Talk:Slavery in the Bible

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New Testament[edit]

I would argue that the following claim is not accurate:

"Jesus discusses the punishment of slaves, and says that a slave may be punished for not doing something he wasn't instructed to do."

Jesus is not dictating any rules with regard to slavery -- he is actually describing slavery as it was already known to be at the time. He is using it as an analogy to explain why it's worse to know the master's will and not do it, as opposed to not knowing the masters will at all. If there's anything this passage does, it shows that Jesus openly discussed slavery and never opposed it.

For example, if I were explaining to someone how they should be better prepared for something, I could say "You wouldn't rob a bank with a water gun, would you?". I'm not endorsing bank robbery -- the only thing I'm guilty of is choosing a bad analogy. Now, if I were the son of a god and perfectly moral, and I knew my words would live forever, I would not have chosen that analogy, and would have spoken out against the act of armed robbery.

- bendavis78 13:24, 19 Nov 2013 (CST)


There's a typo right before "priests are described as holding slaves." It says Mark 18:25 - but Mark only goes as far as 16:20. 18:25 simply doesn't exist. I cannot edit it because I don't know the right bible passage. Could someone find out?

Removed it. Mark never spoke of slaves at all, except in reference to parables about servants (with no mention of if they were hired servants versus slaves). And I don't know of any such scripture. If anyone does, they can add it back.--Jaban 20:18, 27 May 2010 (CDT)
Refers to 1 Peter 2:
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.
20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
24 "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed."
25 For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
John Rogers 14:27, 19 November 2013 (CST)