Are There Contradictions in the Gospels?

Read: Why Are There So Many Gospel “Contradictions”?

Even a casual reading of the gospels reveals passages that differ from one another when describing the same event. Are these irreconcilable contradictions? How are we to assess these differences? Detective Jimmy Wallace (J. Warner’s son) tackles this important issue as part of his Incarnate Investigation Video Series.

[ewankerr]

Who were the three eye witnesses? Mark and Luke do not claim and have never been viewed as eye witnesses.

[kennethmartin]

I find it interesting that the contradiction that he focuses on is something that, I personally believe, most non believers wouldn't even really hang thier hat on. It's reasonable and not unlikely for a story to be told by various people and the configurations of "who was there" and "who said what" to vary.
But how about the fact that not all of the gospels talk about the dead rising? See that's not a common occurrence and it would be odd, using his same example, if all of the eyewitnesses seem to vary on that point. Where their accounts of that event could reasonably vary on is: how many rose; where they went; if they spoke; etc. But where they should not differ is the actual event happening. The only way I see to reconcile this is to make a claim that the dead rising was so mundane that the other authors saw it as unimportant; which just begs more questions than it answers.

[stuartofblyth]

"Easter Enigma" by John W. Wenham is a good attempt at harmonising the different accounts of the discovery of the empty tomb.

[nathanwhite]

Im struggling with this question. Its getting hard to read the gospels without seeing the differences Thank you vey helpful

[kalobrogers]

I reconciled the differences in the resurrection account as different highlights in my study. However in the healing of the centurions servant, one account has Jesus saying to the centurions friends for his servant to be healed. Then the other account has Jesus saying the servant is healed directly to the centurion. Both cannot be true, still trying to find a way to reconcile it.

[amberdawn]

If Gods word is infallible than how can you use this as an excuse for contradiction?

[merrillbartle]

If all four gospels were exactly the same we would know they were false.✝

[Jesus_is_Lord-]

J. Warner Wallace time traveled and became young?

[kevinexmuslim]

In the time of Jesus there were not many people access to paper it wasn’t common for regular people to get access to papers either the papers or inks were expensive or wasn’t easily accessible for that the writers try to escape small details and mention the most important one

[shelsea]

I'd like to know why they waited 40-45 years after Christ died to write the gospels?

[jamesatem]

The difference in the Gospels actually indicates that the Gospels were written by eye-wtinesses accounts. Eye-wtinesses rarely agree with one another.

[theseeker]

Well said Jim Wallace jr, tell or show one person something and the story will be added to or changed as it goes down the line of people who hear it. Also I totally agree having worked in security witnesses to an incident of crime or an accident usually have a similar story but certain things regarding the people involved or many factors could be different. Wow 3 generations I believe of the Wallace family as detectives awesome and 2 generations following as followers of our saviour Jesus Christ! I totally respect your Dad for all he has done as I am sure I will you. Stay safe Jim jr may the Lord watch over you and your family in Jesus name I pray

[markmooney]

Good video and useful info...I watched your Dads version of this subject and have used it in discussion with non believers who query the job guys.
Grace and peace and a wonderful Christmas to you and to all .
Gilly wife of Mark

[jefffinkbonner]

Nah, this still is a soft acquiescence to saying the Bible contains errors by saying essentially that the big picture is true but the little details are not safeguarded with any divine infallibility. Some point to the differences such as the sermon on the mount and the sermon on the plain being contradictory. The reality was that it was two separate occasions with the same or similar topics being preached and taught by Our Lord. In cases such as the Resurrection that is clearly one event. The differences in saying who was there are just that: differences not contradictions.