1001 Errors in the Christian Bible

Matthew -- Errors 43-49

#43

Matthew 2: (KJV)

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.”

The above states “THEY are dead” but the antecedent is Herod (singular). The excerpt
“for they are dead which sought the young child's life” is almost the exact same wording from Christian Greek translations of Exodus 4:19. Apparently it was more important for the author of Matthew here to try and recreate exact wording from the Tanakh than it was to write a grammatically correct narrative.

#44

Matthew 2: (KJV)

22 “But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod”

“Reign” implies that Archelaus was the King but Josephus and extant coins indicate that Archelaus was an ethnarch and not a king.

#45

Matthew 2: (KJV)

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.”

This prophecy fulfillment claim is unique in that Christian Bible scholars generally agree that there is no such prophecy in the Tanakh. Christian apologists are reduced to guessing what the author of Matthew meant.

#46

Matthew 3: (KJV)

1 “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.”

After 2,000 years I think it’s safe to say that this was a false prophecy.

#47

Matthew 3: (KJV)

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.

The quote from Isaiah in the Masoretic text is: (JPS 1985)

3 “A voice rings out: Clear in the desert A road for the LORD! Level in the wilderness A highway for our God!”

The author of Matthew has quoted word for word from the LXX of Isaiah 40:3 (surprise)
except for substituting the usual reference to Yahweh with a personal pronoun normally used to refer to Jesus. The context of Isaiah before and after chapter 40 indicates that Isaiah was referring to the Babylonian exile and subsequent return.

So other than changing the general wording of Isaiah chapter 40, specifically changing the reference to the coming of Jesus instead of Yahweh and ignoring the context of the author’s work, “Matthew” has made a perfect match.

#48

Matthew 3: (KJV)

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.”

False prophecy. I realize it doesn’t rain much in the desert but surely the axe head would have rusted off after 2,000 years. On the other hand, maybe it would take 2,000 years to chop down a tree using only an axe handle.

#49

Matthew 3: (KJV)

11…”he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

In the Greek there is no “the” before “Holy Ghost”. Of the major translations, only Darby acknowledges this. Once again Christian translators are projecting their pre-conceived (pun intended) belief that “the” Holy Ghost is a separate, definite person of God. Simon says “Holy Ghost”. Holy Ghost. “The Holy Ghost”. The Holy Ghost. Uh, uh, Simon didn’t say.

King David's Top 7 List

From our home Temple in Jerusalem. King David's top seven reasons to visit the Judaism Message Boards:

7) A lot like being in Tehran or Rome, except there are more Muslims
and Christians here.

6) Chance to pick-up some hip Yiddish slang words such as fershlugginer,
fuhbludgoned and fuhcocked.

5) Last message board not owned by Bill Gates (although he does have
an option to buy).

4) Meaningful opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue with our Muslim
brothers and Christian friends and realize that there must be peace between
religious and secular Jews before there can be peace between Jews and
Arabs.

3) We've been in the league for over six thousand years.

2) That idiot who insults you every time you disagree with him may end up
being a Nobel prize winner.

1) We're all just kvelling in a veritable potpourri of nachas.

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