How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
"Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"—for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." (NRSV 3:28-30)
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. (KJV 3:28-30)
Don't mess with the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees' charge that Jesus is possessed by the demon Beelzebul (3:22) is a sin that can't be forgiven. We're only in the third chapter and they've already crossed the point of no return.
Quote #2
Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (NRSV 8:38)
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (KJV 8:38)
So-called "lex talionis" is the fancy name for a justice-principle we've all heard before: what goes around comes around. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. You get the point. Here it's shame for shame. Or as we moderns say, let the punishment fit the crime.
Quote #3
Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it. (NRSV 11:13-14)
And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. (KJV 11:13-14)
Is Jesus really that mad at a fig tree? Or is this event figurative of something else? Read on in 11:15-20. Turns out Jesus isn't breathing fiery vengeance against a tree but something else. Check out our thoughts on the "The Withered Fig Tree" for more on this.