John the Baptist & Elijah contradiction

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From www.answering-christianity.com/trinity_crucified.htm#baptist_vs_elijah:


As'salamu Alaikum Everyone,

This is a serious contradiction!

The "Gospel of Matthew" and "Gospel of John" are in direct clash with each other over whether John the Baptist is Elijah or not:

1-  Matthew 17:11-13
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.
12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”
13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Matthew 11:13-14
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.



Beheaded:

John the Baptist was beheaded, and his head was presented on a platter:

Matthew 14
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much
7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
10 and had John beheaded in the prison.
11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

So Jesus here was referring to him also going through the crucifixion punishment.  And like Pilate who didn't want to kill Jesus, Herod too didn't want to kill John the Baptist.  Of course, we know that Allah Almighty saved him:

www.answering-christianity.com/conversation_i_had_on_crucifixion_lie.htm
www.answering-christianity.com/blog/index.php/topic,2428.msg11210.html#msg11210
www.answering-christianity.com/psalm_116_117_118.htm
www.answering-christianity.com/isaiah_53.htm
www.answering-christianity.com/psalm_91.htm
www.answering-christianity.com/trinity_crucified.htm#permission



But the Baptist said he was not:

However, in the Gospel of John, John the Baptist himself denies that he is Elijah:

John 1:19-21
19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
He answered, “No.”

We know that "the Prophet" here refers to a Prophet other than the Messiah.  Not only that, but the Dead Sea Scrolls made it clear it was about Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him:

www.answering-christianity.com/predict.htm



Jesus said John the Baptist was Elijah!

In the Matthew verses above, we clearly see that Jesus said John the Baptist was Elijah.  He even said that their deaths will be similar.  But John the Baptist said he was not Elijah!  This is an undeniable contradiction in the Bible.  Again, we know that Allah Almighty saved Jesus from the crucifixion:

www.answering-christianity.com/conversation_i_had_on_crucifixion_lie.htm
www.answering-christianity.com/blog/index.php/topic,2428.msg11210.html#msg11210
www.answering-christianity.com/psalm_116_117_118.htm
www.answering-christianity.com/isaiah_53.htm
www.answering-christianity.com/psalm_91.htm
www.answering-christianity.com/trinity_crucified.htm#permission



GOD Honored Jesus' Cries:

By the way, similar to Jesus' cry over Lazarus' death, and Prophet Muhammad's upset over the Romans' defeat, and how Allah Almighty honored both of the Prophets' requests, it is quite clear that Allah Almighty also honored Jesus' crys on the night of the crucifixion to save him.  And Allah Almighty indeed did save him from the crucifixion and death:

www.answering-christianity.com/trinity_crucified.htm#permission

Take care,
Osama Abdallah