FOUR SECOND-HAND VERSIONS OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION!
Skeptics say that because the four Gospels differ in their descriptions of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, that they cannot be trusted. On the other hand, most realize that had the four versions been identical, that they would demonstrate a collusion of witnesses, and that their testimony was rehearsed. Another consideration should be taken into account that might explain the variance in the details: they are all second-hand accounts! The Gospel writers were not at the tomb! John did arrive after hearing Mary's report, but he was not there at the beginning of the day.
Conservative theologians have struggled over the centuries to explain how each version has to be totally true, since the inspiration of the Scriptures is the Holy Spirit. After all, He is God, and therefore could not make mistakes. But are the variances mistakes? I do not believe they are. The Holy Spirit moved the writers of Scripture to pen their contributions to the Word of God, but, as can be seen by the emphasis of each of the Gospel writers, each having written from his own perspective. That is why Matthew emphasizes the Messianic identity of Jesus, while John was focused on His deity.
Another example of differing versions of the same event appear in the Book of Acts; the Apostle Paul gives his conversion testimony three times, and they all have different details (see Acts Chapters 9, 22, and 26). Luke, the writer of Acts, got his information from Paul himself (see Luke 1:1-3; Acts 1:1-2).
My recommendation is to focus upon the factors that appear in all four versions; Mary, the first day of the week, the empty tomb, angelic messengers, etc. Jesus did rise from the dead, and His disciples, the same ones who were cowards at the Crucifixion, willing gave their lives as Apostles of the risen Lord!
Matthew 28:1-6 - In the end of the Sabbath (our Saturday), as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week (our Sunday), came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. 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. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers (guards - Mt. 27:62-66) did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not: for I know that you seek Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Mark 16:1-6 - And when the Sabbath (our Saturday) was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week (our Sunday), they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulcher? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he said unto them, Be not affrighted: You seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him.
Luke 24:1-8 - Now upon the first day of the week (our Sunday), very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spoke unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words....
John 20:1-16 - The first day of the week (our Sunday) came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and she saw the stone taken away from the sepulcher. Then she ran to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid Him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen (burial) clothes lying there; yet went he not in. Then Simon Peter, following him, and went into the sepulcher, and saw the linen clothes lying there, and the napkin, that was about His head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not (did not comprehend) the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary stood without (outside) the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, and she saw two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they said unto her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said unto Him, Sir, if You have borne Him hence (moved Him), tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus said 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.
THE SCRIPTURES FORETOLD OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION;
AND THAT HE WILLINGLY DIED FOR OUR SINS ON THE CROSS!
THEY ALSO REVEAL THAT HE IS COMING BACK TO EARTH
TO RULE IN HIS KINGDOM FOR 1000 YEARS!
BELIEVERS LOOK FORWARD TO HIS RETURN;
UNBELIEVERS IGNORANTLY COULD CARE LESS!
BOY ARE THEY IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING!
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