Paradox* — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Form of expression that seems to be either self-contradictory or absurd but at another level expresses fundamental truth. It is often employed to get hearers to think at a deeper and more critical level. It may often be closely related to hyperbole, an exaggerated statement, except that for the paradox there is an apparent element of contradiction, which arrests attention and demands consideration.

In the ministry of Jesus one finds it in such expressions as grown persons being born again. “Can a man enter a second time into his mother’s womb,” Nicodemus asks, “and be born?” (Jn 3:4). Or again, in response to the attempts of rich men to enter the kingdom, Jesus says that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (an impossibility) than for a rich man to enter the kingdom (Mk 10:25). The point is not to focus on the literal statement or take it word for word but to understand its essential purpose. In this instance, it is a form of “shock treatment” to force the wealthy to see how their attitudes toward wealth have excluded them from the kingdom.

Show passage in OET: JHN 3:4

OET-RV JHN 3:4

4 Nikodemos questioned, “How can an adult be reborn? A person can’t just return into their mother’s womb and then get born a second time!”

OET-LV JHN 3:4

4 Nikodaʸmos is _saying to him:
How is_ a_person _able to _be _born, being old?
He _is_ not _able to _come _in into the womb of _the mother of _him secondly and to _be _born?

Show passage in OET: MRK 10:25

OET-RV MRK 10:25

25 It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

OET-LV MRK 10:25

25 It _is easier for_a_camel to _pass _through through eye needle than a_rich one to _come _in into the kingdom of_ the _god.

Jump to OET JHN 3:4 section.

Jump to OET MRK 10:25 section.

Much of the use of paradox in Jesus’ ministry has to do with his attempts to show that the perspective, or value system, of the kingdom represents a complete reversal of the values by which people live. Whosoever will lose his life will find it (Mt 10:39). The last shall be first, and the first last (Lk 13:30). Whoever would be greatest of all must be servant of all (Mk 10:43; Lk 22:26). Indeed, the servant ministry of Jesus himself underscores this great reversal of the kingdom. After washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus says, “You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (Jn 13:13-14, rsv).

Show passage in OET: MAT 10:39

OET-RV MAT 10:39

39 Anyone who’s found their life will lose it, and anyone who loses their life because of following me will find it.

OET-LV MAT 10:39

39 The one having _found the life of _him will _be _losing it, and the one having _lost the life of _him on _account me will _be _finding it.

Show passage in OET: LUK 13:30

OET-RV LUK 13:30

30 so listen: the last people will be the first ones, and the first ones will end up last.”

OET-LV LUK 13:30

30 And see, there _are last ones who will _be first ones, and there _are first ones who will _be last ones.

Show passage in OET: MRK 10:43

OET-RV MRK 10:43

43 But it doesn’t work like that with you—anyone of you who wants to be honoured must serve the others,

OET-LV MRK 10:43

43 But it _is not thus among you _all, but whoever wishfully may _be _wanting to _become great among you _all, will _be servant of _you _all,

Show passage in OET: LUK 22:26

OET-RV LUK 22:26

26 But all of you shouldn’t be like that, but rather the greatest one of you should become like the youngest, and the one who leads you all should become like the servant.

OET-LV LUK 22:26

26 But you _all not thus, but the greater among you _all, him _let _be _becoming as the younger, and the one leading, as the one serving.

Show passage in OET: JHN 13:13–14

OET-RV JHN 13:13

13 You call me teacher and master, and so you should, because I am.

OET-RV JHN 13:14

14 So if the master and teacher of you all washed your feet, then you also ought to wash each other’s feet.

OET-LV JHN 13:13

13 You _all are _calling me the Teacher and, the master, and you _all _are _saying rightly, because/for I _am.

OET-LV JHN 13:14

14 Therefore if I the master and the Teacher washed the feet of _you _all, you _all also are _ought to _be _washing the feet of _one _another.

Jump to OET MAT 10:39 section.

Jump to OET LUK 13:30 section.

Jump to OET MRK 10:43 section.

Jump to OET LUK 22:26 section.

Jump to OET JHN 13:13–14 section.

Paradox also enters Christian expression when one attempts to speak of God in the language of men. Thus God is “before all time.” Even “God in flesh” is paradoxical yet profoundly true. People inevitably and of necessity speak of God in terms of their own experience, yet God cannot be limited by such experience or language, for he is infinitely greater. Hence, language is a limited instrument for speaking of him who is not limited.