Was Jesus Married? Part 1—A Wiki Answers Discussion

To most Christians, to even consider the idea that Jesus was married approaches blasphemy, with the resulting hoopla reminiscent of a scene from Alice in Wonderland: “Off with their heads! Off with their heads!”

However, I take the approach of following the facts, if, indeed, there are any.

On the one hand, the Bible does not explicitly say that Jesus was married. On the other hand, the Bible does not say explicitly that Jesus was not married.

So, here is where our research will begin: Ground Zero, with no explicit facts in either direction.

The Case of the Missing Books of the Bible, Part 9—From the New Testament

Missing Corinthian Epistle

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators. (1 Corinthians 5:9.)

The New Living Translation ©2007 renders the verse this way: “When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin.”

The Young’s Literal Translation says, “I did write to you in the epistle, not to keep company with whoremongers.”

All the translations I have access to imply a previous Pauline letter or epistle.

The Case of the Missing Books of the Bible, Part 8—Missing Old Testament Prophecy

He shall be called a Nazarene.

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:23.)

All the different translations I have reference to speak of this prophecy, yet the prophecy is nowhere to be found in the Old Testament.

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible describes the situation as he sees it:

The Case of the Missing Books of the Bible, Part 7—More Old Testament Prophets

More Old Testament Prophets

Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer. (1 Chronicles 29:29.)

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? (2 Chronicles 2:29.)

Interestingly, here is another reference to the “acts of Solomon”. However, it appears that this reference is not to the Book of the Acts of Solomon but to his acts as recorded in other books or writings. Still, it’s interesting to see that in these two short verses, we see references to five missing books or writings of Old Testament prophets and seers, including two references to the Book of Nathan the Prophet.

The Case of the Missing Books of the Bible, Part 6—Book of the Acts of Solomon

Book of the Acts of Solomon

And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? (1 Kings 11:41.)

Here are what some of the different translations of the Bible render the name of this missing book:

1. Book of the Acts of Solomon (King James Version; and a whole list of others)
2. Book of the annals of Solomon (New International Version ©1984)
3. Records of Solomon (GOD’S WORD Translation ©1995)
4. Book of the words of the days of Solomon (Douay-Rheims Bible)
5. Book of the matters of Solomon (Young’s Literal Translation)

The King James Translators Notes imply that the word “acts” could also mean “words” or “things”.

The Case of the Missing Books of the Bible, Part 5—Another Book of Samuel

Another Book of Samuel

Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. (1 Samuel 10:25.)

Here are what some of the different translations of the Bible render what is included in this missing book:

1. the manner of the kingdom (King James Version; and a whole list of others)
2. the regulations of the kingship (New International Version ©1984)
3. the regulations of the kingdom (World English Bible)
4. the laws concerning kingship (GOD’S WORD Translation ©1995)
5. the rights and duties of a king (New Living Translation ©2007)
6. the rights and duties of the kingship (English Standard Version ©2001)
7. the ordinances of the kingdom (New American Standard Bible ©1995)
8. the law of the kingdom (Douay-Rheims Bible)
9. the right of the kingdom (Darby Bible Translation; Young’s Literal Translation)

The Case of the Missing Books of the Bible, Part 4—Book of the Wars of the Lord

The Book of the Wars of the Lord

Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon. (Numbers 21:14.)

The American Standard Version renders it “the book of the wars of Jehovah,” as does the Darby Bible Translation. The World English Bible translates it as “the book of the wars of Yahweh” and Young’s Literal Translation, “a book, ‘the wars of Jehovah.’”

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible says:

Of “the book of the wars of the Lord” nothing is known except what may be gathered from the passage before us. It was apparently a collection of sacred odes commemorative of that triumphant progress of God’s people which this chapter records. From it is taken the ensuing fragment of ancient poetry relating to the passage of the Arnon River, and probably also the Song of the Well, and the Ode on the Conquest of the Kingdom of Sihon Numbers 21:17-18, Numbers 21:27-30.