Words of Jesus Christ in "Red"  Contradiction, or inconsistency of a text is discovered by a process of drawing inferences from that text. If I say that an event occurred on Christmas day, you may infer that the event occurred on December 25th. This is a reasonable inference. If there is any ambiguity in time keeping or calendars or in the observance of the holiday, other reasonable inferences may be possible. Until such ambiguity may be found, this may be thought a necessary inference. It is improper to mistake a reasonable inference for a necessary inference. It is also possible that multiple inferences may be drawn from a single text. For instance, if I say that "I went to Dover by the St. Jones River." We may either infer proximity of Dover to the St. Jones River, or we may infer that this river is navigable & that I used it in this fashion. In the case where a text admits multiple inferences, the reader selects between them as she/he finds reasonable. "The claim of contradiction or inconsistency of a text is a statement about the set of inferences that can be drawn from that text. Contradiction exists when no set of inferences may be drawn from a text that cohere in a non-contradictory fashion." The person advancing the claim of contradiction will be inclined to find sets of inferences that cohere to be "unreasonable." That is certainly understandable, for that reason, we have the situation that is common in dialog between Theists and Atheists. One party will claim that contradictions are common, and another party will claim they are only apparent, but that they disappear upon closer inspection. By way of example, there are four accounts of the crucifixion, resurrection & subsequent movements of Jesus Christ recorded in the Bible. Whether these accounts correspond to historical fact (as is my opinion) or whether they correspond to a nexus of fabrications made up out of whole cloth is completely irrelevant to my purpose. The only question of interest to me is whether these accounts cohere logically or are logically contradictory. The only criteria of interest are formal logic. in accounts concerning Jesus Christ " Mary’s Intent " Contradiction Question 1: Does Mary want to tell the disciples what happened at the tomb?
The critic indicates that Mark says Mary’s intention was the opposite to the intention depicted in the other gospels. Mark 16:8 - "And they went out quickly, an fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed; neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid." Matthew 28:9 - "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." Luke 24:9 - "And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest." John 20:18 - "Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her." The means whereby Mary’s intention is depicted in any of these accounts is unclear. It does seem that in the Mark passage, that fear induced them to say nothing to anyone. If we look at the prior verses, we may have a clue as to the reason why they felt this fear. Mark 16:4-7 - "[4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away; for it was very great. [5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. [6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted; Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here; behold the place where they laid him. [7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." The "young man" immediately tells them to not be alarmed. This instruction, along with their subsequent fear indicates that something about this "young man" was fearsome. (More about him supporting this fearsome nature may be gleaned from the parallel accounts.) His second command after telling them to calm down is to go tell the disciples. If this "young man" induced great fear as may be inferred by verse 8, we may also infer that they were intent upon obeying the command to tell the disciple to such an extent that they did not pause along the way to engage anyone in conversation on their way to go tell the disciples. Stopping to tell others what they’d seen would detract from immediate compliance. " First Appearance " Contradiction Question 2: Who does Jesus appear to first?
The critic who submitted this question does not cite the passages that give rise to these claims. Instead of tilting at this windmill, I refer you to the first appearance described in "Chronology of Risen Christ Appearances" below. " Mary’s Movements " Noted Contradiciton 3: After seeing the angels at the tomb who does Mary meet first?
The critic cites Luke 24:4 as seen below that does not mention the disciples. Luke 24:9 indicates that when "they" got back from the tomb, "they" reported to the disciples. The other passages cited below indicate a meeting before Mary Magdalene left the immediate vicinity of the empty tomb. Luke’s silence between the time of the angelic dialog and the report to the disciples is not a denial of Mary’s meeting with Jesus in the vicinity of the tomb. This silence would be quite reasonable if the supposition is correct that Luke or his eyewitness was the unnamed companion of Cheopas on the Emmas road. Matthew 28:9 - "And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him." Mark 16:9 - "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of who he had cast seven devils." Luke 24:4 - "And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments;" John 20:14 - "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus." " Report Reception " Contradiction Question 4: Luke contradicts Mark in 24:34 when he says that when the two followers who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven about thier encounter, the disciples said "It is true!" whereas Mark says when the two reported their encounter, and the disciples did not believe Mark (l6:13) Luke 24:33-39 - "[33] And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them. [34] Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. [35] And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. [36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. [37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. [38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? [39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Mark 16:9-4 - "Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. [10] And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. [11] And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. [12] After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. [13] And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. [14] Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Luke 24:33 indicates that the Eleven and those with them were together. Mark 16:9 indicates that "them that had been with him" were the recipient of these report. It is quite plausible to imagine that Mary Magdalene (who had certainly been with him) stayed around after giving her report. Moreover, John reports that he believed while in the tomb. As will be seen in "Chronology of Risen Christ appearances" below, Simon Peter would have seen Jesus by this time. Mindful of this, one can speculatively offer a reconstruction to show a reasonable scenario. It should be noted that when one is describing scene involving a group of people, not all of them will be of the same mind. We can imagine a room within which those who have seen Jesus are arguing with those who have not and do not believe. When the two on the Emmaus road got there late they told their tale and other eyewitnesses of Jesus chimed in as seen in Luke 24:34. Many of the Eleven who were present were not convinced as reported by Mark 16:13. " Untouchable? " Contradiction Question 5: Is Mary permitted to touch Jesus?
Matthew 28:8-9 - " [8] And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. [9] And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him." Luke 24:37-39 - " [37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. [38] And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? [39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." John 20:17 - "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethern, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God." This one is rather easy ... the Greek word interpreted here as "Touch Me Not" would better be interpreted in english as "Don't hold on to me". Therefore He wasn't telling them not to touch him, but not to try to hold Him to the earth, but to let him ascend to the Father. "Number of Appearances" Contradiction Question 6: How many times does Jesus appear after the resurrection?
The critic seems to think that these accounts are exhaustive of all of Jesus’ comings and goings after the resurrection. This is contradictory to the clear sense of John 21:25 "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." If we extend this principle to the gospels in which the account is much shorter of Jesus’ post-resurrection activities, then it is an invalid inference to say that Matthew says Jesus appeared twice, Mark says thrice, etc. Jesus may well have appeared several thousands of time of which Matthew reports two, Mark reports three, etc. "Holy Spirit Dispensation" Contradiction Question 7: I noticed that John and Luke disagree as to when the Holy Spirit was given - John 20:22 and Acts l:5 John 20:22 - "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost;" Acts 1:5 - "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." Christianity teaches that every Christian has an indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but this indwelling which occurs at the moment of conversion is not attended by speaking in tongues or the other manifestations described at Pentacost. So then the disciples received two measures of the Holy Spirit that differed in some quantitative sense since they did not speak in tongues or perform miracles in John but did many extraordinary things as recorded in Acts... "Chronology of Risen Christ Appearances" Contradiction Question 8: Before whom and in what chronological order do the appearances of the risen Christ take place? Matthew says first to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, then to the ll disciples. Mark says first to Mary Magdalene and then to two followers, then third to the ll disciples. Luke says first to Cleopas and his friend, then the ll disciples. John says first to Mary Magdalene and ten disciples, then to the ll disciples and fourth to Peter, Thomas, James, John, Nathaniel and two others. This list is not exhaustive. As you will recall, John states that an exhaustive enumeration of Jesus’ acts would fill the world with books. So, it is reasonable to assume that the New Testament provides a mere sample of the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection. 1. Mary Magdalene (outside the tomb) 2. God the Father (unknown) 3. Other women 4. Peter (outside tomb) 5. Cleopas and unknown (Luke?) (emmaus road) 6. The eleven minus Thomas (?bethany?) 7. The eleven including Thomas (?bethany or elsewhere) 8. The seven (by the sea of Galilee) 9. To 500 on the mount (in Galilee) 10. James the Lord’s brother 11. To 11 in the mount in Galilee (unless they were present in #9) 12. Those present at the Ascension at mount of olives 13. Stephen prior to his martyrdom (in Jerusalem) 14. Saul (on Damascus Road) 15. Paul (in the desert of Arabia) 16. Paul (in the temple in Jerusalem) 17. Paul (in prison) 18. John (at Patmos) "Locations of the Risen Christ appearances" Contradiction Question 9: Where do the appearances take place? Matthew says when leaving the tomb in 28:8, and on a mountain in Galilee in 28:16. Mark says after fleeing the tomb in l6:8, then as they walked in the country in l6:12, and then at a meal in l6:14. Luke says in Emmaus in 24:13, Jerusalem in 24:33, and not in Galilee as Matthew seems to think. John says first at the tomb, then in Jerusalem and then at the sea of Tiberias See "Chronology of Risen Christ appearances" above " Timing the Crucifixion " Contradiction Question 10: What time and day was Jesus crucified? Matthew says nothing about time, but mentions the first day of passover the l5th day of Nissan in 26:20. Mark says at 9:00 a.m. in l5:25 on the first day of passover the l5th day of Nissan. l4:17 Luke says nothing about time, but mentions the first day of passover, the l5th day of Nissan in 22:14. John says 12:00 p.m. noon in l9:14 and the day was before passover the l4th day of Nissan in l3:1, 29, l8:28, l9:14 All four gospels state that Jesus was crucified on Preparation day of the Passover as may be inferred from the passages cited below. Matthew 27:57-65 - " [57] When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: [58] He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. [59] And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, [60] And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. [61] And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. [62] Now the next day, that followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, [63] Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. [64] Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. [65] Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can." Mark 15:42-47 - " [42] And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, [43] Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. [44] And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. [45] And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. [46] And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. [47] And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid." Luke 23:50-54 - "[50] And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: [51] (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews; who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. [52] This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. [53] And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. [54] And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on." John 19:42 - "There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand." Jesus was presented to the crowd by Pilate at about 6:00AM at the Stone Pavement. He was rejected by the crowd, and Pilate handed him over to be crucified. At 9:00AM at Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to the cross. At noon it got dark. At 3:00PM, Jesus died. There was an earthquake and the veil of partition in the temple was torn in two. The 6:00am time is based upon the Roman method of time keeping. Unlike the Jewish method of measuring days from sundown to sundown, Romans measured time like Americans, from midnight to midnight. John describing a Roman civil ceremony years after leaving Palestine and living in Asia Minor used the Roman timekeeping system. The Jewish state would have been destroyed by the time that John wrote. John 19:13-18 - "[13] When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). [14] It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. "Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews. [15] But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!" "Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered. [16] Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. [17] Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). [18] Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle. The other gospels, having been written much earlier use the Jewish time keeping system. Sun rise in Palestine near the equinox would be at about 6:00am. Matthew 27:45-46 - "[45] From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. [46] About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Mark 15:25 - "It was the third hour when they crucified him." Mark 15:33-34 - "[33] At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. [34] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Luke 23:44-46 - "[44] It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, [45] for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. [46] Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. "Drinks on the Cross" Contradiction Question 11: Did Jesus drink anything while on the cross?
Jesus did not drink wine mixed with gall, but tasted it & discerning what it was, refused it. Jesus did not drink wine mixed with myrrh. He may have tasted it. Matthew 27:34 - "They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall; and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink." Mark 15:23 - "And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not." John 19:28-30 - " [28] After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished that the scriptures might be fulfilled, saith, I thrist. [29] Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar; and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hysop, and put it to his mouth. [30] When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." Apparently, though Jesus did not drink drug-laced wine to ease his pain, at the end as he neared death, he did accept some vinegar. I find it reasonable to think that Jesus was offered one potation early in the crucifixion, refused it after tasting it, and later received a different one. "The Believing Thief" Contradiction Question 12: Did either of the two thieves believe?
The critic who posed this apparent contradiction noted that he once believed in Jesus Christ, but does not currently. The crucifixion lasted all day. This would give one of the thieves time to observe the difference between Jesus’ mein and that of the other thief. Reflecting upon this and upon his forthcoming death may well have induced the thief to repent and believe in those hours he hang on the cross. Thus, Matthew & Mark may state that neither thief believed at the beginning and Luke may state that one thief repented some time later. "Chronology of Burial Preparations" Contradiction Question 13: When did Mary prepare spices?
Mark 16:1 - "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body." Luke 23:55-56 - "[55] The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. [56] Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment." John 19:38-42 - "[38] Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. [39] He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. [40] Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. [41] At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. [42] Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. There is no indication of coordination of efforts between Joseph and the women. Joseph seems to have had a mixture of mirrh and aloes on hand that he used to quickly inter Jesus in the three hours between his death and sundown that marked the beginning of the Passover holy day. The women wanted to participate in embalming Jesus’ body, I don’t think they helped in Joseph’s efforts between 3:00pm and 6:00pm on the day of the crucifixion, but they may have and some may have been at the tomb when he was intered. The women went home and waited between sundown of the day Jesus was crucified until the sunrise after the sabbath was over. If those spices that they had on hand were not sufficient, they would supplement their supply with purchases made after the sundown which marked the end of Sabbath. With these spices they’d collected and purchased, they went to the tomb to annoint Jesus’ body. Moreover, the spices of Jesus’ embalming might need to be replaced or augmented a few days after entombment. So the critic’s objection to "when" they were prepared may spring from the account’s reference to multiple spice annointings. " Sunrise on the way to the Tomb " Contradiction Question 14: Had the sun risen when the Mary's went to the tomb? Matthew says it was toward dawn in 28:1 Mark says yes the sun had definitely risen in l6:2 Luke says it was early dawn in 24:1 John says no, when Mary came it was still dark in 20:1 If I were to go to Jesus’ tomb right now, the sun would rise and set many times before I got there. (It is a journey of several thousand miles.) Thus, the women left perhaps from their respective homes and began walking to the tomb. If they lived in different houses, they would travel in two or more groups either meeting en route or at the tomb. The moment at which they left was well dark just before the dawn. Their journey took long enough that the sun had time to rise while they were in transit. It should be noted in these accounts that time may be telescoped at different rates. John 20:1 - "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. Matthew 28:1 - "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Mark 16:1-3 - "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. [2] Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb [3] and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" Luke 24:1 - "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. " Time in the Tomb " Contradiction Question 15: How many days and nights was Jesus in the tomb? Matthew says 3 days and 2 nights in 28:1 Mark says 3 days and 2 nights in l6:2 Luke says 3 days and 2 nights in 24:1 I'm not clear on John since he moves the crucifxion back I suppose he's saying 4 days and 3 nights It should first be noted that none of these passages give statistics as to the number of days or nights Jesus was in the tomb. The critic has asserted inferences drawn from the passages in question. Jesus was either in the tomb:
In case (a) he was in the tomb according to our way of telling time, Thursday night, Friday day, Friday night, Saturday day, and Saturday night and Sunday day. 3 full nights, and 3 days of which Sunday was a partial day. Though this scenario is favored by some scholars, I do not hold it.
" Who came to the Tomb " Contradiction Question 16: How many folks came to the tomb? Matthew says two -- mary mag and mary Mark says three, mary mag, mary the mother of james and salome Luke says four mary mag, mary mother of jeames, joanna and other women John says one -- only mary mag Multiple groups set out to the tomb that morning, perhaps meeting one another en route or at the tomb. Therefore, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna, and possibly other women were in the first wave of visitors. It should be noted that the focus of all the accounts was not on calling an attendance roll of those on site, but on the tomb and on Christ. Thus, none of these accounts say that "only" so and so went to the tomb. " Timing of Stone Rolling " Contradiction Question 17: Was the stone removed when the people arrived? Matthew says no --it was removed by an angel after 28:1 Mark says yes, it was already rolled away when they got there l6:4 Luke says yes, the stone was gone 24:2 John says yes, 20:1 The use of the pluterperfect tense of the Greek in Matt 28:2 (as explained in Murray Harris’ _Three Questions about Jesus_) allows that the stone rolling had occured before the arrival of the Marys. (The pluterperfect tense means that the Greek could be translated that the angel "had rolled", etc.) Since their walk had taken long enough for the sun to come up, it may be that the stone rolling and the guards fleeing occurred while the Marys were en route. There is no mention of the guards being at the tomb when anyone arrives. Had they been present, it is doubtful that the women would have worried about getting someone to move the stone, but worried about getting the guards’ cooperation in moving it. Matthew 28:1-4 - "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. [2] And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. [3] His contenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; [4] And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men." For the reason of the pluterperfect verb tense, I infer that Matthew says yes. " Angels at the Tomb " Contradiction Question 18: How many angels were present at said stone rolling? Matthew says one and he was sitting 28:2 on the stone. Marks says one and he was sitting on the the right side inside the tomb l6:5 Luke says two and the were standing inside the tomb 24:4 John says there weren't any angels the first time, but wehn mary comes back she finds two of them sitting one at the head and one at the feet 2);1-2, 12. The critic confuses separate moments and different angels. One particularly glorious angel arrives early, moves the stone and sits on it. (I speculate that he was laughing.) He hangs around for a bit and leaves. Two more angels go into the tomb and either sit where Jesus had been or stand next to the bench. Mark reports one that was inside the tomb and sat down on the right. The Marys note the emptiness of the tomb, receive orders from the angel and leave, not noticing the second one sitting on the left because her attention was focused upon the speaker. Or, it may be that the geometry of the tomb and bench obscured the Marys’ view of the second angel from where they were standing. The second party of women arrived a bit later at the tomb. This group sees both angels who are now standing. They loiter a bit and Mary comes back after the second party of women and also Peter and John have left. These angels give her the good word, too. Mark 16:4-7 - "And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. [5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they affrighted. [6] And he saith unto them, be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. [7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." Luke 24:1-8 - "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. [2] And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. [3] And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: [5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? [6] He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, [7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. [8] And they remembered his words." John 20:1-14 - "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. [2] Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. [3] Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. {4] So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. [5] And he sooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. [6] Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, [7] And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. [8] Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. [9] For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. [10] Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. [11] But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, [12] And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. [13] And they say unto her, Woman why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. [14] And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus." " Angel Instructions " Contradiction Question 19: What are the angels instructions? Matthew says "He's not here--go tell his disciples he is going before you to Gallielee" 28:6-7 Mark says "go tell his disciples and Peter he is going before you to Galilee." l6:6-7 Luke says hey gals, don't go to galilee, go to jerusalem instead, there's been a mix up, and by the way, don't you dare leave jerusalem 24:5-7, 24:49 and acts l:4 John says the angel asks mary why she's crying. She's goes back to the disciples and is clueless what she is sposed to tell those ll guys except that jesus is returning to the father--no mention of galilee or don't leave jerusalem. 20:13-17 The instructions from the angels are to tell his disciples he is going before you to Galilee. The instructions in Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:4 are from Jesus, not angels. The lack of instructions in John are because it depicts a separate encounter. 
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