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There are differences in the four resurrection accounts, but similarities as well, including:
First Day of the Week. The gospels report that women disciples of Jesus went to the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week to anoint his body with spices and prepare it for burial.The Stone. The stone that had been laid in front of Jesus' tomb was removed. The gospels differ slightly on how this happened. In Mark (16:4) Luke (24:2), and John (20:1), the women find that it has already been rolled back on their arrival. Matthew reports that after an earthquake an angel descended and rolled back the stone (28:2).The Empty Tomb. None of the gospels report what actually happened to the body of Jesus. But each reports the first witnesses as finding the tomb empty. Even Jesus' enemies did not deny that the tomb was empty (read Mt 28:11-15). The empty tomb is a sign of the resurrection, accepted in faith. When Peter entered the empty tomb, he saw and believed (e.g., Jn 20:8).Angels. At the empty tomb the women encounter angels or messengers who tell them that Jesus is risen. Matthew reports one angel. Mark describes the messenger as a "young man dressed in a white robe." Luke writes of two men in dazzling apparel. John calls the two messengers "angels" and places them "one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been" (20:12).Jesus' Appearances. The gospels agree that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene and then the other disciples. The risen Jesus was different from the earthly Jesus. He was not merely the earthly Jesus resuscitated. The disciples have trouble recognizing him. Mary Magdalene thinks he is the gardener at first (read Jn 20:11-18). Recall that in the Emmaus story the disciples do not recognize Jesus until the "breaking of the bread." Jesus had a body; he ate with them (Lk 24:42-43). Yet, he was able to pass into a room through locked doors (Jn 20:19).