Contradictions, in the gospels??

On occasion, I’ll have a conversation with someone that says there are contradictions in the bible. Mostly, within the 4 gospels. If we’re going to be honest, at first glance, there looks to be some discrepancies. But we have to look deeper to see if this is actually the case. 

I recently listened to a favorite preacher of mine, do a demonstration on how easy it is to be factual about a story, with 4 witnesses, every one of them right, but every one of them different.

The example he had, was of a boy that went to the hospital with his parents due to a medical situation. There were 4 witnesses for the demonstration.

A young man, late teens early twenties, giving his perspective from a young man, not related, not a doctor and no technical jargon. He just gave the story with some sympathy, the hardship that the family was no doubt going to face, and what it was going to be like not to play sports as a teenager in the 80’s. All his story, was factual. 

The second one, was a doctor, listening from across the counter. His retelling of the story was much more medically accurate. All the right medical jargons were used, much less emotion, more data, symptoms, prognosis, diagnosis and treatments. He even remembered the names of the doctors and specialists that were mentioned in the story. 

The third one, was a nurse and mother. Her story started with “It was Christmas time”. Only mothers typically think of this. Men, for the most part, don’t. Then her details were coming from the perspective of a caring mother, and nurse in emotional pain seeing what the family was going to go through. She remembered mostly details that were going to encounter hard decisions and what the family consequences would be.

The last one, was of the boy going for the procedure himself. He remembered very random details, and in the verbal capacity of a young pre-teen. Simple language, no medical jargon, and basically knowing his parents were going to have to make some very difficult decisions, surgery, no surgery, sports in the future, no sports…

You see, there are no contradictions. There are plenty of different angles to the same picture. Below, there’s a breakdown from each perspective of the gospel based on the author’s age, profession, target audience and so forth.

The four Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) provide distinct perspectives on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each Gospel was written by a different author, in a different historical and cultural context, and with a specific audience in mind. These differences contribute to the unique perspectives found in each Gospel:

1. **Gospel of Matthew:**

   - Author: Traditionally attributed to the apostle Matthew.

   - Audience: Primarily Jewish Christians.

   - Perspective: Matthew's Gospel emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the Messiah promised to the Jewish people. It includes genealogies, references to Jewish law, and teachings that connect Jesus to the Hebrew Scriptures.

2. **Gospel of Mark:**

   - Author: Traditionally associated with John Mark, a disciple of Peter.

   - Audience: Likely written for a broader Gentile audience.

   - Perspective: Mark's Gospel is known for its brevity and focus on action. It emphasizes Jesus' miracles and teachings while portraying a vivid and fast-paced narrative. Mark highlights Jesus as a powerful and compassionate healer.

3. **Gospel of Luke:**

   - Author: Written by Luke, a physician and companion of the apostle Paul.

   - Audience: Written for a Gentile (non-Jewish) audience.

   - Perspective: Luke's Gospel provides a detailed and orderly account of Jesus' life. It includes unique stories, such as the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, that emphasize themes of compassion, forgiveness, and inclusion. Luke also presents Jesus as the Savior for all people, regardless of their background.

4. **Gospel of John:**

   - Author: Traditionally attributed to the apostle John.

   - Audience: Written for a diverse audience, both Jewish and Gentile.

   - Perspective: John's Gospel takes a more theological and reflective approach. It focuses on Jesus' divinity, presenting Him as the eternal Word of God who became flesh. John includes "I am" sayings that reveal Jesus' identity and emphasizes the importance of belief in Him for eternal life.

These different perspectives contribute to a well-rounded understanding of Jesus' life and teachings. While there are similarities in the Gospels, such as the core events of Jesus' ministry and his crucifixion and resurrection, the distinct emphases and nuances found in each Gospel highlight various aspects of Jesus' character and message. Collectively, the Gospels offer a comprehensive portrait of Jesus Christ from multiple angles, allowing readers to appreciate the richness and depth of his life and mission.