The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth"Question with boldness even the existence of a god," Thomas Jefferson asserted, "because if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." America's third president regarded Jesus as a moral guide rather than a divinity, and in The Jefferson Bible, he highlights Christ's ethical teachings from the Gospels. Discarding the scriptures' supernatural elements and dogma, this volume reflects the deist view of religion, focusing on Jesus' message of absolute love and service. Jefferson undertook his self-appointed task in 1794, consulting not only the King James Bible but also Greek, French, and Latin versions. He selected verses from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and arranged them in chronological order to form a single narrative. Although Jefferson shared his interpretation with friends and family, he declined to publish it, in keeping with his conviction that religion is a private matter—and also to avoid providing his political enemies with ammunition. Not until the turn of the twentieth century did the book appear in print, when it became a tradition to present it to new members of Congress. Unique and influential, this volume reflects not only the thinking of one of the nation's most brilliant statesmen, but also the ideology of the Enlightenment era. |
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Page 16
... sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 4. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 5. Therefore ...
... sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 4. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 5. Therefore ...
Page 17
... sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 14. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. VIII . He Teaches in the ...
... sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 14. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. VIII . He Teaches in the ...
Page 28
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Page 39
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adultery baptized Barabbas behold bidden Blessed brethren bringeth Caiaphas called cast chief priests cometh crucified Deism delivered doctrines doth earth evil faithful feast feet five talents forgive friends fruit Galilee give hand hath hear heart Herod high priest hypocrites Jefferson Jefferson Bible Jerusalem Jesus answered Jesus of Nazareth Jesus said unto Jews Judaea Judas Judas Iscariot judge kill king kingdom of God kingdom of heaven laid lest likewise Lord Master Moses mother multitude parable unto pass passover Peter Pilate pray Precepts prophets publicans received repent sabbath day saith unto say unto scribes and Pharisees sent servant sheep Simon Simon Peter sinners spake stood straightway synagogues tares temple thine things thou art thou hast thou shalt thy brother thy Father took unto thee Verily I say vineyard wash whatsoever Wherefore whosoever wife Woe unto woman yourselves Zacchaeus