FABRICATIONS · INTERPOLATIONS
For Those Who Trust in Riches Inserted
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
The KJV uses "for them that trust in riches" while the NIV and ESV omit this phrase because it is absent in oldest extant manuscripts (Codex Sinaiticus / Vaticanus). This displays how theological nuances were introduced later. Such evidence suggests that beliefs could be shaped by later communities rather than the actual words of Jesus or his earliest followers.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Adding ‘for them that trust in riches’ merely clarifies what was already implied: "wealth alone is not evil, but reliance on it is." Thus, the addition aligns with the broader biblical teaching on materialism.
THE ISLAMIC POSITION
This addition to Jesus’ teachings about entering the kingdom of God highlights scribes refining the text. The path to paradise is the most crucial aspect of religion and should remain untampered. If the words were truly preserved from an All-Knowing God, such clarifications wouldn’t be needed. This raises doubts about the authenticity and reliability of the biblical narrative.
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For Those Who Trust in Riches Inserted