Resurrection Appearances of Jesus Christ

Matthew 28:1-20 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to see the Lord’s tomb

• Earthquake, appearance of an angel, they see Christ as they return to the Apostles, and “they embraced his feet”

Mark 16:1-8 Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome go to see the Lord’s tomb.

• Enter the tomb and see a “young man” likely a messenger/angel

Luke 24: 1-12 The Women who had come with him from Galilee

• Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James

• Two men appear, they tell the Apostles who do not believe them.

John 20:1-10 Mary Magdalene

• Sees the stone rolled away and immediately tells Simon Peter, (no vision of angels)

What are we to do with all these differences in the accounts?

1. Remember the 4 Gospels are different to provide different takes on the same events. One of the authenticating aspects of the gospels is that they are different. If the essential story is the same one can grasp the facts. The extrinsic details are not as important. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John regularly make stylistic and pedagogical decisions about the details they include. If one reads each gospel on its own they will discover some of these choices, and even be able to make educated guesses as to their witnesses. Regardless, the essential story being the same is affirmed in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-7. St. Paul’s account of meeting Jesus on the way, and the undisputed conversion affirm in a tremendous way the need for greater reflection.

2. Jesus died. If you have ever had the experience being with someone while they are dying, or the family shortly after death, you will find that they each give different “highlights”. The trauma followed by joy at Christ’s resurrection must have been intoxicating. The excitement with which these stories were passed on likely had some effect on the details. The fact that only women are the first to see the tomb affirms this. The absence of the apostles at the cross (John excluded) makes it clear that they might have been absent from the tomb. They still would have been scared. This fear in a way affirms the death of Jesus, it was a fear that they would be next.

3. Women. Throughout the four accounts women are the witnesses at the tomb. This also affirms the validity of the accounts because in First Century Palestine it would not help the story if women were the witnesses. Women were not considered credible on the level of legal settlements. The fact that all Four Evangelists include this detail should give us pause. Why include details that could so easily discredit the accounts?

With this in mind let’s focus on one passage…. Matthew

Matthew, chapter 28

The Resurrection of Jesus.1^a After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,^* Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.2^{* b} And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.3^c His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow.4The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men.5Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.6^* He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.7^d Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”8Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce^* this to his disciples.9^{* e} And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

The Report of the Guard.^*11While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened.12They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,13telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’14And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy [him] and keep you out of trouble.”15The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present [day].

The Commissioning of the Disciples.^*16^f The eleven^* disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.17^* When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.18^{* g} Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19^h Go, therefore,^* and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,20ⁱ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.^* And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Questions:

1. What jumps out to you from this text? Do you notice any words that are repeated? Are there any phrases that seem interesting, or difficult to read?

2. What are some of the Themes in this passage?

3. What does the text mean when it says: He has been raised… they embraced His feet… Do not be afraid…

4. What does Christ intend when He says …teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…?

5. Why do the Apostles return to Galilee?

6. When/where did you first begin to follow the Lord?

7. What does it mean for you to return to Galilee?