statement and reject the others. The conclusion reached must be that
Jesus was inconsistent in advocating both non-resistance and the use of
force. He took diametrically opposed positions, the use of swords and
scourges and non-resistance being mutually exclusive. Jesus preached
non-resistance and at the same time armed his retainers with two swords.
He advocated turning the other cheek but did not criticize war.
Therefore, pacifists and militarists, with their opposite philosophies,
should both admit that at times Jesus was mistaken.

_Marriage_

Jesus occasionally eulogized marriage: "For this cause shall a man leave
father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be
one flesh ... What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put
asunder."[30]

_Celibacy_

On other occasions he made remarks which indicated his preference for
celibacy as the higher state, the one he adopted for himself. "In the
resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as
the angels of God in heaven."[31] "The children of this world marry, and
are given in marriage: but they which shall be accounted worthy to
obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry,
nor are given in marriage."[32] "I say unto you, That whosoever looketh
on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in
his heart."[33] "There are some eunuchs which were so born from their
mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of
men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the
kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive
it."[34] "There is no man that hath left ... wife, or children for the
kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this
present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."[35]

Jesus referred to the absence of marriage in heaven, the ideal realm.
Paul's testimony adds to the evidence that Jesus considered celibacy
preferable to any form of sex expression, even marriage.

_Adultery_

On the other hand, Jesus was tolerant of sex offenses. He chatted in a
friendly manner with the woman of Samaria, saying: "Thou hast had five
husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband."[36] And about
the woman taken in adultery he said: "He that is without sin among you,
let him first cast a stone at her ... Neither do I condemn thee: go and
sin no more."[37] "The harlots go