Topic(s): Bible Infallibility

Todd Clippard

The writing styles and emphases of Matthew and Mark are notably different, and are borne out in this account (and another like unto it which I will mention in a moment).

In Matthew's account, he mentions two demon possessed men. However, you will note that there is no mention of the conversation between Jesus and one of those men. The only thing mentioned is the demons' accusation against Christ that He is come prematurely to punish them. There is no mention of anyone named Legion in the account.

In Mark's account, Mark focuses on the demoniac who is probably the most fierce and notable among the people. It is with this individual Jesus has His exchange, including the name "Legion."

There is no contradiction here, just a difference in emphasis, probably due to the different primary audiences of the gospels.

There is a similar account in Matthew 21:2 where Matthew mentions two beasts of burden, the ass and her colt. However, Mark 11:2 only identifies the colt and adds the note that no man has ever sat on the colt. Again, Mark is focused on the one particular animal upon which never a man had sat, while Matthew tells the story in a more general way to accommodate his Jewish audience.