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Not all sequences of events are vital to the Bible’s theology, but the accuracy of any narrative bears great weight on our confidence in its accuracy, authenticity and veracity. Sloppiness voids any claim to holy inspiration.
2.1 What was the order of creation? Genesis told two different and incompatible stories. John told a third creation story which doesn’t really explain much.
Genesis 1:
- Day 1: Heaven, earth, light, day & night. Gen 1:1-5
- Day 2: Firmament, dividing waters above from below. Gen 1:6-8
- Day 3: Seas, land, grass, herbs, fruit. Gen 1:9-13
- Day 4: Sun, moon, stars. Gen 1:14-19
- Day 5: Sea creatures, whales, fowl. Gen 1:20-23
- Day 6: Land creatures, cattle, creeping things, beasts, humans. Gen 1:24-31
- Day 7: God finished his work and rested. Gen 2:1-3
Genesis 2:
- Heaven. Gen 2:4
- Earth, with dormant seeds. Gen 2:5
- Mist, from the earth to water the land. Gen 2:6
- A male human, from dust. Gen 2:7
- Garden of Eden, food trees, tree of life, tree of knowledge of good & evil, rivers.
Gen 2:8-10
- Man put in the garden and commanded. Gen 2:15-17
- Beasts & fowl, out of the ground. Adam named them. Gen 2:19,20
- A female human, from Adam’s rib. Gen 2:21,22
- No mention of God resting.
John 1:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." Jn 1:1-3
2.2 In Genesis 1, the earth was covered by water without dry land (Gen 1:2,9); but in Genesis 2, water appeared after the dry ground (Gen 2:4-6).
2.3 In Genesis 1, God called light and darkness day and night on the first day (Gen 1:5); but God didn’t divide day from night until day four (Gen 1:14).
2.4 In Genesis 1, fowl were created before the man (Gen 1:21,26); but in Genesis 2, the man was created before the fowl (Gen 2:7,19).
2.5 In Genesis 1, fruit trees were created on Day 3, before the man was created on Day 6 (Gen 1:12,27); but in Genesis 2, the man was created before the fruit trees (Gen 2:7,9).
2.6 In Genesis 1, fowl and beasts were created separately, on Days 5 and 6 respectively (Gen 1:21,24); but in Genesis 2, fowl and beasts were created simultaneously (Gen 2:19).
2.7 Although Genesis 2 did’t time-tag the events of creation, it clearly said that the creation of Adam and the creation of Eve were separated by the creation of the Garden of Eden, food trees, the tree of life, the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the beasts of the ground, and fowl as well as Adam seeing and naming all the animals.
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground…planted a garden eastward in Eden…And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil…And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them…And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field…and [God] took one of his ribs…And…made he a woman…" Gen 2:7-22
Since Adam’s task undoubtedly took longer than one day, Genesis 2 conflicted with Genesis 1&5 which said that God created the man and woman on the same day.
"So God created man in his own image, male and female created he them…the sixth day" Gen 1:27,31
"…In the day that God created man…Male and female created he them …" Gen 5:1,2
2.8 When making up the passenger manifest for the ark, God had Noah discriminate between "clean" and "unclean" animals.
God: "Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens…and of beasts that are not clean by two…" Gen 7:2
However, God didn’t tell Moses what "clean" and "unclean" meant until much later in Leviticus.
God: "…he is unclean to you…To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten." Lev 11:4-47
2.9 The Bible listed tribes with their own languages, and it said the islands of the Gentiles had their own languages.
"These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.…These are the sons of Shem, after their families, after their tongues, in their lands, after their nations." Gen 10:20,31
"By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations." Gen 10:5
The Bible said that all of mankind had a common language later at Babel.
"And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech…And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one languAge" Gen 11:1,6
2.10 In I Kings, Josiah destroyed Baalism after discovering the book of the law, in the 18th year of his reign.
"And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah…And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord…And the king commanded…to bring forth out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal…And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men’s bones upon them …" 2Kgs 22:3,8, 23:4,20
In II Chronicles, Josiah destroyed Baalism before discovering the book of the law, in the 12th year of his reign.
"…in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places…And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars…And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses." 2Cr 34:3-5,14
2.11 In Joshua, Caleb occupied Hebron before Joshua died.
"Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel…And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron." Josh 14:14, 15:13
In Judges, Judah took Hebron after Joshua died.
"And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron…" Judg 1:10
2.12 In Joshua, Othniel took Debir before Joshua died.
"And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir…And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it…" Josh 15:15,17
In Judges, Othniel took Debir after Joshua died.
"And from thence he went against the inhabitants of Debir…And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it…" Judg 1:11,13
2.13 In Joshua, King Jabin of Hazor was killed by Joshua.
"And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things…And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword…And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire." Josh 11:1,10,11
In Judges, King Jabin of Hazor was killed 120 years after Joshua died.
"Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass…And the land had rest forty years…And the land had rest fourscore years…And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain…So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel." Judg 1:1, 3:11,30, 4:2,23
2.14 David was told he could not enter Jerusalem, but this was some time after he had already been there. How could he have taken the head of Goliath to the city in 1062 BCE, if he was excluded from it until he conquered it in 1047 BCE?
"And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem…" 1Sam 17:54
"And [David] and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither." 2Sam 5:6,7
2.15 Jesus was said to be born in the "days of Herod, king of Judea" as well as during the taxation [census] when "Cyrenius [Publius Sulpicius Quirinius] was governor of Syria." This cannot be. Quirinius’ only census was in Judea, not Galilee, in 6-7 CE, some ten years after Herod’s death in 4 BCE.
"…in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea…" Lk 1:5
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.…And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea…because he was of the house and lineage of David: " Lk 2:1,4
2.16 In Matthew, Satan took Jesus to the highest point of the temple, then he took him to a very high mountain.
"Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple…" Mt 4:5
"…the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain…" Mt 4:8
In Luke, Satan led Jesus up to a high place, then he had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
"And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain…" Lk 4:5
"And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple." Lk 4:9
2.17 In Matthew, Jesus calmed the seas, then Matthew followed him.
"…he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm…" Mt 8:26
"[Jesus] saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him." Mt 9:9
In Luke, Matthew followed him, then Jesus calmed the waters.
"[Jesus] saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him." Lk 5:27,28
"[Jesus] arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm." Lk 8:24
2.18 In Matthew, Jesus betrayal was revealed during the last supper.
"…while they were eating…’…one of you will betray me’" Mt 26:21 & Mk 14:18
In Luke, Jesus betrayal was revealed after the last supper.
"…after the supper he took the cup, saying…’But the hand of him who is going to betray me…’" Lk 22:14-21
2.19 In Matthew, Jesus drove the demons into the swine, then he appointed the apostles.
"And [Jesus] said unto [the demons], Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine…" Mt 8:32
"And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." Mt 10:1
In Mark, Jesus appointed the apostles, then he drove the demons into the swine.
"And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach." Mk 3:14
"And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine" Mk 5:13
2.20 In Matthew, Jesus drove demons into the swine, then gave tribute to John the Baptist.
"And [Jesus] said unto [the demons], Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine…" Mt 8:32
"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…" Mt 11:11
In Luke, Jesus praised John the Baptist, then drove demons into the swine.
"For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist…" Lk 7:28
"And [Jesus] said unto [the demons], Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine…" Mt 8:32
2.21 In Matthew, Jesus cured a leper, then he came into Peter’s house.
"And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." Mt 8:3
"And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever." Mt 8:14
In Mark, Jesus went to Simon’s (Peter’s) house, then he cured a leper.
"And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John." Mk 1:29
"And Jesus…put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." Mk 1:41-42
2.22 In Matthew, Jesus cleaned out the temple, then he cursed the fig tree.
"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves," Mt 21:12
"And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away." Mt 21:19
In Mark, Jesus cursed the fig tree, then he cleaned out the temple.
"And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever." Mk 11:13,14
"And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;" Mk 11:15
2.23 In Matthew, Jesus gave the sermon to the multitude, then he healed Peter’s mother-in-law.
"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain…And he opened his mouth, and taught them" Mt 5:1,2
"And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them." Mt 8:14,15
In Luke, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, then he gave the sermon to the multitude.
"And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them." Lk 4:38,39
"And…a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him…And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said," Lk 6:17,20
2.24 In Mark, Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, then John the Baptist was arrested.
"And [Jesus] was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan…" Mk 1:13
"For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison…" Mk 6:17
In Luke, John the Baptist was arrested, then Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.
"But Herod…shut up John in prison." Lk 3:19-20
"And Jesus…was led by the Spirit into the wilderness," Lk 4:1
2.25 In Mark, Jesus was alone forty days in the wilderness immediately after his baptism. He picked up his first disciples afterwards.
"[Jesus] was baptized…And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness…and he was there in the wilderness forty days…after that…Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel…[Jesus] saw Simon and Andrew… [they] followed him…he saw James…and John…straight-away he entered…the synagogue, and taught." Mk 1:9-21
In John, Jesus and his disciples were at a wedding within a few days of his baptism.
"…the Jews sent priests and Levites to…[John the Baptist]…the next day John [baptized Jesus]…the next day…[Andrew & Simon] followed him…the next day Jesus…findeth Philip…and the third day there was a marriage in Cana…and both Jesus [and his disciples] were called." Jn 1:19,29,31,35,40,43; 2:1,2
2.26 In Mark, John the Baptist was arrested, then Jesus went to Galilee, then he called Andrew and Simon.
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel…as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew…" Mk 1:14,16
In John, Jesus called Andrew and Simon as his disciples; and he baptized them in Judea while John was still baptizing.
"Again the next day after John [the Baptist] stood, and two of his disciples…One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." Jn 1:35,40,41
"Jesus and his disciples [were baptized in] the land of Judea. And John was also baptizing in Aenon…for John was not yet cast into prison." Jn 3:22-24
2.27 In Matthew, Jesus named Simon "this rock" in the middle of his ministry.
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona [son of Jonah]…And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church…" Mt 16:17,18
In Mark, Jesus named Simon "a stone" at the beginning of his ministry.
"One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother…And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone." Jn 1:40,42
2.28 In John, Jesus performed his first miracle (changing water into wine) during the wedding in Cana after his baptism. He then went to Capernaum.
"…the water that was made wine…This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana…after this he went down to Capernaum." Jn 2:9-12
In Mark, Jesus and his disciples were in Capernaum for his first miracle (healing a man with an unclean spirit) after his baptism and forty days in the wilderness.
"And they went into Capernaum…And when the unclean spirit…came out of him." Mk 1:21-26
2.29 In John, Jesus chased the moneylenders from the temple at the beginning of his ministry.
"And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple…and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;" Jn 2:15
In the other gospels, Jesus chased them out just days before the crucifixion.
"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers…" Mt 21:12
"And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers…" Mk 11:15
"And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;" Lk 19:45
2.30 In Mark, Jesus visited Jerusalem just once, for Passover on Palm Sunday.
"…others cut down branches off the trees, and strowed them in the way…And Jesus entered into Jerusalem…" Mk 11:8,11
In John, Jesus visited Jerusalem on three Passovers, the last on Palm Sunday.
"And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem," Jn 2:13
"After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem." Jn 5:1
"On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him" Jn 12:12,13
2.31 In John, Peter visited the sepulcher before the angels appeared.
"Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre…Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary…looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white…" Jn 20:3,6,10,12
In Luke, the angels appeared before Peter visited the sepulcher.
"…behold, two men stood by them in shining garments…And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven …Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre…" Lk 24:4,9,12
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