Today's Biblical Contradictions 7.27.2007

I'll start today with what is probably the most well-known contradiction amongst people who read the bible. When Jesus died, according to the bible, women came to his tomb, as we are all familiar with. I am sure even the non-christians are familiar with this story of the women arriving the next morning to see the tomb's stone rolled away and the guards
passed out. The tomb beyond was empty.

Well who were these women?

"The 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." ~ John 20:1

Oh. I guess I was mistaken. It was only one woman, Mary Magdalene, who came to the tomb. Well where did I get the thought that there were two?

"As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre." ~ Matthew 28

Oh, I see, there were two. But wait, didn't the previous gospel tell us that it was Mary Magdalene there? Some argue that one is not mutually exclusive of the other. Just because the bible says there was one, it doesn't say there wasn't two. That is a silly cop-outish rationalization if you ask me. At face value, it's simply a contradiction. It would be easier to believe if the story ended here, but it keeps going.

Here's the same story from another gospel.

"And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him." ~ Mark 16:1

Now we're up to three. But wait, there's more.

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. " ~ Luke 24:1

Well, who was "they" that went to the tomb? We find out later when the people tell the apostles and the bible tells us who told the story.

"It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles." Luke 24:10

So there you go. One, Two, Three, or Four witnesses to the empty tomb, depending upon which gospel you like best.

So there you go! Stay tuned for more exciting contradictions!


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