Contradiction with John 3:16
Highlights God's love and the offer of eternal life, contrasting with the immediate judgment and death of Herod.
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Contradiction with Exodus 34:6-7
Describes God as merciful and gracious, which seems to contrast with the swift punishment of Herod.
Exodus 34:6-7: And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
Contradiction with Psalm 145:9
States that God's mercies are over all His works, which appears to contradict the sudden death of Herod.
Psalm 145:9: The LORD [is] good to all: and his tender mercies [are] over all his works.
Contradiction with Ezekiel 33:11
Expresses God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live, unlike the fate of Herod.
Ezekiel 33:11: Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Contradiction with 2 Peter 3:9
Highlights God's patience and desire for all to come to repentance, contrasting with the immediate punishment of Herod.
2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Paradox #1
The contradiction might arise in understanding God’s nature. In this verse, it shows immediate divine judgment on a person, which may conflict with the idea of a loving and forgiving God. Some may see an inconsistency with God's patience and desire for human repentance.
Paradox #2
One potential contradiction involves the account of Herod's death. Acts 12:23 describes Herod dying immediately after being struck down by an angel. However, historical accounts, like those from the Jewish historian Josephus, describe Herod's death as a result of an illness that took several days. This inconsistency between sudden and gradual death is where the contradiction lies.
Paradox #3
The moral conflict in that verse could be about the idea of divine punishment being immediate and severe. Some may question the fairness or morality of such swift punishment without a chance for redemption or repentance, as it might seem to conflict with messages of forgiveness or mercy found elsewhere.