101 Contradictions in the Bible - Whats Going on Here?
101 Contradictions in the Bible
101 Clear Contradictions in the Bible
By Shabir Ally
1. Who incited David to count the fighting men of Israel?
- God did (2 Samuel 24: 1)
- Satan did (I Chronicles 2 1:1)
2. In that count how many fighting men were found in Israel?
- Eight hundred thousand (2 Samuel 24:9)
- One million, one hundred thousand (I Chronicles 21:5)
3. How many fighting men were found in Judah?
- Five hundred thousand (2 Samuel 24:9)
- Four hundred and seventy thousand (I Chronicles 21:5)
4. God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine?
- Seven (2 Samuel 24:13)
- Three (I Chronicles 21:12)
5. How old was Ahaziah when he began to rule over Jerusalem?
- Twenty-two (2 Kings 8:26)
- Forty-two (2 Chronicles 22:2)
6. How old was Jehoiachin when he became king of Jerusalem?
- Eighteen (2 Kings 24:8)
- Eight (2 Chronicles 36:9)
7. How long did he rule over Jerusalem?
- Three months (2 Kings 24:8)
- Three months and ten days (2 Chronicles 36:9)
8. The chief of the mighty men of David lifted up his spear and killed how many men at one time?
- Eight hundred (2 Samuel 23:8)
- Three hundred (I Chronicles 11: 11)
9. When did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? Before defeating the Philistines or after?
- After (2 Samuel 5 and 6)
- Before (I Chronicles 13 and 14)
10. How many pairs of clean animals did God tell Noah to take into the Ark?
- Two (Genesis 6:19, 20)
- Seven (Genesis 7:2). But despite this last instruction only two pairs went into the ark (Genesis 7:8-9)
11. When David defeated the King of Zobah, how many horsemen did he capture?
- One thousand and seven hundred (2 Samuel 8:4)
- Seven thousand (I Chronicles 18:4)
12. How many stalls for horses did Solomon have?
- Forty thousand (I Kings 4:26)
- Four thousand (2 chronicles 9:25)
13. In what year of King Asa's reign did Baasha, King of Israel die?
- Twenty-sixth year (I Kings 15:33 - 16:8)
- Still alive in the thirty-sixth year (2 Chronicles 16:1)
14. How many overseers did Solomon appoint for the work of building the temple?
- Three thousand six hundred (2 Chronicles 2:2)
- Three thousand three hundred (I Kings 5:16)
15. Solomon built a facility containing how many baths?
- Two thousand (1 Kings 7:26)
- Over three thousand (2 Chronicles 4:5)
16. Of the Israelites who were freed from the Babylonian captivity, how many were the children of Pahrath-Moab?
- Two thousand eight hundred and twelve (Ezra 2:6)
- Two thousand eight hundred and eighteen (Nehemiah 7:11)
17. How many were the children of Zattu?
- Nine hundred and forty-five (Ezra 2:8)
- Eight hundred and forty-five (Nehemiah 7:13)
18. How many were the children of Azgad?
- One thousand two hundred and twenty-two (Ezra 2:12)
- Two thousand three hundred and twenty-two (Nehemiah 7:17)
19. How many were the children of Adin?
- Four hundred and fifty-four (Ezra 2:15)
- Six hundred and fifty-five (Nehemiah 7:20)
20. How many were the children of Hashum?
- Two hundred and twenty-three (Ezra 2:19)
- Three hundred and twenty-eight (Nehemiah 7:22)
21. How many were the children of Bethel and Ai?
- Two hundred and twenty-three (Ezra 2:28)
- One hundred and twenty-three (Nehemiah 7:32)
22. Ezra 2:64 and Nehemiah 7:66 agree that the total number of the whole assembly was 42,360. Yet the numbers do not add up to anything close. The totals obtained from each book is as follows:
- 29,818 (Ezra)
- 31,089 (Nehemiah)
23. How many singers accompanied the assembly?
- Two hundred (Ezra 2:65)
- Two hundred and forty-five (Nehemiah 7:67)
24. What was the name of King Abijahs mother?
- Michaiah, daughter of Uriel of Gibeah (2 Chronicles 13:2)
- Maachah, daughter of Absalom (2 Chronicles 11:20) But Absalom had only one daughter whose name was Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27)
25. Did Joshua and the Israelites capture Jerusalem?
- Yes (Joshua 10:23, 40)
- No (Joshua 15:63)
26. Who was the father of Joseph, husband of Mary?
- Jacob (Matthew 1:16)
- Hell (Luke 3:23)
27. Jesus descended from which son of David?
- Solomon (Matthew 1:6)
- Nathan(Luke3:31)
28. Who was the father of Shealtiel?
- Jechoniah (Matthew 1:12)
- Neri (Luke 3:27)
29. Which son of Zerubbabel was an ancestor of Jesus Christ?
- Abiud (Matthew 1: 13)
- Rhesa (Luke 3:27) But the seven sons of Zerubbabel are as follows: i.Meshullam, ii. Hananiah, iii. Hashubah, iv. Ohel, v.Berechiah, vi. Hasadiah, viii. Jushabhesed (I Chronicles 3:19, 20). The names Abiud and Rhesa do not fit in anyway.
30. Who was the father of Uzziah?
- Joram (Matthew 1:8)
- Amaziah (2 Chronicles 26:1)
31. Who was the father of Jechoniah?
- Josiah (Matthew 1:11)
- Jeholakim (I Chronicles 3:16)
32. How many generations were there from the Babylonian exile until Christ?
- Matthew says fourteen (Matthew 1:17)
- But a careful count of the generations reveals only thirteen (see Matthew 1: 12-16)
33. Who was the father of Shelah?
- Cainan (Luke 3:35-36)
- Arphaxad (Genesis II: 12)
34. Was John the Baptist Elijah who was to come?
- Yes (Matthew II: 14, 17:10-13)
- No (John 1:19-21)
35. Would Jesus inherit Davids throne?
- Yes. So said the angel (Luke 1:32)
- No, since he is a descendant of Jehoiakim (see Matthew 1: I 1, I Chronicles 3:16). And Jehoiakim was cursed by God so that none of his descendants can sit upon Davids throne (Jeremiah 36:30)
36. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on how many animals?
- One - a colt (Mark 11:7; cf Luke 19:3 5). And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments on it; and he sat upon it.
- Two - a colt and an ass (Matthew 21:7). They brought the ass and the colt and put their garments on them and he sat thereon.
37. How did Simon Peter find out that Jesus was the Christ?
- By a revelation from heaven (Matthew 16:17)
- His brother Andrew told him (John 1:41)
38. Where did Jesus first meet Simon Peter and Andrew?
- By the sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18-22)
- On the banks of river Jordan (John 1:42). After that, Jesus decided to go to Galilee (John 1:43)
39. When Jesus met Jairus was Jairus daughter already dead?
- Yes. Matthew 9:18 quotes him as saying, My daughter has just died.
- No. Mark 5:23 quotes him as saying, My little daughter is at the point of death.
40. Did Jesus allow his disciples to keep a staff on their journey?
- Yes (Mark 6:8)
- No (Matthew 10:9; Luke 9:3)
41. Did Herod think that Jesus was John the Baptist?
- Yes (Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:16)
- No (Luke 9:9)
42. Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus before his baptism?
- Yes (Matthew 3:13-14)
- No (John 1:32,33)
43. Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus after his baptism?
- Yes (John 1:32, 33)
- No (Matthew 11:2)
44. According to the Gospel of John, what did Jesus say about bearing his own witness?
- If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true (John 5:3 1)
- Even if I do bear witness to myself, my testimony is true (John 8:14)
45. When Jesus entered Jerusalem did he cleanse the temple that same day?
- Yes (Matthew 21:12)
- No. He went into the temple and looked around, but since it was very late he did nothing. Instead, he went to Bethany to spend the night and returned the next morning to cleanse the temple (Mark I 1:1- 17)
46. The Gospels say that Jesus cursed a fig tree. Did the tree wither at once?
- Yes. (Matthew 21:19)
- No. It withered overnight (Mark II: 20)
47. Did Judas kiss Jesus?
- Yes (Matthew 26:48-50)
- No. Judas could not get close enough to Jesus to kiss him (John 18:3-12)
48. What did Jesus say about Peters denial?
- The cock will not crow till you have denied me three times (John 13:38)
- Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times (Mark 14:30) . When the cock crowed once, the three denials were not yet complete (see Mark 14:72). Therefore prediction (a) failed.
49. Did Jesus bear his own cross?
- Yes (John 19:17)
- No (Matthew 27:31-32)
50. Did Jesus die before the curtain of the temple was torn?
- Yes (Matthew 27:50-51; Mark lS:37-38)
- No. After the curtain was torn, then Jesus crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit! And having said this he breathed his last (Luke 23:45-46)
51. Did Jesus say anything secretly?
- No. I have said nothing secretly (John 18:20)
- Yes. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything (Mark 4:34). The disciples asked him Why do you speak to them in parables? He said, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given (Matthew 13: 1 0-11)
52. Where was Jesus at the sixth hour on the day of the crucifixion?
- On the cross (Mark 15:23)
- In Pilates court (John 19:14)
53. The gospels say that two thieves were crucified along with Jesus. Did both thieves mock Jesus?
- Yes (Mark 15:32)
- No. One of them mocked Jesus, the other defended Jesus (Luke 23:43)
54. Did Jesus ascend to Paradise the same day of the crucifixion?
- Yes. He said to the thief who defended him, Today you will be with me in Paradise (Luke 23:43)
- No. He said to Mary Magdelene two days later, I have not yet ascended to the Father (John 20:17)
55. When Paul was on the road to Damascus he saw a light and heard a voice. Did those who were with him hear the voice?
- Yes (Acts9:7)
- No (Acts22:9)
56. When Paul saw the light he fell to the ground. Did his traveling companions also fall to the ground?
- Yes (Acts 26:14)
- No (Acts 9:7)
57. Did the voice spell out on the spot what Pauls duties were to be?
- Yes (Acts 26:16-18)
- No. The voice commanded Paul to go into the city of Damascus and there he will be told what he must do. (Acts9:7;22: 10)
58. When the Israelites dwelt in Shittin they committed adultery with the daughters of Moab. God struck them with a plague. How many people died in that plague?
- Twenty-four thousand (Numbers 25:1 and 9)
- Twenty-three thousand (I Corinthians 10:8)
59. How many members of the house of Jacob came to Egypt?
- Seventy souls (Genesis 4 & 27)
- Seventy-five souls (Acts 7:14)
60. What did Judas do with the blood money he received for betraying Jesus?
- He bought a field (Acts 1: 18)
- He threw all of it into the temple and went away. The priests could not put the blood money into the temple treasury, so they used it to buy a field to bury strangers (Matthew 27:5)
61. How did Judas die?
- After he threw the money into the temple he went away and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5)
- After he bought the field with the price of his evil deed he fell headlong and burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out (Acts 1:18)
62. Why is the field called Field of Blood?
- Because the priests bought it with the blood money (Matthew 27:8)
- Because of the bloody death of Judas therein (Acts 1:19)
63. Who is a ransom for whom?
- The Son of Man came...to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all... (I Timothy 2:5-6)
- The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright (Proverbs 21:18)
64. Is the law of Moses useful?
- Yes. All scripture is... profitable... (2 Timothy 3:16)
- No. . . . A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness... (Hebrews 7:18)
65. What was the exact wording on the cross?
- This is Jesus the King of the Jews (Matthew 27:37)
- The King of the Jews (Mark 15:26)
- This is the King of the Jews (Luke 23:38)
- Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews (John 19:19)
66. Did Herod want to kill John the Baptist?
- Yes (Matthew 14:5)
- No. It was Herodias, the wife of Herod who wanted to kill him. But Herod knew that he was a righteous man and kept him safe (Mark 6:20)
67. Who was the tenth disciple of Jesus in the list of twelve?
- Thaddaeus (Matthew 10: 1-4; Mark 3:13 -19)
- Judas son of James is the corresponding name in Lukes gospel (Luke 6:12-16)
68. Jesus saw a man sitat the tax collectors office and called him to be his disciple. What was his name?
- Matthew (Matthew 9:9)
- Levi (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27)
69. Was Jesus crucified on the daytime before the Passover meal or the daytime after?
- After (Mark 14:12-17)
- Before. Before the feast of the Passover (John 1) Judas went out at night (John 13:30). The other disciples thought he was going out to buy supplies to prepare for the Passover meal (John 13:29). When Jesus was arrested, the Jews did not enter Pilates judgment hail because they wanted to stay clean to eat the Passover (John 18:28). When the judgment was pronounced against Jesus, it was about the sixth hour on the day of Preparation for the Passover (John 19:14)
70. Did Jesus pray to The Father to prevent the crucifixion?
- Yes. (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42)
- No. (John 12:27)
71. In the gospels which say that Jesus prayed to avoid the cross, how many times did he move away from his disciples to pray?
- Three (Matthew 26:36-46 and Mark 14:32-42)
- One. No opening is left for another two times. (Luke 22:39-46)
72. Matthew and Mark agree that Jesus went away and prayed three times. What were the words of the second prayer?
- Mark does not give the words but he says that the words were the same as the first prayer (Mark 14:3 9)
- Matthew gives us the words, and we can see that they are not the same as in the first (Matthew 26:42)
73. What did the centurion say when Jesus dies?
- Certainly this man was innocent (Luke 23:47)