I have been told that there are atheists who try to confuse Christians
by saying the Bible is full of inconsistencies and lies trying to disprove that
Jesus Is the Son of God, but is that really true?
God made us intelligent human beings to investigate and make up our own
minds. Acts 17:11-12 says: These were more fair-minded than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and
searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few [this is their way of
saying lots] of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. That is exactly
what we will do!
I will use the New King James Version [NKJV] of the Bible and internet
resources, as needed to read the major Bible Passages related to this. After
sharing those passages, I will analyze them to see if any inconsistencies are
significant to disprove that Jesus was transfigured or that Jesus Is the Son of
God.
Since the Bible often uses he and him within the same Bible verse, I
will put who is speaking and who is being spoken to within brackets when it
might not be clear by the context. Additionally, I will add my analysis,
evaluation, comments, and opinions within brackets. I will let you know when I
am sharing this information and I will post this research, so you can read it
on these two blogs I felt led to create: Biblical Proof! at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com/ and Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/
Matthew 17:1-13 says: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and
John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was
transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became
as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking
with Him [Jesus]. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is
good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one
for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud,
saying, “This is My beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were
greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When
they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now as they came
down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no
one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” And His disciples asked
Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus
answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all
things. “But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and
they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of
Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Mark 9:2-13 says: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John,
and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured
before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as
no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses,
and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus,
“Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one
for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”- because he did not know what to
say, for they were greatly afraid. And a cloud came and overshadowed them;
and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only
Jesus with themselves. Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded
them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son
of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this word to themselves,
questioning what the rising from the dead meant. And they asked Him [Jesus],
saying “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Then He [Jesus]
answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming
first and the restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of
Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? “But I say
to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as
it is written of him.”
Luke 9:28-36 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings,
that He [Jesus] took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to
pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became
white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and
Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to
accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep;
and when they were fully awake, they saw His [Jesus’] glory and the two men who
stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him [Jesus], that
Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make
three tabernacles; and one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”-not
knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and
overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice
came out of the cloud saying, “This
is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” When the voice had ceased,
Jesus was found alone. But they [the disciples] kept quiet, and told no one in
those days any of the things they had seen.
John 12:23-36 says: But Jesus answered them [Phillip and Andrew], saying
“The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the
ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. “He
who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will
keep it for eternal life. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow me; and where I
am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will
honor. “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from
this hour’? But for this purpose, I came to this hour. “Father, glorify Your
name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and and will glorify it again.” Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had
thundered. Others said, “And angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come
because of Me, but for your sake. “Now is the judgment of this world; now the
ruler of this world will be cast out. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth,
will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He [Jesus] said
signifying by what death He would die. The people answered Him, “We have heard
from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who
is this Son of Man?” Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the
light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where
he is going. “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may
become sons of the light.” These things Jesus spoke,
and departed, and was hidden from them.
2 Peter 1:16-21 says: For we did not follow cunningly devised fables
when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but
were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He [Jesus] received from God the Father
honor and glory when such a voice came to Him [Jesus] from the Excellent Gory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on
the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do
well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and
the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy
of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the
will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
[First of all, what does Transfigured mean?]
[ I went to the internet and got the following definition from the
Merriam-Webster site at: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transfigure
trans·fig·ure | \
tran(t)s-ˈfi-gyər , especially British -ˈfi-gə \
transfigured; transfiguring
Definition of transfigure
: to give a new and
typically exalted or spiritual appearance to : transform outwardly and usually for the better
[Next, which disciples were with Jesus?]
Matthew 17:1 says: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John
his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
Mark 9:2 says: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and
led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured
before them.
Luke 9:28 says: Now it came to pass, about eight days after these
sayings, that He [Jesus] took Peter, John, and James and went up on the
mountain to pray.
John 12:23 says: But Jesus answered them [Phillip and Andrew], saying
“The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.
John 12:29 goes on to say: Therefore the people who stood by and
heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “And angel has spoken to
Him.”
2 Peter 1:18 says: And we heard this voice which came from heaven when
we were with Him on the holy mountain.
[The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were consistent about Jesus
taking Peter, James and John with him to a mountain. In the Gospel of John,
Jesus is responding to something Philip and Andrew told Jesus about some Greeks
that wanted to see Jesus. Also, in John 12:29 it mentions the people who stood
by. In 2 Peter it says “we heard,” so that doesn’t let me know exactly
which disciples were with him.]
[Does it matter if Philip and Andrew were there, as well, when Jesus was
transfigured? Not really. Does it matter if Philip and Andrew weren’t there?
No. Does it matter in John 12:29 the people who stood by were other disciples
or the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus? Not really. Does it matter if the “we’
in 2 Peter includes other disciples? Not really. So, none of these
inconsistencies are significant, nor do they disprove that Jesus was
transfigured or that Jesus Is the Son of God.]
[What happened first when Jesus was transfigured?]
Matthew 17:1-2 says: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and
John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was
transfigured before them. His [Jesus’] face shone like the sun, and His clothes
became as white as the light.
Mark 9:2-3 says: Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John,
and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He [Jesus] was
transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow,
such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Luke 9:28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings,
that He [Jesus] took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to
pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe
became white and glistening.
John 12:23-27 says: But Jesus answered them [Phillip and Andrew], saying
“The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the
ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. “He
who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will
keep it for eternal life. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow me; and where I
am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will
honor. “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from
this hour’? But for this purpose, I came to this hour.
2 Peter 1:16 says: For we did not follow cunningly devised fables
when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of His majesty.
[The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were very consistent that Jesus’
face shone like the sun and His clothes became exceedingly white, whiter than
any launderer could get them and glistening. 2 Peter 1:16 talks about were
“eyewitnesses of His [Jesus'] majesty. Could that be the same change in
physical appearance and clothing? Maybe, but is it significant that majesty
isn’t clearly defined? Well the definition of being transfigured is: : to give a new and typically exalted or spiritual
appearance to : transform outwardly and usually for the better. When I read when Peter talks about being eyewitnesses of His [Jesus’]
majesty and compare it with the definition above, Jesus’ majesty seems to fit
the definition.]
[The Gospel of John doesn’t say anything about Jesus’ physical
appearance changing or that of His clothes. Does that mean that these things
didn’t happen? One of the major things that are written in this passage in the
Gospel of John is the portion in red about Jesus predicting His own impending
death. Could it be that John was so focused on the prospect of Jesus, his Savior’s
going to die that he [John didn’t share any details about Jesus’ physical
appearance changing or that of His clothes?] That could possibly be the case,
but what if it wasn’t. Would that be significant? In my opinion, after
analyzing these passages many times, I don’t think it is anywhere near as
significant as God talking to Jesus where others could hear.]
Matthew 17:5-6 says: While he was still speaking, behold, a
bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud,
saying, “This is My beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were
greatly afraid.
Mark 9:7 says: And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice
came out of the cloud, saying, “This
is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Luke 9:34-35 says: While he was saying this, a cloud came and
overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice
came out of the cloud saying, “This
is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
John 12:28-32 says: “Father, glorify Your
name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and and will glorify it again.” Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had
thundered. Others said, “And angel has spoken to Him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come
because of Me, but for your sake. “Now is the judgment of this world; now the
ruler of this world will be cast out. “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth,
will draw all peoples to Myself.”
2 Peter 1:17-18 says: For He [Jesus] received from God the Father
honor and glory when such a voice came to Him [Jesus] from the Excellent
Gory: “This is My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on
the holy mountain.
[Both the Gospel of Matthew and 2 Peter say that God said, “This is My Son in whom I am well pleased,” although the Gospel of Matthew adds, “Hear Him!”
The Gospels of Mark and Luke both say that God said, “This is My beloved Son.
Hear Him!” The Gospel of John says
that God said, “I have both glorified it
and will glorify it again.” Is it significant that each
of these witnesses have somewhat similar, but different wording as to what God
the Father said about Jesus, His Son?]
[Again, although there are minor inconsistencies in wording, it
basically says the same thing. You will find out if you watch this brief video
by J. Warner Wallace, a L.A. Cold-Case Detective, who tells that witnesses
rarely report things exactly the same way. Were the Gospels Written by Eye Witnesses? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siOcvLyKuEk (3 minutes 27 seconds) In my opinion, this video is really worth
watching, because it clarifies so many things about the inconsistencies in the
Gospel recordings.]
[Prior to God speaking about Jesus, who did the disciples see talking
with Jesus?]
Matthew 17:3 says: And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
talking with Him [Jesus].
Mark 9:4 says: And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were
talking with Jesus.
Luke 9:30-31 says: And behold, two men talked with Him, who were
Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His [Jesus’] decease which
He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Although the Gospel of John 12:33-36 doesn’t say anything about Elijah
or Moses, it does say: This He said signifying by what death He [Jesus]
would die. The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the
Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? [This refers to Jesus’ resurrection.] Who is this Son of Man?” Then
Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the
light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you;
he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. “While you have the
light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of the light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden
from them.
2 Peter 1:18-21 says: And we heard this voice which came from heaven
when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic
word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark
place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing
this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for
prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit.
[So, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are consistent about seeing
Elijah and Moses talking to Jesus. The Gospel of Luke adds that they were
talking to Jesus about His death which was going to happen soon in Jerusalem. Well,
if you think about it, John 12:33-36 is about Jesus telling them about what
type of death He would die. Although there are some who don’t think that John
12:28-36 is related to Jesus’ Transfiguration, could it be that John saw Elijah
and Moses, but just focused on the conversation about Jesus’ death and
resurrection? [‘The Son of Man must be
lifted up’] and telling them to stay
focused: “While you have the light,
believe in the light, that you may become sons of the light.”] Possibly, but even if it wasn’t so, is it significant
that John didn’t talk about Elijah and Moses? No, in that the Gospel of John
reports what God the Father said about Jesus where witnesses, at least Phillip
and Andrew, but possibly others heard it.]
[In addition to sharing that God the Father spoke about Jesus, His Son,
in 2 Peter 1:18-21, it also includes this pertinent information although it
doesn’t mention either Elijah or Moses: And we heard this voice which
came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the
prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a
dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing
this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for
prophecy never came by the will of man, but
holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. But, this last sentence is significant where
it says that holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, which
seems to be distinctly something that could or would be related to Elijah or
Moses.]
[In these Bible passages, although I found inconsistencies, none of
these was significant enough to disprove that Jesus was Transfigured or that He
Is the Son of God. Don’t let people try to confuse you into thinking the Bible
is full of lies and inconsistencies. Sure there are inconsistencies, but when
they are thoroughly examined, they are largely due to writing style with some
Gospel authors writing with more detail and some fewer. There are some who
paraphrase what has been said or others who don’t share what has already been
adequately recorded in other Gospels, but adds to what has been previously
recorded, to add clarity.]
[Remember John 3:16-21 says: “For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “For God did
not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world
through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but
he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God. “And this is the condemnation, that the
light has come into the World, and men loved darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light
and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. “But he who
does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that
they have been done in God.” We need to focus on the light of Salvation
that Jesus has to offer us!]
