A Contradiction

“Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them.” (E. Paul Harvey)

If you look on the Internet for contradictions in the Bible, chances are you will find verses in both the Old and New Testament that seem to contradict each other. I believe the following analogy can help us better understand this issue. A horrible two car accident occurs at the intersection of two major streets in your city. Four individuals (from diverse back backgrounds) observe this cataclysmic event. Though the accounts of these individuals may have similarities (and differences), they are true according to that person. Together these four accounts provide a more complete story of the car accident (that they do individually).

Consider the above analogy as you read the gospel account of this event told about Jesus from four very different writers. Do the scripture passages contradict or complement each other (with their details)? You decide.

Matthew 21:1-11, ERV

 Jesus and his followers were coming closer to Jerusalem. But first they stopped at Bethphage at the hill called the Mount of Olives. From there Jesus sent two of his followers into town. ² He said to them, “Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will find a donkey with her colt. Untie them both, and bring them to me. ³ If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkeys, tell them, ‘The Master needs them. He will send them back soon.’”

⁴ This showed the full meaning of what the prophet said:

⁵ “Tell the people of Zion,
    ‘Now your king is coming to you.
He is humble and riding on a donkey.
    He is riding on a young donkey, born from a work animal.’”

⁶ The followers went and did what Jesus told them to do. ⁷ They brought the mother donkey and the young donkey to him. They covered the donkeys with their coats, and Jesus sat on them. ⁸On the way to Jerusalem, many people spread their coats on the road for Jesus. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ Some of the people were walking ahead of Jesus. Others were walking behind him. They all shouted,

“Praise to the Son of David!
    ‘Welcome! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Praise to God in heaven!”

¹⁰ Then Jesus went into Jerusalem. All the people in the city were confused. They asked, “Who is this man?”

¹¹ The crowds following Jesus answered, “This is Jesus. He is the prophet from the town of Nazareth in Galilee.”

Mark 11:1-11, ERV

 Jesus and his followers were coming closer to Jerusalem. They came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives. There Jesus sent two of his followers to do something. ² He said to them, “Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will find a young donkey that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here to me. ³ If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkey, tell them, ‘The Master needs it. He will send it back soon.’”

⁴ The followers went into the town. They found a young donkey tied in the street near the door of a house, and they untied it. ⁵ Some people were standing there and saw this. They asked, “What are you doing? Why are you untying that donkey?” ⁶ The followers answered the way Jesus told them, and the people let them take the donkey.

⁷ The followers brought the donkey to Jesus. They put their coats on it, and Jesus sat on it. ⁸ Many people spread their coats on the road for Jesus. Others cut branches in the fields and spread the branches on the road. ⁹ Some of them were walking ahead of Jesus. Others were walking behind him. Everyone shouted,

“‘Praise Him!’
    ‘Welcome! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ^(B)

¹⁰ “God bless the kingdom of our father David.
    That kingdom is coming!
Praise to God in heaven!”

¹¹ Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the Temple. He looked at everything in the Temple area, but it was already late. So he went to Bethany with the twelve apostles.

Luke 19:28-44, ERV

²⁸ After Jesus said these things, he continued traveling toward Jerusalem. ²⁹ He came near Bethphage and Bethany, towns near the hill called the Mount of Olives. He sent out two of his followers. ³⁰ He said, “Go into the town you can see there. When you enter the town, you will find a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it, and bring it here to me. ³¹ If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkey, you should say, ‘The Master needs it.’”

³² The two followers went into town. They found the donkey exactly like Jesus told them. ³³ They untied it, but its owners came out. They said to the followers, “Why are you untying our donkey?”

³⁴ The followers answered, “The Master needs it.” ³⁵ So the followers brought the donkey to Jesus. They put their coats on its back. Then they put Jesus on the donkey. ³⁶ He rode along the road toward Jerusalem. The followers spread their coats on the road before him.

³⁷ Jesus was coming close to Jerusalem. He was already near the bottom of the Mount of Olives. The whole group of followers was happy. They were very excited and praised God. They thanked God for all the powerful things they had seen. ³⁸ They said,

“‘Welcome! God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ^(B)

Peace in heaven and glory to God!”

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell your followers not to say these things.”

⁴⁰ But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if my followers didn’t say them, these stones would shout them.”

⁴¹ Jesus came near Jerusalem. Looking at the city, he began to cry for it ⁴² and said, “I wish you knew today what would bring you peace. But it is hidden from you now. ⁴³ A time is coming when your enemies will build a wall around you and hold you in on all sides. ⁴⁴ They will destroy you and all your people. Not one stone of your buildings will stay on top of another. All this will happen because you did not know the time when God came to save you.”

John 12:12-19, ERV

¹² The next day the people in Jerusalem heard that Jesus was coming there. These were the crowds of people who had come to the Passover festival. ¹³ They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Jesus. They shouted,

“‘Praise Him!’
    ‘Welcome! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’

God bless the King of Israel!”

¹⁴ Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, as the Scriptures say,

¹⁵ “Do not be afraid, people of Zion^.
    Look! Your king is coming.
    He is riding on a young donkey.”

¹⁶ The followers of Jesus did not understand at that time what was happening. But after he was raised to glory, they understood that this was written about him. Then they remembered that they had done these things for him.

¹⁷ There were many people with Jesus when he raised Lazarus from death and told him to come out of the tomb. Now they were telling others about what Jesus did. ¹⁸ That’s why so many people went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign he did. ¹⁹ So the Pharisees said to each other, “Look! Our plan is not working. The people are all following him!”

The scripture is multi-purpose in its use. 2 Timothy 3:16 (VOICE) says:  All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching, rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right. Be assured God is still in control. His word is perfect, and is not contradictory to those willing to study its riches. It will accomplish what it needs to do in the life of a believer (or someone who is seeking for what matters most in life). Are you willing the Bible to change you forever?