I know many Mormon and Christian apologists have gone to great lengths to physically show that when someone is so "stressed" or "afflicted" that they can actually sweat blood. Well, I say great lengths but that is just what I heard in seminary along with the whole discussion on Gethsemane and wine (or was it olive?) presses. But this thread is more on the authenticity of the statement in Luke that Christ's sweat was "as great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
The KJV of Luke 22 states:
So clearly Christ did sweat drops of blood right? According to the KJV he did, however, my NRSV has a footnote that says verses 43-44 are not found in other anciet authorities (or basically these verses aren't in the earliest reliable manuscripts).
I found the fact that these verses might have been added to the canon at a later date by someone other than the original author(s) interesting so I did some more research. What I found was striking, at least to me. Apparently verses 43-44 break up a chiastic structure found in verses 39-46. See below:
When you insert verses 43-44 back into the paragraph it not only breaks up the chiasmus, but the whole paragraph tends to flow much better without the verses. Anyway, I found this interesting and thought I'd share.
Thoughts?
The KJV of Luke 22 states:
39And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
I found the fact that these verses might have been added to the canon at a later date by someone other than the original author(s) interesting so I did some more research. What I found was striking, at least to me. Apparently verses 43-44 break up a chiastic structure found in verses 39-46. See below:
a And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation
b And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast,
c and kneeled down, and prayed,
d Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done
c1 And when he rose up from prayer,
b1 and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
a1 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation
b And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast,
c and kneeled down, and prayed,
d Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done
c1 And when he rose up from prayer,
b1 and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
a1 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation
Thoughts?
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