Tag Archive

A Bald Man, Two Bears, and Forty-two “Children”: Misinterpreted Bible Passages #6

By Jason A. Staples

It’s been awhile since the last installment of this series (lots more to come), but this one should be fairly straightforward. 2 Kings 2:23–24 tells of the prophet Elisha calling a curse down upon a group of “children” (KJV), “youths” (NIV), “boys,” (NRSV/ESV), or “lads” (NASB), resulting in two bears (she-bears, if you must)... »

“The Signs of the Times”: Misinterpreted Bible Passages #5

By Jason A. Staples

International strife, wars, rumors of wars, famines, and pestilence are not the "signs of the times." In fact, Jesus warns his disciples against being alarmed by these things or thinking they signal the end times. Amazingly, Jesus' words have been read to mean almost exactly the opposite of what he actually said. »

“That day will come like a thief”: Misinterpreted Bible Passages #4

By Jason A. Staples

You've probably heard about how Jesus will return without warning, "like a thief in the night." But did you know this only refers to the unfaithful being surprised by the return, while Paul says Christians should not be taken by surprise? »

“Judge not, lest you be judged”: Misinterpreted Bible Passages #3

By Jason A. Staples

*If new to this series, please see the introduction.* Today we address one of the most quoted and most commonly misinterpreted passages in the Bible, a verse usually cited to mean that people shouldn’t judge one another but meaning something entirely different: Matthew 7:1–2 Μὴ κρίνετε, ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε· ἐν ᾧ γὰρ κρίματι κρίνετε... »