Was There a Resurrection

Alas, no. The Gospels contradict themselves so strongly it is obvious it did not happen. Lets look at the evidence.

(Note--it is assumed you are going to read the entire chapter referenced)

Matthew Chapter 28: Verse 6) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay 7) And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there you shall see him: lo, I have told you. 10) Then said Jesus unto them, "Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee and there shall they see me." 16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Mark Chapter 16: Verse 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. 8) And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulcher; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. (Note: the authenticity of verses 9-20 is very controversial. Google Mark 16: 9-20 to enter the fray.)

Luke Chapter 24 Verse 33) And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them 36) And as they spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you." 49) "And, behold I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." 50) And he led them out as far as to Bethany and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them 51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52) And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy

John Chapter 20 Verse 17) 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. 18) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her 22) And when he said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." 26) And after eight days again the disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be unto you." 27) Then he saith he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." Chapter 21 Verse 1) After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself .

Acts Chapter 1 Verse 3) To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them 40 days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, "which" saith he, "ye have heard of me. 5) For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." 9) And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Chapter 2 Verse 1) And when the day of Pentecost was come, they were in accord in one place; 4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The problems seem insurmountable to me. Matthew and Mark have the disciples going to Galilee. Luke, John and Acts have them remaining in Jerusalem. Luke has Jesus ascending in a single day; Matthew, Mark, and John don't specifically say; Acts in 40 days. Acts has the Holy Ghost coming on Pentecost while John has Jesus breathing the Holy Ghost on the disciples (v. 22 receive ye the Holy Ghost) the day of the resurrection. John even disputes himself with the supposed instruction to Mary Magdalene (v. 17 touch me not, for I have not ascended) versus Thomas. (v. 27 thy hand, and thrust it into my side) It is one thing to have minor discrepancies of eye-witnessed events. It is another thing
all together whether the event occurred in Los Angeles or San Diego, the 5th or 22nd of the month. Those aren't discrepancies; those are different stories altogether.

To Be Continued