After casually reading the Gospels people sometimes assume they contain contradictions and there are several instances when this seems to be the case. But a closer look helps to rectify the situation.
There were four different Gospels. Three of them were very similar (Matt, Mark and Luke) and are referred to as the synoptics. The fourth, John, had some similarities with the other three but for the most part was very different. Despite the similarities, however, none of them reported the words and actions of Jesus in exactly the same way and we shouldn’t be surprised by that.
Why have four different writers if they all report the same things in the same way?
It is also true that none of the Gospel writers reported everything Jesus said or did during His ministry. None gave an all inclusive account.
In fact, John, at the end of his Gospel (21:25), said there were many other things Jesus did but there weren’t enough books in the world to contain the meaning of it all. He obviously wasn’t familiar with the mass publication of the 21st century but what he said is still true today. There is no end to the efforts made to write and publish insights from the words and actions of Jesus. And, there is no end to those who try to explain it away.
The Gospels only give us an abbreviated bio of Jesus. None of these books represent His complete life story. Understanding the nature of the writing helps us understand why there seem to be contradictions.
- They were conveying details of Jesus’ ministry, which lasted about three years, not His entire life. They were trying to convey His life message not His life detail. Unlike all other humans, Jesus’ story was not molded in the years following birth. His purpose, save humanity, was determined in eternity past. The details of His early life only shaped His human nature not His character or vision. We didn’t really need to have information about His developmental years. He went through the process of learning because it was necessary to qualify Him as a human. Mundane stuff. The only miracle there was that fact that God, who is without boundary, was confined to a human body. It had no bearing on His holy discontent, His reasons for coming in the first place. These books were written to impart truths that were eternal not just details about a certain person who lived during a certain time.
- They were giving personal witness to Jesus not an historical account. What they said constituted history but it was history from a personal perspective. Other than Luke the story each writer told is the one they lived. They saw the same events but noticed and reported different aspects of those events. We should expect them to differ on occasions. If four people gave witness to the same accident their reports would vary. Each would emphasize the details they noticed personally. The differences would represent a variation of perspective not contradictions.
The Gospels were never intended to be exactly the same. If they had been we would have reason to believe there was collusion and we really wouldn’t need more than one of the same thing anyway. Duplications would also be a good reason to question inspiration.
The differences, however, do not suggest error.
For example:
Matthew reported that a woman from “Canaan” approached Jesus asking for help with her daughter (Matt. 15:22) but Mark referred to the same woman as “Syrophenician by nation” (Mark 7:26). On the surface they seem to contradict but a closer look at the geography shows neither was wrong. One referred to a general area (Canaan) and the other named the specific location within that area (Syrophenicia). They were both correct.
We do this type of thing all the time.
If someone from my town asks me where I live I will tell them the name of my street or suburb. But if someone from a different city asks me the same question I will tell them the city or province or state I am from. The answers are different but they are both very accurate.
The same is true in the Gospels.
Each Gospel was written with different people in mind. The information provided was tailor made for the people to whom it was given.
There are many other so-called contradictions each of which can be answered in the same way. The solutions are not always as obvious but only those who fail to make the effort are left confused. One should be very careful not to judge the Gospels only with a superficial reading. Details must be carefully studied and thought about.
If you have questions about apparent contradictions please investigate them as much as possible for yourself. If you can’t find the answer please send your questions in.
THINK!AboutIt
Leave a Reply