Article October 10, 1942 Issue

Bible Notes

[The Biblical citations given in the Christian Science Quarterly are from the Authorized King James Version. The Bible Notes in these columns can be used, if deemed necessary, to elucidate some of the words or passages contained in the Bible Lessons. The Notes in this issues are related to the Lesson-Sermon designated to be read in Christian Science churches on October 25, 1942.]

"The four beasts" (Rev. 14:3)—It is plain from Revelation 4:6–8 that the four creatures were not all "beasts" in the sense of "animals," in that one of the four is there described as being "like a flying eagle." Indeed, the literal meaning of the word here rendered "beasts" is "living creatures," a translation preferred by many modern translators.

"Here is the patience of the saints" (Rev. 14:12)—Moffatt suggests the rendering: "This is what shows the patience of the saints;" while Weymouth (Fifth Edition) prefers: "Here is an opportunity for endurance on the part of the saints;" adding in a footnote the alternative rendering, "the secret of the endurance of the saints."

"Mary Magdalene" (Mark 16:9)—There is general agreement among scholars that the name "Magdalene" derives from the town Magdala, which was situated on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, not far from Tiberias. Thus Goodspeed, Moffatt, and others prefer to render: "Mary of Magdala."

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