Sabria Reuss
SRT 280 45
March 31, 2021
Analyzing the Resurrection Accounts
  MARK
  16:1 Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James,
Salome brought aromatic
spices to anoint him
16:2 they went to the tomb
very early on Monday at
sunrise
16:3 they ask each other
"Who will roll away the
stone for us from the
entrance of the tomb.
16:4 the large stone was
rolled back when they
looked up
16:5 they were alarmed
when they walked in the
tomb they saw a young
man dressed in a white
robe sitting to the right of
them
16:6 "Do not be alarmed.
You are looking for Jesus
the Nazarene, who was
crucified. He has been
raised! He is not here. Look,
there us the place where
they laid him.
16:7 But go, tell his
disciples even Peter, that
he is going ahead of you
into Galilee. You will see
him there, just as he told
you."
16:8 Then they went out
and ran from the tomb, for
terror and bewilderment
had seized them. And they
said nothing to anyone,
because they were afraid.
16:9 he first appeared to
Mary Magdalene and drove
out seven demons from her
16:10 She went to tell those
that were with him while
they were mourning and
weeping over jesus
16:11 they did not believe
her when she told them
that he was alive and saw
him
MATTHEW
28:1 After the Sabbath at
dawn on the first day of
the week, Mary
Magdalene and the
other Mary went to look
at the tomb
28:2 Suddenly there was
a severe earth quake, for
an angel of the Lord
descending from heaven
came and rolled away
the stone and sat on it
28:3 His appearance was
lightning and his clothes
were white as snow
28:4 The guards were
shaken and became like
the dead men because
they were so afraid of
him.
28:5 But the angel said
to the women, "do not
be afraid; I know that
you are looking for
Jesus, who was crucified
28:6 He is not here, for
he has been raised, just
as he said. Come and see
the place where he was
lying.
28:7 Then go quickly and
tell his disciples, "He has
been raised from the
dead." He is going ahead
of you into Galilee. You
will see him there."
Listen I have told you!"
28:8 They left the tomb
quickly with fear and
great joy and ran to tell
his disciples
28:9 But Jesus met them
saying, "Greetings!"
They came to him, held
on to his feet and
worshiped him
28:10 Then Jesus told
them "do not be afraid.
Go and tell my brothers
LUKE
24:1 On the first day of the
week at early dawn the
women went to the tomb
and brought with them the
aromatic spices they had
prepared
24:2 When they arrived
they found the stone was
rolled away from the tomb
24:3 They walked in but did
not find the body of the
Lord Jesus
24:4 While perplexed,
suddenly two men stood
behind them in dazzling
attire.
24:5 The women were
terribly frightened and
bowed their faces to the
ground but the men said to
them " Why do you look
for the living among the
dead?
24:6 He is not here, but has
been raised! Remember
how he told you, while he
was still in Galilee,
24:7 That the Son of Man
must be delivered into the
hands of sinful me, and he
be crucified, and on the
third day rise again."
24:8 The women then
remembered his words
24:9 and they returned
from the tomb they told
what they had experienced
to the eleven and to all the
rest
24:10 Now it was Mary
Magdalene, Joanna, Mary
the mother of James, and
the other women with
them who told these things
to the apostles
24:11 But these words
seemed like pure nonsense
to them and they didn’t
believe them
24:12 Peter got up and ran
JOHN
20:1 Now very early on the
first day of the week, while it
was still dark, Mary
Magdalene came to the tomb
and saw that the stone had
been moved away from the
entrance.
20:2 So she went running to
Simon Peter and the other
disciple whom Jesus loved
and told them, “They have
taken the Lord from the
tomb, and we don’t know
where they have put him!”
20:3 Then Peter and the
other disciple set out to go to
the tomb.
20:4 The two were running
together, but the other
disciple ran faster than Peter
and reached the tomb first.
20:5 He bent down and saw
the strips of linen cloth lying
there, but he did not go in.
20:6 Then Simon Peter, who
had been following him,
arrived and went right into
the tomb. He saw he strips of
linen cloth lying there,
20:7 and the face cloth,
which had been around
Jesus’ head, not lying with
the strips of linen cloth but
rolled up in a place by itself.
20:8 Then the other disciple,
who had reached the tomb
first, came in, and he saw
and believed.
20:9 For they did not yet
understand the scripture that
Jesus must rise from the
dead.
Jesus’ Appearance to Mary
Magdalene
20:10 So the disciples went
back to their homes.
20:11 But Mary stood
outside the tomb weeping.
As she wept, she bent down
and looked into the tomb.
16:12 Jesus appeared to
two of the people Mary had
told while they were on
their way to the country
but, he was in a different
form
16:13 the two went back to
the others and told them
what they experienced but
they did not believe them
16:14 Jesus appeared to all
eleven while they were
eating and rebuked them
for their unbelief and the
hardness of their hearts
because they didn’t believe
they others when they said
that they had seen him
resurrected
16:15 Jesus told them "Go
into all they world and
preach he gospel to every
creature."
16:16 Those who believe
and will be baptized will be
saved but those who do not
believe will be condemned.
16:17 These signed will
accompany those who
believe; in Jesus's name
they will drive out demons;
they will speak in new
languages;
16:18 they will pick up
snakes with their hands and
whatever poison they drink
will not harm them; they
will place their hands on
the sick and they will be
well."
16:19 After Jesus had
spoken to them, he was
taken up into heaven and
sat down at the right hand
of God.
16:20 They went out and
proclaimed everywhere,
while the lord worked with
them and confirmed the
word through the
accompanying signs.
to go to Galilee. They
will see me there."
28:11 When they were
going some of the
guards went into the city
and told the chief priests
everything that had
happened.
28:12 After, they had
assembled with the
elders and formed a
plan. They have a large
sum of money to the
soldiers
28:13 The told them
"You are to say, "His
discipled came at night
and stole his body while
we were asleep,"
28:14 If this matter is
heard before the
governor, will will satisfy
him and keep you out of
trouble."
28:15 So they took the
money and did just as
they were instructed.
The story is still told
among Jews to this day.
28:16 The eleven
disciples wen tot Galilee
to the mountain Jesus
had designated.
28:17 They worshiped
him when they saw him
but some of the men
doubted
28:18 Jesus said to them,
:all authority in heaven
and on earth has been
given to me.
28:19"Therefore go and
make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them
in the name of the
Father and the Son and
the Holy Spirit,
28:20 Teaching them to
obey everything I have
commanded you. And
remember, I am with
you always, to the end of
the age."
to the tomb. When he got
there he bent down and
saw only the strips of linen
cloth; then he went back
home wondering what had
happened
24:13 That day the two of
them were on their way to
a village called Emmaus
about seven miles from
Jerusalem
24:14 They were talking to
each other about all the
things that had happened.
24:15 While they were
talking and debating Jesus
approached and began to
accompany them
24:16 But their eyes were
kept from recognizing who
he was
24:17 then he said to them
"What are these matters
you are discussing intently
as you walk along. They
stood still looking sad
24:18 One names Cleopas
answered "Are you the
only visitor to Jerusalem
who doesn't know the
things that have happened
there in these days?"
24:19 He said to them
"What things?" "The things
concerning Jesus the
Nazarene," they replied, "a
man who, with his
powerful deeds and words,
proved to be a prophet
before God and all the
people;
24:20 and how our chief
priests and rulers handed
him over to be condemned
to death, and crucified him
24:21 but we had hoped
that he was the one who
was going to redeem Israel.
Not only this, but it is now
the third day since these
things happened.
24:22 Futhermore some
women of our group
amazed us. They were at
the tomb early this
morning,
24:23 and when they did
not find his body, they
came back and said they
had seen a vision of angels,
who said he was alive
20:12 And she saw two
angels in white sitting where
Jesus’ body had been lying,
one at the head and one at
the feet.
20:13 They said to her,
“Woman, why are you
weeping?” Mary replied,
“They have taken my Lord
away, and I do not know
where they have put him!”
20:14 When she had said
this, she turned around and
saw Jesus standing there, but
she did not know that it was
Jesus.
20:15 Jesus said to her,
“Woman, why are you
weeping? Who are you
looking for?” Because she
thought he was the gardener,
she said to him, “Sir, if you
have carried him away, tell
me where you have put him,
and I will take him.”
20:16 Jesus said to her,
“Mary.” She turned and said
to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni”
(which means Teacher).
20:17 Jesus replied, “Do not
touch me, for I have not yet
ascended to my Father. Go to
my brothers and tell them, ‘I
am ascending to my Father
and your Father, to my God
and your God.’”
20:18 Mary Magdalene came
and informed the disciples, “I
have seen the Lord!” And she
told them what Jesus had
said to her.
Jesus’ Appearance to the
Disciples
20:19 On the evening of that
day, the first day of the
week, the disciples had
gathered together and
locked the doors of the place
because they were afraid of
the Jewish leaders. Jesus
came and stood among them
and said to them, “Peace be
with you.”
20:20 When he had said this,
he showed them his hands
and his side. Then the
disciples rejoiced when they
saw the Lord.
20:21 So Jesus said to them
again, “Peace be with you.
Just as the Father has sent
24:24 Then some of those
who were with us went to
the tomb and found it just
as the women had said but
they did not see him"
24:25 So he said to them
"You foolish people how
slow of heart to believe all
that the prophets have
spoken!
24:26 Wasn't it necessary
for the Christ to suffer
these things and enter into
his glory?"
24:27 Then beginning with
Moses and all the
prophets, he interpreted to
them the things written
about himself in all the
scriptures
24:28 So they approached
the village where they
were going. He acted as
though he wanted to go
father
24:29 but they urged him,
"Stay with us, because it is
getting toward evening and
the day is almost done." So
he went to stay with them
24:30 When he had taken
his place at the table with
them, he took the bread,
blessed and broke it, and
gave it to them.
24:31 At this point there
eyes were opened and
they recognized him. Then
he vanished out of their
sight
24:32 Then said to each
other, "didn't our hearts
burn within us while he
was speaking with us on
the road, while he was
explaining the scriptures to
us?'
24:33 so they got up that
very hour and returned to
Jerusalem they found the
eleven and those with
them gathered together
24:34 saying "The Lord has
really risen, and has
appeared to Simon!"
24:35 Then they told what
had happened on the road
and how they recognized
him when he broke the
bread
 
me, I also send you.”
20:22 And after he said this,
he breathed on them and
said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
20:23 If you forgive anyone’s
sins, they are forgiven; if you
retain anyone’s sins, they are
retained.”
ACTS
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
1 I wrote the former account,
Theophilus, about all that
Jesus began to do and teach
2 until the day he was taken
up to heaven, after he had
given orders by the Holy
Spirit to the apostles he had
chosen. 3 To the same
apostles also, after his
suffering, he presented
himself alive with many
convincing proofs. He was
seen by them over a forty-
day period and spoke about
matters concerning the
kingdom of God. 4 While he
was with them, he declared,
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but
wait there for what my
Father promised, which you
heard about from me. 5 For
John baptized with water,
but you will be baptized with
the Holy Spirit not many days
from now.”
 
6 So when they had gathered
together, they began to ask
him, “Lord, is this the time
when you are restoring the
kingdom to Israel?” 7 He told
them, “You are not permitted
to know the times or periods
that the Father has set by his
own authority. 8 But you will
receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you,
and you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the
farthest parts of the earth.” 9
After he had said this, while
they were watching, he was
lifted up and a cloud hid him
from their sight. 10 As they
were still staring into the sky
while he was going, suddenly
two men in white clothing
stood near them 11 and said,
“Men of Galilee, why do you
stand here looking up into
 the sky? This same Jesus who
has been taken up from you
into heaven will come back in
the same way you saw him
go into heaven.”
 

Which women Mary Magdalene, Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene, Mary Magdalene was
went to the Mary the mother of and the other Mary Joanna, Mary the the only woman who
tomb in each James, and Salome went to look at the mother of James, went to the tomb in
account? and brought tomb when they and the other John's account.
aromatic spices to experienced a women went to the Simon Peter and the
anoint him. They severe earthquake. tomb on the first other disciple whom
went to the tomb An angel of the lord day of the week at Jesus loved also went
very early on came and rolled early dawn, to the tomb. (20:1-9)
Monday at sunrise. away the stone and bringing the
(16:1,2) sat on it. They were aromatic spices
instructed not to be that they had
afraid but that prepared. (24:1)
Jesus was on his
way to Galilee and
that they would
find him there.
(28:1-7)
Who does Jesus first appeared Jesus first appeared Jesus first appeared Jesus first appeared
Jesus appear to to Mary Magdalene to the women who to two of the to Mary Magdalene
first in each and drove out went to the tomb disciples, one while she was
account? seven demons from as they were names Cleopas, on weeping over the
her. She went to tell leaving to head to their way to the empty tomb but she
those that were Galilee where the village called did not realize it was
with him while they angel told them he Emmaus. He him, she thought he
were mourning and would be. (28:9) appeared to them was a gardener. She
weeping over Jesus as a stranger who then recognized him
but they did not was walking along when he stated her
believe her when with them but he name. (20:14-17)
she told them that hid his face so that
he was alive and they couldn't
saw him (16:9-11) recognize him. They
explained to him
the events that
were going on
regarding the
prophet of God
who was not in his
tomb. They did not
recognize him until
 he sat down at
dinner with them
and broke the
bread as he did at
the last supper.
(24:13-31)
How many The women see one Mary Magdalene The women Mary Magdalene
angels/men do angel in the Gospel and the other Mary suddenly saw two encountered Simon
the women see of Mark sitting in saw the guards and men who were Peter and the other
in each the tomb. They see one angel when angels when they disiple whom Jesus
account? Jesus, and a total of they arrived at the arrive at the tomb loved. The women
eleven disciples. tomb. They standing behind experienced two
(16:5,7,9) encountered Jesus them. They left the angels in the tomb
on their way to tomb and went to where Jesus's body
Galilee and saw the tell the eleven had been, one at the
eleven disciples along with the rest. head and one at the
when they told (24:4,9) feet. (20:2-12,14)
them to go to the
mountain.
(28:2,4,9,16)
What is the last The last thing Jesus After Jesus had told After Jesus was Jesus was seen by
thing Jesus does with the Mary to inform his sitting at the table the disciples for 40
does with the disciples was disciples to go to and was recognized days after his
disciples in appear to them Galilee, she by the disciples, he resurrection and
each account? while they were informed them so, informed them that taught them of the
eating. He rebuked the eleven disciples everything written kingdom of God. He
them for their wen to Galilee to about him in the instructed them not
hardness of heart the mountain Jesus law of Moses and to leave Jerusalem
and not believing had designated. the prophets and but to wait for the
Mary along with the They worshiped psalms must be Father to baptize
two disciples when him when they saw fulfilled. He opened them with the holy
they said they saw him but some of their minds to spirit. He told them
him resurrected. the men doubted. understand that they are not
Jesus told the Jesus said to them, scriptures of his permitted to know
disciples to "Go into "All authority in resurrection. Jesus the times or periods
all they world and heaven and on gave his promise that the Father has
preach he gospel to earth has been from God for the set but they would
every creature." given to me. power of receive power from
Those who believe Therefore go and forgiveness of sin to the Holy Spirit. Jesus
and will be baptized make disciples of the disciples and was then lifted up
will be saved but all nations, instructed them to into the sky and a
those who do not baptizing them in proclaim his name cloud covered him
believe will be the name of the unto all the nations. and two angels stood
 condemned. These Father and the Son He took them to beside them
signed will and the Holy Spirit, Bethany and informing them that
accompany those Teaching them to blessed them then the same Jesus will
who believe; in obey everything I was taken up into come back from
Jesus's name they have commanded heaven. They heaven the same
will drive out you. And worshiped him with way that they saw
demons; they will remember, I am joy in the temple him go into heaven.
speak in new with you always, to courts when they (Acts 1-11)
languages; they will the end of the returned to
pick up snakes with age." (28:16-20) Jerusalem. (24:44-
their hands and 53)
whatever poison
they drink will not
harm them; they
will place their
hands on the sick
and they will be
well." (16:15-18)

Step 2:

In Chapter 5, “The Resurrection as Redeeming and Transforming,” O’Collins explains a

central theme within each of the four gospels that each wants to portray to the reader. All
focus on the creation, the incarnation and Jesus’s resurrection that brought a divine new
existence for humans.

In the Gospel of Mark, O’Collins explains how he focuses on the theme of how God
expresses his divine, redeeming love through different forms to bring salvation. The first sign of
this theme is shown when the angelic messenger is accepting of the women who arrive at the
tomb. This is a sign that to give approval to others is to show them divine love. Another sign of
Mark’s theme around divine love is when he explains it as a self-gift. The angelic messenger
chose to give the women good news about the resurrection of Jesus whom they loved and
provided them with love found within. The third example is when the disciples see that Jesus
rose from the dead. By Jesus making himself visible to those who love him, he is giving them
the gift of God’s love while transforming their lives. Another sign is how Jesus’s resurrection
initiates a new creation by blessing those with divine love and bringing them into existence.
Mark expresses how Jesus’ authentic, vulnerable love through his suffering and death. When
the women arrive at the tomb, the angel considers their own love and suffering for Jesus as a
“Passion” (O’Collins 104). Another sign of God’s divine love is found in the reciprocity of love
through the lasting relationships the disciples developed with Jesus, sharing a mutual love for
each other (O’Collins 105). The story concludes with Jesus showing his redeeming love through
divine beauty by how his resurrection changed the lives of those who love him as well as those
who were against him (O’Collins 106).

The Gospel of Matthew focuses on the significance of Jesus’s death and uses the Angel
of the Lord as a symbol of God’s divine power and authority. Matthew uses Herod the Great as
symbolism for death, lies, hatred, and wickedness. Throughout his gospel, he gives stories of
how Jesus reversed these evil things by overcoming death with life through his resurrection,
overturning lies with truth, showing love when people showed him hatred, and provided God’s
goodness when he experienced wickedness (O’Collins 109). Another symbol is shown when the
women experienced a massive earthquake when they arrived at the tomb. At the same time,
the Angel of the Lord overcame death by acting with divine power and authority in the way that
he rolled away the stone and sat on it; to reveal the resurrection of Jesus to the women
(O’Collins 107). Matthew concludes his story by putting into perspective Jesus’s authority over
the entire universe, over heaven and earth. This is example is provided when Jesus announces
his authority given to him by God and commands to go and make disciples from all nations of
the world (O’Collins 109).

The Gospel of Luke is focused on the theme of the language of life through the
resurrection of Jesus. He explains Jesus as being victorious at life since he overcame death. The
symbolism of when the angels arrive in this gospel come at times that reflect his life and death.
The angels speak to the women at the tomb asking why they were looking for the living among
the dead followed by the two disciples explaining to the stranger what the women had
experienced (O’Collins 110). His life, being miraculously born of a virgin on earth, and his death,
miraculously being raised from the dead in his heavenly life (O’Collins 111). He also speaks after
the resurrection, of the repentance and forgiveness of sin from God through baptism and
instructs those to proclaim his name to all nations, represented by the crowd of people
(O’Collins 112).

O’Collins explains that the main theme of the Gospel of John is through Jesus’s death
and resurrection, he demonstrates the redeeming power of God’s love to provide healing and
forgiveness of sin (O’Collins 114). One of the main symbols that represents his redemptive
power is the way in which the story of Peter’s healing journey through the gospel is told.
Although Peter struggled with his past mistakes of denying Jesus three times, he was able to
overcome those struggles through God’s healing power of love and forgiveness given through
Jesus. This was evident when Jesus rose from the dead and breathed the Holy spirit into the
disciples, providing them with the power to forgive sins. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calls his
sheep by their names, Simon Peter, and commissioned him to feed the lords lambs and sheep.
This was an act of healing love from Jesus by giving him the power to forgive others sins as
Jesus forgave the sins Peter committed against Jesus in the past (O’Collins 114, 118).

Step 3:

McGrath's article on the resurrection states the following seven arguments to the
credibility of the historical event that took place. First, the resurrection is the central element of
the first generations of the Christian faith. Paul refers to Jesus as being the first to be raised
from the dead and all of the first disciples believe that he was raised from God (64). Second, the
tradition of the empty tomb must be based on historical, factual evidence from the way that
the details of the stories in each gospel are told from an eye-witness point of view (65). The
four gospels do not question the fact that his body was missing out of the tomb on the third
day, nor do they request his corpse as evidence because all disciples believe that he was
resurrected (66). Third, there are many sightings of Jesus listed throughout the gospels when he
appeared to his disciples and others after his resurrection. More evidence may not exist
because it was explained that people who experienced him had a difficult time putting into
words what they had seen (67). Fourth, after Jesus's death, Christianity transformed with the
essential idea of the resurrection, with emphasis on the necessity of the crucifixion to Jesus'
ministry (68-70). Fifth, Jesus was worshiped as the living and risen Lord after his death, not a
dead prophet or rabbi. He is believed to be raised from the dead by God which demonstrates a
close relationship between the two (71). Sixth, the first Christians worshipped through baptism
or breaking of the bread/communion/eucharist. The resurrection provided Christians with the
belief that Jesus is alive and present within the church (72). Seventh, early Christians
experienced Jesus in a way that can only be described as the Lord and Savior. The ideas of
Christianity are aligned with being able to know and experience Christ because it is believed
that he rose from the dead (72, 73).

When McGrath states that it is "better to believe the impossible probable than the
impossible possible," he means that the resurrection of Jesus could have been due to some
other act of him possibly fainting on the cross and wandering out of the tomb or the disciples
possibly stole his body and used the resurrection story as a cover up. These stories are
"improbable possibles" because they do not sound to be true. The "probable impossible" story
of his resurrection is that it did in fact happen as the evidence in the bible suggests that it did
(73). If there are reasonable present-day analogies that align with the events explained
throughout the gospels, it does not prove the events took place but there is a foundation to
assess the truth in those events (74).

Step 4:

The historical issues with the resurrection focus on the empty tomb and the
appearances that people experienced after Jesus' death (174). Although each of the gospels
explain that there was an empty tomb, they do so by providing varying details regarding who
saw the empty tomb and Jesus, as well as the order in which those things happened. Some,
such as those involved in the Jesus Seminar, do not believe in the resurrection at all but that the
disciples made the story up (175). Others believe that the empty tomb is the only fact in Jesus'
resurrection. Those with a subjective vision of Jesus' resurrection do not believe that those who
saw Jesus actually saw him, but thought that they did through some type of hallucination (176).
On the other hand, some have an objective vision of Jesus' resurrection, they believe that he
made appearances after his death but are undecided about the empty tomb and of his physical
interactions with people (177). There are scholars who base their beliefs of the empty tomb
and after death encounters with Jesus as being physical and material based on the New
Testament, as historical and "eschatological" (178). These issues matter for believers because
they must understand the different ways to interpret the events stated in the bible. By
analyzing the accounts of the events in the New Testament through active engagement, it helps
to avoid becoming vulnerable to believing everything that you hear (181).