Variations on the Resurrection
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Gospel Accounts
Gospel Accounts
See chart here: https://owlcation.com/humanities/Comparing-the-Gospel-Accounts-of-the-Resurrection-of-Jesus-Christ
Synoptic Gospels vs Gospel of John -> https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Synoptic-Gospels-Matthew-Mark-and-Luke
Today we are going to talk about a different subject since it is Easter, I decided I would teach on the resurrection.
Today we are going to take a look at the variations on the resurrection.
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Let’s first look into the background of each gospel book and understand their audience and the writer.
First the gospels are split into two categories;
The synoptic gospels are Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Since they share the same style and format of events.
The gospel of John varies in that it elaborates on more details for the audience and it’s purpose to show Jesus as the Son of God.
The gospel of John was the last gospel record written probably between 90-100 AD.
Who was the intended audience for Matthew’s gospel record?
The Jewish people.
Matthew wrote primarily to the Jewish people. We see the evidence for this in how Matthew gives the genealogy of Christ to show His legitimacy to the lineage of David as the Messiah and how Matthew cross references the prophecies concerning the Messiah at the various fulfillment of those prophecies in the life of Christ.
Who was the intended audience for Mark’s gospel?
The Romans.
Mark generally wrote more in a structure that would have appealed to the Roman reader. He keeps things short and to the point and it spares many of the details of Matthew’s account. It was more action packed which would have held the interest of a Roman reader more than having the details that to a Roman, may seem insignificant or that they may prefer to give them the “TLDR”.
Who was the intended audience of Luke?
Hint: This is a trick question.
Theophilus.
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Theophilus (Person)
THEOPHILUS (PERSON) [Gk Theophilos (Θεοφιλος)]. The name, meaning “friend or beloved of God,” appears in literature, inscriptions, and papyri of both Jews and gentiles from the 3d century B.C. (BAGD 358). In the NT, Theophilus is the only person mentioned to whom writings were dedicated (Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1). Many scholars believe that he was a real person, because dedications of the time customarily referred to real persons. However, this specific person is not easy to identify, and the pseudonym “Theophilus” was probably used to protect this individual from the political authorities. Any number of suggestions have been made about Theophilus’ identity: (1) Theophilus, the brother-in-law of Caiaphas; (2) Theophilus, an Athenian official convicted of perjury by the Areopagus; (3) Theophilus of Antioch; (4) Sergius Paulus, proconsul (Acts 13:6–12); (5) Lucius Junius Annaeus Gallio (Acts 18:12–17), the brother of Seneca; (6) Titus Flavius Clemens, the husband of Domitilla and the heir presumptive of Domitian, who may have been executed because of his interest in Christianity; (7) Philo; or (8) Agrippa II (Acts 25:13–26:32; Marx 1980: 18–26). The title which Luke gives Theophilus, “most excellent” (Luke 1:3; cf. Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25), suggests that he was a person of social and political prominence, perhaps a Roman governor, procurator, or magistrate, but this is by no means certain (Minear 1973: 133). Very likely, he was a leading figure in the group that Luke was addressing (Maddox 1982: 12).
It is my belief that Theophilus was an actual person as this was the custom of the day to make such an address. I think that they were a person of high social status, probably a roman governor or magistrate. Someone with authority and power and curious about Christianity. I think this person was an acquaintance of Luke, perhaps a friend that he was writing to in an attempt to convert them to Christianity. Whoever the person, they must have been educated as Luke’s gospel is detailed and uses a lot of medical language of the day and is in itself a more sophisticated writing.
It should also be noted that the gospel of Mark was actually Peter’s recollection of the events of Christ’s life recorded by Mark who was believed to be a companion of Peter and we know was a companion with Paul for a time and he was also believed to be Barnabas's cousin. This does make sense since this is the reason that Paul and Barnabas separated.
Today, our focus is not solely on the writings and history behind each gospel as that was simply an overview.
The focus today is on the resurrection of Christ and how the variations of the accounts in scripture show the factual truth of the resurrection.
The first we began reading in Matthew 28:1-10
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Second account.
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
What day and time of day does Matthew tell us?
Dawn on the first day of the week.
What day and time of day does Mark tell us?
First day of the week. Early in the morning just after sunrise.
What day and time of the day does Luke tell us?
First day of the week, early in the morning.
What day and time of the day does John tell us?
First day of the week, early in the morning while it was dark.
The next part of each account we must look at is who went to the tomb.
According to Matthew:
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went.
According to Mark:
Mary Magdalene, Mary (mother of James), and Salome.
According to Luke:
The women.
According to John:
Mary Magdalene.
What events did each state occured at the tomb?
Matthew:
Violent earthquake; Angel speaks to them; Women meet Jesus.
Mark:
Women bought spices; Angel speaks to them; Women fled tomb, but said nothing.
Luke:
Women take spices to tomb; two angles appear; Angel speaks to them; Told the disciples what they found.
John:
Mary Magdalene ran to get Simon Peter; Simon Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb; disciples left and Jesus appears to Mary.
What did they record about the angels?
Matthew:
One Angel came down from heaven, whose appearance was like lightning; clothes were white as snow.
Mark:
Young man dressed in white robes sitting on the right side.
Luke:
two men appeared in clothes that gleamed; stood beside them.
John:
Two angels in white seated where Jesus' body had been (one at the head other at the foot).
Also worth noting:
John was in better shape than Peter since he outran him.
On a more serious note, the napkin seems like such a small detail for John to add, but John came from a family that was quite prosperous owning a fishing business and the folded napkin was a sign to a servant that the master would return to their place. A napkin that would be unfolded would be a sign to a servant that the master would not be returning. A very small gesture that I feel only John would have picked up on.
What did each say that Jesus spoke?
Only two gospels give us that interaction.
Matthew:
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
John:
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Now this all may seem like contradictions but they are actually strong evidence that the resurrection took place.
Think of it like this. If there are four people watching the same event, be it sports, fireworks, crime, etc., there are going to be four separate and slightly different eyewitness accounts of this exact same event.
We did this exact experiment ourselves a couple of years ago on a hiking event for the young adults and had many accounts of what took place. None of them had the same story but they were all at the hike. It is because they all were writing from different perspectives.
We get different pieces from each of the authors for one reason or another. Each gospel account is also written by a different author, which means there is going to be a difference in writing style as well as interpretation of the events that happened. No two people are going to interpret something in the exact same way.
Remember that Mark is recording Peter’s account and we know that Peter was a very passionate person with a lot of personality and zeal. Maybe some ADHD as well. Definitely not a runner.
In fact there are some secular historical events that have contradictory accounts and yet we know they happened.
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Chapter 10: The Resurrection: Hoax or History?
For example, Greek historian Polybius and the Roman historian Livy seem to disagree in their description of Hannibal’s route in crossing the Alps in Italy during the second Punic War. Yet ancient historians do not question whether Hannibal made this trek. (Groothuis, CA, 561)
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Chapter 10: The Resurrection: Hoax or History?
Some minor differences in the telling of this story indicate authenticity, not substantial error. If each account perfectly mirrored the rest, this would likely be a sign of collusion, not accurate history told from differing (but equally truthful) perspectives. (Groothuis, CA, 562)
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Chapter 10: The Resurrection: Hoax or History?
Retired Los Angeles Police Department cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace is a recognized authority in evaluating the testimony of eyewitnesses. As a professional expert, he has spent hundreds of hours interviewing eyewitnesses and handling eyewitness testimony. He has examined the gospel accounts and explains for us why divergent testimonies are still considered reliable, even when there are points of disagreement:
Wallace had this to say:
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Chapter 10: The Resurrection: Hoax or History?
If there’s one thing my experience as a detective has revealed, however, it’s that witnesses often make conflicting and inconsistent statements when describing what they saw at a crime scene. They frequently disagree with one another and either fail to see something obvious or describe the same event in a number of conflicting ways. The more witnesses involved in the case, the more likely there will be points of disagreement
He continued by saying:
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Chapter 10: The Resurrection: Hoax or History?
Before I ever examined the reliability of the gospel accounts, I had a reasonable expectation about what a dependable set of eyewitness statements might look like, given my experience as a detective. . . . It turns out that my expectations of true, reliable eyewitness accounts are met . . . by the Gospels. All four accounts are written from a different perspective and contain unique details that are specific to the eyewitnesses.
For example, Mark is more passionate and uses more adjectives. I would think this goes with the audience in which he is writing the book as it would capture their attention more than a more lengthy read like Matthew or Luke.
However, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all have very similar accounts.
Wallace had this to say regarding the gospel of John:
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World Chapter 10: The Resurrection: Hoax or History?
Finally, the last account (John’s gospel) clearly attempts to fill in the details that were not offered by the prior eyewitnesses. John, aware of what the earlier eyewitnesses had already written, appears to make little effort to cover the same ground. . . . I recognized that they were consistent with what I would expect to see, given my experience as a detective.
So how can we piece this all together?
What time did the women go to the tomb?
It is clear that the resurrection happened on the first day of the week. We also know that they went early in the morning at around dawn.
It is clear that the Resurrection happened on the first day of the week, as each author agrees on this point and mentions it specifically in each of their accounts of what happened. What time they started their journey or arrived at the tomb is unclear, but Mark, Luke, and John all agree it is very early in the morning. Matthew simply uses the word dawn, but we know that dawn is also an occurrence that happens very early in the morning. For this reason, we can conclude that the women's journey happened at some point during the morning.
Mention this part:
It is known that Mary and the other women were likely staying in Bethany or Jerusalem as they did earlier in the week, and their walk would have taken them several miles. This means there was plenty of time for the sun to rise before they reached the tomb where Jesus was buried if they left when it was still dark. The long walk helps us to know that the four authors are likely talking about different places in their journey to the tomb. John describes it being dark out because he is starting his gospel at the start of Mary's journey as they are leaving the place where they are staying. On the other hand, Mark's description of just after sunrise would describe when they arrived at the grave.
Who went to the tomb?
All agree that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. And it is clear that she was accompanied by other women as each author either gives names or states that there were more than one. In John, Mary uses the word ‘we’ to refer to the other women present.
It is likely that Mary Magdalene was the organizer of the women going to the tomb as she is mentioned more prominently.
How many angels were at the tomb?
There were two. Luke and John say there were two but Matthew and Mark only record the angel that speaks.
I would say that the angel appearing like lightning and speaking was more noticeable and had the attention of those present so they probably did not consider to write about the one standing next to him.
Luke and John both say that two angels were present in the tomb. Matthew and Mark say that one angel spoke. This does not mean they did not see two angels.
In fact, it is very possible that there were two angels. Luke and John both say that only one angel spoke, which is actually in agreement with what Matthew and Mark both wrote.
It is likely that one angel was designated to speak to the group of women, despite there being two present at the time. This could easily explain why Matthew and Mark also never say there was only one angel in the tomb. They may have known there were two, but it was unnecessary to talk about the second, as the second angel never spoke to the women. They simply say one spoke, which does not discount the fact that there could very well be two angels in the tomb.
What are the similarities within the gospel accounts?
Jesus died and was buried.
Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week.
They found the stone rolled away, the tomb empty of Jesus’ body.
An angel appeared and spoke to them.
The women fled from the tomb.
There are many defences and evidences post-resurrection for factual evidence that Jesus rose from the grave.
In short I will give you a few.
The Empty Tomb
The Empty Tomb
Evidence #1: The Women Were First
Evidence #1: The Women Were First
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World E. Established Sociological Fact
If one were to fabricate an empty tomb and risen Jesus in first-century Mediterranean culture, one would not cite women as eyewitnesses, given their low status as credible witnesses in the eyes of the people and the courts. It is therefore reasonable to think that what is recorded actually happened. Why would the gospel writers make up these details to support their story? They knew their culture far better than we do, and if they were making up a tale, they would not begin it with a story to cast their new religion in such a poor light. It would not be a proper way to begin their myth. Scripture’s identification of women as the first witnesses of the empty tomb thus supports the historical veracity of the accounts.
Evidence #2: Multiple Attestations
Evidence #2: Multiple Attestations
All four gospel accounts record the events surrounding the resurrection of Christ.
Appearances of Jesus
Appearances of Jesus
There are no fewer than twelve distinct instances where Jesus is mentioned as appearing to individuals or groups of people after His death, burial, and resurrection:
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World E. Established Sociological Fact
1. Mary Magdalene: John 20:11–18
2. Women leaving the tomb: Matthew 28:8–10
3. Emmaus disciples: Luke 24:13–35
4. Simon Peter: Luke 24:34 (see also 1 Corinthians 15:5)
5. Disciples without Thomas: Luke 24:36–43
6. Disciples with Thomas: John 20:24–29
7. Disciples at the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias): John 21:1, 2
8. Disciples on a mountain in Galilee: Matthew 28:16, 17
9. Disciples: Luke 24:50–52
10. 500 believers: 1 Corinthians 15:6
11. James (Jesus’ half-brother): 1 Corinthians 15:7a
12. Paul (an enemy of the church): Acts 9:3–6
The Physical Nature of Christ’s Appearance
The Physical Nature of Christ’s Appearance
The disciples claimed that they encountered a physical, resurrected Christ and not an idea or illusion, not a figment of their imagination or a dream.
He appeared physically to 500 people at one time.
In court today, it only takes one eyewitness to testify to convict a person of murder. Yet our world would rather ignore the fact that Christ resurrected from the dead.
In John’s gospel when Jesus appeared to them, He ate food and Thomas saw and felt His wounds.
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
I remember when I was living and working as an electrical apprentice in Tennessee. I wanted to get my motorcycle license and had begun studying to get it. I was working night shift at the hospital at the time and remember on our way into work one night I saw a Harley Davidson with yellow flames pull up to the traffic light and turn right. There was a man with a woman riding on the back. After they made the right turn I heard him take off on the motorcycle to accelerate. Soon after I heard the screeching of brakes and a loud bang. When I looked around the back of the company van I saw the accident. I immediately ran up to the scene and called 911, when the dispatcher answered the phone they informed me that someone was already on the way to the scene. I saw the woman laying on the road on the opposite side of the road and the man unconscious on the ground and a car that tried to turn left before the motorcycle hit them. There was an elderly couple in the car and screaming for me to help them. I informed them that help was on the way soon. After it was all over I learned that the woman was struck by the jeep going in the opposite direction and died at the scene, the man also was in critical condition and to this day do not know if he survived. I remember thinking ‘how was an ambulance already on the way if I just witnessed the accident?’ It was because someone else had a different perspective and was able to call before me, also each person at that scene would have seen something different because it was more impact-full for them.