The Skeptics Annotated Bible (755 page)

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

(18.22)
“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Hilary Clinton referenced this verse, saying: “In the Bible it says they asked Jesus how many times you should forgive, and he said 70 times 7. Well, I want you all to know that I’m keeping a chart.”

(18.23-35) In the parable of the unforgiving servant, the king threatens to enslave a man and his entire family to pay for a debt. The servant begs for the king's mercy, and the king forgives his entire debt. But then the same servant found a fellow servant that owed him some money, and he demanded payment. The servant begged for mercy but was thrown in prison instead. Other servants heard about it, and they told the king, who had the unforgiving servant tortured. The parable ends with this: “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you.” If you are cruel to others, God will be cruel to you.

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

(18.23)
“The kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.”

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

(18.25)
“As he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.”
(This is the king speaking, who is likened to “the kingdom of heaven” by Jesus.)

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

(18.34) “His lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

(18.35)
“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

19
And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

(19.2) “Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them.”

3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

(19.5) “For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife.” Is Jesus praising marriage and condemning polygamy here?
15 Is marriage a good thing?
16 Is polygamy OK?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

(19.6)
“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
154 Is divorce ever permissible?

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

(19.9)
“Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”
In Mark (10.11) and Luke (16.18), Jesus categorically condemns all divorces. But Matthew's Jesus (see also Mt 5.31) makes an exception when the wife is guilty of fornication.
154 Is divorce ever permissible?