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Did Jesus Mean Hellfire?The Watchtower—2008 | June 15
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SOME who believe the doctrine of hellfire point to Jesus’ words recorded at Mark 9:48 (or verses 44, 46). He mentioned worms (or maggots) that do not die and fire that is not quenched. If someone asked you about those words, how would you respond?
Depending on the Bible version being used, the person might read verse 44, 46, or 48 because these verses read similarly in some versions.a
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Did Jesus Mean Hellfire?The Watchtower—2008 | June 15
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a The most reliable Bible manuscripts do not include verses 44 and 46. Scholars acknowledge that those two verses were likely later additions. Professor Archibald T. Robertson writes: “The oldest and best manuscripts do not give these two verses. They came in from the Western and Syrian (Byzantine) classes. They are a mere repetition of verse 48. Hence we [omit] the numbering 44 and 46 in our verses which are not genuine.”
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