Many commentators have noted the contradictions in the resurrection narratives of the Gospels. However, to the best of my knowledge, only one investigator has come to the extraordinary conclusion that the Gospels do not contradict, but make a farce of the Resurrection. This author is Jospeh Atwill and his book is "Caesar's Messiah". As always, extraordinary conclusions require us to investigate the material and arrive at our own conclusions. Chapter 6, "The Puzzle of the Empty Tomb", and the King James Bible will be utilized for references.
On page 133, we have the following from the Gospel of John:
First, one individual on the outside of the tomb
Second, one individual on the inside of the tomb Third, two individuals inside the tomb |
20:5
20:6 20:8 |
Confirmation of the above is found in the Synoptic Gospels:
First, one individual on the outside of the tomb
Second, one individual on the inside of the tomb Third, two individuals inside the tomb |
20:5
20:6 20:8 |
Matthew 28:5
Mark 16:5 Luke 24:3-4 |
Luke 24:12
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john
[11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, [12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. [13] And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. [14] And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus |
luke
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. |
The following will used in the combined narrative: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
1. The sun must indicate that Mary comes first to the tomb in the Gospel of John.
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[1] The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
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2. Mary must encounter no angels during her first visit to the tomb in the Gospel of John.
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[2] Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him
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3. The other disciple must reach the tomb first, not Peter.
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[3] Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
[4] So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. |
4. The other disciple must not go in.
5. The disciple must look in. |
[5] And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
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6. Simon Peter, not Peter or the other disciple, must be the one who arrives second at the tomb.
7.Simon Peter must go in alone. 8. The other disciple must go into the tomb after Simon Peter. |
[6] Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
[7] And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. [8] Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. [9] For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. |
9.The sun must indicate that Mary comes to the tomb second in the Gospel of Matthew.
10. The group described in Matthew must encounter one angel. 11. The angel in Matthew must be outside the tomb. |
[1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: [4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. [5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. [8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. |
12. The sun must indicate that Mary comes to the tomb next (third) in the version given in the Gospel of Mark.
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[1] And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
[2] And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. [3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? [4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. |
13. The group from Matthew must encounter one angel.
14. The group from Mark must encounter the angel inside the tomb. |
[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
[5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. |
15. The sun must indicate that Mary comes to the tomb last in the version given in the Gospel of Luke.
16. The group described in Luke must discover the angels inside the tomb. 17. This group must encounter two angels. 18. The angel must request that "Peter" not "Simon Peter", be told. 19. The Mary who stands outside weeping in John must encounter two "angels", because the plural is used in Luke to describe "those" who go to the tomb. 20. The angels Mary sees must be inside the tomb, because those who go to the tomb in Luke are described as not seeing Jesus. 21. Mary must encounter Jesus outside the tomb. |
[1] Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
[2] And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. [3] And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: [5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? [6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, [7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. [8] And they remembered his words, [9] And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. [6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. [7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you [10] Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. [11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, [12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. [13] And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. [14] And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. |
NB-on page 145 the text reads "14. The group from Matthew must encounter the angel inside the tomb". This contradicts "11. The angel in Matthew must be outside the tomb." The correct reading should be "14. The group from Mark must encounter the angel inside the tomb". Clearly, Mr. Atwill makes co conspirators of those who attempt to reconstruct his research. Mr. Atwill finishes the sixth chapter without discussing the remainder of the Gospel stories. They are as follows:
Matthew
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[9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
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Mark
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[8] And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
[9] Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. [10] And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. [11] And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. |
Luke
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[10] It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
[11] And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. [12] Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. |
John
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[15] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
[16] Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. [17] Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. [18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. |
The Gospel verses are in normal type and my commentary is in red. Matthew has an angel moving the stone and the other Gospel narrative find the stone remove or rolled away. Therefore, Matthew must be the first account. Of the three remaining versions, John's version state clearly it was still dark.
Matthew Mark Luke John
[1] In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
[2] And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
[4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. [5] And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [7] And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. [8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. [11] Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. [12] And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, [13] Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. [14] And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. [15] So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. |
angel moves stone Tell disciples. 1 angel outside. No one inside. go to the disciples |
[1] The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
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stone taken away
still dark |
[2] Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
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Mary Magdalene thinks the body is stolen.
She knows nothing of a resurrection. |
[1] And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
[2] And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.[3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? [4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. |
stone rolled away. |
[5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
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This scenario does not occur in John.
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No one outside.
1 young man inside. |
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[1] Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
[2] And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. [3] And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: [5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? [6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, [7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. [8] And they remembered his words, [9] And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
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[8] Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. |
stone rolled away.
body not found No one outside. Two men inside. The women learn of the resurrection. |
[10] It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
[11] And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. |
Told apostles.
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[6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
[7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. |
Tell disciples and Peter of the resurrection.
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[8] And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
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The women in Mark's version do not relate what happened. This is the end of the story.
[12] Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre;
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[3] Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
[4] So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. |
Peter is told and goes to the tomb.
Other disciple outside. No one inside |
[12cnt]and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
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Apostle Peter outside.
No one inside. linen clothes |
[5] And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
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Peter not yet at the tomb.
linen clothes The other disciple is outside the tomb. One disciple outside. No one inside. |
[6] Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
[7] And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. |
Simon Peter arrive and goes into the tomb.
linen clothes Other disciple outside. Simon Peter inside. |
[4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
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[8] Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
[9] For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. [10] Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. |
Simon Peter and the other disciple are in the tomb.
No one outside. Simon Peter and the other disciple are inside. |
[11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
[12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. [13] And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. |
Mary outside. Two angels inside. |
[14] And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
[15] Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. [16] Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. [17] Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. |
Mary Magdalene learns of the resurrection.
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[9] And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
[10] Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. |
[9] Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
[10] And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. |
[18] Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
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in Matthew, Jesus meets Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.
In Mark, Jesus meets Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome.
Therefore, Matthew and Mark agree.
In Luke, Jesus does not appear.
In John, Jesus meets one woman, Mary Magdalene.
We must conclude there are three versions of the Resurrection.
In Mark, Jesus meets Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome.
Therefore, Matthew and Mark agree.
In Luke, Jesus does not appear.
In John, Jesus meets one woman, Mary Magdalene.
We must conclude there are three versions of the Resurrection.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. |
This references the two angels inside. |
[16] Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
[17] And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. |
[11] And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
[12] After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. [13] And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. [14] Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. |
Mark |
Luke |
John |