Conflicting Gospels

[manichunter]

How do you reconcile four different conclusions in the gospels that have major differences? Why all the contradictions and variations?

Matthew 28
1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

This one has just two Marys, the only one with guards, an earthquake, one angel who was witnessed coming from heaven and rolling back the stone.


Mark 16
1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for it was very large. 5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

This one has both Marys but adds a Salome, no earthquake, the angel was already inside the tomb, the stone was already rolled away, and the guards where missing.


Luke 24
1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.

Here we have a group of unknown people, stone rolled away, two angels are present already in the opened tomb, no earthquake or guards present


John 16
1 Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."

Here we have Mary Magdalene going by herself, the stone is rolled back, sees no body in the tomb and runs to go the disciples. She eventually sees angel later that turns out to be Jesus.

Why are all these different accounts of the resurrection?

 

[DavidLee]

How do you reconcile four different conclusions in the gospels that have major differences? Why all the contradictions and variations?
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Why are all these different accounts of the resurrection?

Just different viewpoints of the same event. Some things are not said because they were deemed unimportant (I suppose) by the author. Other things (or persons) were not seen by the author.

I don't see them as major differences.

Ask four people to describe the next worship service you attend. I'll bet you get something similar.

 

[lianna7]

DavidLee,
I agree with you , in fact we did this very thing in our bible study group. We were ask to listen to the Sunday sermon and then when we got home right down what we heard . Then on Thursday night we all in our group which total 15 where ask what the sermon was about ....to say the least we all remembered things differently on some points . It's just certain things may stand out to some or some hear and understand it a little different then others.

 

[therealsuperman64]

Yeah each gospel writer had a different view or to make it even better said, they heard a different account of the story but all that matters is Jesus was ressurected on that Sunday. So you can tell the story however you choose out of those 4 options but make sure you get the point across that Jesus was ressurected.