Bible Contradiction?

[Wootah]

Deuteronomy 4:2 English Standard Version (ESV)
2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

vs

John 13:34 English Standard Version (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

So did Jesus break the command to not add to the commandments of God?

[marco]

Deuteronomy 4:2 English Standard Version (ESV)
2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

vs

John 13:34 English Standard Version (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

So did Jesus break the command to not add to the commandments of God?

Biblical belief seems ever to require interpretation of the small print, where of course the Devil is. Since the essence of God's commandments would seem to be about love and caring, Jesus is not "adding" but emphasising. In daily life commands are given all the time; this one is just support for what the Father has said.

My new role of defence lawyer for Jesus is completely unpaid.

[Tcg]

Deuteronomy 4:2 English Standard Version (ESV)
2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

vs

John 13:34 English Standard Version (ESV)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

So did Jesus break the command to not add to the commandments of God?

One must keep in mind that in John 13, Jesus is speaking to His disciples. This is Jesus' command to his disciples. He is not creating a universal commandment from God.

This can be seen more clearly in John 14. Twice Jesus refers to "my commandments."

• 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments." [ESV]
  
  21 "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me." [ESV]

These are Jesus' commandments directed to his followers, and in this case quite specifically, the disciples. He is not adding to the commands of God, but rather giving specific instructions to his disciples.


Tcg

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 3 by Tcg]

I'm fairly sure it applies to all Christians today. But of course it begins with the disciples.

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 2 by marco]

So Jesus was wrong or a liar to say it was a new command?

[Tcg]

[Replying to post 3 by Tcg]

I'm fairly sure it applies to all Christians today. But of course it begins with the disciples.

Are you also fairly sure that the following applies to all Christians today?

• John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

How many Christians today can honestly claim that Jesus does whatever they ask in his name?

If it were true that these commandments and promises do apply to all Christians today, what would that have to do with the commandments YHWH gave to the children of Israel?


Tcg

[Avoice]

[Replying to post 1 by Wootah]

Yeah...behold how he loved everyone. Not much he did.

Christians read this as if he is telling them he loved them. Now we can debate all day what he means here. BUT we can see what he did to everybody. He separated people from God. He stands right in the way. Yeah, some love that is. I don't see anyone standing between him and God.
Sure...do to your kids what he did to you. Thats not love. Jesus never said he loved everyone. He said he loved one if his disciples. Not all just one.

Jesus! Christians put words in God's mouth that he isn't credited to have spoken. Abd they do the same with Jesus. He never said he loved his followers.

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 2 by marco]

So Jesus was wrong or a liar to say it was a new command?

Not at all. "New", however, may not have been the best choice of a word. I wonder what the nuance is in the original Greek. Or, for that matter, when Jesus uttered it in his native Aramaic.

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 8 by Elijah John]

Assuming he meant new - what is new about it?

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 3 by Tcg]

I'm fairly sure it applies to all Christians today. But of course it begins with the disciples.

Are you also fairly sure that the following applies to all Christians today?

• John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

How many Christians today can honestly claim that Jesus does whatever they ask in his name?

If it were true that these commandments and promises do apply to all Christians today, what would that have to do with the commandments YHWH gave to the children of Israel?


Tcg

I want you to know you raise a good verse and counterpoint. In general what applies to the original listener and what applies today are often two different things. I am worried about creating a diversion on this thread by replying to that verse you posted. I personally do think a Christian today does greater things than Jesus or the disciples did but I don't think it means walking on water or raising the dead.

Even if it is a new command for just the disciplies doesn't my question about it being a contradiction still stand?