--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If, when we compare two versions of a…" description: "\"If, when we compare two versions of a story, the second known to be a retelling of the first, and find that the second has more of a miraculous element..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a3/robert-m-price-13230_atheism_if-when-we-compare-two-versions-of-a-sto_1931872.jpg" --- # If, when we compare two versions of a story, the second… ![“If, when we compare two versions of a story, the second known to be a retelling of the first, and find that the second has more of a miraculous element, we may reasonably conclude we have legendary (or midrashic or whatever) embellishment. The tale has grown in the telling. This sort of comparison…” quote by Robert M. Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a3/robert-m-price-13230_atheism_if-when-we-compare-two-versions-of-a-sto_1931872.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a3/robert-m-price-13230_atheism_if-when-we-compare-two-versions-of-a-sto_1931872.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a3/robert-m-price-13230_atheism_if-when-we-compare-two-versions-of-a-sto_1931872.jpg) > “If, when we compare two versions of a story, the second known to be a retelling of the first, and find that the second has more of a miraculous element, we may reasonably conclude we have legendary (or midrashic or whatever) embellishment. The tale has grown in the telling. This sort of comparison is common in extrabiblical research and no one holds that it cannot properly indicate legend formation there.” [Robert M. Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-price/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author notes that when a retelling adds more miraculous elements, it suggests legendary embellishment, indicating how stories evolve over time. **In simple terms:** More miracles in a retelling hint at legend formation. Key Takeaway Recognize how narratives change with retellings. Themes legend myth storytelling history interpretation Mood analytical curious critical Type scholarly explanatory When to use this quote - biblical studies - comparative literature - historical analysis Key Concepts legendary formation textual criticism cultural transmission Questions to Reflect On - What makes a story “legendary” rather than “historical”? - How do we value myth versus fact? A Different Perspective It may discount the spiritual value of miraculous elements. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Legends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legends/) [Miraculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miraculous/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/research/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) [Tales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tales/) ## Related quotes > [Many New Testament scholars have observed that the conception of the resurrection body implied in 1 Corinthians 15 clashes so violently with that presupposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-price/many-new-testament-scholars-have-observed-that-the-conception-of-the/) [Robert M. 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