Inquiry:
In Jesus’ response to the rich young man, what was the sixth command in His list of commands? Was it “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 19:17-19), “defraud not” (Mark 10:19), or did He only give five commands (Luke 18:20)? Is there a contradiction?
Response:
If the gospel writers had intended to record all He said to this young man, word for word, then we should conclude that all three men failed. Each writer, as moved by the Spirit, gave a record of Jesus’ conversation with this young man as best suited their audience.
Regardless which record we read, the logical conclusion is that Jesus told this young man that it was necessary to keep the Law of Moses (for he was subject to the Law). Jesus listed the Ten Commandments, and in particular those which address human relationships. All three writers list commandments 5 to 9. Luke stops there. Mark also says not to defraud, a tool used by some to violate the tenth command, do not covet. Matthew summarizes the latter portion of the Ten Commandments, in the statement, “love your neighbor as yourself” (cf. Matthew 22:38-40).
Why the difference from one gospel to the next? The questioner cries out, “Contradiction!” Where? Is it a contradiction for a writer to include something from a discourse that the others do not? Is it contradictory for a gospel writer to give more information in his account than his fellow writers gave? Though each record is distinct in some respects, all three are an accurate account of Jesus’ teaching.
There is no contradiction.
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