The Skeptics Annotated Bible (814 page)

(8.49)
“While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.”

50
But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

(8.50)
“But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”

51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.

52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but
he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

(8.52)
“He said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.”

53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

54 And
he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

(8.54)
“He put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.”

55
And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway
: and he commanded to give her meat.

(8.55)
“And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway.”

56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

(9.1-2) Jesus gave his disciples authority of all devils and to cure diseases.

9
Then
he
called his twelve disciples together, and
gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

(9.1)
“He … gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”

2 And
he sent them
to preach the kingdom of God, and
to heal the sick.

(9.2)
“He sent them … to heal the sick.
”

3 And he said unto them,
Take nothing for your journey, neither staves
, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

(9.3)
“Take nothing for your journey, neither staves.”
353 Did Jesus tell his apostles to go barefoot and without a staff?

4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

(9.7-8) There were various opinions about the identity of Jesus. Some thought he was Elijah or one of the prophets, others that he was the risen John the Baptist. With such a credulous populace, is it surprising that some people would later claim, and probably even believe, that they had seen the risen Christ?

7 Now
Herod
the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he
was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead
;

(9.7)
“Herod … was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead.”

8
And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

(9.8)
“And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.”

9 And Herod said,
John have I beheaded: but who is this
, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

(9.9)
“John have I beheaded: but who is this?
”
362 Did Herod think Jesus was John the Baptist?

10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

(9.11) “He … healed them that had need of healing.”

12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

(9.13-17) Jesus fed 5000 men (plus women and children) with five loaves and two fishes (with 12 baskets left over).

13 But
he said
unto them,
Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes
; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

(9.13)
“He said … Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes.”

14 For
they were about five thousand men.
And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

(9.14)
“They were about five thousand men.”

15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16
Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes
, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them,
and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

(9.16)
“Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes … and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.”

17
And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

(9.17)
“And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.”

(9.18-19) Jesus wonders who people think he is. His disciples say that some think he’s John the Baptist, others Elijah or one of the other prophets.