Contradictions and Paradoxes in Zechariah 14:4

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Zechariah 14:4 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Zechariah 14:4. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Zechariah, this verse is about a special time when God will stand on a big hill called the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem, and the hill will split in two, making a big valley. Christians often understand this as a sign of God's power and a promise that something important will happen there.

Zechariah 14:4: And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Contradiction with Matthew 24:36

This verse states that no one knows the day or hour of the Lord's coming, while Zechariah 14:4 describes a specific event associated with the Lord's return, suggesting a level of predictability.

Matthew 24:36: But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Contradiction with John 4:21

Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that worship will not be tied to a specific location, which contrasts with Zechariah 14:4's emphasis on the Mount of Olives as a significant location.

John 4:21: Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Contradiction with Acts 1:11

This verse suggests Jesus will return in the same manner He ascended, implying a continuity rather than a dramatic splitting of a mountain as depicted in Zechariah 14:4.

Acts 1:11: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Contradiction with 1 Thessalonians 5:2

States the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, suggesting an unexpected event, contrasting with the described event in Zechariah 14:4 which seems dramatic and visible.

1 Thessalonians 5:2: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Paradox #1

Some people might see a contradiction in Zechariah 14:4 with the idea that God is purely a spiritual being and does not interact physically with the world. This verse describes a physical event involving God, which might seem inconsistent with the belief that God's presence is entirely spiritual and non-physical. However, interpretations and beliefs vary widely, and many reconcile this by viewing it as a prophetic vision rather than a literal event.

Paradox #2

The scientific conflict with the verse lies in the description of a geological event where a mountain splits in two. This event is portrayed as a sudden, supernatural occurrence. In scientific terms, mountains split over long periods due to tectonic activities like earthquakes, which follow natural laws and processes. The description in the verse implies an immediate and miraculous change, which contradicts our understanding of such geological processes.

← Zechariah 14:3
Share
Zechariah 14:5 →
Disclaimer: The content provided at PolarBible.com is for educational purposes only. Readers have the full right to agree or disagree with the interpretations and conclusions presented. We take no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken based on the information shared as Polar Verses.