I have explained why it is almost certain that Luke did not himself write the passage describing Jesus “sweating blood” in Luke 22:43-44; the passage is not found in some of our oldest and best manuscripts, it intrudes in a context that otherwise is structured as a clear chiasmus, and it presents a view of Jesus going to his death precisely at odds with what Luke has produced otherwise. Whereas Luke goes out of his way to portray Jesus as calm and in control in the ace of death – evidently to provide a model to his readers about how they too suffer when they experience persecution – these verses show him in deep anguish to the point of needing heavenly support by an angel, as he sweats great drops as of blood. But if the verses were not originally in Luke, why were they added by scribes? Read by Petra Ortiz
Dr. Ehrman solicits your opinions on whether belief in an afterlife is necessary for belief in religion. Read by John Paul Middlesworth
The author of Revelation may be writing symbolically, but here's why an author's symbolism matters. Read by Brandon M. Bender
Bart argues that ancient secretaries never composed a long letter in the name of someone else (without being accused of forgery). Read by John...