Bible Contradiction? Did Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus when he first appeared to her?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus when he first appeared to her?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes, she recognized him.

“And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 28:9)

No, she didn’t recognize him.

“When she had said this, she turned around and *saw Jesus standing there, and yet she did not know that it was Jesus.” (John 20:14)

Jesus didn’t appear to her; she had a vision of angels who told her that he was alive.

“and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.” (Luke 24:23)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did the eleven disciples believe the two men who claimed to see Jesus?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did the eleven disciples believe the two men who claimed to see Jesus?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes, since he had already appeared to Simon.

“And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon!”” (Luke 24:33-34)

No.

“Now after that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 And they went away and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them, either.” (Mark 16:12-13)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Where did Jesus tell his disciples to go after his resurrection?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Where did Jesus tell his disciples to go after his resurrection?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

He told them to go to Galilee.

“Then Jesus *said to them, “Do not be afraid; go, bring word to My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:10)

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” (Mark 16:7)

He told them to tarry in Jerusalem.

“And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”” (Luke 24:49)

“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me;” (Acts 1:4)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Answering Alleged Bible Contradictions Surrounding Paul’s Conversion

Here are alleged Bible contradictions that we answered:

 

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Bible Contradiction? Who survived to see the promised land during the Exodus?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Who survived to see the promised land during the Exodus?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Only Caleb

“Certainly all the people who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, 23 shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who were disrespectful to Me see it. 24 But as for My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.” (Numbers 14:22-24)

Both Caleb and Joshua

“those men who brought the bad report of the land also died by a plague in the presence of the Lord. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land.” (Numbers 14:37-38)

“But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall certainly die in the wilderness.” And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.” (Numbers 26:64-65)

“So the Lord’s anger burned on that day, and He swore, saying, 11 ‘None of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; for they did not follow Me fully, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun; for they have followed the Lord fully.’” (Numbers 32:10-12)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Balaam curse the Israelites?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Balaam curse the Israelites?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

Balaam was hired to curse the Israelites.

“No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, may ever enter the assembly of the Lord, 4 because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.” (Deuteronomy 23:3-4)

Balaam cursed the Israelites, but God turned his curse into a blessing.

“Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, rose up and fought against Israel, and he sent messengers and summoned Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. 10 But I was not willing to listen to Balaam. So he had to bless you, and I saved you from his hand.” (Joshua 24:9-10)

“On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud as the people listened; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite was ever to enter the assembly of God, 2 because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.” (Nehemiah 13:1-2)

No

Balaam refused the curse the Israelites

“And he took up his discourse and said, “From Aram Balak has brought me, Moab’s king from the mountains of the East, saying, ‘Come, declare Jacob cursed for me, And come, curse Israel!’ 8 How am I to put a curse on him upon whom God has not put a curse? And how am I to curse him whom the Lord has not cursed?” (Numbers 23:7-8)

“Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!” (Numbers 24:10)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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The Skeptic Annotated Bible Getting Hung Up with KJV use of “Unicorns” in the Bible

 

The Skeptic Annotated Bible website under the “Science and history” criticism of the book of Psalms notes that the King James Version talk about unicorns.

 

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Bible Contradiction? How many generations were between Levi and Moses?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many generations were between Levi and Moses?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Three generations

“And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; and the length of Levi’s life was 137 years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families. 18 And the sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel; and the length of Kohath’s life was 133 years. 19 And the sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations. 20 Now Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses; and the length of Amram’s life was 137 years.” (Exodus 6:16-20)

“The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” (1 Chronicles 6:1-3)

“David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 7 Of the Gershonites there were Ladan and Shimei. 8 The sons of Ladan were Jehiel the first, and Zetham and Joel, three. 9 The sons of Shimei were Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ households of Ladan. 10 The sons of Shimei were Jahath, [b]Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11 Jahath was the first and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they became a father’s household, one group for duty. 12 The sons of Kohath were four in number: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.” (1 Chronicles 23:6-12)

Ten generations

“Their father Ephraim mourned for many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. 23 Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him Beriah, because misfortune had come upon his house. 24 His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, as well as Uzzen-sheerah. 25 Rephah was his son along with Resheph, Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26 Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27 Non his son, and Joshua his son.” (1 Chronicles 7:22-27)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did the men with Paul hear the voice?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did the men with Paul hear the voice?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes, they heard the voice.

“The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.” (Acts 9:7)

No, they didn’t hear the voice.

“And those who were with me saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.” (Acts.22:9)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? How many sons does God have?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many sons does God have?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

God has only one son (Jesus).

“The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18)

“By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.” (1 John 4:9)

God has many sons.

“the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” (Luke 3:38)

“that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of mankind, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.” (Genesis 6:2-4)

“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.” (Exodus 4:22)

“They will come with weeping, And by pleading I will bring them; I will lead them by streams of waters, On a straight path on which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.”” (Jeremiah 31:9)

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6)

“Again, there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord.” (Job 2:1)

““I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have fathered You. 8 Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession.” (Psalm 2:7-8)

“He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind,” (2 Samuel 7:13-14)

“On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:6-7)

““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,” (John 1:12)

“so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,” (Philippians 2:15)

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

Whoever is led by the Spirit of God is a son of God.

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.” (Romans 8:14)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Paul go to Jerusalem immediately after his conversion?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Paul go to Jerusalem immediately after his conversion?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple.” (Acts 9:26)

No

“to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.” (Galatians 1:16-17)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Were the men with Paul knocked to the ground?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Were the men with Paul knocked to the ground?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes, they fell to the ground.

“And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 26:14)

No, they remained standing.

“The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.” (Acts 9:7)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Is it OK to curse people?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Is it OK to curse people?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Do not curse anyone.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14)

No

“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha!” (1 Corinthians 16:22)

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8-9)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Should we try to please others?

 

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Should we try to please others?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” (Romans 15:2)

“just as I also please everyone in all things, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33)

No

“For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Paul see Jesus on the road to Damascus?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Paul see Jesus on the road to Damascus?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1)

“and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.” (1 Corinthians 15:8)

No, he was blind and “saw no man.”

“Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.” ( Acts 9:8)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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