Contradiction with Matthew 13:10-11
Jesus explains that He speaks in parables to the masses to conceal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven from them, implying not everything was spoken openly.
Matthew 13:10-11: And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
Contradiction with Mark 4:33-34
Jesus uses parables when speaking to the public, and only explains everything to His disciples in private, suggesting not everything was spoken openly.
Mark 4:33-34: And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear [it].
Contradiction with John 16:25
Jesus acknowledges that He had spoken in figurative language and would later speak plainly, indicating that not all His teachings were open or direct.
John 16:25: These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. [proverbs: or, parables]
Contradiction with Matthew 16:20
Jesus instructs His disciples not to tell anyone that He is the Christ, indicating that He kept certain revelations private.
Matthew 16:20: Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Contradiction with John 7:10
Jesus chooses to go to the feast secretly, contradicting the detail of always operating openly.
John 7:10: But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
Paradox #1
John 18:20 could be seen as conflicting with other parts of the Bible where Jesus speaks privately to His disciples or reveals certain things only to them. In this verse, Jesus says He spoke openly to the world, suggesting transparency and public teaching. However, in other parts of the Gospels, He shares parables and teachings specifically with His disciples or instructs them not to tell others certain things, which could seem inconsistent.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in John 18:20 could be that it suggests transparency and openness, while earlier parts of religious texts often show leaders teaching selectively or in more secluded settings. This can seem inconsistent with the idea of always being open and public in discussions.