The resurrection and the various appearances 7 studies
- 1The Stone Is Rolled Away, the Earthquake
- 2The Angels’ Message
- 3The Women Warn the Disciples
- 4The Reaction of Peter and John
- 5Mary Magdalene Remains at the Tomb
Historical notes 2 studies
The resurrection and the various appearances
-
PER365
The Stone Is Rolled Away, the Earthquake
On Easter morning, faithful women go to Jesus’ tomb to complete the burial care. They discover the stone rolled away and the empty tomb. The article analyzes their faithfulness in contrast with the flight of the apostles, their devotion to Jesus, and the general incomprehension in the face of the announcements of the resurrection. A synoptic approach compares Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on this foundational event.
Mark 15.40-41 (King James Version) :There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER366
The Angels’ Message
The pericope PER366 analyzes the message of the angels to the women at the tomb on the Sunday morning of the resurrection. Comparing Matthew, Mark and Luke, it examines the differences in the number of angels, the vocabulary used, and the place of the women as the first witnesses. These variations reflect the evangelists’ editorial freedom and are indicators of the historical authenticity of the resurrection account.
Matthew 28.5-7 (King James Version) :And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which 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, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER367
The Women Warn the Disciples
Pericope 367 examines the moment when the women warn the disciples of the resurrection, comparing Matthew 28.8, Mark 16.9-11, Luke 24.9-11 and John 20.2. A notable divergence appears: Mary Magdalene seems unaware of the angels’ message, unlike the other women. The hypothesis that Mary left early, before the angelic appearance, makes it possible to harmonize the accounts and to explain her persistent incomprehension before the empty tomb.
John 20.11-18 (King James Version) :But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER368
The Reaction of Peter and John
Pericope 368 examines the reaction of Peter and John after Mary Magdalene's testimony about the empty tomb. The two apostles run to the sepulchre, discover the burial linens and the folded face cloth, but do not yet grasp the reality of the resurrection. The article harmonizes the accounts of Luke 24.12 and John 20.3-12, distinguishes two successive announcements to the disciples, and highlights the initial lack of understanding in the face of Jesus' prophecies about his resurrection.
Matthew 28.2-4 (King James Version) :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.His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER369
Mary Magdalene Remains at the Tomb
An episode unique to John (John 20.11), this passage describes Mary Magdalene remaining alone at the tomb after Peter and John have left. A faithful witness since the ministry of Jesus, she first interprets the disappearance of the body as a removal, before becoming the first person to whom the Risen One appears personally. The article offers a chronological analysis and a harmonization of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection.
Mark 16.4 (King James Version) :And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER370
First Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Mary Magdalene
Pericope PER370 analyzes the first appearance of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene, on the morning of Sunday, April 3, AD 33, near the tomb in Jerusalem. Reported mainly by John (Jn 20,11-18) and confirmed by Mark (Mk 16,9), this encounter reveals Mary’s initial ignorance of the resurrection, her mistaking Jesus for a gardener, and the distinctive nature of the Easter appearances. The article adopts a rigorous synoptic method by comparing the Gospels.
John 20.12-13 (King James Version) :And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org -
PER371
Second appearance of the Messiah Jesus to the other women
Pericope PER371 analyzes the second appearance of the risen Jesus to the women (Mt 28.9-10), on Sunday morning near the tomb in Jerusalem. The article harmonizes the apparent tension between Mark (the women's silence and fear) and Matthew (the meeting with Jesus), showing that these accounts are complementary: Mark describes the immediate reaction of astonishment, and Matthew adds the joy. Only Matthew reports this particular appearance.
Mark 16.8 (King James Version) :And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
Historical notes
-
INF007
The Council of Nicaea
The First Council of Nicaea (AD 325), convened by Emperor Constantine, brought together the bishops of the Roman Empire to resolve the Arian controversy. It affirmed the consubstantiality of Christ with the Father, adopted the Nicene Creed still used today, set the date of Easter and strengthened the alliance between the Church and the Roman Empire, thus laying the doctrinal and liturgical foundations of Christianity.
-
INF014
The monk Dionysius Exiguus
Dionysius Exiguus, a learned fifth-century monk, created the Anno Domini (AD) dating system, which is still used worldwide. He translated Greek canonical texts into Latin and helped unify the Christian calendar, notably the date of Easter. His calculations nevertheless contain inaccuracies, particularly concerning the year of Jesus' birth and the date of 25 December, the latter inherited from the Council of Nicaea (325). His legacy remains fundamental to the history of Christian chronology.
Luke 2.8-12 (King James Version) :And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org