Wonders and False Wonders, Part 3

This is a continuation of my consideration of the many wonders (τέρατα, a form of τέρας) and miraculous signs (σημεῖα, a form of σημεῖον) which came about by the apostles.1 I’ll continue to use the knowledge gleaned from the translation of Exodus 4:21 and 4:8, 9 in the Septuagint to analyze the miraculous sign as “the thing itself,” and distinguish it from “the wonder, the voice of the sign, the effect it has on those who witness the sign.”2

Luke described an early practice of the Jerusalem church (Acts 4:32-37 NET):

The group of those who believed were of one heart3 and mind (ψυχὴ),4 and no one said that any of his5 possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. For there was6 no one needy among them because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds from the sales and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds were distributed7 to each, as anyone had need. So Joseph,8 a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by9 the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and placed it at10 the apostles’ feet.

Barnabas (Joseph, Joses) will play a larger role later in Luke’s narrative. It is not too difficult to imagine why a believing Levite became a “son of encouragement” (NET) or The son of consolation (KJV) to the apostles as their faith was persecuted by their rulers, elders, and experts in the lawin Jerusalem.11 Here, he demonstrated by his behavior his participation as a member in good standing in this early practice of the Jerusalem church.

To translate ψυχὴ mind, however, rather than soul or life, seems disingenuous to me. While it conveys the idea that this was a spontaneous reaction to the indwelling Holy Spirit in a particular cultural context, it completely masks the apparent, if not inherent, falseness of this specific belief. I might go so far as to translate ψυχὴ person here. I may be a rabid anti-communist or overly individualistic. Still, I don’t believe that the indwelling Holy Spirit creates God-clones, but a wondrous plethora of godly individuals.12

Luke’s narrative continued (Acts 5:1-4 NET):

Now a man named Ananias, together with Sapphira13 his wife, sold a piece of property. He kept back for himself part of the proceeds with his14 wife’s knowledge;15 he brought only part of it and placed it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter16 said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie (ψεύσασθαι, a form of ψεύδομαι) to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself17 part of the proceeds from the sale of the land? Before it was sold, did it not belong to you? And when it was sold, was the money not at your disposal? How have you thought up this deed in your heart? You have not lied (ἐψεύσω, another form of ψεύδομαι) to people but to God!”

When Ananias18 heard these words he collapsed and died, and great fear gripped all who heard about it.19

The miraculous sign is Ananias’ death in response to Peter’s words. The wonder is the fear it caused in all who heard, more on that later. Clearly, I would be thinking completely differently about Peter’s words if Ananias had scoffed and walked away, but given his death, it is Peter’s knowledge of, and from, the Holy Spirit that captures my attention.

He knew the secret that Ananias had kept back for himself part of the proceeds.20 With that knowledge alone I might have taken his lie more personally. Peter knew Ananias’ heart as well, that he had not lied to people but to God,21 that Satan filled [his] heart (τὴν καρδίαν σου) to lie to the Holy Spirit.22 Peter’s words conveyed Godly judgment rather than man’s judgment.

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

1 Samuel 16:7 (Tanakh) [Table]

1 Samuel 16:7 (NET)

1 Reigns 16:7 (NETS) [Table]

1 Kings 16:7 (English Elpenor)

But HaShem said unto Samuel: ‘Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him; for it is not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but HaShem looketh on the heart (לַלֵּבָֽב).’ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way people do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (lēḇāḇ, ללבב).” And the Lord said to Samouel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the posture of his size, because I have rejected him, for God will not look as a mortal will see, for a mortal will see into a face, but God will see into a heart (εἰς καρδίαν).” But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance, nor on his stature, for I have rejected him; for God sees not as man looks; for man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (εἰς καρδίαν).

Luke’s narrative continued (Acts 5:6-11 NET):

So the young men came, wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in, but she did not know what had happened. Peter23 said to her,24 “Tell me, were the two of you paid this amount for the land?” Sapphira said, “Yes, that much.” Peter then told25 her, “Why have you agreed together to test (πειράσαι, a form of πειράζω) the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!” At once she collapsed at his feet and died. So when the young men came in, they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear gripped the whole church and all who heard about these things.

Luke described some of the results of this fear (Acts 5:12-14 NET):

Now many miraculous signs (σημεῖα, a form of σημεῖον) and wonders (τέρατα, a form of τέρας) came about among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they were all meeting together in Solomon’s Portico [Table]. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people held them in high honor. More and more believers in the Lord were added to their number, crowds of both men and women.

This is a brilliant description of the fear of the Lord: Those whom Jesus drew to Himself at this particular time were added to their number. None of the rest dared to join them. Though it is a little difficult to come to a definitive meaning for ἐμεγάλυνεν αὐτοὺς (NET: held them in high honor) in this context, it’s clear that believers were not being bad-mouthed by the people who feared to join them.

I have very little to say about Ananias and Sapphira, except to compare their decision to lie to the Holy Spirit and to test the Spirit of the Lord to Judah’s son Onan’s decision:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Genesis 38:8-10 (Tanakh)

Genesis 38:8-10 (NET)

Genesis 38:8-10 (NETS)

Genesis 38:8-10 (English Elpenor)

And Judah said unto Onan: ‘Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her, and raise up seed to thy brother.’ Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her so that you may raise up a descendant for your brother.” Then Ioudas said to Aunan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and act the part of a brother-in-law, and raise up offspring for your brother.” And Judas said to Aunan, Go in to thy brother’s wife, and marry her as her brother-in-law, and raise up seed to thy brother.
And Onan knew that the seed would not be his; and it came to pass when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother. But Onan knew that the child would not be considered his. So whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he wasted his emission on the ground so as not to give his brother a descendant. But because Aunan knew that the offspring would not be his, it would come about that he would pour out his semen upon the ground when he would go in to his brother’s wife so that he would not give offspring to his brother. And Aunan, knowing that the seed should not be his– it came to pass when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he spilled [it] upon the ground, so that he should not give seed to his brother’s wife.
And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of HaShem; and He slew him also. What he did was evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord killed him too. Now it seemed evil in the sight of God that he did this, and he put him to death also. And his doing this appeared evil before God; and he slew him also.

Granted, apart from the story of Ananias and Sapphira, I would have judged Onan by outward appearance. I wouldn’t have attributed his death to his own decision to lie to the Holy Spirit and to test the Spirit of the Lord. But the fact that Onan isn’t remembered for that decision helps me extrapolate the false wonder; namely, any attribution of the death of Ananias and Sapphira to anything other than their own decision to lie to the Holy Spirit and to test the Spirit of the Lord that might hinder those whom Jesus is drawing to Himself or encourage those who should fear to join the group of believers at any particular time.

Luke continued (Acts 5:15, 16 NET):

Thus they even carried the sick out into the streets and put them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow would fall on some of them. A crowd of people from the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits. They were all being healed [Table].

Who were they who carried the sick out into the streets? The translation they appears to be assumed from the verb ἐκφέρειν, an active infinitive form of ἐκφέρω. The nearest antecedent is πλήθη ἀνδρῶν τε καὶ γυναικῶν (NET: crowds of both men and women).26 I admit I had associated these crowds of both men and women with the More and more believers in the Lordadded to their number.27 Their activity, however, sounds more like the vain hero-worship of those who feared to join the believers.

After the Lord healed a man born lame (Acts 3:1-10), Peter declared (Acts 3:12-21 NET):

Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety? [Table] The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate after he had decided to release him [Table]. But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a man who was a murderer be released to you. You killed the Originator of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this fact we are witnesses! And on the basis of faith in Jesus’ name, his very name has made this man—whom you see and know—strong. The faith that is through Jesus has given him this complete health in the presence of you all. And now, brothers, I know you acted in ignorance, as your rulers did too. But the things God foretold long ago through all the prophets—that his Christ would suffer—he has fulfilled in this way. Therefore repent and turn back so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and so that he may send the Messiah appointed for you—that is, Jesus [Table]. This one heaven must receive until the time all things are restored, which God declared from times long ago through his holy prophets [Table].

In the end, however, it doesn’t seem to have mattered whether it was believers are those who feared to join them who carried the sick out into the streets: They were all being healed.28 My tears flowed at this outpouring of God’s grace, knowing from history what will come upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem who ignore Jesus’ warning to flee.29

Jesus had said (John 14:10b-12 NET):

The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds (τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ) [Table]. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves [Table]. I tell you the solemn truth, the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these because I am going to the30 Father.

This indiscriminate multiplication of miraculous deeds of healing seems wholly designed to give every opportunity for repentance to those whose prejudice incites their rejection of Jesus’ person. Luke’s narrative continued (Acts 5:17, 18 NET):

Now the high priest rose up, and all those with him (that is, the religious party of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. They laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public jail [Table].

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jesus said, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it!31

Luke’s narrative continued (Acts 5:19-26 NET):

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, led them out, and said [Table], “Go and stand in the temple courts and proclaim to the people all the words of this life” (πάντα τὰ ρήματα τῆς ζωῆς ταύτης). When they heard this, they entered the temple courts at daybreak and began teaching.

Now when the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin—that is, the whole high council of the Israelites—and sent to the jail to have the apostles brought before them. But the officers who came for them did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the jail32 locked securely and the guards standing33 at34 the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” Now when the35 commander of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were greatly puzzled concerning it, wondering what this could be. But someone came and reported to them,36 “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courts and teaching the people!” Then the commander of the temple guard went with the officers and brought37 the apostles without the use of force (for they were afraid of being stoned38 by the people).

The officers’ fear adds some weight to the NET translation of ἐμεγάλυνεν αὐτοὺς: held them in high honor.39 This apparent tug-of-war between the apostles and the rulers in Jerusalem is the outworking of Jesus’ promise (John 12:31, 32 NET):

Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

Paul explained to Gentile believers (Romans 11:25b-32 NET):

A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in [Table]. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion;
he will remove ungodliness from Jacob [Table].
And this is my covenant with them,
when I take away their sins.”40

In regard to the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but in regard to election they are dearly loved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy due to their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy [Table]. For God has consigned all people to disobedience so that he may show mercy to them all.

And Jesus prophesied over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39 NET):

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it! [Table] Look, your house is left to you desolate! For I tell you, you will not see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’

I’ll continue with this in another essay. According to a note (21) in the NET Paul quoted from Isaiah 59:20, 21. A table comparing the Greek of Romans 11:26b, 27a with that of Isaiah 59:20, 21 in the Septuagint follows.

Romans 11:26 (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 59:20 (Septuagint BLB) Table

Isaiah 59:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἥξει ἐκ Σιὼν ὁ ρυόμενος, ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ Ἰακώβ καὶ ἥξει ἕνεκεν Σιων ὁ ῥυόμενος καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ Ιακωβ καὶ ἥξει ἕνεκεν Σιὼν ὁ ῥυόμενος καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀσεβείας ἀπὸ ᾿Ιακώβ

Romans 11:26 (NET)

Isaiah 59:20 (NETS)

Isaiah 59:20 (English Elpenor)

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And the one who delivers will come for Zion’s sake, and he will turn impiety away from Jacob. And the deliverer shall come for Sion’s sake, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.

Romans 11:27a (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 59:21a (Septuagint BLB) Table

Isaiah 59:21a (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῖς ἡ παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη

καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῗς ἡ παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη

καὶ αὕτη αὐτοῖς ἡ παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ διαθήκη

Romans 11:27a (NET)

Isaiah 59:21a (NETS)

Isaiah 59:21a (English Elpenor)

And this is my covenant with them,

And this is the covenant to them from me,

And this shall be my covenant with them,

Tables comparing Genesis 38:8; 38:9 and 38:10 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET; and comparing Genesis 38:8; 38:9 and 38:10 in the BLB and Elpenor versions of the Septuagint with the English translations from Hebrew and Greek, and tables comparing the Greek of Acts 4:32; 4:34-37; 5:1-3; 5:5; 5:8, 9; John 14:12 and Acts 5:23-26 in the NET and KJV follow.

Genesis 38:8 (Tanakh)

Genesis 38:8 (KJV)

Genesis 38:8 (NET)

And Judah said unto Onan: ‘Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother unto her, and raise up seed to thy brother.’ And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother. Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her so that you may raise up a descendant for your brother.”

Genesis 38:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 38:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ Ιουδας τῷ Αυναν εἴσελθε πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου καὶ γάμβρευσαι αὐτὴν καὶ ἀνάστησον σπέρμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου εἶπε δὲ ᾿Ιούδας τῷ Αὐνάν· εἴσελθε πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου καὶ ἐπιγάμβρευσαι αὐτὴν καὶ ἀνάστησον σπέρμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου

Genesis 38:8 (NETS)

Genesis 38:8 (English Elpenor)

Then Ioudas said to Aunan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and act the part of a brother-in-law, and raise up offspring for your brother.” And Judas said to Aunan, Go in to thy brother’s wife, and marry her as her brother-in-law, and raise up seed to thy brother.

Genesis 38:9 (Tanakh)

Genesis 38:9 (KJV)

Genesis 38:9 (NET)

And Onan knew that the seed would not be his; and it came to pass when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest he should give seed to his brother. And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. But Onan knew that the child would not be considered his. So whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he wasted his emission on the ground so as not to give his brother a descendant.

Genesis 38:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 38:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

γνοὺς δὲ Αυναν ὅτι οὐκ αὐτῷ ἔσται τὸ σπέρμα ἐγίνετο ὅταν εἰσήρχετο πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐξέχεεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν τοῦ μὴ δοῦναι σπέρμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ γνοὺς δὲ Αὐνὰν ὅτι οὐκ αὐτῷ ἔσται τὸ σπέρμα, ἐγίνετο ὅταν εἰσήρχετο πρὸς τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, ἐξέχεεν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν τοῦ μὴ δοῦναι σπέρμα τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ

Genesis 38:9 (NETS)

Genesis 38:9 (English Elpenor)

But because Aunan knew that the offspring would not be his, it would come about that he would pour out his semen upon the ground when he would go in to his brother’s wife so that he would not give offspring to his brother. And Aunan, knowing that the seed should not be his– it came to pass when he went in to his brother’s wife, that he spilled [it] upon the ground, so that he should not give seed to his brother’s wife.

Genesis 38:10 (Tanakh)

Genesis 38:10 (KJV)

Genesis 38:10 (NET)

And the thing which he did was evil in the sight of HaShem; and He slew him also. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also. What he did was evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord killed him too.

Genesis 38:10 (Septuagint BLB)

Genesis 38:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)

πονηρὸν δὲ ἐφάνη ἐναντίον τοῦ θεοῦ ὅτι ἐποίησεν τοῦτο καὶ ἐθανάτωσεν καὶ τοῦτον πονηρὸν δὲ ἐφάνη ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ὅτι ἐποίησε τοῦτο, καὶ ἐθανάτωσε καὶ τοῦτον

Genesis 38:10 (NETS)

Genesis 38:10 (English Elpenor)

Now it seemed evil in the sight of God that he did this, and he put him to death also. And his doing this appeared evil before God; and he slew him also.

Acts 4:32 (NET)

Acts 4:32 (KJV)

The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Acts 4:32 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:32 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:32 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Τοῦ δὲ πλήθους τῶν πιστευσάντων ἦν καρδία καὶ ψυχὴ μία, καὶ οὐδὲ εἷς τι τῶν ὑπαρχόντων αὐτῷ ἔλεγεν ἴδιον εἶναι ἀλλ᾿ ἦν αὐτοῖς |ἅπαντα| κοινά του δε πληθους των πιστευσαντων ην η καρδια και η ψυχη μια και ουδε εις τι των υπαρχοντων αυτω ελεγεν ιδιον ειναι αλλ ην αυτοις απαντα κοινα του δε πληθους των πιστευσαντων ην η καρδια και η ψυχη μια και ουδε εις τι των υπαρχοντων αυτων ελεγεν ιδιον ειναι αλλ ην αυτοις απαντα κοινα

Acts 4:34-37 (NET)

Acts 4:34-37 (KJV)

For there was no one needy among them because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds from the sales Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Acts 4:34 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:34 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:34 (Byzantine Majority Text)

οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐνδεής τις ἦν ἐν αὐτοῖς· ὅσοι γὰρ κτήτορες χωρίων ἢ οἰκιῶν ὑπῆρχον, πωλοῦντες ἔφερον τὰς τιμὰς τῶν πιπρασκομένων ουδε γαρ ενδεης τις υπηρχεν εν αυτοις οσοι γαρ κτητορες χωριων η οικιων υπηρχον πωλουντες εφερον τας τιμας των πιπρασκομενων ουδε γαρ ενδεης τις υπηρχεν εν αυτοις οσοι γαρ κτητορες χωριων η οικιων υπηρχον πωλουντες εφερον τας τιμας των πιπρασκομενων
and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds were distributed to each, as anyone had need. And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Acts 4:35 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:35 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:35 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ ἐτίθουν παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τῶν ἀποστόλων, διεδίδετο δὲ ἑκάστῳ καθότι ἄν τις χρείαν εἶχεν και ετιθουν παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων διεδιδοτο δε εκαστω καθοτι αν τις χρειαν ειχεν και ετιθουν παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων διεδιδοτο δε εκαστω καθοτι αν τις χρειαν ειχεν
So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

Acts 4:36 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:36 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:36 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Ἰωσὴφ δὲ ὁ ἐπικληθεὶς Βαρναβᾶς ἀπὸ τῶν ἀποστόλων (ὅ ἐστιν μεθερμηνευόμενον υἱὸς παρακλήσεως), Λευίτης, Κύπριος τῷ γένει ιωσης δε ο επικληθεις βαρναβας υπο των αποστολων ο εστιν μεθερμηνευομενον υιος παρακλησεως λευιτης κυπριος τω γενει ιωσης δε ο επικληθεις βαρναβας απο των αποστολων ο εστιν μεθερμηνευομενον υιος παρακλησεως λευιτης κυπριος τω γενει
sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and placed it at the apostles’ feet. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 4:37 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:37 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:37 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὑπάρχοντος αὐτῷ ἀγροῦ πωλήσας ἤνεγκεν τὸ χρῆμα καὶ ἔθηκεν |πρὸς| τοὺς πόδας τῶν ἀποστόλων υπαρχοντος αυτω αγρου πωλησας ηνεγκεν το χρημα και εθηκεν παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων υπαρχοντος αυτω αγρου πωλησας ηνεγκεν το χρημα και εθηκεν παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων

Acts 5:1-3 (NET)

Acts 5:1-3 (KJV)

Now a man named Ananias, together with Sapphira his wife, sold a piece of property. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Acts 5:1 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:1 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:1 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Ἀνὴρ δέ τις Ἁνανίας ὀνόματι σὺν σαπφίρῃ τῇ γυναικὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπώλησεν κτῆμα ανηρ δε τις ανανιας ονοματι συν σαπφειρη τη γυναικι αυτου επωλησεν κτημα ανηρ δε τις ανανιας ονοματι συν σαπφειρη τη γυναικι αυτου επωλησεν κτημα
He kept back for himself part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge; he brought only part of it and placed it at the apostles’ feet. And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:2 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:2 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:2 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ ἐνοσφίσατο ἀπὸ τῆς τιμῆς, συνειδυίης καὶ τῆς γυναικός, καὶ ἐνέγκας μέρος τι παρὰ τοὺς πόδας τῶν ἀποστόλων ἔθηκεν και ενοσφισατο απο της τιμης συνειδυιας και της γυναικος αυτου και ενεγκας μερος τι παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων εθηκεν και ενοσφισατο απο της τιμης συνειδυιας και της γυναικος αυτου και ενεγκας μερος τι παρα τους ποδας των αποστολων εθηκεν
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back for yourself part of the proceeds from the sale of the land? But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Acts 5:3 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:3 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:3 (Byzantine Majority Text)

εἶπεν δὲ Πέτρος· Ἁνανία, διὰ τί ἐπλήρωσεν ὁ σατανᾶς τὴν καρδίαν σου, ψεύσασθαι σε τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον καὶ νοσφίσασθαι ἀπὸ τῆς τιμῆς τοῦ χωρίου ειπεν δε πετρος ανανια δια τι επληρωσεν ο σατανας την καρδιαν σου ψευσασθαι σε το πνευμα το αγιον και νοσφισασθαι απο της τιμης του χωριου ειπεν δε πετρος ανανια δια τι επληρωσεν ο σατανας την καρδιαν σου ψευσασθαι σε το πνευμα το αγιον και νοσφισασθαι σε απο της τιμης του χωριου

Acts 5:5 (NET)

Acts 5:5 (KJV)

When Ananias heard these words he collapsed and died, and great fear gripped all who heard about it. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Acts 5:5 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:5 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:5 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἀκούων δὲ Ἁνανίας τοὺς λόγους τούτους πεσὼν ἐξέψυξεν, καὶ ἐγένετο φόβος μέγας ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀκούοντας ακουων δε ανανιας τους λογους τουτους πεσων εξεψυξεν και εγενετο φοβος μεγας επι παντας τους ακουοντας ταυτα ακουων δε ο ανανιας τους λογους τουτους πεσων εξεψυξεν και εγενετο φοβος μεγας επι παντας τους ακουοντας ταυτα

Acts 5:8, 9 (NET)

Acts 5:8, 9 (KJV)

Peter said to her, “Tell me, were the two of you paid this amount for the land?” Sapphira said, “Yes, that much.” And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Acts 5:8 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἀπεκρίθη δὲ πρὸς αὐτὴν Πέτρος· εἰπέ μοι, εἰ τοσούτου τὸ χωρίον ἀπέδοσθε; ἡ δὲ εἶπεν· ναί, τοσούτου απεκριθη δε αυτη ο πετρος ειπε μοι ει τοσουτου το χωριον απεδοσθε η δε ειπεν ναι τοσουτου απεκριθη δε αυτη ο πετρος ειπε μοι ει τοσουτου το χωριον απεδοσθε η δε ειπεν ναι τοσουτου
Peter then told her, “Why have you agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!” Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Acts 5:9 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:9 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:9 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὁ δὲ Πέτρος πρὸς αὐτήν· τί ὅτι συνεφωνήθη ὑμῖν πειράσαι τὸ πνεῦμα κυρίου; ἰδοὺ οἱ πόδες τῶν θαψάντων τὸν ἄνδρα σου ἐπὶ τῇ θύρᾳ καὶ ἐξοίσουσιν σε ο δε πετρος ειπεν προς αυτην τι οτι συνεφωνηθη υμιν πειρασαι το πνευμα κυριου ιδου οι ποδες των θαψαντων τον ανδρα σου επι τη θυρα και εξοισουσιν σε ο δε πετρος ειπεν προς αυτην τι οτι συνεφωνηθη υμιν πειρασαι το πνευμα κυριου ιδου οι ποδες των θαψαντων τον ανδρα σου επι τη θυρα και εξοισουσιν σε

John 14:12 (NET)

John 14:12 (KJV)

I tell you the solemn truth, the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these because I am going to the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

John 14:12 (NET Parallel Greek)

John 14:12 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

John 14:12 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ὁ πιστεύων εἰς ἐμὲ τὰ ἔργα ἃ ἐγὼ ποιῶ κακεῖνος ποιήσει καὶ μείζονα τούτων ποιήσει, ὅτι ἐγὼ πρὸς τὸν πατέρα πορεύομαι αμην αμην λεγω υμιν ο πιστευων εις εμε τα εργα α εγω ποιω κακεινος ποιησει και μειζονα τουτων ποιησει οτι εγω προς τον πατερα μου πορευομαι αμην αμην λεγω υμιν ο πιστευων εις εμε τα εργα α εγω ποιω κακεινος ποιησει και μειζονα τουτων ποιησει οτι εγω προς τον πατερα μου πορευομαι

Acts 5:23-26 (NET)

Acts 5:23-26 (KJV)

“We found the jail locked securely and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

Acts 5:23 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:23 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:23 (Byzantine Majority Text)

λέγοντες ὅτι τὸ δεσμωτήριον εὕρομεν κεκλεισμένον ἐν πάσῃ ἀσφαλείᾳ καὶ τοὺς φύλακας ἑστῶτας ἐπὶ τῶν θυρῶν, ἀνοίξαντες δὲ ἔσω οὐδένα εὕρομεν λεγοντες οτι το μεν δεσμωτηριον ευρομεν κεκλεισμενον εν παση ασφαλεια και τους φυλακας εξω εστωτας προ των θυρων ανοιξαντες δε εσω ουδενα ευρομεν λεγοντες οτι το μεν δεσμωτηριον ευρομεν κεκλεισμενον εν παση ασφαλεια και τους φυλακας εστωτας προ των θυρων ανοιξαντες δε εσω ουδενα ευρομεν
Now when the commander of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this report, they were greatly puzzled concerning it, wondering what this could be. Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

Acts 5:24 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:24 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:24 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὡς δὲ ἤκουσαν τοὺς λόγους τούτους ὅ τε στρατηγὸς τοῦ ἱεροῦ καὶ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, διηπόρουν περὶ αὐτῶν τί ἂν γένοιτο τοῦτο ως δε ηκουσαν τους λογους τουτους ο τε ιερευς και ο στρατηγος του ιερου και οι αρχιερεις διηπορουν περι αυτων τι αν γενοιτο τουτο ως δε ηκουσαν τους λογους τουτους ο τε ιερευς και ο στρατηγος του ιερου και οι αρχιερεις διηπορουν περι αυτων τι αν γενοιτο τουτο
But someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in prison are standing in the temple courts and teaching the people!” Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Acts 5:25 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:25 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:25 (Byzantine Majority Text)

παραγενόμενος δέ τις ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι ἰδοὺ οἱ ἄνδρες οὓς ἔθεσθε ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ εἰσὶν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ ἑστῶτες καὶ διδάσκοντες τὸν λαόν παραγενομενος δε τις απηγγειλεν αυτοις λεγων οτι ιδου οι ανδρες ους εθεσθε εν τη φυλακη εισιν εν τω ιερω εστωτες και διδασκοντες τον λαον παραγενομενος δε τις απηγγειλεν αυτοις οτι ιδου οι ανδρες ους εθεσθε εν τη φυλακη εισιν εν τω ιερω εστωτες και διδασκοντες τον λαον
Then the commander of the temple guard went with the officers and brought the apostles without the use of force (for they were afraid of being stoned by the people). Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

Acts 5:26 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 5:26 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 5:26 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Τότε ἀπελθὼν ὁ στρατηγὸς σὺν τοῖς ὑπηρέταις ἦγεν αὐτοὺς οὐ μετὰ βίας (ἐφοβοῦντο γὰρ τὸν λαὸν μὴ λιθασθῶσιν) τοτε απελθων ο στρατηγος συν τοις υπηρεταις ηγαγεν αυτους ου μετα βιας εφοβουντο γαρ τον λαον ινα μη λιθασθωσιν τοτε απελθων ο στρατηγος συν τοις υπηρεταις ηγαγεν αυτους ου μετα βιας εφοβουντο γαρ τον λαον ινα μη λιθασθωσιν

1 Acts 2:43 (NET) Table

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

4 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article η preceding mind (KJV: soul). The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

5 The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Stephanus Textus Receptus had the singular pronoun αὐτῷ here, where the Byzantine Majority Text had the plural αυτων.

7 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had διεδίδετο here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had διεδιδοτο (KJV: distribution was made). They appear to be alternate spellings of the same part of speech.

8 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had Ἰωσὴφ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ιωσης (KJV: Joses). Both spellings describe, “A Levite from Cyprus whose name was changed by the apostles to Barnabas (Acts 4:36),” according to the Koine Greek Lexicon online.

11 Acts 4:5b (NET) Table

15 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had συνειδυίης here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had συνειδυιας (KJV: being privy to it). They appear to be alternate spellings of the same part of speech.

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

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

19 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ταυτα (KJV: these things) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

20 Acts 5:2a (NET)

21 Acts 5:4b (NET)

22 Acts 5:3a (NET)

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

24 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had πρὸς αὐτὴν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had simply αυτη (KJV: unto her).

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

26 Acts 5:14b (NET)

27 Acts 5:14a (NET)

28 Acts 5:15a, 16b (NET) Table

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

31 Matthew 23:37 (NET) Table

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

33 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had εξω (KJV: without) here. The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

34 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἐπὶ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had προ (KJV: before).

35 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ιερευς και ο (KJV: high priest and the) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

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

38 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ινα μη (KJV: lest they should have been stoned) preceding of being stoned, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply μὴ.

40 See Peter’s Second Gospel Proclamation, Part 3 for a table comparing the Greek of this quotation to that of the Septuagint.

Wonders and False Wonders, Part 2

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time for prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon [Table]. And a man lame from birth was being carried up, who was placed at the temple gate called “the Beautiful (Ὡραίαν, a form of ὡραῖος) Gate” every day so he could beg for money from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts, he asked them for money.1 Peter looked directly at him (as did John) and said, “Look at us!” So the lame man paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them.2

This is the first story about any apostles after Luke declared: many wonders (τέρατα, a form of τέρας) and miraculous signs (σημεῖα, a form of σημεῖον) came about by the apostles.3 I’ll use the knowledge gleaned from the translation of Exodus 4:21 and 4:8, 9 in the Septuagint to analyze this miraculous sign as “the thing itself,” and distinguish it from “the wonder, the voice of the sign…the effect it has on the one who witnesses the sign.”4

First, the miraculous sign (Acts 3:6-8a NET):

But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up5 and walk!” Then Peter took hold of him by the right hand and raised him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong [Table]. He jumped up, stood and began walking around…

Next came the first two wonders of this miraculous sign, the first two voices of the sign (Acts 3:8b-10 NET):

…and he entered the temple courts with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and6 they recognized him as the man7 who used to sit and ask for donations at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with astonishment and amazement at what had happened to him.

So first, a man who sat outside of the temple because it seemed like a good place to meet people who might take pity on him entered the temple courts with Peter and John praising God. Then the people who saw him recognized him and were filled with astonishment and amazement at what had happened to him. This snowball is beginning to gain some mass and momentum as it rolls downhill.

The next wonder follows (Acts 3:11 NET):

While the man8 was hanging on to Peter and John,9 all the people, completely astounded, ran together to them in the covered walkway called Solomon’s Portico.

And so Peter proclaimed the Gospel to those who assembled there. I’ve already covered that in other essays10 and won’t repeat it here. The next obvious wonder or voice of the sign occurred after this Gospel proclamation (Acts 4:4 NET [Table]):

But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

There was another, perhaps, less obvious wonder that occurred as well (Acts 4:1-3 NET):

While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the commander of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of11 the dead. So they seized them and put them in jail until the next day (for it was already evening).

I call this a wonder of the miraculous sign of healing the lame man because, first, it led to another Gospel proclamation to the leaders in Jerusalem. Again, I covered it in another essay and won’t repeat it here. Any of these leaders would have been disturbed about any positive mention of Jesus, since they had condemned Him as an enemy of the state (John 11:48-50). But the Sadducees were doubly angered by the resurrection of the dead. All three synoptic Gospels mention their unbelief.

Matthew 22:23 (NET)

Mark 12:18 (NET)

Luke 20:27 (NET)

The same day Sadducees (who12 say there is no resurrection) came to him and asked him, Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) also came to him and asked13 him, Now some Sadducees (who contend that there is no resurrection) came to him.

Paul put this particular rift between Pharisees and Sadducees to good use (Acts 23:6-8 NET):

Then when Paul noticed that part of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, he shouted out14 in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees.15 I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead!” When he said16 this, an argument began between the Pharisees and the17 Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, or18 angel, or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)

As they deliberated that day after the arrest of Peter and John, “What should we do with these men?” the next wonder came to light: both Sadducees and Pharisees became reluctant witnesses to the miraculous sign performed in Jesus’ name (Acts 4:16 NET [Table]):

For it is plain to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable (γνωστὸν, a form of γνωστός) miraculous sign (σημεῖον) has come about through them, and we cannot deny it.

The next wonder of this miraculous sign follows (Acts 4:21, 22 NET):

After threatening them further, they released them, for they could not find how to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened [Table]. For the man, on whom this miraculous sign of healing had been performed,19 was over forty years old.

Though it may be somewhat arbitrary to say, the last wonder of this miraculous sign follows (Acts 4:23, 24a, 29-31 NET):

When they were released, Peter and John went to their fellow believers (τοὺς ἰδίους; NET note 54: “to their own [people]”) and reported everything the high priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said,20

“…Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs (σημεῖα) and wonders (τέρατα) through the name of your holy servant (ἁγίου παιδός σου) Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the21 Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously.

It’s not too difficult to extrapolate the false wonder from all of this: a healing that does not result in faith in God through the Lord Jesus Christ, or confidence in his word, both to hear and to proclaim it. This could potentially mean the entire medical industry, though it’s not likely to be the kind of false wonder that deceives the elect. Jesus said (Mark 13:22, 23 NET):

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs (σημεῖα) and wonders (τέρατα) to deceive, if possible, the elect. Be careful!22 I have told you everything ahead of time.

There is no cause to be puffed up by the term the elect (τοὺς ἐκλεκτούς). It is simply a phrase to distinguish those who have been drawn to Christ currently from those who are yet to be drawn: For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.”23

In most other fields of science when someone comes up with a clever idea, it will take time, weeks to centuries, for someone else to come up with a clever test to falsify that hypothesis. That’s why it makes more sense to pay attention to the history of any given field of science rather than the latest and greatest. When I was young, I thought medicine with its life and death feedback would be the best of the sciences.

Be that as it may, at any prayer meeting one might attend, those who have fallen ill and into the hands of doctors or surgeons, are a major portion of the prayers offered to God. These signs (σημεῖα) will accompany those who believe, Jesus promised: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up snakes with their hands,24 and whatever poison they drink will not harm25 them; they will place their hands on the sick and they will be well.26

The Greek words translated whatever poison here were θανάσιμον τι (literally: “anything deadly”). So, I assume it would include the harmful side effects of medications, medical treatments or procedures, especially since the negation here is οὐ μὴ and the verb negated is βλάψῃ27 in the aorist tense and subjunctive mood. That makes this a subjunctive of emphatic negation:28

Thus, when you have οὐ µή (ou mē) in combination with the Aorist Subjunctive, what occurs is the absolute and unequivocal denial of the probability of an event EVER OCCURING at any moment or time in the future.

With that level of uncontrollable confounding medical science may be one of the worst of the sciences. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be next in line to take any medication, medical treatment or procedure after one bathed in the prayer of the elect and promised health and protection, if I were trusting in that medication, medical treatment, procedure, doctor, surgeon or medical science instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I’ll continue with this in another essay.

According to a note (8) in the NET Paul quoted from Isaiah 45:23. A table comparing the Greek of Romans 14:11 with that of Isaiah 45:23 in the Septuagint follows.

Romans 14:11 (NET Parallel Greek)

Isaiah 45:23b (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 45:23b (Septuagint Elpenor)

ζῶ ἐγώ, λέγει κύριος, ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσεται τῷ θεῷ ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ καὶ ἐξομολογήσεται πᾶσα γλῶσσα τῷ θεῷ ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ καὶ ἐξομολογήσεται πᾶσα γλῶσσα τῷ Θεῷ

Romans 14:11 (NET)

Isaiah 45:23b (NETS)

Isaiah 45:23b (English Elpenor)

As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God. because to me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall acknowledge God, that to me every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall swear by God,

The phrase ζῶ ἐγώ λέγει κύριος (NET: As I live, says the Lord) is fairly common in the Septuagint. It’s found in Numbers 14:28; Isaiah 49:18; Jeremiah 22:24; Jeremiah 46:18; Ezekiel 5:11; Ezekiel 14:16; Ezekiel 14:18; Ezekiel 14:20; Ezekiel 16:48; Ezekiel 17:16; Ezekiel 18:3; Ezekiel 20:31; Ezekiel 20:33; Ezekiel 34:8; Ezekiel 35:6; Ezekiel 35:11 and Zephaniah 2:9. In Romans 14:11 as it relates to Isaiah 45:23a, however, it seems to be Paul’s paraphrase of another oath:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Isaiah 45:23 (Tanakh/KJV)

Isaiah 45:23 (NET)

Isaiah 45:23 (NETS)

Isaiah 45:23 (English Elpenor)

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. I solemnly make this oath—what I say is true and reliable: ‘Surely every knee will bow to me, every tongue will solemnly affirm; By myself I swear, “Verily righteousness shall go forth from my mouth; my words shall not be turned back, because to me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall acknowledge God, By myself I swear, righteousness shall surely proceed out of my mouth; my words shall not be frustrated; that to me every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall swear by God,

Tables comparing Isaiah 45:23 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET; and comparing Isaiah 45:23 in the BLB and Elpenor versions of the Septuagint with the English translations from Hebrew and Greek, and tables comparing the Greek of Acts 3:3; 3:6; 3:10; 3:11; 4:2; Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Acts 23:6-8; 4:22; 4:24; 4:31; Mark 13:23 and 16:18 in the NET and KJV follow.

Isaiah 45:23 (Tanakh)

Isaiah 45:23 (KJV)

Isaiah 45:23 (NET)

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. I solemnly make this oath—what I say is true and reliable: ‘Surely every knee will bow to me, every tongue will solemnly affirm;

Isaiah 45:23 (Septuagint BLB)

Isaiah 45:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)

κατ᾽ ἐμαυτοῦ ὀμνύω ἦ μὴν ἐξελεύσεται ἐκ τοῦ στόματός μου δικαιοσύνη οἱ λόγοι μου οὐκ ἀποστραφήσονται ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ καὶ ἐξομολογήσεται πᾶσα γλῶσσα τῷ θεῷ κατ᾿ ἐμαυτοῦ ὀμνύω, ἦ μὴν ἐξελεύσεται ἐκ τοῦ στόματός μου δικαιοσύνη, οἱ λόγοι μου οὐκ ἀποστραφήσονται, ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ καὶ ἐξομολογήσεται πᾶσα γλῶσσα τῷ Θεῷ

Isaiah 45:23 (NETS)

Isaiah 45:23 (English Elpenor)

By myself I swear, “Verily righteousness shall go forth from my mouth; my words shall not be turned back, because to me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall acknowledge God, By myself I swear, righteousness shall surely proceed out of my mouth; my words shall not be frustrated; that to me every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall swear by God,

Acts 3:3 (NET)

Acts 3:3 (KJV)

When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts, he asked them for money. Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

Acts 3:3 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 3:3 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 3:3 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὃς ἰδὼν Πέτρον καὶ Ἰωάννην μέλλοντας εἰσιέναι εἰς τὸ ἱερόν, ἠρώτα ἐλεημοσύνην λαβεῖν ος ιδων πετρον και ιωαννην μελλοντας εισιεναι εις το ιερον ηρωτα ελεημοσυνην λαβειν ος ιδων πετρον και ιωαννην μελλοντας εισιεναι εις το ιερον ηρωτα ελεημοσυνην

Acts 3:6 (NET)

Acts 3:6 (KJV)

But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!” Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Acts 3:6 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 3:6 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 3:6 (Byzantine Majority Text)

εἶπεν δὲ Πέτρος· ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον οὐχ ὑπάρχει μοι, ὃ δὲ ἔχω τοῦτο σοι δίδωμι· ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου [ἔγειρε καὶ] περιπάτει ειπεν δε πετρος αργυριον και χρυσιον ουχ υπαρχει μοι ο δε εχω τουτο σοι διδωμι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου εγειραι και περιπατει ειπεν δε πετρος αργυριον και χρυσιον ουχ υπαρχει μοι ο δε εχω τουτο σοι διδωμι εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου του ναζωραιου εγειραι και περιπατει

Acts 3:10 (NET)

Acts 3:10 (KJV)

and they recognized him as the man who used to sit and ask for donations at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with astonishment and amazement at what had happened to him. And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

Acts 3:10 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 3:10 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 3:10 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἐπεγίνωσκον δὲ αὐτὸν ὅτι |αὐτὸς| ἦν ὁ πρὸς τὴν ἐλεημοσύνην καθήμενος ἐπὶ τῇ ὡραίᾳ πύλῃ τοῦ ἱεροῦ καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν θάμβους καὶ ἐκστάσεως ἐπὶ τῷ συμβεβηκότι αὐτῷ επεγινωσκον τε αυτον οτι ουτος ην ο προς την ελεημοσυνην καθημενος επι τη ωραια πυλη του ιερου και επλησθησαν θαμβους και εκστασεως επι τω συμβεβηκοτι αυτω επεγινωσκον τε αυτον οτι ουτος ην ο προς την ελεημοσυνην καθημενος επι τη ωραια πυλη του ιερου και επλησθησαν θαμβους και εκστασεως επι τω συμβεβηκοτι αυτω

Acts 3:11 (NET)

Acts 3:11 (KJV)

While the man was hanging on to Peter and John, all the people, completely astounded, ran together to them in the covered walkway called Solomon’s Portico. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

Acts 3:11 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 3:11 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 3:11 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Κρατοῦντος δὲ αὐτοῦ τὸν Πέτρον καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην συνέδραμεν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ τῇ στοᾷ τῇ καλουμένῃ Σολομῶντος ἔκθαμβοι κρατουντος δε του ιαθεντος χωλου τον πετρον και ιωαννην συνεδραμεν προς αυτους πας ο λαος επι τη στοα τη καλουμενη σολομωντος εκθαμβοι κρατουντος δε του ιαθεντος χωλου τον πετρον και ιωαννην συνεδραμεν προς αυτους πας ο λαος επι τη στοα τη καλουμενη σολομωντος εκθαμβοι

Acts 4:2 (NET)

Acts 4:2 (KJV)

angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 4:2 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:2 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:2 (Byzantine Majority Text)

διαπονούμενοι διὰ τὸ διδάσκειν αὐτοὺς τὸν λαὸν καὶ καταγγέλλειν ἐν τῷ Ἰησοῦ τὴν ἀνάστασιν τὴν ἐκ νεκρῶν διαπονουμενοι δια το διδασκειν αυτους τον λαον και καταγγελλειν εν τω ιησου την αναστασιν την εκ νεκρων διαπονουμενοι δια το διδασκειν αυτους τον λαον και καταγγελλειν εν τω ιησου την αναστασιν των νεκρων

Matthew 22:23 (NET)

Matthew 22:23 (KJV)

The same day Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to him and asked him, The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

Matthew 22:23 (NET Parallel Greek)

Matthew 22:23 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Matthew 22:23 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ προσῆλθον αὐτῷ Σαδδουκαῖοι (λέγοντες μὴ εἶναι ἀνάστασιν) καὶ ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν εν εκεινη τη ημερα προσηλθον αυτω σαδδουκαιοι οι λεγοντες μη ειναι αναστασιν και επηρωτησαν αυτον εν εκεινη τη ημερα προσηλθον αυτω σαδδουκαιοι οι λεγοντες μη ειναι αναστασιν και επηρωτησαν αυτον

Mark 12:18 (NET)

Mark 12:18 (KJV)

Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) also came to him and asked him, Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

Mark 12:18 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 12:18 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 12:18 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Καὶ ἔρχονται Σαδδουκαῖοι πρὸς αὐτόν (οἵτινες λέγουσιν ἀνάστασιν μὴ εἶναι) καὶ ἐπηρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες και ερχονται σαδδουκαιοι προς αυτον οιτινες λεγουσιν αναστασιν μη ειναι και επηρωτησαν αυτον λεγοντες και ερχονται σαδδουκαιοι προς αυτον οιτινες λεγουσιν αναστασιν μη ειναι και επηρωτησαν αυτον λεγοντες

Acts 23:6-8 (NET)

Acts 23:6-8 (KJV)

Then when Paul noticed that part of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, he shouted out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead!” But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 23:6 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 23:6 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 23:6 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Γνοὺς δὲ ὁ Παῦλος ὅτι τὸ ἓν μέρος ἐστὶν Σαδδουκαίων τὸ δὲ ἕτερον Φαρισαίων ἔκραζεν ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ· ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί, ἐγὼ Φαρισαῖος εἰμι, υἱὸς Φαρισαίων, περὶ ἐλπίδος καὶ ἀναστάσεως νεκρῶν [ἐγὼ] κρίνομαι γνους δε ο παυλος οτι το εν μερος εστιν σαδδουκαιων το δε ετερον φαρισαιων εκραξεν εν τω συνεδριω ανδρες αδελφοι εγω φαρισαιος ειμι υιος φαρισαιου περι ελπιδος και αναστασεως νεκρων εγω κρινομαι γνους δε ο παυλος οτι το εν μερος εστιν σαδδουκαιων το δε ετερον φαρισαιων εκραξεν εν τω συνεδριω ανδρες αδελφοι εγω φαρισαιος ειμι υιος φαρισαιου περι ελπιδος και αναστασεως νεκρων εγω κρινομαι
When he said this, an argument began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

Acts 23:7 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 23:7 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 23:7 (Byzantine Majority Text)

τοῦτο δὲ αὐτοῦ |εἰπόντος| ἐγένετο στάσις τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων καὶ ἐσχίσθη τὸ πλῆθος τουτο δε αυτου λαλησαντος εγενετο στασις των φαρισαιων και των σαδδουκαιων και εσχισθη το πληθος τουτο δε αυτου λαλησαντος εγενετο στασις των φαρισαιων και των σαδδουκαιων και εσχισθη το πληθος
(For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

Acts 23:8 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 23:8 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 23:8 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Σαδδουκαῖοι |μὲν| γὰρ λέγουσιν μὴ εἶναι ἀνάστασιν μήτε ἄγγελον μήτε πνεῦμα, Φαρισαῖοι δὲ ὁμολογοῦσιν τὰ ἀμφότερα σαδδουκαιοι μεν γαρ λεγουσιν μη ειναι αναστασιν μηδε αγγελον μητε πνευμα φαρισαιοι δε ομολογουσιν τα αμφοτερα σαδδουκαιοι μεν γαρ λεγουσιν μη ειναι αναστασιν μηδε αγγελον μητε πνευμα φαρισαιοι δε ομολογουσιν τα αμφοτερα

Acts 4:22 (NET)

Acts 4:22 (KJV)

For the man, on whom this miraculous sign of healing had been performed, was over forty years old. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

Acts 4:22 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:22 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:22 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἐτῶν γὰρ ἦν πλειόνων τεσσεράκοντα ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐφ᾿ ὃν γεγόνει τὸ σημεῖον τοῦτο τῆς ἰάσεως ετων γαρ ην πλειονων τεσσαρακοντα ο ανθρωπος εφ ον εγεγονει το σημειον τουτο της ιασεως ετων γαρ ην πλειονων τεσσαρακοντα ο ανθρωπος εφ ον εγεγονει το σημειον τουτο της ιασεως

Acts 4:24 (NET)

span style=”font-size: small;”>Acts 4:24 (KJV)

When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “Master of all, you who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

Acts 4:24 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:24 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:24 (Byzantine Majority Text)

οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἦραν φωνὴν πρὸς τὸν θεὸν καὶ εἶπαν· δέσποτα, σὺ ὁ ποιήσας τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ τὴν θάλασσαν καὶ πάντα τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς, οι δε ακουσαντες ομοθυμαδον ηραν φωνην προς τον θεον και ειπον δεσποτα συ ο θεος ο ποιησας τον ουρανον και την γην και την θαλασσαν και παντα τα εν αυτοις οι δε ακουσαντες ομοθυμαδον ηραν φωνην προς τον θεον και ειπον δεσποτα συ ο θεος ο ποιησας τον ουρανον και την γην και την θαλασσαν και παντα τα εν αυτοις

Acts 4:31 (NET)

Acts 4:31 (KJV)

When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:31 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 4:31 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 4:31 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ δεηθέντων αὐτῶν ἐσαλεύθη ὁ τόπος ἐν ᾧ ἦσαν συνηγμένοι, καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν ἅπαντες τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος καὶ ἐλάλουν τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ μετὰ παρρησίας και δεηθεντων αυτων εσαλευθη ο τοπος εν ω ησαν συνηγμενοι και επλησθησαν απαντες πνευματος αγιου και ελαλουν τον λογον του θεου μετα παρρησιας και δεηθεντων αυτων εσαλευθη ο τοπος εν ω ησαν συνηγμενοι και επλησθησαν απαντες πνευματος αγιου και ελαλουν τον λογον του θεου μετα παρρησιας

Mark 13:23 (NET)

Mark 13:23 (KJV)

Be careful! I have told you everything ahead of time. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Mark 13:23 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 13:23 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 13:23 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ὑμεῖς δὲ βλέπετε· προείρηκα ὑμῖν πάντα υμεις δε βλεπετε ιδου προειρηκα υμιν παντα υμεις δε βλεπετε ιδου προειρηκα υμιν παντα

Mark 16:18 (NET)

Mark 16:18 (KJV)

they will pick up snakes with their hands, and whatever poison they drink will not harm them; they will place their hands on the sick and they will be well. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16:18 (NET Parallel Greek)

Mark 16:18 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Mark 16:18 (Byzantine Majority Text)

[καὶ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν] ὄφεις ἀροῦσιν κὰν θανάσιμον τι πίωσιν οὐ μὴ αὐτοὺς βλάψῃ, ἐπὶ ἀρρώστους χεῖρας ἐπιθήσουσιν καὶ καλῶς ἕξουσιν οφεις αρουσιν καν θανασιμον τι πιωσιν ου μη αυτους βλαψει επι αρρωστους χειρας επιθησουσιν και καλως εξουσιν οφεις αρουσιν καν θανασιμον τι πιωσιν ου μη αυτους βλαψη επι αρρωστους χειρας επιθησουσιν και καλως εξουσιν

2 Acts 3:1-5 (NET)

3 Acts 2:43 (NET) Table

8 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had αὐτοῦ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had του ιαθεντος χωλου (KJV: as the lame man which was healed).

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

12 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had οι (KJV: which) preceding say. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

14 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἔκραζεν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εκραξεν (KJV: he cried out).

15 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had the plural Φαρισαίων here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the singular φαρισαιου (KJV: of a Pharisee).

17 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article των here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

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

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

22 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ιδου (KJV: behold) following Be careful! (KJV: takeheed). The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

23 Romans 14:11 (NET)

24 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καὶ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν (NET: with their hands) here. The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

26 Mark 16:17, 18 (NET)

27 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had βλαψει (KJV: it shallhurt) here in the future tense and indicative mood, which is also a strong form of negation. From Emphatic Negations in Biblical Greek: “when these two Greek negative particles are combined in the form of οὐ µή (ou mē) with reference to a future event, what results is an intensified form of the negative.” But βλάψῃ in the aorist tense and subjunctive mood is currently considered more original in the NA28. It also occurs most frequently in the eastern manuscripts as shown by the Byzantine Majority Text.

28 From “Emphatic Negations in Biblical Greek,” on the BLB Blog online.

Wonders and False Wonders, Part 1

Peter described Jesus to the crowd gathered at Pentecost as a man clearly attested to you by God with powerful deeds, wonders, and miraculous signs that God performed (ἐποίησεν, a form of ποιέω) among you through him, just as you yourselves know1 The Greek word translated wonders above was τέρασι(ν), a form of τέρας:

omen, wonder
portent, premonition
a prodigy
feat, accomplishment
foreboding, portentous and amazing event (performed by God)

Now [Jesus] came again to Cana in Galilee where he had made the water wine. In Capernaum there was a certain royal official whose son was sick. When he heard that Jesus had come back from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and begged him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die [Table]. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders you will never believe!”2 Here the word translated wonders was τέρατα (another form of τέρας).

I wrote about Jesus’ complex attitude to signs (σημεῖα, a form of σημεῖον) in another essay and will simply continue with the story here (John 4:49, 50a NET).

“Sir,” the official said to him, “come down before my child dies.” Jesus told him, “Go home; your son will live” [Table].

John concluded this story: Jesus did this as his second miraculous sign when he returned from Judea to Galilee.3 The Greek word translated miraculous sign was σημεῖον. But Jesus had spoken of signs, σημεῖα, a plural form of σημεῖον and wonders.

At the risk of being somewhat arbitrary, I’ll say that the miraculous sign here was that without spells, potions or incantations Jesus healed the official’s son simply by promising that he would live. And so that leaves the wonders (John 4:50b-53 NET):

The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and set off for home. While he was on his way down, his slaves met him and told him that his son was going to live. So he asked them the time when his condition began to improve, and they told him, “Yesterday at one o’clock in the afternoon the fever left him.” Then the father realized that it was the very time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he himself believed along with his entire household [Table].

So, a man who believed the word that Jesus spoke to him enough to obey Him and go home had his faith confirmed by the timing of the fulfillment of that word while he was on the way. The pattern seems to hold, though I am hard-pressed to distinguish between signs and wonders (Acts 2:41-47 NET):

So those who accepted [Peter’s] message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added [Table]. They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Reverential awe came over4 everyone, and many wonders (τέρατα, another form of τέρας) and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. All who believed were together and held everything in common, and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number5 every day those who were being saved.

The text doesn’t specify the many wonders and miraculous signs that came about διὰ (“through, by, in the midst of”) the apostles. The wonders performed by God are evident, however, in the attitudes and actions described, so uncharacteristic of people generally, now normative for those who have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer [they] who live, but Christ lives in [them]. So the life [they] now live in the body, [they] live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved [them] and gave himself for [them],6 on the cross, yes, but even beyond that through his indwelling Spirit. Though they met in the temple courts, their actions supported the creation of a priesthood of grace virtually overnight, independent of the priesthood of law. And those actions were prompted, not by a lawgiver on a mountain top but, by the Spirit of the living God moving in individual human hearts.

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.7 For if the message spoken through angels (ἀγγέλων, a form of ἄγγελος; i.e., messengers) proved to be so firm that every violation or disobedience received its just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first communicated through the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard him, while God confirmed their witness with signs and wonders (τέρασιν, a form of τέρας) and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.8

Paul complained to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 12:11, 12 NET):

I have become a fool.9 You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those “super10-apostles,” even though I am nothing. Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance by signs and11 wonders (τέρασιν, a form of τέρας) and powerful deeds.

The signs of an apostle (τὰσημεῖα τοῦ ἀποστόλου) were performed among you, he wrote. Without specifying exactly what they were, he described them as signs and wonders and powerful deeds. It makes sense at this point to actually look at what the apostles did.

As a disciple called by Jesus Peter had at best a very selective faith in Scripture:

Jesus and Scripture (Matthew 26:31 NET)

Peter (Matthew 26:33 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.’12 Peter said to him, “If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away!”

He was willing to argue with both Jesus’ word and the Scripture if they impacted his ego adversely. On the night of Jesus’ arrest Peter flailed with a sword to protect Jesus, no doubt, but also to fulfill his own word that he would never fall away (οὐδέποτε σκανδαλισθήσομαι) and, whether intentionally or not, to prove Jesus’ word and the Scripture false. On Pentecost not that long afterward the apostle Peter deftly handled the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God)13 to become one of the fishers of people Jesus promised. Peter quoted the prophet Joel (Acts 2:19 NET):

And I will perform wonders (τέρατα another form of τέρας) in the sky above and miraculous signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke.

I’ve presented Peter’s use of Scripture in its full context in another essay, and discussed some of it in detail in others.14 Here I’ll point out that the Hebrew word in the Masoretic text translated τέρατα in the Septuagint and the New Testament was מֽוֹפְתִ֔ים (môp̄ēṯ). The first occurrence of a form of מוֹפֵת (môp̄ēṯ) follows:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 4:21 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:21 (NET)

Exodus 4:21 (NETS)

Exodus 4:21 (English Elpenor)

And HaShem said unto Moses: ‘When thou goest back into Egypt, see that thou do before Pharaoh all the wonders (הַמֹּֽפְתִים֙) which I have put in thy hand; but I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go. The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders (môp̄ēṯ, המפתים) I have put under your control. But I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go. And the Lord said to Moyses, “As you go and return to Egypt, see, all the wonders (τὰ τέρατα) which I put in your hands, you shall perform them before Pharao. But I will harden his heart, and he will not send the people away. And the Lord said to Moses, When thou goest and returnest to Egypt, see– all the miracles (τὰ τέρατα) I have charged thee with, thou shalt work before Pharao: and I will harden his heart, and he shall certainly not send away the people.

The wonders which I have put in thy hand refers to Exodus 4:1-9. I’ll quote Exodus 4:8, 9 where these wonders were described individually as the voice of the sign:

Masoretic Text

Septuagint

Exodus 4:8, 9 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:8, 9 (NET)

Exodus 4:8, 9 (NETS)

Exodus 4:8, 9 (English Elpenor)

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice (לְקֹ֖ל) of the first sign (הָאֹ֣ת), that they will believe the voice (לְקֹ֖ל) of the latter sign (הָאֹ֥ת). “If they do not believe you or pay attention to [Note 16: Heb “listen to the voice (qôl, לקל) of,”] the former sign (‘ôṯ, האת), then they may believe the latter sign (‘ôṯ, האת) [Note 18: Heb “believe the voice (qôl, לקל) of the latter sign”]. “Now if they should not believe you or listen to the voice of the first sign (τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου), they will believe you because of the voice of the last sign (τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου). And if they will not believe thee, nor hearken to the voice of the first sign (τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου), they will believe thee [because] of the voice of the second sign (τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου).
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe even these two signs (הָֽאֹת֜וֹת), neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land; and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.’ And if they do not believe even these two signs (‘ôṯ, האתות) or listen to you, then take some water from the Nile and pour it out on the dry ground. The water you take out of the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.” And it will be if they should not believe you for these two signs (σημείοις) or listen to your voice, you shall take some of the river’s water and pour it on the dry ground, and the water, whatever you take from the river, will be blood on the dry ground.” And it shall come to pass if they will not believe thee for these two signs (σημείοις), and will not hearken to thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry land, and the water which thou shalt take from the river shall be blood upon the dry land.

So I’ll try to use forms of σημεῖον for the sign, the thing itself, and forms of τέρας for the wonder, the voice of the sign (τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου), the effect it has on the one who witnesses the sign, to believe (Tanakh/KJV/NET) the messenger and ultimately the word of God. (The Hebrew word translated believe was יַֽאֲמִ֣ינוּ (‘āman) in the Masoretic text and the Greek was πιστεύσωσί(ν) in the Septuagint.) The implication seems to be that even Pharaoh would have believed through these wonders, except for the Lord’s promise to Moses: But I will harden his heart.15

After his resurrection Jesus said to his disciples (Luke 24:44-49 NET):

“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled” [Table]. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it stands written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” [Table].

So, the sign here is that Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures. The wonder, or the voice of the sign, is the transformation in Peter’s regard for the Scriptures after he received the Holy Spirit, after he was clothed with power from on high. And this transformation is one of the signs of an apostle. It is impossible to imagine an apostle apart from this transformation, yet such a transformation is not exclusively the domain of apostles. It is to be expected in any who are drawn by Jesus, in all who have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer [they] who live, but Christ lives in [them].16

Jesus’ confidence in the Scriptures was unprecedented: “Put your sword back into its sheath,” He said to Peter during his arrest. “Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?”17 “How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?”18 [Y]our word is truth,19 He had prayed to his Father. Set them apart in the truth,20 He interceded for his disciples.

And here, I get a glimpse of what false wonders would be: For false messiahs and false prophets will appear, Jesus warned, and perform great signs and wonders (τέρατα, another form of τέρας) to deceive, if possible, even the elect.21 Without specifying exactly what any particular sign would be, Jesus warned that the wonder, the voice of the sign, would not result in confidence in the truth, God’s word, the Scriptures: great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

I’ll continue with this in another essay.

A note (40) in the NET claimed that Acts 2:19 was a quotation from Joel 2:30 (3:3). A table comparing the Greek of Acts 2:19 with that of Joel 2:30 (3:3) in the Septuagint follows.

Acts 2:19 (NET Parallel Greek)

Joel 2:30 (Septuagint BLB)

Joel 3:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ δώσω τέρατα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω καὶ σημεῖα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς κάτω, αἷμα καὶ πῦρ καὶ ἀτμίδα καπνοῦ καὶ δώσω τέρατα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς αἷμα καὶ πῦρ καὶ ἀτμίδα καπνοῦ καὶ δώσω τέρατα ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, αἷμα καὶ πῦρ καὶ ἀτμίδα καπνοῦ

Acts 2:19 (NET)

Joel 2:30 (NETS)

Joel 3:3 (English Elpenor)

And I will perform wonders in the sky above and miraculous signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke. I will give portents in the sky and on earth: blood and fire and the vapor of smoke. And I will shew wonders in heaven, and upon the earth, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.

Tables comparing Joel 2:30 (3:3); Exodus 4:21; 4:8 and 4:9 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET; and tables comparing Joel 2:30 (3:3); Exodus 4:21; 4:8 and 4:9 in the BLB and Elpenor versions of the Septuagint with the English translations from Hebrew and Greek, and tables comparing the Greek of Acts 2:43; 2:47; Hebrews 2:1; 2 Corinthians 12:11, 12 and Ephesians 6:17 in the NET and KJV follow.

Joel 3:3 (Tanakh)

Joel 2:30 (KJV)

Joel 2:30 (NET)

And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. I will produce portents both in the sky and on the earth—blood, fire, and columns of smoke.

Joel 2:30 (Septuagint BLB)

Joel 3:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ δώσω τέρατα ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς αἷμα καὶ πῦρ καὶ ἀτμίδα καπνοῦ καὶ δώσω τέρατα ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, αἷμα καὶ πῦρ καὶ ἀτμίδα καπνοῦ

Joel 2:30 (NETS)

Joel 3:3 (English Elpenor)

I will give portents in the sky and on earth: blood and fire and the vapor of smoke. And I will shew wonders in heaven, and upon the earth, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.

Exodus 4:21 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:21 (KJV)

Exodus 4:21 (NET)

And HaShem said unto Moses: ‘When thou goest back into Egypt, see that thou do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in thy hand; but I will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go. And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. The Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the wonders I have put under your control. But I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go.

Exodus 4:21 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)

εἶπεν δὲ κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν πορευομένου σου καὶ ἀποστρέφοντος εἰς Αἴγυπτον ὅρα πάντα τὰ τέρατα ἃ ἔδωκα ἐν ταῖς χερσίν σου ποιήσεις αὐτὰ ἐναντίον Φαραω ἐγὼ δὲ σκληρυνῶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐξαποστείλῃ τὸν λαόν εἶπε δὲ Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· πορευομένου σου καὶ ἀποστρέφοντος εἰς Αἴγυπτον, ὅρα πάντα τὰ τέρατα, ἃ δέδωκα ἐν ταῖς χερσί σου, ποιήσεις αὐτὰ ἐναντίον Φαραώ· ἐγὼ δὲ σκληρυνῶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐξαποστείλῃ τὸν λαόν

Exodus 4:21 (NETS)

Exodus 4:21 (English Elpenor)

And the Lord said to Moyses, “As you go and return to Egypt, see, all the wonders which I put in your hands, you shall perform them before Pharao. But I will harden his heart, and he will not send the people away. And the Lord said to Moses, When thou goest and returnest to Egypt, see– all the miracles I have charged thee with, thou shalt work before Pharao: and I will harden his heart, and he shall certainly not send away the people.

Exodus 4:8 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:8 (KJV)

Exodus 4:8 (NET)

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the former sign, then they may believe the latter sign.

Exodus 4:8 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)

ἐὰν δὲ μὴ πιστεύσωσίν σοι μηδὲ εἰσακούσωσιν τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου τοῦ πρώτου πιστεύσουσίν σοι τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου τοῦ ἐσχάτου ἐὰν δὲ μὴ πιστεύσωσί σοι, μηδὲ εἰσακούσωσι τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου τοῦ πρώτου, πιστεύσουσί σοι τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ σημείου τοῦ δευτέρου

Exodus 4:8 (NETS)

Exodus 4:8 (English Elpenor)

“Now if they should not believe you or listen to the voice of the first sign, they will believe you because of the voice of the last sign. And if they will not believe thee, nor hearken to the voice of the first sign, they will believe thee [because] of the voice of the second sign.

Exodus 4:9 (Tanakh)

Exodus 4:9 (KJV)

Exodus 4:9 (NET)

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe even these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land; and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.’ And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land. And if they do not believe even these two signs or listen to you, then take some water from the Nile and pour it out on the dry ground. The water you take out of the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”

Exodus 4:9 (Septuagint BLB)

Exodus 4:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)

καὶ ἔσται ἐὰν μὴ πιστεύσωσίν σοι τοῖς δυσὶ σημείοις τούτοις μηδὲ εἰσακούσωσιν τῆς φωνῆς σου λήμψῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ ἐκχεεῖς ἐπὶ τὸ ξηρόν καὶ ἔσται τὸ ὕδωρ ὃ ἐὰν λάβῃς ἀπὸ τοῦ ποταμοῦ αἷμα ἐπὶ τοῦ ξηροῦ καὶ ἔσται ἐὰν μὴ πιστεύσωσί σοι τοῖς δυσὶ σημείοις τούτοις, μηδὲ εἰσακούσωσι τῆς φωνῆς σου, λήψῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ ἐκχεεῖς ἐπὶ τὸ ξηρόν, καὶ ἔσται τὸ ὕδωρ, ὃ ἐὰν λάβῃς ἀπὸ τοῦ ποταμοῦ, αἷμα ἐπὶ τοῦ ξηροῦ

Exodus 4:9 (NETS)

Exodus 4:9 (English Elpenor)

And it will be if they should not believe you for these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some of the river’s water and pour it on the dry ground, and the water, whatever you take from the river, will be blood on the dry ground.” And it shall come to pass if they will not believe thee for these two signs, and will not hearken to thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river and pour it upon the dry land, and the water which thou shalt take from the river shall be blood upon the dry land.

Acts 2:43 (NET)

Acts 2:43 (KJV)

Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Acts 2:43 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 2:43 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 2:43 (Byzantine Majority Text)

ἐγίνετο δὲ πάσῃ ψυχῇ φόβος, πολλά |τε| τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα διὰ τῶν ἀποστόλων ἐγίνετο εγενετο δε παση ψυχη φοβος πολλα τε τερατα και σημεια δια των αποστολων εγινετο εγενετο δε παση ψυχη φοβος πολλα τε τερατα και σημεια δια των αποστολων εγινετο

Acts 2:47 (NET)

Acts 2:47 (KJV)

praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 2:47 (NET Parallel Greek)

Acts 2:47 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Acts 2:47 (Byzantine Majority Text)

αἰνοῦντες τὸν θεὸν καὶ ἔχοντες χάριν πρὸς ὅλον τὸν λαόν. ὁ δὲ κύριος προσετίθει τοὺς σῳζομένους καθ᾿ ἡμέραν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό αινουντες τον θεον και εχοντες χαριν προς ολον τον λαον ο δε κυριος προσετιθει τους σωζομενους καθ ημεραν τη εκκλησια αινουντες τον θεον και εχοντες χαριν προς ολον τον λαον ο δε κυριος προσετιθει τους σωζομενους καθ ημεραν τη εκκλησια

Hebrews 2:1 (NET)

Hebrews 2:1 (KJV)

Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Hebrews 2:1 (NET Parallel Greek)

Hebrews 2:1 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Hebrews 2:1 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Διὰ τοῦτο δεῖ περισσοτέρως προσέχειν ἡμᾶς τοῖς ἀκουσθεῖσιν, μήποτε παραρυῶμεν δια τουτο δει περισσοτερως ημας προσεχειν τοις ακουσθεισιν μηποτε παραρρυωμεν δια τουτο δει περισσοτερως ημας προσεχειν τοις ακουσθεισιν μηποτε παραρρυωμεν

2 Corinthians 12:11, 12 (NET)

2 Corinthians 12:11, 12 (KJV)

I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

2 Corinthians 12:11 (NET Parallel Greek)

2 Corinthians 12:11 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

2 Corinthians 12:11 (Byzantine Majority Text)

Γέγονα ἄφρων, ὑμεῖς με ἠναγκάσατε. ἐγὼ γὰρ ὤφειλον ὑφ᾿ ὑμῶν συνίστασθαι· οὐδὲν γὰρ ὑστέρησα τῶν ὑπερλίαν ἀποστόλων εἰ καὶ οὐδέν εἰμι γεγονα αφρων καυχωμενος υμεις με ηναγκασατε εγω γαρ ωφειλον υφ υμων συνιστασθαι ουδεν γαρ υστερησα των υπερ λιαν αποστολων ει και ουδεν ειμι γεγονα αφρων καυχωμενος υμεις με ηναγκασατε εγω γαρ ωφειλον υφ υμων συνιστασθαι ουδεν γαρ υστερησα των υπερ λιαν αποστολων ει και ουδεν ειμι
Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance by signs and wonders and powerful deeds. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

2 Corinthians 12:12 (NET Parallel Greek)

2 Corinthians 12:12 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

2 Corinthians 12:12 (Byzantine Majority Text)

τὰ μὲν σημεῖα τοῦ ἀποστόλου κατειργάσθη ἐν ὑμῖν ἐν πάσῃ ὑπομονῇ, σημείοις |τε| καὶ τέρασιν καὶ δυνάμεσιν τα μεν σημεια του αποστολου κατειργασθη εν υμιν εν παση υπομονη εν σημειοις και τερασιν και δυναμεσιν τα μεν σημεια του αποστολου κατειργασθη εν υμιν εν παση υπομονη εν σημειοις και τερασιν και δυναμεσιν

Ephesians 6:17 (NET)

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Ephesians 6:17 (NET Parallel Greek)

Ephesians 6:17 (Stephanus Textus Receptus)

Ephesians 6:17 (Byzantine Majority Text)

καὶ τὴν περικεφαλαίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου δέξασθε καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν τοῦ πνεύματος, ὅ ἐστιν ρῆμα θεοῦ και την περικεφαλαιαν του σωτηριου δεξασθε και την μαχαιραν του πνευματος ο εστιν ρημα θεου και την περικεφαλαιαν του σωτηριου δεξασθαι και την μαχαιραν του πνευματος ο εστιν ρημα θεου

1 Acts 2:22 (NET) Table

2 John 4:46-48 (NET)

3 John 4:54 (NET) Table

6 Galatians 2:20 (NET)

7 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had παραρυῶμεν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had παραρρυωμεν (KJV: we should let [them] slip).

8 Hebrews 2:1-4 (NET)

9 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had καυχωμενος (KJV: in glorying) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

10 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὑπερλίαν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had υπερ λιαν (KJV: very chiefest).

12 A note (44) in the NET claimed that Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7. The table comparing the Greek of Jesus’ quotation with that of the Septuagint makes it obvious that He did not quote the Septuagint verbatim.

13 Ephesians 6:17b (NET)

15 Exodus 4:21b (NET)

16 Galatians 2:20a (NET)

17 John 18:11 (NET) Table

18 Matthew 26:54 (NET)

19 John 17:17b (NET) Table

20 John 17:17a (NET) Table

21 Matthew 24:24 (NET)