We have come to the end of the week. Saturday guards were posted at the tomb to prevent the followers of Jesus to steal the body. This is only found in Matthew 27:62-66. This was the request of the Pharisees for fear that the disciples would claim that Jesus did rise from the dead. The author of Matthew included this as a means to explain why the leaders of the Temple claimed that Jesus did not rise and refute their beliefs.
The accounts of the resurrection found in all four gospels have a great deal of similarities. Jesus first appeared to the faithful women who stood by him even during the crucifixion. The message Jesus gives is the same as well and that is to go tell the disciples what has occurred. What happens next does vary within the gospels.
The account in Matthew 28 tells of the resurrection and reinforces the fact the Pharisees bribed the guards to suppress that they had experienced and witnessed. The gospel ends with only one account of post-resurrection which is the great commission.
Mark is interesting as when the angels ask the women to do tell the disciples, they left in fear and told no one. Mark 16 probably ended with verse 8. Later authors added at least one if not two additional endings. As you read the longer ending in Mark there are similarities with Matthew and Luke. The question to reflect on would be what if the only gospel you read was Mark and it ended at verse 8.
Luke presents the resurrection in Chapter 24. The women have gathered and they converse with two angels. There is no appearance by Jesus to them or to Peter. Luke includes the famous story of the walk to Emmaus. Jesus is recognized through the act of communion. Then he appears to his disciples. The gospel ends with his ascension and actually continues in the Book of Acts also written by Luke.
John’s gospel portrays the resurrection in Chapter 20. Again it is believed the original gospel ended with 20:31. Chapter 21 was added later as a means of reconciling Peter as the head of the church. The contrast of believers who witnessed the empty tomb is interesting. The women find it empty and go tell Peter and John. What John believes appears to be ambivalent. Does he believe what Mary said? Peter seems confused until Jesus appears to them. The first person Jesus appears to post-resurrection is Mary Magdalene. She actually becomes the first apostle following the resurrection to declare the good news. What follows are two post-resurrection on the same night and then one week later. The disciples receive the Holy Spirit at that time. The end of Chapter 20 states the purpose of the gospel.
