Contradiction with Matthew 8:22
In Mark 1:18, the disciples immediately follow Jesus without hesitation, whereas Matthew 8:22 suggests a reason to delay following Jesus: attending to family obligations.
Matthew 8:22: But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Contradiction with Luke 9:59-60
Mark 1:18 shows immediate action and commitment, while Luke 9:59-60 highlights a request to delay following Jesus to bury one's father, indicating a conflict between familial duties and following Jesus.
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 Luke 14:26
Mark 1:18 portrays immediate following, as opposed to Luke 14:26 which presents the necessity of hating family, implying a broader and more difficult requirement for discipleship beyond just immediate action.
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 John 6:66
Mark 1:18 depicts the disciples joining Jesus without delay, whereas John 6:66 talks about many disciples turning away from Jesus, contradicting the immediate and unwavering commitment in Mark 1:18.
John 6:66: From that [time] many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Paradox #1
The contradiction in Mark 1:18 could be seen as the abruptness of leaving one's current life and responsibilities to follow a new path. It might raise questions about the balance between personal commitments and spiritual or moral obligations. Some might see this act as neglecting immediate duties to family or community for the sake of a personal calling.