Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Ben C Smith · 11-25-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Quote:

Originally Posted by badger3k

....

In Galatians, (1:18), Paul said he was in Jerusalem studying for 3 years.

For the record, Paul studied in Arabia for three years after his conversion, then went to Jerusalem.

To be fair, we do not actually know for certain what Paul was doing in Arabia (which, as I understand it, could have been Arabia proper, the Sinai peninsula, or Nabatea, AKA Arabia Petraea).

He could have been studying. Or he could have been making a pilgrimage to Sinai (like Elijah) to rethink his zeal. Or he could have been preaching to gentiles already, probably unsuccessfully and with a result described in 2 Corinthians 11.32-33 (assuming authenticity; I do not wish to argue that point here).

Ben.

Cesc · 11-25-2008, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badger3k

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cesc

Also, the "catch of 153 fish" (supposedly) has some connection with the number 3. The vesica pisces is a mathematical expression of the square root of 3 (constructed with whole numbers using circles with a radius of 153).
The same chapter makes the point that its the 3rd time Jesus shows himself to the apostles. And Peter is made to confirm his love of JC 3 times (having earlier denied him three times).

I have read of Robert M Price's view that this was originally a Pythagorean story, but I have not read the original of this. According to him, the numbers in the tale had magical significance to the Pythagoreans.

I didn't know that Price wrote that. But fwiw, it does seem like this last chapter of John is an addition, considering the ending of chapter 20.
There's also this thread on numbers in the Bible.

Ben C Smith · 11-25-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cesc

But fwiw, it does seem like this last chapter of John is an addition, considering the ending of chapter 20.

Tertullian may offer a bit of evidence for a version of John that ended with chapter 20.

Ben.

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