Who Found Jesus Tomb Empty

Who Were the Women at the Empty Tomb?

Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week, falls on this Sunday. In our book, The Last Days of Jesus, we discuss My co-author, Andreas Köstenberger, and I are attempting to give some assistance in understanding the identity and function of Jesus’ female followers, particularly in relation to their discovery of the empty tomb and their firsthand testimony to the resurrection of Christ. When attempting to synchronize the acts of the ladies throughout the four narratives, there are a lot of aspects in their narrative that might be confusing.

It can even be difficult to decipher the complexities of Greek language.

A.

“his mother and mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” The following are the words of B.

1. In the case of Option B, the reference is most likely to Joseph.
2. Despite the fact that we do not claim to provide definitive solutions in our book, I thought it could be beneficial for those who are preaching or thinking about this subject to highlight the relevant items in our reference guide, which is included at the conclusion of the text.
3. Joanna is number one (wife of Chuza) She was one of the first women to find the empty tomb (Luke 24:10), and she was the wife of Chuza, who served as King Herod Antipas’s home manager or steward (Luke 8:3).
4. 2.
5. She was liberated from seven devils by the power of Jesus (Luke 8:2; Mark 16:9).
6. 27:57), that she was a witness to the crucifixion and burial (Matt.
7. She was the first person to see Jesus alive (Mark 16:9) and she immediately informed the other disciples of his resurrection (Luke 24:10; John 20:18).
8. From the cross, Jesus transferred his widowed mother to John’s care, and she moved in with him to dwell in his house (John 19:25-27)—possibly because Mary’s other sons had not yet come to faith (John 7:5; see also Matt.

13:57; Mark 3:21, 31; 6:4). The following were the names of Mary’s other sons (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:2-3; Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:4-5; Gal. 1:19):

• 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).

Why Were Women at the Tomb the Ones Who Found it Empty

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.

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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.

He didn’t have to do anything.

The angel removed the stone from the grave, ensuring that whoever arrived at the site would find it empty.

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.

• I’ve had my doubts about the Lord a number of times.
• 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.
• We may put our faith in God.
• When the women arrived at the tomb and saw that it had been empty, the angel revealed the truth about what had occurred.
• (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.
• After all, why wouldn’t we be eager to communicate the most incredible news the world has ever heard?

What a beautiful gesture by God to send the women to the disciples. The guys had all turned their backs on Jesus. Each and every one of them! The ladies at the tomb, on the other hand, had faith and were loyal! That demonstrates how forgiving God is toward those of us who are disloyal.

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.
• That implies He was given a new body that was created to last for forever.

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.

As a result, the notion of a resurrected body seemed ludicrous at the time. When Peter arrived to the tomb, he was full of faith. Then John came in, took another look, and decided to believe as well.

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.

• This time she didn’t develop a cold as she usually did.
• In the midst of her anguish, the activities that ordinarily occupied her time received little attention.
• Even the horror of witnessing an angel passed her by without a second thought.
• Then she recognized her own voice.
• I recall attempting to wake myself awake but failing miserably because I couldn’t bring myself to open my eyes.
• “Cindy,” my husband’s voice whispered as I felt a hand resting on my shoulder.
• I couldn’t see him since I couldn’t open my eyes, but I could hear him and knew I was in excellent hands.

There was no logic to anything.

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 couldn’t wait to tell her friends and family about it.

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.

• Because they were yearning to have Him back in their lives.
• The Resurrection of Jesus Christis more than simply a beautiful Easter narrative.
• It is a proven truth.
• 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.
• HE’S STILL A LIVE!
• Jesus is alive in us at all times, at every single instant of every single day.
• 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.

What are your thoughts? Is He still alive and well in you? If that’s the case, notify someone! 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

Quick Answer: Who discovered Jesus empty tomb?

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. in which I saw two angels in white sat where Jesus’ corpse had been, one seated at the head of the cross and the other at the foot of the cross

Who ran to the tomb and found it empty?

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).

Who got to Jesus tomb first?

As a result, she dashed to Simon’s side. Suddenly, Peter and his fellow disciple, the one whom Jesus cherished, came to him and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we have no idea where they have put him!” As a result, Peter and the other disciple began their journey to the tomb. Both disciples were sprinting, but the other disciple outran Peter and made it to the tomb before him.

Who went to the empty tomb first?

3 In response, Peter and the other disciple stepped out and began walking in the direction of the tomb. 4 And they hurried together, and the other disciple outran Peter and was the first to get at the tomb; 5 and crouching and peering in, he seeth the linen cloths laying there, but he does not go in because he is afraid.

Did Mary Magdalene see Jesus first?

The Bible, on the other hand, is cited by both Bond and Taylor as additional proof of Mary Magdalene’s close knowledge of Jesus. When the other disciples flee from the cross, she stands by it, and she is the first person to view Jesus after the Resurrection of the dead.

How many angels were at Jesus tomb?

The Angel Seated on the Stone of the Tomb by James Tissot is a painting by James Tissot. John 20:12 is the twelfth verse of the twenty-first chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, and it is the twelfth verse of the Christian Bible. Mary Magdalene is staring into the empty tomb of Jesus when she notices two angels in the background of her vision.

Where did Jesus go when he left the tomb?

The Gospel of Luke portrays Jesus going to heaven at a site near Bethany, which is consistent with the tradition. When Mary Magdalene arrived to the empty tomb, an angel came to her, informing her that Jesus was not there since he had been risen from the dead, and ordering her to tell the other disciples to go with them all the way to Galilee, where they would meet Jesus.

Which Angel opened the tomb?

The women, Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary,” were on their way to the tomb of Jesus after his crucifixion when an earthquake struck and an angel appeared to them. …

Matthew 28:2
Benjamin West’s The Angel at the Tomb of Christ.
Book	Gospel of Matthew
Christian Bible part	New Testament

Who spoke with God face to face?

Ex 33:11 informs the reader that God would talk to Moses face to face, just as a man would speak to a friend in the same way. God promises Moses in Exodus 33:14-15 that He will accompany him and that His face will be with him.

Who outran Peter to the tomb?

Despite the fact that they ran together for a time, John outran Peter in the last stretch and was the first to reach the tomb. However, while John waited outside, Peter dashed into the tomb and discovered the linens neatly folded within. What was the purpose of including these specifics?

Did the mother of Jesus go to the tomb?

The other gospels provide a variety of clues as to the number and identity of women who came to the tomb, including: “We do not know where they have placed him,” Mary Magdalene says in John 20:1, despite the fact that she is the only one who is mentioned (John 20:2).

According to Matthew 28:1, Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” went to the tomb to pay their respects.

Did Jesus have a wife?

Mary Magdalene in the role of Jesus’ wife According to one of these manuscripts, referred to Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ friend and said that Jesus loved her more than the other disciples. This document is known as the Gospel of Philip.

Why did Jesus Fold the napkin?

The servant would then be aware that the table needed to be cleared. Since the wadded napkin signified, “I’m finished,” it was used in those days. When the master gets up from the table and folds his napkin and places it near his plate, the servant will not dare to touch the table because the folded napkin signals, “I’m coming back!”.

How many children did Mary have after Jesus?

James, Joseph/Joses, Judas/Jude, and Simon are all mentioned as brothers of Jesus, the son of Mary, in the Gospel of Mark (6:3) and the Gospel of Matthew (13:55–56), respectively. The same lines also refer to unidentified sisters of Jesus who are mentioned in passing.

What happened to Mary Magdalene after Jesus died?

Life of Mary Magdalene following the events of the Gospels. According to Eastern legend, she followed St. John the Apostle to Ephesus, where she died and was buried. St. John the Apostle is said to have accompanied her. … She was brought to Ephesus (near modern Selçuk, Turkey), where she died and was buried by John the Evangelist.

Who is Jesus beloved disciple?

Since the end of the first century, John the Evangelist has been referred to as the Beloved Disciple by the majority of Christians. From as early as the third century, and particularly since the Enlightenment, scholars have argued about who wrote the Johannine literature (including the Gospel of John, Epistles of John, and The Book of Revelation).

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.

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

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The other day, I came across a massive list of claimed inconsistencies in the Bible, which was just one of many such lists that have been circulating about the internet for years. Such lists appear to be scary when first glanced at. Is it truly true that there are so many discrepancies in the Bible text? What is the significance of these seeming contradictions, and should we be discouraged from trusting the Bible’s assertions in the face of them? In the near future, I aim to address on this blog some of the most frequently-cited purported inconsistencies in the Bible, which have been brought to my attention.

1. A question regarding an apparent conflict between two Gospel stories was sent to Lee Strobel’s Investigating Faith newsletter, and the following is his response to the reader’s query.
2. This appears to me to be a case of errors in the Bible.
3. A contradiction is defined as the simultaneous affirmation and denial of the same item, in the same regard, at the same time.
4. In order to offer some more clarity on the biblical text you referenced, it should be noted that only Mary Magdalene is specifically mentioned at the tomb in John’s Gospel (John 20:1).
5. This lends credence to the other Gospels’ claims that several women walked to the tomb with Mary, maybe following closely behind her in their footsteps.
6. Because of this, when John wrote his Gospel, he only mentioned one lady by name, but he used the plural word “we” to suggest that she was accompanied by others.
7. Historically, it has been well documented that a woman’s testimony in the ancient world was typically not deemed trustworthy, and that women were generally barred from testifying in court of law.

Another well-known “contradiction” raised by skeptics concerns the number of angels who were present at the empty tomb.

(John 20:12).

It appears from a careful examination of these two verses that Matthew emphasizes the angel who spoke and “said to the ladies, ‘Do not be frightened,'” whereas John emphasizes the number of angels that the women saw; “and she saw two angels,” according to Matthew.

When it comes to regular season games, the Chicago Bears face their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers, twice every year.

The reporter for the Chicago Tribune is likely to file the same article, record the same major events in the same sequence, and describe huge plays in the same manner as the reporter for either the Chicago Sun-Times or Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Will they be able to come to terms on several important aspects of the game?

Despite this, they were all present for the game.

Was the Chicago Tribune correct in not include Julius Peppers as a participant in the tackle?

In the same manner, we may examine disparities in eyewitness evidence throughout the Gospels.

Roosevelt and other presidents as well as renowned men and women throughout history, we can see that some biographers choose to stress different aspects about pivotal periods in their lives or Presidency than other biographers do.

If this question and answer piques your interest, have a look at Lee’s Investigating Faith newsletter, in which he responds to a different question from a different reader each issue.

Jesus’ Burial Tomb Uncovered: Here’s What Scientists Saw Inside

JERUSALEM According to preliminary findings, portions of the tomb where Jesus Christ’s body is traditionally believed to have been buried are still in existence today, despite the centuries of damage, destruction, and reconstruction that have occurred in the surrounding Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is located in Jerusalem’s Old City. The tomb, which is the most revered location in the Christian world, presently consists of a limestone shelf or burial bed that was hewn from the cave’s wall, and it is the most visited site in the world.

• During the first removal of the marble cladding on the night of October 26, the restoration team from the National Technical University of Athens discovered just a layer of fill material beneath the marble.
• After being discovered intact in the middle of the night on October 28, just hours before the tomb was to be resealed, the original limestone burial bed was discovered.
• Because I was not anticipating this, my knees are trembling a little,” said Fredrik Hiebert, archaeologist in residence at National Geographic.
• Despite the fact that we can’t be certain, it looks to be visual confirmation that the site of the tomb has not changed through time, something scientists and historians have been wondering about for decades.
• To allow visitors to see one of the cave walls, a window has been carved into the southern interior wall of the shrine.

Was This Really the Tomb of Christ?

While it is archaeologically impossible to say that the tomb recently uncovered in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the burial site of an individual Jew known as Jesus of Nazareth, there is indirect evidence to suggest that the identification of the site by representatives of the Roman emperor Constantine some 300 years later may be a reasonable one. The earliest accounts of Jesus’ burial come from the Canonical Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament, which are believed to have been composed decades after Christ’s crucifixion around A.D.

While there are variations in the details, the accounts consistently describe how Christ was buried in a rock-cut tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy Jewish follower of Jesus.

Each one of these family tombs consisted of one or more burial chambers with long niches cut into the sides of the rock to accommodate individual bodies.

“This does not, of course, prove that the event was historical. But what it does suggest is that whatever the sources were for the gospel accounts, they were familiar with this tradition and these burial customs.”

Outside the City Walls

Traditionally, Jews were not allowed to be buried within city walls; therefore, the Gospels explicitly state that Jesus was buried outside of Jerusalem, at the scene of his crucifixion on Golgotha (“the place of skulls”). The city of Jerusalem was enlarged a few years after the burial is claimed to have taken place, bringing Golgotha and the adjoining tomb within the boundaries of the new city. In 325 A.D., when Constantine’s delegates arrived in Jerusalem to seek the burial, they were purportedly directed to a temple erected by the Roman emperor Hadrian more than 200 years earlier.

1. In the words of Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, the Roman temple had been demolished, and excavations under it had discovered a rock-cut tomb beneath the ground.
2. The Fatimids entirely demolished the church in 1009, and it was reconstructed in the mid-11th century after being completely devastated.
3. An ancient limestone quarry, as well as at least half a dozen more rock-cut graves, some of which may still be seen today, were also discovered by archaeologists.
4. “What they demonstrate is that this region was, in reality, a Jewish cemetery outside the walls of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus,” says the author.

Months of Restoration, Decades of Study

The burial bed has been resealed in its original marble coating over the course of the previous few days, and it is possible that it will not be revealed for hundreds of years or possibly millennia. It is the goal of Moropoulou and her team to ensure that the architectural conservation they are performing will survive forever. Prior to the rock being resealed, however, significant documentation was carried out on the surface of the formation. A careful review of the data gathered when the burial bed and cave walls were exposed, according to archaeologist Martin Biddle, who published a seminal study on the history of the tomb in 1999.

In addition to other tombs in the area that must have been of great significance because they are covered with crosses and inscriptions painted and scratched into the rock surfaces, Biddle says, “the surfaces of the rock must be examined with the greatest care, I mean minutely, for traces of graffiti.” “As Biddle points out, “the problem of graffiti is vitally critical.” “We know that there are at least a half-dozen more rock-cut graves beneath various portions of the cathedral,” says the researcher.

So what was it about this tomb that convinced Bishop Eusebius that it was the tomb of Christ?

I don’t believe Eusebius made a mistake—he was a brilliant scholar—so there is certainly some proof if one is simply willing to search hard enough.” As a result of their efforts, the National Technical University of Athens’ crew has continued its renovation work on the Edicule.

The National Geographic Channel will premiere the documentary Explorer in November, which will take an in-depth look into the holy city of Jerusalem.

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.
• Come and take a look at the spot where He was resting.
• And, lo and behold, Jesus appeared and greeted them.
• 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.
• They arrived at the tomb very early in the morning on the first day of the week, before the sun had even risen.

When they looked up, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away, despite the fact that it was incredibly enormous.

“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.

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 individuality of each reporter, and as investigators, we may never be able to pinpoint the exact reason for the occurrence of variations of this nature.

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 pedigree is later reinforced by the statement “This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written about them, and we know that his testimony is true” (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 authors refer to a group, and some of the authors identify specific members of this group based on their own personal perspectives, purposes, 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 resolve 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 level of variation that I would have expected to see if they were accurate and reliable eyewitness descriptions.

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

When it comes to the number and identity of the women who came to the tomb of Jesus, the four gospel accounts show the same variation 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.

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.

1. 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.
2. They rushed from the tomb, terrified and amazed, and they said nothing to anybody because they were too scared to say anything.
3. 10She went to them and informed them that she had been with him, as they sobbed and lamented.
4. 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. 12However, Peter arose and dashed to the tomb, where, kneeling and peering in, he discovers the linen cloths by themselves; and he returned to his house, perplexed by what had transpired.

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.

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.

9Because they were unaware of the scripture’s prophecy that he would rise from the grave.

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.

14After she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, completely unaware that it was Jesus who had appeared.

Who is it that you are looking for?

She turns to face him and addresses him in Hebrew as Rabboni, which translates as Teacher.

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.