aa5874

I have noticed in the Gospels that many of the sayings of Jesus are similar, and are even word for word, especially Matthew, Mark and Luke. However, I find it a bit odd that in many events, although Jesus' words are practically the same in each book, the chronology is way off.

I would have thought that it is easier to recall when an event occured rather than to remember the words of Jesus, word for word. For example, the cursing of the fig tree and eventual dying of the tree as reported by Matthew and Mark. They both have the tree being cursed by Jesus, yet the chronology with respect to the dying of the tree, which to me would be easier to remember, is different by about one day. And how is it Matthew and Luke have Jesus saying similar words, yet cannot remember when Jesus was born?

Personally, I can remember certain events, but after 30 years I can hardly remember a single conversation, and even worse, a word for word conversation with anyone.

Has any scholar tackled this problem as it relates to the credibilty of the NT?

Roland

Even more strange: how did Matthew, Mark and Luke all "independently" miss the things John records Jesus as saying?

aa5874

The Jesus in John appears to be totally different to those in the Synoptics. This Jesus of John apparently never met the devil nor conversed with him while on earth.