The Skeptics Annotated Bible

by Wells, Steve

  38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

  (18.38) “What is truth?” Pilate asked Jesus a very good question: “What is truth?”

  39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

  40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

  JOHN 19

  19 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

  2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

  (19.1-2) “Pilate … took Jesus … and the soldiers … put on him a purple robe.”

  391 Who put the robe on Jesus?

  392 What color was Jesus’ robe?

  3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

  4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

  5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

  6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.

  (19.7-15) The Jews are blamed for the death of Jesus.

  7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

  (19.7) “The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die.”

  8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

  9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

  10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

  11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

  12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

  (19.12) “Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.”

  13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

  14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

  (19.14a) “It was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour.”

  425 When (at what time of day) was Jesus crucified?

  423 Was Jesus crucified the day before or the day after the Passover meal?

  (19.14b) “He saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!”

  15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

  (19.15) “But they cried out … crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.”

  16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

  17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

  (19.17) “He bearing his cross went forth into … Golgotha.”

  393 Who carried Jesus’ cross?

  18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

  19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

  (19.19) “Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

  395 What did the sign over Jesus say?

  20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

  21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

  22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

  23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

  24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

  (19.24) “Let us … cast lots for it.”

  141 Is it OK to gamble?

  25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

  (19.25) “There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”

  400 From where were the women watching?

  26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

  (19.26) “The disciple standing by, whom he loved”

  27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

  28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

  29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

  (19.29) “They filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.”

  394 What did the soldiers give Jesus to drink?

  30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

  (19.30) “When Jesus … received the vinegar, he said, It is finished, and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

  424 Did Jesus drink on the cross?

  397 What were the last words of Jesus?

  31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

  32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

  (19.33-36) The soldiers didn’t break Jesus’ legs because he was already dead. Verse 36 claims that this fulfilled a prophecy: “Not a bone of him shall be broken.” But there is no such prophecy in the Old Testament.

  It is sometimes said that the prophecy appears in Ex 12.46, Num 9.12 and Ps 34.20. But Exodus 12.46 and Numbers 9.12 are not prophecies, they are commandments. The Israelites are told not to break the bones of the Passover lamb, and this is all it is about. And Psalm 34.20 seems to refer to righteous people in general (see verse 19, where a plural is used), not to make a prophecy about a specific person.

  33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

  (19.33) “When they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs.”

  34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

  35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

  36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bon
e of him shall not be broken.

  (19.36) “These things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”

  37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

  (19.38-42) 401 Who buried Jesus?

  38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

  (19.38) “For fear of the Jews” You’ve got to watch out for Jews wherever you go.

  39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

  (19.39) “And there came also Nicodemus.”

  40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

  (19.40) “Then took they the body of Jesus.”

  41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

  (19.41) “In the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.”

  42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

  (19.42) “There laid they Jesus.”

  JOHN 20

  20 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

  (20.1) “Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark … seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.”

  403 When did the women (or woman) arrive?

  402 How many women came?

  405 Was the tomb opened or closed when the women arrived?

  2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

  3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

  4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

  5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

  6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

  7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

  8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

  9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

  (20.9) “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”

  367 Did Jesus tell the apostles about his resurrection?

  10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

  (20.11-14) “Mary … saw Jesus.”

  408 To whom did Jesus first appear?

  426 Were the men or angels sitting or standing?

  411 Was Mary Magdalene happy or sad when she saw the risen Jesus?

  11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

  12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

  (20.12) “Two angels … sitting … where the body of Jesus had lain.”

  406 Were the men (or angels) inside or outside?

  404 Who did the women see?

  13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

  14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

  (20.14) “She … saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.” (Maybe it wasn’t Jesus.)

  409 Did Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus?

  15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

  16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

  17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

  (20.17a) “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.” Jesus tells Mary Magdalene not to touch him because he hasn’t yet ascended—as if the touch of a woman would defile him and somehow prevent him from ascending into heaven. One wonders why he insisted that Thomas touch him (Jn 20.27), and why he permitted his apostles to touch him and hold him by the feet before his ascension (Mt 28.9).

  410 Was it OK to touch the risen Jesus?

  (20.17b) “To my God, and your God”

  349 Is Jesus God?

  18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

  19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

  (20.19a) “The same day at evening … when the doors were shut … came Jesus and stood in the midst.” After his resurrection, Jesus could walk through walls.

  435 Where did Jesus first appear to his disciples?

  (20.19b) “For fear of the Jews”

  20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

  (20.20) “Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.”

  436 Were the disciples glad or frightened when they saw Jesus?

  21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

  22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

  (20.22) “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”

  431 When was the Holy Ghost given?

  23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

  24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

  (20.24) “Thomas … was not with them when Jesus came.”

  413 How many disciples did Jesus appear to in his first post resurrection appearance?

  25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

  26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

  (20.26) “After eight days … came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst.” Jesus walked through walls again! You just can’t keep that guy out.

  428 When did Jesus ascent into heaven?

  27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

  (20.27) “Then saith he to Thomas … reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side.”

  410 Was it OK to touch the risen Jesus?

  28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

  (20.28) “Thomas … said … My LORD and my God.”

  349 Is Jesus God?

  29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

  30 A
nd many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

  (20.30) “Many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples.”

  360 Did Jesus perform many signs?

  31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

  JOHN 21

  21 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

  2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

  (21.3-13) One night Peter and the apostles decided to go fishing. They fished all night but caught nothing. The next morning a man on shore asked if they’d caught anything. When they told him they hadn’t, the man told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. So they did that and caught so many fish they couldn’t haul in the net (153 in all).

  One of the apostles (the one that Jesus loved) decided that the guy on shore was really Jesus. When Peter, who was naked at the time, heard it was Jesus, he put his coat on and jumped into the water. Some other apostles came out in another boat and helped tow the net to shore. When they got in, Jesus was busy cooking fish over a fire. He told them to eat some of the fish and bread he’d been cooking. None of the disciples dared to ask Jesus who he was, but they all figured it was Jesus, anyway.

  3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

  (21.3) “Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth … and that night they caught nothing.”

  4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

  (21.4) “When the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.”

  5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.