FABRICATIONS · TEXTUAL VARIANTS
Prophecy Fulfillment Inserted in Matthew
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
The prophecy reference is absent from earlier manuscripts, suggesting it was added later to emphasize Jesus’ role as the Messiah. This shows how scribes sharpened theological narratives over time, raising questions about the originality of certain claims. The NIV omits this verse.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
The reference to prophecy fulfillment strengthens the link between Jesus’ crucifixion and Old Testament predictions. Though absent in some early manuscripts, it aligns with prophecies cited in other Gospels. Scribes likely added it to clarify a known fulfillment without introducing new ideas.
THE ISLAMIC POSITION
Adding prophecy references after events occurred suggests manipulation to fit expectations, raising doubts about Scripture’s authenticity. If this reference wasn’t in the original Matthew, scribes may have added it to bolster Jesus’ Messianic image. This raises questions about whether the other key prophetic links were also later theological constructs or not.
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Prophecy Fulfillment Inserted in Matthew