Contradiction with Matthew 10:34
Contradicts the notion of sending prophets with a message of peace and forgiveness as it speaks about bringing a sword.
Matthew 10:34: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Contradiction with James 3:17
Emphasizes purity, peace, and mercy in wisdom, conflicting with the persecution and killing of prophets.
James 3:17: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. [partiality: or, wrangling]
Contradiction with 1 John 4:8
Stresses that God is love, clashing with the concept of sending messengers knowing they will be persecuted.
1 John 4:8: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Contradiction with Proverbs 10:12
Highlights that love covers all sins, opposing the message of sending prophets amid sin and persecution.
Proverbs 10:12: Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Contradiction with Luke 6:27
Teaches to love enemies and do good to those who hate, contradictory to sending prophets to be slain.
Luke 6:27: But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Contradiction with Romans 12:18
Encourages living peacefully with all, conflicting with the prophets being sent into hostile environments.
Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Contradiction with 1 Peter 3:9
Advises not to repay evil for evil or insult with insult, in contrast to sending prophets to be persecuted.
1 Peter 3:9: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Contradiction with Isaiah 11:9
Prophesizes a time of no harm or destruction, unlike the persecution of prophets mentioned in Matthew 23:34.
Isaiah 11:9: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Paradox #1
Matthew 23:34 can be seen as having a contradiction when considering the roles of prophets in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, prophets were typically divinely chosen individuals who acted as messengers for God to guide or correct His people. However, this verse suggests that Jesus himself sends prophets, which might seem inconsistent with the idea that God, not Jesus, is traditionally the one who appoints prophets. This could be interpreted as a contradiction if one views the roles of God and Jesus as separate rather than unified, challenging the understanding of the Trinity in Christian theology.
Paradox #2
The contradiction in Matthew 23:34 could be seen as the tension between promoting love and forgiveness while also predicting persecution and conflict. The verse highlights the sending of prophets and wise men who will face resistance, which might seem contradictory to the message of peace and understanding emphasized elsewhere in the Bible.