Resolving Alleged Discrepancies

Bible Contradictions

Honest, scholarly answers to 25 of the most commonly cited "contradictions" in Scripture—with context, principles, and further study

Alleged Contradictions

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Key Principles for Resolving Contradictions

Complementary Perspectives: Different authors can emphasize different aspects without contradicting

Cultural Context: Understanding ancient customs and languages resolves many issues

Selective Reporting: Authors focus on relevant details for their purpose

Paraphrase vs. Quotation: Ancient writers prioritized meaning over verbatim quotes

Multiple Events: Similar events at different times aren't contradictions

Rare Copyist Errors: Minor textual variants don't undermine overall reliability

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How many angels at the tomb?

Easy

Matthew 28:2-5 (one angel)

John 20:12 (two angels)

Where did Jesus meet disciples after resurrection?

Moderate

Matthew 28:16 (Galilee)

Luke 24:49-50 (Jerusalem/Bethany)

John 20-21 (Both locations)

What were Jesus' last words on the cross?

Easy

Luke 23:46 ("Father, into your hands...")

John 19:30 ("It is finished")

Matthew 27:46 ("My God, my God...")

Was Jesus crucified on Passover or the day before?

Challenging

John 19:14 (day before Passover)

Mark 14:12 (first day of Passover)

How many blind men did Jesus heal at Jericho?

Easy

Matthew 20:29-30 (two blind men)

Mark 10:46-52 (one blind man - Bartimaeus)

Did Jesus cleanse the temple once or twice?

Moderate

John 2:13-16 (beginning of ministry)

Matthew 21:12-13 (end of ministry)

What did the inscription on the cross say?

Easy

Matthew: "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews"

Mark: "The King of the Jews"

Luke: "This is the King of the Jews"

John: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews"

Did the centurion come to Jesus or send messengers?

Easy

Matthew 8:5 (centurion came personally)

Luke 7:3 (sent Jewish elders)

How did Judas die?

Moderate

Matthew 27:5 (hanged himself)

Acts 1:18 (fell headlong, burst open)

How many animals did Noah take on the ark?

Easy

Genesis 6:19-20 (two of every kind)

Genesis 7:2 (seven pairs of clean animals)

When did David bring the ark to Jerusalem?

Moderate

2 Samuel 6 (after becoming king)

1 Chronicles 13-15 (detailed chronology)

Did King Saul inquire of the Lord?

Challenging

1 Samuel 28:6 (Saul inquired of the Lord)

1 Chronicles 10:14 (Saul did not inquire of the Lord)

How many chariots did David capture?

Moderate

2 Samuel 8:4 (1,700 horsemen)

1 Chronicles 18:4 (7,000 horsemen)

Was Jehoiachin 8 or 18 when he became king?

Easy

2 Kings 24:8 (18 years old)

2 Chronicles 36:9 (8 years old)

Is God visible or invisible?

Moderate

John 1:18 (No one has seen God)

Exodus 33:11 (Moses spoke to God face to face)

Does God change His mind?

Challenging

Numbers 23:19 (God does not change His mind)

1 Samuel 15:11 (God regretted making Saul king)

Is salvation by faith alone or by works?

Moderate

Ephesians 2:8-9 (not by works)

James 2:24 (justified by works)

Does God tempt people?

Moderate

James 1:13 (God tempts no one)

Genesis 22:1 (God tested Abraham)

Should we fear God or not?

Easy

Proverbs 9:10 (fear of the Lord is wisdom)

1 John 4:18 (perfect love casts out fear)

Did Micah predict Bethlehem or Bethlehem Ephrathah?

Easy

Micah 5:2 (Bethlehem Ephrathah)

Matthew 2:6 (Bethlehem in Judah)

Did Jeremiah or Zechariah prophesy about 30 pieces of silver?

Challenging

Matthew 27:9-10 (attributes to Jeremiah)

Zechariah 11:12-13 (the actual prophecy)

How many generations from David to Jesus?

Moderate

Matthew 1:17 (14 generations each period)

Luke 3:23-38 (different number of names)

How long were the Israelites in Egypt?

Challenging

Exodus 12:40 (430 years)

Galatians 3:17 (430 years from Abraham to Law)

Genesis 15:13 (400 years)

Did all of Israel apostatize or did a remnant remain?

Easy

1 Kings 19:10 (Elijah: "I alone am left")

1 Kings 19:18 (God: "I have 7,000 who have not bowed to Baal")

When was Jesus born relative to Herod and Quirinius?

Challenging

Matthew 2:1 (during reign of Herod the Great)

Luke 2:2 (during census of Quirinius)