This is a continuation of Paper 30: Commentary on Selected Bible Scriptures, Part III.

[57] Peter's Mother-In-Law, Amatha.
       Matthew 8:14-17: And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law, Amatha, laid, and sick of a fever. And Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
     Amatha was not miraculously healed by Jesus at this time. Not until several hours later, after sundown, was her cure effected in connection with the extraordinary event which occurred in the front yard of the Zebedee home.
     Verse 16 is significant: When the evening was come, they brought unto Jesus many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick. [See The Healing at Sundown below.]
     Verse 17: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself [Jesus] took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." This statement appears to be a prophecy that was inserted into the Old Testament after Jesus departed to make it appear that he was fulfilling a prophecy.

The Healing at Sundown.
     All Capernaum and its environs were agog over the reputed miracles of healing that Jesus had supposedly performed. After sundown, about one thousand humans were gathered in front of Zebedee's house. Many of them were sick and ailing and wanted Jesus to heal them.
     The sight of these afflicted mortals, men, women, and children, suffering in large measure as a result of the mistakes and misdeeds of his own trusted Sons of universe administration [Lucifer, Satan, Caligastia, and Adam], peculiarly touched the human heart of Jesus and challenged the divine mercy of this benevolent Creator Son. But Jesus well knew he could never build an enduring spiritual movement upon the foundation of purely material wonders. It had been his consistent policy to refrain from exhibiting his creator prerogatives. Not since Cana had the supernatural or miraculous attended his teaching; still, this afflicted multitude touched his sympathetic heart and mightily appealed to his understanding affection.
     A voice exclaimed: "Master, speak the word, restore our health, heal our diseases, and save our souls." No sooner had these words been uttered than a vast retinue of seraphim, physical controllers, Life Carriers, and midwayers made themselves ready to act with creative power should their Sovereign give the signal.
     This was one of those moments in the earth career of Jesus in which divine wisdom and human compassion were so interlocked in the judgment of the Son of Man that he sought refuge in appeal to his Father's will. Jesus, looking down upon the afflicted throng, answered: "I have come into the world to reveal the Father and establish his kingdom. For this purpose have I lived my life to this hour. If, therefore, it should be the will of Him who sent me and not inconsistent with my dedication to the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, I would desire to see my children made whole--and--"
     Jesus had passed the responsibility of this healing decision to the ruling of his Father. Evidently, the Father's will interposed no objection, for the words of the Master had scarcely been uttered when the assembly of celestial personalities serving under the command of Jesus' Personalized Thought Adjuster was mightily astir. The vast retinue descended into the midst of this motley throng of afflicted mortals, and in a moment of time 683 men, women, and children were made whole, were perfectly healed of all their physical diseases and material disorders. Such a scene was never witnessed on earth before that day, nor since. And for those of us [celestial personalities] who were present to behold this creative wave of healing, it was indeed a thrilling spectacle. [145:3]

[58] Did Jesus still the waves?
       Matthew 8:23-27:And when Jesus entered into a boat, he was weary and went to sleep. There arose a great tempest on the Sea of Galilee, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves. The Apostles awoke Jesus, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. Jesus arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. The men marveled, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
     As Jesus and the Apostles were crossing the Sea of Galilee they encountered one of those violent and sudden windstorms which are characteristic of this sea, especially at this season of the year. These gales come on quickly and sometimes go away just as suddenly. The wind was so strong that the waves began to wash over the boat. The weary Jesus lay asleep in the stern of the boat under a small overhead shelter. Peter dropped his oar and, rushing over to Jesus, shook him vigorously in order to awaken him, and when he was aroused, Peter said: "Master, don't you know we are in a violent storm? If you do not save us, we will all perish."
     As Jesus came out in the rain, he looked first at Peter, and then peering into the darkness at the struggling oarsmen, he turned his glance back upon Simon Peter and said: "Why are all of you so filled with fear? Where is your faith? Peace, be quiet." Jesus had hardly finished speaking when the disturbed atmosphere, having established its equilibrium, settled down into a great calm. All this was purely coincidental as far as we [the celestial authors] can judge; but the Apostles, particularly Simon Peter, never ceased to regard the episode as a nature miracle. Peter never grew weary of reciting how "even the winds and the waves obey him." [151:5]

[59] Did Jesus cause the death of the herd of swine?
       Matthew 8:28-34: According to these passages, two men possessed with devils met Jesus and the Apostles when they reached the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The devils supposedly said: If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. Jesus said unto the devils: Go. Then, as the story goes, the devils went into the herd of swine and caused them to run violently down a steep place into the sea and perished.
     As Jesus and the Apostles ascended the hillside, a lunatic named Amos, who lived in the hillside caverns rushed up to them. Amos thought he was possessed of many devils. When Amos recognized Jesus, he fell down at Jesus' feet. Said Amos: I know you, Jesus, but I am possessed of many devils, and I beseech that you will not torment me. Jesus replied: Amos, you are not possessed of a devil; you have already heard the good news that you are a son of God. I command you to come out of this spell.
     A crowd, including some swine herders, had assembled from the nearby village and were astonished to see the lunatic sitting with Jesus and his Apostles, in possession of his right mind and freely conversing with them. As the swine herders rushed into the village to spread the news of the taming of the lunatic, the dogs charged upon a small and untended herd of about thirty swine and drove most of them over a precipice into the sea. It was this incidental occurrence, in connection with the presence of Jesus and the supposed miraculous curing of the lunatic, that gave origin to the legend that Jesus had cured Amos by casting a legion of devils out of him, and that these devils had entered into the herd of swine, causing them forthwith to rush headlong to their destruction in the sea below. [151:6]
     Amos was not possessed by devils. Therefore, Jesus did not send any devils into the swine. But even if Amos had been possessed by one or more "unclean spirits" Jesus would never have destroyed the property of another person by causing the swine to rush headlong into the sea to their death.

[60] When the Apostles were sent forth two and two, how much power did they receive from Jesus?
       Matthew 10:1-42. In verse 8 there appears the statement: Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
     As far as I can determine, the Apostles were not given these broad powers. They were to minister to the sick, but we are not told they could heal the sick in all cases. I do not read in The Urantia Book that the Apostles were able to cleanse the lepers, and they certainly were not given the power to raise the dead.
     As the Apostles made ready to begin the third preaching tour, Jesus gave them explicit instructions regarding their activities. Among his instructions Jesus said: Preach the gospel of the kingdom and proclaim the saving truth that man is a son of God. . . . Be not ashamed of my teaching; go forth proclaiming peace and good will . . . Labor earnestly to save the whole family lest a man's foes become those of his own household. . . . [150:4]
     The instructions in Verse 8 to "heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils" were probably erroneously attributed to Jesus.

[61] Sodom and Gomorrah.
       Matthew 10:14,15: And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
     If Jesus made any comments regarding Sodom and Gomorrah during his bestowal on earth, they are not mentioned in The Urantia Book. It appears that this is one of the numerous statements in the New Testament erroneously attributed to Jesus.

[62] How did Jesus cast out devils?
       Matthew 12:22-30: The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils. The people were admonished to have nothing to do with Jesus "because he is in partnership with Satan."
     Jesus is a powerful Creator Son and since his bestowal on our planet the Sole Sovereign of our local universe of Nebadon. It was no problem for Jesus to cast out "devils" or "unclean spirits."
     Beelzebub was the leader of the disloyal midway creatures who allied themselves with the forces of the traitorous Caligastia. [53:1:5]

[63] Who cannot be forgiven?
       Matthew 12:31,32 as restated in The Urantia Book: Said Jesus: Say what you will about the Son of Man, and it shall be forgiven you; but he who presumes to blaspheme against God shall hardly find forgiveness. When men go so far as knowingly to ascribe the doings of God to the forces of evil, such deliberate rebels will hardly seek forgiveness for their sins. [165:3:6]
     Lucifer may illustrate in part Jesus' comments. When Lucifer was commissioned by the Melchizedeks, he was designated as one of the one hundred most able and brilliant personalities in more than seven hundred thousand of his kind. Although Lucifer apparently did not ascribe the doings of God to the forces of evil, he did knowingly rebel against the government of Jesus and God. His charges were sweeping, terrible, and blasphemous. [53:3:2]
     However, based on Jesus' comments, it appears that even now, if Lucifer would repent, Jesus would welcome him back into the fold. But we wonder: Has Lucifer spiritually deteriorated to the point that he would find it impossible to turn back and repent? Lucifer's words and actions during the past 200,000 years provide no indication that he will ever seek forgiveness for his iniquity.
     There are countless mortals on the earth today who, like Lucifer, have become so spiritually depraved that they, too, have now passed the point of no return. Also like Lucifer, these lost souls would view any offer of mercy with increasing contempt. In effect, Lucifer, his followers, and countless mortals on earth are destroying themselves. By their own actions, words, and thoughts they have placed themselves on "death row."
     In Paper 174, Section 1 Jesus makes some interesting comments regarding divine forgiveness.
     In his last temple discourse, Jesus made some hard-hitting comments about divine forgiveness to the unrepentant Jews. He "laid it on the line:" As long as there is a chance that the Jews will turn to my Father and seek salvation, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will keep his hands of mercy outstretched toward you; but when you have once filled up your cup of impenitence, and when once you have finally rejected my Father's mercy, this nation will be left to its own counsels, and it shall speedily come to an inglorious end. [175:1:5]

[64] Was Jesus three days and three nights in the heart of the earth?
       Matthew 12:40: Jesus is quoted as saying: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
     This statement was erroneously attributed to Jesus. He did not say it. Jesus arose on the third day after death, but there was no need for him to spend three nights in the heart of the earth.

[65] Who is my mother? Who are my brethren?
       Matthew 12:46-50: While Jesus yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Peter said to Jesus: Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. Jesus answered and said unto the crowd, Who is my mother? Who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
     This event is described in detail in Paper 154:Section 6.

[66] Did Jesus walk on the water?
       Matthew 14:22-32: After the king-making episode, Jesus went alone into the hills. The Apostles began to row toward Bethsaida on the western shore of the lake. The ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. In the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. The Apostles thought Jesus was a spirit. Jesus spoke, saying: Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Peter said to Jesus: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Jesus said: Come. Peter attempted to walk on the water, but the wind was boisterous, and he became afraid. He began to sink and cried: Lord, save me. And Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.
     Jesus did not walk on the water. This was a dream that Peter had. A strong wind made progress almost impossible. Peter became exhausted and fell into a deep sleep of exhaustion. In his dream, Peter saw Jesus coming to them walking on the sea. When Jesus seemed to walk on by the boat, Peter cried out, "Save us, Master, save us." Those nearby heard Peter say some of these words. He dreamed that he heard Jesus say: Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. In the dream, Peter cried out: Lord, if it really is you, bid me come and walk with you on the water. When Peter started to walk upon the water, the boisterous waves frightened him, and as he was about to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me! And many of the twelve heard him utter this cry. Then Peter dreamed that Jesus came to the rescue and, stretching forth his hand, took hold and lifted him up, saying: O, you of little faith, wherefore did you doubt? In the dream, Peter actually stepped overboard and into the water. And he awakened from his dream as Andrew, James, and John reached down and pulled him out of the sea.
     Peter always believed this experience was real. But Jesus did not walk on the water. Peter's dream is described in Paper 152:Section 4.
     After Jesus was baptized, he spent forty days alone in the hills while he made six decisions regarding the methods he would use in the public portion of his bestowal on earth. Walking on the water would have violated one or more of the great decisions he made. [Paper 136:Sections 5-10]

[67] The Mount of Transfiguration.
       Matthew 17:1-13: Jesus took Peter, James, and John up Mount Hermon. Jesus was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus.
     Jesus had been summoned to go up on the mountain, apart by himself, for the transaction of important matters having to do with the progress of his bestowal in the flesh as this experience was related to the universe of his own creation [our local universe of Nebadon]. Jesus and the three Apostles reached a point about halfway up the mountain shortly before noon. About three o'clock Jesus took leave of the Apostles so that he could commune with Gabriel and the Father Melchizedek, not Moses and Elijah. He returned in time for the evening meal.
     After they had eaten, Peter asked Jesus: How long do we remain on this mountain away from our brethren? Jesus answered: Until you shall see the glory of the Son of Man and know that whatsoever I have declared to you is true. They then talked over the affairs of the Lucifer rebellion. While seated near the fire, the Apostles' eyes grew heavy, and they fell asleep. In about thirty minutes, they were awakened by a nearby crackling sound, and much to their amazement and consternation, on looking about them, they beheld Jesus in conversation with two brilliant beings clothed in the habiliments of the light of the celestial world. And Jesus' face and form shone with the luminosity of a heavenly light. The three conversed in a strange language, but from certain things said, Peter erroneously conjectured that the beings with Jesus were Moses and Elijah. Jesus had arranged with the physical controllers for the Apostles to witness this scene.
     Later, while Peter was speaking, a silvery cloud drew near and overshadowed the four of them. The Apostles fell down on their faces to worship. They then heard a voice, the same that had spoken on the occasion of Jesus' baptism, say: "This is my beloved Son; give heed to him." The cloud then vanished. [Paper 158:Sections 1,2,3]

[68] The Miracle of the Tribute Money.
       Matthew 17:24-27: When Jesus, with Peter and Andrew, were in Capernaum, the tax collector took Peter to one side and asked him: Doth not your master pay tribute?
     The three had no money, so Jesus instructed Peter to go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto the tax collector.
     When Peter told Jesus that he had promised to pay the tax collector, Peter had spoken hastily, for the three had no money. Jesus said, "If you have promised, then should you pay. But wherewith will you redeem your promise? . . . Jesus told Peter that he and Andrew would wait while Peter took a boat to catch some fish that could be sold to pay the tax. But a secret messenger of David heard the conversation. The messenger signaled to an associate, fishing near the shore, to come in quickly. When the friend arrived, the messenger and his friend presented Peter with several large baskets of fish which were sold, and with some additional money provided by the messenger, the temple tax for the three was paid.
     It is not strange that you have a record of Peter's catching a fish with a shekel in his mouth. In those days there were current many stories about finding treasures in the mouths of fishes; such tales of near miracles were commonplace. So, as Peter started toward the boat, Jesus remarked, half-humorously: . . . : "maybe you will catch the fish with the shekel in its mouth." Jesus having thus spoken, and Peter so soon appearing with the temple tax, it is not surprising that the episode became later expanded into a miracle as recorded by the writer of Matthew's Gospel.
[Paper 157:Section 1]

[69] The Last Temple Discourse.
       Matthew 23:1-36: This chapter presents some of the comments Jesus made in his last Temple discourse.
     You can read Jesus' entire last Temple discourse in Paper 175:Sections 0 and 1. This discourse was his farewell public address of mercy to mankind coupled with his last denunciation of the false teachers and the bigoted rulers of the Jews.

[70] The Sadducees and the Seven Brothers.
       Matthew 22:23-33: If a man dies, are his brothers obligated to marry the widow of the deceased brother to beget children for him?
     Before Jesus could begin his teaching in the Temple court a group of learned and crafty Sadducees came forward to ask a question: Master, Moses said that if a married man should die, leaving no children, his brother should take the wife and raise up seed for the deceased brother. Now there occurred a case where a certain man who had six brothers died childless; his next brother took his wife but also soon died, leaving no children. Eventually, all six brothers had married the wife but had left no offspring. Now, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be?
     Jesus knew, and so did the people, that these Sadducees were not sincere in asking this question because it was not likely that such a case would really occur; and besides, this practice of the brothers of a dead man seeking to beget children for him was practically a dead letter at this time among the Jews. Nevertheless, Jesus condescended to reply to their mischievous question. He then explained that in heaven, survivors neither marry nor are given in marriage. The Sadducees dared not ask Jesus any more questions, and the common people marveled at the wisdom of his teaching. [174:3]

[71] The Ten Virgins.
       Matthew 25:1-13. The authors of Part IV of The Urantia Book explain how the story of the ten virgins found its circuitous way into the New Testament. See Paper 176, Section 2, especially paragraph 8.

[72] Jesus Anointed by Mary of Bethany.
       Matthew 26:6-13. Mary was the sister of Lazarus (whom Jesus had raised from the dead). During a banquet at the home of Simon in Bethany, Mary anointed Jesus with a very expensive ointment. Some of the onlookers mumbled among themselves regarding the "waste" of the precious ointment. [Note: This Simon was not Simon the leper.]
     While the guests were murmuring among themselves, Judas Iscariot had stepped over to where Andrew reclined and said: "Why was this ointment not sold and the money bestowed to feed the poor? You should speak to the Master that he rebuke such waste."
     But Jesus defended Mary. "Let her alone, every one of you. Why do you trouble her about this, seeing that she has done a good thing in her heart? . . ."
     Judas took Jesus' words as a personal reproof. It was during this occasion that Judas finally made up his mind to seek revenge for his hurt feelings. Many times had he entertained such ideas subconsciously, but now he dared to think such wicked thoughts in his open and conscious mind. And many others encouraged him in this attitude since the cost of the ointment was a sum equal to the earnings of one man for one year--enough to provide bread for five thousand persons. [172:1]

[73] Raising Lazarus From the Dead.
       John 11:1-46 presents the account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. However, a more detailed description of this momentous event is presented in Paper 167:Section 4 and Paper 168:Sections 1 and 2.
     As a company of some forty-five mortals stood before the tomb of Lazarus, they could dimly see the form of Lazarus, wrapped in linen bandages, resting on the right lower niche of the burial case. While these earth creatures stood there in almost breathless silence, a vast host of celestial beings had swung into their places preparatory to answering the signal for action when it should be given by Gabriel, their commander.
     Jesus lifted up his eyes and said: "Father, I am thankful that you heard and granted my request. I know that you always hear me, but because of those who stand here with me, I thus speak with you, that they may believe that you have sent me into the world, and that they may know that you are working with me in that which we are about to do." And when he had prayed, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"
     Though the human observers remained motionless, the vast celestial host was all astir in unified action in obedience to the Creator's [Jesus'] word. In just twelve seconds of earth time the hitherto lifeless form of Lazarus began to move and presently sat up on the edge of the stone shelf whereon it had rested.
     In this instance, as in the case of the healing at sundown, Jesus did not do the actual work of healing the 683 mortals or raising Lazarus from the dead. The actual work was done by celestial personalities. [145:3 or see Item 57 above]
     Shortly after the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the rulers of the Jews well judged that it would be useless to put Jesus to death if they permitted Lazarus, who represented the very peak of his wonder-working, to live and bear testimony to the fact that Jesus had raised him from the dead. [168:5]

[74] The Jewish authorities consult to put Jesus to death.
       Matthew 26:3-5:Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.
     Time and again the Sanhedrin had met, discussing how Jesus could be apprehended and charged with blasphemy and other accusations. But this time they went on record decreeing his death even before a trial.
     It was at this point that the Sanhedrin broke the divine covenant that Abraham had made with the Most High [with Melchizedek acting as intermediary]. The Most High withdrew his special oversight of the Jewish nation, and the end of the Hebrew nation drew on apace. [93:6:3,4] [168:3] [175:Sections 3 and 4]

[75] Judas Iscariot sells the Lord.
       Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-10: . . . Judas went unto the chief Priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver . . .
     Paper 177:Section 4 describes in detail Judas' visit with the Jewish rulers. A reward of thirty pieces of silver was not mentioned at this meeting: Caiaphas merely looked down upon the betrayer and said: Judas, you go to the captain of the guard and arrange with that officer to bring your Master to us either tonight or tomorrow night, and when he has been delivered by you into our hands, you shall receive your reward for this service. [Paragraph 8] Judas returned to the Apostles with thoughts of grandeur and glory such as he had not had for many a day. [Paragraph 9]
     Paper 186:Section 1: The End of Judas Iscariot.
Judas appeared before the Jewish rulers to claim his reward for the part he had played in his Master's arrest and sentence of death. All of these Jews loathed Judas; they looked upon the betrayer with only feelings of utter contempt. A servant of the high priest tapped Judas on the shoulder, called him just outside the hall and said: Judas, I have been appointed to pay you for the betrayal of Jesus. Here is your reward." Then he handed Judas a bag containing thirty pieces of silver--the current price of a good healthy slave. Judas was stunned, dumfounded. He was humiliated, disillusioned, and utterly crushed. . . . He threw the thirty pieces of silver on the temple floor. Judas was almost beside himself. He was now passing through the experience of the realization of the true nature of sin. All the glamour, fascination, and intoxication of wrongdoing had vanished. It was then that he hanged himself; his body was dashed to pieces as it fell on the jagged rocks below.

[76] The Master's Second Coming.
       Jesus promised his Apostles that he would return at some point in the future. Of all the Master's teachings no one phase has been so misunderstood as his promise sometime to come back in person to this world. The authors of Part IV of The Urantia Book present in detail the misunderstandings that arose pertaining to Jesus' promise to return to earth at a later date. [Paper 176:Sections 2, 3, 4] [Mark 13:24-27]

[77] The Last Hours of Jesus' Life on Earth.
       The information in the Four Gospels regarding the last hours of Jesus' life can better be followed by reading Papers 175 through 188 in The Urantia Book.