THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
When did Jesus ascend into heaven? On the day of his resurrection (Lk 24:1-51; Mk 16:9-19), at least eight days after his resurrection (Jn 20:26), many days after his resurrection (Ac 13:31), or forty days after his resurrection (Ac 1:2-3, 9)? Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
Acts 1:2-3, 9 clearly reveals that Jesus spent 40 days with His disciples, following his resurrection, and then ascended to heaven. Let us consider the other alternatives which the questioner has proposed.

On the day of his resurrection? - Neither Luke nor Mark say that Jesus ascended on the same day as His resurrection. It is true that neither writer provides complete details, nor do they break events down into this day or that day. However, a lack of information is not a contradiction. We must look at other texts to know exactly how much time passed between the resurrection and the ascension.

At least 8 days after his resurrection - John doesn't mention the ascension. Again, we must look elsewhere to determine the time passage between the resurrection and the ascension.

Many days after his resurrection - Forty days would seem to qualify as "many days", and so there is certainly no contradiction between Acts 13:31 and Acts 1:2-3,9.

There is no contradiction here.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible

---