Contradictions and Paradoxes in John 20:14

Check out Contradictions Catalog of John 20:14 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts John 20:14. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to John, when the woman turned around, she saw Jesus standing there but didn't recognize Him. Christians believe this shows that sometimes Jesus is with us even if we don't see it right away.

John 20:14: And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Contradiction with Genesis 32:30

Jacob claims to have seen God face to face, whereas John 20:14 discusses Mary Magdalene seeing Jesus but not recognizing Him immediately. This raises a contradiction in the recognition of divine figures.

Genesis 32:30: And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. [Peniel: that is, The face of God]

Contradiction with Exodus 33:20

It states that no one can see God's face and live, yet John 20:14 implies divine revelation in the form of Jesus, who is not immediately recognized as divine.

Exodus 33:20: And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Contradiction with John 1:18

This verse states that no one has seen God at any time, which contrasts with John 20:14 where Jesus, appearing after resurrection, is not recognized by Mary, despite being divine.

John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

Contradiction with Acts 9:3-5

Paul immediately recognizes Jesus speaking to him in a vision, while in John 20:14, Jesus is not recognized when He appears to Mary.

Acts 9:3-5: And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

Contradiction with 1 John 4:12

It reiterates that no one has seen God, yet John 20:14 narrates a post-resurrection sighting of Jesus that was not recognized at first, bringing into question the recognition of Jesus as God.

1 John 4:12: No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Contradiction with Isaiah 6:1

Isaiah sees the Lord on a throne, in contrast with John 20:14 where Jesus is standing and not recognized.

Isaiah 6:1: In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. [his...: or, the skirts thereof]
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