The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 8:28–Decoding Gospel Contradictions: The Demon-Possessed Men Mystery

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Welcome to Episode 155 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! Join host Lance Smith as he delves into a puzzling gospel narrative that leaves skeptics questioning: how many men were possessed by demons in Matthew 8:28? Matthew's account mentions two demon-possessed men, while Mark and Luke each report only one. Is this a contradiction or just different perspectives on the same event? Lance explores this intriguing topic, examining why these differences exist and what they signify.

Through the eerie setting of the Gadarenes and the dramatic scene involving a herd of pigs, this episode provides insights into the different ways the Gospels convey the story of Jesus's encounter with the demoniacs. Discover how cultural contexts and audience expectations shaped these accounts. Whether you're a scripture enthusiast or a curious skeptic, this episode promises a captivating exploration of biblical narratives.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

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Email Address: [email protected] 

  1. Skeptics Annotated Bible. https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/found.html 
  2. Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary: https://a.co/d/aEyRa7R 
  3. “Demons and Pigs (Matthew 8:28-34).” Bible.org. https://bible.org/seriespage/11-demons-and-pigs-matthew-828-34 
  4. “Why does Matthew mention two demoniacs when Mark and Luke mention one?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/one-two-demoniacs.html 
  5. “Were There One or Two Men Healed?” Patterns of Truth. https://patternsoftruth.org/were-there-one-or-two-men-healed/ 
  6. Davenport, Gary. “How Many Demoniacs Were There?” GaryDavenport.org, September 14, 2023. https://garydavenport.org/2023/09/14/12439/ 
  7. “Why Matthew Said Two Men Were Possessed with Demons at the Country of the Gadarenes.” Veritas Domain, April 21, 2020. https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2020/04/21/why-matthew-said-two-men-were-possessed-with-demons-at-the-country-of-the-gadarenes/ 
  8. “Who Got It Wrong? Was There One or Two Demoniacs Delivered?” The Gospel Coalition Canada. https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/who-got-it-wrong-was-there-one-or-two-demoniacs-delivered/ 
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