Jedidiah, Part 2

Imagine if Bill Clinton or George W. Bush did what David did and got off like that.  But I’m more interested in knowing the only true God, and Jesus Christ,1 and trying to understand Him these days, than fretting over ancient history.  Besides, I’m nobody, and though I probably deserve Nadab’s, Abihu’s and Achan’s fate more than they did, the Lord has treated me more like David (not that any prophets have come calling).  And for all his patience and kindness, what has He gotten in return from me?  Unbelief, at least lingering doubt.  That’s the essence of my perversity.

I laugh at myself when I stumble around wondering if I can really distinguish God’s kindness and patience toward me from his non-existence: “What is it, Dan?  You need Him to strike you with lightning to prove that He loves you?”  But for the most part that doubt is overcome by Bible study.  My day is sort of empty when I’m too tired to study any more.  I wake in the morning excited to get to it again.  I chafe when my “real life” impinges on my study time.  The Eric Liddell character in Chariots of Fire said something like, “When I run, I feel his pleasure.”  I’m not a runner.  But when I study the Bible I feel his pleasure.

If I am honest the real issue of doubt for me is something else now.  Being struck down by lightning is something I can live up to; been there, done that, mission accomplished!  The doubt creeps in when I consider living up to his patience and kindness.  Can I do that in a lifetime? In an eternity?  I know the answer is yes and no.  No, I can’t.  Yes, He can, by his Spirit, through his grace.  But the doubt lingers all the same.  David, however, remained faithful despite God’s forgiveness.

He wrote a song after Nathan confronted him:  Have mercy on me, O God, because I’m not such a bad guy.  No, that’s not what he wrote.   Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love!  Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts!  Wash away my wrongdoing!2  Somehow, in a way my perversity has forbidden me from fully embracing, David saw through all the commandments, laws, crimes and punishments to a God who is loyal love and great compassion.  And David believed that God’s loyal love and great compassion were sufficient cause to wipe away his rebellious acts and wash away his wrongdoing despite all the commandments, laws, crimes and punishments proscribed against him.

Of course, this might have been desperate emotional hyperbole:  David, the sinner in the hands of an angry God, trying to convince himself and perhaps persuade God that God’s loyal love and great compassion were good reasons to spare David’s life.  I was certainly no stranger to emotional hyperbole.  I wrote off a lot of the sayings of Jesus and most of Paul’s writings as just that—emotional hyperbole, wild exaggeration.  But the more I failed to keep my end of the contract with God, the more I sinned despite my best efforts not to, the more I turned a willing ear to Paul’s letters, to those things that are hard to understand,” as Peter described Paul’s writing (2 Peter 3:14-16 NET).

Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence.  And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as also our dear brother Paul wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him, speaking of these things in all his letters.3  Some things in these letters4 are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures.

Paul had written (Romans 13:8-10 NET Table):

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no wrong to a neighbor.  Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

On this point Jesus and Paul seemed to agree.  When asked, Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?  Jesus answered (Matthew 22:36-40 NET):

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart,5 with all your soul,6 and with all your mind.”  This is the first and greatest7 commandment.  The second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  All the law and the prophets depend8 on these two commandments.

“I’ve been going about this all wrong,” I thought.  I had been attempting to do a negative.  I was trying not to sin.  What I should have been doing was trying to love.  I had missed the significance of these passages many times because I thought love was an emotion, a feeling.  I knew that no feeling would solve my sin problem.  But this time I had connected these passages with Paul’s definition of love.9  Love was anything and everything but an emotion according to Paul.  So I took Paul’s definition and reworked it.  It became my new law.

Love is patient, love is kind,10 Paul penned.  Thou shalt be patient, I reworked the text.  Thou shalt be kind.  Thou shalt not be envious.  Thou shalt not brag.  Thou shalt not be puffed up.  Thou shalt not be rude.  Thou shalt not be self-serving.  Thou shalt not be easily angered.  Thou shalt not be resentful.  Thou shalt not be glad about injustice.  Thou shalt rejoice in the truth.  Thou shalt bear all things.  Thou shalt believe all things.  Thou shalt hope all things.  Thou shalt endure all things.

Though such things are difficult to measure, I think it is fair to say that I did incrementally better at not sinning by trying to love like this rather than trying not to sin.  But “incrementally better” was a long way from anything anyone would mistake for righteousness.  Meanwhile, I kept reading Paul with my ears slightly more open.  It occurred to me that Paul didn’t think his definition of love was just a list of rules he made for me to obey.  Paul thought he was describing love as Jesus himself loved.  The idea was staggering.

I began to use my commandments, “Thou shalt not be puffed up, rude, or self-serving” to force myself to hear Jesus in a new way.  No matter what I thought or felt about how puffed-up, self-serving and rude Jesus was, I told myself he was not puffed-up, self-serving or rude, because that would be contrary to the law of his own love.  There had to be other explanations.

Also, I began to wonder, if 1 Corinthians actually was a definition of Jesus’ love, of God’s love, could I make myself righteous—love like Jesus—by turning the definition into a law and striving to obey it?  As I considered that, it seemed that Paul was shouting at me:  crazy things, hopeful things, alarming-could-they-possibly-be-true-I’ve-never-heard-anything-like-these-things-in-my-life things.  So I went searching through the Old Testament, looking for any precedent for these wonderful, frightening things.  And in that state of mind David’s confession did not seem like emotional hyperbole to me.  In fact, there are two David’s revealed in the Scripture.

Nathan went home.  The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and the child became very ill.11  David fasted and prayed and wept.  He spent the night lying on the ground.  He wouldn’t eat and he refused to listen to those who pleaded with him to take better care of himself.  A week later the child died.  The people around David were afraid to tell him.

While the child was still alive he would not listen to us, they said.  How can we tell him that the child is dead?12  David was so distraught they thought he would hurt or possibly kill himself.  He noticed them whispering to one another.  Is the child dead? David asked.  Yes,13 they replied.

So David got up from the ground, bathed, put on oil, and changed his clothes. He went to the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then, when he entered his palace, he requested that food be brought to him, and he ate.14

David’s people didn’t know what to make of this.  While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept, they exclaimed.  Once the child was dead you got up and ate food!   David explained, While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, “Perhaps the Lord will show pity and the child will live.”  But now he is dead.  Why should I fast?  Am I able to bring him back?  I will go to him, but he cannot return to me!”15

So the former David expressed what I’ll call an experimental faith: Let’s see what God will do if I do this.  The latter David displayed what I can only call a super-rational faith accompanied by a profound peace.  There was nothing cold about it.  On the contrary, David was the same man whose first concern was not for his own welfare but rather how he might change God’s mind and if possible spare the cursed child.

This latter David, I believe, was the one who penned the song I am considering:  Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love!  Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts!  Wash away my wrongdoing!  David was neither emotionally distraught nor particularly concerned for his own welfare when he wrote those words.  For Psalm 51 was written sometime after Nathan informed David:  Yes, and the Lord has forgiven your sin.  You are not going to die.16

 

Addendum: October 4, 2019
A table of English translations of the Deuteronomy 6:5 from the Masoretic text and the Septuagint follows:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint
Deuteronomy 6:5 (Tanakh) Deuteronomy 6:5 (NET) Deuteronomy 6:5 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 6:5 (English Elpenor)

And thou shalt love HaShem thy G-d with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength. And you shall love the Lord your God with the whole of your mind and with the whole of your soul and with the whole of your power. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy mind, and with all thy soul, and all thy strength.

A table comparing the Greek of Matthew 22:37 with that of Deuteronomy 6:5 follows:

Matthew 22:37 (NET)

Deuteronomy 6:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 6:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐν ὅλῃ |τῇ| καρδίᾳ σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς δυνάμεώς σου ἀγαπήσεις Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς δυνάμεώς σου

A table of English translations of the Leviticus 19:18 from the Masoretic text and the Septuagint follows:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Leviticus 19:18 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 19:18 (NET) Leviticus 19:18 (NETS)

Leviticus 19:18 (English Elpenor)

Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am HaShem. You must not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you must love your neighbor as yourself.  I am the Lord. And your own hand shall not take vengeance, and you shall not be angry against the sons of your people, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself; it is I who am the Lord. And thy hand shall not avenge thee; and thou shalt not be angry with the children of thy people; and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am the Lord

A table comparing the Greek of Matthew 22:39 with that of Leviticus 19:18 follows:

Matthew 22:39 (NET)

Leviticus 19:18 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 19:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν

Tables comparing Psalm 51:1; 51:2; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; 2 Samuel 12:15; 12:18; 12:19; 12:20; 12:21; 12:22 and 12:23 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing Psalm 51:1 (50:1-3); 51:2 (50:4); Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; 2 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 12:15; 12:18; 12:19; 12:20; 12:21; 12:22 and 12:23 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following those are tables comparing 2 Peter 3:16; Matthew 22:37, 38 and 22:40 in the NET and KJV.

Psalm 51:1 (Tanakh)

Psalm 51:1 (KJV)

Psalm 51:1 (NET)

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. For the music director, a psalm of David, written when Nathan the prophet confronted him after David’s affair with Bathsheba.  Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love.  Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts.

Psalm 51:1 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 50:1-3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἰς τὸ τέλος ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυιδ ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῗν πρὸς αὐτὸν Ναθαν τὸν προφήτην ἡνίκα εἰσῆλθεν πρὸς Βηρσαβεε ἐλέησόν με ὁ θεός κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου καὶ κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν σου ἐξάλειψον τὸ ἀνόμημά μου Εἰς τὸ τέλος· ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ ἐν τῷ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς αὐτὸν Νάθαν τὸν προφήτην, ἡνίκα εἰσῆλθε πρὸς Βηρσαβεέ. – ΕΛΕΗΣΟΝ με, ὁ Θεός, κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου καὶ κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν σου ἐξάλειψον τὸ ἀνόμημά μου

Psalm 50:1-3 (NETS)

Psalm 50:1-3 (English Elpenor)

Regarding completion.  A psalm.  Pertaining to Dauid.  When the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bersabee.  Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy, and according to the abundance of your compassion blot out my lawless deed. [For the end, a Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, when he had gone to Bersabee.]  Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression.

Psalm 51:2 (Tanakh)

Psalm 51:2 (KJV)

Psalm 51:2 (NET)

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. Wash away my wrongdoing.  Cleanse me of my sin.

Psalm 51:2 (Septuagint BLB)

Psalm 50:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐπὶ πλεῗον πλῦνόν με ἀπὸ τῆς ἀνομίας μου καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας μου καθάρισόν με ἐπὶ πλεῖον πλῦνόν με ἀπὸ τῆς ἀνομίας μου καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς ἁμαρτίας μου καθάρισόν με

Psalm 50:4 (NETS)

Psalm 50:4 (English Elpenor)

Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness, and from my sin cleanse me, Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Deuteronomy 6:5 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 6:5 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NET)

And thou shalt love HaShem thy G-d with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:5 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 6:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς δυνάμεώς σου καὶ ἀγαπήσεις Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς δυνάμεώς σου

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 6:5 (English Elpenor)

And you shall love the Lord your God with the whole of your mind and with the whole of your soul and with the whole of your power. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy mind, and with all thy soul, and all thy strength.

Leviticus 19:18 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 19:18 (KJV)

Leviticus 19:18 (NET)

Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am HaShem. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. You must not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you must love your neighbor as yourself.  I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:18 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 19:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ οὐκ ἐκδικᾶταί σου ἡ χείρ καὶ οὐ μηνιεῗς τοῗς υἱοῗς τοῦ λαοῦ σου καὶ ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος καὶ οὐκ ἐκδικᾶταί σου ἡ χείρ, καὶ οὐ μηνιεῖς τοῖς υἱοῖς τοῦ λαοῦ σου, καὶ ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν· ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος

Leviticus 19:18 (NETS)

Leviticus 19:18 (English Elpenor)

And your own hand shall not take vengeance, and you shall not be angry against the sons of your people, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself; it is I who am the Lord. And thy hand shall not avenge thee; and thou shalt not be angry with the children of thy people; and thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am the Lord

2 Samuel 12:15 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:15 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:15 (NET)

And Nathan departed unto his house. And HaShem struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore unto David, and it was very sick. And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. Then Nathan went to his home.  The Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and the child became very ill.

2 Samuel 12:15 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀπῆλθεν Ναθαν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔθραυσεν κύριος τὸ παιδίον ὃ ἔτεκεν ἡ γυνὴ Ουριου τῷ Δαυιδ καὶ ἠρρώστησεν καὶ ἀπῆλθε Νάθαν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἔθραυσε Κύριος τὸ παιδίον, ὃ ἔτεκεν ἡ γυνὴ Οὐρίου τοῦ Χετταίου τῷ Δαυίδ, καὶ ἠρρώστησε

2 Reigns 12:15 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:15 (English Elpenor)

And Nathan went away to his house.  And the Lord weakened the child that the wife of Ourias bore to Dauid, and it became ill. And Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord smote the child, which the wife of Urias the Chettite bore to David, and it was ill.

2 Samuel 12:18 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:18 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:18 (NET)

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died.  And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said: ‘Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke unto him, and he hearkened not unto our voice; how then shall we tell him that the child is dead, so that he do himself some harm?’ And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died.  And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he hearkened not unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead! On the seventh day the child died.  But the servants of David were afraid to inform him that the child had died, for they said, “While the child was still alive he would not listen to us when we spoke to him.  How can we tell him that the child is dead?  He will do himself harm!”
2 Samuel 12:18 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ καὶ ἀπέθανε τὸ παιδάριον καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν οἱ δοῦλοι Δαυιδ ἀναγγεῗλαι αὐτῷ ὅτι τέθνηκεν τὸ παιδάριον ὅτι εἶπαν ἰδοὺ ἐν τῷ ἔτι τὸ παιδάριον ζῆν ἐλαλήσαμεν πρὸς αὐτόν καὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσεν τῆς φωνῆς ἡμῶν καὶ πῶς εἴπωμεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ὅτι τέθνηκεν τὸ παιδάριον καὶ ποιήσει κακά καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ καὶ ἀπέθανε τὸ παιδάριον· καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν οἱ δοῦλοι Δαυὶδ ἀναγγεῖλαι αὐτῷ ὅτι τέθνηκε τὸ παιδάριον, ὅτι εἶπαν· ἰδοὺ ἐν τῷ τὸ παιδάριον ἔτι ζῆν ἐλαλήσαμεν πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσε τῆς φωνῆς ἡμῶν· καὶ πῶς εἴπωμεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ὅτι τέθνηκε τὸ παιδάριον; καὶ ποιήσει κακά

2 Reigns 12:18 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:18 (English Elpenor)

And it happened in the seventh day that the child died.  And the slaves of Dauid were afraid to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, “Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to our voice, and how can we tell him that the child is dead?  Indeed, he shall do harm.” And it came to pass on the seventh day that the child died: and the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead; for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive we spoke to him, and he hearkened not to our voice; and thou should we tell him that the child is dead?– so would he do [himself] harm.

2 Samuel 12:19 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:19 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:19 (NET)

But when David saw that his servants whispered together, David perceived that the child was dead; and David said unto his servants: ‘Is the child dead?’  And they said: ‘He is dead.’ But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead?  And they said, He is dead. When David saw that his servants were whispering to one another, he realized that the child was dead.  So David asked his servants, “Is the child dead?”  They replied, “Yes, he’s dead.”

2 Samuel 12:19 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ συνῆκεν Δαυιδ ὅτι οἱ παῗδες αὐτοῦ ψιθυρίζουσιν καὶ ἐνόησεν Δαυιδ ὅτι τέθνηκεν τὸ παιδάριον καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς τοὺς παῗδας αὐτοῦ εἰ τέθνηκεν τὸ παιδάριον καὶ εἶπαν τέθνηκεν καὶ συνῆκε Δαυὶδ ὅτι οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ ψιθυρίζουσι, καὶ ἐνόησε Δαυὶδ ὅτι τέθνηκε τὸ παιδάριον· καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ· εἰ τέθνηκε τὸ παιδάριον; καὶ εἶπαν· τέθνηκε

2 Reigns 12:19 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:19 (English Elpenor)

And Dauid noticed that his servants were whispering, and Dauid perceived that the child was dead, and Dauid said to his servants, “Is the child dead?”  And they said, “He is dead.” And David understood that his servants were whispering, and David perceived that the child was dead: and David said to his servants, Is the child dead? and they said, He is dead.

2 Samuel 12:20 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:20 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:20 (NET)

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel; and he came into the house of HaShem, and worshipped; then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. So David got up from the ground, bathed, put on oil, and changed his clothes.  He went to the house of the Lord and worshiped.  Then, when he entered his palace, he requested that food be brought to him, and he ate.

2 Samuel 12:20 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐλούσατο καὶ ἠλείψατο καὶ ἤλλαξεν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ καὶ ᾔτησεν ἄρτον φαγεῗν καὶ παρέθηκαν αὐτῷ ἄρτον καὶ ἔφαγεν καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυὶδ ἐκ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐλούσατο καὶ ἠλείψατο καὶ ἤλλαξε τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ· καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ᾔτησεν ἄρτον φαγεῖν καὶ παρέθηκαν αὐτῷ ἄρτον, καὶ ἔφαγε

2 Reigns 12:20 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:20 (English Elpenor)

And Dauid rose from the ground and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes.  And he entered into the house of God and did obeisance to him, and he entered into his house, and he asked for bread to eat, and they set bread before him, and he ate. Then David rose up from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his raiment, and went into the house of God, and worshipped him; and went into his own house, and called for bread to eat, and they set bread before him and he ate.

2 Samuel 12:21 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:21 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:21 (NET)

Then said his servants unto him: ‘What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread.’ Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. His servants said to him, “What is this that you have done?  While the child was still alive, you fasted and wept. Once the child was dead you got up and ate food!”

2 Samuel 12:21 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῗδες αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν τί τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο ὃ ἐποίησας ἕνεκα τοῦ παιδαρίου ἔτι ζῶντος ἐνήστευες καὶ ἔκλαιες καὶ ἠγρύπνεις καὶ ἡνίκα ἀπέθανεν τὸ παιδάριον ἀνέστης καὶ ἔφαγες ἄρτον καὶ πέπωκας καὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν· τί τὸ ρῆμα τοῦτο, ὃ ἐποίησας ἕνεκα τοῦ παιδαρίου; ἔτι ζῶντος ἐνήστευες καὶ ἔκλαιες καὶ ἠγρύπνεις, καὶ ἡνίκα ἀπέθανε τὸ παιδάριον, ἀνέστης καὶ ἔφαγες ἄρτον καὶ πέπωκας

2 Reigns 12:21 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:21 (English Elpenor)

And his servants said to him, “What is this thing you did?  For the sake of the child, while it was still alive, you were fasting and weeping and keeping watch, and when the child died, you rose and ate bread, and you have taken a drink.” And his servants said to him, What [is] this thing that thou hast done concerning the child? while it was yet living thou didst fast, and weep, and watch: and when the child was dead thou didst rise up, and didst eat bread, and drink.

2 Samuel 12:22 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:22 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:22 (NET)

And he said: ‘While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said: Who knoweth whether HaShem will not be gracious to me, that the child may live? And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? He replied, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept because I thought, ‘Perhaps the Lord will show pity and the child will live.’

2 Samuel 12:22 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ ἐν τῷ τὸ παιδάριον ἔτι ζῆν ἐνήστευσα καὶ ἔκλαυσα ὅτι εἶπα τίς οἶδεν εἰ ἐλεήσει με κύριος καὶ ζήσεται τὸ παιδάριον καὶ εἶπε Δαυίδ· ἐν τῷ τὸ παιδάριον ἔτι ζῆν ἐνήστευσα καὶ ἔκλαυσα, ὅτι εἶπα· τίς οἶδεν εἰ ἐλεήσει με Κύριος καὶ ζήσεται τὸ παιδάριον

2 Reigns 12:22 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:22 (English Elpenor)

And Dauid said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will have pity on me and the child will live?” And David said, While the child yet lived, I fasted and wept; for I said, Who knows if the Lord will pity me, and the child live?

2 Samuel 12:23 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:23 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:23 (NET)

But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again?  I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.’ But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again?  I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. But now he is dead.  Why should I fast?  Am I able to bring him back at this point?  I will go to him, but he cannot return to me!”

2 Samuel 12:23 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ νῦν τέθνηκεν ἵνα τί τοῦτο ἐγὼ νηστεύω μὴ δυνήσομαι ἐπιστρέψαι αὐτὸ ἔτι ἐγὼ πορεύσομαι πρὸς αὐτόν καὶ αὐτὸς οὐκ ἀναστρέψει πρός με καὶ νῦν τέθνηκεν· ἱνατί τοῦτο ἐγὼ νηστεύω; μὴ δυνήσομαι ἐπιστρέψαι αὐτὸν ἔτι; ἐγὼ πορεύσομαι πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ αὐτὸς οὐκ ἀναστρέψει πρός με

2 Reigns 12:23 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:23 (English Elpenor)

But now he is dead.  Why is this, that I fast?  I will not be able to bring it back again, will I?  I will go to him, but he shall not return to me.” But now it is dead, why should I fast thus? shall I be able to bring him back again?  I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

2 Peter 3:16 (NET)

2 Peter 3:16 (KJV)

speaking of these things in all his letters.  Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὡς καὶ ἐν πάσαις ἐπιστολαῖς λαλῶν ἐν αὐταῖς περὶ τούτων, ἐν αἷς ἐστιν δυσνόητα τινα, ἃ οἱ ἀμαθεῖς καὶ ἀστήρικτοι στρεβλοῦσιν ὡς καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς γραφὰς πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν αὐτῶν ἀπώλειαν ως και εν πασαις ταις επιστολαις λαλων εν αυταις περι τουτων εν οις εστιν δυσνοητα τινα α οι αμαθεις και αστηρικτοι στρεβλουσιν ως και τας λοιπας γραφας προς την ιδιαν αυτων απωλειαν ως και εν πασαις ταις επιστολαις λαλων εν αυταις περι τουτων εν οις εστιν δυσνοητα τινα α οι αμαθεις και αστηρικτοι στρεβλουσιν ως και τας λοιπας γραφας προς την ιδιαν αυτων απωλειαν

Matthew 22:37, 38 (NET)

Matthew 22:37, 38 (KJV)

Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὁ δὲ ἔφη αὐτῷ· ἀγαπήσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου ἐν ὅλῃ |τῇ| καρδίᾳ σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ ψυχῇ σου καὶ ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ σου ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτω αγαπησεις κυριον τον θεον σου εν ολη τη καρδια σου και εν ολη τη ψυχη σου και εν ολη τη διανοια σου ο δε ιησους εφη αυτω αγαπησεις κυριον τον θεον σου εν ολη καρδια σου και εν ολη ψυχη σου και εν ολη τη διανοια σου
This is the first and greatest commandment. This is the first and great commandment.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

αὕτη ἐστὶν μεγάλη καὶ πρώτη ἐντολή αυτη εστιν πρωτη και μεγαλη εντολη αυτη εστιν πρωτη και μεγαλη εντολη

Matthew 22:40 (NET)

Matthew 22:40 (KJV)

All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐν ταύταις ταῖς δυσὶν ἐντολαῖς ὅλος ὁ νόμος κρέμαται καὶ οἱ προφῆται εν ταυταις ταις δυσιν εντολαις ολος ο νομος και οι προφηται κρεμανται εν ταυταις ταις δυσιν εντολαις ολος ο νομος και οι προφηται κρεμανται

1 John 17:3 (NET)

2 Psalm 51:1, 2a (NET)

3 The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had the article ταις preceding letters.  The NET parallel Greek text did not.

4 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had αἷς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οις (KJV: which).

5 The NET parallel Greek text, Stephanus Textus Receptus and NA28 had the article τῇ preceding heart.  The Byzantine Majority Text did not.

6 The NET parallel Greek text, Stephanus Textus Receptus and NA28 had the article τῇ preceding soul.  The Byzantine Majority Text did not.

7 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article preceding greatest.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

8 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the singular κρέμαται here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the plural κρεμανται (KJV: hangs), reflecting the difference in word order between them.

10 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NET)

11 2 Samuel 12:15 (NET)

12 2 Samuel 12:18 (NET)

13 2 Samuel 12:19 (NET)

14 2 Samuel 12:20 (NET)

15 2 Samuel 12:21-23 (NET)

16 2 Samuel 12:13 (NET) Table

Jedidiah, Part 1

I want to turn my attention to the circumstances when God named Solomon Jedidiah.  It all started one spring when King David didn’t go to war with his army.  He couldn’t sleep.  He got up and walked on the roof of his palace.  He saw a woman bathing.  Now David wasn’t a young prince catching his first glimpse of a naked woman.  He had several wives and concubines by this time.  He had the means, as it were, to entertain this traveler, as the prophet Nathan would later describe David’s lust.  David sent a messenger to find out about the woman.  So he knew she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, a soldier serving in his army, before he summoned her and before he had sex with her (2 Samuel 11:1-4).

The cover-up began after Bathsheba sent word to David that she was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:5).  So David summoned Uriah home from the war.  He asked him how the campaign was going and sent him home to his wife.  But Uriah refused to go home.  He would not enjoy the comforts and pleasures of home and wife while his comrades-in-arms camped in the open.  The next day David wined and dined Uriah, and got him drunk.  Still Uriah would not go home to Bathsheba.  So David sent Uriah back to the front with a sealed letter for Joab the commander of David’s army.

Apparently Uriah delivered the message unopened to Joab, because he faithfully delivered his own death sentence to his executioner.  Joab faithfully carried out David’s instructions to put Uriah in the front lines and then withdraw from him in the thick of battle.  Uriah died.  After an appropriate time of grieving for appearance’s sake, David took Bathsheba as another wife, and she gave birth to a son.

Later the Lord Jesus sent Nathan, a prophet, with an adroit hypothetical to David:  There were two men in a certain city, Nathan explained, one rich and the other poor.  The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.  But the poor man had nothing except for a little lamb he had acquired. He raised it, and it grew up alongside him and his children.  It used to eat his food, drink from his cup, and sleep in his arms.  It was just like a daughter to him.  When a traveler arrived at the rich man’s home, he did not want to use one of his own sheep or cattle to feed the traveler who had come to visit him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and cooked it for the man who had come to visit him.

As surely as the Lord lives, David said angrily, the man who did this deserves to die!  Because he committed this cold-hearted crime, he must pay for the lamb four times over!

You are that man!1 Nathan said to David.

I want to pause here a moment to fully appreciate David’s position vis-à-vis the law.  The law the Lord Jesus gave to Moses at Sinai was quite specific.  If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.2  So David had not only condemned himself but Bathsheba, for whom he presumably had some affection, to death.  Also, Whoever strikes someone so that he dies must surely be put to death.3  Now if one were to argue the technicality that David didn’t exactly strike Uriah himself, the law the Lord Jesus delivered to Moses continued, But if a man willfully attacks his neighbor to kill him cunningly, you will take him even from my altar that he may die.4

The altar was a place where Israelite sinners could find mercy and forgiveness.  Whenever a leader, by straying unintentionally, sins and violates one of the commandments of the Lord his God which must not be violated, the Lord Jesus told Moses, and he pleads guilty, or his sin that he committed is made known to him, he must bring a flawless male goat as his offering.5  I have to admit that I don’t know if David’s actions would qualify as unintentional.  I’m not even sure if this remedy was meant to apply to adultery or murder.  I do know that you will take him even from my altar that he may die sounds ominous.

This is what the Lord God of Israel says, Nathan continued, “I chose you to be king over Israel and I rescued you from the hand of Saul.  I gave you your master’s house, and put your master’s wives into your arms.  I also gave you the house of Israel and Judah.  And if all that somehow seems insignificant, I would have given you so much more as well!  Why have you shown contempt for the word of the Lord by doing evil in my sight?  You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and you have taken his wife as your own!  You have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.  So now the sword will never depart from your house.  For you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own!”  This is what the Lord says: “I am about to bring disaster on you from inside your own household!  Right before your eyes I will take your wives and hand them over to your companion.  He will have sexual relations with your wives in broad daylight!  Although you have acted in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.”6

I have sinned against the Lord!7 David exclaimed.

A lot is made of confession of sin in the religious circles I frequent.  So I want to quote another, even better confession, as confessions go (Joshua 7:20, 21 NET).

It is true.  I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel in this way:  I saw among the goods we seized a nice robe from Babylon, two hundred silver pieces, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels.  I wanted them, so I took them.  They are hidden in the ground right in the middle of my tent with the silver underneath.

This is Achan’s confession for stealing some of the things that had been devoted to the Lord Jesus.  Jesus had warned them that they would not stand before their enemies if they betrayed him in this way.  And sure enough, Achan’s sin was discovered after the Israelites suffered a defeat in battle.

Joshua, the Israelite leader who succeeded Moses, was crying and praying face down on the ground when the Lord Jesus spoke to him: Get up!  Why are you lying there face down?  Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenantal commandment!  They have taken some of the riches; they have stolen them and deceitfully put them among their own possessions.  The Israelites are unable to stand before their enemies; they retreat because they have become subject to annihilation.  I will no longer be with you, unless you destroy what has contaminated you.8

Achan was discovered by lot.  His confession was intended to justify the Lord not himself.  Joshua sent messengers who discovered the stolen articles exactly where Achan claimed they were hidden.

The one caught with the riches must be burned up along with all who belong to him, because he violated the Lord’s covenant and did such a disgraceful thing in Israel,9 the Lord Jesus declared.

Then Joshua and all Israel took Achan…along with the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, ox, donkey, sheep, tent, and all that belonged to him and brought them up to the Valley of Disaster [or, Achor].10  Joshua said, “Why have you brought disaster on us?  The Lord will bring disaster on you today!”  All Israel stoned him to death.  (They also stoned and burned the others.)  Then they erected over him a large pile of stones (it remains to this very day) and the Lord’s anger subsided.  So that place is called the Valley of Disaster11 to this very day.12

This turn of events is admittedly shocking to our ears and abhorrent to our beliefs about confession of sin.  But it was the prophet Hosea, long after the time of David, speaking about another future time when Israel would return to the Lord in repentance, who prophesied that the Lord Jesus would turn the “Valley of Trouble” [or, Achor] into an “Opportunity [or, doorway] for Hope” (Hosea 2:15-17 NET).

From there I will give back her vineyards to her, and turn the “Valley of Trouble”13 into an “Opportunity for Hope.”  There she will sing as she did when she was young,14 when she came up from the land of Egypt.  “At that time,” declares the Lord, “you will call, ‘My husband’; you will never again call me, ‘My master.’  For I will remove the names of the Baal idols from your lips, so that you will never again utter their names!”

But even before these promises came to pass, the prophet Nathan, sent by the Lord Jesus, replied to David’s confession, Yes, and the Lord has forgiven your sin.  You are not going to die.  Nonetheless, because you have treated the Lord with such contempt in this matter, the son who has been born to you will certainly die.15

 

Addendum: July 6, 2019
Tables comparing 2 Samuel 12:1; 12:2; 12:3; 12:4; 12:5; 12:6; 12:7; Leviticus 20:10; Exodus 21:12; 21:14; Leviticus 4:22; 4:23; 2 Samuel 12:8; 12:9; 12:10; 12:11; 12:12; 12:13; Joshua 7:20; 7:21; 7:10; 7:11; 7:12; 7:15; 7:24; 7:25; 7:26; Hosea 2:15; 2:16; 2:17 and 2 Samuel 12:14 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and tables comparing 2 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 12:1; 12:2; 12:3; 12:4; 12:5; 12:6; 12:7; Leviticus 20:10; Exodus 21:12; 21:14; Leviticus 4:22; 4:23; 2 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 12:8; 12:9; 12:10; 12:11; 12:12; 12:13; Joshua 7:20; 7:21; 7:10; 7:11; 7:12; 7:15; 7:24; 7:25; 7:26; Hosea 2:15 (2:17); 2:16 (2:18); 2:17 (2:19) and 2 Samuel (Kings, Reigns) 12:14 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

2 Samuel 12:1 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:1 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:1 (NET)

And HaShem sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him: ‘There were two men in one city: the one rich, and the other poor. And the LORD sent Nathan unto David.  And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. So the Lord sent Nathan to David.  When he came to David, Nathan said, “There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor.

2 Samuel 12:1 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν κύριος τὸν Ναθαν τὸν προφήτην πρὸς Δαυιδ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ δύο ἦσαν ἄνδρες ἐν πόλει μιᾷ εἷς πλούσιος καὶ εἷς πένης ΚΑΙ ἀπέστειλε Κύριος τὸν Νάθαν τὸν προφήτην πρὸς Δαυίδ, καὶ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· δύο ἦσαν ἄνδρες ἐν πόλει μιᾷ, εἷς πλούσιος, καὶ εἷς πένης

2 Reigns 12:1 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:1 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to Dauid.  And he went in to him and said to him, “There were two men in one city, one rich and one poor. And the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to David; and he went in to him, and said to him, There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor.
2 Samuel 12:2 (Tanakh) 2 Samuel 12:2 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:2 (NET)

The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds; The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: The rich man had a great many flocks and herds.

2 Samuel 12:2 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ τῷ πλουσίῳ ἦν ποίμνια καὶ βουκόλια πολλὰ σφόδρα καὶ τῷ πλουσίῳ ἦν ποίμνια καὶ βουκόλια πολλὰ σφόδρα

2 Reigns 12:2 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:2 (English Elpenor)

And the rich man had very many flocks and herds, And the rich [man] had very many flocks and herds.

2 Samuel 12:3 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:3 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:3 (NET)

but the poor man had nothing save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and reared; and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own morsel, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. But the poor man had nothing except for a little lamb he had acquired.  He raised it, and it grew up alongside him and his children.  It used to eat his food, drink from his cup, and sleep in his arms.  It was just like a daughter to him.

2 Samuel 12:3 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ τῷ πένητι οὐδὲν ἀλλ᾽ ἢ ἀμνὰς μία μικρά ἣν ἐκτήσατο καὶ περιεποιήσατο καὶ ἐξέθρεψεν αὐτήν καὶ ἡδρύνθη μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ μετὰ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό ἐκ τοῦ ἄρτου αὐτοῦ ἤσθιεν καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ποτηρίου αὐτοῦ ἔπινεν καὶ ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ αὐτοῦ ἐκάθευδεν καὶ ἦν αὐτῷ ὡς θυγάτηρ καὶ τῷ πένητι οὐδὲν ἀλλ’ ἢ ἀμνὰς μία μικρά, ἣν ἐκτήσατο καὶ περιεποίησατο καὶ ἐξέθρεψεν αὐτὴν καὶ ἡδρύνθη μετ’ αὐτοῦ καὶ μετὰ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό, ἐκ τοῦ ἄρτου αὐτοῦ ἤσθιε καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ποτηρίου αὐτοῦ ἔπινε καὶ ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ αὐτοῦ ἐκάθευδε καὶ ἦν αὐτῷ ὡς θυγάτηρ

2 Reigns 12:3 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:3 (English Elpenor)

And the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought.  And he preserved and reared it, and it grew up with him and with his sons together; it used to eat from his bread and drink from his cup and sleep in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. But the poor [man had] only one little ewe lamb, which he had purchased, and preserved, and reared; and it grew up with himself and his children in common; it ate of his bread and drank of his cup, and slept in his bosom, and was to him as a daughter.

2 Samuel 12:4 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:4 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:4 (NET)

And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him, but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.’ And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. “When a traveler arrived at the rich man’s home, he did not want to use one of his own sheep or cattle to feed the traveler who had come to visit him.  Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and cooked it for the man who had come to visit him.”

2 Samuel 12:4 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἦλθεν πάροδος τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ πλουσίῳ καὶ ἐφείσατο λαβεῗν ἐκ τῶν ποιμνίων αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκ τῶν βουκολίων αὐτοῦ τοῦ ποιῆσαι τῷ ξένῳ ὁδοιπόρῳ ἐλθόντι πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ ἔλαβεν τὴν ἀμνάδα τοῦ πένητος καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτὴν τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἐλθόντι πρὸς αὐτόν καὶ ἦλθε πάροδος τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ πλουσίῳ, καὶ ἐφείσατο λαβεῖν ἐκ τῶν ποιμνίων αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκ τῶν βουκολίων αὐτοῦ τοῦ ποιῆσαι τῷ ξένῳ ὁδοιπόρῳ τῷ ἐλθόντι πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ ἔλαβε τὴν ἀμνάδα τοῦ πένητος καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτὴν τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἐλθόντι πρὸς αὐτόν

2 Reigns 12:4 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:4 (English Elpenor)

And there came a traveler to the rich man, and he refrained from taking anything from his flocks and from his herds to prepare for the stranger, since he had come to him as a wayfarer, and he took the ewe lamb of the poor man and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” And a traveller came to the rich man, and he spared to take of his flocks and of his herds, to dress for the traveller that came to him; and he took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that came to him.

2 Samuel 12:5 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:5 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:5 (NET)

And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan: ‘As HaShem liveth, the man that hath done this deserveth to die; And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: Then David became very angry at this man.  He said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die!

2 Samuel 12:5 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐθυμώθη ὀργῇ Δαυιδ σφόδρα τῷ ἀνδρί καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Ναθαν ζῇ κύριος ὅτι υἱὸς θανάτου ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ ποιήσας τοῦτο καὶ ἐθυμώθη ὀργῇ Δαυὶδ σφόδρα τῷ ἀνδρί, καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ πρὸς Νάθαν· ζῇ Κύριος, ὅτι υἱὸς θανάτου ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ ποιήσας τοῦτο

2 Reigns 12:5 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:5 (English Elpenor)

And Dauid was greatly inflamed with anger at the man.  And Dauid said to Nathan, “The Lord lives, for the man who did this is a son of death, And David was greatly moved with anger against the man; and David said to Nathan, [As] the Lord lives, the man that did this thing shall surely die.

2 Samuel 12:6 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:6 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:6 (NET)

and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.’ And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. Because he committed this cold-hearted crime, he must pay for the lamb four times over!”

2 Samuel 12:6 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ τὴν ἀμνάδα ἀποτείσει ἑπταπλασίονα ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ὅτι ἐποίησεν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο καὶ περὶ οὗ οὐκ ἐφείσατο καὶ τὴν ἀμνάδα ἀποτίσει ἑπταπλασίονα, ἀνθ’ ὧν ὅτι ἐποίησε τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο καὶ περὶ οὗ οὐκ ἐφείσατο.

2 Reigns 12:6 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:6 (English Elpenor)

and he shall restore the ewe lamb sevenfold, because he did this thing, and because he did not refrain.” And he shall restore the lamb seven-fold, because he has not spared.

2 Samuel 12:7 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:7 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:7 (NET)

And Nathan said to David: ‘Thou art the man.  Thus saith HaShem, the G-d of Israel: I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man.  Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; Nathan said to David, “You are that man!  This is what the Lord God of Israel has said: ‘I chose you to be king over Israel and I rescued you from the hand of Saul.

2 Samuel 12:7 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Ναθαν πρὸς Δαυιδ σὺ εἶ ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ ποιήσας τοῦτο τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ἐγώ εἰμι ἔχρισά σε εἰς βασιλέα ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ἐρρυσάμην σε ἐκ χειρὸς Σαουλ καὶ εἶπε Νάθαν πρὸς Δαυίδ· σὺ εἶ ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ ποιήσας τοῦτο· τάδε λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ᾿Ισραήλ· ἐγώ εἰμι χρίσας σε εἰς βασιλέα ἐπὶ ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ἐρρυσάμην σε ἐκ χειρὸς Σαοὺλ

2 Reigns 12:7 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:7 (English Elpenor)

And Nathan said to Dauid, “You are the man who did this!  This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: I am—I anointed you to be king over Israel, and I am—I rescued you from the hand of Saoul, And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man that has done this.  Thus says the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee to be king over Israel, and I rescued thee out the hand of Saul;

Leviticus 20:10 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 20:10 (KJV)

Leviticus 20:10 (NET)

And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.

Leviticus 20:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 20:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἂν μοιχεύσηται γυναῗκα ἀνδρὸς ἢ ὃς ἂν μοιχεύσηται γυναῗκα τοῦ πλησίον θανάτῳ θανατούσθωσαν ὁ μοιχεύων καὶ ἡ μοιχευομένη ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἂν μοιχεύσηται γυναῖκα ἀνδρός, ἢ ὃς ἂν μοιχεύσηται γυναῖκα τοῦ πλησίον, θανάτῳ θανατούσθωσαν, ὁ μοιχεύων καὶ ἡ μοιχευομένη

Leviticus 20:10 (NETS)

Leviticus 20:10 (English Elpenor)

A person who commits adultery with the wife of a man or who commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor—let both the adulterer and the adulteress by death be put to death. Whatever man shall commit adultery with the wife of a man, or whoever shall commit adultery with the wife of his neighbour, let them die the death, the adulterer and the adulteress.

Exodus 21:12 (Tanakh)

Exodus 21:12 (KJV)

Exodus 21:12 (NET)

He that smiteth a man, so that he dieth, shall surely be put to death. He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. “Whoever strikes someone so that he dies must surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 21:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν δὲ πατάξῃ τίς τινα καὶ ἀποθάνῃ θανάτῳ θανατούσθω Εὰν δὲ πατάξῃ τίς τινα, καὶ ἀποθάνῃ, θανάτῳ θανατούσθω

Exodus 21:12 (NETS)

Exodus 21:12 (English Elpenor)

Now if someone strikes someone and he dies, let him be put to death with death. And if any man smite another and he die, let him be certainly put to death.

Exodus 21:14 (Tanakh)

Exodus 21:14 (KJV)

Exodus 21:14 (NET)

And if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from Mine altar, that he may die. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die. But if a man willfully attacks his neighbor to kill him cunningly, you will take him even from my altar that he may die.

Exodus 21:14 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 21:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν δέ τις ἐπιθῆται τῷ πλησίον ἀποκτεῗναι αὐτὸν δόλῳ καὶ καταφύγῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου μου λήμψῃ αὐτὸν θανατῶσαι ἐὰν δέ τις ἐπιθῆται τῷ πλησίον ἀποκτεῖναι αὐτὸν δόλῳ καὶ καταφύγῃ, ἀπὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου μου λήψῃ αὐτὸν θανατῶσαι

Exodus 21:14 (NETS)

Exodus 21:14 (English Elpenor)

Now if someone attacks his neighbor to kill him treacherously and he flees, from my altar you shall take him to put him todeath. And if any one lie in wait for his neighbour to slay him by craft, and he go for refuge, thou shalt take him from my altar to put him to death.

Leviticus 4:22 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 4:22 (KJV)

Leviticus 4:22 (NET)

When a ruler sinneth, and doeth through error any one of all the things which HaShem his G-d hath commanded not to be done, and is guilty: When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty; “‘Whenever a leader, by straying unintentionally, sins and violates one of the commandments of the Lord his God which must not be violated, and he pleads guilty,

Leviticus 4:22 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 4:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν δὲ ὁ ἄρχων ἁμάρτῃ καὶ ποιήσῃ μίαν ἀπὸ πασῶν τῶν ἐντολῶν κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ αὐτῶν ἣ οὐ ποιηθήσεται ἀκουσίως καὶ ἁμάρτῃ καὶ πλημμελήσῃ ἐὰν δὲ ὁ ἄρχων ἁμάρτῃ, καὶ ποιήσῃ μίαν ἀπὸ πασῶν τῶν ἐντολῶν Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ αὐτοῦ, ἣ οὐ ποιηθήσεται, ἀκουσίως, καὶ ἁμάρτῃ καὶ πλημμελήσῃ

Leviticus 4:22 (NETS)

Leviticus 4:22 (English Elpenor)

But if the ruler sins and does unintentionally one of any of the commandments of the Lord their God, which shall not be done, and sins and is in error And if a ruler sin, and break one of all the commands of the Lord his God, [doing the thing] which ought not to be done, unwillingly, and shall sin and trespass,

Leviticus 4:23 (Tanakh)

Leviticus 4:23 (KJV)

Leviticus 4:23 (NET)

if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, be known to him, he shall bring for his offering a goat, a male without blemish. Or if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, come to his knowledge; he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish: or his sin that he committed is made known to him, he must bring a flawless male goat as his offering.

Leviticus 4:23 (Septuagint BLB)

Leviticus 4:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ γνωσθῇ αὐτῷ ἡ ἁμαρτία ἣν ἥμαρτεν ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ προσοίσει τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ χίμαρον ἐξ αἰγῶν ἄρσεν ἄμωμον καὶ γνωσθῇ αὐτῷ ἡ ἁμαρτία, ἣν ἥμαρτεν ἐν αὐτῇ, καὶ προσοίσει τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ χίμαρον ἐξ αἰγῶν, ἄρσεν ἄμωμον

Leviticus 4:23 (NETS)

Leviticus 4:23 (English Elpenor)

and the sin wherein he has sinned becomes known to him, then he shall bring his gift: a young billy goat, a male without blemish. and his trespass wherein he has sinned, be known to him,– then shall he offer for his gift a kid of the goats, a male without blemish.

2 Samuel 12:8 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:8 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:8 (NET)

and I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that were too little, then would I add unto thee so much more. And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. I gave you your master’s house, and put your master’s wives into your arms. I also gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all that somehow seems insignificant, I would have given you so much more as well!

2 Samuel 12:8 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔδωκά σοι τὸν οἶκον τοῦ κυρίου σου καὶ τὰς γυναῗκας τοῦ κυρίου σου ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ σου καὶ ἔδωκά σοι τὸν οἶκον Ισραηλ καὶ Ιουδα καὶ εἰ μικρόν ἐστιν προσθήσω σοι κατὰ ταῦτα καὶ ἔδωκά σοι τὸν οἶκον τοῦ κυρίου σου καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας τοῦ κυρίου σου ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ σου καὶ ἔδωκά σοι τὸν οἶκον ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ ᾿Ιούδα· καὶ εἰ μικρόν ἐστι, προσθήσω σοι κατὰ ταῦτα

2 Reigns 12:8 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:8 (English Elpenor)

and I gave you the house of your master and the wives of your master into your bosom, and I gave you the house of Israel and of Iouda, and if it is too little, I will add to you in accordance with these. and I gave thee the house of the lord, and the wives of thy lord into thy bosom, and I gave to thee the house of Israel and Juda; and if that had been little, I would have given thee yet more.

2 Samuel 12:9 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:9 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:9 (NET)

Wherefore hast thou despised the word of HaShem, to do that which is evil in My sight?  Uriah the Hittite thou hast smitten with the sword, and his wife thou hast taken to be thy wife, and him thou hast slain with the sword of the children of Ammon. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Why have you shown contempt for the Lord’s decrees by doing evil in my sight?  You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and you have taken his wife to be your own wife! You have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

2 Samuel 12:9 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

τί ὅτι ἐφαύλισας τὸν λόγον κυρίου τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ πονηρὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῗς αὐτοῦ τὸν Ουριαν τὸν Χετταῗον ἐπάταξας ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ τὴν γυναῗκα αὐτοῦ ἔλαβες σεαυτῷ εἰς γυναῗκα καὶ αὐτὸν ἀπέκτεινας ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ υἱῶν Αμμων τί ὅτι ἐφαύλισας τὸν λόγον Κυρίου τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὸ πονηρὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ; τὸν Οὐρίαν τὸν Χετταῖον ἐπάταξας ἐν ρομφαίᾳ καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ ἔλαβες σεαυτῷ εἰς γυναῖκα καὶ αὐτὸν ἀπέκτεινας ἐν ρομφαίᾳ υἱῶν ᾿Αμμών

2 Reigns 12:9 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:9 (English Elpenor)

Why is it that you trivialized the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight?  You struck Ourias the Chetite with a sword and took his wife for yourself for a wife and killed him with a sword of the sons of Ammon. Why hast thou set at nought the word of the Lord, to do that which is evil in his eyes? thou hast slain Urias the Chettite with the sword, and thou hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and thou hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

2 Samuel 12:10 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:10 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:10 (NET)

Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from thy house; because thou hast despised Me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. So now the sword will never depart from your house.  For you have despised me by taking the wife of Uriah the Hittite as your own!’

2 Samuel 12:10 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ νῦν οὐκ ἀποστήσεται ῥομφαία ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου σου ἕως αἰῶνος ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ὅτι ἐξουδένωσάς με καὶ ἔλαβες τὴν γυναῗκα τοῦ Ουριου τοῦ Χετταίου τοῦ εἶναί σοι εἰς γυναῗκα καὶ νῦν οὐκ ἀποστήσεται ρομφαία ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου σου ἕως αἰῶνος ἀνθ’ ὧν ὅτι ἐξουδένωσάς με καὶ ἔλαβες τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ Οὐρίου τοῦ Χετταίου τοῦ εἶναί σοι εἰς γυναῖκα

2 Reigns 12:10 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:10 (English Elpenor)

And now, a sword shall never depart from your house, because you counted me as nothing and took the wife of Ourias the Chettite to be your wife. Now therefore the sword shall not depart from thy house for ever, because thou has set me at nought, and thou hast taken the wife of Urias the Chettite, to be thy wife.

2 Samuel 12:11 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:11 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:11 (NET)

Thus saith HaShem: Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. This is what the Lord has said: ‘I am about to bring disaster on you from inside your own household!  Right before your eyes I will take your wives and hand them over to your companion.  He will go to bed with your wives in broad daylight!

2 Samuel 12:11 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

τάδε λέγει κύριος ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξεγείρω ἐπὶ σὲ κακὰ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου σου καὶ λήμψομαι τὰς γυναῗκάς σου κατ᾽ ὀφθαλμούς σου καὶ δώσω τῷ πλησίον σου καὶ κοιμηθήσεται μετὰ τῶν γυναικῶν σου ἐναντίον τοῦ ἡλίου τούτου τάδε λέγει Κύριος· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξεγείρω ἐπὶ σὲ κακὰ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου σου καὶ λήψομαι τὰς γυναῖκάς σου κατ’ ὀφθαλμούς σου καὶ δώσω τῷ πλησίον σου, καὶ κοιμηθήσεται μετὰ τῶν γυναικῶν σου ἐναντίον τοῦ ἡλίου τούτου

2 Reigns 12:11 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:11 (English Elpenor)

This is what the Lord says: Behold, I am raising up trouble against you out of your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives before this sun. Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will raise up against thee evil out of thy house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and will give them to thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

2 Samuel 12:12 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:12 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:12 (NET)

For thou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.’ For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. Although you have acted in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.’”

2 Samuel 12:12 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ὅτι σὺ ἐποίησας κρυβῇ κἀγὼ ποιήσω τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο ἐναντίον παντὸς Ισραηλ καὶ ἀπέναντι τούτου τοῦ ἡλίου ὅτι σὺ ἐποίησας κρυβῇ, κἀγὼ ποιήσω τὸ ρῆμα τοῦτο ἐναντίον παντὸς ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ ἀπέναντι τοῦ ἡλίου τούτου.

2 Reigns 12:12 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:12 (English Elpenor)

For you did it secretly, and I will do this thing before all Israel and before this sun.” For thou didst it secretly, but I will do this thing in the sight of all Israel, and before the sun.

2 Samuel 12:13 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:13 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:13 (NET)

And David said unto Nathan: ‘I have sinned against HaShem.’  And Nathan said unto David: ‘The HaShem also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD.  And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Then David exclaimed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord!”  Nathan replied to David, “Yes, and the Lord has forgiven your sin.  You are not going to die.

2 Samuel 12:13 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ τῷ Ναθαν ἡμάρτηκα τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ εἶπεν Ναθαν πρὸς Δαυιδ καὶ κύριος παρεβίβασεν τὸ ἁμάρτημά σου οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃς καὶ εἶπε Δαυὶδ τῷ Νάθαν· ἡμάρτηκα τῷ Κυρίῳ. καὶ εἶπε Νάθαν πρὸς Δαυίδ· καὶ Κύριος παρεβίβασε τὸ ἁμάρτημά σου, οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃς

2 Reigns 12:13 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:13 (English Elpenor)

And Dauid said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”  And Nathan said to Dauid, “Indeed, the Lord put aside your sin; you shall not die. And David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.  And Nathan said to David, And the Lord has put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

Joshua 7:20 (Tanakh)

Joshua 7:20 (KJV)

Joshua 7:20 (NET)

And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: Achan told Joshua, “It is true. I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel in this way:

Joshua 7:20 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Αχαρ τῷ Ἰησοῗ καὶ εἶπεν ἀληθῶς ἥμαρτον ἐναντίον κυρίου θεοῦ Ισραηλ οὕτως καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησα καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ῎Αχαρ τῷ ᾿Ιησοῖ καὶ εἶπεν· ἀληθῶς ἥμαρτον ἐναντίον Κυρίου τοῦ Θεοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ· οὕτως καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησα

Joshua 7:20 (NETS)

Joshua 7:20 (English Elpenor)

And Achar answered Iesous and said, “ Truly I have sinned against the Lord, God of Israel.  Thus and so have I done. And Achar answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel: thus and thus have I done:

Joshua 7:21 (Tanakh)

Joshua 7:21 (KJV)

Joshua 7:21 (NET)

When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. I saw among the goods we seized a nice robe from Babylon, two hundred silver pieces, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels. I wanted them, so I took them. They are hidden in the ground right in the middle of my tent with the silver underneath.”

Joshua 7:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶδον ἐν τῇ προνομῇ ψιλὴν ποικίλην καλὴν καὶ διακόσια δίδραχμα ἀργυρίου καὶ γλῶσσαν μίαν χρυσῆν πεντήκοντα διδράχμων καὶ ἐνθυμηθεὶς αὐτῶν ἔλαβον καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὰ ἐγκέκρυπται ἐν τῇ γῇ ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ μου καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον κέκρυπται ὑποκάτω αὐτῶν εἶδον ἐν τῇ προνομῇ ψιλὴν ποικίλην καλὴν καὶ διακόσια δίδραχμα ἀργυρίου καὶ γλῶσσαν μίαν χρυσῆν πεντήκοντα διδράχμων καὶ ἐνθυμηθεὶς αὐτῶν ἔλαβον, καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὰ ἐγκέκρυπται ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ μου καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον κέκρυπται ὑποκάτω αὐτῶν

Joshua 7:21 (NETS)

Joshua 7:21 (English Elpenor)

I saw in the spoil a beautiful, multi-colored carpet and two hundred didrachmas of silver and one golden tongue-shaped object of fifty didrachmas, and I coveted them and took them.  And look, they are hidden in the ground in my tent, and the silver is hidden underneath them.” I saw in the spoil an embroidered mantle, and two hundred didrachmas of silver, and one golden wedge of fifty didrachmas, and I desired them and took them; and, behold, they are hid in my tent, and the silver is hid under them.
Joshua 7:10 (Tanakh) Joshua 7:10 (KJV)

Joshua 7:10 (NET)

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? The Lord responded to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying there face down?

Joshua 7:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Ἰησοῦν ἀνάστηθι ἵνα τί τοῦτο σὺ πέπτωκας ἐπὶ πρόσωπόν σου καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς ᾿Ιησοῦν· ἀνάστηθι, ἱνατί τοῦτο σὺ πέπτωκας ἐπὶ πρόσωπόν σου

Joshua 7:10 (NETS)

Joshua 7:10 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord said to Iesous, “Stand up.  Why is it that you have fallen upon your face? And the Lord said to Joshua, Rise up; why hast thou fallen upon thy face?

Joshua 7:11 (Tanakh)

Joshua 7:11 (KJV)

Joshua 7:11 (NET)

Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenantal commandment!  They have taken some of the riches; they have stolen them and deceitfully put them among their own possessions.

Joshua 7:11 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἡμάρτηκεν ὁ λαὸς καὶ παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην ἣν διεθέμην πρὸς αὐτούς καὶ κλέψαντες ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀναθέματος ἐνέβαλον εἰς τὰ σκεύη αὐτῶν ἡμάρτηκεν ὁ λαὸς καὶ παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην, ἣν διεθέμην πρὸς αὐτούς, καὶ κλέψαντες ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀναθέματος ἐνέβαλον εἰς τὰ σκεύη αὐτῶν

Joshua 7:11 (NETS)

Joshua 7:11 (English Elpenor)

The people have sinned and transgressed the covenant that I made with them.  And they have stolen from what is devoted and put it into their own belongings. The people has sinned, and transgressed the covenant which I made with them; they have stolen from the cursed thing, and put it into their store.

Joshua 7:12 (Tanakh)

Joshua 7:12 (KJV)

Joshua 7:12 (NET)

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. The Israelites are unable to stand before their enemies; they retreat because they have become subject to annihilation.  I will no longer be with you, unless you destroy what has contaminated you.

Joshua 7:12 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐ μὴ δύνωνται οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ὑποστῆναι κατὰ πρόσωπον τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν αὐχένα ἐπιστρέψουσιν ἔναντι τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν ὅτι ἐγενήθησαν ἀνάθεμα οὐ προσθήσω ἔτι εἶναι μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν ἐὰν μὴ ἐξάρητε τὸ ἀνάθεμα ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν καὶ οὐ μὴ δύνωνται οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ ὑποστῆναι κατὰ πρόσωπον τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν· αὐχένα ἐπιστρέψουσιν ἔναντι τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἐγενήθησαν ἀνάθεμα· οὐ προσθήσω ἔτι εἶναι μεθ’ ὑμῶν, ἐὰν μὴ ἐξάρητε τὸ ἀνάθεμα ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν

Joshua 7:12 (NETS)

Joshua 7:12 (English Elpenor)

The sons of Israel shall not be able to stand before their enemies; they shall turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become what is devoted.  I will be with you no longer, unless you remove what is devoted from yourselves. And the children of Israel will not be able to stand before their enemies; they will turn their back before their enemies, for they have become an accursed thing: I will not any longer be with you, unless ye remove the cursed thing from yourselves.

Joshua 7:15 (Tanakh)

Joshua 7:15 (KJV)

Joshua 7:15 (NET)

And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. The one caught with the riches must be burned up along with all who belong to him, because he violated the Lord’s covenant and did such a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”

Joshua 7:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ὃς ἂν ἐνδειχθῇ κατακαυθήσεται ἐν πυρὶ καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτῷ ὅτι παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην κυρίου καὶ ἐποίησεν ἀνόμημα ἐν Ισραηλ καὶ ὃς ἂν ἐνδειχθῇ, κατακαυθήσεται ἐν πυρὶ καὶ πάντα, ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτῷ, ὅτι παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην Κυρίου καὶ ἐποίησεν ἀνόμημα ἐν ᾿Ισραήλ

Joshua 7:15 (NETS)

Joshua 7:15 (English Elpenor)

And the one who is indicated shall be burned with fire, and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord and has committed lawlessness in Israel.” And the man who shall be pointed out, shall be burnt with fire, and all that he has; because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and has wrought wickedness in Israel.

Joshua 7:24 (Tanakh)

Joshua 7:24 (KJV)

Joshua 7:24 (NET)

And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor. Then Joshua and all Israel took Achan, son of Zerah, along with the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, ox, donkey, sheep, tent, and all that belonged to him and brought them up to the Valley of Disaster.

Joshua 7:24 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰησοῦς τὸν Αχαρ υἱὸν Ζαρα καὶ ἀνήγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς φάραγγα Αχωρ καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς μόσχους αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ ὑποζύγια αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντα τὰ πρόβατα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς Εμεκαχωρ καὶ ἔλαβεν ᾿Ιησοῦς τὸν ῎Αχαρ υἱὸν Ζαρὰ καὶ ἀνήγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς φάραγγα ᾿Αχὼρ καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς μόσχους αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ ὑποζύγια αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντα τὰ πρόβατα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς μετ’ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς ᾿Εμεκαχώρ

Joshua 7:24 (NETS)

Joshua 7:24 (English Elpenor)

And Iesous took Achar son of Zara and brought him up to the ravine of Achor, and his sons and his daughters and his bull calves and his draft animals and all his sheep and his tent and all his belongings—and all the people with him.  And he brought them up to Emekachor. And Joshua took Achar the son of Zara, and brought him to the valley of Achor, and his sons, and his daughters, and his calves, and his asses, and all his sheep, and his tent, and all his property, and all the people [were] with him; and he brought them to Emec Achor.

Joshua 7:25 (Tanakh)

Joshua 7:25 (KJV)

Joshua 7:25 (NET)

And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day.  And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day.  And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. Joshua said, “Why have you brought disaster on us?  The Lord will bring disaster on you today!”  All Israel stoned him to death.  (They also stoned and burned the others.)

Joshua 7:25 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:25 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ εἶπεν Ἰησοῦς τῷ Αχαρ τί ὠλέθρευσας ἡμᾶς ἐξολεθρεύσαι σε κύριος καθὰ καὶ σήμερον καὶ ἐλιθοβόλησαν αὐτὸν λίθοις πᾶς Ισραηλ καὶ εἶπεν ᾿Ιησοῦς τῷ ῎Αχαρ· τί ὠλόθρευσας ἡμᾶς; ἐξολοθρεύσαι σε Κύριος καθὰ καὶ σήμερον. καὶ ἐλιθοβόλησαν αὐτὸν λίθοις πᾶς ᾿Ισραήλ

Joshua 7:25 (NETS)

Joshua 7:25 (English Elpenor)

And Iesous said to Achar, “Why have you destroyed us?  May the Lord destroy you as also today.”  And all Israel stoned him with stones. And Joshua said to Achar, Why hast thou destroyed us? the Lord destroy thee as at this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones.

Joshua 7:26 (Tanakh)

Joshua 7:26 (KJV)

Joshua 7:26 (NET)

And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day.  So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger.  Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day.  So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger.  Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. Then they erected over him a large pile of stones (it remains to this very day ) and the Lord’s anger subsided.  So that place is called the Valley of Disaster to this very day.

Joshua 7:26 (Septuagint BLB)

Joshua 7:26 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐπέστησαν αὐτῷ σωρὸν λίθων μέγαν καὶ ἐπαύσατο κύριος τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς διὰ τοῦτο ἐπωνόμασεν αὐτὸ Εμεκαχωρ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης καὶ ἐπέστησαν αὐτῷ σωρὸν λίθων μέγαν. καὶ ἐπαύσατο Κύριος τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς· διὰ τοῦτο ἐπωνόμασεν αὐτὸ ᾿Εμεκαχὼρ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης

Joshua 7:26 (NETS)

Joshua 7:26 (English Elpenor)

And they set up over him a great heap of stones.  And the Lord ceased from burning anger.  Therefore he named it Emekachor until this day. And they set up over him a great heap of stones; and the Lord ceased from his fierce anger.  Therefore he called the place Emecachor until this day.

Hosea 2:15 (Tanakh)

Hosea 2:15 (KJV)

Hosea 2:15 (NET)

And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. From there I will give back her vineyards to her, and turn the “Valley of Trouble” into an “Opportunity for Hope.”  There she will sing as she did when she was young, when she came up from the land of Egypt.

Hosea 2:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Hosea 2:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ δώσω αὐτῇ τὰ κτήματα αὐτῆς ἐκεῗθεν καὶ τὴν κοιλάδα Αχωρ διανοῗξαι σύνεσιν αὐτῆς καὶ ταπεινωθήσεται ἐκεῗ κατὰ τὰς ἡμέρας νηπιότητος αὐτῆς καὶ κατὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἀναβάσεως αὐτῆς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου καὶ δώσω αὐτῇ τὰ κτήματα αὐτῆς ἐκεῖθεν καὶ τὴν κοιλάδα ᾿Αχὼρ διανοῖξαι σύνεσιν αὐτῆς, καὶ ταπεινωθήσεται ἐκεῖ κατὰ τὰς ἡμέρας νηπιότητος αὐτῆς καὶ κατὰ τὰς ἡμέρας ἀναβάσεως αὐτῆς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου.

Hosea 2:15 (NETS)

Hosea 2:17 (English Elpenor)

And from there I will give her her estates and the valley of Achor, to open up her understanding.  And there she will be brought low as in the days of her infancy and as in the days of her coming up out of the land of Egypt. And I will give her possessions from thence, and the valley of Achor to open her understanding: and she shall be afflicted there according to the days of her infancy, and according to the days of her coming up out of the land of Egypt.

Hosea 2:16 (Tanakh)

Hosea 2:16 (KJV)

Hosea 2:16 (NET)

And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. “At that time,” declares the Lord, “you will call, ‘My husband’; you will never again call me, ‘My master.’

Hosea 2:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Hosea 2:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔσται ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ λέγει κύριος καλέσει με ὁ ἀνήρ μου καὶ οὐ καλέσει με ἔτι Βααλιμ καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, λέγει Κύριος, καλέσει με· ὁ ἀνήρ μου, καὶ οὐ καλέσει με ἔτι Βααλείμ

Hosea 2:16 (NETS)

Hosea 2:18 (English Elpenor)

And it shall be on that day, says the Lord, she will call me “My husband” and no longer call me “Baalim.” And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, [that] she shall call me, My husband, and shall no longer call me Baalim.

Hosea 2:17 (Tanakh)

Hosea 2:17 (KJV)

Hosea 2:17 (NET)

For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. For I will take away the names of the Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be mentioned by their name. For I will remove the names of the Baal idols from your lips, so that you will never again utter their names!”

Hosea 2:17 (Septuagint BLB)

Hosea 2:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἐξαρῶ τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν Βααλιμ ἐκ στόματος αὐτῆς καὶ οὐ μὴ μνησθῶσιν οὐκέτι τὰ ὀνόματα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐξαρῶ τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν Βααλεὶμ ἐκ στόματος αὐτῆς καὶ οὐ μὴ μνησθῶσιν οὐκ ἔτι τὰ ὀνόματα αὐτῶν

Hosea 2:17 (NETS)

Hosea 2:19 (English Elpenor)

And I will remove the names of the Baalim from her mouth, and their names will be remembered no more. And I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and their names shall be remembered no more at all.

2 Samuel 12:14 (Tanakh)

2 Samuel 12:14 (KJV)

2 Samuel 12:14 (NET)

Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast greatly blasphemed the enemies of HaShem, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.’ Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. Nonetheless, because you have treated the Lord with such contempt in this matter, the son who has been born to you will certainly die.”

2 Samuel 12:14 (Septuagint BLB)

2 Kings 12:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πλὴν ὅτι παροξύνων παρώξυνας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς κυρίου ἐν τῷ ῥήματι τούτῳ καί γε ὁ υἱός σου ὁ τεχθείς σοι θανάτῳ ἀποθανεῗται πλὴν ὅτι παροργίζων παρώργισας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς Κυρίου ἐν τῷ ρήματι τούτῳ, καί γε ὁ υἱός σου ὁ τεχθείς σοι θανάτῳ ἀποθανεῖται

2 Reigns 12:14 (NETS)

2 Kings 12:14 (English Elpenor)

Yet because provokingly you provoked the enemies of the Lord by this thing, indeed your son who was born to you will die by death. Only because thou hast given great occasion of provocation to the enemies of the Lord by this thing, thy son also that is born to thee shall surely die.

1 2 Samuel 12:1-7 (NET)

2 Leviticus 20:10 (NET)

3 Exodus 21:12 (NET)

4 Exodus 21:14 (NET)

5 Leviticus 4:22, 23 (NET)

6 2 Samuel 12:7-12 (NET)

7 2 Samuel 12:13a (NET)

8 Joshua 7:10-12 (NET)

9 Joshua 7:15 (NET)

10 This was Εμεκαχωρ (Table50) in the Septuagint, a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew עמק (ʽêmeq; NET: Valley) and עכור (ʽâkôr; NET: of Disaster).

11 See footnote 10 above (Table54).

12 Joshua 7:24-26 (NET)

13 The Hebrew עמק (ʽêmeq; NET: Valley) and עכור (ʽâkôr; NET: of Trouble) was translated κοιλάδα Αχωρ (Table56) in the Septuagint.

14 This phrase was significantly different in the English translations of the Septuagint (Table56), but that must wait for another essay.

15 2 Samuel 12:13, 14 (NET)

Forgiveness and Denial of Christ

Jesus gave his disciples the following rule (Matthew 10:32, 33 NET):

Whoever, then, acknowledges (ὁμολογήσει, a form of ὁμολογέω) me before people, I will acknowledge (ὁμολογήσω, another form of ὁμολογέω) before my Father in heaven.1  But whoever denies (ἀρνήσηται, a form of ἀρνέομαι) me before people, I will deny (ἀρνήσομαι, another form ἀρνέομαι) him also before my Father in heaven.2

This rule of ὁμολογέω and ἀρνέομαι is simple and easy to understand; its justice and fairness is self-evident.  But Jesus didn’t follow this rule when Peter fell afoul of it (Matthew 26:31-35 NET):

Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.3  But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”  Peter said to him, “If4 they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!”  Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny (ἀπαρνήσῃ, a form of ἀπαρνέομαι) me three times.”  Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny5 (ἀπαρνήσομαι, another form of ἀπαρνέομαι) you.”  And6 all the disciples said7 the same thing.

Jesus’ faith was in the literal truth of the prophetic scriptures, Zechariah 13:7 in particular here.  Peter trusted his feelings.  I have no doubt he was sincere.  Peter was ready to make good on his boast, if only he could go down swinging (Matthew 26:51-54 NET):

But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his ear.  Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place!  For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword.8 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than9 twelve10 legions11 of angels right now?  How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled (πληρωθῶσιν, a form of πληρόω)?”

Jesus’ concern was fulfilling scripture.  Though Matthew, Mark and Luke would not name Peter, presumably while he was still alive, John did (John 18:10 NET):

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear.12 (Now the slave’s name was Malchus.)

Peter’s concern was fulfilling his own word.  If Jesus rebuked me like this when I had decided to die fighting, it would take the starch out of my sails, to say the least.  And that’s apparently what it did to Peter (Matthew 26:69-75 NET):

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard.  A slave girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”  But he denied (ἠρνήσατο, another form of ἀρνέομαι) it in front of them13 all: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”  When he14 went out to the gateway, another slave girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man15 was with Jesus the Nazarene.”  He denied (ἠρνήσατο, another form of ἀρνέομαι) it again with16 an oath, “I do not know the man!”  After a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, “You really are one of them too – even your accent gives you away!”  At that he began to curse,17 and he swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!”  At that moment a rooster crowed.  Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said:18 “Before the rooster crows, you will deny (ἀπαρνήσῃ, a form of ἀπαρνέομαι) me three times.”  And he went outside and wept bitterly.

According to the rule of ὁμολογέω and ἀρνέομαι Jesus should deny Peter before his Father in heaven.  Luke recorded what Jesus said to Peter in a bit more detail (Luke 22:31-34 NET):

“Simon,19 Simon, pay attention!  Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith (πίστις) may not fail.20 When you have turned back (ἐπιστρέψας, a form of ἐπιστρέφω), strengthen21 your brothers.”  But Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!”  Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not22 crow23 today until24 you have denied (ἀπαρνήσῃ, a form ἀπαρνέομαι) three times that you know25 me.”

Jesus, believing that He had received what He prayed, was confident that Peter’s faith would not fail despite his denial.  And with the same foreknowledge that He prophesied Peter’s denial, Jesus prophesied Peter’s ἐπιστρέφω, his turning back.  He assured Peter a place of service, to strengthen his brothers.  I think it likely that the other disciples were Peter’s younger brothers.  And though I have heard preaching that lamented that Peter didn’t buck up and play the man, I can’t imagine that the preachers actually wanted Peter to make Jesus’ prophetic word untrue.

As I look at this I wonder, is it special pleading of a special case or a formula that is repeated every time the Lord forgives sin?  I lean toward the latter, though I’m hard-pressed to demonstrate why.  In any case there is no denying what Peter became after he turned back and received the promised Holy Spirit.

 

 

Addendum: December 11, 2018
Tables of Matthew 10:32, 33; 26:31; 26:33; 26:35; 26:52, 53; John 18:10; Matthew 26:70-72; 26:74, 75; Luke 22:31, 32 and 22:34 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Matthew 10:32, 33 (NET)

Matthew 10:32, 33 (KJV)

“Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Πᾶς οὖν ὅστις ὁμολογήσει ἐν ἐμοὶ ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὁμολογήσω καγὼ ἐν αὐτῷ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν [τοῖς] οὐρανοῖς πας ουν οστις ομολογησει εν εμοι εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων ομολογησω καγω εν αυτω εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις πας ουν οστις ομολογησει εν εμοι εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων ομολογησω καγω εν αυτω εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις
But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅστις |δ᾿ ἂν| ἀρνήσηται με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀρνήσομαι καγὼ αὐτὸν ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν [τοῖς] οὐρανοῖς οστις δ αν αρνησηται με εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων αρνησομαι αυτον καγω εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις οστις δ αν αρνησηται με εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων αρνησομαι αυτον καγω εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις
Matthew 26:31 (NET)

Matthew 26:31 (KJV)

Then Jesus said to them, “This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Τότε λέγει αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς· πάντες ὑμεῖς σκανδαλισθήσεσθε ἐν ἐμοὶ ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ταύτῃ, γέγραπται γάρ πατάξω τὸν ποιμένα, καὶ διασκορπισθήσονται τὰ πρόβατα τῆς ποίμνης τοτε λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους παντες υμεις σκανδαλισθησεσθε εν εμοι εν τη νυκτι ταυτη γεγραπται γαρ παταξω τον ποιμενα και διασκορπισθησεται τα προβατα της ποιμνης τοτε λεγει αυτοις ο ιησους παντες υμεις σκανδαλισθησεσθε εν εμοι εν τη νυκτι ταυτη γεγραπται γαρ παταξω τον ποιμενα και διασκορπισθησεται τα προβατα της ποιμνης
Matthew 26:33 (NET)

Matthew 26:33 (KJV)

Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος εἶπεν αὐτῷ· εἰ πάντες σκανδαλισθήσονται ἐν σοί, ἐγὼ οὐδέποτε σκανδαλισθήσομαι αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω ει και παντες σκανδαλισθησονται εν σοι εγω ουδεποτε σκανδαλισθησομαι αποκριθεις δε ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω ει παντες σκανδαλισθησονται εν σοι εγω δε ουδεποτε σκανδαλισθησομαι
Matthew 26:35 (NET)

Matthew 26:35 (KJV)

Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.”  And all the disciples said the same thing. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.  Likewise also said all the disciples.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος· κὰν δέῃ με σὺν σοὶ ἀποθανεῖν, οὐ μή σε ἀπαρνήσομαι ὁμοίως καὶ πάντες οἱ μαθηταὶ εἶπαν λεγει αυτω ο πετρος καν δεη με συν σοι αποθανειν ου μη σε απαρνησομαι ομοιως και παντες οι μαθηται ειπον λεγει αυτω ο πετρος καν δεη με συν σοι αποθανειν ου μη σε απαρνησωμαι ομοιως δε και παντες οι μαθηται ειπον

Matthew 26:52, 53 (NET)

Matthew 26:52, 53 (KJV)

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τότε λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· ἀπόστρεψον τὴν μάχαιραν σου εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῆς· πάντες γὰρ οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀπολοῦνται τοτε λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αποστρεψον σου την μαχαιραν εις τον τοπον αυτης παντες γαρ οι λαβοντες μαχαιραν εν μαχαιρα απολουνται τοτε λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αποστρεψον σου την μαχαιραν εις τον τοπον αυτης παντες γαρ οι λαβοντες μαχαιραν εν μαχαιρα αποθανουνται
Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἢ δοκεῖς ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι παρακαλέσαι τὸν πατέρα μου, καὶ παραστήσει μοι ἄρτι πλείω δώδεκα λεγιῶνας ἀγγέλων η δοκεις οτι ου δυναμαι αρτι παρακαλεσαι τον πατερα μου και παραστησει μοι πλειους η δωδεκα λεγεωνας αγγελων η δοκεις οτι ου δυναμαι αρτι παρακαλεσαι τον πατερα μου και παραστησει μοι πλειους η δωδεκα λεγεωνας αγγελων

John 18:10 (NET)

John 18:10 (KJV)

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear. (Now the slave’s name was Malchus.) Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Σίμων οὖν Πέτρος ἔχων μάχαιραν εἵλκυσεν αὐτὴν καὶ ἔπαισεν τὸν τοῦ ἀρχιερέως δοῦλον καὶ ἀπέκοψεν αὐτοῦ τὸ ὠτάριον τὸ δεξιόν. (ἦν δὲ ὄνομα τῷ δούλῳ Μάλχος.) σιμων ουν πετρος εχων μαχαιραν ειλκυσεν αυτην και επαισεν τον του αρχιερεως δουλον και απεκοψεν αυτου το ωτιον το δεξιον ην δε ονομα τω δουλω μαλχος σιμων ουν πετρος εχων μαχαιραν ειλκυσεν αυτην και επαισεν τον του αρχιερεως δουλον και απεκοψεν αυτου το ωτιον το δεξιον ην δε ονομα τω δουλω μαλχος
Matthew 26:70-72 (NET)

Matthew 26:70-72 (KJV)

But he denied it in front of them all: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὁ δὲ ἠρνήσατο ἔμπροσθεν πάντων λέγων· οὐκ οἶδα τί λέγεις ο δε ηρνησατο εμπροσθεν παντων λεγων ουκ οιδα τι λεγεις ο δε ηρνησατο εμπροσθεν αυτων παντων λεγων ουκ οιδα τι λεγεις
When he went out to the gateway, another slave girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐξελθόντα δὲ εἰς τὸν πυλῶνα εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἄλλη καὶ λέγει τοῖς ἐκεῖ· οὗτος ἦν μετὰ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου εξελθοντα δε αυτον εις τον πυλωνα ειδεν αυτον αλλη και λεγει τοις εκει και ουτος ην μετα ιησου του ναζωραιου εξελθοντα δε αυτον εις τον πυλωνα ειδεν αυτον αλλη και λεγει αυτοις εκει και ουτος ην μετα ιησου του ναζωραιου
He denied it again with an oath, “I do not know the man!” And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ πάλιν ἠρνήσατο μετὰ ὅρκου ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον και παλιν ηρνησατο μεθ ορκου οτι ουκ οιδα τον ανθρωπον και παλιν ηρνησατο μεθ ορκου οτι ουκ οιδα τον ανθρωπον
Matthew 26:74, 75 (NET)

Matthew 26:74, 75 (KJV)

At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, “I do not know the man!”  At that moment a rooster crowed. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man.  And immediately the cock crew.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τότε ἤρξατο καταθεματίζειν καὶ ὀμνύειν ὅτι οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον. καὶ εὐθέως ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν τοτε ηρξατο καταναθεματιζειν και ομνυειν οτι ουκ οιδα τον ανθρωπον και ευθεως αλεκτωρ εφωνησεν τοτε ηρξατο καταθεματιζειν και ομνυειν οτι ουκ οιδα τον ανθρωπον και ευθεως αλεκτωρ εφωνησεν
Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”  And he went outside and wept bitterly. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  And he went out, and wept bitterly.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἐμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος τοῦ ρήματος Ἰησοῦ εἰρηκότος ὅτι πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με· καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἔξω ἔκλαυσεν πικρῶς και εμνησθη ο πετρος του ρηματος του ιησου ειρηκοτος αυτω οτι πριν αλεκτορα φωνησαι τρις απαρνηση με και εξελθων εξω εκλαυσεν πικρως και εμνησθη ο πετρος του ρηματος του ιησου ειρηκοτος αυτω οτι πριν αλεκτορα φωνησαι τρις απαρνηση με και εξελθων εξω εκλαυσεν πικρως
Luke 22:31, 32 (NET)

Luke 22:31, 32 (KJV)

“Simon, Simon, pay attention!  Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat, And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Σίμων Σίμων, ἰδοὺ ὁ σατανᾶς ἐξῃτήσατο ὑμᾶς τοῦ σινιάσαι ὡς τὸν σῖτον ειπεν δε ο κυριος σιμων σιμων ιδου ο σατανας εξητησατο υμας του σινιασαι ως τον σιτον ειπεν δε ο κυριος σιμων σιμων ιδου ο σατανας εξητησατο υμας του σινιασαι ως τον σιτον
but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.  When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐγὼ δὲ ἐδεήθην περὶ σοῦ ἵνα μὴ ἐκλίπῃ ἡ πίστις σου· καὶ σύ ποτε ἐπιστρέψας στήρισον τοὺς ἀδελφούς σου εγω δε εδεηθην περι σου ινα μη εκλειπη η πιστις σου και συ ποτε επιστρεψας στηριξον τους αδελφους σου εγω δε εδεηθην περι σου ινα μη εκλιπη η πιστις σου και συ ποτε επιστρεψας στηριξον τους αδελφους σου
Luke 22:34 (NET)

Luke 22:34 (KJV)

Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me.” And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· λέγω σοι, Πέτρε, οὐ φωνήσει σήμερον ἀλέκτωρ ἕως τρίς με ἀπαρνήσῃ εἰδέναι ο δε ειπεν λεγω σοι πετρε ου μη φωνησει σημερον αλεκτωρ πριν η τρις απαρνηση μη ειδεναι με ο δε ειπεν λεγω σοι πετρε ου μη φωνηση σημερον αλεκτωρ πριν η τρις απαρνηση μη ειδεναι με

1 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τοῖς preceding heaven.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

2 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τοῖς preceding heaven.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

4 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had και following if and preceding all (KJV: Though all).  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

10 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article η preceding twelve.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

15 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: also) preceding This man.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

18 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτω (KJV: unto him) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

19 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειπεν δε ο κυριος (KJV: And the Lord said) preceding Simon.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

22 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὐ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οὐ μη.

24 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἕως here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had πριν η (KJV: before).

25 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μη preceding know.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

Peter’s First Gospel Proclamation

Jesus’ disciples waited in Jerusalem as He instructed them.  When the Holy Spirit came upon them, a crowd gathered (Acts 2:14-41 NET).

Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: “You men of Judea and all1 you who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen carefully to what I say.  In spite of what you think, these men are not drunk, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.  But this is what was spoken about through the prophet Joel:  ‘And in the last days it will be, God says, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.2 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.  And I will perform wonders in the sky above and miraculous signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will be changed to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day3 of the Lord comes.4 And then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

“Men of Israel, listen (ἀκούσατε, a form of ἀκούω) to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man clearly attested to you by God with powerful deeds,5 wonders,6 and miraculous signs that God performed among you through him, just as you yourselves7 know (οἴδατε, a form of εἴδω) – this man, who was handed over by the predetermined (ὡρισμένῃ, a form of ὁρίζω) plan (βουλῇ) and foreknowledge (προγνώσει, a form of πρόγνωσις) of God,8 you executed by nailing him to a cross at the hands9 of Gentiles.  But God raised him up, having released (λύσας, a form λύω) him from the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in its power.  For David10 says about him, ‘I saw11 the Lord always in front of me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart was glad12 and my tongue rejoiced; my body also will live in hope, because you will not leave my soul in Hades13, nor permit your Holy One to experience (ἰδεῖν, another form of εἴδω) decay.  You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of joy with your presence.

“Brothers, I can speak confidently to you about our forefather David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.  So then, because he was a prophet and knew (εἰδὼς, another form of εἴδω) that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants14 on his throne, David by foreseeing (προιδὼν, a form of προείδω) this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he15 was neither16 abandoned17 to Hades, nor18 did his body experience (εἶδεν, a form of ὁράω) decay.  This Jesus God raised up, and we are all witnesses (μάρτυρες, a form of μάρτυς) of it.  So then, exalted to the right hand of God, and having received the promise (ἐπαγγελίαν, a form of ἐπαγγελία) of the Holy Spirit19 from the Father, he has poured out what you both20 see (βλέπετε, a form βλέπω) and hear (ἀκούετε, a form of ἀκούω).  For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’  Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt that God has made (ἐποίησεν, a form of ποιέω) this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.”

Now when they heard this, they were acutely distressed21 and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “What should we do (ποιήσωμεν, another form of ποιέω), brothers?”  Peter said22 to them, “Repent (μετανοήσατε, a form of μετανοέω), and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness (ἄφεσιν, a form of ἄφεσις) of your23 sins24 (ἁμαρτιῶν, a form of ἁμαρτία), and you will receive the gift (δωρεὰν) of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise (ἐπαγγελία) is for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”  With many other words he testified25 and exhorted them saying, “Save yourselves from this perverse generation!”  So those who accepted26 his message were baptized, and that27 day about three thousand people were added.

 

Addendum: October 21, 2018
Tables of Acts 2:14; 2:17; 2:20; 2:22, 23; 2:25-27; 2:29-31; 2:33, 34; 2:37, 38 and 2:40, 41 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Acts 2:14 (NET) Acts 2:14 (KJV)
But Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: “You men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen carefully to what I say. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
Σταθεὶς δὲ ὁ Πέτρος σὺν τοῖς ἕνδεκα ἐπῆρεν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπεφθέγξατο αὐτοῖς, ἄνδρες Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες Ἰερουσαλὴμ πάντες, τοῦτο ὑμῖν γνωστὸν ἔστω καὶ ἐνωτίσασθε τὰ ρήματα μου σταθεις δε πετρος συν τοις ενδεκα επηρεν την φωνην αυτου και απεφθεγξατο αυτοις ανδρες ιουδαιοι και οι κατοικουντες ιερουσαλημ απαντες τουτο υμιν γνωστον εστω και ενωτισασθε τα ρηματα μου σταθεις δε πετρος συν τοις ενδεκα επηρεν την φωνην αυτου και απεφθεγξατο αυτοις ανδρες ιουδαιοι και οι κατοικουντες ιερουσαλημ απαντες τουτο υμιν γνωστον εστω και ενωτισασθε τα ρηματα μου
Acts 2:17 (NET) Acts 2:17 (KJV)
And in the last days it will be, God says, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ἔσται ἐν ταῖς ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις, λέγει ὁ θεός, ἐκχεῶ ἀπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος μου ἐπὶ πᾶσαν σάρκα, καὶ προφητεύσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν καὶ αἱ θυγατέρες ὑμῶν καὶ οἱ νεανίσκοι ὑμῶν ὁράσεις ὄψονται καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ὑμῶν ἐνυπνίοις ἐνυπνιασθήσονται και εσται εν ταις εσχαταις ημεραις λεγει ο θεος εκχεω απο του πνευματος μου επι πασαν σαρκα και προφητευσουσιν οι υιοι υμων και αι θυγατερες υμων και οι νεανισκοι υμων ορασεις οψονται και οι πρεσβυτεροι υμων ενυπνια ενυπνιασθησονται και εσται εν ταις εσχαταις ημεραις λεγει ο θεος εκχεω απο του πνευματος μου επι πασαν σαρκα και προφητευσουσιν οι υιοι υμων και αι θυγατερες υμων και οι νεανισκοι υμων ορασεις οψονται και οι πρεσβυτεροι υμων ενυπνια ενυπνιασθησονται
Acts 2:20 (NET) Acts 2:20 (KJV)
The sun will be changed to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ὁ ἥλιος μεταστραφήσεται εἰς σκότος καὶ ἡ σελήνη εἰς αἷμα, πρὶν ἐλθεῖν ἡμέραν κυρίου τὴν μεγάλην καὶ ἐπιφανῆ ο ηλιος μεταστραφησεται εις σκοτος και η σεληνη εις αιμα πριν η ελθειν την ημεραν κυριου την μεγαλην και επιφανη ο ηλιος μεταστραφησεται εις σκοτος και η σεληνη εις αιμα πριν η ελθειν την ημεραν κυριου την μεγαλην και επιφανη
Acts 2:22, 23 (NET) Acts 2:22, 23 (KJV)
Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man clearly attested to you by God with powerful deeds, wonders, and miraculous signs that God performed among you through him, just as you yourselves know  – Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
῎Ανδρες Ἰσραηλῖται, ἀκούσατε τοὺς λόγους τούτους· Ἰησοῦν τὸν Ναζωραῖον, ἄνδρα ἀποδεδειγμένον ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ εἰς ὑμᾶς δυνάμεσι καὶ τέρασι καὶ σημείοις οἷς ἐποίησεν δι᾿ αὐτοῦ ὁ θεὸς ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν καθὼς αὐτοὶ οἴδατε ανδρες ισραηλιται ακουσατε τους λογους τουτους ιησουν τον ναζωραιον ανδρα απο του θεου αποδεδειγμενον εις υμας δυναμεσιν και τερασιν και σημειοις οις εποιησεν δι αυτου ο θεος εν μεσω υμων καθως και αυτοι οιδατε ανδρες ισραηλιται ακουσατε τους λογους τουτους ιησουν τον ναζωραιον ανδρα απο του θεου αποδεδειγμενον εις υμας δυναμεσιν και τερασιν και σημειοις οις εποιησεν δι αυτου ο θεος εν μεσω υμων καθως και αυτοι οιδατε
this man, who was handed over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed by nailing him to a cross at the hands of Gentiles. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
τοῦτον τῇ ὡρισμένῃ βουλῇ καὶ προγνώσει τοῦ θεοῦ ἔκδοτον διὰ χειρὸς ἀνόμων προσπήξαντες ἀνείλατε τουτον τη ωρισμενη βουλη και προγνωσει του θεου εκδοτον λαβοντες δια χειρων ανομων προσπηξαντες ανειλετε τουτον τη ωρισμενη βουλη και προγνωσει του θεου εκδοτον λαβοντες δια χειρων ανομων προσπηξαντες ανειλετε
Acts 2:25-27 (NET) Acts 2:25-27 (KJV)
For David says about him, ‘I saw the Lord always in front of me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
Δαυὶδ γὰρ λέγει εἰς αὐτόν προορώμην τὸν κύριον ἐνώπιον μου διὰ παντός, ὅτι ἐκ δεξιῶν μού ἐστιν ἵνα μὴ σαλευθῶ δαβιδ γαρ λεγει εις αυτον προωρωμην τον κυριον ενωπιον μου δια παντος οτι εκ δεξιων μου εστιν ινα μη σαλευθω δαυιδ γαρ λεγει εις αυτον προωρωμην τον κυριον ενωπιον μου δια παντος οτι εκ δεξιων μου εστιν ινα μη σαλευθω
Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced; my body also will live in hope, Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
διὰ τοῦτο ἠυφράνθη  ἡ καρδία |μου| καὶ ἠγαλλιάσατο ἡ γλῶσσα μου, ἔτι δὲ καὶ ἡ σάρξ μου κατασκηνώσει ἐπ᾿ ἐλπίδι δια τουτο ευφρανθη η καρδια μου και ηγαλλιασατο η γλωσσα μου ετι δε και η σαρξ μου κατασκηνωσει επ ελπιδι δια τουτο ευφρανθη η καρδια μου και ηγαλλιασατο η γλωσσα μου ετι δε και η σαρξ μου κατασκηνωσει επ ελπιδι
because you will not leave my soul in Hades, nor permit your Holy One to experience decay. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ὅτι οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψεις τὴν ψυχήν μου εἰς ᾅδην οὐδὲ δώσεις τὸν ὅσιον σου ἰδεῖν διαφθοράν οτι ουκ εγκαταλειψεις την ψυχην μου εις αδου ουδε δωσεις τον οσιον σου ιδειν διαφθοραν οτι ουκ εγκαταλειψεις την ψυχην μου εις αδου ουδε δωσεις τον οσιον σου ιδειν διαφθοραν
Acts 2:29-31 (NET) Acts 2:29-31 (KJV)
“Brothers, I can speak confidently to you about our forefather David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
῎Ανδρες ἀδελφοί, ἐξὸν εἰπεῖν μετὰ παρρησίας πρὸς ὑμᾶς περὶ τοῦ πατριάρχου Δαυὶδ ὅτι καὶ ἐτελεύτησεν καὶ ἐτάφη, καὶ τὸ μνῆμα αὐτοῦ ἔστιν ἐν ἡμῖν ἄχρι τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ανδρες αδελφοι εξον ειπειν μετα παρρησιας προς υμας περι του πατριαρχου δαβιδ οτι και ετελευτησεν και εταφη και το μνημα αυτου εστιν εν ημιν αχρι της ημερας ταυτης ανδρες αδελφοι εξον ειπειν μετα παρρησιας προς υμας περι του πατριαρχου δαυιδ οτι και ετελευτησεν και εταφη και το μνημα αυτου εστιν εν ημιν αχρι της ημερας ταυτης
So then, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
προφήτης οὖν ὑπάρχων καὶ εἰδὼς ὅτι ὅρκῳ ὤμοσεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς ἐκ καρποῦ τῆς ὀσφύος αὐτοῦ καθίσαι ἐπὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ προφητης ουν υπαρχων και ειδως οτι ορκω ωμοσεν αυτω ο θεος εκ καρπου της οσφυος αυτου το κατα σαρκα αναστησειν τον χριστον καθισαι επι του θρονου αυτου προφητης ουν υπαρχων και ειδως οτι ορκω ωμοσεν αυτω ο θεος εκ καρπου της οσφυος αυτου το κατα σαρκα αναστησειν τον χριστον καθισαι επι του θρονου αυτου
David by foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did his body experience decay. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
προιδὼν ἐλάλησεν περὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὅτι οὔτε ἐγκατελείφθη εἰς ᾅδην οὔτε ἡ σὰρξ αὐτοῦ εἶδεν διαφθοράν προιδων ελαλησεν περι της αναστασεως του χριστου οτι ου κατελειφθη η ψυχη αυτου εις αδου ουδε η σαρξ αυτου ειδεν διαφθοραν προιδων ελαλησεν περι της αναστασεως του χριστου οτι ου κατελειφθη η ψυχη αυτου εις αδου ουδε η σαρξ αυτου ειδεν διαφθοραν
Acts 2:33, 34 (NET) Acts 2:33, 34 (KJV)
So then, exalted to the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out what you both see and hear. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
τῇ δεξιᾷ οὖν τοῦ θεοῦ ὑψωθείς, τήν τε ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πνεύματος τοῦ ἁγίου λαβὼν παρὰ τοῦ πατρός, ἐξέχεεν τοῦτο ὃ ὑμεῖς [καὶ] βλέπετε καὶ ἀκούετε τη δεξια ουν του θεου υψωθεις την τε επαγγελιαν του αγιου πνευματος λαβων παρα του πατρος εξεχεεν τουτο ο νυν υμεις βλεπετε και ακουετε τη δεξια ουν του θεου υψωθεις την τε επαγγελιαν του αγιου πνευματος λαβων παρα του πατρος εξεχεεν τουτο ο νυν υμεις βλεπετε και ακουετε
For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my lord, Sit at my right hand For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
οὐ γὰρ Δαυὶδ ἀνέβη εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς, λέγει δὲ αὐτός εἶπεν [ὁ] κύριος τῷ κυρίῳ μου κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου ου γαρ δαβιδ ανεβη εις τους ουρανους λεγει δε αυτος ειπεν ο κυριος τω κυριω μου καθου εκ δεξιων μου ου γαρ δαυιδ ανεβη εις τους ουρανους λεγει δε αυτος ειπεν ο κυριος τω κυριω μου καθου εκ δεξιων μου
Acts 2:37, 38 (NET) Acts 2:37, 38 (KJV)
Now when they heard this, they were acutely distressed and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “What should we do, brothers?” Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
Ἀκούσαντες δὲ κατενύγησαν τὴν καρδίαν εἶπον τε πρὸς τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τοὺς λοιποὺς ἀποστόλους· τί ποιήσωμεν, ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί; ακουσαντες δε κατενυγησαν τη καρδια ειπον τε προς τον πετρον και τους λοιπους αποστολους τι ποιησομεν ανδρες αδελφοι ακουσαντες δε κατενυγησαν τη καρδια ειπον τε προς τον πετρον και τους λοιπους αποστολους τι ποιησομεν ανδρες αδελφοι
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
Πέτρος δὲ πρὸς αὐτούς· μετανοήσατε, [φησίν,] καὶ βαπτισθήτω ἕκαστος ὑμῶν |ἐπὶ| τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ εἰς ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ὑμῶν καὶ λήμψεσθε τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος πετρος δε εφη προς αυτους μετανοησατε και βαπτισθητω εκαστος υμων επι τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων και ληψεσθε την δωρεαν του αγιου πνευματος πετρος δε εφη προς αυτους μετανοησατε και βαπτισθητω εκαστος υμων επι τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων και ληψεσθε την δωρεαν του αγιου πνευματος
Acts 2:40, 41 (NET) Acts 2:40, 41 (KJV)
With many other words he testified and exhorted them saying, “Save yourselves from this perverse generation!” And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ἑτέροις τε λόγοις πλείοσιν διεμαρτύρατο καὶ παρεκάλει αὐτοὺς λέγων· σώθητε ἀπὸ τῆς γενεᾶς τῆς σκολιᾶς ταύτης ετεροις τε λογοις πλειοσιν διεμαρτυρετο και παρεκαλει λεγων σωθητε απο της γενεας της σκολιας ταυτης ετεροις τε λογοις πλειοσιν διεμαρτυρετο και παρεκαλει λεγων σωθητε απο της γενεας της σκολιας ταυτης
So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
οἱ μὲν οὖν ἀποδεξάμενοι τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ ἐβαπτίσθησαν καὶ προσετέθησαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ψυχαὶ ὡσεὶ τρισχίλιαι οι μεν ουν ασμενως αποδεξαμενοι τον λογον αυτου εβαπτισθησαν και προσετεθησαν τη ημερα εκεινη ψυχαι ωσει τρισχιλιαι οι μεν ουν ασμενως αποδεξαμενοι τον λογον αυτου εβαπτισθησαν και προσετεθησαν τη ημερα εκεινη ψυχαι ωσει τρισχιλιαι

3 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had την preceding day. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

4 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had η preceding comes. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

7 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και preceding yourselves.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

8 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had λαβοντες (KJV: ye have taken) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

12 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἠυφράνθη here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ευφρανθη (KJV: did…rejoice).

13 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ᾅδην here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αδου (KJV: hell).

14 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had το κατα σαρκα αναστησειν τον χριστον (KJV: according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

15 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had η ψυχη αυτου (KJV: his soul) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

16 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὔτε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ου (KJV: not).

18 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὔτε here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουδε (KJV: neither).

19 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τοῦ preceding Spirit.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

20 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had νυν (KJV: now).

22 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had φησίν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εφη (KJV: said).

24 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had τῶν preceding sins.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

26 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ασμενως (KJV: gladly) preceding accepted.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

27 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐν preceding that.  The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

Forgiveness and my Religious Mind

If Jesus prayed Father, leave them (ἄφετε αὐτούς), for they don’t know what they are doing, as He was crucified rather than Father, forgive them (αφες αυτοις), for they don’t know (οἴδασιν, a form of εἴδω) what they are doing (ποιοῦσιν, a form of ποιέω), that’s a big difference, too big to turn on the translation of one word (αφετε and αφες are forms of ἀφίημι).  Yet that seems to be my only choice when comparing Luke 23:34 with Matthew 15:14.

In Matthew 15:14 (NET) Jesus spoke to his disciples about the Pharisees, Leave (ἄφετε, a form of ἀφίημι) them!  They are blind guides.  If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.  In Luke 23:34 the Greek word εἴδω is the knowledge gained by seeing.  In contemporary colloquial usage then the word might be translated, Father, forgive them, for they don’t [see] what they are doing.  Both suffer from a lack of vision on the path they have chosen.  But the disciples were told to leave the one and God was implored to forgive the other.

My religious mind is tempted to consider that Jesus actually prayed Father, [leave them], for they don’t know what they are doing for one reason, and one reason only.  It likes rules, laws, guidelines and principles, for others certainly, but even for itself.  Within the bounds of those rules, laws, guidelines and principles it feels safe and righteous.  Adherence to rules is its primary means of self-justification.  Without rules, laws, guidelines and principles it feels desperate and lost.  My religious mind expects Jesus to follow the rules, too, particularly the rule of ἀφίημι He inspired in 1 John 1:9 and 10 (if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins) and articulated in Luke 17:3 and 4 (If he repents, forgive him).  But God did not bind Himself to rules when it comes to being gracious or showing mercy to humanity.

I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy1 He said to Moses even after giving the law at Mount Sinai.  It makes sense then that the dying Son of God would not be constrained by the rule of ἀφίημι when he prayed for forgiveness for humanity to his Father the living God.  And John wrote (1 John 2:1, 2 NET):

(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin [ἁμάρτητε, a form of ἁμαρτάνω].)  But if anyone does sin (ἁμάρτῃ, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we have an advocate (παράκλητον, a form of παράκλητος) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One (δίκαιον, a form of δίκαιος), and he himself is the atoning sacrifice (ἱλασμός) for our sins (ἁμαρτιῶν, a form of ἁμαρτία), and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

Paul wrote (Romans 8:31-39 NET):

What then shall we say about these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but2 gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is the one who will condemn?  Christ is the one who died (and more than that,3 he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  As it is written, “For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered (See Table1 below) [Table].”  No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But I would like to know what Jesus thought about it.  Interestingly, He left enough clues to indicate what He was thinking and what He was believing, the literal content of the faith that sustained Him as He died on the cross.  At about three4 o’clock Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema5 sabachthani?” that is,My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”6  This is the first line of Psalm 22 (See Table2 below).  When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!”  Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.7 Completion or accomplishment of salvation is the last thought of Psalm 22 (NET).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
I groan in prayer, but help seems far away [Table].
My God, I cry out during the day,
but you do not answer,
and during the night my prayers do not let up [Table].

You are holy;
you sit as king receiving the praises of Israel [Table].
In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted in you and you rescued them [Table].
To you they cried out, and they were saved;
in you they trusted and they were not disappointed [Table].

But I am a worm, not a man;
people insult me and despise me [Table].
All who see me taunt me;
they mock me and shake their heads [Table].
They say,
“Commit yourself to the Lord!
Let the Lord rescue him!
Let the Lord deliver him, for he delights in him [Table].”

Yes, you are the one who brought me out from the womb
and made me feel secure on my mother’s breasts [Table].
I have been dependent on you since birth;
from the time I came out of my mother’s womb you have been my God [Table].
Do not remain far away from me,
for trouble is near and I have no one to help me [Table].

Many bulls surround me;
powerful bulls of Bashan hem me in [Table].
They open their mouths to devour me
like a roaring lion that rips its prey [Table].
My strength drains away like water;
all my bones are dislocated;
my heart is like wax;
it melts away inside me [Table].
The roof of my mouth is as dry as a piece of pottery;
my tongue sticks to my gums.

You set me in the dust of death [Table].
Yes, wild dogs surround me –
a gang of evil men crowd around me;
like a lion they pin my hands and feet [Table].
I can count all my bones;
my enemies are gloating over me in triumph [Table].
They are dividing up my clothes among themselves;
they are rolling dice for my garments [Table].

But you, O Lord, do not remain far away!
You are my source of strength!  Hurry and help me [Table]!
Deliver me from the sword!
Save my life from the claws of the wild dogs [Table]!
Rescue me from the mouth of the lion,
and from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered me! [Table]

I will declare your name to my countrymen!
In the middle of the assembly I will praise you! [Table]
You loyal followers of the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
All you descendants of Israel, stand in awe of him! [Table]
For he did not despise or detest the suffering of the oppressed;
he did not ignore him;
when he cried out to him, he responded [Table].

You are the reason I offer praise in the great assembly;
I will fulfill my promises before the Lord’s loyal followers [Table].
Let the oppressed eat and be filled!
Let those who seek his help praise the Lord!
May you live forever! [Table]

Let all the people of the earth acknowledge the Lord and turn to him!

Let all the nations worship you! [Table]
For the Lord is king
and rules over the nations [Table].
All of the thriving people of the earth will join the celebration and worship;
all those who are descending into the grave will bow before him,
including those who cannot preserve their lives [Table].
A whole generation will serve him;
they will tell the next generation about the sovereign Lord [Table].
They will come and tell about his saving deeds;
they will tell a future generation what he has accomplished [Table].

Here is the forgiveness, the mercy, the grace and salvation of God in Jesus the Christ.  I do not doubt that Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.

 

 

Addendum: October 12, 2018
Tables comparing the Greek of the Old Testament quotation in Romans 8:36b with Psalm 44:22 and that in Matthew 27:46 with Psalm 22:1a in the Septuagint, and tables of Romans 8:32; 8:34 and Matthew 27:46 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Romans 8:36b (NET parallel Greek)

Psalm 44:22 (Septuagint)

ὅτι ἕνεκεν σοῦ θανατούμεθα ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν, ἐλογίσθημεν ὡς πρόβατα σφαγῆς ὅτι ἕνεκα σοῦ θανατούμεθα ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐλογίσθημεν ὡς πρόβατα σφαγῆς
Matthew 27:46b (NET parallel Greek)

Psalm 22:1a (Septuagint)

Θεέ μου θεέ μου, ἱνατί με ἐγκατέλιπες θεὸς θεός μου πρόσχες μοι ἵνα τί ἐγκατέλιπές με
Romans 8:32 (NET)

Romans 8:32 (KJV)

Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὅς γε τοῦ ἰδίου υἱοῦ οὐκ ἐφείσατο ἀλλὰ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πάντων παρέδωκεν αὐτόν, πῶς οὐχὶ καὶ σὺν αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα ἡμῖν χαρίσεται ος γε του ιδιου υιου ουκ εφεισατο αλλ υπερ ημων παντων παρεδωκεν αυτον πως ουχι και συν αυτω τα παντα ημιν χαρισεται ος γε του ιδιου υιου ουκ εφεισατο αλλ υπερ ημων παντων παρεδωκεν αυτον πως ουχι και συν αυτω τα παντα ημιν χαρισεται
Romans 8:34 (NET)

Romans 8:34 (KJV)

Who is the one who will condemn?  Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. Who is he that condemneth?  It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
τίς ὁ κατακρινῶν; Χριστὸς  ὁ ἀποθανών (μᾶλλον δὲ ἐγερθείς ), ὃς |καί| ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ, ὃς καὶ ἐντυγχάνει ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τις ο κατακρινων χριστος ο αποθανων μαλλον δε και εγερθεις ος και εστιν εν δεξια του θεου ος και εντυγχανει υπερ ημων τις ο κατακρινων χριστος ο αποθανων μαλλον δε και εγερθεις ος και εστιν εν δεξια του θεου ος και εντυγχανει υπερ ημων

Matthew 27:46 (NET)

Matthew 27:46 (KJV)

At about three o’clock Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
περὶ δὲ τὴν ἐνάτην ὥραν |ἀνεβόησεν| ὁ Ἰησοῦς φωνῇ μεγάλῃ λέγων· |ἠλι ἠλι| λεμα σαβαχθανι; τοῦτ᾿ ἔστιν· Θεέ μου θεέ μου, ἱνατί με ἐγκατέλιπες περι δε την εννατην ωραν ανεβοησεν ο ιησους φωνη μεγαλη λεγων ηλι ηλι λαμα σαβαχθανι τουτ εστιν θεε μου θεε μου ινα τι με εγκατελιπες περι δε την ενατην ωραν ανεβοησεν ο ιησους φωνη μεγαλη λεγων ηλι ηλι λιμα σαβαχθανι τουτ εστιν θεε μου θεε μου ινα τι με εγκατελιπες

1 Exodus 33:19b (NET) Table

3 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μαλλον δε και (KJV: yea rather) here, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply μᾶλλον δὲ.

6 Matthew 27:46 (NET)

7 John 19:30 (NET)

Forgiveness

After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to his disciples (John 20:21-23 NET):

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.  Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.”  And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) anyone’s sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία), they are forgiven (ἀφέωνται, another form of ἀφίημι); if you retain (κρατῆτε, a form of κρατέω) anyone’s sins, they are retained (κεκράτηνται, another form of κρατέω).”

In John 20:23 (NET) Jesus contrasted forgiving (ἀφίημι) sins to retaining (κρατέω) them.  The contrast in Matthew 4:11 (NET) is that the devil left (ἀφίησιν, another form of ἀφίημι) [Jesus], and angels came (προσῆλθον, a form of προσέρχομαι) and began ministering to his needs.  In Matthew 4:20 (NET) Simon (called Peter) and Andrew left (ἀφέντες, another form of ἀφίημι) their nets immediately and followed (ἠκολούθησαν, a form of ἀκολουθέω) [Jesus].  In Matthew 9:25 (NET) krateō, (κρατέω) is contrasted to ekballō (ἐκβάλλω):  But when the crowd had been put outside (ἐξεβλήθη, a form of ἐκβάλλω), he went in and gently took (ἐκράτησεν, another form of κρατέω) her by the hand, and the girl got up.

I get the point that to forgive another’s sins, I send those sins away from that person, creating a distance, rather than holding them close.  This is something I do in my mind, not recalling a sin as I recall the forgiven person.  But John 20:21-23 seems to indicate that the consequence of doing (or not doing) so is farther-reaching than my mind.

Jesus taught his followers to pray (Matthew 6:12 NET), forgive (ἄφες, another form of ἀφίημι) us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven1 (ἀφήκαμεν, another form of ἀφίημι) our debtors.  How easily such prayer could become a self-invoked curse (Matthew 6:14, 15 NET): For if you forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) others their sins (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα), your heavenly Father will also forgive (ἀφήσει, another form of ἀφίημι) you.  But if you do not forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) others,2 your Father will not forgive (ἀφήσει, another form of ἀφίημι) you your sins (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα).

Jesus’ teaching recorded in Matthew 18:15-20 (NET) offers a counter example to 1 John 1:9 and 10, and aligns with his teaching recorded in John 20:21-23:

If your brother sins (ἁμαρτήσῃ, a form of ἁμαρτάνω),3 go and4 show him his fault (ἔλεγξον, a form of ἐλέγχω) when the two of you are alone.  If he listens (ἀκούσῃ, a form of ἀκούω) to you, you have regained (ἐκέρδησας, a form of κερδαίνω) your brother.  But if he does not listen (ἀκούσῃ, a form of ἀκούω), take one or two others with you, so that at the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established.  If he refuses to listen (παρακούσῃ, a form of παρακούω) to them, tell it to the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ).  If he refuses to listen (παρακούσῃ, a form of παρακούω) to the church (ἐκκλησίας, a form of ἐκκλησία), treat him like a Gentile or a tax collector.  I tell you the truth, whatever you bind (δήσητε, a form of δέω) on earth will have been bound (δεδεμένα, another form of δέω) in heaven,5 and whatever you release (λύσητε, a form of λύω) on earth will have been released (λελυμένα, another form of λύω) in heaven.  Again, I tell you the truth6, if two of7 you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.  For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.

This passage begins with instruction how to handle a person who will not confess (ὁμολογῶμεν, a form of ὁμολογέω) sin (1 John 1:9, 10 NET).

But if we confess (ὁμολογῶμεν, a form of ὁμολογέω) our sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία), he is faithful (πιστός) and righteous (δίκαιος), forgiving (ἀφῇ, another form of  ἀφίημι) us our sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία) and cleansing (καθαρίσῃ, a form of καθαρίζω) us from all unrighteousness (ἀδικίας, a form of ἀδικία).  If we say we have not sinned (ἡμαρτήκαμεν, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we make (ποιοῦμεν, a form of ποιέω) him a liar and his word (λόγος) is not in us.

To confess (ὁμολογῶμεν, a form of ὁμολογέω) sin is to acknowledge the word (λόγος) of Jesus concerning sin, to agree with Him that the thing in question is sin.  The purpose is not to humiliate the sinner but to regain (ἐκέρδησας, a form κερδαίνω) a brother (as opposed to winning an argument).  That purpose remains throughout, up to and including shunning.  Forgiveness is not given out of the fear of Matthew 6:14 and 15, but on the basis of God’s own forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  It is also important that the λόγος of Jesus is truly the basis for determining sin as opposed to some distinctive of a religious sect.

The binding and releasing of Matthew 18:18 seem to correspond to forgiving and retaining sins in John 20:23.  There is apparently an ongoing debate whether the binding and releasing will have been or will be bound or released in heaven.  The point seems moot.  In either case the agreement of two on earth as to what is to be bound or released, forgiven or retained, carries the imprimatur of heaven.  It’s a sobering thought.  But the scale tips toward releasing and forgiving because of the character of God.

The passage continues (Matthew 18:21, 22 NET):

Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how many times must I forgive (ἀφήσω, another form of ἀφίημι) my brother who sins against me?  As many as seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times!”

Then Jesus told a parable that might shed some light on how literal one should be about seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:23-35 NET).

“For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves.  As he began settling his accounts, a man who owed ten thousand talents was brought to him.  Because he was not able to repay it, the8 lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed,9 and repayment to be made.  Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying,10 ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.’  The lord had compassion on that slave and released (ἀπέλυσεν, a form of ἀπολύω) him, and forgave (ἀφῆκεν, another form of ἀφίημι) him the debt.  After he went out, that same slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him one hundred silver coins.  So he grabbed him by the throat and started to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back11 what12 you owe me!’  Then his fellow slave threw himself down13 and begged (παρεκάλει, a form of παρακαλέω) him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay14 you.’  But he refused.  Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until15 he repaid the debt.  When16 his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very upset and went and told their17 lord everything that had taken place.  Then his lord called the first slave and said to him, ‘Evil slave!  I forgave (ἀφῆκα, another form of ἀφίημι) you all that debt because you begged (παρεκάλεσας, another form of παρακαλέω) me!  Should you not have shown mercy (ἐλεῆσαι, a form of ἐλεέω) to your fellow slave, just as I18 showed (ἠλέησα, another form of ἐλεέω) it to you?’  And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him until he repaid all he owed.19  So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) your brother from your heart.”20

Have faith (πίστιν, a form of πίστις) in God, Jesus told his disciples.21  For this reason I tell you, whatever22 you pray23 and24 ask for,25 believe (πιστεύετε, a form of πιστεύω) that you have received26 it, and it will be yours.27  The topic here is not forgiveness but faith in God and believing what one asks for in prayer.  Yet the connection between faith in God and forgiveness is so strong in Jesus’ mind that I find his thumb on the scale again (Mark 11:25 NET):

Whenever you stand28 praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive (ἀφίετε, another form of ἀφίημι) him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive (ἀφῇ, another form of ἀφίημι) you your sins (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα).

Watch yourselves! Jesus said.  If29 your brother sins (ἁμάρτῃ, another form of ἁμαρτάνω),30 rebuke (ἐπιτίμησον, a form of ἐπιτιμάω) him. If he repents (μετανοήσῃ, a form of μετανοέω), forgive (ἄφες, another form of ἀφίημι) him.  Even if he sins (ἁμαρτήσῃ, another form of ἁμαρτάνω)31 against you seven times in a day, and seven times32 returns to33 you saying, “I repent (μετανοῶ, another form of μετανοέω),” you must forgive (ἀφήσεις, another form of ἀφίημι) him.34  It is worth noting that the sinner’s repentance did not mean that the sinner’s sin had ceased.  On the contrary, Jesus’ thumb is most heavy on the scale, tipping it toward release and forgiveness, when sin against God was arguably at its zenith (Luke 23:33 NET):

So when they came35 to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified [Jesus] there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

It was then and there that Jesus interceded for all humanity (Luke 23:34a NET):

Father, forgive them (αφες αυτοις), for they don’t know (οἴδασιν, a form of εἴδω) what they are doing (ποιοῦσιν, another form of ποιέω).

He didn’t follow the rule of ἀφίημι He inspired in 1 John 1:9 and 10 or articulated in Luke 17:3 and 4.  Jesus didn’t wait for humanity to confess (ὁμολογέω) sin or repent (μετανοέω) but prayed that God his Father would forgive anyway.  It is safe to assume that Jesus has faith in God, that He believes what He prayed and that He expects to receive what He prayed.

Or, perhaps, αφες (a form of ἀφίημι) should have been translated leave rather than forgive in Luke 23:34 (NET) as it was in Matthew 15:14 (NET):

Leave them (αφετε αυτους)!  They are blind guides.36 If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.

 

Addendum: October 6, 2018
Tables of Matthew 6:12; 6:15; 18:15; 18:18, 19; 18:25, 26; 18:28-31; 18:33-35; Mark 11:22; 11:24, 25; Luke 17:3, 4; 23:33, 34 and Matthew 15:14 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Matthew 6:12 (NET)

Matthew 6:12 (KJV)

and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφιεμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφιεμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων
Matthew 6:15 (NET)

Matthew 6:15 (KJV)

But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις , οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων
Matthew 18:15 (NET)

Matthew 18:15 (KJV)

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone.  If he listens to you, you have regained your brother. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἐὰν δὲ ἁμαρτήσῃ  ὁ ἀδελφός σου, ὕπαγε ἔλεγξον αὐτὸν μεταξὺ σοῦ καὶ αὐτοῦ μόνου. ἐάν σου ἀκούσῃ, ἐκέρδησας τὸν ἀδελφόν σου εαν δε αμαρτηση εις σε ο αδελφος σου υπαγε και ελεγξον αυτον μεταξυ σου και αυτου μονου εαν σου ακουση εκερδησας τον αδελφον σου εαν δε αμαρτηση εις σε ο αδελφος σου υπαγε και ελεγξον αυτον μεταξυ σου και αυτου μονου εαν σου ακουση εκερδησας τον αδελφον σου
Matthew 18:18, 19 (NET)

Matthew 18:18, 19 (KJV)

I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν· ὅσα ἐὰν δήσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται δεδεμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν λύσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται λελυμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ αμην λεγω υμιν οσα εαν δησητε επι της γης εσται δεδεμενα εν τω ουρανω και οσα εαν λυσητε επι της γης εσται λελυμενα εν τω ουρανω αμην λεγω υμιν οσα εαν δησητε επι της γης εσται δεδεμενα εν τω ουρανω και οσα εαν λυσητε επι της γης εσται λελυμενα εν τω ουρανω
Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Πάλιν [ἀμὴν] λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν δύο συμφωνήσωσιν ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς περὶ παντὸς πράγματος οὗ ἐὰν αἰτήσωνται, γενήσεται αὐτοῖς παρὰ τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς παλιν λεγω υμιν οτι εαν δυο υμων συμφωνησωσιν επι της γης περι παντος πραγματος ου εαν αιτησωνται γενησεται αυτοις παρα του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις παλιν αμην λεγω υμιν οτι εαν δυο υμων συμφωνησωσιν επι της γης περι παντος πραγματος ου εαν αιτησωνται γενησεται αυτοις παρα του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις
Matthew 18:25, 26 (NET)

Matthew 18:25, 26 (KJV)

Because he was not able to repay it, the lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed, and repayment to be made. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

μὴ ἔχοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος πραθῆναι καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ τέκνα καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἔχει, καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι μη εχοντος δε αυτου αποδουναι εκελευσεν αυτον ο κυριος αυτου πραθηναι και την γυναικα αυτου και τα τεκνα και παντα οσα ειχεν και αποδοθηναι μη εχοντος δε αυτου αποδουναι εκελευσεν αυτον ο κυριος αυτου πραθηναι και την γυναικα αυτου και τα τεκνα και παντα οσα ειχεν και αποδοθηναι
Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.’ The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

πεσὼν οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων· μακροθύμησον ἐπ᾿ ἐμοί, καὶ πάντα ἀποδώσω σοι πεσων ουν ο δουλος προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων κυριε μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα σοι αποδωσω πεσων ουν ο δουλος προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων κυριε μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα σοι αποδωσω
Matthew 18:28-31 (NET)

Matthew 18:28-31 (KJV)

After he went out, that same slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him one hundred silver coins.  So he grabbed him by the throat and started to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐξελθὼν δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος εὗρεν ἕνα τῶν συνδούλων αὐτοῦ, ὃς ὤφειλεν αὐτῷ ἑκατὸν δηνάρια, καὶ κρατήσας αὐτὸν ἔπνιγεν λέγων· ἀπόδος εἴ τι ὀφείλεις εξελθων δε ο δουλος εκεινος ευρεν ενα των συνδουλων αυτου ος ωφειλεν αυτω εκατον δηναρια και κρατησας αυτον επνιγεν λεγων αποδος μοι ο τι οφειλεις εξελθων δε ο δουλος εκεινος ευρεν ενα των συνδουλων αυτου ος ωφειλεν αυτω εκατον δηναρια και κρατησας αυτον επνιγεν λεγων αποδος μοι ει τι οφειλεις
Then his fellow slave threw himself down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you.’ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

πεσὼν οὖν ὁ σύνδουλος αὐτοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν λέγων· μακροθύμησον ἐπ᾿ ἐμοί, καὶ ἀποδώσω σοι πεσων ουν ο συνδουλος αυτου εις τους ποδας αυτου παρεκαλει αυτον λεγων μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα αποδωσω σοι πεσων ουν ο συνδουλος αυτου εις τους ποδας αυτου παρεκαλει αυτον λεγων μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και αποδωσω σοι
But he refused.  Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until he repaid the debt. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἀλλὰ ἀπελθὼν ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν ἕως ἀποδῷ τὸ ὀφειλόμενον ο δε ουκ ηθελεν αλλα απελθων εβαλεν αυτον εις φυλακην εως ου αποδω το οφειλομενον ο δε ουκ ηθελεν αλλα απελθων εβαλεν αυτον εις φυλακην εως ου αποδω το οφειλομενον
When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very upset and went and told their lord everything that had taken place. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἰδόντες οὖν οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ τὰ γενόμενα ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα καὶ ἐλθόντες διεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν πάντα τὰ γενόμενα ιδοντες δε οι συνδουλοι αυτου τα γενομενα ελυπηθησαν σφοδρα και ελθοντες διεσαφησαν τω κυριω αυτων παντα τα γενομενα ιδοντες δε οι συνδουλοι αυτου τα γενομενα ελυπηθησαν σφοδρα και ελθοντες διεσαφησαν τω κυριω εαυτων παντα τα γενομενα

Matthew 18:33-35 (NET)

Matthew 18:33-35 (KJV)

Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?’ Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι τὸν σύνδουλον σου, ὡς καγὼ σὲ ἠλέησα ουκ εδει και σε ελεησαι τον συνδουλον σου ως και εγω σε ηλεησα ουκ εδει και σε ελεησαι τον συνδουλον σου ως και εγω σε ηλεησα
And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him until he repaid all he owed. And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ὀργισθεὶς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν τοῖς βασανισταῖς ἕως |οὗ| ἀποδῷ πᾶν τὸ ὀφειλόμενον και οργισθεις ο κυριος αυτου παρεδωκεν αυτον τοις βασανισταις εως ου αποδω παν το οφειλομενον αυτω και οργισθεις ο κυριος αυτου παρεδωκεν αυτον τοις βασανισταις εως ου αποδω παν το οφειλομενον αυτω
So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

οὕτως καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος ποιήσει ὑμῖν, ἐὰν μὴ ἀφῆτε ἕκαστος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν ουτως και ο πατηρ μου ο επουρανιος ποιησει υμιν εαν μη αφητε εκαστος τω αδελφω αυτου απο των καρδιων υμων τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουτως και ο πατηρ μου ο επουρανιος ποιησει υμιν εαν μη αφητε εκαστος τω αδελφω αυτου απο των καρδιων υμων τα παραπτωματα αυτων

Mark 11:22 (NET)

Mark 11:22 (KJV)

Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς Ἰησοῦς λέγει αὐτοῖς· ἔχετε πίστιν θεοῦ και αποκριθεις ιησους λεγει αυτοις εχετε πιστιν θεου και αποκριθεις ο ιησους λεγει αυτοις εχετε πιστιν θεου

Mark 11:24, 25 (NET)

Mark 11:24, 25 (KJV)

For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

διὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν, πάντα ὅσα προσεύχεσθε καὶ αἰτεῖσθε, πιστεύετε ὅτι ἐλάβετε, καὶ ἔσται ὑμῖν δια τουτο λεγω υμιν παντα οσα αν προσευχομενοι αιτεισθε πιστευετε οτι λαμβανετε και εσται υμιν δια τουτο λεγω υμιν παντα οσα αν προσευχομενοι αιτησθε πιστευετε οτι λαμβανετε και εσται υμιν
Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your sins.” And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ ὅταν στήκετε προσευχόμενοι, ἀφίετε εἴ τι ἔχετε κατά τινος, ἵνα καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς ἀφῇ ὑμῖν τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν και οταν στηκητε προσευχομενοι αφιετε ει τι εχετε κατα τινος ινα και ο πατηρ υμων ο εν τοις ουρανοις αφη υμιν τα παραπτωματα υμων και οταν στηκητε προσευχομενοι αφιετε ει τι εχετε κατα τινος ινα και ο πατηρ υμων ο εν τοις ουρανοις αφη υμιν τα παραπτωματα υμων
Luke 17:3, 4 (NET)

Luke 17:3, 4 (KJV)

Watch yourselves!  If your brother sins, rebuke him.  If he repents, forgive him. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

προσέχετε ἑαυτοῖς. Ἐὰν ἁμάρτῃ ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἐπιτίμησον αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐὰν μετανοήσῃ ἄφες αὐτῷ προσεχετε εαυτοις εαν δε αμαρτη εις σε ο αδελφος σου επιτιμησον αυτω και εαν μετανοηση αφες αυτω προσεχετε εαυτοις εαν δε αμαρτη εις σε ο αδελφος σου επιτιμησον αυτω και εαν μετανοηση αφες αυτω
Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 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.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἐὰν ἑπτάκις τῆς ἡμέρας ἁμαρτήσῃ εἰς σὲ καὶ ἑπτάκις ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς σὲ λέγων· μετανοῶ, ἀφήσεις αὐτῷ και εαν επτακις της ημερας αμαρτη εις σε και επτακις της ημερας επιστρεψη επι σε λεγων μετανοω αφησεις αυτω και εαν επτακις της ημερας αμαρτη εις σε και επτακις της ημερας επιστρεψη λεγων μετανοω αφησεις αυτω
Luke 23:33, 34 (NET)

Luke 23:33, 34 (KJV)

So when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Καὶ ὅτε ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τὸν καλούμενον Κρανίον, ἐκεῖ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτὸν καὶ τοὺς κακούργους, ὃν μὲν ἐκ δεξιῶν ὃν δὲ ἐξ ἀριστερῶν και οτε απηλθον επι τον τοπον τον καλουμενον κρανιον εκει εσταυρωσαν αυτον και τους κακουργους ον μεν εκ δεξιων ον δε εξ αριστερων και οτε απηλθον επι τον τοπον τον καλουμενον κρανιον εκει εσταυρωσαν αυτον και τους κακουργους ον μεν εκ δεξιων ον δε εξ αριστερων
[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”]  Then they threw dice to divide his clothes. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

NET Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

[[ὁ δε Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγεν· πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν.]] διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον |κλήρους| ο δε ιησους ελεγεν πατερ αφες αυτοις ου γαρ οιδασιν τι ποιουσιν διαμεριζομενοι δε τα ιματια αυτου εβαλον κληρον ο δε ιησους ελεγεν πατερ αφες αυτοις ου γαρ οιδασιν τι ποιουσιν διαμεριζομενοι δε τα ιματια αυτου εβαλον κληρον
Matthew 15:14 (NET)

Matthew 15:14 (KJV)

Leave them!  They are blind guides.  If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἄφετε αὐτούς· τυφλοί εἰσιν ὁδηγοί· τυφλὸς δὲ τυφλὸν ἐὰν ὁδηγῇ, ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται αφετε αυτους οδηγοι εισιν τυφλοι τυφλων τυφλος δε τυφλον εαν οδηγη αμφοτεροι εις βοθυνον πεσουνται αφετε αυτους οδηγοι εισιν τυφλοι τυφλων τυφλος δε τυφλον εαν οδηγη αμφοτεροι εις βοθυνον πεσουνται

 

Addendum: May 22, 2020
A table comparing Jesus’ quotation of Deuteronomy from the Septuagint follows.

Matthew 18:16b (NET Parallel Greek)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων τριῶν σταθῇ πᾶν ρῆμα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων στήσεται πᾶν ρῆμα

Matthew 18:16b (NET)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (English Elpenor)

at the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall any word be sustained. by the mouth of two witnesses, or by the mouth of three witnesses, shall every word be established

Tables comparing Deuteronomy 19:15 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and Deuteronomy 19:15 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Tanakh)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (NET)

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be establishment One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. A single witness may not testify against another person for any trespass or sin that he commits.  A matter may be legally established only on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)

οὐκ ἐμμενεῗ μάρτυς εἷς μαρτυρῆσαι κατὰ ἀνθρώπου κατὰ πᾶσαν ἀδικίαν καὶ κατὰ πᾶν ἁμάρτημα καὶ κατὰ πᾶσαν ἁμαρτίαν ἣν ἂν ἁμάρτῃ ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα Οὐκ ἐμμενεῖ μάρτυς εἷς μαρτυρῆσαι κατὰ ἀνθρώπου κατὰ πᾶσαν ἀδικίαν καὶ κατὰ πᾶν ἁμάρτημα καὶ κατὰ πᾶσαν ἁμαρτίαν, ἣν ἐὰν ἁμάρτῃ· ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων στήσεται πᾶν ρῆμα

Deuteronomy 19:15 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (English Elpenor)

One witness shall not suffice against a person in any injustice and in any wrongdoing and in any sin that he may sin.  By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall any word be sustained. One witness shall not stand to testify against a man for any iniquity, or for any fault, or for any sin which he may commit; by the mouth of two witnesses, or by the mouth of three witnesses, shall every word be established.

2 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τα παραπτωματα αυτων (KJV: their trespasses) following others.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

3 The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had εις σε (KJV: against thee) following sins.  The NET parallel Greek text did not.  With the words εις σε this is instruction for dealing with a fellow believer who sins against me personally. Without the words εις σε this is a command to police every believer I encounter.

4 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: and) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

5 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τω preceding heaven (both occurrences).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

8 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτου following both lord and wife (KJV: his).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

9 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἔχει here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειχεν (KJV: had).

10 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had κυριε (KJV: Lord) following saying.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μοι (KJV: me) following Pay back.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

12 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had ο τι (KJV: that) here, where the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had εἴ τι.

13 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις τους ποδας αυτου (KJV: at his feet) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

14 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had παντα (KJV: all) here.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

15 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εως ου (KJV: till) here, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply ἕως.

16 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὖν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε (KJV: So when).

18 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καγὼ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και εγω.

19 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτω (KJV: unto him) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

20 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τα παραπτωματα αυτων (KJV: their trespasses) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

21 Mark 11:22 (NET)

22 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αν (KJV: soever) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

27 Mark 11:24 (NET)

30 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις σε (KJV: against thee) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.  See comment at note 3.

32 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις σε (KJV: against thee) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

33 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had πρὸς σὲ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had επι σὲ.  The Byzantine Majority Text had neither.

34 Luke 17:3, 4 (NET)

36 The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had τυφλων (KJV: of the blind) here. The NET parallel Greek text did not.

Religious and Righteous Prayer

Jesus contrasted religious and righteous prayer in a parable in Luke 18:9-14.  When his disciples were curious why He spoke to people in parables (Matthew 13:10), Jesus answered in two different ways, first (Matthew 13:11, 12 NET):

You have been given the opportunity to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but they have not.  For whoever has will be given more, and will have an abundance.  But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

Usually, Jesus’ disciples asked for, and received, further explanation what the parables meant.  Jesus continued (Matthew 13:13-15 NET):

For this reason I speak to them in parables (παραβολαῖς, a form of παραβολή): Although they see they do not see, and although they hear they do not hear nor do they understand.  And concerning1 them the prophecy of Isaiah2 is fulfilled that says: ‘You will listen carefully yet will never understand, you will look closely yet will never comprehend.  For the heart of this people has become dull; they are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal3 them.

So a parable, without an explanation, was deliberately designed to be cryptic, its actual meaning hidden beneath something obvious—Although they see they do not see, and although they hear they do not hear—but misleading—nor do they understand.  Here is the parable (Luke 18:9-14 NET):

Jesus also4 told this parable to some who were confident (πεποιθότας, a form of πείθω) that they were righteous (δίκαιοι, a form of δίκαιος) and looked down on everyone else.  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous (ἄδικοι, a form of ἄδικος) people, adulterers (μοιχοί, a form of μοιχός) – or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’  The tax collector, however,5 stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat6 his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’  I tell you that this man went down to his home justified (δεδικαιωμένος, a form of δικαιόω) rather than7 the Pharisee.8  For everyone who exalts (ὑψῶν, a form of ὑψόω) himself will be humbled (ταπεινωθήσεται, a form of ταπεινόω), but he who humbles (ταπεινῶν, another form of ταπεινόω) himself will be exalted (ὑψωθήσεται, another form of ὑψόω).”

As I understand it some Pharisees looked down on tax collectors because the latter supported (and profited from supporting) Gentile sinners, the Roman government, by collecting (and sometimes, extorting) money from the god-fearing of Israel.  Many Pharisees viewed Roman rule as illegitimate and believed that Messiah was coming soon to set things right.

What I now call my religious mind helped me misunderstand this parable for years.    Obviously, I hope what I think now shares in the mind of Christ,9 but had you asked me then I probably would have assured you that what I now call my religious mind was the mind of Christ.  Bible study can be like that.  At the end of the book of JudgesIn those days Israel had no king; Each man did what he considered to be right10—I assumed that God wanted Israel to have a king and the events described in the book of Judges were the reasons why.  When I read 1 Samuel 8 I had to rethink that assumption.  I’ll try to explain the difference between my religious mind and what I now think.

Luke 18:9-14 (NET)

My Religious Mind

Now

Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else.

Luke 18:9 (NET)

This has nothing to do with me.  I’m not a hypocritical Pharisee but a follower of Jesus Christ. Faith is the key here: when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith (πίστιν, a form of πίστις) on earth? (Luke 18:8b NET).  Childlike faith pays little heed to words.  It determines their meaning by actions.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

Luke 18:10 (NET)

Yeah, I get it.  Pharisees were so wicked in Jesus’ sight that He even preferred tax collectors and prostitutes to Pharisees. In this parable Jesus contrasted two types of prayer.
The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers – or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’

Luke 18:11, 12 (NET)

Wow, I wish I were that good! The Pharisee’s confidence flowed from his adherence to God’s law and the precepts of his religion.  This is perhaps the essence of religion, my attempt to please God through my obedience to external norms or standards.  This is a religious prayer from a religious mind.
The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’

Luke 18:13 (NET)

Yeah, I remember what that felt like.  I don’t ever want to feel like that again. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

Romans 3:19 (NET)

I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 18:14 (NET)

So, Jesus wants me to be obedient like the Pharisee, so I can pray like the Pharisee.  He just wants me to be more humble about it, and not disparage those who are less righteous than I. For no one is declared righteous (δικαιωθήσεται, a form of δικαιόωbefore him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20 NET).  The tax collector prayed the righteous prayer because afterward Jesus justified (δεδικαιωμένος, another form of δικαιόω) him, or declared him righteous (δικαιωθήσεται, a form of δικαιόω).

What shall we say then?  Is there injustice (ἀδικία)11 with God?  Absolutely not!  For he says to Moses:12I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.13

 

Addendum: September 28, 2018
Tables comparing Mathew 13:14, 15; Luke 18:9; 18:13, 14 and Romans 9:15, 16 in the NET and KJV follow.

Matthew 13:14, 15 (NET)

Matthew 13:14, 15 (KJV)

And concerning them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: ‘You will listen carefully yet will never understand, you will look closely yet will never comprehend. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

καὶ ἀναπληροῦται αὐτοῖς ἡ προφητεία Ἠσαΐου ἡ λέγουσα ἀκοῇ ἀκούσετε καὶ οὐ μὴ συνῆτε, καὶ βλέποντες βλέψετε καὶ οὐ μὴ ἴδητε και αναπληρουται επ αυτοις η προφητεια ησαιου η λεγουσα ακοη ακουσετε και ου μη συνητε και βλεποντες βλεψετε και ου μη ιδητε και αναπληρουται αυτοις η προφητεια ησαιου η λεγουσα ακοη ακουσετε και ου μη συνητε και βλεποντες βλεψετε και ου μη ιδητε
For the heart of this people has become dull; they are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes, so that they would not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Net Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἐπαχύνθη γὰρ ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου, καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν βαρέως ἤκουσαν καὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν ἐκάμμυσαν, μήποτε ἴδωσιν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς καὶ τοῖς ὠσὶν ἀκούσωσιν καὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ συνῶσιν καὶ ἐπιστρέψωσιν καὶ ἰάσομαι αὐτούς επαχυνθη γαρ η καρδια του λαου τουτου και τοις ωσιν βαρεως ηκουσαν και τους οφθαλμους αυτων εκαμμυσαν μηποτε ιδωσιν τοις οφθαλμοις και τοις ωσιν ακουσωσιν και τη καρδια συνωσιν και επιστρεψωσιν και ιασωμαι αυτους επαχυνθη γαρ η καρδια του λαου τουτου και τοις ωσιν βαρεως ηκουσαν και τους οφθαλμους αυτων εκαμμυσαν μηποτε ιδωσιν τοις οφθαλμοις και τοις ωσιν ακουσωσιν και τη καρδια συνωσιν και επιστρεψωσιν και ιασομαι αυτους
Luke 18:9 (NET)

Luke 18:9 (KJV)

Jesus also told this parable to some who were confident that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else. And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Net Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

Εἶπεν δὲ καὶ πρός τινας τοὺς πεποιθότας ἐφ᾿ ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι εἰσὶν δίκαιοι καὶ ἐξουθενοῦντας τοὺς λοιποὺς τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην ειπεν δε και προς τινας τους πεποιθοτας εφ εαυτοις οτι εισιν δικαιοι και εξουθενουντας τους λοιπους την παραβολην ταυτην ειπεν δε προς τινας τους πεποιθοτας εφ εαυτοις οτι εισιν δικαιοι και εξουθενουντας τους λοιπους την παραβολην ταυτην
Luke 18:13, 14 (NET)

Luke 18:13, 14 (KJV)

The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Net Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

δὲ τελώνης μακρόθεν ἑστὼς οὐκ ἤθελεν οὐδὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐπᾶραι εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, ἀλλ᾿ ἔτυπτεν τὸ στῆθος |αὐτοῦ| λέγων· ὁ θεός, ἱλάσθητι μοι τῷ ἁμαρτωλῷ και ο τελωνης μακροθεν εστως ουκ ηθελεν ουδε τους οφθαλμους εις τον ουρανον επαραι αλλ ετυπτεν εις το στηθος αυτου λεγων ο θεος ιλασθητι μοι τω αμαρτωλω και ο τελωνης μακροθεν εστως ουκ ηθελεν ουδε τους οφθαλμους εις τον ουρανον επαραι αλλ ετυπτεν εις το στηθος αυτου λεγων ο θεος ιλασθητι μοι τω αμαρτωλω
I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Net Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

λέγω ὑμῖν, κατέβη οὗτος δεδικαιωμένος εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ παρ᾿ ἐκεῖνον ὅτι πᾶς ὁ ὑψῶν ἑαυτὸν ταπεινωθήσεται, ὁ δὲ ταπεινῶν ἑαυτὸν ὑψωθήσεται λεγω υμιν κατεβη ουτος δεδικαιωμενος εις τον οικον αυτου η εκεινος οτι πας ο υψων εαυτον ταπεινωθησεται ο δε ταπεινων εαυτον υψωθησεται λεγω υμιν κατεβη ουτος δεδικαιωμενος εις τον οικον αυτου η γαρ εκεινος οτι πας ο υψων εαυτον ταπεινωθησεται ο δε ταπεινων εαυτον υψωθησεται
Romans 9:15, 16 (NET)

Romans 9:15, 16 (KJV)

For he says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Net Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

τῷ Μωϋσεῖ γὰρ λέγει ἐλεήσω ὃν ἂν ἐλεῶ καὶ οἰκτιρήσω ὃν ἂν οἰκτίρω τω γαρ μωση λεγει ελεησω ον αν ελεω και οικτειρησω ον αν οικτειρω τω γαρ μωυση λεγει ελεησω ον αν ελεω και οικτειρησω ον αν οικτειρω
So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.

Net Parallel Greek

Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text

ἄρα οὖν οὐ τοῦ θέλοντος οὐδὲ τοῦ τρέχοντος ἀλλὰ τοῦ ἐλεῶντος θεοῦ αρα ουν ου του θελοντος ουδε του τρεχοντος αλλα του ελεουντος θεου αρα ουν ου του θελοντος ουδε του τρεχοντος αλλα του ελεουντος θεου

1 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had επ (KJV: in) here. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

5 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had δὲ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: And).

6 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις (KJV: upon) here. The NET parallel Greek text, and NA28 did not.

7 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had παρ᾿ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had η and the Byzantine Majority Text had η γαρ.

Everyone Fathered by God Does Not Sin

John wrote, We know (Οἴδαμεν, a form of εἴδω) that everyone fathered (γεγεννημένος, a form of γεννάω) by God does not sin (ἁμαρτάνει, a form of ἁμαρτάνω), but God protects (τηρεῖ, a form of τηρέω) the one he has fathered (γεννηθεὶς, another form of γεννάω), and the evil one cannot touch (ἅπτεται, a form of ἅπτω) him.1  This is one of the most frightening verses in the Bible to me (taken out of context).

If I am born of God, then I do not sin.  I sin.  Therefore I am not born of God.

This is a perfectly valid argument called modus tollens, denying the consequent.  On the other hand, If we say we have not sinned (ἡμαρτήκαμεν, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we make (ποιοῦμεν, a form of ποιέω) him a liar and his word (λόγος)2 is not in us.3  Some context will help me understand my position between this rock and hard place and disentangle the fear of my religious mind from the Gospel (1 John 1:5-8 NET).

Now this is the gospel message we have heard from him and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all [Table].  If we say we have (ἔχομεν, a form of ἔχω) fellowship (κοινωνίαν, a form of κοινωνίαwith him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing (ποιοῦμεν, a form of ποιέω) the truth (ἀλήθειαν, a form of ἀλήθεια).  But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have (ἔχομεν, a form of ἔχω) fellowship (κοινωνίαν, a form of κοινωνία) with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses (καθαρίζει, a form of καθαρίζω) us from all sin (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία) [Table].  If we say we do not bear (ἔχομεν, a form of ἔχω) the guilt of sin (ἁμαρτίαν, another form of ἁμαρτία), we are deceiving ourselves and the truth (ἀλήθεια) is not in us.

Though the word translated gospel message above is ἀγγελία rather than εὐαγγέλιον, I don’t think the NET translators have made a mistake.  This is truly more information about the Gospel, particularly as the Gospel relates to truth, lying and deception.

Gospel, Truth

Lying, Deception

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5b (NET) Table

If we say we have fellowship with him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth.

1 John 1:6 (NET)

…if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 (NET) Table

If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8 (NET)

The passage continues (1 John 1:9, 10 NET):

But if we confess (ὁμολογῶμεν, a form of ὁμολογέω) our sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία), he is faithful (πιστός) and righteous (δίκαιος), forgiving (ἀφῇ, a form of ἀφίημι) us our sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία) and cleansing (καθαρίσῃ, another form of καθαρίζω) us from all unrighteousness (ἀδικίας, a form of ἀδικία).  If we say we have not sinned (ἡμαρτήκαμεν, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we make (ποιοῦμεν, a form of ποιέω) him a liar and his word (λόγος) is not in us.

Here I find what it means to walk in the light as opposed to in the darkness.

Walk in the Light

Walk in the Darkness

…if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 (NET)

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:10 (NET)

John continued, stating his purpose and quieting the fear of my religious mind (1 John 2:1, 2 NET):

(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin [ἁμάρτητε, another form of ἁμαρτάνω].)  But if anyone does sin (ἁμάρτῃ, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we have an advocate (παράκλητον, a form of παράκλητος) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One (δίκαιον, a form of δίκαιος), and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins (ἁμαρτιῶν, a form of ἁμαρτία), and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

With my fear overcome I see one aspect of God’s protection (τηρεῖ, a form of τηρέω) and one potential meaning for everyone fathered (γεγεννημένος, a form of γεννάω) by God does not sin (ἁμαρτάνει, a form of ἁμαρτάνω).4  Sins that God forgives are also forgotten by God.  But is there more to his τηρέω than that?  (Frankly, I would rather not sin in the first place.)

Introduction

This is my attempt to use the sharpness and precision of Scripture to distinguish the Gospel from what I call the religious mind.  Admittedly, the religious mind may be nothing more than a subspecies of the carnal mind (KJV) or the outlook of the flesh (NET),1 but it is and has been particularly troubling to me.  To begin let me clarify what I mean by Gospel.  The standard text is 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 (NET):

Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you – unless you believed in vain.  For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received – that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day2 according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most3 of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.

These historical facts are only part of the Gospel as I am using the term.  To this, at a minimum, I would add Romans 6:3-6 (NET):

Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life.  For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection.  We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Here is where the Gospel begins to affect my life.  Here is where I share in the Gospel.  But just as the carnal mind or outlook of the flesh argues against the historicity of Christ’s atonement and resurrection, my religious mind debates my liberation from sin.  It fills me with fear and outright unbelief when I encounter statements like 1 John 5:18 (NET):

We know that everyone fathered by God does not sin, but God protects the one4 he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him.

But if I remain calm and think for a moment, this fear and unbelief make perfect sense.  My religious mind, as a subspecies of the carnal mind or the outlook of the flesh, feels its own weakness and fears its own demise when confronted with this Gospel (Romans 8:7 NET),

 …because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so.

 

Addendum: September 22, 2018

Tables comparing 1 Corinthians 15:4; 15:6 and 1 John 5:18 in the NET and KJV follow

1 Corinthians 15:4 (NET) 1 Corinthians 15:4 (KJV)
and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ὅτι ἐτάφη καὶ ὅτι ἐγήγερται τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ κατὰ τὰς γραφὰς και οτι εταφη και οτι εγηγερται τη τριτη ημερα κατα τας γραφας και οτι εταφη και οτι εγηγερται τη τριτη ημερα κατα τας γραφας
1 Corinthians 15:6 (NET) 1 Corinthians 15:6 (KJV)
Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
ἔπειτα ὤφθη ἐπάνω πεντακοσίοις ἀδελφοῖς ἐφάπαξ, ἐξ ὧν οἱ πλείονες μένουσιν ἕως ἄρτι, τινὲς δὲ ἐκοιμήθησαν επειτα ωφθη επανω πεντακοσιοις αδελφοις εφαπαξ εξ ων οι πλειους μενουσιν εως αρτι τινες δε και εκοιμηθησαν επειτα ωφθη επανω πεντακοσιοις αδελφοις εφαπαξ εξ ων οι πλειους μενουσιν εως αρτι τινες δε και εκοιμηθησαν
1 John 5:18 (NET) 1 John 5:18 (KJV)
We know that everyone fathered by God does not sin, but God protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
Οἴδαμεν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ γεγεννημένος ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει, ἀλλ᾿ ὁ γεννηθεὶς ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ τηρεῖ αὐτόν καὶ ὁ πονηρὸς οὐχ ἅπτεται αὐτοῦ οιδαμεν οτι πας ο γεγεννημενος εκ του θεου ουχ αμαρτανει αλλ ο γεννηθεις εκ του θεου τηρει εαυτον και ο πονηρος ουχ απτεται αυτου οιδαμεν οτι πας ο γεγεννημενος εκ του θεου ουχ αμαρτανει αλλ ο γεννηθεις εκ του θεου τηρει εαυτον και ο πονηρος ουχ απτεται αυτου

1 Romans 8:7

2 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the article τῇ preceding day and third (τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ). The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had it only before third (τη τριτη ημερα).

4 The NET parallel Greek text had αὐτόν here.  NA28, the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εαυτον (KJV: but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself). See NET note 49.