153. How old was Ahaz when he began to reign? Twenty years. (2 Kings xvi. 2.) A wording to the text (2 Chron. xxiv. 2), his father was about eleven years old when he was born. NEW-TESTAMENT CONTRADICTIONS. There is a continual conflict in the statements of Christ's biographers with respect to the various events of his life as compared with each other; and in some cases they contradict themselves. We will present some examples:-- 154. Who came to worship Christ when he was born? Matthew says, "wise men from the East" (Matt. ii. 5). Luke says they were shepherds of the same country (Luke ii. 8). 155. How were they led? Matthew says they were led by a star (Matt. ii. 6). Lake says by on angel (Luke ii. 3). 156. What did the parents of Jesus do when he was born? Matthew (ii. 13) says they fled into Egypt. But, according to Luke (ii. 26), they staid there forty-one days. 157. To whom did God speak at Christ's baptism? To him: "Thou art my beloved son" (Luke iii. 22). To the bystanders: "This is my beloved son" (Matt. iii. 17). 158. Where did Christ go after being baptized? Mark says he went immediately into the wilderness, and was there forty days (Mark 1. 12). John says three days after he was in Cana (John ii. 12). 159. Where was John while Christ was in Galilee? "John was put in prison" (before that) (Mark i. 14). "John was baptizing in Ænon" (John iii. 23). 160. Where was Christ when he called Peter and Andrew? Matthew and Mark say, "walking by the Sea of Galilee." Luke says, "sitting in their ship" (Luke v. 10). 161. Where were Peter and Andrew at the time? Matthew and Mark say, "In their ship, fishing." Luke says, out "washing their nets" (Luke v. 2). 162. How came Peter and Andrew to follow Jesus? Matthew and Mark say he "called them." But, according to Luke, the draught of fishes caused them to go. 163. Where did Christ heal the leper? Matthew says at the mount, after the sermon (viii. 2). Mark says when preaching in Galilee. 164. Who told Jesus the centurion's servant was sick? Luke says he sent the elders of Israel to tell him (Luke vii. 3). But Matthew says the centurion went himself (Matt, viii. 5). 105. Where did Christ go after curing Peter's wife's mother? Matthew says beyond the lake, and drowned a herd of swine (viii. 18). Lake says to Nain, and raised the dead (Luke vii. 11). 166. Where did Christ drown the swine with devils? Matthew says in the country of Gergeasenes. Mark and Luke say in the country of Gadarenes. 167. Where did the devils remonstrate against going? Mark (v. 10) says against being sent out of the country. Luke (viii. 31) says it was against going into the deep. 168. Were Christ's disciples allowed to use staves? Yes: "Take nothing... save a staff only" ( Mark vi. 8). No: "Take neither shoes or yet staves" (Matt. x. 9). 169. When did Christ pluck the ears of corn? Matthew (xii. 1) says after he had appointed his twelve disciples. But Luke and Mark make it after that event.