The tension: The Synoptic Gospels record Jesus making at least three explicit, detailed passion predictions to the disciples (Matt 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19; Mark 8:31; 9:3…
The tension: Matthew 17:1 and Mark 9:2 both state that the transfiguration occurred "after six days" following Jesus' prediction about some standing there not tasting death…
The tension: Matthew 17:22-23 reports the disciples' reaction to Jesus' second passion prediction: "they were exceeding sorry" (*elypēthēsan sphodra*), indicating comprehen…
The tension: The Synoptic Jesus tells his followers they must become like little children to enter the kingdom — receive it, in fact, *as* a little child or stay locked out.
The tension: John 2 places Jesus' violent cleansing of the temple at the very beginning of his public ministry, right after the Cana wedding miracle and years before his ar…
The tension: Matthew 21:1-7 has Jesus dispatch two disciples to fetch *an ass and her colt*, and the disciples bring back both animals; Matthew even depicts Jesus sitting o…
The tension: The Synoptic apocalyptic discourses and Revelation 1:7 stack up to say the return of the Son of Man will be a universally visible event: every tribe of the ear…
The tension: In the Synoptic Gethsemane scene (Matt 26:36-42, Mark 14:35-36, Luke 22:41-42) Jesus prays explicitly that the cup of suffering pass from him — 'let this cup p…
The tension: The three Synoptic arrest scenes (Matt 26:47-49, Mark 14:43-45, Luke 22:47-48) all have Judas identify Jesus by approaching and kissing him — the prearranged s…
The tension: Matthew 26:64 and Luke 22:70 give Jesus the famously evasive 'thou hast said' / 'ye say that I am' — an answer that can be parsed as a yes, a no, or a 'that's…
The tension: Luke 23:11 has Herod Antipas and his soldiers dress Jesus in a gorgeous robe during the side-trip to Herod's quarters that only Luke records, before sending hi…
The tension: Matthew 27:46-50 (following Mark 15:34-37) has Jesus die crying out the cry of dereliction — *Eli Eli lama sabachthani*, 'my God my God why hast thou forsaken…
The tension: Mark 15:39 and Matthew 27:54 both have the centurion at the cross declare 'Truly this was the Son of God.' Luke 23:47 has the centurion glorify God and say 'Ce…
