Matthew 7:17 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to Matthew, good people do good things, just like healthy trees give tasty fruit. But bad people do bad things, like sick trees give yucky fruit.

Contradiction with Jeremiah 17:9

This verse suggests the heart is deceitful and wicked, which contradicts the idea that a good tree (heart) naturally brings forth good fruit.

Jeremiah 17:9: The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Contradiction with Romans 3:10-12

These verses state that no one is righteous and no one does good, conflicting with the concept of good trees bringing forth good fruit.

Romans 3:10-12: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Contradiction with Isaiah 64:6

Suggests all our righteous acts are like filthy rags, contradicting the notion of producing inherently good fruit.

Isaiah 64:6: But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Contradiction with Genesis 6:5

States every intent of human heart is only evil continually, conflicting with the good tree bringing forth good fruit metaphor.

Genesis 6:5: And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. [every...: or, the whole imagination: the Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires] [continually: Heb. every day]

Paradox #1

One potential contradiction with Matthew 7:17 could arise when considering the nature of human free will versus divine predestination. Some might argue that if people are predestined to be good or bad, then the idea of them producing good or bad fruit based on their nature contradicts the concept of free will, which allows individuals to choose their path. However, interpretations vary, and this is just one perspective.

Paradox #2