Do the resurrection accounts contradict each other?
Some believers might question the accuracy of the Bible’s account of Jesus’ resurrection when comparing the four gospels side by side, because each seems to report something different. For example, Matthew reported one angel at the tomb, but Luke and John stated there were two. Additionally, Luke said Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women saw the angels at the empty tomb when they arrived, but John said that Mary Magdalene did not see the angels until later that day.
Another alleged discrepancy among the gospels concerns those who informed the disciples that Jesus’ tomb was empty. Luke wrote that Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women told the disciples about the empty tomb. But John said it was Mary Magdalene who relayed that information to the disciples.
Despite what may seem contradictory, each writer provided an accurate and factual account of Jesus’ resurrection and the events surrounding it. Some merely focused on or isolated a single component, and others offered additional details about various aspects.
Below is a suggested chronological account of the events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection that I hope will lead you to conduct an in-depth study of the miraculous events surrounding Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and glorious ascension.
Suggested Chronological Harmony of Events:
Jesus is crucified and buried, and a large stone seals the tomb. (Matthew 27:50; 57-60)
The stone is sealed, and a guard is posted outside. (Matthew 27:62-66)
Several women head to the tomb with prepared spices. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1-10)
Two angels appear, roll away the stone, and there is a great earthquake; the guards faint. (Luke 24:4; Matthew 28:2-4; Mark 16:4-5)
The women arrive at the tomb and find it empty. Mary Magdalene runs to tell Peter and John that Jesus’ body is gone. (John 20:1-2; Luke 24:22-24)
The remaining women, still at the tomb, see the angels and are instructed to go and tell His disciples that He’s risen from the dead and that they would see Him in Galilee. (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-7)
The women leave the tomb, afraid yet joyful, intending to report to the disciples what they saw and heard, while the guards leave to report to the chief priests what happened. The guards are bribed to claim that Jesus’ body had been stolen. (Matthew 28:8; 11-15; Luke 24:8-9)
Mary Magdalene finds Peter and John and reports to them that Jesus’ body is gone. (John 20:2; Luke 24:9-11; Luke 24:22-23)
Peter and John ran to the tomb. John arrives first, peers inside, and sees the linen cloths lying there, but does not see Jesus’ body and does not enter. Peter arrives moments later, goes into the tomb, and sees the linen cloths lying there, with the handkerchief folded separately. However, he does not see Jesus anywhere. John then enters the tomb as well. (John 20:3-10; Luke 24:12; Luke 24:24)
Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb, crying, and looks inside. She sees two angels sitting there and has a brief conversation with them. (John 20:11-13)
Mary Magdalene turns around to leave the tomb and sees the resurrected Jesus, whom she thinks is the gardener, and has a brief conversation with Him. (John 20:14-15)
Jesus reveals Himself to her by calling her name, and Mary immediately recognizes Him, hugs Him, and clings to Him. (John 20:16-17a)
Jesus tells Mary to let go and tell His disciples that He will be ascending to Heaven. (John 20:17)
Mary leaves and reports to the other disciples that she has seen Jesus in person, but they do not believe her. (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:18)
As the other women are still on their way to tell the eleven and Peter what they had seen and heard, they are afraid and say nothing to anyone. (Mark 16:8)
Jesus then appears to the women, saying, “Rejoice!” and they fall at His feet, holding on to Him and worshipping Him. He tells them not to be afraid, but to go and tell His disciples to go to Galilee, where they will see Him. (Matthew 28:9-10)
The women went and reported everything to the eleven and all the rest, but they did not believe their report. (Luke 24:9-11)
Jesus appears to Cleopas and an unidentified man as they travel to Emmaus, but neither man recognizes Jesus. The men have a lengthy conversation with Jesus, and as they arrive at their destination, Jesus stays and breaks bread with them. Their eyes are opened, and they recognize Jesus, but He vanishes from their sight. (Luke 24:13-31; Mark 16:12)
Jesus appeared to Peter (Simon/Cephas) either before or after He appeared to Cleopas on the road to Emmaus. It is possible that the other individual traveling with Cleopas was Peter, since Cleopas reports that Jesus appeared to Peter (Simon), but no further details about that appearance are given. (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:4-5)
Cleopas and the other individual report to the eleven and those with them all that had happened, but the disciples do not believe them. (Mark 16:13; Luke 24:33-35)
While (or after) Cleopas reports this information to the disciples, Thomas leaves. Jesus then appears to them (His first appearance to His disciples), and the disciples are afraid, believing they are seeing a spirit. Jesus reveals His hands and feet, but they still do not believe. Jesus then asks for food, and He eats. He speaks to them about Himself and opens their understanding of the Scriptures. The disciples believe, are commissioned to preach the gospel, are informed of the coming baptism of the Holy Spirit (i.e., at Pentecost), and are saved by receiving the initial filling of the Holy Spirit after Jesus breathes on them. (Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-24)
The disciples report to Thomas that Jesus appeared to them, but he refuses to believe unless he can see the nail prints in Jesus’ hands/feet, stick his finger into the nail holes, and put his hand into Jesus’ side, which had been pierced. (John 20:25)
Eight days later, when all the disciples are together in a locked room (including Thomas), Jesus suddenly appears and stands in their midst (His second appearance to His disciples). He tells Thomas to put his finger into the nail holes and his hand into His side. Thomas obeys and believes as a result. Jesus rebukes the disciples for their unbelief in the reports about Him and again commissions them to go into the world and preach the gospel, telling them of the miraculous signs that will follow as they do so. (John 20:26-29; Mark 16:14-18)
Jesus appears again to seven of His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) after their night of unsuccessful fishing (His third appearance to His disciples). During this encounter, Jesus restores Peter. (John 21:1-24)
Jesus appears to over 500 men at once. (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
Jesus appears to his half-brother, James. (1 Corinthians 15:7)
Jesus appears to all the apostles and performs many signs. (John 20:30-31; John 21:25; 1 Corinthians 15:7)
Jesus’ appearances took place over a period of forty days. (Acts 1:1-3)
Jesus ascends into Heaven in the presence of all His disciples. (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11)
I hope this suggested chronological harmony of events helps clarify any confusion about the gospel writers’ accounts of the resurrection.
