Contradiction with Matthew 8:22
Jesus says, "Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead," which contradicts the necessity of priests attending to the burials of close relatives as permitted in Leviticus 21:2.
Matthew 8:22: But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Contradiction with Luke 9:60
Similarly, "Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God," suggests prioritizing spiritual duties over familial burial responsibilities, contrasting Leviticus 21:2's allowance.
Luke 9:60: Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Paradox #1
Leviticus 21:2, which talks about priests being able to become unclean for close family members, may seem inconsistent with the idea of priests needing to maintain purity above all else. While priests had strict rules on purity, this passage allows for exceptions in family matters, creating a tension between religious duties and personal obligations.
Paradox #2
This verse could be seen as inconsistent because it allows for a specific exception to a religious rule, showing a conflict between the strictness of religious duties and personal family ties. It highlights the tension between following religious laws and responding to personal or familial needs.