Tag Archives: Gospel of Matthew

08.13.16
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Busted (13):  On Mark’s (& Matthew’s) Geographical Ineptitude

Mark Coptic IconIn this short article, we tackle yet another alleged error in the Gospel of Mark (and address the same “error” in Matthew’s gospel, as well).  Let’s dive right in by reading the first verse in question, Mark 10:1 (NIV):

 Jesus then left that place [Capernaum, in Galilee] and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.

 Some critics have argued that this verse contains a geographical error because it says that Jesus went from Capernaum, across the Jordan, and into Judea.  That’s impossible, we are told, because Judea is not actually across the Jordan river from Capernaum…They’re both on the same side of the river. Continue reading →

01.17.16
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Contradictions (6):  Jairus’ Daughter

“Raising of Jairus’ Daughter” by Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov, 1871

“Raising of Jairus’ Daughter” by Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov, 1871

Continuing with our series on gospel “contradictions,” today we look at the account of Jairus’ daughter.  Jairus was a Jewish elder whose daughter became very ill and died.  Immediately, Jairus asked Jesus if he could heal her.  According to both gospel accounts, Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter back to life.  However, critics point out an apparent contradiction between the accounts in Mark and Matthew.  This alleged contradiction is extremely minor, but it seems to be important to some people.  So, here goes… Continue reading →

01.16.16
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Contradictions (4):  The Centurion

Contradictions Title ImageIn this article, we take a close look at an account in the New Testament that critics love to share as evidence that the gospels are unreliable and contradictory.  It’s the story of the centurion, shared in chapter 8 of Matthew and chapter 7 of Luke.  In this account, a centurion asks Jesus to heal one of his servants.

The Alleged Contradiction

Here’s the relevant part of the story in Matthew 8: 5-8 (ESV): Continue reading →

11.13.15
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Undesigned Coincidences 5:  More Feeding of the 5,000

Sea of Galilee

Bethsaida and Chorazin near the shores of the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias)

This is the fifth installment in our series on undesigned coincidences in the gospels, based on a presentation by Dr. Tim McGrew.  For an introduction to undesigned coincidences and this series, go here.

More Feeding of the 5,000

In this article, we’ll consider several undesigned coincidences that are spread across three gospels that provide an even more complete picture of the feeding of the 5,000.

Let’s get started with Matthew 11:21 (NIV), in which Jesus is castigating some unrepentant towns: Continue reading →

11.05.15
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Undesigned Coincidences 4: Herod’s Private Conversations

Jesus Before Herod Antipas, Albrecht Durer, 1509

Jesus Before Herod Antipas, Albrecht Durer, 1509

This is the fourth installment in our series on undesigned coincidences in the gospels, based on a presentation by Dr. Tim McGrew.  For an introduction to undesigned coincidences and this series, go here.

Herod’s Private Conversations

In this article, we’ll consider the undesigned coincidence in Matthew 14:1-2 and Luke 8:3.

Let’s start with Matthew 14:1-2, in which Herod Antipas, the Jewish king—and Roman puppet—was fretting about this man, Jesus: Continue reading →

11.01.15
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Undesigned Coincidences 2: They Kept Silent

The Transfiguration by Raphael, 1520

The Transfiguration by Raphael, 1520

This is the second installment in our series on undesigned coincidences in the gospels, based on a presentation by Dr. Tim McGrew.  For an introduction to undesigned coincidences and this series, go here.

They Kept Silent

In this article, we’ll consider the undesigned coincidence in Luke 9:36 and Mark 9:9. Continue reading →

10.27.15
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Undesigned Coincidences 1: Healing at Peter’s House

Christ healing the mother-in-law of Simon Peter

On this blog, we spend a lot of time shooting down the criticisms, myths, and outright lies that anti-Christian authors spread about Christianity and the gospels.  This upcoming series of short articles (about 10-12) does not focus on the critics.

Instead, it focuses on one type of positive evidence for historical accuracy: Undesigned coincidences within the gospels. Continue reading →

03.20.15
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Who Wrote the Gospel of Matthew?

"The Evangelist Matthew Inspired by an Angel" by Rembrandt

The Evangelist Matthew Inspired by an Angel, by Rembrandt

Of the four gospels, critics direct most of their fire at those of Matthew and John.  This is, in part, because Matthew and John are the only two gospels that tradition says are direct, eyewitness accounts, written by original disciples of Jesus.  If Matthew and John are eyewitness accounts, then they greatly strengthen the case that the gospels are historically accurate documents…and some skeptics do not want that.  Critics also challenge the authorship of these gospels because the evidence regarding them is sometimes confusing, making it more difficult to discern who actually wrote what. Continue reading →