Contradictions and Paradoxes in Exodus 20:12

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Exodus 20:12 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Exodus 20:12. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Moses, this verse means that God wants children to respect and obey their parents so they can live a long and happy life in the land He has given them. Listening to and honoring parents is important because it makes God happy and brings good things.

Exodus 20:12: Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Contradiction with Matthew 10:35-37

Jesus states that He came to set a man against his father and a daughter against her mother, prioritizing love for Him over family, which veers from honoring parents as stated in Exodus 20:12.

Matthew 10:35-37: For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Contradiction with Luke 14:26

This verse says that one must hate their own father and mother to be Jesus' disciple, contrasting the commandment to honor one’s parents.

Luke 14:26: If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Contradiction with Luke 9:59-60

Jesus tells a man to follow Him and let the dead bury their own dead, rather than honoring his father by performing burial rituals.

Luke 9:59-60: And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Contradiction with Matthew 8:21-22

Similar to Luke 9:59-60, Jesus tells a disciple to follow Him and not concern himself with burying his father, which contradicts the honoring of parents.

Matthew 8:21-22: And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Paradox #1

Some people might see a contradiction if this verse is compared with verses where Jesus talks about leaving family to follow him or prioritizing faith over family ties. However, others interpret these teachings as complementary rather than contradictory, emphasizing different aspects of faith and community.

Paradox #2

The contradiction might arise when this verse emphasizes honoring parents, yet other parts of religious texts sometimes put God's command above family loyalty. For example, there might be situations where following religious directives could lead to conflicts with honoring one's parents, creating a moral dilemma between adhering to family duties or spiritual commitments.

Paradox #3

The contradiction or conflict with this verse could be that it emphasizes honoring one's parents, which can be difficult or seem inconsistent if the parents are abusive, neglectful, or violate other moral teachings. Balancing the duty to honor parents with the need to protect oneself from harm can raise challenges in interpretation and practice.

Paradox #4

The contradiction or conflict might arise if parents are abusive or harmful to their children. The expectation to honor them could clash with the need to protect oneself and avoid harmful relationships. This creates a dilemma between following the verse and ensuring personal well-being.

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