Christmas
in the Bible
UPDV ®
Updated Bible Version
Presentation Overview
Overview
Christmas
• Matthew
• Luke
Conclusion
Differences - Matthew
Evidence
Types of Differences
Solution
'Sayings' Format
Jesus said, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the
workers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the
harvest, that he send forth workers into his harvest.
Jesus said, To him who strikes you on the [one] cheek
offer also the other; and from him who takes away
your cloak don't withhold your coat also.
Jesus said, No man can serve as a slave to two
masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the
other; or he will hold to one, and despise the other.
You can't serve as a slave to God and mammon.
Differences - Matthew
Evidence
Types of Differences
Solution
Types of Differences
in Matthew
Additions
Exagerrations
Sequence Problems
Differences – Matthew
Example #1 – Matthew 8:28
Parallel #1 - Mark 5:1-3
Parallel #2 - Luke 8:26-27,29
Differences - Matthew 8:28
Traditional Account
Matthew 8:28 (UPDV 2.03)
And when he came to the other side
into the country of the Gadarenes,
there met him two possessed with
demons, coming forth out of the
tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that
no man could pass by that way.
Differences - Matthew 8:28
Parallel Account #1
Mark 5:1-3 (UPDV 2.05)
And they came to the other side of the
sea, into the country of the Gerasenes.
And when he came out of the boat,
right away there met him out of the
tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
who had his dwelling in the tombs: and
no man could anymore bind him,
no, not with a chain;
Differences - Matthew 8:28
Parallel Account #2
Luke 8:26-27,29 (UPDV 2.05)
And they arrived at the country of the
Gerasenes, which is across from
Galilee. And when he came forth on the
land, there met him a certain man
out of the city, who had demons;
and for a long time he had worn no
clothes, and did not stay in [any]
house, but in the tombs.
Differences - Matthew 8:28
Parallel Account #2
Luke 8:26-27,29 (UPDV 2.05)
…
For he commanded the unclean spirit to
come out from the man. For oftentimes
it had seized him: and he was kept
under guard, and bound with
chains and fetters; and breaking
the bands apart, he was driven by
the demon into the deserts.
Differences - Matthew 8:28
Comparison of Three Accounts
Matthew Mark Luke
# 2 1 1
E exceedingly no man could breaking the
X fierce, so anymore bind bands apart he
T that no man him, no, not was driven by
could pass with a chain the demon into
E by that way the deserts
N
T
Differences – Matthew
Example #2 – Matthew 20:29-34
Two Blind Men – Out of Jericho
Parallel #1 - Mark 10:46-52
One Blind Man – Into Jericho
Parallel #2 - Luke 18:35-43
One Blind Man – Into Jericho
Summary of Differences
in Matthew
Additions
Exagerrations
Sequence Problems
• Verses Out of Order
• Wrong Context
Differences - Matthew
Evidence
Types of Differences
Solution
Matthew - Solution
Remove Unattested Material
Reorganize Remaining Material
Renumber
Unattested Christmas
Material in Matthew
Matthew 1:18 – 2:23
• Engaged to a virgin
• Joseph deciding to divorce
• Wise men from the east
• The star
• Flight to Egypt
• Herod killing the infants
• Return from Egypt
Presentation Overview
Overview
Christmas
• Matthew
• Luke
Additional Information
Conclusion
Luke
Relationship of Joseph and Mary:
• Luke 1:26-27
• Luke 2:5
Mary:
• Luke 1:34
• Isaiah 7:14
Engaged / Married
Luke 1:26-27 Previous
Now in the sixth month the angel
Gabriel was sent from God to a city
of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a
virgin betrothed to a man whose
name was Joseph, of the house of
David; and the virgin's name was
Mary.
(UPDV Version 2.02)
Engaged / Married
Luke 1:26-27 Current
Now in the sixth month the angel
Gabriel was sent from God to a city
of Galilee, named Nazareth, to the
wife of a man whose name was
Joseph, of the house of David; and
her name was Mary.
(UPDV Version 2.05)
Engaged / Married
Luke 1:27 Comparison
Previous Current
to a virgin to the wife of
betrothed to
a man whose name a man whose name
was Joseph, of the was Joseph, of the
house of David; house of David;
and the virgin's and her name was
name was Mary. Mary.
See Luke 2:5 for similar difference
Light on The Four Gospels from the Sinai Palimpsest
Agnes Smith Lewis - Page 36
Virgin / Barren
Luke 2:4-5 Comparison
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of
Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of
David;
Previous Current
to enroll himself to enroll himself
with Mary, who with Mary,
was betrothed to his wife, being
him, being pregnant.
pregnant.
Virgin / Barren
Luke 1:34 Comparison
Previous Current
And Mary said to And Mary said to
the angel, How will the angel, How will
this be, this be?
seeing I don't I am not able to
know a man? have children.
Syriac English Dictionary, Payne Smith, Page 209
Vocabulary of the Greek Testament
Moulton and Milligan Page 405
Jesus' Birth Account in Luke
Previous Current
Mary and Joseph Mary and Joseph
engaged. married.
Mary a virgin. Mary unable to
have children.
The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and
the power of the Same
Most High will
overshadow you…
(Luke 1:35)
Virgin Birth Prophecy
Isaiah 7:14 (Previous)
Therefore the Lord himself will give
you+ a sign: look, a virgin will be
pregnant, and give birth to a son,
and will call his name Immanuel.
UPDV Version 2.02
Virgin Birth Prophecy
Isaiah 7:14 (Current)
Therefore the Lord himself will give
you+ a sign: look, the young woman
will be pregnant, and give birth to a
son, and will call his name
Immanuel.
UPDV Version 2.05
Virgin Birth Prophecy
Isaiah 7:14 (Comparison)
Previous Current
a virgin the young woman
will be pregnant, will be pregnant,
and give birth to a and give birth to a
son, and will call son, and will call
his name his name
Immanuel. Immanuel.
Presentation Overview
Overview
Christmas
• Matthew
• Luke
Conclusion
UPDV
Updated Bible Version
For more information,
Please visit the Internet Web Site:
www.updated.org
Presentation Last Modified: Dec. 28 2004
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UPDV
Updated Bible Version
For more information,
Please visit the Internet Web Site:
www.updated.org
Presentation Last Modified: Dec. 28 2004