The Empty Tomb
Introduction: In each of the gospels, the resurrection chapter opens with the arrival of women at the grave site early in the morning after the Sabbath rest, with the intention of further anointing the body with spices. Each of the four gospels is consistent in the mention (by name) of Mary Magdalene’s presence that resurrection morning. This study presents a “harmony” listing of verses with parallel accounts and interposed sections arranged in a proposed chronology, to provide a composite picture of those final events. The complete and unaltered text of all four gospel accounts from the 1769 KJV was used.
A — The Stone Rolled Away
Matthew 28 “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.”
Comments: Only Matthew’s gospel tells us the means of removal of the stone from the sepulchre entrance. The description of the “angel of the Lord” caused an automatic response — this is the Lord Jesus Christ! The guards are so frightened by the sight they become like dead men, and probably stay in a non-responsive state until the women finally leave the tomb after seeing the risen Christ.
B — The Women Arrive
Mark 16 “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. 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.”
Comments: Mary Magdalene is clearly given prominence by name in the gospel accounts, as she and other women came at sunrise with spices for a corpse, wondering who would remove the great stone for them. They were not anticipating the resurrection, but they did have the desire to take this final action of honor, after having witnessed placement of the body in the tomb just days before. When they arrived, they saw the stone already removed!
C — Mary Reports the Missing Corpse
John 20 “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.”
Comments: John’s gospel tells us that Mary ran to tell Peter and John that the body was gone and she did not know where it had been taken or by whom. Peter runs to the sepulchre and sees that the body is indeed gone, and then he goes away still wondering what has happened. But Mary, who has apparently followed the disciples back to the tomb, lingers, and the next step in the drama unfolds.
D — Resurrection Revealed
Matthew 28 “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.”
John 20 “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?”
Comments: Now the women see angels who tell them that Jesus has arisen from the dead. As the women are leaving the tomb to tell the disciples, their emotions are a mixture of fear and great joy.
E — Jesus Appears to Mary
John 20 “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.”
Comments: Jesus appears to the women, and the account again centers on Mary Magdalene. Jesus tells Mary not to be afraid, and to go to the disciples and tell them that when they go to Galilee, he will meet them there. Only Matthew’s gospel tells us that the guards from the tomb go to Jerusalem to tell their story to the leaders. The chief priests and elders bribe the guards with a large amount of money to fabricate an account of theft of the body by the disciples.
F — The Appearance on the Road to Emmaus
Luke 24 “25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way?”
Comments: Only Mark and Luke tell of this appearance on the road to Emmaus. The variety of information and style in the gospel accounts is good reason to take the time to harmonize selected passages. The two travelers rush back to Jerusalem to report to the eleven, but even this report is not believed.
G — In the Upper Room
Luke 24 “39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 44 These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you.”
John 20 “27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands… be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
Comments: Jesus appears to the ten (Thomas being absent) in the upper room. We perhaps take this matter of belief in his appearing far too casually, when the event is unique in all of history. Thomas is often tagged as the doubter, but his position among the disciples is not unique because of his doubt — they all doubted until they saw Jesus for themselves. Jesus made a direct appearance for Thomas, and Jesus made the memorable statement that those who do not see Jesus and yet believe are very blessed, which is precious to many over the centuries.
H — The Great Commission and Ascension
Matthew 28 “18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
John 20 “31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
Comments: Jesus gives some final instructions before he ascends to sit at the right hand of the Father. It is interesting to note that Matthew’s gospel says that some doubted even in the group that followed the instructions to go to Galilee, and yet this too continues down through the centuries among those who hear the gospel. John concludes his gospel account by explaining that not all that Jesus had done is recorded, but that which has been recorded is intended to engender belief unto eternal life through his name.
Reflections in Prayer
I praise you Lord Jesus for the truth of your power over death, demonstrated by your atoning death for all who would believe, followed by your victorious resurrection and appearance to many witnesses. I thank you also Lord for your patience with my unbelief, as I would have been in the company of all your other followers. But, praise God, I am among those very blessed ones as you told Thomas, because I have believed without having seen you in person. In this generation, we have so much more of the scriptures than in any period of Biblical times. Strengthen me Lord Jesus, through your Holy Spirit, to study your word until it is the underlying influence of all my thoughts, motivating my actions; and may I embrace the power of resurrection for my own life. Help me Lord to be a witness to others of your resurrection power. Amen.
Published 6 June 2005; first issued 9 May 2000