Why a bible verse scrawled on a Christchurch tribute wall was immediately removed

‘I think that’s sick’: Why a bible verse scrawled on a Christchurch tribute wall sparked outrage – as mourners call for it to be removed immediately

  • Bible verse Luke 19: 27 written on the Christchurch tribute wall will be removed 
  • A passer-by said it was a ‘bit sick’ the verse had been written without context
  • The tribute wall was put up by Precinct Properties at an Auckland development 
  • The company confirmed it was ‘taking steps’ to remove the verse from the wall 

A bible verse scrawled on a tribute wall for the Christchurch mosque massacre victims will be removed after it sparked outrage among members of the public.

The message, which simply read ‘Luke 19:27’, was spotted by Duncan Lucas as he made his way past the wall on a development site in Auckland on Tuesday.

Mr Lucas decided to look up the gospel verse, and was shocked to find it was a reference to enemies being killed in front of a king.

   

A bible verse (pictured) scrawled across a tribute wall for the Christchurch mosque massacre victims will be immediately removed after it sparked outrage among members of the public

‘Not being somebody well versed in biblical studies, it struck me curious someone would write it up with no reference,’ Mr Lucas told Stuff.co.nz.

‘Without any surrounding context, it [the verse] shows a particular standpoint and indicates that anyone of one particular faith is not deserving of equal treatment,’ he added.

In the King James version of the Bible, the verse reads: ‘But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.’

While Mr Lucas didn’t think the reference needed to be removed he did say it was a ‘bit sick’ that someone had appeared to deliberately leave out any context. 

‘I just think whoever put it up there knew they avoided context and knew it would speak to people who looked it up. I think that’s a bit sick,’ he said.

The image shows what the Luke 19:27 verse says in the King James version of the bible

The image shows what the Luke 19:27 verse says in the King James version of the bible

The image shows a botanic garden memorial laid down in tribute to the victims of the Christchurch mosque massacre

The image shows a botanic garden memorial laid down in tribute to the victims of the Christchurch mosque massacre 

The marketing manager for Precinct Properties, which erected the tribute wall, confirmed the company were ‘making steps’ to remove the reference.

She said the company were happy to hear from any members of the public who might deem a message on the wall as inappropriate.  

But she added that in the main the wall had been filled with ‘overwhelmingly positive’ content. 

Since the message board was created many well-wishers have taken the time to write touching tributes and inspirational words.     

The image shows a child placing a tribute to the Christchurch mosque massacre victims outside the mosque

The image shows a child placing a tribute to the Christchurch mosque massacre victims outside the mosque 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk