The Skeptics Annotated Bible

by Wells, Steve

  7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

  8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

  9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

  (2.9) “The star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” If the star “went before them,” leading them to Bethlehem, then it couldn't have been a star or any other astronomical object or event. But Matthew couldn't have known that. Everyone at the time thought that stars were just little points of light a short distance above the earth. It'd be no problem to have one hover above a particular place for a while.

  10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

  11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

  (2.11) “When they were come into the house”

  331 Where did Joseph and Mary live before the birth of Jesus?

  12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

  13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

  14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

  (2.14) “He took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.”

  332 Did Jesus, Mary, and Joseph go to Egypt or Nazareth?

  15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

  (2.15) “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” Matthew claims that the flight of Jesus' family to Egypt is a fulfillment of Hosea 11.1. But Hosea 11.1 is not a prophecy, as is clear when the entire verse is quoted (“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.”). It is a reference to the Hebrew exodus from Egypt and has nothing to do with Jesus. Matthew tries to hide this fact by quoting only the last part of the verse.

  16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

  (2.16) “Herod … slew all the children that were in Bethlehem … from two years old and under.” Herod kills all boys in and around Bethlehem that are two years old and under. Such a massacre would certainly have been noted by contemporary historians. Yet not even Josephus, who documented Herod's life in detail, mentioned this event.

  17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

  (2.17) “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet” Matthew quotes Jeremiah 31.15, claiming that it was a prophecy of King Herod's alleged slaughter of the children in and around Bethlehem after the birth of Jesus. But this verse refers to the Babylonian captivity, as is clear by reading the next two verses (16 and 17), and, thus, has nothing to do with Herod's massacre.

  18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

  19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

  20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

  21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

  22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

  23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

  (2.23) “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew claims this was a fulfillment of prophecy, yet such a prophecy is not found anywhere in the Old Testament.

  MATTHEW 3

  3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

  2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

  4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

  5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

  6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

  (3.6) “Were baptized of him in Jordan”

  333 Where did John baptize?

  7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

  (3.7a-11) “When he saw many of the Pharisees … come to his baptism he said unto them … I indeed baptize you with water.”

  334 Were the Pharisees baptized by John?

  (3.7b) “O generation of vipers.” While insulting the Pharisees and Sadducees, John the Baptist calls an entire generation a “generation of vipers.” (Jesus also liked to use this term. See 12.34)

  8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

  9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

  (3.10-12) Those who bear bad fruit will be cut down and burned “with unquenchable fire.”

  10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

  (3.10) “Every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

  11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

  12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

  (3.12) “He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

  13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

  (3.14-15) John has a good point in v.14. If Jesus is the sinless Son of God, then shouldn't Jesus be baptizing John instead of the reverse? Isn't baptism supposed to forgive sins and be a sign of repentance? If so, then why would Jesus need to be baptized? And what the heck is “it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” supposed to mean?

  14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

  (3.14) “John forbad him, saying … comest thou to me?”

  15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

  (3.15) “Jesus … said … it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.”

  16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

  17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased.

  (3.17) “This is my beloved son”

  335 How did God address Jesus at his baptism?

  MATTHEW 4

  4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

  (4.1) “Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” Jesus is led by the Spirit of God to be tempted by the devil. Which, at least according to James 1.13 (“God cannot be tempted with evil.”), means that Jesus is not God.

  2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

  3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

  4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

  (4.5-10) The devil correctly quotes scripture (Psalm 91.11-12), while Jesus misquotes Deuteronomy by adding “only” to Deuteronomy 6.13.

  5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

  6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

  (4.5-6) “The devil … saith unto him … it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” (Accurate quote of Psalm 91.11-12)

  7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

  (4.7) “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”

  103 Can God be tempted?

  148 Is it OK to test (or tempt) God?

  8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

  (4.8) “The devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world.” The devil kidnaps Jesus and takes him up to the top of the temple, and then to the top of “an exceeding high mountain,” high enough to see “all the kingdoms of the world.” I guess the earth was flat in those days.

  9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

  (4.9) “All these things will I give thee.”

  161 Who is the Lord of the earth?

  51 Who owns the earth?

  10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

  (4.10) “Then saith Jesus … it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Misquote of Deuteronomy 6.13)

  336 Should we serve God alone?

  11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

  (4.12-19) After John the Baptist was imprisoned, Jesus asked Peter and and Andrew to be his disciples.

  337 Which came first: the calling of Peter and Andrew or the imprisonment of John the Baptist?

  12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

  (4.12) “When Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee.”

  13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

  14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

  15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

  16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

  17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

  19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

  (4.18-19) “Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea … And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

  20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

  21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

  22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

  23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

  24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

  25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

  MATTHEW 5

  5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

  (5.1) “Seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain.”

  338 Did Jesus preach his first sermon on a mountain or a plain?

  2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

  3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.

  4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

  (5.5-9) Some nice sayings of Jesus.

  5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

  (5.5) “Blessed are the meek.”

  6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

  7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

  (5.7) “Blessed are the merciful.”

  8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

  9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

  (5.9) “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

  10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.

  11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

  12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

  13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

  14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

  15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

  16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

  (5.16) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.”

  339 Should we let others see our good works?

  17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

  (5.17) “Think not that I am come to destroy the law.” Jesus strongly approves of the law and the prophets. He hasn't the slightest objection to the cruelties of the Old Testament.

  (5.18-19) Jesus says that the Old Testament laws are binding on everyone forever.

  56 Must Christians obey Old Testament laws?

  147 Will the earth last forever?

  18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till
all be fulfilled.

  (5.18) “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

  19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

  (5.19) “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven.”

  20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

  (5.20) “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

  304 Is salvation by faith alone?

  35 Has there ever been a righteous person?

  21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

  22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

  (5.22) “Whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Jesus says that “Whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Yet he often calls his critics and disciples fools. Paul is also in danger of going to hell since he liked to call people fools.

  297 Is it OK to call someone a fool?

  23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

  24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

  25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

  26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.