The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, celebrated as the ultimate proof of divine power and the promise of eternal life. But what if the very accounts of this pivotal event don’t align? A closer look at the earliest texts reveals contradictions that raise profound questions about the reliability of the Gospels.
Contradictions in the Resurrection Narratives
Who Visited the Tomb?
- Mark 16:1 – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome.
- Matthew 28:1 – Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary.”
- Luke 24:10 – Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women.
- John 20:1 – Only Mary Magdalene is mentioned.
How Many Women Went to the Tomb?
- Mark – Three women.
- Matthew – Two women.
- Luke – Several women, including at least three named individuals.
- John – Only Mary Magdalene is mentioned, though she later says “we” (John 20:2), implying others were present.
When Did They Go to the Tomb?
- Mark 16:2 – “Very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen.”
- Matthew 28:1 – “Toward dawn on the first day of the week.”
- Luke 24:1 – “At early dawn.”
- John 20:1 – “Early, while it was still dark.”
What Did the Women See?
- Mark 16:5 – A young man in a white robe.
- Matthew 28:2-5 – An angel descends, rolls back the stone, and speaks to them.
- Luke 24:4 – Two men in dazzling apparel.
- John 20:12 – Mary Magdalene sees two angels inside the tomb.
What Was Said About It?
- Mark 16:6-7 – The young man tells them Jesus has risen and instructs them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee.
- Matthew 28:5-7 – The angel says Jesus has risen and also instructs them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee.
- Luke 24:5-7 – The two men remind them of Jesus’ prophecy about his resurrection.
- John 20:13-17 – The angels ask Mary why she is weeping, and Jesus himself later speaks to her.
Did Jesus Appear to the Women?
- Mark 16:9 (in longer ending) – Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene.
- Matthew 28:9-10 – Jesus meets the women as they leave the tomb and tells them to inform the disciples.
- Luke 24:10-11 – No mention of Jesus appearing to the women, only the angels.
- John 20:14-17 – Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb.
Which Disciples Went to the Tomb?
- Luke 24:12 – Peter runs to the tomb and sees only the linen cloths.
- John 20:3-6 – Both Peter and “the other disciple” (traditionally understood as John) run to the tomb, with John arriving first but Peter entering first.
- Mark and Matthew – No mention of any disciples going to the tomb.
Did the Disciples Believe the Reports of the Women?
- Mark 16:11 – The disciples did not believe Mary Magdalene’s report.
- Luke 24:11 – The disciples thought the women’s words were “an idle tale” and did not believe them.
- Matthew 28:8-10 – The women leave in joy and tell the disciples, but their response is not recorded.
- John 20:8-9 – The “other disciple” sees the empty tomb and believes, though they still do not understand the resurrection.
How Many Disciples Did Jesus Appear to First?
- Mark 16:12-13 (longer ending) – Jesus appears first to two disciples on the road.
- Matthew 28:16-17 – Jesus appears to the eleven in Galilee.
- Luke 24:13-15 – Jesus first appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
- John 20:19-24 – Jesus appears to ten disciples in a locked room (Thomas was absent).
- 1 Corinthians 15:5 – Paul states that Jesus appeared first to Peter (Cephas) and then to the Twelve.
Where Were the Disciples Told to Go?
- Mark 16:7 – The young man at the tomb tells them to go to Galilee.
- Matthew 28:10 – Jesus instructs them to go to Galilee.
- Luke 24:49 – Jesus tells them to stay in Jerusalem until they receive power from the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 1:4 – Jesus commands them not to leave Jerusalem.
Where Did Jesus Ascend into Heaven?
- Mark 16:19 – No specific location given.
- Matthew – No mention of the ascension.
- Luke 24:50-51 – Jesus ascends from Bethany.
- Acts 1:9-12 – Jesus ascends from the Mount of Olives (Mount Olivet).
Secular Analysis of the Earliest Texts
Scholars like Bart Ehrman and Richard Carrier argue that these discrepancies are not minor editorial oversights but evidence of evolving theological narratives tailored to specific communities.
- Markan Priority: The Gospel of Mark, widely considered the earliest Gospel (c. 70 CE), ends abruptly in the earliest manuscripts with the women fleeing the empty tomb in fear, saying nothing to anyone (Mark 16:8). Later additions attempt to harmonize this abrupt ending with resurrection appearances found in other Gospels.
- The Q Source Hypothesis: Both Matthew and Luke are believed to have used Mark and an additional hypothetical source, “Q,” which may have contained sayings of Jesus but no resurrection account, leading each author to craft their own narratives to fill the theological gap.
- Literary Dependence and Redaction: The Gospels were not written in isolation but reflect literary borrowing, theological embellishment, and redaction. For example, Matthew’s dramatic earthquake and angelic descent are absent from Mark and Luke, suggesting theological motives rather than historical reporting.
Conclusion
These contradictions challenge the notion of inerrant, eyewitness Gospel accounts. Instead, they reveal a complex tapestry of evolving beliefs, theological agendas, and community needs. Recognizing these differences doesn’t diminish the significance of the resurrection story but invites a deeper, more critical engagement with the texts.
Sources:
- Bart D. Ehrman, Misquoting Jesus (2005)
- Richard Carrier, On the Historicity of Jesus (2014)
- The Greek New Testament, Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus
- The Synoptic Problem: A Way Through the Maze by Mark Goodacre (2001)