Getting to Know God’s Word, Part 5

Introduction

This is the final translation of the scriptures that I will be specifically looking at in this article series. The reason I give special attention to this one is that it was written by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society for use by the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW’s).

Two very noticeable differences in this translation compared to others is their view of Jesus, in regard to deity, and His crucifixion. We will look at both of these in this article. By the way, the New World Translation (NWT) I am using is straight from their own website, JW.org.

Is Jesus Deity?

I studied with a couple who were Jehovah’s witnesses and we talked about Jesus’ deity or, as they would say, lack thereof. They believe Him to be more of a demigod than full deity as is God, the Father. Looking at John 1:1-3…

(NWT) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This one was in the beginning with God. All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.

(NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

(ASV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.

They assured me that there were other translations that said that Jesus was ‘a god’. Having looked through about 14 or so, I can say that it isn’t true. Even the paraphrase version, The Living Bible, calls him, God.

In addition, there is a contradiction in the NWT as Matthew 1:23 states the following…

(NWT) “Look! The virgin will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will name him Im·manʹu·el,” which means, when translated, “With Us Is God.”

Referring to Jesus, the state that He is “God with Us”. Note, there isn’t a little ‘g’ here to denote a lesser being. Simply put, the JW’s want us to believe that Jesus was the first created being putting him as an underling to God, the Father. But here, in Matthew 1:23, they have him equal with God. So, which is it?

What was Jesus nailed to?

The JW’s disagree with the use of a cross in scripture as it has, later, become a symbol of worship. Therefore, when the word cross is found in scripture, they replace it with the word, stake, or torture stake. Here’s an example…

(NWT) Bearing the torture stake for himself, he went out to the so-called Skull Place, which is called Golʹgo·tha in Hebrew. There they nailed him to the stake alongside two other men, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle. Pilate also wrote a title and put it on the torture stake. It was written: “Jesus the Naz·a·reneʹ the King of the Jews.”

(KJV) And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

If Jesus was nailed to a stake, his hands would have been together with one nail affixing him to it through his wrists. This would be a contradiction when Jesus, having been resurrected, showed himself to his disciples. The reason, Thomas said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) Thomas said ‘nails’ meaning more than one for his hands which would suggest a cross piece.

Ironically, the JW’s use the plural in this verse as well…

(NWT) “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will never believe it.”

This would then suggest that one hand was nailed above the other one on the torture stake. This is not a very effective method of crucifixion at all. No one would believe this, and yet, the JW’s contradict themselves once again.

You will also notice that any time the word cross is used, they translate it as torture stake. They are, at least, very adamant about that!

Conclusion

The only reason an individual would have a copy of the NWT is for a comparison to the other translations and when you are visited by them. This translation is not recommended for any bible student who is just starting out as a Christian, nor would it be useful for any student unless they are looking to combat the error of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It shouldn’t be used as a primary translation.