Sunday, April 21, 2019

Reconciled Resurrection Accounts

This is a project I worked on a few years ago, to reconcile all the accounts of Jesus's resurrection. The four gospels tell essentially the same story, but some of the gospel writers choose to include or omit details as it serves their particular purpose and audience. I decided to reconcile all the accounts and though it has sat in a Word Document on my computer for several years, I thought it would be appropriate to share it now. I read it recently and it built my faith just reading it! So enjoy.


Resurrection accounts:
(Taken from Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1-31; John 21:1-25; Acts 1:3-12 and 1 Corinthians 15:4b-7.  Added words are in brackets.  Only redundant words taken out.)
            Now in the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, and very early in the morning when it was yet dark, cometh Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And certain others with them and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  And they said among themselves, “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?” For it was very great.
            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. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. He [Jesus] rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
            They [all the women] came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away from the sepulchre. And found not the body of the Lord Jesus
            Then she [Mary Magdalene] runneth [to tell Peter and John.]
            And they [the other women] entered into the sepulchre, and they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and they were affrighted.  And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. And they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, and he [the young man in a white garment] saith unto them, “Be not affrighted:” And the angel answered and said unto the women, “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified.”  They [the angels] said unto them, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” And they remembered his words.  [And the angel said,] “Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  Behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, and go quickly, and tell his disciples and Peter that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.  Lo, I have told you.”  And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
            And [Mary Magdalene] 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.” Then arose Peter therefore and went forth, and that other disciple, and ran unto the sepulchre.  So they ran both together:
            Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, “Say ye, ‘His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.’ And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.”  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
                And many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
            And the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and stooping down, and went into the sepulchre, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass, and he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home and departed.  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 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. And they say unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou?” She saith unto them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”
            And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Now when Jesus was risen he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. Jesus saith unto her, “Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?”
            She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, “Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”
            Jesus saith unto her, “Mary.”
            She turned herself, and saith unto him, “Rabboni;” which is to say, ‘Master.’
            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.”
            And they [the other women] departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “All hail.” And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, “Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
            And [the women] returned, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest as they mourned and wept.  It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.  Mary Magdalene told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.  And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
            After that he appeared in another form unto two of them that same day, as they walked, and went into the country.  And, behold, [they] went to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?”
            And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, “Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass therein these days?”
            And he said unto them, “What things?”
            And they said unto him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.”
            Then he said unto them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
            And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, “Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And he went in to tarry with them.
            And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
            And he was seen of Cephas.
            And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.” And they went and told it unto the residue: And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. neither believed they them.
            Then of the twelve.  Afterward then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, and as they thus spake, Jesus himself appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat and stood in the midst of them and saith unto them, “Peace be unto you.”  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, “Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.  “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.”  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, “Peace be unto you.”
            And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, “Have ye here any meat?” And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, “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.”
            Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
            And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”
            But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said unto them, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
            And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace be unto you.” Then saith he to Thomas, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.”
            And Thomas answered and said unto him, “My Lord and my God.”
            Jesus saith unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
            Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee.
            After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
            There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, “I go a fishing.” They say unto him, “We also go with thee.”
            They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, “Children, have ye any meat?” They answered him, “No.” And he said unto them, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, “It is the Lord.”
            Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, “Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.” Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, and hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, “Come and dine.” And none of the disciples durst ask him, ‘Who art thou?’ knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
            So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”
            He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”
            He saith unto him, “Feed my lambs.”
            He saith to him again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?”
            He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.”
            He saith unto him, “Feed my sheep.”
            He saith unto him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?”
            Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, ‘Lovest thou me?’ And he said unto him, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.”
            Jesus saith unto him, “Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, “Follow me.” Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, ‘Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?’ Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, “Lord, and what shall this man do?”
            Jesus saith unto him, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, ‘He shall not die;’ but, ‘If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?’ This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
            Then the eleven disciples went into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: and when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
            And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.”
            And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and they worshipped him.  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, “which,” saith he, “ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
            And he said unto them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” And he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
            And it came to pass, while he blessed them, and when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was parted from them, [and] he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight and [he was] carried up into heaven. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
            And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
            Then returned they unto Jerusalem with great joy from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
            And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 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.  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen

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