There are other problems with the genealogies, but let's let it go at that. Apologists, of course, have come up with all kinds of explanations for the discrepancies, some of them rather ingenious, but none of them very convincing. But let's just say that some of these explanations are actually true. They certainly can't be proven to be true; there's no
evidence that they're true, but let's say for the sake of argument that they're true. That would mean that in order to have an accurate understanding of the genealogy of Joseph, we would have to have Matthew
plus Luke
plus the contrived explanations. Nobody could possibly have an accurate understanding if all he had was a copy of Matthew, or a copy of Luke, so each account, as written, is useless and/or misleading. If you were to write a biography of Bill Clinton, and insert a genealogy claiming, without further explanation, that Bill Clinton was the son of Roger Clinton, who was the son of Al Clinton, who was the son of James Clinton, "explanations" could be offered, but genealogists and historians alike would still denounce you as incompetent or dishonest.
For our second example, let's look at Peter's betrayal of Jesus.
In the synoptics, Jesus makes a prediction that Peter will deny him three times, either before the **** crows (Matthew & Luke) or before the **** crows twice (Mark). John doesn't mention a prediction. Each gospel lists three denials of Jesus by Peter.
Matthew:
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the **** crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the **** crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Mark:
And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the **** crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the **** crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the **** crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.
