Matthew/John Contradiction in the KJV?

[rstrats]

Matthew 28:1-10 says that when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb that she was told by an angel that the Messiah had risen and would be seen in Galilee. Matthew then says that she ran "with great joy" to tell the disciples and while on the way that she met the Messiah (this occurred before she got to the disciples).

However, John 20:1 and 2 say that when she came to the tomb and didn?t find the Messiah there, that she ran to the disciples and told them that He had been taken away and that she didn?t know where He was. In Matthew she knew where He was (or at least had been) and where He would be, but in John she didn?t.

How can this be reconciled?

[speerjp1]

I will start by letting you know that this "contradiction" is not unique to the KJV and, in fact, appears in all the modern versions, as well.

However, since there are no contradictions in God's word, lets look at the passages you mentioned:

John 20

1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

Matthew 28

1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Looks like that's as far as we need to look: apparently these are two different events and not two different perspectives on the same event. Read the whole passages in their entirety. :thumb

[rstrats]

speerjp1,

re: ?Looks like that's as far as we need to look: apparently these are two different events and not two different perspectives on the same event. Read the whole passages in their entirety.?

I don?t understand. Why do you think Matthew 28:1 and John 20:1 are talking about two different events?

[speerjp1]

I highlighted the two time references given at the beginning of each passage. One happened while it was still dark while the other happened as the sun was coming up. That is about an hour difference most of the time.

[John the Baptist]

Matthew 28:1-10 says that when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb that she was told by an angel that the Messiah had risen and would be seen in Galilee. Matthew then says that she ran "with great joy" to tell the disciples and while on the way that she met the Messiah (this occurred before she got to the disciples).

However, John 20:1 and 2 say that when she came to the tomb and didn?t find the Messiah there, that she ran to the disciples and told them that He had been taken away and that she didn?t know where He was. In Matthew she knew where He was (or at least had been) and where He would be, but in John she didn?t.

How can this be reconciled?

A.T. Robertson's Harmony of the Gospel puts the events in the order they happened. Mary Magdalene gave two different reports. the first report was her going to the disciples to tell them and the second report was after they were told and peter and John run to the tomb. There is no contradiction in Scripture when putin context and correcty understood. The Christ of the Gospels by J. W. Shepard is an excellent commentary and coded to A.T. Robertson's Harmony of the Gospels. I don't know if it is still in print. You probably can find a used copy.


God Bless
John

[Danny Carlton]

Mary Magdalene went to the tombs; stone rolled away body gone; she runs to tell disciples; disciples run to check it out; Mary Magdelene return later, alone; sees Jesus.

The Gospels fit, if you give them a chance.

[John the Baptist]

Mary Magdalene went to the tombs; stone rolled away body gone; she runs to tell disciples; disciples run to check it out; Mary Magdelene return later, alone; sees Jesus.

The Gospels fit, if you give them a chance.

Sorry if I did not seem clear, but yes Mary Magdalene After going to the tomb the first time went and told Peter and John, who run to the tomb ahead of Mary and the other women. Mary actual arrives at the tomb after Peter and John had left. Then while Mary was at the tomb the second time the resurrected Christ appeared to her.

Joh 20:2 She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.
Joh 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb.
Joh 20:4 And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb;
Joh 20:5 and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in.
Joh 20:6 Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying,
Joh 20:7 and the napkin, that was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
Joh 20:8 Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed.
Joh 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Joh 20:10 So the disciples went away again unto their own home.
Joh 20:11 But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;
Joh 20:12 and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
Joh 20:13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
Joh 20:14 When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Joh 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Joh 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher.
Joh 20:17 Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.

[rstrats]

speerjp1,

re: ?One happened while it was still dark while the other happened as the sun was coming up. That is about an hour difference most of the time.?


In order for Matthew 28:1 and 2 to be referring to a second visit by Mary to the tomb, the following would have to have happened:

1. The stone would have had to have been replaced back over the entrance of the tomb sometime between Mary?s first visit and her second visit.

2. Mary would have had to disbelieve what the angel/angels told her - which would have been curious because Matthew says she left with ?great joy?. (Do you have any idea as to what she was joyful about?)

[speerjp1]

Let me challenge you, if you will, to simply re-read the passages and pay special attention to the tenses of the verbs. You will find that the passage refers to things that were happening throughout that morning and all over Jerusalem. JTB and Danny Carlton have also posted clarifications of the chronology of events found in these passages.

[rstrats]

speerjp1,

re: ?Let me challenge you...?

I always enjoy a challenge.

re: ?...re-read the passages...?

I have literally read the passages at least 50 times.

re: ?...pay special attention to the tenses of the verbs.?

I wonder if you might point out the specific verbs that you think have an impact on the negating of the contradictions.

[Jerry]

You believe the Bible has contradictions?

Psalms 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

[John81]

You believe the Bible has contradictions?

Psalms 119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

If a person is new to Scripture, new to the KJB, new to Christianity, new to studying the Bible, or even just trying to really look in-depth at something for the first time, there can sometimes "appear" to be a contradiction. With proper guidance and assistance, this can be cleared up.

In this case, there are two or three very good posts in this thread already that seem to do a very good job of clearing up this particular case.

[rstrats]

Jerry,

re: ?You believe the Bible has contradictions??


Although you didn?t address your post to anyone, I?m going to take a guess that it is intended for me.

With regard to your question, it would certainly seem that to be the case. You might want to take a look at my OP.

[rstrats]

John81,

re: ?... there can sometimes ?appear? to be a contradiction.

If you think that Matthew 28:1 and 2 is referring to Mary?s second trip to the tomb, then you would have to believe that the stone had been rolled back over the entrance sometime after her first visit. Is that your belief?

Also, If you think that Matthew 28:1 and 2 is referring to Mary?s second trip to the tomb, why do you think she departed from the tomb with ?great joy??

[Danny Carlton]

speerjp1,

re: ?One happened while it was still dark while the other happened as the sun was coming up. That is about an hour difference most of the time.?


In order for Matthew 28:1 and 2 to be referring to a second visit by Mary to the tomb, the following would have to have happened:

1. The stone would have had to have been replaced back over the entrance of the tomb sometime between Mary?s first visit and her second visit.

2. Mary would have had to disbelieve what the angel/angels told her - which would have been curious because Matthew says she left with ?great joy?. (Do you have any idea as to what she was joyful about?)

Matthew 28 begins by referring to Mary Magdelen and "the other Mary". it doesn't say htye were alone, and most of the time these women traveled with a group of other women. Matthew 28:2 jumps back before their arrival to tell what had already happened, then returns to the women and tell of the angel telling them to go tell the disciples.

But by Matthew 28:8 the group of women re refered to only as "they" or "them". Mary Magdelene is not mentioned by name.

8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples