# Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 20:23 – How Could Jesus Be Limited and Almighty? Unpacking the Incarnation

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880/tuesday-contradictions-matthew-20-23-how-could-jesus-be-limited-and-almighty-unpacking-the-incarnation
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880/tuesday-contradictions-matthew-20-23-how-could-jesus-be-limited-and-almighty-unpacking-the-incarnation.md
Podcast: [The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-bible-difficulties-and-answers-podcast-6715880)
Published: 2026-06-02T06:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://bibledifficultiesandanswers.podbean.com/e/how-could-jesus-be-limited-and-almighty-unpacking-the-incarnation/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/kmbxhavzch2uk67e/Tuesday_Contradictions_Matthew_20_23_How_much_power_did_Jesus_have6g10y-37ky9z-Optimized.mp3
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Duration seconds: 841

## Resource

In this episode Lance Smith examines an apparent contradiction in Scripture: verses that portray Jesus as limited in his human life (unable to grant honors or do many miracles in Nazareth) versus verses that declare he now has all authority after the resurrection. The answer is the doctrine of the Incarnation and kenosis — Jesus is truly God and truly human, voluntarily accepting human limitations while remaining divine. By the end you'll have a clear, simple framework to explain these passages, strengthen your faith, and confidently respond to skeptics. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/power.html GotQuestions: https://www.gotquestions.org/kenosis.html Christ is the Cure: “Christ Emptied Himself – The Kenosis of Christ” https://christisthecure.org/christ-emptied-himself-the-kenosis-of-christ/ Evidence Unseen: “The Incarnation” https://evidenceunseen.com/theology/christ/the-incarnation Mike Riccardi: “Veiled in Flesh the Godhead See” (TMSJ) https://tms.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Riccardi-Veiled-in-Flesh-the-Godhead-See-TMSJ-Printed.pdf William Lane Craig: “The Incarnate Christ’s Knowledge” https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2024/the-incarnate-christ-s-knowledge Brian Hufing: https://brianhuffling.com/did-jesus-even-claim-to-be-god/ Monergism: https://www.monergism.com/kenosis-0

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