Contradictions and Paradoxes in John 8:33

Check out Contradictions Catalog of John 8:33 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts John 8:33. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to John, the people talking to Jesus are confused because they think they are already free since they are descendants of Abraham, a special person in the Bible. But Jesus is trying to explain that real freedom comes from Him, not just from being related to Abraham.

John 8:33: They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

Contradiction with Genesis 15:13

God tells Abraham that his descendants will be strangers and enslaved in a land not theirs, contradicting the claim of never being in bondage.

Genesis 15:13: And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land [that is] not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

Contradiction with Exodus 1:13-14

The Israelites served with rigor in Egypt, showing they were indeed in bondage at some point.

Exodus 1:13-14: And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:

Contradiction with Exodus 20:2

God identifies Himself as the one who brought the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, directly opposing the claim.

Exodus 20:2: I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [bondage: Heb. servants]

Contradiction with Judges 6:8-9

God reminds the Israelites of delivering them from Egypt, indicating they had experienced bondage.

Judges 6:8-9: That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; [a prophet: Heb. a man a prophet]

Contradiction with Nehemiah 9:9-10

Recounts the suffering and bondage of Israelites in Egypt, contradicting the statement.

Nehemiah 9:9-10: And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;

Contradiction with Acts 7:6

Reaffirms the prophecy that Abraham's descendants would be in bondage, opposing their claim of freedom.

Acts 7:6: And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat [them] evil four hundred years.

Contradiction with Acts 13:17

Mentions God choosing and exalting the Israelites who lived as strangers in Egypt, acknowledging their past bondage.

Acts 13:17: The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

Paradox #1

John 8:33 could present a contradiction or inconsistency because the people claim they have never been slaves, despite historical accounts of Israel's enslavement in Egypt and other periods of subjugation. This could seem inconsistent with other parts of the Bible that explicitly discuss these historical events.

Paradox #2

John 8:33 involves the Jewish leaders claiming they have never been slaves, even though their history includes periods of enslavement, such as in Egypt and Babylon. This statement seems inconsistent with their known historical experiences.

Paradox #3

John 8:33 might present a contradiction or inconsistency because the people claimed they were never slaves, despite the Israelites having a well-known history of being enslaved in Egypt and later experiencing oppression. This could be seen as a denial or oversight of their own history and suffering, which raises questions about acknowledging past injustices and learning from them.

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