Posts Tagged ‘apparent contradictions’
Why does Mark 1:2-3 says it quotes Isaiah when it is not just from Isaiah?
Question: Good day, First, I need to say that I tried to find this answer. I’m unaware if you have answered this. I’m just struggling with the ‘new’ answers page as the old search mechanic allowed me to find the answers I’m looking for quicker, but I’ll probably still get used to it using the…
Read MoreIs God Responsible for Ahab Doing Wrong?
by Tommy Peeler Is God responsible for Ahab doing the wrong thing? Ahab is ready to go to war without inquiring of God (I Kings 22:4-5). When 400 prophets tell him that he will take Ramoth-Gilead, Ahab is content, but Jehoshaphat wants to inquire of a prophet of the LORD (I Kings 22:6-7). Ahab does…
Read MoreWhy does Matthew quote Zechariah but attributes it to Jeremiah?
Question: Hello brother, I have a question about Matthew 27:9. A brother from church pointed out this verse where it says that it references Jeremiah, but I can’t find that reference anywhere. Instead, I found it in Zachariah. Do you know why this is? Answer: “Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was…
Read MoreDid the Hebrew midwives lie?
Question: In Exodus 1:15-20, do you think this was a lie told by the midwives to Pharaoh or was it really true that the Hebrew women gave birth before the midwives came to them? Answer: “Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was…
Read MoreI’m confused by the names of Esau’s wives
Question: Hi, I have a question regarding the question asked to you: “Was Mahaleth a Canaanite and did Esau marry her to get back at his father Isaac?” Part of your reply mentioned Genesis 28:9, “so Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael.” In my Bible, it says that Esau took…
Read MoreClaims of Contradictions in the Resurrection Accounts
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Claims-of-Contradictions-in-the-Resurrection-Accounts.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I John 1:1-4 I. People who don’t want to hear a message will try to find some way to discredit either the messenger or the message A. If there is a perceived flaw, then they feel justified in tossing out everything they don’t want to accept B. Atheists and Muslims do…
Read MorePreaching the Bloody Bible
by Ralph Walker There are portions of the Bible which trouble even the most faith-filled of us – stories of blood, brutality, and barbarism. Those stories and commands provide opportunities for the enemies of God to attack His goodness and ethics. This series explores some of those troubling passages. These lessons are provocative and intense…
Read MoreHow many men did David’s chief captain slew at one time?
Question: The chief of the mighty men of David lifted up his spear and killed how many men at one time? Eight hundred “These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth[a] the Tachmonite, chief among the captains.[b] He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at…
Read MoreAre Abijam and Asa brothers?
Question: In I Kings 15:1-2 and I Kings 15:9-10, both Abijam and Asa are said to be sons of Maacha the daughter of Abishalom. Does that mean they are brothers? Answer: II Chronicles 14:1 is clear that Asa is the son of Abijah. What makes Hebrew genealogies difficult is that “son” and “daughter” are used…
Read MoreThe Timeline of the Resurrection
by Matthew W. Bassford Recently, I’ve become aware that there is this thing floating around on the Internet called “The Easter Challenge”. The inventor of this challenge is an atheist. He asserts that the Biblical accounts of the resurrection of Jesus contradict each other so significantly that they are clearly false and so provide no…
Read MoreAre there Contradictions about Jesus’ Burial?
by Edwin Crozier At the end of Luke 23, we learned some women, having seen where Jesus was buried, prepared spices and ointments for His burial. Then in Luke 24:1, they were coming to the tomb early on the first day of the week with those prepared spices, presumably to perform the Jewish burial customs…
Read MoreBoth Ezra 2:64 and Nehemiah 7:66 agree that the totals for the whole assembly were 42,360, yet Ezra adds up to 29,818 and Nehemiah to 31,089
Question: Both Ezra 2:64 and Nehemiah 7:66 agree that the totals for the whole assembly was 42,360, yet Ezra adds up to 29,818 and Nehemiah to 31,089? Answer: Ezra gives a detailed listing of families of Judah, Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites. (Ezra 1:5). That listing is from Ezra 2:1-67. Thus there were 29,818…
Read MoreDid Solomon’s Sea hold 2,000 baths or over 3,000 baths?
Question: Did Solomon build a facility containing 2,000 baths (I Kings 7:26), or over 3,000 baths (II Chronicles 4:5)? Answer: “Now he made the sea of cast metal ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits, and thirty cubits in circumference. Under its brim gourds went around encircling…
Read MoreDid Baasha die in the 26th year of King Asa’s reign or was he still alive in the 36th year?
Question: Did Baasha, the king of Israel die in the 26th year of King Asa’s reign (I Kings 15:33), or was he still alive in the 36th year (II Chronicles 16:1)? Answer: “In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah became king over all Israel at Tirzah, and reigned…
Read MoreDid Solomon have 40,000 stalls for his horses or 4,000 stalls?
Question: Did Solomon have 40,000 stalls for his horses (I Kings 4:26), or 4,000 stalls (II Chronicles 9:25)? Answer: “Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen” (I Kings 4:26). “And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen; he had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he stationed in…
Read MoreCan you please explain why Mark and Luke don’t contradict Matthew about remarriage?
Question: Can you please explain why Mark and Luke don’t contradict Matthew about remarriage? Matthew records the porneia exception, but Mark and Luke reject all exceptions. Answer: You are making an assumption that because something is not mentioned that it is a rejection. That is not true. All you can know is that it wasn’t…
Read MoreWhy did Paul say Jesus appeared to the twelve when Judas was dead?
Question: Good morning Jeffrey, I have a question on what Paul meant in I Corinthians 15:5 when he said Christ appeared to Peter and the 12. If Judas had died by that time, there were only 11. Can you please explain this to me? It has been bugging me for a while now. Answer: “For…
Read MoreIf God doesn’t tempt people with evil, then why did God command the Rechabites to drink wine?
Question: In James 1:13 God says he will not tempt anyone with evil. But compare with Jeremiah 35:2-5. If drinking wine (other than for medicinal purposes) is a sin, why did God tell the prophet to bring wine into the house of the Lord and tell the people to drink it? Thank you. Answer: Sin…
Read MoreWhy did the perfect God give an imperfect law?
Question: Why did God give men an imperfect law as stated in Hebrews, that is, the Old Law, when God is all perfect? Answer: The Law given to Moses was a good law. “So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12). But there was a flaw…
Read MoreWhy does the New Testament talk about Jesus returning soon?
Question: Hello, I just had an interesting thought that I’m confused about. This is in no way a lack of faith on my part but something I do not understand. Why in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament, do the apostles write about Jesus’ return being soon? I can find over 20 places that…
Read MoreWhy did David prepare for a silver lampstand when the tabernacle had a gold lampstand?
Question: It says David prepared silver for the lampstand of silver, but in the tabernacle it was gold. Why does it say silver in Chronicles? Answer: “The weight for the lampstands of gold, and their lamps of gold, by weight for each lampstand and its lamps; for the lampstands of silver by weight, for the…
Read MoreHow could Michal have five sons when another verse said she had none?
Question: Please, I need an answer. Can you see any contradiction between II Samuel 6:23 which says Michal had no children to the day of her death and II Samuel 21:8 which says Michal had five sons? Answer: “So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and…
Read MoreWhen was Jehoiachin released?
Question: When was Jehoiachin released? “Now it came about in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he became king, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison” (II Kings 25:27). “Now it…
Read MoreDid God cause Saul to commit suicide?
Question: There are two accounts of Saul’s death in the Old Testament. Both say he committed suicide (I Samuel 31:4-5 and I Chronicles 10:14) but the latter one also says that: “the LORD killed Saul because …” Why the difference? Answer: “So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because…
Read MoreWhy didn’t John the Baptist get killed with the rest of the children?
Question: Why didn’t John the Baptist die, as is stated in Matthew 2:16, but lived to adulthood, baptized Jesus, and was ultimately beheaded, or is Matthew 2:16 simply wrong? Answer: When the wise men came, Herod found out where the Messiah was to be born. “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and…
Read MoreDid Jesus contradict himself by calling people fools?
Question: Hi, Jesus tells us to be very careful how we talk, and what we say. “… and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell” (Matthew 5:22 NAS). So why would Jesus say “You fools” in (Matthew 23:17 NAS)? It strikes me that Jesus is not practicing what…
Read MoreIs the Bible mathematically wrong in I Kings 7:23?
Question: Is the Bible mathematically wrong in I Kings 7:23? If the diameter of the laver is 10 cubits, then shouldn’t the circumference be 31 cubits? Answer: “And he made the Sea of cast bronze, ten cubits from one brim to the other; it was completely round. Its height was five cubits, and a line…
Read MorePunished in Jesus’ presence or away from his presence?
Question: One of the seeming “contradictions” I want to give an answer to is found in these two Scriptures: “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thessalonians 1:9). “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone…
Read MoreWhy does Peter say the Law was hard to bear when Moses said the Law was not hard?
Question: I would like clarification on Acts 15:10 where Peter said the Law was a yoke too hard to bear, and in Deuteronomy 30:11 where God said it was not hard. Also in Luke 1:6 where they followed perfectly the commands. Seems a conflict in thought that I can’t figure out. Thanks. Answer: “For this…
Read MoreWhy is there a conflict between Acts 7:15-16 and Genesis 50:13?
Question: Hello, I have some questions about the New Testament, which I hope you can clear for me. I became very interested in the New Testament, and I saw some verses in the Bible which seem to contradict the Old Testament. For example Acts 7:15-16 says, “Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and…
Read MoreIs it a contradiction that Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit, but he also said some would see him coming in his kingdom?
Question: Dear Preacher, In Matthew 16:28 Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” My question is did Jesus came on the day of Pentecost when the church was established? Because this contradicts with…
Read MoreDid Absalom have sons or not?
Question: Hi, I am just wondering why there’s a discrepancy in what II Samuel says about Absalom. In II Samuel 14:27 it says that Absalom has three sons and a daughter, but in II Samuel 18:18 it says that Absalom erected a monument for himself because he thought he has no son to carry on…
Read MoreWhy are the counts of the Levites off in Numbers 3?
Question: Okay, so I know this is probably going to sound like a pointless question, since it’s just about numbers of people in Numbers, and population censuses are usually rounded off anyway, but why do the rules change throughout the taking of the census? What I mean is, when Moses tallies up all the men…
Read MoreIf God doesn’t tempt with evil, then why did He send Saul an evil spirit?
Question: Can you explain what the evil spirit is in I Samuel 16:14 that was from the Lord? I don’t understand what this could be in light of passages such as Romans 2:11, James 1:13, etc. Answer: “Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him”…
Read MoreCan you explain some of the prophecies about Christ?
Question: The Bible says that Jesus committed mistakes; it’s in II Samuel 7:12-17. I’m guessing it was like, in the day that Jesus, when he was 12, went to the place to discuss with the wise men. His parents noticed He was missing when they were going back home already. I think they corrected Him,…
Read MoreHow could the men with Saul hear and not hear the voice?
Question: Can you explain the seeming contradiction in these verses from Acts? Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man Acts 22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake…
Read MoreWhen did Jehoiachin begin reigning and how long did he reign?
Question: When did Jehoiachin begin reigning and how long did he reign? II Kings 24:8 and II Chronicles 36:9 give two different numbers. Answer: “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem” (II Kings 24:8). “Jehoiachin…
Read MoreHow many years of famine did God threaten David with?
Question: How many years of famine did God threaten David with? II Samuel 24:13 and I Chronicles 21:12 have a different number of years. Answer: “So Gad came to David and told him; and he said to him, “Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or shall you flee three months…
Read MoreHow many fighting men did Joab count in Israel and Judah?
Question: How many fighting men did Joab count in Israel and Judah? II Samuel 24:9 says 800,000 and 500,000; but I Chronicles 21:5 says 1,100,000 and 470,000. Answer: When dealing with numbers, you must ask yourself two questions: Are the same group of people being counted and could one account or the other be rounding…
Read MoreCan you help harmonize Matthew 10:34 and Matthew 26:52, and also John 3:13 and II Kings 2:11?
Question: I need help harmonizing a few passages. People use them to claim contradictions. I know the problem is not in the Bible but rather in the person’s approach. Please help me learn to soundly harmonize Matthew 10:34 and Matthew 26:52. Matthew 10:34 says Jesus came to bring the sword. This passage seems to bother…
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