www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Scripture and Patristic Writings An error in the Orthodox Study Bible?

Dear Friends,

The Orthodox Study Bible has a footnote for Luke 23:44 in which it states: "Jesus the Lamb of God died on the Cross at the sixth hour, noon, about the same time the paschal lambs were ritually killed."

In Mark 15:33, however, it is written that Christ died on the Cross at the ninth hour, three hours later (as the Church has, from time immemorial, also affirmed and liturgically celebrated).

The text of Luke however simply states that: Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

At no time does the text say that the Lord Jesus died at noon in contradiction to the other Gospel. It simply affirms the fact that darkness covered the earth from noon until the ninth hour.

That is as I understand it - if you agree, is this not a mistake on the part of the commentators?

Alex

I suppose it's referring to our Lord being crucified at the sixth hour, as St. John has it (John 19:14), rather than specifically the moment of His death. Our Lord's death was prolonged for several hours, but the crucifixion would have occurred at the time the paschal lambs were killed.

I wish that were true, as you say.

But they specifically wrote that our Lord DIED at the sixth hour - which contradicts both scripture and tradition (not to mention the liturgical prayers).

No one will condemn them for making a mistake - and I've no wish as a Catholic to cite this as proof of the infallibility of Rome etc.

Alex

Greetings Alexandr,

I am not a proponent of the OSB. I have seen other errors but I will not point them out.

I prefer the "The Holy Gospels" and "Acts, Epistles, and Revelation" with patristic commentary.....from Holy Apostles Convent.

Yes, I have them - they are excellent. Thank you for mentioning them here.

So can you tell me - is it not the affirmation of Orthodox scriptural exegesis that our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ died on the Cross at 3 pm and not at noon?

Alex

That has always been my understanding. As part of the prayers for the ninth hour we read:

O Thou who at the ninth hour for our sake didst taste of death in the flesh, mortify the presumption of our flesh, O Christ God, and save us.

Dear Recluse,

You are absolutely right - I had forgotten about that reference which you so effectively brought up!

Cheers, my brother in Christ!

Alex

Dear Alexandr,

One last comment. I just now had the chance to check the footnote on Luke 23:44. If you recall, the OSB was first printed with the New Testament only (blue book). Later, it was printed with Old and New Testament (red book). I have both. The first edition of the New Testament only, is exactly how you have stated. But the Old and New Testament edition has removed the particular footnote in question. So it seems that they had recognized the error.....and corrected it.

I wonder if a statement was released to bring attention to it in light of the fact that many people own the first edition.

Good observation my friend.

That sinner,
Recluse

Dear Recluse,

I've just checked it with the full OSB and you are more than correct sir!

Cheers,

Alex

When they started using it at church for Bible study, they found a large part that was wrong. I can't remember now what it was though.