ABC:Mark 6

Verse 8
TheThinkingAtheist.com claims the Bible is wrong about the following passage, and makes the following comments (italicized) in the section "Did Jesus Allow His Disciples to Carry a Staff?"

Mark 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

They’re allowed to bring a staff.

Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Staffs, or "staves," are specifically mentioned as something NOT to bring.

I have only seen one possible explanation for this thus far, made by several apologists, that the Greek word airo meaning "lift or take up" was used in Mark 6:8 as indicating they could not take anything on the journey they were not already wearing/equipped with - in other words, they could not "take up" an additional staff, pair of clothes, or provisions to travel with, and were to go only with what they had at the moment, the staff they were holding, the sandals and clothes they were wearing. This argument is made by Answers In Genesis, CARM , and Apologetics Press. The Pulpit Commentary and Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible both give this argument as well.

There are three passages dealing with this, and the following is the Greek interlinear text for them showing what the original Greek words being used are:

Mark 6:7 ¶ And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; 8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no  scrip, no  bread, no  money in their purse: 9 But be shod with sandals; and not  put on two coats.

Luke 9:1 ¶ Then  he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Matthew 10:5 ¶ These twelve Jesus  sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not  into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans  enter ye not:  6 But  go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  7 And  as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither  gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor  scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Essentially, the argument being made is that the word airo means "remove" as well as "take up" and that the controversial Mark 6:8 passage was simply saying the disciples should not remove additional supplies to take with them, only going with what they had. So for example, if they had staves with them, they could "take up" (airo) those staves, but they could not "remove" (airo) those staves from their houses - they were not to go looking for extra provisions, extra staves, food supplies, money, or extra sandals to take with them on their journey. This is why they were told they could not take two coats, they were to go only with the coat and staff they were equipped with.

Meanwhile, the Greek word ktaomai used in Matthew 10:9 is a rarely used term involving the idea of financial purchase. It is used only 6 other times in the New Testament and 4 of those times with the clear meaning of financially purchasing or acquiring. (Luke 18:12; Acts 1:18; 8:20; 22:28)

Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Luke 21:19 In  your patience possess ye your souls. Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with  the reward of iniquity ; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst , and all his bowels gushed out. Acts 8:20 But <de> Peter <Petros> said unto him, Thy money perish  with thee , because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Acts 22:28 And <te> the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And <de> Paul <Paulos> said, But <de> I was free born. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in <en> sanctification and honour ;

The argument is that ktaomai shows the commandment is against going to acquire new provisions, whether by financially purchasing them, or returning to one's home to get them. Only already equipped provisions may be taken, the staff in one's hand, the clothes and sandals one is wearing. Thus one can "take up" a staff one has on hand that was put on the ground, but not go to "take up" provisions in another location such as one's house.

Strong's Definition of Airo
The following is the Strong's definitions for airo:

"Airo ah'-ee-ro, Verb Definition   to raise up, elevate, lift up        to raise from the ground, take up: stones        to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand        to draw up: a fish    to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear    to bear away what has been raised, carry off        to move from its place        to take off or away what is attached to anything        to remove        to carry off, carry away with one        to appropriate what is taken        to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force        to take and apply to any use        to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence        cause to cease  King James Word Usage - Total: 102 take up 32, take away 25, take 25, away with 5, lift up 4, bear 3, miscellaneous 8"

List of Places Where Airo Is Used
The following is a list of all usages of the Greek word airo in the first three Gospels to help determine its meaning. As seen from the following passages, it is typically used with the meaning "lift up" and often with a clear meaning of removing (Mt. 9:6,16; 13:12; 14:12,20; 15:37; 16:24; 17:27; 20:14; 21:21,43; 22:13; 24:17-18,39; 25:28-29; 27:32; etc.) The main reason it appears to have a definition of take up and not just remove, however, is that it is often used as part of the saying "take up (airo) your cross and follow Jesus." (Mt. 16:4; Mk. 8:34; 10:21)

Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If <ei> thou be <ei> the Son of God, cast thyself down : for it is written , He shall give his angels charge concerning thee : and in their hands they shall bear thee <se> up , lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Matthew 9:6 But <de> that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth <ge> to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy ,) Arise , take up thy bed , and go unto thine house. Matthew 9:16 <de> No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment , and the rent is made worse. Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given , and he shall have more abundance : but <de> whosoever hath not <ou>, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Matthew 14:12 And his disciples came, and took up the body , and buried it , and went and told Jesus <Iesous>. Matthew 14:20 And they did all eat, and were filled : and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. Matthew 15:37 And they did all eat, and were filled : and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. Matthew 16:24 ¶ Then said Jesus <Iesous> unto his disciples, If any man will come after me , let him deny himself , and take up his cross , and follow me. Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding <de>, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea , and cast an hook , and take up the fish that first cometh up ; and when thou hast opened his mouth , thou shalt find a piece of money : that take , and give unto them for me and thee. Matthew 20:14 Take that thine is, and go thy way : <de> I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Matthew 21:21 Jesus <Iesous> answered and <de> said unto them, Verily I say unto you , If ye have faith , and doubt not <me>, ye shall not <ou> only do this which is done to the fig tree , but also if ye shall say unto this mountain , Be thou removed , and be thou cast into the sea ; it shall be done. Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken  from you , and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Matthew 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot , and take him away , and cast him into outer darkness ; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not <me> come down to take any thing out of <ek> his house : Matthew 24:18 Neither <me> let him which is in <en> the field return back to take  his clothes. Matthew 24:39 And knew not <ou> until the flood came, and took them all away ; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. Matthew 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance : but <de> from him that hath not <me> shall be taken away even that which he hath. Matthew 27:32 And <de> as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene <Kurenaios>, Simon <Simon> by name : him they compelled to bear his cross. Mark 2:3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy , which was borne of four. Mark 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee ; or <e> to say , Arise , and take up thy bed , and walk ? Mark 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise , and take up thy bed , and go thy way into thine house. Mark 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed , and went forth before them all ; insomuch that they were all amazed , and glorified God , saying , We never saw it on this fashion. Mark 2:21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment : else <ei de me(ge)> the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. Mark 4:15 And <de> these are they by the way side, where the word is sown ; but when they have heard , Satan <Satanas> cometh immediately , and taketh away the word that was sown in <en> their hearts. Mark 4:25 For <an> he that hath, to him shall be given : and he that hath not <ou>, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. Mark 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only ; no <me> scrip , no <me> bread , no <me> money in their purse : Mark 6:29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in <en> a tomb. Mark 6:43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. Mark 8:8 So <de> they did eat, and were filled : and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. Mark 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up ? They say unto him, Twelve. Mark 8:20 And <de> when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up ? And <de> they said, Seven. Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me , let him deny himself , and take up his cross , and follow me. Mark 10:21 Then <de> Jesus <Iesous> beholding him loved him, and said unto him , One thing thou lackest : go thy way , sell whatsoever thou hast , and give to the poor , and thou shalt have treasure in <en> heaven : and come , take up the cross , and follow me. Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever <an> shall say unto this mountain , Be thou removed , and be thou cast into the sea ; and shall not <me> doubt in <en> his heart , but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass ; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 13:15 And <de> let him that is on the housetop not <me> go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of <ek> his house : Mark 13:16 And let him that is <on> in the field not <me> turn back again for to take up  his garment. Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon <Simon> a Cyrenian <Kurenaios>, who passed by, coming out of the country , the father of Alexander <Alexandros> and Rufus <Rhouphos>, to bear his cross. Mark 15:24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments , casting lots upon them , what every man should take. Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents ; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them ; they shall lay hands on the sick , and they shall recover. Luke 4:11 And in their hands they shall bear  thee <se> up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Luke 5:24 But <de> that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth <ge> to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy ,) I say unto thee , Arise , and take up thy couch , and go into thine house. Luke 5:25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon  he lay , and departed to his own house , glorifying God. Luke 6:29 And unto him that smiteth thee <se> on the one cheek offer also the other ; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not <me> to take thy coat also. Luke 6:30 <de> Give to every man that asketh of thee <se>; and of him that taketh away  thy goods ask them not <me> again. Luke 8:12 Those <de> by the way side are they that hear ; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts , lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear : for whosoever <an> hath, to him shall be given ; and whosoever <an> hath not <me>, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey , neither staves , nor scrip , neither bread , neither money ; neither have two coats apiece. Luke 9:17 And they did eat, and were all filled : and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. Luke 9:23 And <de> he said to them all, If any man will come after me , let him deny himself , and take up his cross daily  , and follow me. ABC:Luke 1111:22 But <de> when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him , he taketh from him all his armour wherein  he trusted , and divideth his spoils. Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers ! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge : ye entered not <ou> in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said , Jesus <Iesous>, Master , have mercy on us. Luke 17:31 In <en> that day, he which shall be upon the housetop , and his stuff in <en> the house , let him not <me> come down to take it away : and he that is in <en> the field , let him likewise not <me> return back. Luke 19:21 For I feared thee <se>, because thou art <ei> an austere man : thou takest up that thou layedst not <ou> down, and reapest that thou didst not <ou> sow. Luke 19:22 And <de> he saith unto him, Out of <ek> thine own mouth will I judge thee <se>, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not <ou> down , and reaping that I did not <ou> sow : Luke 19:24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound , and give it to him that hath ten pounds. Luke 19:26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which <ho> hath shall be given ; and <de> from him that hath not <me>, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now , he that hath a purse , let him take it, and likewise his scrip : and he that hath no <me> sword , let him sell his garment , and buy one. Luke 23:18 And <de> they cried out all at once, saying , Away with this man, and <de> release unto us Barabbas <Barabbas>:

70 Disciples
Interestingly, this same phrase appears two other times, in Luke 10 where 70 disciples are now sent out instead of 12, and in Luke 22, where Jesus reminds them of the earlier commandment, telling them now they are to provision themselves unlike before. Interestingly, the commandment about staves is not mentioned in either place, and the 70 disciples are not told anything about staves.

Luke 10:4 Carry neither <me> purse, nor <me> scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

Luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, <me> lacked ye any thing ? And <de> they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no <me> sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Conclusion
Is it possible the word airo was used in two different ways in the Mark and Luke passages? Yes, it is possible. As Lyons of Apologetics Press states, "In case you think such “language leeway” in the Greek sounds absurd, remember that this flexibility appears frequently in the English language. Consider two basketball coaches who are commenting on a player. One says, 'He is bad;' the other says, 'He is good.' The coaches may be using two different words to mean the same thing. The truth is, in some contexts the words 'bad' and 'good' are opposites, in other situations they are synonymous."

And clearly the general meaning of the passages is as numerous commentators point out the same regardless, that the disciples were to hurry up and get going without preparation. However, I have to agree with Eric Lyons, this is "perhaps the most difficult alleged Bible contradiction that we have been asked to 'tackle'", and as CARM concludes, "I must note that I am not completely satisfied with this explanation, and I wait further clarification should it arise." For that reason I give this case the ever-rare categorization of "Possible Contradiction" barring further clarification.

Verse 53
TheThinkingAtheist.com claims the Bible is wrong about the following passage, and makes the following comments:

Mark 6:53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

Jesus and the disciples went to Gennesaret.

John 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. 25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

Jesus and the disciples went to Capernaum.

John 6:24 never says Jesus and the disciples were in Capernaum. It says the people went to Capernaum looking for Jesus and finally found him on the other side of the sea. If the critic had bothered checking a map of the region, they would have found that Gennesaret is indeed partly separated from Capernaum by the sea of Galilee.