Who Went To Jesus Tomb

How Many Women Visited the Tomb of Jesus?

Numerous articles on ColdCaseChristianity.com examine themes and passages that are frequently cited as examples of “contradictions” between the Gospel stories. In the account of the women who discovered Jesus’ empty tomb, one such apparent inconsistency appears to have been introduced by mistake. How many women paid their respects at the tomb? Is it one, two, or three? Three? It appears to be dependent on which Gospel you are reading. Is it possible that the Gospel authors were misinformed about this topic or that they made up the account entirely?

Later in the day, when it was beginning to light on what would be Monday morning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see Jesus’ body in the tomb.

And his look was as flashy as lightning, and his attire was as white as snow, as was his apparel.

I know you are seeking for Jesus who has been crucified, so please don’t be scared,” the angel assured the ladies.

  1. Come and take a look at the spot where He was resting.
  2. And, lo and behold, Jesus appeared and greeted them.
  3. Then Jesus answered to them, “Do not be frightened; go and tell My brethren to depart for Galilee, and they will see Me there.” “Do not be terrified,” Jesus continued.
  4. They arrived at the tomb very early in the morning on the first day of the week, before the sun had even risen.
  5. When they looked up, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away, despite the fact that it was incredibly enormous.
  6. “Do not be amazed,” he told them, “because you are searching for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified.” He has risen; He is no longer present; look, here is the spot where they lay Him to rest.
  7. Having awakened early on the first day of the week, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had previously driven out seven devils, as His first appearance.

Luke 23:27 (KJV) And behind Him was a big multitude of people, as well as a considerable number of women, who were crying and lamenting His death.

And all of His acquaintances, as well as the ladies who had followed Him from Galilee, were standing at a distance, taking note of what was going on around them.

After that, they returned and began preparing spices and fragrances.

They discovered that the stone had been moved aside from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus on the other side.

He is not present, yet He has risen from the dead.

They were now Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, as well as the other women who were present, who were informing the apostles of these events.

As Sosheran and the other disciple, whom Jesus adored, approached Simon Peter and the other disciple, he said that “they have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have put Him.” As a result, Peter and the other disciple set off, with the intention of going to the tomb.

Matthew specifically refers to two ladies by name.

Luke mentions at least three by name, but he goes on to detail a number of others.

Understandable why some doubters refer to these sections in an attempt to invalidate the tales’ credibility.

Before we go into any depth about the passages, allow me to briefly review some of the concepts I use to determine if eyewitness evidence is trustworthy.

In fact, in all of my years as a homicide investigator, I’ve never seen an eyewitness who was fully reliable.

However, eyewitness reliability is not based on perfection, but rather on the use of a four-part pattern to determine its validity.

However, beyond these broad generalizations, there is much that can be stated about the specific differences in portrayals of the ladies at Jesus’ tomb.

There are certain elements that are more crucial than others in every witness observation, and some characteristics of the event that stand out more than others in the minds of the observers.

The ladies who cared for Jesus throughout his ministry were so moved by His death that they continued to care for his corpse after his death.

It’s hardly unexpected that the women disciples of Jesus would be attentive and compassionate enough to want to do something like this for their community.

This claim has been emphasized by a number of Christian Case Makers because of its significance.

Considering that this is a late fictitious narrative, it is reasonable to ask why the authors did not cast Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathia in the position of Nicodemus.

Women, on the other hand, are described as the first eyewitnesses by the writers.

Women were not described in this report in order to make the tale more persuasive (in fact, they served to undermine it), but rather because they happened to be the authentic first witnesses.

I’m not just talking about geographical or geographically situated viewpoints here; I’m also talking about the personal worldview, background, and experience that each witness takes to the crime scene with them.

In this specific instance, John’s account of the ladies is the most conspicuous departure from the general depiction of the women.

He does, however, inform us that Mary was not alone in this endeavor.

“They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb,” Mary later says.

Here, the problem is not that each author recounts a different number of ladies, but rather that each author decides to identify distinct women by their first and last name.

All of this comes down to the intent and personality of each reporter, and as investigators, we may never be able to pinpoint the exact reason for the occurrence of deviations of this sort.

The first male eyewitnesses to the empty tomb appear to be the primary focus of John’s attention.

Women have a minor part in John’s story as a result of this development.

The fact that there were other ladies participating (as evidenced by Mary’s use of the plural pronoun, “we”) does not detract from the fact that John did not take the time to characterize them.

His own lineage is subsequently reinforced by the statement “This is the disciple who is witnessing to these things and has written about them, and we know that his testimony is accurate” (John 21:24).

It is unresolvable discrepancies rather than complimenting nuances that bother me when comparing two eyewitness statements.

Taking into consideration the number of women who were present at the tomb of Jesus, it is possible that all four accounts are accurate representations of what actually occurred if the group of women included the following women: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary the mother of James (and Joseph), Salome, and Joanna.

  1. All of the writers refer to a group, and some of the authors identify individual members of this group based on their own personal perspectives, intentions, and target audiences.
  2. I make it a point when I am dispatched to an investigation as a detective to urge that any eyewitnesses be separated before I arrive on the site.
  3. It is possible that witnesses will attempt to reconcile any variations before I arrive.
  4. What I want instead are the complicated, often confused, and sometimes contradicting stories provided by every group of witnesses in a case like this one.
  5. Because their individual reports still differ from one another in this situation, I generally have even greater faith in the credibility of their accounts.
  6. The Gospel authors (as well as the early Church) undoubtedly had the chance to alter the descriptions of the ladies in order to ensure that they matched, but they chose not to do so.
  7. It demonstrates the amount of variance that I would have expected to find if they were accurate and trustworthy eyewitness reports.

This has never bothered me as an investigator, and it has never prevented me from conducting an inquiry.

When it comes to the number and identity of the women who came to the tomb of Jesus, the four gospel narratives show the same variety that I’ve observed in my professional work over the years.

Five is the most likely number.

You may put your faith on the veracity of the eyewitness Gospels of the New Testament.

This book teaches readers the ten principles of cold-case investigations and then applies these concepts to the claims of the gospel authors in order to investigate them.

The book is complemented by an eight-sessionCold-Case Christianity DVD Set (as well as a Participant’s Guide) that may be used to assist individuals or small groups analyze the evidence and make their case for Christianity.

Who Were the Women at the Empty Tomb?

Numerous articles on ColdCaseChristianity.com examine topics and passages that are typically cited as examples of “contradictions” between the Gospel stories. In the account of the women who discovered Jesus’ empty tomb, one such alleged contradiction appears to have been introduced. Approximately how many women paid a visit to the graveyard? Which number do you prefer: one, two, three? Three? Depending on which Gospel you read, it appears to make a difference. Does it appear that the Gospel authors are unable to resolve this issue or that they have invented the story entirely?

  • After a severe earthquake had occurred, an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, settling on it with his throne.
  • For fear of him, the guards trembled, and they appeared to have become dead men.
  • He is not present because He has ascended to the right hand of the Father, as He promised.
  • Send word to His disciples immediately, informing them that He has risen from the dead; and, behold, He is proceeding ahead of you into Galilee, where you will see Him, as I have previously informed you.
  • Jesus appeared to them and wished them a pleasant journey.
  • They were terrified when Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell My brethren to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.” “Do not be afraid,” Jesus instructed them.
  • They arrived at the tomb very early in the morning on the first day of the week, before the sun had even come up.

Although the stone was extremely large, they noticed that it had been rolled away by looking up.

“Do not be surprised; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified,” he explained to them.

But go and tell His disciples and Peter that “He is going ahead of you to Galilee, and there you will see Him, just as He promised you.” They rushed out of the tomb, trembling and astonished, and they said nothing to anyone because they were terrified of what they were about to witness.

While they were mourning and weeping, she went and reported to those who had been with Him.

Immediately behind Him was a large crowd of people, including a large number of women who were grieving and lamenting His passing.

In the meantime, all of His acquaintances, as well as the women who had accompanied Him from Galilee, were standing at a distance, taking note of what was happening.

Women who had accompanied Him from Galilee now followed, and they were able to witness the tomb and the manner in which His body was laid.

Scripture readings for Luke 24:1–10 The spices that they had prepared were brought to the tomb on the first day of the week, at the crack of dawn, however.

While they were perplexed about this, two men in dazzling clothing appeared near them, and as the women shrieked and bowed their heads to the ground, the men asked them, “Why are you looking for the living One among the dead?” they replied.

Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, telling you that the Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of sinful men, crucified, and raised from the dead on the third day.

This was being told to the apostles by Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, as well as by the other women who were with them at the time.

Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved were approached by Sosheran who informed them that “the Lord has been taken away from the tomb, and we have no idea where they have laid Him.” Thus, Peter and the other disciple set out on their journey to the tomb, where they met Jesus.

Specifically, Matthew mentions the names of two female characters.

In his description, Luke mentions at least three by name and describes several others.

It’s easy to see why some skeptics point to these passages in an attempt to cast doubt on the stories.

In order to better understand the passages, allow me to review some of the principles I use to determine whether eyewitness testimony is credible in the first place.

Even in my years working as a detective, I’ve never encountered an eyewitness who was completely reliable.

The reliability of eyewitnesses is not determined by their perfection, but rather on the basis of a four-part framework.

The variations in descriptions of the women at Jesus’ tomb, however, can be discussed in greater detail than these broad generalizations.

Some details are more important than others in every witness observation, and some aspects of the event stand out more than others in the minds of those who witnessed it.

During Jesus’ ministry, the women who cared for him felt a strong enough bond with him to care for his body after he was crucified.

See also:  How Did Mary Jesus Mother Die

That the female disciples of Jesus would be intelligent and concerned enough to desire to accomplish this is not unexpected.

This claim has been emphasized by a number of Christian Case Makers.

One can ask why the authors didn’t use Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathia in this capacity if this is an ancient fictitious narrative from a later period.

The writers, on the other hand, characterize women as the first people who saw what happened.

Women were not described here in order to make the story more persuasive (in fact, they served to undermine it), but rather because they were the authentic first witnesses to the events that took place.

Rather than simply discussing geographical or locational viewpoints, I’d want to discuss the personal worldview, background, and experience that each witness brings to the investigation.

It is John’s account of the women that provides the most striking contrast in their portrayal in this specific scenario.

The fact that Mary was not alone is revealed by him.

The existence of extra women is thus acknowledged even in John’s narrative.

The reason behind this is as follows: All of this comes down to the intent and personality of each reporter, and as investigators, we may never be able to determine exactly why variances of this sort happened.

The first male eyewitnesses to the empty tomb appear to be the primary focus of John.

Women have a supporting role in John’s story as a result of this development.

The fact that there were other ladies participating (as evidenced by Mary’s use of the plural pronoun, “we”) does not detract from the fact that John did not spend any time describing them.

His own lineage is subsequently reinforced by the statement “This is the disciple who is witnessing to these things and writing these things; we know that his testimony is accurate” (John 21:24).

It is unresolvable conflicts rather than complementary facts that bother me when comparing two eyewitness statements.

Taking into consideration the number of women who were present at the tomb of Jesus, it is possible that all four accounts are accurate representations of what actually occurred if the group of women included the following individuals: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary the mother of James (and Joseph), Salome, and Joanna.

  1. All of the writers refer to a group, and some of the authors identify individual members of this group based on their own personal perspectives, intentions, and intended audiences.
  2. I make it a point when I am dispatched to an investigation as a detective to urge that any eyewitnesses be separated before I get at the site.
  3. In certain cases, witnesses will attempt to reconcile any differences before I arrive.
  4. What I want instead are the chaotic, often confused, and sometimes contradicting stories provided by every group of witnesses in a case like this.
  5. The fact that their individual stories continue to differ from one another gives me even more trust in the credibility of their accounts when this is the case.
  6. Even though the Gospel authors (and the early Church) had the option to adjust the descriptions of the ladies to ensure that they matched, neither of them did so.
  7. Because these are accurate, trustworthy eyewitness reports, they show the degree of variance I would expect to observe.
  8. In my capacity as an investigator, this has never bothered me, and it has never prevented me from carrying out an investigation successfully.
  9. Concerning the number and identity of the ladies who came to the tomb of Jesus, the four gospel narratives show the same variety that I’ve observed in my professional work over the years.
  10. With a high probability of being five, For the reasons I’ve outlined above, the Gospels do not present a conflicting picture of these five women.
  11. You may learn more about the credibility of the New Testament gospels and the argument for Christianity in the book Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels if you read it in its entirety.

There’s also an eight-sessionCold Case Christianity DVD Set (with participant’s guide) that goes along with the book to help individuals or small groups evaluate the facts and make their case.

  • James (author of the biblical book of James)
  • Joseph/Joses
  • Simon
  • Judas/Jude (author of the biblical book of Jude)
  • Joseph/Joses (author of the biblical book of James)

She also had at least two daughters, according to the records (Mark 6:3). 2. James’ mother, Mary (also known as Joses/mother). Joseph’s A witness to the appearances of Jesus after his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Their names were James the Younger (therefore implying that her husband’s name was James) and Joses/Joseph, and she had two boys. See Matthew 27:61, 27:56, and Mark 15:40, 47 for examples. A similarity in first-century Galilee may be seen in that two Marys in the narrative had boys with the same names (James and Joseph/Joses), demonstrating the prevalence of particular names in that time period.

  1. Mary, number five (wife of Clopas) Although she is not specifically mentioned in John 19:25, she may be considered Jesus’ “mother’s sister” (John 19:25)—though see the discussion under Salome below for more information.
  2. Eccl.
  3. If this is the case, Mary and Clopas were Jesus’ aunt and uncle, respectively.
  4. Salome is number six on the list (mother of James and John) She was one of Jesus’ female disciples in Galilee, and she was there during the crucifixion and went to the tomb on the following Monday (Mark 15:40; 16:1).

The Tomb of Jesus on Resurrection Morning

1And after the sabbath had passed, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and bought spices so that they may come and anoint him. 2And they arrive to the tomb very early in the morning on the first day of the week, before the sun has even risen. Moreover, they were discussing among themselves who would be responsible for rolling away the stone from the tomb’s entrance. 4When they glance up, they notice that the stone has been rolled back, because it was quite large. After entering the tomb, they noticed a young guy seated on the right side, wearing a white robe, and they were astounded by his appearance.

Behold, the place where they laid him!” 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you into Galilee, and that there you will see him, just as he promised you.

They rushed from the tomb, terrified and amazed, and they said nothing to anybody because they were too scared to say anything.

10She went to them and informed them that she had been with him, as they sobbed and lamented.

11And when they learned that he was still alive and had been seen with her, they were shocked and disbelieved. 12And following these things, Jesus appeared to two of them in a different shape as they went through the countryside on their way into the country.

Gospel of Matthew28

One evening on the sabbath, as it started to dawn toward the beginning of the following week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to view the tomb. Then there was a huge earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came, rolled aside the stone, and sat down on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment was as white as snow: 4and the onlookers trembled in horror of him, and they were as lifeless as dead men. “Fear not, ye ladies; for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified,” the angel stated in response to their question.

Come and visit the location where the Lord was buried.

8And they hurried away from the tomb, terrified and filled with great gladness, and hastened to tell his disciples what had happened.

When they are afraid, Jesus says to them, “Do not be afraid; go tell my brethren that they are going into Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Gospel of Luke24

1However, on the first day of the week, at the crack of dawn, they arrived at the tomb, carrying with them the spices that they had prepared the night before. 2And they discovered that the stone had been moved away from the grave. 3And when they entered, they discovered that the corpse of the Lord Jesus had not been found. 4And it happened that, while they were bewildered about what was going on, two men appeared beside them, dressed in brilliant apparel: 5And when they became frightened and dropped their heads to the ground, they asked them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” they replied.

8And they recalled his words, 9and when they returned from the tomb, they informed the eleven and the rest of the group about everything that had happened.

These statements seemed to them as though they were mere chit-chat, and they did not take them seriously.

Gospel of John20

1Now, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb early in the morning, when it is still dark, and witnesses the stone being removed from the tomb. 2As a result, she flees and arrives at the tomb, where she confronts Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus adored, telling them that they have carried the Lord away from the tomb and that they do not know where they have buried him. 3. Peter and the other disciple then stepped out into the street and began walking toward the tomb.

  1. 6As a result, Simon Peter comes after him and enters the tomb, where he sees the linen cloths laying and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a separate position from the linen cloths.
  2. 9Because they were unaware of the scripture’s prophecy that he would rise from the grave.
  3. 9At the same time, Mary was standing outside the tomb, sobbing; while she sobbed, she knelt and peered inside the tomb; 12and she sees two angels in white seated, one at the head and one at the foot of the tomb, where the body of Jesus had laid.
  4. 14After she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, completely unaware that it was Jesus who had appeared.
  5. Who is it that you are looking for?
  6. She turns to face him and addresses him in Hebrew as Rabboni, which translates as Teacher.
  7. 18 Mary Magdalene appears and informs the disciples that she has had a vision of the Lord and that he has spoken these things unto her.

Is it still dark (in the case of John), or has dawn broken (in the case of Mark and Matthew)?

Is Mary Magdalene all by herself (John)?

Are you talking about Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (Mark)?

What do you notice when you first arrive?

Are they men (in the case of Luke), or one young man (in the case of Matthew), or an angel (in the case of Mark), or two angels (in the case of John)?

Mark makes it quite clear that Peter was not there at the grave.

Matthew did not have Peter or the disciples come to the tomb at all, according to the Gospel of Matthew.

After spending time in the tomb, Peter returns home rather than returning to the disciples.

They then return to their respective residences. Nevertheless, Mary is still present, and she witnesses the appearance of two angels, followed by the appearance of Jesus, whom she does not know, and she engages in conversation with him.

Bible Gateway passage: John 20:1-18 – New International Version

20While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene B)”>(B) went to the tomb early on the first day of the week and discovered that the stone had been lifted from the entrance. As a result, she dashed to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus adored, C)”>(C)2and informed them that “they have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we have no idea where they have hidden him!” E)”>(E)3As a result, Peter and the other disciple began their journey to the tomb. F)”>(F)4Both disciples were sprinting, but the other disciple outran Peter and made it to the tomb before the other.

  • 6Then Simon Peter followed following him and entered the grave without a second thought.
  • It was still in its original position, apart from the linen.
  • 8Finally, the other disciple, who had arrived at the tomb first, J)”>(J)admitted himself into the tomb as well.
  • 9(They were still perplexed by the fact that Jesus had to be raised from the grave, as evidenced by Scripture K)”>(K) L)”>(L)10After that, the disciples returned to the place where they had been staying.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11At this point, Mary was wailing outside the grave. As she sobbed, she stooped down to look into the tomb M)”>(M)12and saw two angels in white, N)”>(N)seated where Jesus’ corpse had been, one at the head and the other at the foot, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13They inquired as to why she was sobbing, saying, “Woman, what is the matter with you?” I have no idea where they have taken my Lord,” she lamented. “They have taken my Lord away,” she said. ” P)”> ” P)”> ” P)”> (P) At this point, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, Q)”>(Q)but she didn’t understand that it was Jesus until after she had turned around.

What exactly are you searching for?” S)”>(S)Who exactly are you looking for?” The woman mistook him for a gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken him away, please tell me where you have put him, and I will come and fetch him.” 16Jesus addressed her as “Mary.” As she turned to face him, she said in Aramaic, T)”>(T)”Rabboni!” (which translates as “Teacher”), followed by a scream in English.

See also:  What Was Jesus Diet

In addition, she informed them that he had made similar remarks to her.

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What was the identity of the women that were there at Jesus’ tomb? The women who went to the tomb and saw it empty were among the first to arrive. I didn’t get much sleep the night after my father passed away. My thoughts were flying through my brain. Memories of my father’s life were replayed in my head like old movies, which I found comforting. I pondered and fretted about what my life would be like if he were no longer there. I relived the moment he breathed his last breath a million times in my head.

My father was in his seventies at the time of his death and had experienced a number of minor strokes before to the fatal one that ended his life.

On the Sunday following the Crucifixion of Christ, the ladies who went to the tomb and discovered it empty were likely to have had a restless night as a result of their discovery.

Please see our entire disclaimer here.

The Women at the Tomb Found It Empty

They were out of bed and on their way to the tomb before the sun came up. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 12:1) Perhaps they hadn’t gotten any sleep at all. Perhaps one of them suggested, after the hundredth cup of coffee, “Since we’re not going to sleep, let’s just get on with it and finish what has to be done.”

Who Were the Women at the Tomb of Jesus?

Who were the ladies who were present at the tomb when Jesus died and resurrected from the dead? Women who went to the tomb and discovered it empty were Mary (Jesus’ mother) and Mary Magdalene (who had previously worked as a prostitute before meeting Jesus). Additionally, there were at least two other ladies in the group. They were a group of females on a mission. Along with whatever else was needed to prepare Jesus’ body for burial, they brought spices (presumably to disguise the stink of a decaying body) and other essentials.

It weighed in at more over 1000 pounds.

Although these women were physically capable of moving a stone that large, they were unable to do it due to physical limitations.

Read more about the 19 Bible-praising women that literally changed the course of history!

the Women at The Tomb Saw Victory

It is recorded in the Bible that a strong earthquake occurred shortly before the ladies made their way to Jesus’ tomb. At early light on the first day of the week, after having returned from the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb to have a look. An earthquake occurred because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and, on his way to the tomb, rolled aside the stone and sat on it, causing the earthquake. 3 His look was as flashy as lightning, and his clothing were as white as the snow on the ground.

Matthew 28:1-4 (New International Version) The angel rolled the stone away and sat on it for a while to rest.

The angel did not move the stone to allow Jesus to pass through. He didn’t have to do anything. The resurrected body of Jesus was able to pass through solid objects. The angel removed the stone from the grave, ensuring that whoever arrived at the site would find it empty. Victory!

What The Women at the Tomb Saw and Heard

When the ladies approached, the angel answered, “Do not be frightened, for I know that you are searching for Jesus, who has been crucified.”6 He is not present; he has ascended to the heavens, exactly as he stated. Come and have a look at the spot where he was buried. Matthew28:5-6 NIVI’m not sure if the angel was saying “I told you so,” but it does seem like he was saying that. Whenever he says, “Just as He said.”, it appears to be an indirect swipe at the female audience. After all, Jesus had foretold of His impending death on several occasions.

  1. I’ve had my doubts about the Lord a number of times.
  2. On the other side of each uncertainty, God has replied to me, “You see, I’ve done precisely what I said I would do,” or “I’ve been exactly who I said I would be,” or some variation thereof.
  3. We may put our faith in God.
  4. When the women arrived at the tomb and saw that it had been empty, the angel revealed the truth about what had occurred.
  5. (See Matthew 28:7 for further information.) When we hear and comprehend the truth of the gospel, the next step is to go and tell others about it.
  6. After all, why wouldn’t we be eager to communicate the most incredible news the world has ever heard?
  7. The guys had all turned their backs on Jesus.
  8. The ladies at the tomb, on the other hand, had faith and were loyal!

Why Were Women The First at the Tomb And Found It Empty?

How lovely and like Jesus to chose women to be among the first to see the wonder of the Resurrection. Perhaps God wanted to make it obvious that, despite the fact that society regarded them as second-class citizens, God did not. If males were the ones who went to the tomb and discovered it empty, it’s possible that they would be more likely to stand about and try to make sense of what had happened. Women, on the other hand, might phone, text, or post it on social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter.

  • In order for the ladies visiting the tomb to understand that Jesus had been crucified, the angel made sure they were aware of it.
  • In other words, Jesus was raised from the dead.
  • Lazarus was brought back to life.
  • The same was true with the widow Elijah’s son, who was brought back to life.

And their bodies gradually succumbed to the elements once more. Jesus was raised from the dead. That implies He was given a new body that was created to last for forever. We’ll have one of those as well when we’re brought back to life.

The Empty Tomb Brought Fear And Great Joy

When the women at the tomb left, they did so with a mixture of trepidation and immense excitement. (Matthew 28:8; Mark 12:8) What does it feel like to be in the midst of enormous dread and great joy? I’m a highly lively person. When I’m enthusiastic, I clap my hands and make a lot of noise. So no one was more astonished than I was when I discovered that I was going to be a grandma for the first time. I’d always thought that hearing the news would cause me to jump up and down and shout with delight in my head.

  1. There were simply no words to adequately express my delight.
  2. I couldn’t say anything since I was completely dumbfounded.
  3. Surely, the news was too overwhelming to attempt to convey at that point.
  4. Peter and John were the disciples who went to the tomb and discovered it to be empty when they arrived.
  5. He didn’t enter the building immediately away.
  6. After all, the scriptures claim that the disciples were unaware that Jesus would rise from the dead at the time of his death.
  7. When Peter arrived to the tomb, he was full of faith.

The Women at the Tomb Observed A Life-World-Changing Moment

Following the return of the disciples to their homes, Mary Magdalene remained outside the tomb, her tears streaming down her face. Two angels appeared to Mary and inquired as to why she was sobbing, according to the story of the empty tomb in the Gospel of John. Or, to put it another way, “Why aren’t you jubilant?” When humans encounter angels, they are usually startled and silent, according to the biblical texts. Mary, on the other hand, was not. My mother was temporarily immobilized by grief immediately following my father’s death in a car accident.

  1. This time she didn’t develop a cold as she usually did.
  2. In the midst of her anguish, the activities that ordinarily occupied her time received little attention.
  3. Even the horror of witnessing an angel passed her by without a second thought.
  4. Then she recognized her own voice.
  5. I recall attempting to wake myself awake but failing miserably because I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes.
  6. “Cindy,” my husband’s voice whispered as I felt a hand resting on my shoulder.
  7. I couldn’t see him since I couldn’t open my eyes, but I could hear him and knew I was in excellent hands.
  8. There was no logic to anything.
  9. The only thing she knew was that Jesus was no longer alive, and she was overcome with crushing anguish because of it.

She had a feeling it was Him. She had an encounter with the Lord! She couldn’t wait to tell her friends and family about it. Women had a significant part in the history of biblical civilization. More information about them may be found in ourWomen of the Bibleseries!

The Good News is the Empty Tomb

After going to the tomb and seeing it empty, the women were not thinking about the Resurrection at the time. The disciples weren’t any better. The Bible makes it plain that they were unaware that Jesus would rise from the dead and triumphantly defeat sin and hell on the third day. As things were unfolding in front of them, they were unable to fathom that men’s souls would be saved and granted eternal life as a result of the events that were taking place. All they knew at that moment was that Jesus was no longer alive.

  1. Because they were yearning to have Him back in their lives.
  2. The Resurrection of Jesus Christis more than simply a beautiful Easter narrative.
  3. It is a proven truth.
  4. In addition, the good news of Easter is the same good news that made the women and disciples who went to the tomb and saw it empty deliriously delighted when they returned.
  5. HE’S STILL A LIVE!
  6. Jesus is alive in us at all times, at every single instant of every single day.
  7. Because the news about Jesus was so amazing, a small group of women and disciples were able to flip the entire world upside down because they could not keep it to themselves.
  8. Is He still alive and well in you?
  9. Make sure you read the following as well:
  • Covered by the blood of Jesus
  • The spiritual significance of Easter
  • The best Easter Bible studies and devotions
  • Covered by the blood of Jesus

Why Did Only the Women Go to Jesus’ Tomb?

covered by the blood of Jesus; the spiritual significance of Easter; the best Easter Bible studies and devotions; covered by the blood of Jesus

The Importance of Women

If the disciples did not go to the tomb, it is possible they were scared of what the Jews would do to them if they were caught. This is one explanation for their decision. In the aftermath of Jesus’ betrayal and imprisonment, the disciples deserted him and fled for their lives (Matthew 26:56;Mark 14:50). Even though Peter and John did indeed accompany Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest (John 18:15), Peter refused to acknowledge the Lord for fear of being jailed or linked with Jesus (Luke 22:54-62).

However, other than John, no other disciples were present at Jesus’ crucifixion, and all the other gospel narratives do not name any of the disciples at Jesus’ death (John 19:26).

On the day of the Resurrection, the disciples stayed in concealment until the authorities arrived.

(John 20:19, New International Version, emphasis mine.) Consequently, it is probable that the 11 disciples did not go to the tomb because they were fearful of the Jewish authorities, as previously stated.

Their dread stands in stark contrast to how they acted after Jesus sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were able to speak out courageously about Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 2:14-41).

The Disciples’ Lack of Expectation

However, it is clear from this passage that neither the disciples nor the women anticipated Christ to rise from the dead on the third day, which suggests that they were terrified. It is likely that the 11 disciples did not accompany the ladies to the tomb since they did not anticipate anything to happen to them. Throughout His career, Jesus talked about His death and resurrection on a number of occasions (Matthew 16:21;Mark 8:31;John 2:19). However, it was not until after His resurrection that the disciples realized what He was saying (John 2:21).

Although the ladies had already gone to the tomb, the angel had to remind them of Jesus’ statements, which explicitly said that he would be risen from the dead (Luke 24:6-7).

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Despite the fact that Jesus had foretold His death and resurrection several times, the disciples did not comprehend His teaching until after the resurrection occurred (Mark 9:31-32;Luke 18:31-34).

The fact that they were unable to comprehend did not imply that Jesus had not told them about His resurrection.

God’s Plan for the Disciples

In the end, it was part of God’s plan for the disciples not to be the first ones to arrive at the tomb on Easter morning. God foresaw that the Jewish officials would create the falsehood that the disciples had stolen the corpse of Jesus and had prepared a plan to counter it (Matthew 28:12-13). When Matthew published his gospel, which was approximately AD 50 (around 20 years after the resurrection), the untruth that Jesus’ corpse had been stolen and that the disciples had claimed that He had been resurrected was still in circulation (Matthew 28:15).

Despite the fact that some doubters still accept this untruth, the disciples’ behavior of fleeing the scene when Jesus was captured and sentenced to death would suggest otherwise.

The fact that the disciples were not the first ones to arrive at the tomb lends credibility to the resurrection since it contradicts the fiction that the Jewish officials had concocted to justify their actions.

God was well aware of this, which is why it was the women, rather than the disciples, who were the first to arrive at the tomb on the first Easter Sunday.

The Women at the Tomb

The motive given by the Bible for the women’s visit to the tomb on the third day after Jesus’ burial was to anoint the corpse of Christ with perfume (Mark 16:1). Special spices had been created just for this occasion (Luke 24:1). While Joseph and Nicodemus had wrapped Jesus’ body and prepared it for burial with spices, it appears that the body had not been anointed because of Jesus’ fast burial before the start of the Sabbath day, according to the Bible (Luke 23:53;John 19:38-42). According to John D.

  1. It was their desire to see that His body was well-cared for in death, just as they had done throughout His earthly ministry (Luke 8:1-3), and they did so because they loved Him.
  2. It was God’s intention that the ladies be the first ones to arrive at the tomb.
  3. During the period of the New Testament, women’s testimony in court were not considered to be valid.
  4. Instead, they would have most likely picked the disciples to be the first ones to arrive at the empty tomb, knowing that men may be admissible as witnesses in a court of law.

Who Were the First Witnesses of the Empty Tomb

As surprising as it may seem that the eleven disciples were not the first to hear the news of Christ’s resurrection, the Bible constantly tells that the women were the first to arrive at the tomb once it was discovered to be empty. While there are a variety of possible explanations for why the disciples did not go to the tomb that early in the morning, it was ultimately God’s will that the women, rather than the disciples, be the first witnesses to the tomb’s empty state. When the ladies went to the tomb on the first Sunday following Jesus’ death, they were just as surprised as the eleven disciples that he had risen from the dead.

  1. As a result of their love and commitment, God was able to disclose the most life-changing news in history: Jesus had been raised from the dead and was, in fact, alive!
  2. What Was Jesus’ Treatment of Women Like in the Bible?
  3. Is It Really That Important That the Tomb Isn’t Full?
  4. Is it appropriate for Christians to celebrate Easter?
  5. Currently, Sophia Bricker works as a freelance writer, where she likes studying and producing essays on biblical and theological subjects.
  6. The Bible and her faith in Jesus are two of her greatest passions, and she is presently pursuing a Master of Arts in Ministry while also completing a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry.

When she is not studying or writing, Sophia likes spending time with her family, reading, painting, and gardening in her spare time.

Bible Gateway John 20 : NIV

John the 201st The first day of the week, early in the morning when it was still dark, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb and discovered that the stone had been lifted from the entrance. Consequently, Mary ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, who was also Jesus’ favorite, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we have no idea where they’ve hidden him!” 3As a result, Peter and the other disciple began their journey to the tomb. 4Peter and the other disciple were both rushing, but the other disciple outran Peter and arrived at the tomb first.

  1. Simon Peter, who was following him, came and walked into the tomb at that point.
  2. The cloth was folded up separately from the linen, so that it could be seen.
  3. He saw and believed what he was seeing.
  4. As she sobbed, she stooped down to look into the tomb12and saw two angels in white, one at the head of the tomb and the other at the foot, sat where Jesus’ corpse had previously been.
  5. 15 15 “What’s wrong with you, woman?” he inquired.
  6. ).
  7. 17Jesus declared, “Please do not cling on to me since I have not yet returned to the Father’s presence.
  8. Jesus appeared among them and exclaimed, “Peace be with you!” on the evening of that first day of the week, when all of the disciples were gathered in one place with the doors closed out of dread of the Jews.
  9. When the disciples finally saw the Lord, they were joyful.
  10. I am sending you in the same way that the Father has sent me.” 22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.

You can put your hand into my side if you reach out your hand.

31 But these are written that you maybelieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The Women Who Visited the Resurrection Tomb of Jesus : HopeStreamRadio

The ladies who went to the tomb of Jesus after his resurrection are a fascinating subject of research. Taking a look at their story is Corinne March, a guest blogger from the UK. What was the significance of the fact that women were the first to see the empty tomb, and what was their relationship to Eve? What about the Resurrection of Jesus gives you a sense of hope? Please leave a comment or contact us.

Easter Is A Time to Reflect on the Women Who Visited the Tomb

While it is vital to remember the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ at all times, Easter is a particularly poignant moment to meditate on this significant event. God’s grace and redeeming power are made abundantly apparent and supreme in this work. Even if there is a moment when we feel unimportant, or as if our labor for our family or for God is mostly neglected, we may remember that God sees the unseen, and He utilizes the most improbable of people in order to accomplish great things through their lives.

In accordance with God’s instruction, they rested on the Sabbath.” Following that, he says, “But on the first day of the week, at the crack of dawn, they went to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared with them.

Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary Visit the Tomb

Later in the Gospel of Luke, these individuals are identified as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James (Luke 24:10). According to John’s narrative, Mary Magdalene went to the grave by herself (John 20:1). Mark mentions a woman called Salome, as well as Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, among other people. (Matthew 16:1) Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” are the only women named by Matthew. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 12:1) To summarize, we may not know exactly who and in what sequence each individual came at the tomb, but we do know that women were among the first to come at the tomb, which is a significant discovery.

Mary Magdalene and Joanna are very briefly mentioned in Luke’s gospel as recipients of Jesus’ miraculous healings, but it is clear that they were there.

(See also Luke 8:1-3) Identifying their genuine identities across the many tales is difficult, and in some cases impossible, and most of what is known about their true identities is left to tradition and speculation.

Mark’s Account of the Resurrection

Mark’s story continues with the following words: “And they went to Jesus’ tomb very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had just risen.” And they were joking around with one another, saying things like, “Who will move aside the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us?” And as they looked up, they noticed that the stone had been pushed back—it was a huge one. As they approached the tomb, they noticed a young guy seated on the right side, clad in a white robe, and they were startled by his presence.

He has ascended; he is no longer present.

But go, inform his followers and Peter that he will be arriving in Galilee before you do.

The Credibility of Women During the First Century

Women’s experiences in this region of the world throughout the first century were not recognized as trustworthy. Women were not even permitted to testify in court at that period and location. So why would God choose a group of individuals as diverse as women to be the first to share such tremendous news as the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour with the rest of humanity? Nonetheless, why would He entrust such a job to individuals who, according to scripture, have no prior history and some of whom have just recently been introduced in their arrival at the tomb to witness the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Eve and the Women Who Visited the Tomb

When I’m thinking about these topics, it’s intriguing to think back to the Garden of Eden. The lady, Eve, was fooled by the snake and ate the forbidden fruit, after which she handed the fruit to her husband, Adam, for him to consume. Even while Adam’s transgression is obvious, in that he disobeyed God’s express instruction and ate the fruit, Eve was the one who participated in the sin initially, and who encouraged Adam to sin. There is a connection between the part played by Eve in this event and the roles played by the women in the tale of the resurrection of Jesus.

Then they were entrusted with disseminating this knowledge to the other disciples, which they dutifully did.

However, while this is by no means the reason why God picked women to be the messengers of the resurrection, it is an interesting thought to ponder and an awesome witness to God’s magnificent work in the redemption of mankind.

Devotion to Jesus

While the story of the ladies at the tomb remain a mystery, what was obvious was their dedication toJesus and the sacrifice they made on his behalf. It is recorded in John’s gospel that Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb “when it was yet dark.” In my opinion, she must have had little sleep during the last few of days because she seemed so tired. As indicated before in Luke 8:3, several of the ladies contributed much to “provide.out of their means.” Also present during Jesus’ crucifixion, they took meticulous note of where the corpse was deposited (Luke 23:55-56) in order to delicately embalm Him afterwards, despite their distance.

It is important to remember that God communicates to everyone, including those who feel unheard or unappreciated.

Even whether we have committed a specific sin, or if we have just drifted away from Him in general, we need look no farther than His sacrifice on the cross and the power and glory shown in His resurrection to know that He is always there to greet us when we come back. With many blessings upon you.

Corinne March

Corinne March is the wife of Stephen March, who works as the Operations Director for FBH International. They have two children. She is a stay-at-home parent who spends the most of her time homeschooling her three children. She is married and has three children. Steve serves as a senior elder at Scottlea Gospel Chapel in St. Catharines, Ontario, where she worships with him.

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