The Skeptics Annotated Bible (802 page)

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And
when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished
, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

(2.22)
“When the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished….”
Even Mary had to be “purified” after giving birth to Jesus. Was she defiled by giving birth to the Son of God?

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord
;)

(2.23)
“Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.”
Males are holy to God, not females.
113 Is only God holy?

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was
Simeon
; and the same man
was just
and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel:
and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost
, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

(2.25-26)
“Simeon … was just … and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost.”
Simeon was not only a just man, but he was also filled with the Holy Ghost.
33 Has there ever been a just person?
431 When was the Holy Ghost given?

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And
when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

(2.39) “When they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.”
332 Did Jesus, Mary, and Joseph go to Egypt or Nazareth?

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

(2.43-49) When Jesus’ parents begin the long trip back to Nazareth, the twelve year old Jesus stays behind, without asking their permission. Mary and Joseph search for him for three days and when they finally find him, Jesus doesn’t apologize. Rather, he blames them for not knowing that he was doing his father’s business.

43 And
when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

(2.43)
“When they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.”

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pass, that
after three days they found him
in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

(2.46)
“After three days they found him.”

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48 And
when they saw him
, they were amazed: and
his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing
.

(2.48)
“When they saw him … his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.”

49
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

(2.49)
“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52 And
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God
and man.

(2.52) “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God.” How could an omniscient being “increase in wisdom?” And how could God increase “in favour with God?”

3
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,