THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
How many beatitudes were in the Sermon on the Mount? Matthew 5:3-11 and Luke 6:20-23 differ drastically.

Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
The questioner has made the unnecessary assumption that the sermon recorded in Matthew 5 and Luke 6 are indeed the same occasion. It is quite possible that these sermons were preached on different occasions (ref. http://www.lookinguntojesus.net/ata20010923.htm).

However, if they are the same occasion, why would it be necessary for both Matthew and Luke to make identical records? I enjoy taking notes while listening to someone preach. Yet, I know that my notes will not be exactly as the preacher's notes are. Nor will my notes be exactly as the notes taken by another person at the same assembly. So it may be with Matthew and Luke as well.

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible, but original article is no longer listed

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