THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
When Jesus came walking upon the water to the disciples, and they received Him into the boat, were they immediately at land (John 6:21), or did they still have to cross over to the land (Matthew 14:32-34; Mark 6:51)? Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
As with most cases where more than one gospel writer gives an account of the same event, we find different perspectives and varied expressions used. The context of the verses above indicates that each writer was referring to the same occasion, a crossing of the sea of Galilee following the feeding of the five thousand.

Matthew and Mark give considerably more detail about the occurrence than John. They both mention Peter going forth to the Lord, and the Lord catching him. Matthew mentions them worshipping Jesus after He entered the boat, Mark identifies part of the reason for this lesson, for they had not understood about the loaves.

Do the words "when they had crossed over" (Matthew & Mark) necessitate that their journey was not almost complete when Jesus entered the boat? Both writers give the details as mentioned above, and then by way of conclusion, and leading to the events in Gennesaret, they used this statement. When had they crossed over? Well, it began when they got into the boat on the western shore of the sea of Galilee. According to John, the journey was completed immediately (or straightway, ASV) after Jesus had entered the boat. It seems that they had almost completely crossed over by the time Jesus came upon them.

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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