THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
We are told that one of Jesus' disciples was lost (John 17:12), but then afterward, that none of His disciples were lost (John 18:9). Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
Let us consider what the texts in question say:

John 17:12
While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

John 18:8-9
Jesus answered, "I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way", that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none."

The statement found in John 17:12 was made by Jesus very shortly before the statement of John 18:9. I don't believe that He would have forgotten in such a short time whether or not any where lost. In 17:12, Jesus acknowledged that "...none of them is lost except the son of perdition..." That is, all remained with Him and continued to serve the Lord, except Judas Iscariot. In 18:8, Jesus is confronted by the mob which Judas brought to arrest Him. Jesus asks that His disciples be permitted to "go their way", since it was He that they sought. John, commenting on this states that this was so that what he had said in 17:12 might be fulfilled.

In referring back to the former statement, it ought to be understood that Judas is not included in John's comment. Jesus had acknowledged that Judas was lost, and John recorded that fact. Since that has already been recorded, it is not necessary now, just 23 verses later. Perhaps if Jesus had not asked that His disciples go free, they too would have been taken captive. It may be that in the process, one or more might have been lost. However, the Lord made sure that He did not lose any, except Judas, who was acknowledged already.

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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