What Bible Did Jesus Use?
Which “Bible” did Jesus use? Was it the KJV or the NIV or some other one? In theory, Jesus could handle Himself in any language, ancient or modern. Of course, no one would understand English in those days. Insisting upon one perfect translation is sort of like doing the Mass in Latin, we want to be right. Never mind that no one can understand it.
Let's say that two men see a dangerous animal. One says, “It was big”. The other man says, “It was large”. This starts an endless, vicious debate about whether it was big or was it large. Most people could see the pointless foolishness in this. Of course, we should not be ignorant about the schemes of the devil. He will be active at any opportunity to cause strife.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. (2 Tim 2:14 KJV)
Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. (2 Tim 2:14 NASB1995)
Are we to not strive or is it not to wrangle? This is enough to reignite the battle about language. All the while we remain immune to the verse's warning to avoid an ungodly attitude about words. Man's words are somewhat ineffective. God's Word produces its intended end.
Jesus Primarily Used a Translation
The Septuagint was the first translation of the Hebrew Bible. It was made in the third century B.C. by Jewish scribes, who were direct descendants of those trained in Ezra's Great Synagogue of Jerusalem.
This translation became very popular among Jews in the first two centuries before Christ because many Jews in those days did not understand Hebrew. Their ancestors had left Israel centuries before...
When Jesus quotes the Old Testament in Matthew, He uses the Hebrew text only 10% of the time, but the Greek LXX translation—90% of the time!
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/what-bible-did-jesus-use-11638841.html
Jesus, His disciples, and Paul used the Septuagint translation (LXX) as their primary Bible. Some Bible scholars say that the Septuagint is a good translation but it may not be very careful in places. How could Jesus deal with that? How does the Incarnate Word of God use a semi-accurate translation? There is the thought in our day that God's truth is hanging by a fragile hair. If one preposition in a translation is altered, God will be knocked off His throne. The angels will wither up and all existence will be lost forever. Jesus seemed to think that the Word of God was a little more durable than that.
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matt 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33)
Jesus thought that if nuclear catastrophe were to cause the earth and the entire universe to dissolve and vaporize, that the Word of God would remain untouched. Human contamination will not destroy the Divine inspiration. The Scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35). Evil men who try to alter the Scriptures cannot destroy the Word of God. Jewish scribes that hate Jesus and cults have tried to change the Bible. Although they are not doing serious Bible students any favors, they are unable to destroy that which has gone forth out of God's mouth. Atheists who have tried to pronounce the Bible as obsolete have passed away and the Word remains. The only thing that can do harm to the effect of the Word of God is teaching and tradition (Matt 15:6, Mark 7:13).
If we tell someone that if they trust in Jesus, they are promised eternal life (John 3:16), are we being true? Some would say that saying that is not valid if we do not use believe and everlasting per the KJV. We cannot put a truth into our own words? Children, knock it off! God is bigger than that.
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psa 12:6)
The words of God are durable. They cannot be changed by the energy of demons or evil men. Rather than that:
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jer 23:29)
Like a wet noodle slapping a rock is the counsel of the ungodly trying to negate the Holy Writings. The Word of God prevails. Not only are the Words of God not changed by evil forces, they will destroy the ungodly. Someday all evil will be put down and the Eternal Word will remain.
Jan 15, 2025