I’ve just completed my subseries on Differences in the Gospels in my larger series on the Historical Evidence for Jesus’ Resurrection. In the final episode (#151), I provided my best attempt to construct what I call the “video view” of the events that transpired after Jesus’ crucifixion; i.e. what you would have seen if you had a video recording of the events. It incorporates every verse in the empty tomb and resurrection accounts from all four gospels. Here it is:

Mary Magdalene (Mary M), Mary the mother of James and Joseph, Salome, Joanna, and other women journeyed together to the tomb early Sunday morning before dawn to anoint Jesus’ body (Mt 28:1; Mk 16:1-2; Lk 24:1,10; Jn 20:1). They wondered how they would roll away the stone to gain entrance to the tomb (Mk 16:3). Unbeknownst to them, before they arrived, two angels appear at the tomb to open it for the women (Mt 28:2). Their appearance frightened the guards, causing them to flee and report the event to the chief priests (Mt 28:3-4,11-15). When the women arrived, they saw the stone rolled away (Mt 28:2; Mk 16:3-4; Lk 24:2; Jn 20:1). Mary M assumed someone must have taken the body, so she (and possibly one other woman[1]) left the group of women to tell Peter and the Beloved Disciple (BD) that Jesus’ body was missing (Jn 20:2).

While Mary M was in transit, the women who remained at the tomb went inside to investigate. Two angels appeared to them on the right side of the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laying (Mt 28:3-6; Mk 16:5-6; Lk 24:3-8). The angels announced Jesus’ resurrection, and commissioned the women to tell Jesus’ male disciples that He had risen and would meet them in Galilee (Mt 28:7; Mk 16:7; Lk 24:3-8). They immediately run off to tell the disciples what they had seen (Mt 28:8; Mk 16:8; Lk 24:9).

Not long after, Mary M arrived at a home where Peter and the BD were staying and told them Jesus’ body was missing (Jn 20:2-3). Peter and the Beloved Disciple immediately leave to investigate it. They find Jesus’ body missing just as Mary had said. Puzzled, they return to their homes (Lk 24:12; Jn 20:3-10). Mary M journeyed back to the tomb as well, arriving shortly after Peter and the BD had left (John 20:11). She stooped down to look into the small tomb opening and saw two angels sitting where Jesus’ body had been – one at the head and one at the feet. They ask her why she is crying (Jn 20:11-13).[2] Then – perhaps sensing the presence of someone behind her – she turned around and saw Jesus, whom she mistook for the gardener (Jn 20:14-15). He revealed Himself to her and commissioned her to deliver a message to the male disciples (Mk 16:9; Jn 20:16-17). She ran off to report what she had witnessed to the larger group of apostles and disciples (Mk 16:10; Jn 20:18).

Meanwhile, Jesus appeared to the other group of women while they were in route to the house where a large group of disciples and apostles were gathered. Jesus’ message was the same as the angels: Tell the male disciples to meet Me in Galilee (Mt 28:9-10). They continued on their journey (Mt 28:11) and told the apostles what they had witnessed (Lk 24:9-10). Unfortunately, the male disciples did not believe them (Lk 24:9-11).

Mary M arrived shortly thereafter (probably at the same house the other women journeyed to). Peter and BD were not present because they had returned to their own houses (unless it was the home of the BD where the larger group of apostles had gathered, as Lk 24:11-12 implies).[3] Unfortunately, the male disciples did not believe her either (Mk 16:11).

After several hours[4], two disciples set out for Emmaus (Mk 16:12; Lk 24:13-14) – one of whom was named Cleopas (Lk 24:18). Jesus appeared to them while on their journey and showed them in the Scripture all of the things said concerning Him (Lk 24:15-27). They did not know it was Jesus, however, because He prevented them from recognizing Him (Mk 16:12; Lk 24:16). Finally, Jesus revealed Himself to them late in the day as it was approaching the evening (Mk 16:12; Lk 24:28-32). The Emmaus disciples immediately ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others what they had witnessed (Mk 16:13; Lk 24:33).

While they were in route, Jesus appeared to Peter – presumably at his home (1 Cor 15:5). Peter immediately left to tell the larger group of apostles and disciples what he had seen (perhaps at the home of the BD in Bethany) (Lk 24:34). Presumably, those present also shared with Peter the appearances of the angels and Jesus to the women (the women were probably still present at the home to tell him themselves).

Shortly thereafter, the Emmaus disciples arrived to tell their story. Before they could say anything, however, they were informed by those in the house that Jesus appeared to Peter (and the women, although Luke doesn’t mention that in his account). Then, the Emmaus disciples shared their own experience with the others, but not all believed (Mk 16:13; Lk 24:35,37-41). At that moment, Jesus appeared in their midst (Mk 16:14; Lk 24:36). He chided them for their unbelief, and then proved that He was truly alive by showing them His wounds and eating some fish (Mk 16:14; Lk 24:36-43; Jn 20:19-21). Then, Jesus showed them from Scripture all the things that were written about Him (repeating some of what He had just taught the Emmaus disciples) (Lk 24:44-46). Jesus breathed on them so they could receive the Spirit, and commissioned them for service (Jn 20:22-23). The Apostle Thomas was not present at the meeting, but was present for Jesus’ second appearance to the apostles eight days later in Jerusalem (Jn 20:24-29).

Soon after, the apostles and other disciples left Jerusalem and journeyed to Galilee to the mountain Jesus appointed (Mt 28:16; Mk 16:7). Jesus appeared to them there (likely with more than 500 disciples present – Mt 28:17; 1 Cor 15:6). At least some of the apostles remained in Galilee for a time. Peter decided to do some fishing with six others, and Jesus appeared to them on the sea shore (Jn 21:1-14). Then, Jesus appeared to James (presumably in Galilee) as well as to other apostles that weren’t part of The Twelve (1 Cor 15:7). At the end of 40 days, Jesus appeared one last time on the Mount of Olives in Bethany, charging them to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the Spirit (Lk 24:49; Acts 1:1-5). After commissioning them for ministry (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-18; Lk 24:47-48; Jn 20:21-23), He ascended into heaven (Mk 16:19; Lk 24:50-51; Acts 1:9). The apostles returned to Jerusalem, gathering together in the upper room of their dwelling until the Day of Pentecost when they received the Spirit (Acts 1:12; 2:1-4).

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[1]When Mary arrived at the place where Peter and the BD were, she said “we don’t know where they laid Him” (Jn 20:2), implying the presence of at least one other woman with Mary M.

[2]Possible evidence for Mary being alone at the tomb on her second visit is Mary’s shift from “we” (Jn 20:2) on her first visit, to “I” (Jn 20:13) on her second visit. This is not conclusive, however, as one could use the first person singular pronoun even if they were among a group of individuals.

[3]It couldn’t have been the home of Peter, if, as I propose, Jesus made a solo appearance to Peter at his home after he investigated the tomb.

[4]The Emmaus disciples tell Jesus that the women were at the tomb “early in the morning” (Lk 24:22), implying that it was no longer early morning.