Can the various resurrection accounts from the four Gospels be harmonized?

Response

The events related to Jesus’ resurrection can be challenging to reconstruct. It is important to keep in mind two key points: firstly, the news of Jesus’ resurrection sparked great excitement in Jerusalem, leading to a chaotic situation where many individuals were heading in various directions. This resulted in groups becoming separated, with multiple groups visiting the tomb, possibly on more than one occasion. Secondly, the Gospel writers did not aim to provide a comprehensive account; in other words, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John did not intend to document every detail of the resurrection or every event in a strict chronological order.

When engaging with skeptics on the topic of Jesus’ resurrection, Christians face a dilemma. If the resurrection narratives align perfectly, skeptics may argue that the Gospel writers collaborated. Conversely, if there are discrepancies among the resurrection accounts, skeptics may claim that the Gospels are contradictory and therefore unreliable. Our position is that the resurrection narratives can be reconciled and do not inherently contradict each other.

Nevertheless, even if the resurrection narratives cannot be seamlessly harmonized, this does not diminish their reliability. Upon careful examination, the resurrection testimonies in the four Gospels present remarkably consistent firsthand reports. The core truths – that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to numerous individuals post-resurrection – are clearly conveyed in each Gospel account. Any apparent disparities are in minor details. For instance, the discrepancy in the number of angels seen at the tomb (one or two) could be attributed to different perspectives (one person may have seen one angel, while another saw two). Similarly, variations in the accounts of the women to whom Jesus appeared and the sequence of His appearances do not claim to provide an exact chronological order. Therefore, while the resurrection narratives may appear inconsistent,It cannot be proven that the accounts are contradictory.

Here is a possible harmony of the narratives of the resurrection of Christ and His post-resurrection appearances, in chronological order:

Jesus is buried, as several women watch (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42).

The tomb is sealed, and a guard is set (Matthew 27:62-66).

At least three women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, prepare spices to go to the tomb (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1).

An angel descends from heaven, rolls the stone away, and sits on it. There is an earthquake, and the guards faint (Matthew 28:2-4).

The women arrive at the tomb and find it empty. Mary Magdalene leaves the other women there and runs to tell the disciples (John 20:1-2).

The women still at the tomb see two angels who tell them that Jesus is risen and instruct them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-8).

The women leave to bring the news to the disciples «And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. », (Matthew 28:8).

The guards, having roused themselves, report the empty tomb to the authorities, who bribe the guards to say the body was stolen (Matthew

28:11-15).

Mary, the mother of James, and the other women, while on their way to find the disciples, see Jesus (Matthew 28:9-10).

The women recount what they have seen and heard to the disciples (Luke 24:9-11).

Peter and John rush to the tomb, observe that it is empty, and discover the grave clothes (Luke 24:12;John 20:2-10).

Mary Magdalene goes back to the tomb. She sees the angels, and then she sees Jesus (John 20:11-18).

Later that same day, Jesus appears to Peter (Luke 24:34;1 Corinthians 15:5).

Still on the same day, Jesus appears to Cleopas and another disciple on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32).

That evening, the two disciples report the event to the Eleven in Jerusalem (Luke 24:32-35).

Jesus appears to ten disciples—Thomas is absent (Luke 24:36-43;John 20:19-25).

Jesus appears to all eleven disciples—Thomas included (John 20:26-31).

Jesus appears to seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25).

Jesus appears to about 500 disciples in Galilee «after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. », (1 Corinthians 15:7).

Jesus commissions His disciples (Matthew 28:16-20).

Jesus teaches His disciples the Scriptures and promises to send the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:4-5).

Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-12).