Matthew 9:1

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And he entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. (ASV)

Pro

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JW:

Matthew = Paralytic Healing story 9:1 after Jewrassic Pork story.

Mark = Paralytic Healing story 2:1 way before Jewrassic Pork story.


We've seen now that after the Gerassic Pork story 'Mark' starts the Jairus' Daughter story while 'Matthew' starts the Paralytic Healing story . 'Mark's' Paralytic Healing story was in Chapter 2 ('Mark's' Gerassic Pork story is in Chapter 5). [B]Since 'Mark' and 'Matthew' have different chronologies and at most one of them could be historical, there must be at least one chronological error[/B]. The question now becomes [B]how serious[/B] is this error? Apologists claim as a defense that changing chronologies was an accepted literary practice 2,000 years ago. Let's look at [B]possible reasons why[/B] 'Matthew' changed 'Mark's' chronology. If 'Matthew's' reason was to emphasize some point or teaching the error would be less serious as 'Matthew' may have sacrificed technical accuracy for what he considered a superior story as to content presented. On the other hand, if 'Matthew's' reason was to avoid an error or errors if 'Mark's' chronology was followed, a '[B]defensive[/B]' reason, the error would be more serious as this would create more doubt as to the accuracy of 'Matthew's' primary source, 'Mark', in the eyes of 'Matthew'.

As near as I can tell, neither the Church Fathers nor modern Apologists can give us any reason why the different chronology used by 'Matthew' above presents a superior story as to content. This is why their supposed defense stops at the general claim of 'accepted' literary practice and before any specifics.

Now let's look at the two Paralytic Healing stories to see if we can identify any significant differences between the versions of 'Mark' and 'Matthew' which may help explain why 'Matthew' thought that following 'Mark's' chronology as described above would create error:[/COLOR]

Mark 2: (KJV) 1 'And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.'


Matthew 9: (KJV) 1 'And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.'


[COLOR=Blue]We see here two [B]significant differences[/B] between 'Mark' and 'Matthew':

1) 'Mark' indicates that the location was [B]Capernaum[/B] which was Jesus' home. KJV above has mistranslated "he was in the house" which should be "he was at home" which most moderns versions have. 'Matthew' agrees that Jesus was in his hometown but [B]deletes[/B] the specific identification of Capernaum.

2) 'Mark' indicates that [B]everyone[/B] present appreciated the miracle performed, even apparently the scribes. 'Matthew' qualifies that it was the '[B]multitudes[/B]' who appreciated the miracle apparently leaving out the Scribes.[/COLOR]


--JoeWallack 13:37, 10 Feb 2008 (CST)

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