The Skeptics Annotated Bible (781 page)

20 For
Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man
and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

(6.20)
“Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man.”
33 Has the ever been a just person?

21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;

22 And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.

23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.

26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,

28 And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

31 And he said 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 departed into a desert place by ship privately.

33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

(6.34-44) Jesus fed 5000 men (plus women and children) with five loaves and two fishes (with 12 baskets left over).

34 And
Jesus
, when he came out,
saw much people, and was moved with compassion
toward 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, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:

36 Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.

37 He answered
and said unto them, Give ye them to eat
. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?

(6.34-37)
“Jesus … saw much people, and was moved with compassion … and said unto them, Give ye them to eat.”

38
He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye
? go and see. And when they knew,
they say, Five, and two fishes.

(6.38)
“He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? … they say, Five, and two fishes.”

39 And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.

40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

41 And
when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he
looked up to heaven, and blessed, and
brake the loaves
, and gave them to his disciples to set before them;
and the two fishes divided he among them all.

(6.41)
“When he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he … brake the loaves … and the two fishes divided he among them all.”

42 And
they did all eat, and were filled.

(6.42)
“They did all eat, and were filled.”

43
And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

(6.43)
“And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.”

44 And
they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men
.

(6.44)
“They that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.”

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

(6.48-51) Jesus walks on water and calms the sea.

48 And
he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and
about the fourth watch of the night
he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea
, and would have passed by them.

(6.48)
“He saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and … he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea.”

49 But
when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

(6.49)
“When they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out.”

50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately
he
talked with them, and
saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

(6.50)
“He … saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.”

51 And
he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed
in themselves beyond measure,
and wondered
.

(6.51)
“He went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed … and wondered.”

52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

56 And
whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, 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
.

(6.56)
“Whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, 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.”

7
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

(7.5-10) Jesus is criticized by the Pharisees for not washing his hands before eating. He defends himself by attacking them for not killing disobedient children according to the commandment: “He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.” (See Ex 21.15, Lev 20.9, Dt 21.18-21)