable degree of doubt of these words. However, the UBS5 (United Bible Society's Greek New Testament, 5th edition) upgraded oude ho huios (nor the Son) to a B grade, giving these words more certainty. Mark 13:32 has the same passage with the words in question without any textual corruptions. That the words oude ho huios (nor the Son) at Matthew 24:36 are in question at all is due to scribes tampering with a text that is problematic if Christ is indeed God.
(g) Lord, Greek: Kyrios/KURIOS. The word is used as a title of respect of men in authority, as well as the Divine. Many translations render this as "Master." Moffatt translates this as "lord and master."

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"We must recognize the fact that mankind cannot go on without a certain amount of absurdity, that absurdity is an element in its existence, and illusion indispensable; as indeed other aspects of life testify." --Schopenhauer

"I believe, because it is absurd." Attributed to Tertullian

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Matthew 28 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Footnotes

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Matthew 27 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Footnotes

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Matthew 26 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Footnotes

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Matthew 25 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Footnotes

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Matthew 24 in the Unitarian Standard Version

Footnotes

Matthew 28 in the Unitarian Standard Version

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