What’s not to love about the swamp getting rebuked and drained? Nothing!
Q: How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple?
A: There are two recorded occasions of this.
The Gospel of John states that Jesus cleansed the temple early on in His ministry, but the other Gospels place the temple-cleansing near the end of His ministry. So who among the gospel writers was correct? All four were right on.
The second chapter of John explains that during the Passover, Jesus went into the temple in Jerusalem, He made a whip of cords, and then drove out the foolish money changers who had been doing business there for great gain. They seriously exploited the situation for selfish gain.
Jesus also poured out the money they gained, and turned over the tables (John 2:13–15). He was a man’s man and didn’t mess around. God is not religious (has never been) -- real ministers feed the flock what’s good for health, not fleece the flock due to greed. False teachers today are also greedy.
Jesus said to those who sold doves, “Take These things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” (John 2:16).
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) also tell of Jesus entering the temple, driving out those who bought and sold, overturning their tables, and telling the crowd that they had turned the temple into a “den of thieves” (Matthew 21:12–13; Mark 11:15–17; Luke 19:45–46).
Some Christians believe these accounts describe the same event, but there is a problem. John describes the cleansing of the temple as occurring during the first Passover (of three) mentioned in his Gospel. Meanwhile, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all describe the temple-cleansing as taking place just days before Christ’s Crucifixion. Is this a contradiction
Some Christians believe these accounts describe the same event. Nope.
See the Gospel of John (2:18) and the whole context. The Jews questioned Christ as to His authority for acting as He did. They were spiritually blinded by their prejudice, for as Trapp remarks, “They might have seen sign enough, in His so powerfully ejecting those money-changers. The disciples call it zeal, the Jews rashness.” The Jews were always asking for signs (Matt. 12:38; 16:4), and this was the one thing that kept them out of the power and blessing of the Gospel (1 Cor. 1:22). Remember the prediction (John 2:19-21). Christ predicted His resurrection in His reply to the Jews. The word of God never missed and still doesn't.
Different writers, “pen down” information from their own different respective perspectives. What do you think of apparent contradictions in the Bible?
JUST BECAUSE TWO ACCOUNTS IN THE BIBLE ARE KIND OF SIMILAR, IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY REFER TO THE SAME ACCOUNT HAPPENING. YOU CAN FULLY TRUST THE WORD!
Similarity in literature ...does not necessarily equal sameness. I mean just because two accounts like in the Bible are similar, it does not mean they refer to the same thing happening. In this case, the solution is actually quite simple. Jesus cleansed the temple on at least two occasions. Christ was and is wisely zealous. He loves His people and still hates to see them getting ripped off.
The first time was near the very beginning of His ministry, as was described in John. The second time was just prior to His death, burial and resurrection as is described in the Synoptics.
The important most thing today is not to act or be religious. It’s for you and me to know Jesus well (yes, it can happen as you turn and fully trust Him), and to make Him well known. Facebook.com/shareJesus
Does the Bible contain errors, contradictions, or discrepancies? Have you had some trouble in your mind about some apparent contradictions?
If we read the Bible at face value, without a preconceived bias for finding errors, we will find it to be a coherent, consistent, and relatively easy-to-understand book. Yes, there are difficult passages. Yes, there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1,500 years. Each writer wrote with a different style, from a different perspective, to a different audience, for a different purpose. We should expect some minor differences. However, a difference is not a contradiction. It is only an error if there is absolutely no conceivable way the verses or passages can be reconciled. Even if an answer is not available right now, that does not mean an answer does not exist. Many have found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered.
We often receive questions along the lines of “Explain how these verses do not contradict!” or “Look, here is an error in the Bible!” Admittedly, some of the things people bring up are difficult to answer. However, it is our contention that there are viable and intellectually plausible answers to every supposed Bible contradiction and error. There are books and websites available that list “all the errors in the Bible.” Most people simply get their ammunition from these places; they do not find supposed errors on their own. There are also books and websites available that refute every one of these supposed errors. The saddest thing is that most people who attack the Bible are not truly interested in an answer. Many “Bible attackers” are even aware of these answers, but they continue to use the same old shallow attacks again and again.
So, what are we to do when someone approaches us with an alleged Bible error or apparent contradiction?
If we read the Bible at face value, without a preconceived bias for finding errors, we will find it to be a coherent, consistent, and relatively easy-to-understand book. Yes, there are difficult passages. Yes, there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1,500 years. Each writer wrote with a different style, from a different perspective, to a different audience, for a different purpose. We should expect some minor differences. However, a difference is not a contradiction. It is only an error if there is absolutely no conceivable way the verses or passages can be reconciled. Even if an answer is not available right now, that does not mean an answer does not exist. Many have found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered.
We often receive questions along the lines of “Explain how these verses do not contradict!” or “Look, here is an error in the Bible!” Admittedly, some of the things people bring up are difficult to answer. However, it is our contention that there are viable and intellectually plausible answers to every supposed Bible contradiction and error. There are books and websites available that list “all the errors in the Bible.” Most people simply get their ammunition from these places; they do not find supposed errors on their own. There are also books and websites available that refute every one of these supposed errors. The saddest thing is that most people who attack the Bible are not truly interested in an answer. Many “Bible attackers” are even aware of these answers, but they continue to use the same old shallow attacks again and again.
So, what are we to do when someone approaches us with an alleged Bible error or apparent contradiction?
1) Prayerfully study the Scriptures including the context and see if there is a simple solution.
2) Do some research using some of the fine Bible commentaries, “Bible defense” books, and biblical research websites.
3) Ask your pastors or church leaders to see if they can find a solution.
4) If there is still no clear answer after steps 1), 2), and 3) are followed, we trust God that His Word is truth and that there is a solution that just simply has not been realized yet (2 Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17).
Want to read more on this? Check out: The Big Book of Bible Difficulties by Geisler & Howe
