MATTHEW AND LUKE: DIFFERENT GOSPELS, WRITTEN TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, WRITTEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES -

Atheists and skeptics can throw around the words “contradict” and “contradictory” with regard to the Gospels, but is it?

Only two of the gospels, Matthew and Luke, give an account of the happenings surrounding Jesus’ birth. Matthew's gospel is written to the Jews, and provides information about Joseph and the Magi (or Kings from the East). Luke's gospel is clearly written to the Gentiles, and focuses on Elizabeth, Zacharias, John the Baptist, the shepherds and Simeon and Anna.

Does one gospel providing information that the other does not necessarily mean that that the two accounts cannot be reconciled? Of course not.

While various people claim that the books of Matthew and Luke contradict each other, what they have failed to see is that each of these accounts is vitally important providing a fuller picture of the fulfillment of bible prophecy concerning the coming Messiah. Each writer, inspired by God, wrote the account to different audiences, at different times, providing vital details that ultimately provides evidence beyond a shadow of doubt, that Christ is the Messiah.

I’m sure you’ve seen the Magi (or wise men) and shepherds' side by side in Nativity scenes for a lifetime as you drive pass churches or residential areas. Well, while it is a beautiful sight to behold, biblically, it’s a bit anachronistic because the wise men and the shepherds were not present together when Jesus was born in a manger. According to Luke’s Gospel, the shepherds in the fields were told by the angels about a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, and they would find a babe (Jesus) lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.

In Matthew's account, the wise men came into a house (not a manger), they saw a young child (not a babe) with Mary. The wise men were not present at His birth, but rather when the child was a toddler, nearly 2 years later when they saw Jesus.

What would make these accounts contradictory is if Luke had said, “only the shepherds witnessed the birth” and Matthew had said, “Only the wise men witnessed the birth of Jesus.” Well neither of those statements can be found in the bible.

The Gospels of Matthew and Luke aren’t giving contradictory accounts but focusing on different aspects of the birth of our Lord. The fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies is clear and are vitally important details concerning the birth of our Lord.

The gospels were written by four different men to four unique audiences, so it is natural that they would include different details concerning the life of Christ. But their writing was superintended by the Holy Spirit, who guaranteed that what each wrote was the absolute truth. There are differences, but they can all be harmonized. The narratives of Jesus’ birth found in Matthew and Luke are not contradictory but complementary.

God's Word is True, it is Living, it is Accurate and Infallible. All Scripture is Inspired by God. It is Historical, Prophetic, and Spiritually Discerned. The accounts of the birth of our Savior, some 2,000 years ago, provide the evidence that the prophecies concerning His first coming have been fulfilled. The overriding message is that Jesus came to earth in a humble manner. The Savior of the world and God of all creation put on humanity to die for our sins and conquer death, giving the hope of salvation to all who turn from their sin and believe on Him. One day, He will return in judgment, and He will not appear as a seemingly helpless baby, but as the risen, glorified, sovereign Lord and Judge.

Let’s examine why Matthew and Luke differ.

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