Sunday, August 16, 2026

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

Mark 9

1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand [by], who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power(a). 2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them; 3 and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. 4 And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. 6 For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid. 7 And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear ye him. 8 And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead. 10 And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean. 11 And they asked him, saying, [How is it] that the scribes say that Elijah must first come? 12 And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be despised? 13 But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him.

14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16 And he asked them, What question ye with them? 17 And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit(b); 18 and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth [at the mouth], and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able. 19 And he answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him unto me. 20 And they brought him to him. Upon seeing him the spirit convulsed him, and falling to the ground he started wallowing, foaming [at the mouth.] 21 And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child. 22 And oft-times it hath cast him both into [the] fire and into [the] waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. 24 Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And having cried out, and convulsed much, he came out: and [the boy] became as one dead; insomuch that the many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took his hand, and raised him up; and he arose. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, [How is it] that we could not cast it out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind(c) can come out by nothing, save by prayer.

30 And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. 32 But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

33 And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who [was] the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a little child, and set it in the midst of them: and taking it in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

38 John said unto him, Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is for us. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, because ye are Christ`s, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

42 And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. 45 And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into Gehenna. 47 And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into Gehenna; 48 where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched(d). 49 For every one shall be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.

Footnotes

Verses 44 and 46 are omitted as they are considered later additions.
(a) Scholar Bart Ehrman interprets this as Jesus's expectation of a swift and imminent arrival of God's kingdom, a view common among first-century Jewish apocalypticists.
(b) "A dumb spirit - A spirit that takes his speech from him."~John Wesley
(c) The phrase "this kind" implies that there are different types or levels of demonic influence, some of which are more difficult to overcome.
(d) A metaphor for total destruction. If this was indeed a description of a fiery hell, then it could not be too hot if the worms "dieth not."

Quote: The doctrine of the Trinity has indeed been so sublimated and refined, and so reduced in the rigidity of its old technical terms, that it may now be said to offer itself in some quite inoffensive and unobjectionable shapes to that large number of persons who feel bound to accept it in some shape, and yet are aware that in full mental honesty they can accept it only in the least dogmatic and most accommodated shape.~Rev. George E. Ellis

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Mark 8 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

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

Mark 8

1 In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: 3 and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way; and some of them are come from far. 4 And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place? 5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. 6 And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them. 8 And they ate, and were filled: and they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets. 9 And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away. 10 And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him. 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.(a) 13 And he left them, and again going aboard he departed to the other side.

14 And they forgot to take bread; and they had not in the boat with them more than one loaf. 15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. 16 And they reasoned one with another because they had no bread.

17 And He perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened? 18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not?(b) and do ye not remember? 19 When I brake the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 20 When the seven among the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces took ye up? And they say unto him, Seven. 21 And he said unto them, Do ye not yet understand?

22 And they come unto Bethsaida. And they bring to him a blind man, and beseech him to touch him. 23 And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Can you see? 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold [them] as trees, walking. 25 Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly. 26 And he sent him away to his home, saying, Do not even enter into the village.

27 And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am? 28 And they told him, saying, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets. 29 And he asked them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. 30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man(c) must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he spake the saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33 But he turning about, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, Get thee behind me, Satan; for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men. 34 And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would follow after me, let him deny himself, and take up his stake, and follow me. 35 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel`s shall save it. 36 For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and to forfeit his soul?(d) 37 For what should a man give in exchange for his soul?(d) 38 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man(c) also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Footnotes

(a) Jesus refuses to perform a miracle for the Pharisees, who ask for one, but performs miracles for the Gentiles, who do not.
(b) Ezekiel 12: 1, 2: "The word of Jehovah also came unto me, saying, Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of the rebellious house, that have eyes to see, and see not, that have ears to hear, and hear not; for they are a rebellious house."
(c) In the Old Testament, the term "Son of Man" (ben-adam) is used for a human person (Ezekiel 2:1) or mankind (Psalms 8:4). This title is used by Jesus of himself most often.
(d) ASV and many other Bibles use the term "life" here. The Greek allows for both translations.

Quote: The doctrine of the Trinity, observes a celebrated writer, confounds reason and prompts it to revolt. If there be any visible difficulties, they are those which are contained in that mystery, that three persons really distinct have one and the same essence, and that this essence being the same thing in each person, all the relations that distinguish them may be communicated without the communication of the relations which distinguish the persons. If human reason consults herself, she will rise up against these inconceivable statements; if she pretends to make use of her own light to penetrate them, it will furnish her with arms to overthrow them. Wherefore in order to believe them she ought to bind herself to stifle all her powers of investigation, and to depress and sink herself under the weight of spiritual authority. ~J. S. Hyndman

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Mark 7 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

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

Mark 7

1 And there are gathered together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2 and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled, that is, unwashen, hands. 3 (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands with the fist, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders; 4 and from the market-place, except they bathe themselves, they eat not; and many other things there are, which they have received to hold, washings of cups, and pots, and brasen vessels [and beds].)
5 And the Pharisees and the scribes ask him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with defiled hands? 6 And he said unto them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

This people honoreth me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. 7 But in vain do they worship(a) me, Teaching [as their] doctrines the precepts of men.

8 Ye leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men. 9 And he said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may establish your tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death(b): 11 but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, Given [to God]; 12 ye no longer suffer him to do anything for his father or mother; 13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which ye have handed down: and many such like things ye do. 14 And he called to him the multitude again, and said unto them, Hear me all of you, and understand: 15 there is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of a man are what defile a man(c). 17 And when he was entered into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked him this parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, [it] cannot defile him; 19 because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the privy? [This he said], making all food clean. 20 And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye(d), slander, pride, foolishness: 23 all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.

24 And from thence he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre. And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it; and he could not be hid. 25 But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not right to take the children`s bread and cast it to the dogs. 28 But she answered and saith unto him, Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children`s crumbs. 29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter. 30 And she went away unto her house, and found the child laid upon the bed, and the demon gone out.

31 And again he went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to lay his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude privately, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat, and touched his tongue; 34 and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35 And [immediately] his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. 36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. 37 And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Footnotes

Omitted verse: Mark 7:16 [If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.] Mark 7:16 is omitted from the main text in many modern Bible translations because it is missing from the oldest and most historically reliable Greek manuscripts.
(a) Worship, Greek: "sebomai." "For will Trinitarians show me where, in the New Testament, either of the two remaining terms, sebomai, and latreuo, both of which express divine worship in the religious sense, -is applied to Jesus Christ? if they cannot, and I know they cannot, it is an argument of the greatest weight to prove, that Christ was never regarded, by the writers of the New Testament, as the object of religious worship. These two terms are frequently applied to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, but never to Christ himself. He is entitled to honour, praise, and gratitude, but not to divine worship." ~Article in the Bible Christian 1838, p.295
(b) Exodus 21:17 "And he that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death." "Die the death" = "surely die" (Bullinger)
(c) "Nothing that enters the man from without can pollute him; but, on the contrary, that which comes out of the man, that is what pollutes him." Fenton
(d) "The eye of the envious is wicked: and he turneth away his face, and despiseth his own soul. The eye of the covetous man is insatiable in his portion of iniquity: he will not be satisfied till he consume his own soul, drying it up. An evil eye is towards evil things: and he shall not have his fill of bread, but shall be needy and pensive at his own table." Sirach 14:8-10 Douay

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The Absurdity of the Trinity
Trinitarian doctrine is not designed to actually be sensible but to sound plausible. The above diagram illustrates what the doctrine really expresses. Like a man who tries to detect a how magician's illusion works, but is unable do so, most people are kept in just enough confusion that they are unable to detect how they are being tricked.
http://www.angelfire.com/space/thegospeltruth/TTD/topics/trinityshield.html

Buy on Amazon for only 99 cents by clicking here - see a local listing for this here

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Mark 6 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

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

Mark 6

1 And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and [what mean] such mighty works wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses(a), and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?(b) And they were offended in him(c).
4 And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching.

7 And he calleth unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and he charged them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, save a staff only; no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse; 9 but they were to wear sandals, and not to put on a second coat. 10 And he said unto them, Wheresoever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart thence. 11 And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony unto them. 12 And they went out, and preached that [men] should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

14 And king Herod heard [thereof]; for his name had become known: some said, John the Baptizer is risen from the dead, and therefore do these powers work in him. 15 But others said, It is Elijah. And others said, [It is] a prophet, [even] as one of the prophets. 16 But Herod, when he heard [thereof], said, John, whom I beheaded, he is risen. 17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip`s wife; for he had married her. 18 For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother`s wife. 19 And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; and she could not; 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly. 21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; 22 and when his daughter by Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat to eat with him; the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23 And he vowed much unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24 And she went out, and said unto her mother, What should I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer. 25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me on a platter the head of John the Baptist. 26 And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat to eat, he would not reject her. 27 And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28 and brought his head(d) on a platter, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29 And when his disciples heard [thereof], they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

30 And the apostles gather themselves together unto Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught. 31 And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while. For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desert place apart. 33 And [the people] saw them going, and many knew, and they ran together there on foot from all the cities, and outwent them. 34 And he came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, The place is a desert(e), and the day is now far spent; 36 send them away, that they may go into the country and villages round about, and buy themselves somewhat to eat. 37 But he answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii(f) worth of bread, and give them to eat? 38 And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. 39 And he commanded them that all should sit down by companies upon the green grass. 40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 41 And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake the loaves; and he gave to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 42 And they all ate, and were filled. 43 And they took up broken pieces, twelve basketfuls, and also of the fishes. 44 And they that ate the loaves were five thousand men(g).

45 And straightway he made his disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before [him] unto the other side to Bethsaida, while he himself sendeth the multitude away. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he departed into the mountain to pray(h). 47 And when even was come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. 48 And seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary unto them, about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them: 49 but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost(i), and cried out; 50 for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he straightway spake with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. 51 And he went up unto them into the boat; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves; 52 for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened(j).

53 And when they had crossed over, they came to the land unto Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the boat, straightway [the people] knew him, 55 and ran round about that whole country, and began to carry about on their beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 And wheresoever he entered, into villages, or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

Footnotes

(a) JB and NJB have "Joset" here. Riverside has "Joseph".
(b) This Scriptures makes it very clear that Jesus had siblings, which means that Mary cannot have been a perpetual virgin.
(c) Familiarity breeds contempt.
(d) According to some traditions, Luke went to the city of Sebastia, the place of John's burial site, from which he took the right hand of John (the hand that baptized Jesus) and brought it to Antioch, where it was claimed to have performed miracles.
(e) The word "desert", ERHMOS/erémos, can be either an adjective (the place is deserted) or a noun before the verb which can be translated with an indefinite article as I have opted to do.
(f) Barclay: "a year's wages"; SEB "200 silver coins"; Phillips: "twenty pounds"; Buzzard: "six months' pay."
(g) The "Feeding of the 5,000" is the only miracle—aside from the resurrection which is recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:31–44; Luke 9:12–17; John 6:1–14).
(h) If Jesus was indeed God, there would be no need for prayer. God does not pray to God.
(i) I find it interesting that Jesus never corrected their ghostly superstition.
(j) "for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened" - "What a singular statement! The meaning seems to be that if they had but “considered [reflected upon] the miracle of the loaves,” wrought but a few hours before, they would have wondered at nothing which He might do within the whole circle of power and grace." ~Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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Today's Quote: “The hocus-pocus phantasm of a God like another Cerberus, with one body and three heads, had its birth and growth in the blood of thousands and thousands of martyrs... In fact, the Athanasian paradox that one is three, and three but one, is so incomprehensible to the human mind, that no candid man can say he has any idea of it, and how can he believe what presents no idea? He who thinks he does, only deceives himself. He proves, also, that man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without a rudder, is the sport of every wind. With such persons, gullibility which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason, and the mind becomes a wreck.
[Letter to James Smith discussing Jefferson's hate of the doctrine of the Christian trinity, December 8 1822]”
Thomas Jefferson, Letters of Thomas Jefferson
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/the-trinity

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Mark 5 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

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

Mark 5

1 And they came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when he was come out of the boat, straightway there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling in the tombs: and no man could any more bind him, no, not with a chain; 4 because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him. 5 And always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down(a) before him; 7 and crying out with a loud voice, he saith, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God?(b) I adjure thee by God, torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come forth, thou unclean spirit, out of the man. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he saith unto him, My name is Legion(c); for we are many. 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

11 Now there was there on the mountain side a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And they besought him, saying, Send us into the swine(d), that we may enter into them. 13 And he gave them leave. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the sea, [in number] about two thousand; and they were drowned in the sea. 14 And they that fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they came to see what it was that had come to pass. 15 And they come to Jesus, and behold him that was possessed with demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind, [even] him that had the legion: and they were afraid. 16 And they that saw it declared unto them how it befell him that was possessed with demons, and concerning the swine. 17 And they began to beseech him to depart from their borders. 18 And as he was entering into the boat, he that had been possessed with demons besought him that he might be with him. 19 And he suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go to thy house unto thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and [how] he had mercy on thee. 20 And he went his way, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men marvelled.

21 And when Jesus had crossed over again in the boat unto the other side, a great multitude was gathered unto him; and he was by the sea. 22 And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he falleth at his feet, 23 and beseecheth him much, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death: [I pray thee], that thou come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be made whole(e), and live. 24 And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and they crowded him.

25 And a woman, who had an issue of blood(f) twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 having heard about Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I touch but his garments, I shall be made whole(e). 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague. 30 And straightway Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power [proceeding] from him had gone forth, turned him about in the crowd, and said, Who touched my garments? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

35 While he yet spake, they come from the ruler of the synagogue`s [house] saying, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Teacher any further? 36 But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Fear not, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38 And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and [many] weeping and wailing greatly. 39 And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn(g). But he, having put them all forth, taketh the father of the child and her mother and them that were with him, and goeth in where the child was. 41 And taking the child by the hand, he saith unto her, Talitha cum; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise. 42 And straightway the damsel rose up, and walked; for she was twelve years old. And they were amazed straightway with a great amazement. 43 And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that [something] should be given her to eat.

Footnotes

(a) ASV & KJV: worship. As stated in the ftn. at Matt. 2:2: The Greek word denotes an act of reverence whether paid to a creature (see 4:9; 18:26), or to the Creator (see 4:10). See also Bullinger ftn. at this Scripture. BDAG: "to express in attitude or gesture one’s complete dependence on or submission to a high authority figure, (fall down and) worship, do obeisance to, prostrate oneself before, do reverence to, welcome respectfully". See also NRSV, NRSVue, JB, NJB, NAB, DBH, Capel, KGV, Douay, 2001, Moffatt, Williams, YLT etc. "Did him homage; compelled thereto by the power of God. How humiliating to Satan, thus to be obliged to acknowledge the superiority of Christ!" ~Adam Clarke.
(b) "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God?" The demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God, not God Himself and certainly not "God the Son", which is an expression never used in the Bible.
(c) The phrase "My name is Legion, for we are many" is referenced in several movies, including "Ghost Rider", "Escape Plan 2: Hades," Stephen King's Storm of the Century, "Exorcist 3" as well as in the anthology film "For We Are Many".
(d) "Pigs were considered unclean animals in Jewish tradition, making them an appropriate vessel for the unclean spirits."
(e) Today, "made whole" is used in various contexts to express the idea of complete restoration, healing, or compensation. In legal contexts, "made whole" refers to the concept of being fully compensated for damages, ensuring that the injured party is returned to their pre-injury state.
(f) NEB, TCNT: hemorrhage
(g) Darby: "They derided him"; Capel: "they all ridiculed him."

Today's Quote: The Christians, scarcely content with the crowd of enigmas with which the books of the Jews are filled, have besides fancied they must add to them a great many incomprehensible mysteries, for, which they have the most profound veneration. Their impenetrable obscurity appears to be a sufficient motive among them for adding these. Their priests, encouraged by their credulity, which nothing can outdo, seem to be studious to multiply the articles of their faith, and the number of inconceivable objects which they have said must be received with submission, and adored even if not understood.
Baron D'Holbach

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Sunday, December 28, 2025

Mark 4 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Introducing the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

References Used in the Unitarian Standard Version

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

Mark 4

1 And again he began to teach by the sea side. And there is gathered unto him a very great multitude, so that he entered into a boat, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude were by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his teaching, 3 Hearken: Behold, the sower went forth to sow: 4 and it came to pass, as he sowed, some [seed] fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 And other fell on the rocky [ground](a), where it had not much earth; and straightway it sprang up, because it had no deepness of earth: 6 and when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And other fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And others fell into the good ground, and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing; and brought forth, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold. 9 And he said, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.(b)

10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parables. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you is given the mystery of the kingdom of God(c): but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables: 12 that

seeing they may see, and not perceive;
and hearing they may hear, and not understand;
lest haply they should turn again, and it should be forgiven them.

13 And he saith unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how shall ye know all the parables? 14 The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; and when they have heard, straightway cometh Satan, and taketh away the word which hath been sown in them. 16 And these are they that are sown upon the rocky [places](a), who, when they have heard the word, straightway receive it with joy; 17 and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway they stumble. 18 And others are they that are sown among the thorns; these are they that have heard the word, 19 and the anxieties of the age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 20 And those are they that were sown upon the good ground; such as hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, thirtyfold, and sixtyfold, and a hundredfold.

21 And he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, [and] not to be put on the stand? 22 For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was [anything] made secret, but that it should come to light. 23 If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear(d).

24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete it shall be measured unto you; and more shall be given unto you. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath.

26 And he said, the kingdom of God, is like a man who should cast seed upon the earth; 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. 28 The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.

30 And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds(e) that are upon the earth, 32 yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.

33 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it; 34 and without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things.

35 And on that day, when even was come, he saith unto them, Let us go over unto the other side. 36 And leaving the multitude, they take him with them, even as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him. 37 And there ariseth a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat, insomuch that the boat was now filling. 38 And he himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake him, and say unto him, Teacher, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly(f), and said one to another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Footnotes

(a) Sirach 40:15
(b) Adam Clarke: "The Codex Bezae, later Syriac in the margin, and seven copies of the Itala, add, KAI hO SUNIWN SUNIETW, and whoso understandeth, let him understand.
(c) "Kingdom of God" is used in all the gospels, only Matthew uses "kingdom of heaven."
(d) "If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear." A figure of speech commonly used by Jesus. See verse 23, Matt. 11:15; 13:43; Luke 14:35; Rev. 2:7, 11
(e) "mustard-seed...is the smallest seed in the world" Montgomery New Testament. "Hyperbole, of course, but clearly meaning that from a very small seed a large plant grows, the gradual pervasive expansive power of the kingdom of God." Robertson's Word Pictures
(f) "they feared a great fear" Julia Smith Bible; "they were filled with terror" Weymouth

"There is scarcely any thing, however, too absurd or too extravagant for a Trinitarian to say, or suppose, when he is called upon to fence round, and to defend, the idolatrous doctrine of the Trinity; to the blasphemous absurdities of which he has surrendered his judgment. He has so many absurd positions to maintain, that he becomes familiar with absurdity; and is ever ready to take any amount of it under his guardianship."
~George Stuart Hawthorne (M.D.)

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Mark 9 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Mark 9

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Mark 8 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Mark 8

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Mark 7 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Mark 7

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Mark 6 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Mark 6

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Mark 5 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Mark 5

Footnotes

Sunday, December 28, 2025

Mark 4 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

Mark 4

Footnotes

Mark 9 in the Unitarian Standard Version Bible

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