The King James Controversy
Welcome back! I hope you are ready for a little controversy today as we read Matthew 22–23.
A funny thing can happen on our way to the cross. We know Jesus has entered Jerusalem. His disciples have not yet understood why He was there. He told them three times already that He had to go there to suffer and die (cf. Matthew 16:21; 17:22–23; 20:17–19). They have pushed back on Him saying they wouldn’t let it happen, but soon they will understand why it had to be that way. Jesus has announced His arrival. With Hosanna still ringing in the air (Matthew 21:9), He turns over the tables and drives out the money changers in the temple (Matthew 21:12–13). Then amid these activities, He stops to teach some further lessons.
Journey to the Cross
These verses made me reflect on my journey to the cross. When I was a young child, my uncle forced me into the Catholic Church. I experienced a family tragedy that led to decades of atheism, and I even delved into the Popol Vuh and other ancient religions. Then, I heard the Gospel, and my heart broke when I realized I was a sinner in the hands of an angry God, as Jonathan Edwards would say (1). The Holy Spirit convicted me, and I knew I needed a Savior. I realized that after all I had done to fight Him; He was still there to save me—my heart broke. Both from joy and disgust against my rebellion.
This was at an imperfect church. I believe they are all imperfect. If I ever find the perfect church, I will leave before I mess it up with my presence. Then I attended a very legalistic King James Only church. I have to agree; the Psalms are better in that version. The people there seemed more interested in their own righteousness than in caring for others. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, however, and it led me to my first visit to the pulpit.
The Controversy
Then through an apologetics group, my wife became friends with Dr. James R. White, whom I have had the pleasure of dining with. He has written twenty-six books, including The King James Only Controversy (2). In it he points out that some translations use the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts (Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus) rather than the ones the King James Version uses.
This was a topic one of my professors at Liberty University addressed, and I have always adapted his recommendation of looking at multiple translations to capture the full message. It is not the text, but the Holy Spirit, who brings understanding of the text. Therefore, I read through our chapters each day, and highlight the verses that stand out to me. Then, I research those verses before I write my devotionals.
The Missing Verses
Today, the verse that stood out the most, since we are reading from the NIV this year, was Matthew 23:14. What was so special about this verse? It wasn’t there. As I looked into it, I learned I had not noticed that Matthew 17:21 and Matthew 18:11 were not there either. It is easy to miss something that isn’t there. Therefore, I encourage you all to read through the Bible, and that is why I read through a different translation each year.
What does this verse say in the King James Version?
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.” (Matthew 23:14, KJV)
Look at that! It is a rebuke of hypocritical legalism. Those who like to make long prayers in public for magnificent show, but cannot love people the way Jesus commands us to.
With that as my context, I went back through the other verses that had drawn my attention, and I saw that we often get so busy with our lives (Matthew 22:5) that we lose sight of what is important. This was what was happening in Israel, and the people were preaching about the prophets whom we have already read—they mistreated and killed them (Matthew 23:29–31). They would not learn, and we all know they are about to kill the Lord too (Matthew 26:3–4).
Therefore, God is telling them He is going to invite others—the Gentiles—to the banquet since they were not coming (Matthew 22:8–10). At the feast we will see those who will not conform and accept either, the one not wearing wedding clothes (Matthew 22:11–13). We all must remember what an honor it is to be invited into a relationship with the Creator of the universe. Losing reverence could bring grief when one realizes few are chosen.
Tomorrow, we will read Matthew 24-25.
Footnotes:
1. Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, 1741.
2. James R. White, The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust Modern Translations? (Bethany House, 1995).