10 Biggest Gospel Inconsistencies

Judas Iscariot's betrayal is a major New Testament event. As one of Jesus's 12 disciples, Judas gave Jesus away for "30 pieces of silver," according toMatthew 26:15. Later in that same book, Judas hanged himself when he saw Jesus's fate.

In Acts 1:18This follows the Gospel of Luke written by the same author, Judas "purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out."

BethlehemBethlehem is part of the account of Jesus's birth, but the context is hard to figure out.In Matthew, it's unclear if Mary had given birth when she reached Bethlehem. Luke, however, states "while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."

Matthew and Luke disagree on Jesus's birth year. Matthew says Herod the Great ruled when Jesus was born, while Luke 2:2says Jesus was born whenPublius Sulpicius Quirinius, or Cyrenius, governed Syria. Luke says Jesus's birth occurred during the first census under Cyrenius, which was in6 CE (Herod died around 4 BCE).

The Gospels do not clearly state what happened with Jesus's resurrection. The Gospel of Markstates women disciples, including Mary Magdalene, reached Jesus's tomb and found "a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment."

Matthewshows the women meeting an angel, then later meeting Jesus as they go to tell his disciples.Luke saystwo men were found next to the garments Jesus wore.

The account from theGospel of Johnhas Mary Magdalene alone find Jesus's open tomb. She runs to tell the disciples, two angels visit her, and she sees Jesus. She tells the disciples about her experience, and Jesus appears to them too.

Luke 23:8-10mentions Herod questioning Jesus:

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was very happy because he wanted to see him for a long time, since he had heard much about him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him.

Then he asked him many questions, but Jesus did not answer any.

The chief priests and scribes stood and strongly accused him.

However, inMark, Matthew, andJohn, Pontius Pilate questions Jesus. Like in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus does not answer the questions in Mark and Matthew; he stays silent or answers with his own question.

In John, Jesus talks a long time with Pilate.

When the crowd in Jerusalem chose between two prisoners, they chose Barabbas instead of Jesus. The custom allowed sparing one man from crucifixion during Passover, and all of theGospels, Barabbas won.

They differ on explaining why Barabbas was in prison.Matthew 27:16does not explain Barabbas's crimes; it just calls him a "notable criminal."Mark states Barabbas was part of an insurrection and committed murder. John 18:40 calls him a "robber".andLukeBoth state Barabbas was in an insurrection and committed murder. John 18:40 just calls him a "robber"

The importance ofa staffA staff, which is essentially a symbol of God's authority, forms the core of spreading Jesus's teachings through his disciples. The Gospels differ on whether the 12 disciples carried staffs on their trips.

Luke 9:3Jesus told the disciples, "Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece." Matthew 10:10This echoes the point, butMark 6:7-8makes one exception:

He commanded them to take nothing for their journey, save a staff; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse.

InMatthew 3:14-17, Jesus goes to John the Baptist to be baptized, emerging from the water:

And, lo, the heavens opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descend like a dove, lighting him. A voice from heaven said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Luke providesa brief mention of Jesus's baptism,while Mark'sand John's versions echo the storyfound in Matthew.

People struggle to figure out why Jesus was baptized. Matthew alone mentions Jesus's wish "to fulfill all righteousness." Luke 3:3 states baptism's purpose is "repentance for the remission of sins."

This matchesLuke 18:19, where Jesus admits he has sin, but says "none is good, save one, that is, God," unlike the claims Jesus makes in Matthew.

Many theologians and Christians ask the bigger question: why Jesus,why Jesus,Whether the Last Supper happens before or after Passover changes by Gospel. All Gospels include Jesus's final meal, showing it occurred late in the week during Passover.

The Last Supper timing shifts based on the Gospel. All Gospels show Jesus's final meal, showing it happened late in the week during Passover.

MatthewLukeLukeMarkall show Jesus's final meal was a Passover meal. John places it "before the feast of the passover."All show Jesus's final meal as a Passover meal, whileJohnattribute this to "two different calendars... [and] in fact, the four Gospels agree perfectly." He thinks it is not actually different. Others believe

Jesus knew his fateColin HumphreysHe links this to "two different calendars... [and] in fact, the four Gospels agree perfectly." Simply put, he feels it is not different. Others thinkJesus knew his fateof Joseph—Mary's husband and the man who raised Jesus—differs between the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. This is not a factor for Jesus's lineage since he is the Son of God.

Among the many variations, the accounts do not match regarding Joseph's father. Matthew names his father asJacobJoseph's fate—Mary's husband and the man who raised Jesus—differs in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. This is not a factor for Jesus's lineage since he is the Son of God.

Among the variations, the accounts do not match for Joseph's father. In Matthew, his father isJacob, while Luke says it isHeli. One explanation for the split is that Luke's genealogy isactually Mary's.

Thewonders and miraclesJesus' miracles include walking on water, feeding thousands with little food, changing water to wine, and curing the blind. Only one of these miracles appears in all four Gospels.Four Gospels.However.

The "Feeding of the 5,000" tells the story of Jesus feeding thousands of followers with limited food. He made enough food from five loaves of bread and two fish. This happens inMatthew 14:15-21.:

As evening arrived, his disciples approached Jesus. They said, This is a desert place, and the time is up; send the crowd to the villages to buy food.

Jesus told them, They do not need to leave; give them to eat.

They told him, We only have five loaves and two fish here.

He said, Bring them to me.

He told the crowd to sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish. Looking to heaven, he blessed, broke the bread, and gave the loaves to his disciples, who then gave them to the crowd.

Everyone ate and became full. They gathered the leftover pieces, making twelve baskets full.

About five thousand men, plus women and children, had eaten.