A few years ago, I started coming across what seemed like contradictions in the written Word of God. These really shook my faith in a big way, but by the time I came across these, I already had an established relationship with the Lord. Therefore, I knew that I could ask God to give me wisdom, understanding and discernment, instead of dismissing the bible as inaccurate due to the perceived discrepancies I found.
I believe that the Lord then gave me the following Scripture to help me:
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Proverbs 25:2 NKJV
I believe the message that the Lord was giving me is that there are no contradictions, or perceived discrepancies within the Word of God, but some things we need to search out and study with His help and guidance. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16), therefore we can go to Him and ask for understanding. We can ask Him to reveal truth to us. I have learned to pray before I read God’s Word, and ask the Holy Spirit to open my understanding so that I can understand the deeper spiritual truths of His word.
With that being said, I would like to share with you what the Lord revealed to me about this topic:
They put on Him a purple/scarlet robe
Many months ago, while I was reading the bible, I came across the following Scriptures and what looked like a discrepancy within the word of God. In both Mark and John, Scripture says that the soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus, however, in Matthew it says that the soldiers put a scarlet robe on Jesus.
And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
Mark 15:17-18 NKJV
And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe.
John 19:2 NKJV
And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.
Matthew 27:28 NKJV
I then immediately went into prayer and asked the Lord to give me understanding according to truth. In Mark 15:17, the word “purple” is the Greek word: porphura – which means a red/blue colour, or purple. It refers to the rich, deep purple-red hue—historically known as Tyrian purple or Imperial purple—that was extracted from Mediterranean Sea snails. I then looked up images of Tyrian purple, and because of the deep purple-red colour, I can understand how one person might say that it is purple, whereas another person might say that it is scarlet. I have included a picture at the top of this blog post to show you the colour.
The gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) were written by four different disciples who wrote an account of Jesus’ life. Each of them would record the facts of what they heard and saw, as well as what they experienced with Jesus. However, based upon their opinion and perspective, it’s easy to understand how one disciple could say that the robe was red, whereas another disciple could say that it was purple.
To bring this concept across more clearly, let me offer another example. If I placed a half-filled glass of water in front of two people and asked them to describe what they saw, they both would testify to the fact that the glass is filled half way. However one person may say in their opinion and perspective that the glass is half-full, whereas the other person may say that the glass is half-empty.
There is another amazing fact about the robe that was put on Jesus that I would like to share with you.
A dear friend of mine gave me a book titled: “The new manners and customs of the bible” written by James M. Freeman and Harold J. Chadwick. In this book, it explains that the robe which the soldiers placed on Jesus was most likely not a robe of royalty, but rather a Roman military cloak.
“The scarlet robe was probably the Roman paludamentum, which closely resembles the Greek chlamys (a short mantle fastened at the shoulder). The paludamentum was an outer garment that hung loosely over the shoulders, was open in front, reached down to the knees or lower, and fastened across the chest with a clasp, which, by the motions of the wearer, sometimes shifted to either shoulder. The paludamentum was a military cloak, and, in mockery of the royalty of Jesus, was put upon Him after He had been stripped of the outer garment that He usually wore.”
When I read this, I was absolutely amazed, and once again went into prayer to ask the Lord if this was true because I always assumed that the robe which was placed on Him was a robe of royalty. I believe the Lord then led me to look up the word “robe” in the bible strongs – and in Matthew 27:28, it confirms that it was in fact a military cloak.
A paludamentum was a military cloak which was only worn by generals, emperors and high-ranking officials in ancient Rome. It symbolized their supreme command and military authority, compared to the common soldiers who wore simpler cloaks.
Once again, this is significant because in the Old Testament, Jesus (as the pre-incarnate Christ) introduced Himself to Joshua as the Commander of the army of the LORD (Joshua 5:14). Even though the Roman soldiers were mocking Jesus, without even knowing it, they rightfully clothed Him as the supreme military commander (spiritually speaking). Amazing!
The bible is just loaded with hidden gems and treasures, and the Lord wants to share these with all His children. The Lord wants us to include Him when we read His word so that He can teach us. The written Word of God provides spiritual nourishment for us, so that we can learn, grow spiritually, and mature in Christ. Therefore, my encouragement to you is this: If you do come across anything in the bible that doesn’t make sense in the moment, pray and ask the Lord to give you wisdom, insight, and understanding. The answer may come immediately, or it may come later, but it will come. I’ve learned by experience that the Lord is faithful, and He delights to share His truth and His Word with us. He will bring the answer in a way that He knows you will understand. Thank You, Jesus!