Question: Mark and John’s gospel accounts of the resurrection indicate that Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene at the grave site, while Matthew and Luke describe this first appearance on the road to Emmaus. Is this a contradiction, or am I not interpreting correctly?

In Christ,

Dave

Answer: Dear Dave,

Your concern lies in the presumption that the four gospels (the three synoptics as well as John, which is substantially different in form and purpose) have been written and inspired by God in such a way that they all harmonize in every detail.

We have four different sources, recording, under God’s inspiration, the story for four different audiences – the writers have different purposes in mind and address different audiences. There are no contradictions – but the fact that there are differences does not mean that they contradict.

I believe, by the way, that Luke is the only writer that records the road to Emmaus incident (not Matthew) but Luke does describe it as happening on "that same day" – Luke does not say that this appearance was the exclusive first appearance of Jesus in his post-resurrection glorified body, he simply does not record any earlier appearances, which, as they took place in the garden where the tomb was, most Christians believe to be earlier.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht