Contradictions and Paradoxes in Matthew 21:13

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Matthew 21:13 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Matthew 21:13. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Matthew, Jesus was upset because people were using the temple, a special place for praying to God, to do bad things like stealing and cheating. He wanted everyone to remember that the temple should be a peaceful place to talk to God, not a place for bad actions.

Matthew 21:13: And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Contradiction with 1 Kings 8:29

This verse describes God's house as a place for His Name and prayers, focusing on it being a place for worship and divine presence, aligning rather than contradicting Matthew 21:13.

1 Kings 8:29: That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, [even] toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. [toward this place: or, in this place]

Contradiction with Jeremiah 7:11

This verse supports Matthew 21:13 by condemning making a den of robbers in God's house, in agreement rather than contradiction.

Jeremiah 7:11: Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD.

Paradox #1

Some people might see a contradiction between Matthew 21:13 and certain Old Testament practices. In the Old Testament, temple services included sacrifices and transactions for worship purposes. However, in Matthew 21:13, Jesus criticizes the commercial activities in the temple, which some could see as conflicting with the established practices of that time. The contradiction is perceived in the shift from an accepted tradition to Jesus's new teaching against such practices.

Paradox #2

One possible contradiction is that the event described in this verse, where Jesus drives out sellers and money changers from the temple, seems to conflict with the historical accounts of the temple practices at that time. The buying and selling activities were likely a standard and accepted part of temple life, as they were necessary for pilgrims who needed to purchase animals for sacrifice. This discrepancy might suggest a difference between the gospel narrative and historical temple operations.

Paradox #3

The moral conflict in this verse could be seen in the actions of using violence or force to achieve a good end, such as maintaining the sanctity of a place of worship. Some people might see a contradiction between the use of physical action and the teaching of peace and love.

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