Article November 8, 1941 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in this column can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons. The Notes in this issue are related to the Lesson-Sermon designated to be read in Christian Science churches on November 16, 1941.]

"Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory" (I Cor. 15:54)—The reference is to Isaiah 25:8, where we find the words: "He will swallow up death in victory." It may be observed that in the Old Testament passage, the phrase rendered "in victory" in our Common Version can also mean "for ever." Hence the rendering of the American Standard Version: "He hath swallowed up death for ever."

"Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews" (John 3:1)—Dr. Westcott feels that this phrase suggests definitely that Nicodemus was a member of the famed Jewish council of the Sanhedrin, the duties of which were primarily judicial in character. Other authorities, however, take the phrase in a more general sense. Thus Goodspeed suggests: "a leader among the Jews;" while Moffatt renders: " ... who belonged to the Jewish authorities."

"No man can do these miracles ... except God be with him" (John 3:2)—The Greek word "semeia," which is translated "miracles" in this verse and elsewhere in John's Gospel, means literally "signs," and modern translators are virtually unanimous in their acceptance of the latter translation.

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