I will use the New King James Version
(NKJV) of the Bible and internet resources when applicable to research the
different inconsistencies to see if they are significant enough to
disprove that Jesus Christ died on the cross. I will try to put my analysis and
opinions within brackets for those who would like to study this research
further on Biblical Proof!at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com and Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/ Otherwise,
I will try to preface these for those who are listening to this analysis on the
Relate2theBible Podcast. Additionally, the Bible will, at times, use he and him
in the same sentence, so I will note who is speaking or is being spoken to if
it is unclear. That portion will be in brackets on the blog site.
First of all, I will locate and list all
the Bible passages that refer to the Inscription on Jesus’ cross. That way, I
can more easily compare what inconsistencies exist, if any.
Matthew 27:33-37 says: “And when they had
come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave
Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would
not drink. Then they crucified Him, and the Place of a Skull, which is called
in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on
either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put
it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified
was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Therefore
the chief priest of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the
Jews,’ but that ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” Pilate answered,
“What I have written, I have written.” Then the soldiers, when they
had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a
part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in
one piece. They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast
lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which
says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast
lots.” [Psalm 22:18]
Mark 15: 22-26 says: And they
brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. Then
they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. And
when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine
what every man should take. Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.
and the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Luke 23:32-37 says: There were also two
others, criminals, led with Him [Jesus] to be put to death. And when they had
come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals,
one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for
they do not know what they do.” And
they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But
even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save
Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” The soldiers also mocked Him,
coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the
Jews, save Yourself.” And an inscription also was written over Him in
letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John 19:17-24 says: And He [Jesus],
bearing His cross, went out to a place called Golgotha, where they crucified
Him [Jesus], one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a
title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING
OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus
was crucified was near the city: and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and
Latin. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write,
'The King of the Jews.” ' ” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have
written.” Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments
and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic
was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among
themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that
the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among
them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these
things.
Well, the first inconsistency that stands
out in these three passages is in John 19, verse 19 where it tells that Pilate
wrote the inscription on Jesus’ cross. Is this significant? [In my opinion, the
other three gospels didn’t mention who wrote the inscription. In that it didn’t
mention who wrote the inscription, doesn’t mean that Pilate didn’t write it or
have it written. Even if the other verses had said other people had written the
inscription, still wouldn’t have proven or disproven that Jesus was crucified
on the cross.]
In Luke 23:37, it says that the
inscription was written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. Is that significant? [In
my opinion, in that the other three Gospels didn’t say that the inscription was
written in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew doesn’t mean it wasn’t. They may have just
written what the inscription said or meant, regardless of how many languages
were included in the inscription. On the other hand, even if the other Gospels
said it was only written in one language versus Luke saying it was written in
three languages, isn’t significant and doesn’t disprove that Jesus was
crucified on the cross.]
Also, each of the four Gospels described
differently how they divided Jesus’ clothes. [Personally, I feel that’s
just examples of different writing styles. Some describe with more details and
others just put the facts. Even if there had been significant differences in
the Gospels about how they divided Jesus’ clothes wouldn’t have disproved that
Jesus was crucified on the cross!]
Another inconsistency is that John 19:19
says JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS, when Matthew 27:37 says: THIS IS
JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Mark 15:26 saysTHE KING OF THE JEWS and Luke 23:38
says: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. [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.]
Furthermore, each of the four Gospels say
that Jesus was crucified on the cross. Here’s additional proof from
witnesses: Matthew 27:50-54 says: And Jesus cried out again with a loud
voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and
the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep
were raised; and coming out of the graves after His [Jesus’] resurrection, they
went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and
those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that
had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Mark 15: 37-39 says: And Jesus cried out
with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom. So when the centurion, who stood opposite
Him [Jesus], saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said,
“Truly this Man was the Son of God!” Luke
23: 46-48 says: And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into your Your hands
I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He
breathed His last. So when the centurion saw what had happened, he
glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” John 19: 30-35 says: So when Jesus had
received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And
bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Therefore, because it was the
Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath
(for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might
be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came to Jesus
and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the
soldiers pierced His [Jesus’] side with a spear, and immediately blood and
water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true;
and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.
[When you think of all of this, it’s mind
boggling to think that there are many Christians who have lost their faith or
never chose faith in Christ, because of insignificant inconsistencies in the
Bible such as these. When people quote you things in the Bible, always read
about a chapter before and a chapter after, so that Jesus Christ can help you
discern whether any of the points or inconsistencies are worth losing your
salvation over. Remember John 3:16-19 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. Don’t
let people confuse you about Christ and lead you into the darkness. Check
things out thoroughly, so you will follow the Light that only Jesus Christ can
provide! ]
