The Skeptics Annotated Bible (825 page)

(16.16-17) Jesus says that the Old Testament laws applied only until the time of John the Baptist. But then he contradicts himself immediately in the next verse.
56 Must Christians follow the OT laws?

16
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached
, and every man presseth into it.

(16.16)
“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached.”

17 And
it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

(16.17)
“It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”

18
Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

(16.18)
“Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.”
154 Is divorce ever permissible?
155 Is it OK for a divorced woman to remarry?

(16.19-31) In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man goes to hell because he had a good life on earth and so now he will be tormented forever in hell. Whereas Lazarus, who was miserable on earth, is now in heaven. This seems fair to Jesus.
157 Does Hell exist?

19
There was a certain rich man
, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20
And
there was
a certain beggar named Lazarus
, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

(16.19-20)
“There was a certain rich man … And … a certain beggar named Lazarus.”

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that
the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

(16.22)
“The beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.”

23 And
in hell
he lift up his eyes,
being in torments
, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And
he cried
and said,
Father Abraham, have mercy on me
, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue;
for I am tormented in this flame.

(16.23-24)
“In hell … being in torments … he cried … Father Abraham, have mercy on me … for I am tormented in this flame.”

25 But
Abraham said
, Son, remember that thou
in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

(16.25)
“Abraham said … in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.”

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27
Then he said
, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest
send him to my father’s house
:

28 For I have five brethren;
that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

(16.27-28)
“Then he said … send him to my father’s house … that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.”

29
Abraham
saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he
said
unto him,
If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

(16.29-31) “Abraham … said … If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

17
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

6 And the Lord said,
If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

(17.6) “If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.”
With a little faith can pluck up trees by their roots and cast them into the sea.

(17.7-9) Slaves should do what their told.
42 Does God approve of slavery?