Refutation of the Allegation of Insult to Jesus Christ — Page 14
14 ~͇ k IJ jȗ ث a : jǣ /mر ͈ Ǘ ð̈́ ̈́ͅ Ï͈ l b @ ͇ ͇̖ Ư k~/ j͇͌ͅ j ". 40 (x) From the eighth chapter verses two and three of the third Gospel it is evident that many prostitutes used to serve Jesus with their (illicitly earned) money 41. Hence, if a Jew, out of shear mischief or wickedness, claims that Jesus was a handsom man and the prostitutes stayed with him only for adultery—that is the reason why Jesus did not marry and pretended that he was not interested in women—what would be your reply to this (allegation)? Moreover, in chapter eleven verse nineteen of the first Gospel (Mathew) Jesus, admitting the opinion of his opponents about him, confesses that he was a glutton and wine-drinker. Thus combining the two facts (of the life of Jesus i. e. he lived with prostitutes and was used to drinking wine) and in view of the evil effects of liquor one would be justified to go to any extent in having evil suspicions about his character. To the enemies of Jesus, his indulgence and licentiousness were plainly evident. ” 42 40 ۳۹۰. ۳۹۱ 41 In Luke 8:3 as given in the New Oxford Annotated Bible, the edition we are using here for Biblical references, translates the relevant part of the verses as: “…who provided for them z out of their means”; but gives the note: ‘ z Other ancient authorities read him’. [Publisher] 42 Pages 390-391