I’m sure that many of you have heard how there are some Atheists out
there that tell Christians that they can disprove that Jesus Is the Son of God,
because they say that the Bible is full of lies and inconsistencies, but is
that really true?
I will do extensive research and analysis of the main passages that
pertain to Jesus’ Resurrection and His Ascension to see if there are any
inconsistencies and whether they are significant enough to disprove that Jesus
arose from the grave and later ascended into heaven and that He Is the Son of
God.
I will use the New King James Version [NKJV] of the Bible and internet resources,
as needed. There are times that both he and him are used within the same Bible
verse, so I will put within brackets who is speaking and who is being spoken to
if I feel it may not be clear by the context. Additionally, I will put my
analysis, evaluations, comments, and opinions within brackets and will try to
let you know when I am sharing this information.
If you would like to read this research project further, you can go to
either of these two blogs I felt led to create to post my research analysis and
results: Biblical Proof! at https://BiblicalProof.blogspot.com or Do Biblical Inconsistencies Really Matter? at https://Biblicalinconsistencies.blogspot.com/
I will first put any related Bible passages together and share those
with you. Afterward, I will copy portions of each passage related to the
particular question I am analyzing, so I can see if there are any significant
inconsistencies.
Matthew 28:1-20 says: 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. And
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. His
countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the
guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered
and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who
was crucified. “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the
place where the Lord lay. “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is
risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you
will see Him. behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the
tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they
[women] went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him
by the feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there
they will see Me.” Now while they were going,
behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests
all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and
consulted together they gave a large sum of money to the soldier, saying, “Tell
them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ “And if
this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So
they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly
reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away
into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw
Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them,
saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Mark 16:1-20 says: Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary
the mother of James, and Salome brought spices, that they might come and anoint
Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the
tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll
away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they
saw that the stone had been rolled away-for it was very large. And entering the
tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right
side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek
Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the
place where they laid Him. “But go, tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is
going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” So
they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were
amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Now when He rose
early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of
whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him,
as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been
seen by her, they did not believe. After that, He appeared in another form
to two of them, as they walked and went into the country. And they went and
told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either. Later He appeared to
the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness
of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had
risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every creature. “He who believes and is baptized will be
saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. “And these signs will
follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak
with new tongues; “they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything
deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and
they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had
spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand
of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them
and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
Luke 24:1-53 says: 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. But they found the stone rolled away from the
tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it
happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood
by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to
the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? “He
is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still 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
[Jesus’] words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to
the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother
of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths
lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had
happened. Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village
called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together
of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and
reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were
restrained so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as
you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name
was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem,
and have you not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He
said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who 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
crucified Him. “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.
Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
“Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early,
astonished us. “When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had
also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. “And certain of those who
were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him
[Jesus] they did not see.” Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets
have spoken! “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter
into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and
all the Prophets, He [Jesus] expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself. Then they drew near to the village where they were going,
and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him,
saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.” And
He [Jesus] went in to stay with them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew
Him; and He [Jesus] vanished from their sight. And they said to one
another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road,
and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and
returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them
gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to
Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how
He was known to them in the breaking of bread. Now as they said these things,
Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He [Jesus] said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? “Behold
My hands and My feet that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does
not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He [Jesus] had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him [Jesus] a
piece of broiled fish and some honey comb, And He took it and ate in their
presence. Then He said to them, “These are the words which
I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled
which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
concerning Me.” And He [Jesus] opened
their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to
them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the
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 to all nations, beginning
at Jerusalem. “And you are witnesses of these things. “Behold, I send the
Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are
endued with the power from on high.” And
He [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and
blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted
from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to
Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and
blessing God. Amen.
John 20:1-31 says: Now on 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. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the
other disciple whom Jesus loved [John, this is the way he refers to himself],
and said to them, they have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not
know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other
disciple [John], and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the
other disciple [John] outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he [John],
stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not
go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him [John], and went into the tomb; and
he [Simon Peter] saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that
had been around His [Jesus’] head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded
together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple [John], who came to the
tomb first, went in also; and he [John] saw and believed. For as yet they did
not know the Scripture, that He [Jesus] must rise again from the dead. Then the
disciples [Simon Peter and John] went away again to their own homes. But Mary
stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked
into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the
other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her,
“Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away
my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said
this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it
was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you
weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She supposing Him [Jesus]
to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir if You have carried Him away, tell me
where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him,
Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to
My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and
to My God and your God’ ” Mary Magdalene came and
told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these
things to her. 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, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He
[Jesus] showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when
they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He [Jesus] had said this, He breathed on them, and said to
them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. “If you forgive the sins of
any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when
Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he [Thomas] said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails,
and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I
will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and
Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and
said, “Peace to you!” Then
He [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here,
and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not
be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and
said to Him, My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have believed.” And
truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are
not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His
name.
John 21:1-25 says: After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the
disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He [Jesus] showed Himself:
Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of
Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to
them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.”
They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught
nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the
disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They
answered Him, “No.” And He [Jesus] said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the
multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved [John] said to
Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he
put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But
the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land,
but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as
they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and
bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish
which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and
dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and
although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples
dared ask Him, “Who are You?”- knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came
and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the
third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the
dead. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He [Simon Peter] said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He
[Jesus] said to him [Peter]“Feed My lambs.” He [Jesus] said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He [Simon Peter] said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He
[Jesus] said to him [Simon Peter], “Tend My sheep.” He [Jesus] said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He [Jesus] said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he [Peter] said to Him,
“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. “Most assuredly, I say to you when you were younger, you
girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will
stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do
not wish.” This He [Jesus] spoke, signifying by what death he
[Peter] would glorify God. and when He [Jesus] had spoken this, He said
to him, “Follow Me.” Then
Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved [John] following, who
also had leaned on His [Jesus’] breast at the supper [Last Supper], and said,
“Lord, who is the one who betrays you?” Peter seeing him [John], said to Jesus,
“But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him [Peter], “If I will that he [John] remain till I come, what is that to you? You
follow Me.” Then this saying went out
among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to
him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain
till I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who
testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his
testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which
if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not
contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Acts 1:1-11 says: The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that
Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up after
He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had
chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many
infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the
things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And being assembled together with
them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the
Promise of the Father, “which,” He [Jesus] said, “you have heard from Me; “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the
Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore,
when they had come together, they asked Him [Jesus], saying, “Lord, will You at
this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He [Jesus] said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father
has put in His own authority. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He [Jesus] was
taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked
steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold two men stood by them in white
apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into
heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from
you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
[Who first saw that Jesus’ tomb was opened when they came on Sunday, the
third day after His crucifixion?]
Matthew 28:1-6 says: 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. And
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. His
countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the
guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered
and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who
was crucified. “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the
place where the Lord lay.
Mark 16:1-6 says: Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary
the mother of James, and Salome brought spices, that they might come and anoint
Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the
tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll
away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they
saw that the stone had been rolled away-for it was very large. And entering the
tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right
side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek
Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the
place where they laid Him.
Luke 24:1-8 says: 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. But they found the stone rolled away from the
tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it
happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood
by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to
the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? “He
is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still 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
[Jesus’] words.
John 20:1 says: Now on 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.
[The Gospel of Matthew says after the Sabbath (Sunday) that Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary had come to see the tomb. It goes on to say that
there was a great earthquake and an angel of the Lord whose countenance was
like lightning and had clothing as white as snow came down from heaven and
rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. Additionally, it says that
the guards were afraid and shaking for fear of him [the angel. The Gospel of
Mark says that when the Sabbath was past (Sunday) Mary Magdalene, Mary the
mother of James, and Salome brought spices, that they might come and anoint Him
[Jesus]. They were wondering on the way to the tomb who would roll the stone
from the door of the tomb for them, but when they got there they realized that
the large stone had already been rolled away. In Luke it says the first day of
the week (Sunday), they and certain other women with them came to the tomb
bringing spices they had prepared and found the stone had been rolled away from
the tomb. The Gospel of John says that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on
the first day of the week (Sunday) and saw the stone had been taken away from
the tomb.]
[All four Gospels are consistent that the large stone of Jesus’ tomb had
been rolled away early on Sunday morning. They are inconsistent about which
women went to the tomb with spices. Matthew says it was Mary Magdalene and the
other Mary. Mark says Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, but
Luke only says certain other women, while John says only Mary Magdalene. Are
these inconsistencies significant?]
[Does it really matter if the first person or persons to the tomb
happened to be Mary by herself, or if she was with one other woman or several
others? Not really! This doesn’t change that one or more women went to the tomb
early on Sunday, the third after Jesus’ crucifixion and the stone was rolled
away and Jesus wasn’t in the tomb!]
[Does it matter that the Gospel of Matthew said that Mary Magdalene and
the other Mary were there while there was a great earthquake and an angel of
the Lord whose countenance was like lightning with clothing as white as snow
came down from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it,
but the other Gospels don’t mention the earthquake and say that the stone was
already removed from the tomb door by the time they got there? Whether they
were there when the large stone was removed from Jesus’ tomb or came after it
had been removed, isn’t really relevant to whether the stone was removed from
the tomb, which it was.]
[Although there are minor inconsistencies in wording, it basically
says the same thing. You will find out if you watch this brief video by J.
Warner Wallace, a L.A. Cold-Case Detective, who tells that witnesses rarely
report things exactly the same way. Were the Gospels Written by Eye Witnesses? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siOcvLyKuEk (3 minutes 27 seconds) In my opinion, this video is really worth
watching, because it clarifies so many things about the inconsistencies in the
Gospel recordings, but proves that they are reliable witnesses.]
[Additionally, does it matter that the Gospel of Matthew is the only one
that mentions that the guards who were there to secure Jesus’ tomb were shaking
for fear of the angel? In that the other Gospels doesn’t mention this, doesn’t
mean that it didn’t happen, plus it’s very plausible! I would be shaking in my
boots if I had seen an angel, so it’s totally understandable that they would,
as well. There is more that corroborates the report about the guards, but that
will be introduced later as I get to those passages. Since there are so many
different aspects of this time frame that I need to analyze for
inconsistencies, I have to stay focused on the questions, at hand. Just so you
know, I do plan to do a thorough analysis on the passages that I have listed,
but I need to make sure I don’t get off-task in my focus.]
[Next, are there any inconsistencies related to the angel/s at Jesus’
tomb?]
Matthew 28:2-3 says: And 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. His countenance was like lightning, and his
clothing as white as snow.
Mark 16:2-5 says: Very early in the morning, on the first day of
the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among
themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away-for it
was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a
long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
Luke 24:2-4 says: But they found the stone rolled away from the
tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it
happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men
stood by them in shining garments.
John 20:11-12 says: But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping,
and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two
angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the
body of Jesus had lain.
[In the Gospel of Matthew, one angel is recorded, while the Gospel of
Mark mentions a young man clothed in a long white robe, but doesn’t call him an
angel. The Gospel of John has recorded that there were two angels in white, but
the Gospel of Luke records that there were two men who stood by them in shining
garments. Do these inconsistencies matter? It doesn’t matter whether there were
one, two, or thirty angels. The big point is that Jesus Christ arose from the
dead and there were witnesses of the empty tomb!]
[Does it matter that the Gospel of Matthew says that the angel’s
countenance was like lightning and his clothes were as white as snow, the
Gospel of John said similarly: they had shining garments, where the Gospel of
Mark said that the young man was clothed in a long white robe, but John just
said that they were in white? One thing I’ve learned after doing lots of
Biblical research and analysis, is that some Gospel writers add more detail and
some fewer details. Others add additional information that wasn’t already
recorded in the other Gospels, for further clarification. So, whether the
clothing was white and glowing or just white, isn’t very significant to this
analysis. Neither is it significant if the angel was a man or a young man.]
[I need to evaluate these to see if there are any inconsistencies about
what the angels said.]
Matthew 28:5-7 says: But the angel answered and said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. “He is not
here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. “And
go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He
is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. behold, I have told
you.”
Mark 16:5-7 says: And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in
a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said
to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.
He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. “But go,
tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there
you will see Him, as He said to you.”
Luke 24:2-8 says: But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened,
as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them
in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the
earth, they [the angel/s] said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the
dead? “He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was
still 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
[Jesus’] words.
John 20:11-17 says: But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as
she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels
in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of
Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said
to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they
have laid Him.”
[All four Gospels are basically consistent in saying the angel/s told
them not to be afraid or alarmed. The angel/s asked why they sought the living
among the dead, because Jesus had arisen on the third day like He had told them
He would, and she should go quickly and tell the disciples that they would see
Jesus in Galilee, although the Gospel of John doesn’t say that yet, but will.
There are minimal to no inconsistencies and those are not significant.]
[What happened when they went to tell the disciples that Jesus has
arisen from the grave on the third day like He said He would?]
Matthew 28:8-10 says: So they [women] went out quickly from the tomb
with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went
to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him
by the feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there
they will see Me.”
Mark 16:8-10 says: So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for
they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were
afraid. Now when He [Jesus] rose early on the first day of the week, He [Jesus]
appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She
went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And
when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not
believe.
Luke 24:9-10 says: Then they returned from the tomb and told all these
things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary
the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to
the apostles.
John 20:14-18 says: Now when she had said this, she turned around and
saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to
her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She supposing Him [Jesus] to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir if You
have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him
away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus
said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I
have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I
am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord,
and that He had spoken these things to her.
[These basically say the same thing, except some of the passages include
more people, as additional information. The most significant part is that both
the Gospels of Matthew and John say that Jesus made Himself known to the
woman/women who were going to tell the disciples that He [Jesus] had arisen on
the third day, as He said he would, and Jesus would see them in Galilee. Is it
significant that the Gospels of Mark and Luke don’t say this? As you heard in
the J. Warner Wallace video, sometimes witnesses don’t report things exactly
the same, but are still valid witnesses.]
[What happened when the disciples were told by the women that Jesus had
arisen from the grave on the third day?]
Matthew 28:9-10 says: And as they went to tell His disciples,
behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus
said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and
tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
Mark 16:10-11 says: She went and told those who had been with Him, as
they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen
by her, they did not believe.
Luke 24:9-12 says: Then they returned from the tomb and told all
these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna,
Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things
to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did
not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he
saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself
at what had happened.
John 20:1-10 says: Now on 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. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the
other disciple whom Jesus loved [John, this is the way he refers to himself],
and said to them, they have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not
know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other
disciple [John], and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and
the other disciple [John] outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he
[John], stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he
did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him [John], and went into the
tomb; and he [Simon Peter] saw the linen cloths lying there, and the
handkerchief that had been around His [Jesus’] head, not lying with the linen
cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple
[John], who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he [John] saw and
believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He [Jesus] must rise
again from the dead. Then the disciples [Simon Peter and John] went away again
to their own homes.
John 20:18 further says: Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that
she had seen the Lord, and that He [Jesus] had spoken these things to
her.
[The Gospel of Matthew doesn’t say how the disciples reacted, while the
Gospels of Mark and Luke say that the disciples didn’t believe it when they
were told the woman/women saw Jesus. The Gospel of John tells of the two times
that Mary went to the tomb. The first time, in John 20:2-3, she told Simon
Peter and John who ran to the tomb. The second time, when Jesus was the one to
tell her to tell the disciples that He would see them in Galilee, doesn’t say
what their response was. Does that mean that all the disciples believed the
report that Jesus had arisen, since the Gospels of Matthew and John didn’t say
otherwise? No, it’s more evident further on that the disciples didn’t believe
when they were initially told this. I think that relates to John 20:9 which
says: For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He [Jesus] must rise
again from the dead.]
[In my opinion, an interesting point is related to all the times that
Jesus foretold of His betrayal, death, and resurrection on the third day, but
the disciples didn’t understand it. It didn’t make sense to them, so when it
does happen, they don’t even connect it to what Jesus had told them beforehand,
thus they don’t believe it, at first, when it happens.]
[Who else knew Jesus had arisen from the grave three days after His
crucifixion, before Jesus went to see His disciples in Galilee?]
Matthew 28:11-15 says: Now while they [the women] were going [to
tell the disciples], behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported
to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled
with the elders and consulted together they gave a large sum of money to the
soldier, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away
while we slept.’ “And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him
and make you secure.” So they [the guards] took the money and did as they were
instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Mark 16:12-13 says: After that, He appeared in another form to
two of them, as they walked and went into the country. And they went and
told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
Luke 16:13-15 says: Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day
to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they
talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they
conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But
their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as
you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name
was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem,
and have you not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He
said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who 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
crucified Him. “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem
Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things
happened. “Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb
early, astonished us. “When they did not find His body, they came saying that
they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. “And certain of
those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had
said; but Him [Jesus] they did not see.” Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets
have spoken! “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter
into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and
all the Prophets, He [Jesus] expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself. Then they drew near to the village where they were going,
and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him,
saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.” And
He [Jesus] went in to stay with them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew
Him; and He [Jesus] vanished from their sight. And they said to one another,
“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and
while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and
returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them
gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to
Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how
He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
John 20:2-10 says: Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the
other disciple whom Jesus loved [John, this is the way he refers to himself],
and said to them, they have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not
know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other
disciple [John], and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the
other disciple [John] outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he [John],
stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not
go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him [John], and went into the tomb; and
he [Simon Peter] saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that
had been around His [Jesus’] head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded
together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple [John], who came to the
tomb first, went in also; and he [John] saw and believed. For as yet they did
not know the Scripture, that He [Jesus] must rise again from the dead. Then the
disciples [Simon Peter and John] went away again to their own homes.
[I think that I will evaluate this in sections, because there are
several different things going on in these passages.]
[Earlier, Matthew 28:2-6 said: And 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. His countenance was like lightning, and his
clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became
like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be
afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. “He is not here; but
He is risen, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.”
But then, Matthew 28:11-15 goes on to say: Now while they [the
women] were going [to tell the disciples], behold, some of the guard came
into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had
happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together
they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His
disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ “And if this comes
to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they
[the guards] took the money and did as they were instructed; and this
saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.]
[This verifies that the guards who watched over Jesus’ tomb after
His crucifixion, saw and/or heard that the angel of the Lord with countenance
like lightning and clothing as white as snow had descended from heaven and they
[the women] also saw that the stone was rolled back from the door of the tomb.
There are quite a lot of things to note in these two passages from Matthew.
There was more than one guard who was a witness that Jesus was no longer in the
tomb, since the verse says: And the guards shook for fear of him [the
angel], and became like dead men. Both the word guards and men
verify that there were two or more guards who were witnesses, because both are
plural, denoting more than one.]
[Now in Matthew 28:11 it says: Now while they [the women] were going [to
tell the disciples], behold, some of the guard came into the city and
reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. This would
lead a person to determine that there were more than two people watching over
Jesus’ grave in that it says some of the guard came and reported to the
priests [about the empty tomb.] You wouldn’t say it that way if there were only
two guards watching the tomb and one left, so there had to be three or more
guards watching the tomb. In that case, there were three or more eyewitnesses
who were not necessarily followers of Christ, who knew about the empty tomb and
that Jesus’ had arisen.]
[The reason this is significant is that there are those who say that
there were only Christians as witnesses to Jesus’ Resurrection, but this proves
that’s not the case. It isn’t that Christians made up some story to perpetuate
a myth that Jesus arose, it really, truly happened. These are not the only
non-Christian witnesses that Jesus arose from His grave after being crucified.]
[Of course, as noted by verses 12-15 above, the chief priests assembled
with the elders and came up with a plan to offer the three or more guards a
large sum of money, so they would say that Jesus’ disciples had stolen Him away
while the guards were sleeping. They also said that if the governor happened to
hear about this, they would cover for the guards and protect them. Now, if you
analyze all of this carefully, it says some additional things. First and
foremost, it says that the priests and the elders thought the eyewitness
accounts of the guards was so credible that they had to offer them a big bribe
to get them to lie about why Jesus wasn’t still in the tomb. Additionally,
it says that not only did the priests have to shut the guards up so that they
didn’t share that Jesus was no longer in His tomb, but they had to devise an
elaborate story with the fear hanging over their heads of the governor hearing
of this. This made the guards fearful for their safety and beholding to the
priests and elders, so that they didn’t tell others that Jesus Christ had arisen
on the third day, as He had foretold He would.]
[These two passages in Matthew add even more
credibility to Jesus Christ rising from the grave. I went to WikiDiff and found
this definition that adds clarity, since I wanted to make sure my analysis was accurate about this. Once at the
site, I looked up the difference between an eyewitness and a witness found it
at: https://wikidiff.com/eyewitness/witness This is what it said:
Eyewitness is a
derived term of witness.
- As
nouns the difference between eyewitness
and witness
is that eyewitness
is someone who sees an event and can report or testify about it while witness is attestation of a fact or event; testimony.
- As
verbs the difference between eyewitness
and witness
is that eyewitness
is to be present at an event, and see it while witness is to furnish proof of, to show.
[So, the three plus guards who knew the tomb was
empty, were eyewitnesses, because they were there and saw and heard what
happened when the angel talked with women when they came and found the tomb empty.
This is additionally proven when some of the guards went to talk to the high
priests and elders about it and it was determined to be a credible report or
they wouldn’t have given the guards a large sum of money to give the false
testimony. ]
[The reason I looked this up on the internet was
that the priests and elders who assembled to talk to the guards and bribe them
are also witnesses that the tomb was empty and that Jesus had arisen,
like He said He would. WikiDiff said “...while witness is attestation of a fact or event; testimony.” In other words, the eyewitness [guards]
were there at the event and the witness priests and elders had
sufficient proof from the guards that they could have attested to the fact or
event that Jesus’ tomb was empty, although they weren’t there to actually
witness it happen. Of course, it wasn’t to their advantage to do so, because to
tell the truth threatened their positions in the synagogues as priests and
elders. That’s why they bribed the guards to share a lie instead of the truth!]
[There are some times when doing this Biblical
research is soooo exciting! This is one of those times! I’ve read this passage
many times over the years and realized that it was significant that the priests
and elders gave the guards a large sum of money not to share the truth about
why the tomb was empty. I never realized until now, that all the priests and
elders assembled together to concoct this plan, were also witnesses to Jesus’
empty tomb from the credible eyewitness accounts of the guards, although none
of them were followers of Jesus Christ. This additional proof from
non-Christian eyewitnesses and witnesses makes the empty tomb and Jesus’
Resurrection even more significant!]
[To continue on with the analysis of those who
also knew Jesus’ tomb was empty three days after His crucifixion, before Jesus
went to see His disciples in Galilee. But
before I get into the analysis of these two passages, I think these are
excellent examples of a point I made earlier. I explained how some of the Gospel
writers write with more detail and some with fewer and how some of them only
add additional details for clarity if they didn’t feel enough was included in
the other Gospels. Also, the Gospel of Matthew is the only one to record the
information about the guards who watched Jesus’ tomb and their deal with the
priests and elders of the synagogue. In my opinion, since the Gospel of Matthew
included so much pertinent information about the guards, the other Gospel
writers didn’t feel a need to mention it.]
Mark 16:12-13 says: After that, He appeared in another form to
two of them, as they walked and went into the country. And they went and
told it to the rest [of the disciples], but they did not believe them either.
Luke 16:13-15 says: Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day
to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they
talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they
conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But
their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him. And He said to
them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with
one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the
one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only
stranger in Jerusalem, and have you not known the things which happened there
in these days?” And He said to them, “What
things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of
Nazareth, who 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 crucified Him. “But we were hoping that it was He who was going
to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these
things happened. “Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the
tomb early, astonished us. “When they did not find His body, they came saying
that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. “And certain
of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had
said; but Him [Jesus] they did not see.” Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets
have spoken! “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter
into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and
all the Prophets, He [Jesus] expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things
concerning Himself. Then they drew near to the village where they were going,
and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him,
saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.” And
He [Jesus] went in to stay with them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew
Him; and He [Jesus] vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did
not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He
opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to
Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told
about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in
the breaking of bread.
[First of all, the brief passage in Mark corroborates what the detailed
passage in Luke says. Also, the brief passage in Mark also corroborates that
the disciples didn’t believe that Jesus’ had arisen when they were first told
about seeing Him.]
Luke 24:18 says: Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and
said to Him [Jesus], “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have you not
known the things which happened there in these days?”
Luke 24:33-34 goes on to say: So they rose up that very hour and
returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them
gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to
Simon!”
[There is lots of controversy on the internet about who the other person
on the road to Emmaus was. Some feel it was two men, some feel two women, one
of whom is the wife of the person with the name Cleopas. Others think it was
Cleopas and his wife. The thing is, this isn’t an inconsistency, it’s just
people trying to figure out who the other person was. Even if it were an
inconsistency, although it’s not, would it be significant? No. It doesn’t
matter who the other person was that was joined by Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
With that said, it seems like Luke 24:34 is saying that the other person was
Simon aka known as Simon Peter.]
[A thing that I think is interesting is that several of the people who
first encounter Jesus after He’s arisen, don’t know it’s Him. I will include
several other passages where this is the case related to this topic of
research.]
Luke 24:15-16 says: So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that
Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained
so that they did not know Him.
Luke 24:29-34 goes on to say: But they [two on the road to Emmaus]
constrained Him [Jesus], saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening and
the day is far spent.” And He [Jesus] went in to stay with them. Then their
eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He [Jesus] vanished from their sight.
And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked
with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up
that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who
were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has
appeared to Simon!”
In John 20:13-16 says: Then they [the angels] said to her, “Woman, why
are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and
I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she
turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you
weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She supposing Him
[Jesus] to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir if You have carried Him away,
tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to
her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him,
Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
[Luke 24:15-16 gives a reason and says that their eyes are restrained.
Luke 24:31 says: Then their [two on the road to Emmaus’] eyes were opened
and they knew Him; and He [Jesus] vanished from their sight. John 20:15 says:
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you
weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She supposing Him
[Jesus] to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir if You have carried Him away,
tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” This also
relates to John 20:9 which says: For as yet they did not know the Scripture,
that He [Jesus] must rise again from the dead. ]
[I think I need to break this down into subtopics, so that the analysis
is more focused. First, what happens when Jesus meets up with the disciples in
Galilee?]
Matthew 20:16-17 says: Then the eleven disciples went away into
Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw
Him [Jesus], they worshipped Him; but some doubted.
Mark 16:14 says: Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at
the table; and He [Jesus] rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart,
because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Luke 24:35-49 says: And they told about the things that had
happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and
said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a
spirit. And He [Jesus] said to
them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your
hearts? “Behold My hands and My feet that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see,
for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He [Jesus] had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him [Jesus] a
piece of broiled fish and some honey comb, And He took it and ate in their
presence. Then He said to them, “These are the words which
I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled
which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
concerning Me.” And He [Jesus] opened
their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to
them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for
the 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 to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem. “And you are witnesses of these things. “Behold, I
send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem
until you are endued with the power from on high.”
John 20:19-23 says: 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, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He
[Jesus] showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when
they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He [Jesus] had said this, He breathed on them, and said to
them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. “If you forgive the sins of
any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
[All four Gospels were consistent that when most of the disciples first
saw Jesus, they were frightened and didn’t believe He had arisen. Both the
Gospels of Luke and John tell how Jesus showed the disciples His hands, feet
and side, although the Gospels of Matthew and Mark don’t say this? Does that
mean that Jesus didn’t show the disciples His hand, feet and side? No! Again,
remember from the research I’ve done, I’ve found that some of the Gospel
authors don’t put information that has already been adequately recorded in
other Gospels or they briefly record events. The Gospel of John records this information
while the Gospel of Luke really has lots of details of how Jesus told the
disciples to touch His body to see that He has flesh, because a spirit
wouldn’t. He also asks the disciples if He might have something to eat, as
additional proof that He truly is the arisen Lord and not some spirit.]
[When Jesus met with the disciples in Galilee, what did He tell them to
do?]
Matthew 28:18-20 says: And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go
therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age.” Amen.
Mark 16:15-20 says: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. “He who
believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned. “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will
cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; “they will take up serpents;
and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay
hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Luke 24:44-49 says: Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and
the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He [Jesus] opened their understanding, that they might comprehend
the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus
it is written, and thus it was necessary for the 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 to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. “And you are
witnesses of these things. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you;
but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with the power from on
high.”
John 20:20-21 says: When He [Jesus] had said this, He showed them His
hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So
Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the
Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
[As recorded in Luke 24:44-49, Jesus opens their understanding about
Scripture and how He had to fulfill what had been prophesied about Him through
Moses, the Prophets and in Psalms. He explains that it was necessary for Him to
suffer and rise again on the third day, so that repentance and remission of
sins could be preached to all nations. The Gospel of Matthew and Mark are pretty
consistent with this, although the Gospel of Mark includes these signs: that
demons will be cast out in His name, and they will speak with new tongues, they
will take up serpents and they won’t be hurt if they drink anything deadly and
that they will lay hands upon the sick and they will recover. The Gospel of
John includes more information about teaching others about Christ in the
passages where Jesus talks to Peter about feeding His sheep in John 21:15-17.
]
[When was the next time that the disciples saw
Jesus?]
John 20:24-31 says: Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was
not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We
have seen the Lord.” So he [Thomas] said to them, “Unless I see in His hands
the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put
my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His
disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors
being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He [Jesus] said to
Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and
reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but
believing.” And Thomas answered and
said to Him, My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have believed.” And
truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not
written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His
name.
[The Gospel of John gives thorough details about how Thomas told the
other disciples that He didn’t believe they had seen Jesus after He had arisen
from the grave. Thomas tells the others that he won’t believe it until he sees
the prints in Jesus’ hands and touches them and puts his hand into Jesus’ side.
It also tells how eight days after Jesus originally met with the disciples in
Galilee after He arose, He joined them again when Thomas was there to witness
that He is the arisen Lord. Jesus told Thomas to touch His [Jesus’] hand with
his finger and to stick his hand into Jesus’ side, so that he might believe. I
think John 20:30-31 are significant when John tells them that Jesus did so many
signs in front of the disciples, so that they might believe He is Jesus the
Christ, the Son of God, so believers might have salvation. In my opinion, the
other Gospel writers may not have recorded this information again, because it
was thoroughly recorded in the Gospel of John.]
[What happened the third time Jesus met with the disciples before He
ascended into heaven?]
John 21:1-24 says: After these things Jesus showed Himself again to
the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He [Jesus] showed
Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the
sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said
to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.”
They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught
nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the
disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They
answered Him, “No.” And He [Jesus] said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the
multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved [John] said to
Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he
put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But
the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land,
but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as
they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and
bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish
which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and
dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and
although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples
dared ask Him, “Who are You?”- knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came
and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the
third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He [Simon Peter] said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He
[Jesus] said to him [Peter]“Feed My lambs.” He [Jesus] said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He [Simon Peter] said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He
[Jesus] said to him [Simon Peter], “Tend My sheep.” He [Jesus] said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He [Jesus] said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he [Peter] said to Him,
“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. “Most assuredly, I say to you when you were younger, you
girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will
stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do
not wish.” This He [Jesus] spoke, signifying by what death he
[Peter] would glorify God. and when He [Jesus] had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” Then Peter, turning
around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved [John] following, who also had leaned
on His [Jesus’] breast at the supper [Last Supper], and said, “Lord, who is the
one who betrays you?” Peter seeing him [John], said to Jesus, “But Lord, what
about this man?” Jesus said to him [Peter], “If I will that he [John] remain till I come, what is that to you? You
follow Me.” Then this saying went out
among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to
him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain
till I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who
testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his
testimony is true.
Acts 1:1-5 says: The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that
Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up after
He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had
chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many
infallible proofs, being seen by them during
forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of
God. And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to
depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He [Jesus] said, “you have
heard from Me; “for John truly baptized
with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from
now.”
[Chapter 21 of the Gospel of John tells how Jesus cooked breakfast at
the Sea of Tiberias for Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee
[John and James], and two other disciples of Jesus, unbeknownst to them. The
disciples had gone out fishing and had caught nothing the night before. Then,
Jesus called out to them from the shore to cast their net on the right side of
the boat to find some fish. They caught so many fish that they were not able to
pull it into the boat. When the Apostle John said to Peter it was the Lord,
Simon Peter grabbed his clothes and plunged into the sea. The other disciples
followed behind him in a boat. They saw the fire and coals Jesus had made to
cook their breakfast and Jesus asked them to bring the fish they had just caught.
Upon hearing that, Peter dragged the net full of large fish and there were 153,
but the net wasn’t broken. In addition to all these witnesses who saw the
miracle that Jesus did with allowing them to catch a 153 large fish, there is
also the conversation where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Jesus more
than these and asks Peter to feed and tend His sheep. The apostle John ends
this by stating that he can personally attest to all of these things being
true!]
[Both Chapter 21 of the Gospel of John and Acts 1:1-5 have pertinent
information about what happened the third time Jesus met with the disciples
before He ascended into Heaven. I especially like to focus on Acts 1:3,
which says: to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by
many infallible proofs, being seen by them during
forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
It is extremely important to know that Jesus had shown Himself to His disciples
and others during the forty days after He had arisen from the grave. This is
especially significant with the following passages that tell about when Jesus
ascended into heaven, but I will discuss that further in after that subtopic.]
[What happened when Jesus ascended into heaven?]
Mark 16:19-20 says: So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into
heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached
everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the
accompanying signs. Amen.
Luke 24:50-53 says: And He [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany,
and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He
blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they
worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually
in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
John 21:25 says: And there are also many other things that Jesus
did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world
itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Acts 1:6-11 says: Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him
[Jesus], saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
And He [Jesus] said to them, “It is not for you to know
the times or the seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. “But
you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall
be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end
of the earth.” Now when He had spoken
these things, while they watched, He [Jesus] was taken up, and a cloud received
Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He
went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of
Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken
up from you into heaven will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into
heaven.”
[These passages are basically all consistent, but Acts has much more
detail about what Jesus said and what the angels said to the disciples and
others watching as Jesus arose to heaven.]
[There is an interesting thing of note. I may not have been aware of it
on my own, but I had watched a J. Warner Wallace video some time ago, that told
about how the part I have listed for the ascension in Luke is the same person
who also wrote Acts, that has even more details.]
Luke 24:45-53 says: And He [Jesus] opened their understanding, that they
might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the 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 to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
“And you are witnesses of these things. “Behold, I send the Promise of My
Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with
the power from on high.” And He led them out as far
as Bethany, and He [Jesus] lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to
pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into
heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and
were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
[Luke has: “And He led them as far as Bethany, and He [Jesus] lifted up
His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He
was parted from them and carried up into heaven.” This follows immediately
after where Jesus is opening the disciples' understanding when He [Jesus] met with
the disciples in Galilee the day He had arisen from the grave, as shown in Luke
24:45-53. It sounds like Jesus ascended into heaven right after He met with the
disciples in Galilee on the day He arose from the grave.]
[The following is some of the proof I heard about in the J. Warner
Wallace YouTube Video I had watched some time ago but can’t remember the title
of it.]
Luke 1:1-4 says: Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a
narrative off those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those
who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered
them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all
things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most
excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in
which you were instructed.
Acts 1:1-3 says: The former account I made, O Theophilus,
of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was
taken up after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the
apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after
His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days
and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
[In Acts, the writer talks about the former account he made,
which makes sense if he also wrote the Gospel of Luke. He addresses this to Theophilus,
as he does in the Gospel of Luke. No other Gospel writer does this. The
extremely significant portion of Acts 1:1-3 (paraphrased) is that Luke states
that Jesus was taken up [arose into heaven] after He had presented Himself
alive for 40 days after His suffering, death, and burial, while Jesus spoke,
pertaining to the kingdom of God.]
[Jesus was alive for 40 days
and there are many infallible proofs of this. This means that Jesus’ ascension
into heaven wasn’t on the same day as I had mistakenly thought it was, prior to
watching the J. Warner Wallace YouTube Video and checking the proof out for
myself. Actually, in Acts 1:1-3, Luke clarifies that he is adding these additional
details to the former [orderly] account he made in Luke which includes accounts
from eyewitnesses and ministers, as well as, his and the other disciple’s
knowledge of the things that had been fulfilled through Jesus. (paraphrased)[
[So, Mark 16:19-20 didn’t happen immediately after Jesus talked with the
disciples in Galilee the day He had arisen from the dead. This passage
took place 40 days later but was just placed after what had been written about
the meeting in Galilee. Mark 16:19-20 says: So then, after the Lord had spoken
to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and
confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.]
[If this isn’t enough proof for you, John 20:24-31 says: Now Thomas,
called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The
other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he [Thomas]
said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my
finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not
believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas
with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and
said, “Peace to you!” Then
He [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here,
and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not
be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and
said to Him, My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have believed.” And
truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are
not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His
name.]
[The passage in the Gospel of John 20:24-31 shows that the disciples
were together with Jesus again in Galilee eight days later when Thomas comes
and Jesus lets him touch the wounds in His hands and put his hand where the
soldier’s sword pierced His side, before they took Jesus off the cross and
buried him.]
[To top that off, John 21:1-25 says: After these things Jesus showed
Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He
[Jesus] showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana
in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are
going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that
night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on
the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to
them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He [Jesus] said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude
of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved [John] said to Peter, “It is
the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer
garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other
disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about
two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come
to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus
said to them, “Bring some of the fish
which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and
dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and
although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples
dared ask Him, “Who are You?”- knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came
and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the
third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the
dead. So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He [Simon Peter] said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He
[Jesus] said to him [Peter]“Feed My lambs.” He [Jesus] said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He [Simon Peter] said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He
[Jesus] said to him [Simon Peter], “Tend My sheep.” He [Jesus] said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He [Jesus] said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he [Peter] said to Him,
“Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. “Most assuredly, I say to you when you were younger, you
girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will
stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do
not wish.” This He [Jesus] spoke, signifying by what death he
[Peter] would glorify God. and when He
[Jesus] had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” Then Peter, turning
around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved [John] following, who also had leaned
on His [Jesus’] breast at the supper [Last Supper], and said, “Lord, who is the
one who betrays you?” Peter seeing him [John], said to Jesus, “But Lord, what
about this man?” Jesus said to him [Peter], “If I will that he [John] remain till I come, what is that to you? You
follow Me.” Then this saying went out
among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to
him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain
till I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who
testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his
testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which
if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not
contain the books that would be written. Amen.]
[That’s lots of witnesses attesting to seeing Jesus alive after He arose
from the grave. This is even more significant: 1 Corinthians 15:3-10 says: For
I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died
for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas,
then by the twelve. After that He [Jesus] was seen by over five hundred
brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain in the present, but some have
fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then
last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I
am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because
I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God which was with me.]
[I realize that the Apostle Paul who wrote 1 Corinthians 15:3-10,
formerly known as Saul, used to persecute the Christians, but became a devout
Christian after Jesus who had ascended into heaven, appeared to Saul on the
Road to Damascus. I’ve been trying to check on the internet to find out when
Jesus died, arose, and ascended into heaven and the answers range generally
between 30-33 A.D. I think it is 33 A.D. based on this Biblical proof
from Luke 3:23 says: Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about
thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of
Heli…(it continues through Jesus’ genealogy all the way back to Adam.)]
[I searched high and low to find out how long Jesus’ ministry was and/or
how old He was when He died. When I went to NeverThirsty.org which is located
at: https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/how-old-was-yeshua-when-he-died/ This is what I found. Date of Jesus’ Death]
We know that Jesus could have died only in the two
years of A.D. 30 or A.D. 33 since the gospels say that Jesus died on a Friday
during the Passover. The Passover date is significant because it could occur
only during a full moon. The Jews selected Passover by the lunar cycle. Between
the time period of A.D. 29 and A.D. 35, lunar eclipses occurred only on a
Friday in the years of A.D. 30 or A.D. 33. Since Christ could not have died in
A.D. 30, the year A.D. 33 is the only year that qualifies as the year in which
He died.]
[This is their] Conclusion:
This means Jesus was 33 to 34 years of age when He
died.]
[I also checked to see when Paul, formerly known as Saul was converted
when Jesus appeared to him on Saul’s way to Damascus. The answers range from
33-36 A.D. I found the following: Amazing Bible Timeline with
World History located at: https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/sauls-conversion/ It said the following:]
Zealous, brutal, and loyal to his religious
heritage—this was how the book of Acts introduced the man called Saul of Tarsus who quietly approved of and watched the death of Christianity’s first martyr, Stephen. The death of Stephen and the persecution that followed was a blow to
the community of believers and it pushed many others to leave Jerusalem for the surrounding towns. Saul, meanwhile, started the search for the
members of this new movement with the intent of imprisoning them. The
conversion of Saul is recorded on the Bible Timeline Poster around 34 AD.]
[Even if I pick the dates furthest from each other 30
A.D. for Jesus’ death, arising from the grave, and resurrection and 36 A.D. for
Paul, formerly known as Saul's conversion to Christianity, that is only a
matter of six years. So it stands to reason that when the Apostle Paul wrote: “After that He [Jesus] was
seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain in
the present, but some have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:6,” stands to reason that most of those
witnesses would still be alive when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in 55-56
A.D. and would be able to give their testimony about seeing Jesus, the arisen
Lord.]
[To get that information, I checked the Amazing Bible
Timeline with World History again to find out when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians at:
https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/paul-the-letters-of/
and it said between 55 A.D. and 56 A.D. So, if someone was 35 when they saw
Jesus after He had arisen from the grave or saw Him when He ascended into
heaven, he would be about 55ish at the point 1 Corinthians 15 was
written. I looked on the internet and found the following site: Christmas
on December 25 at:
It said: 4) HOW OLD WAS ZACHARIAH WHEN
HIS WIFE GAVE BIRTH TO JOHN THE BAPTIST?
Question
How old was Zachariah when
his wife gave birth to John the Baptist?
Answer
The Gospel does not mention a figure and only informs
that Zachariah was in an advanced age at the time of Gabriel's visit.
And they had no child,
because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well advanced in years. (Lukas 1: 7)
And Zachariah said unto the angel, How shall I know
this? for I am an old man, and my wife well advanced in years. (Lukas 1: 18)
He was as old as his wife
(Luke 1: 7), both of them are in advanced age.
How old were they?
Advanced age, old age, or
elderly age begin at 60 years old.1
Risk
of stillbirth by mother’s age
Bibliography: 1Forman DE, Berman AD,
McCabe CH, Baim DS, Wei JY, “PTCA in the Elderly: the ‘young-old’ versus the
‘old-old’”
[Hence, Zachariah and his
wife’s ages are possible to quantify, i.e, ranging from 60 to 70 years
old.]
In order to see how old the disciples were at
their death: I went to BibleCharts.Org at http://www.biblecharts.org/netestaament/howtheapostlesdiedone.pdf
[I couldn’t paste the chart here, but it said that
Peter died in 54-56A.D., Matthew at 60 A.D, James at 66 A.D. just to name a
few, and those were killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. Which is additional
proof that Jesus Is the Son of God because most people wouldn’t give their life
for some made up story. When asked before they were killed, they could have
denounced what they said about Jesus’ Resurrection from the grave to save their
lives, but they didn’t -because it was true. Jesus Christ Is the Son of God, who
was born man, lived a holy and perfect life, but was betrayed and crucified on
the cross, buried and arose from the grave on the third day and was seen by His
disciples, 500 and others during the 40 days from His resurrection from the
dead to His ascension into heaven.]
[Don’t let people confuse you about your faith in
Jesus, your Savior, by saying that the Bible is full of lies and
inconsistencies. Yes, there are inconsistencies in the Bible, but they are
minor and none are significant enough to disprove that Jesus died and arose on
the third day and ascended into heaven after 40 days.]
[Remember John 3:16-20 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “For God
did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world
through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he
who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the
name of the only begotten son of God. “And this is the condemnation that the
light has come into the world and men loved the darkness rather than light,
because their deeds were evil. “For everyone practicing evil hates the light
and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. “But he who
does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that
they have been done in God.”]
Jesus gives us all the chance to follow Him, the Light of the world.
Follow the light instead of darkness!
