The Book of Luke explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Critique of Biblical Inerrancy

  Paine uses contradictions between Luke and Matthew to argue that the Bible cannot be divinely inspired.

• Reason vs. Revelation

  Paine applies rational analysis to expose inconsistencies in the Gospel narratives, favoring reason over blind faith.

Characters to notice

• Thomas Paine

  Author and critic, analyzing the Gospel of Luke for inconsistencies.

• Jesus Christ

  Central figure in the Gospel of Luke, whose life and actions are scrutinized by Paine.

• Matthew

  Author of the Gospel of Matthew, whose account Paine contrasts with Luke's.

• Luke

  Author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, whose narratives are examined for contradictions.

• John the Baptist

  Mentioned in Luke in connection with a prophecy from Isaiah.

• Judas

  His fate is described differently in Luke (Acts) versus Matthew, highlighting a contradiction.

Key passages

• “As it is impossible the wisdom of God should err, so it is impossible those books could have been written by divine inspiration.”

  Since God's wisdom cannot make mistakes, the contradictions in these books prove they were not divinely authored.

  Paine concludes that the inconsistencies between Gospels invalidate claims of divine inspiration.

• “Matthew says, that Judas returned the money, and that the high priests bought with it a field to bury strangers in. Luke says, that Judas kept the money, and bought a field with it for himself.”

  Matthew claims Judas gave back the silver and the priests bought a burial field, while Luke says Judas kept the money and bought a field for himself.

  Paine highlights a direct contradiction between Matthew and Luke regarding Judas's fate.