I have never seen a scripture quote where Jesus says please or thank you. I was just reading, "Bring me a penny that I may see it," And I thought to myself, "what do you say?"

Does he ever say that anywhere in the bible? I've gotta _assume_ he does, I mean, he _couldn't_ be mannerless, could he?

(I'm not being sarcastic, I'm looking for quotes using please or thank you - this was really an odd thought that struck me...)

Rhea,

You've brought up an interesting idea. Jesus does give thanks frequently in the gospels, but the only person to whom he gives thanks is god. Make of that what you wish. For example,

Matt 15:36
Matt 26:27
John 6:23

To the best of my knowledge, the only passage in the entire New Testament which depicts someone giving thanks to a person other than god is in Romans 16:4 where Paul is giving thanks to Prisca and Aquila who were fellow missionaries.

The entire concept of "please" and "thank you" is somewhat culturally based. I'll give you a similar example...

We don't find people shaking hands in the New Testament. Does this mean they weren't cordial? I don't think so. They simply had different customs. Instead of shaking hands, they greeted each other with kisses. For example, see

Luke 7:45
Romans 16:16
1 Corinthians 16:20
2 Corinthians 13:12
and others

I don't think this means one culture is better than another - they're just different.

Peace,

Polycarp

Thank you for the reply.

I am surprised that please and thank you are "new" cultural affectations.

I'll have to run off and check other writings contemporary to the New Testament and see if it was universal of the times. It seems so universal _now_ that it came as a dramatic omission when it occurred to me.

Thanks again.

Does anyne else have a comment on this? Maybe a scholar of secular documents who can confirm or refute that no one said please or thank you back then?

(and anyone who cares to type in the scripture refs would be doted on. Or who knows of an online bible. I keep forgetting to pull down the tome when at home)

http://bible.gospelcom.net/