Stated “contradiction” #3 >
John says the next day after Jesus was baptized, Jesus began recruiting disciples the day after his baptism (John 1:35-52); Matthew says he went into the desert to be tempted (Matthew 4:1).
Response >
No contradiction whatsoever.
In order to address this seeming “contradiction” I went to an interwoven harmony of the gospels so I could see the proper timing and sequence of events. Matthew, Mark and Luke record the baptism and temptation of Christ as a chronology of event whereas John relates his conversation with the Pharisees similar to you or I answering a question regarding an event that has already taken place. If you read the entire chapter of 1st John in context to the overall text this becomes glaringly obvious particularly in light of the discourse of questions John had taken on from the priests, Levites, and Pharisees.
As Matthew Henry points out: “We have in these verses an account of John's testimony concerning Jesus Christ, which he witnessed to his own disciples that followed him. As soon as ever Christ was baptized he was immediately hurried into the wilderness, to be tempted; and there he was forty days. During his absence John had continued to bear testimony to him, and to tell the people of him; but now at last he sees Jesus coming to him, returning from the wilderness of temptation. As soon as that conflict was over Christ immediately returned to John, who was preaching and baptizing.”
It is written: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” - Romans 10:16
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