very early sunday morning
07 - 04/23 /13:02
Critics of Christianity focus on the conflicting reports in the New Testament about early Sunday, making much of the inconsistent reports from Jesus’ tomb. Did one woman go to the tomb or several? Did they see angels, Jesus or just an empty tomb? Did they report to the apostles or tell no one?
Christianity focuses upon the striking similarities of the four New Testament accounts: the open and empty tomb, women witnesses, the presence and message of angels, disbelieving male disciples, and most importantly the unexpected and sporadic appearances of Jesus.
Christianity focuses upon the striking similarities of the four New Testament accounts: the open and empty tomb, women witnesses, the presence and message of angels, disbelieving male disciples, and most importantly the unexpected and sporadic appearances of Jesus.
While the four Gospels agree that women discovered the empty tomb, they record very different accounts of what women experienced at the tomb. However, most perceived inconsistencies fade when readers remember three facts:
Luke wrote his Gospel 30-40 years after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. As the apostle Paul’s fellow-traveller, it’s likely he composed the New Testament books of Luke and Acts as a legal brief for Paul’s upcoming trial before Caesar. Both books are addressed to “Theophilus”—perhaps Paul’s defense attorney, or even a Roman magistrate assigned to organize the case pre-trial. Both books state they result from Luke’s personal, careful research.
While Paul was under house arrest awaiting trial in Rome, Luke traveled to the provinces of Judea and Galilee. He interviewed eye-witnesses, walked the roads Jesus walked, investigated the temple complex where Paul was arrested. Perhaps he even visited the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Luke names women who went to Jesus’ tomb. “It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this (Jesus’ resurrection) to the apostles.”
Note that Luke includes “others”. Matthew, Mark and John each record an encounter at Jesus’ tomb. Their accounts accurately summarized what happened. But they do not claim to report everything that happened Sunday morning at or near Jesus’ tomb.
Luke’s careful research alerts readers that several groups of women journeyed to the tomb. Likely no one was aware of everyone who was going to the tomb. The groups departed Jerusalem from various locations and at various times.
The various groups of women arrived at the tomb at various times. Each group witnessed something different, depending upon the time they were on location. Some saw angels, some saw only an empty tomb, some even met the resurrected Jesus. Yet, all four gospels offer a consistent summary. The tomb empty. Jesus risen. The world changed.
Blessings,
Dan Nygaard
- Precise time-keeping did not exist.
- Telecommunication did not exist.
- How many women went to the tomb is unknowable.
Luke wrote his Gospel 30-40 years after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. As the apostle Paul’s fellow-traveller, it’s likely he composed the New Testament books of Luke and Acts as a legal brief for Paul’s upcoming trial before Caesar. Both books are addressed to “Theophilus”—perhaps Paul’s defense attorney, or even a Roman magistrate assigned to organize the case pre-trial. Both books state they result from Luke’s personal, careful research.
While Paul was under house arrest awaiting trial in Rome, Luke traveled to the provinces of Judea and Galilee. He interviewed eye-witnesses, walked the roads Jesus walked, investigated the temple complex where Paul was arrested. Perhaps he even visited the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Luke names women who went to Jesus’ tomb. “It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this (Jesus’ resurrection) to the apostles.”
Note that Luke includes “others”. Matthew, Mark and John each record an encounter at Jesus’ tomb. Their accounts accurately summarized what happened. But they do not claim to report everything that happened Sunday morning at or near Jesus’ tomb.
Luke’s careful research alerts readers that several groups of women journeyed to the tomb. Likely no one was aware of everyone who was going to the tomb. The groups departed Jerusalem from various locations and at various times.
The various groups of women arrived at the tomb at various times. Each group witnessed something different, depending upon the time they were on location. Some saw angels, some saw only an empty tomb, some even met the resurrected Jesus. Yet, all four gospels offer a consistent summary. The tomb empty. Jesus risen. The world changed.
Blessings,
Dan Nygaard