Biblical Truths :: Examining the errancy of the bible

Luke has jesus appearing to "the eleven" on the same day as the resurrection
- Luke 24:33-36

Yet, thomas was missing on this appearance and it was over a week later that jesus actually appeared to all eleven - that is, with thomas present
- John 20:24, 26

Jesus commands the apostles to stay in Jerusalem until pentecost
- Luke 24:49

Jesus tells the women to instruct the disciples to go immediately up to Galilee
- Matt 28:10

This is odd, since he was apparently going to see them himself later that day in Jerusalem, if you believe Luke and John.

Remember, though, that the women 'said nothing to anyone'
- Mark 16:7

The two marys on their way from the tomb
- Matt 28:9-10

Mary magdalene, alone
- John 20:14-17, Mark 16:9

Two disciples on road to Emmaus
- Luke 24:15

Luke's sprinting disciples

You know the two traveling to Emmaus in the reference above?
Well, Emmaus is about 10 miles west of Jerusalem, and Luke 24:13-33 has the two being visited by jesus, and the two then go that same hour to the eleven in Jerusalem.

This means these guys ran 10 consecutive miles averaging less than six minutes per mile without stopping for water or breath...in sandals.
Truly a miracle.

There are certainly more fantastic stories found in the bible, yet this one is not portrayed as a miracle. It is more likely an error due to the author's ignorance of Judean geography and/or careless editing.

Jesus foretold he would be buried in the heart of the earth for three days and nights, as jonah was in the fish
- Matt 12:40

According to all four gospels, he was buried for just one day and two nights

Who went?

2 marys
- Matt 28:1

2 marys & salome
- Mark 16:1

4 women & several others
- Luke 24:10

mary magdalene alone!
- John 20:1

-- --

When did they go?

Early morning

No one ascended to heaven before jesus
- John 3:13

Oh, that's right- elijah had already done so back in
- 2 Kings 2:11

Jesus' side pierced by a spear to verify his death, fulfilling a prophesy that says "not one of his bones shall be broken"
- John 19:36,37

Jewish priests ask for leg-breaking as verification that jesus had died, which results in Pilate instructing it be done
- John l9:31

Yet Pilate was unaware of jesus' death ("he couldn't believe it").
When joseph asks for the body, Pilate sends an officer who comes back and confirms that jesus is - surprise - dead
- Mark l5:44-45

Mark 15:42 states it was evening.
This means the sabbath had already begun (the Jewish 'day' began at 6pm), when joseph asks for the body.

However, burial was not allowed on the sabbath, showing the impossibility of the tale.

God forsakes jesus
- Mark 15:34
(yes, the words indicate that jesus accused god of forsaking him, but since he is omniscient, he must be correct in his thinking that this is what actually happened)

Jesus is inseparable from god
- John 10:30, 14:10, 16:32

Jesus tells the believing robber he will be with him in paradise that day
- Luke 23:43

Jesus was in the grave following his death and did not ascend to heaven for at least one more day, though it will be claimed that he doesn't ascend for three days.
- Acts 2:24, 31, Luke 23:54, 24:1, John 20:17

For more detail on this point, see items under "Resurrect THIS"

Both robbers revile jesus
- Matt 27:44

Only one robber reviles jesus and the other believes
- Luke 23:41-43