Challenging the Contradictions: Supposed Biblical Clashes and Clear Answers ⚔️
The Bible is frequently challenged with claims of internal contradictions. However, when these alleged conflicts are examined using principles of ancient literature, context, and complementary perspective, they consistently resolve into deeper truths, providing clarity and coherence to the Scriptural witness.
I. Conflicts in Law, Cleanliness, and God’s Nature 📜
These issues often arise from mixing ceremonial, civil, and moral law, or misinterpreting literary devices and scope.
| Alleged Contradiction | Contrasting Verses / Details | Resolution |
| Wool and Linen Mixture (Shatnez) | Leviticus 19:19 forbids mixed clothing. Exodus 28 commands the High Priest’s garments to be made of mixed materials. | The Principle of Distinction and Holiness (Not Salvation): The general prohibition (Shatnez) was a ceremonial/civil law designed to teach Israel separation from the surrounding nations. Pagan priests often wore mixed garments to stand out, and the prohibition kept Israel distinct from these idolatrous practices. It was an issue of holiness and identity, not a factor in eternal salvation. The High Priest’s robes were a sacred exception, symbolizing the holy joining of the earthly and heavenly realms, unique to his mediatorial office. |
| Animals on the Ark | Genesis 6:19 commands “two of every kind.” Genesis 7:2 commands “seven pairs” of every clean animal. | Complementary Commands: The basic command was for the preservation of species (two of every kind). The second command (seven pairs of clean) was for sacrificial purposes and food after the Flood, requiring more. The commands address two different needs. |
| God’s Repentance | Numbers 23:19 states God is not a man “that He should repent.” Exodus 32:14 says the LORD “repented” of the harm. | Anthropomorphism: Numbers defines God’s unchangeable, perfect nature. Exodus uses anthropomorphism (ascribing human action to God) to describe God’s relational response to a change in human conditions (repentance or intercession). God’s purpose remains constant, but His action changes in response to humanity. |
| Generational Punishment | Exodus 20:5 (“visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children…”) Ezekiel 18:20 (“The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father…”) | Domains of Judgment: Exodus describes the natural, societal, and temporal consequences of sin (e.g., generational moral decay). Ezekiel describes the eternal, judicial principle—God judges each individual for their own sins regarding personal eternal destiny. |
| Seeing God | John 1:18 (“No one has seen God at any time.”) Genesis 32:30 (“I have seen God face to face…”) | Different Manifestations: John refers to the full, unmediated essence of God the Father. The Old Testament instances refer to a theophany (a visible, temporary manifestation of God), often the pre-incarnate Christ or a divine representative, but not the unveiled glory of the Father. |
| Tooth for a Tooth | Exodus 21:23-25 (“Eye for eye…”) Matthew 5:38-39 (“Do not resist an evil person…”) | Context of Application: The Lex Talionis in Exodus was a civil/judicial law applied by courts to limit vengeance (punishment must fit the crime). Jesus’ teaching is a moral principle for personal conduct, forbidding private retaliation among believers. |
II. Conflicts in Gospel Narrative and Detail 📖
These issues are resolved by recognizing that independent, complementary accounts often include different details due to author focus, source material, or specific theological goals.
| Alleged Contradiction | Contrasting Verses / Details | Resolution |
| The Genealogies of Jesus | Matthew 1:1-17 traces lineage through Joseph’s father, Jacob. Luke 3:23-38 traces lineage through Heli. | Two Different Purposes: Matthew’s is the legal/royal lineage through Joseph, establishing the right to David’s throne. Luke’s is the biological lineage through Mary (referencing Heli, Mary’s father) to show Jesus’ full humanity. |
| Timing of the Last Supper | Synoptics place it as the Passover Seder. John places it before the official Seder. | Calendar Differences: Jesus and His disciples likely followed a different calendar tradition than the temple authorities. By eating the meal when He did, Jesus ensured His death occurred precisely as the temple lambs were slain, making Him the perfect Lamb of God sacrifice. |
| Number of Demon-Possessed Men | Mark 5:2 and Luke 8:27 describe one man. Matthew 8:28 records two men. | Selective Reporting: Mark and Luke focused on the more prominent or vocal of the two men, who was the main subject. Matthew, an eyewitness, reports the accurate total. Reporting one does not negate the existence of a second. |
| Details of the Rooster’s Crow | Mark 14:30 says the rooster will crow twice. The other Gospels only mention one crowing. | Greater Detail: Mark, traditionally reporting Peter’s memory, provides the most specific detail (twice). The other authors provided the common summary—the crowing of the rooster after the denials. Both accounts are accurate, but Mark’s is simply more precise. |
| Judas’s Death | Matthew 27:5 says he hanged himself. Acts 1:18 says he “fell headlong…” | Sequence of Events: The accounts describe a sequence of events. Matthew records the act of suicide (hanging). Acts records the physical result—the rope or tree failed, causing the body to fall headlong into the field and burst open. |
| Who Carried the Cross | John 19:17 says Jesus “bearing his own cross.” Matthew, Mark, Luke say Simon of Cyrene carried the cross. | Two-Part Event: Jesus carried the cross-beam out of the city (John). Due to His weakened state, the Romans, meeting Simon, compelled him to carry it the rest of the distance to the crucifixion site (Synoptics). Both statements are chronologically true. |
| Did Jesus Bring Peace or a Sword? | Luke 2:14 (Angels sing) “Peace on earth…” Matthew 10:34 (Jesus says) “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” | Different Realms/Types of Peace: The angels refer to peace between God and redeemed man (salvation). Jesus refers to the social and relational division that results when a person chooses Him; following Christ often brings conflict within families and society (“a sword”). |
| When Was the Crucifixion? | Mark 15:25 says the “third hour” (9:00 AM). John 19:14 says Jesus was still before Pilate around the “sixth hour” (12:00 PM). | Different Time Reckoning: Mark uses the Jewish system (starting the day at sunrise). John uses the Roman system (starting the day at midnight, similar to ours). The accounts are sequential and accurate based on their chosen timekeeping method. |
III. Conflicts in Historical Record and Numbering 🔢
These minor discrepancies are resolved by understanding ancient military, census, and accounting methods.
| Alleged Contradiction | Contrasting Verses / Details | Resolution |
| Spoils of War (Horsemen) | 2 Samuel 8:4 states David captured 1,700 horsemen. 1 Chronicles 18:4 states he captured 7,000 horsemen. | Counting Methodology: This reflects whether the author is counting operational units (Chariot teams/captains, 2 Samuel) or total personnel/mounts involved (7,000 total soldiers/horses in the chariot corps, 1 Chronicles). This distinction in military reporting is common. |
| Temple Vessels Returned | Ezra 1:9-10 lists specific items that sum to 2,499. Ezra 1:11 states the total number of all vessels was 5,400. | Different Categories: The list in verses 9-10 is a detailed inventory of only the golden and silver vessels. The total of 5,400 in verse 11 is the grand total of all types of vessels, including those made of bronze, iron, and other materials not itemized. |
| Census/Levite Ages | Numbers 4:3 states service age is 30. Numbers 8:24 states age is 25. | Phased Service: The age 30 (Numbers 4) was for the heavy, specialized labor (carrying the holiest pieces) during travel. The age 25 (Numbers 8) was the age to begin training and preparatory service. David later lowered the age to 20 for organizational and musical roles in the settled Temple (1 Chronicles 23:24). |
IV. Doctrinal and Moral Conflicts ⚖️
These examples are resolved by properly defining the terms used by the biblical authors and understanding the covenant context.
| Alleged Contradiction | Contrasting Verses / Details | Resolution |
| Justification (Faith vs. Works) | Romans 3:28 (“justified by faith apart from works of the law.”) James 2:24 (“justified by works and not by faith alone.”) | Defining “Works”: Paul opposes “works of the Law” used to earn salvation (legalism). James insists on “works” (good deeds) as the necessary evidence that saving faith is alive (opposing a dead, empty faith). Both are true; works follow faith, they don’t precede it. |
| Did David Kill Goliath? | 1 Samuel 17:50 says David killed Goliath. 2 Samuel 21:19 says Elhanan killed Goliath. | Scribal Addition/Identity Confusion: This is generally resolved by referencing the parallel text in 1 Chronicles 20:5, which clarifies that Elhanan killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath. This strongly suggests that a scribal error inserted “Goliath” in the 2 Samuel text where “Lahmi” or “Goliath’s brother” was intended. |