April 8, 2001 / Volume 1, Issue 5
THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
Who went to the empty tomb? Matthew 28:1 reads, "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." Mark 16:1 records, "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him." Also, John 20:1 says, "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."
Do the gospel writers contradict on who was present at the empty tomb?
RESPONSE:
Very simply, Mark gives the most detailed list of those who attended the empty tomb early that morning. He places Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome there. Is it a contradiction because Matthew only mentions the two Marys? Is it a contradiction because John only mentions Mary Magdalene? The questioner didn't mention Luke's account, and thus, I will bring it up. At the end of chapter 23, Luke mentions that the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee watched where Joseph had laid the Lord's body. He then records, "...they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them." (Luke 24:1) Luke is not specific about who was there, but indicates that there was a group of people nonetheless.
If I have a party, and tell you that Fred and Bonnie were there, does that mean I have told you all who were there? No, just that Fred and Bonnie were there. That does not exclude others from having been there. Perhaps my wife, speaking of the same party might mention that John and Linda were there. In all likelihood, Fred and Bonnie are closer to me than others who attended, and thus I would mention them. As well, perhaps John and Linda are closer to my wife than others who were present, and thus she would mention them. Mary Magdalene was dear to the Lord's disciples, and thus would be mentioned by name, as also were the other Mary and Salome. Luke, who was not among those who journeyed with the Lord during his ministry mentions none by name, but simply refers to the women "...which came with him from Galilee..."
There is no contradiction.
This article is a response to Atheism Explained: Why I Don't Believe
