A harmony of the Gospels
The resurrection and the ascension
The empty tomb, the appearances, and the ascension. This is the hardest stretch to lay out in order, and the table says so.
Robertson, part XIV
Risen: the appearances and the ascension
169The women set out for the tomb
Matthew
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
Mark
1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
170The earthquake and the angelone Gospel only
Matthew
2Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.
171The empty tomb at sunriseall four
Matthew
5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. 7Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” read on →
Mark
2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large. read on →
Luke
1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. read on →
John
1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
172Peter and John run to the tomb
Luke
9And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. read on →
John
2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!” 3Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. read on →
173He appears to Mary MagdaleneHow Mark ends
Mark
9Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons. 10She went and told those who had been with Him, who were mourning and weeping. 11And when they heard that Jesus was alive and she had seen Him, they did not believe it.
John
11But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, 12and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.” read on →
How Mark ends
Did Mark's Gospel originally end at 16:8?
- The two oldest complete Greek manuscripts, Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, end at 16:8, and several early witnesses show scribes aware of a problem here. On this reading verses 9–20 are a later ending.
- The longer ending is quoted early and is present in the great majority of manuscripts, and a Gospel ending mid-sentence at "for they were afraid" strikes many as no ending at all.
What this table does: Robertson draws on Mark 16:9–20 for several resurrection rows. Those rows are flagged, and the other Gospels' witness to the same appearances stands beside them.
174He appears to the other womenone Gospel only
Matthew
9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. 10“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”
175The guards are paid to lieone Gospel only
Matthew
11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ read on →
176On the road to Emmaus
Mark
12After this, Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked along in the country. 13And they went back and reported it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
Luke
13That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. read on →
Luke
33And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, gathered together 34and saying, “The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon!” 35Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
Also told outside the four Gospels
5and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.
178He appears to the disciples, Thomas absentHow Mark ends
Mark
14Later, as they were eating, Jesus appeared to the Eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
Luke
36While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 37But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit. 38“Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? read on →
John
19It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them. 20After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” read on →
How Mark ends
Did Mark's Gospel originally end at 16:8?
- The two oldest complete Greek manuscripts, Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, end at 16:8, and several early witnesses show scribes aware of a problem here. On this reading verses 9–20 are a later ending.
- The longer ending is quoted early and is present in the great majority of manuscripts, and a Gospel ending mid-sentence at "for they were afraid" strikes many as no ending at all.
What this table does: Robertson draws on Mark 16:9–20 for several resurrection rows. Those rows are flagged, and the other Gospels' witness to the same appearances stands beside them.
John
26Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” read on →
Also told outside the four Gospels
5and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.
180Breakfast by the Sea of Galileeone Gospel only
John
1Later, by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples. He made Himself known in this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night. read on →
Matthew
16Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. read on →
Mark
15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; read on →
Also told outside the four Gospels
6After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
How Mark ends
Did Mark's Gospel originally end at 16:8?
- The two oldest complete Greek manuscripts, Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, end at 16:8, and several early witnesses show scribes aware of a problem here. On this reading verses 9–20 are a later ending.
- The longer ending is quoted early and is present in the great majority of manuscripts, and a Gospel ending mid-sentence at "for they were afraid" strikes many as no ending at all.
What this table does: Robertson draws on Mark 16:9–20 for several resurrection rows. Those rows are flagged, and the other Gospels' witness to the same appearances stands beside them.
182He appears to JamesOutside the four: 1 Corinthians 15:7
Matthew—Mark—Luke—John—
Outside the four: 1 Corinthians 15:7
Also told outside the four Gospels
7Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Luke
44Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” 45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, read on →
Also told outside the four Gospels
3After His suffering, He presented Himself to them with many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a span of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” read on →
Mark
19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it.
Luke
50When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, read on →
Also told outside the four Gospels
9After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. 10They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” read on →
How Mark ends
Did Mark's Gospel originally end at 16:8?
- The two oldest complete Greek manuscripts, Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, end at 16:8, and several early witnesses show scribes aware of a problem here. On this reading verses 9–20 are a later ending.
- The longer ending is quoted early and is present in the great majority of manuscripts, and a Gospel ending mid-sentence at "for they were afraid" strikes many as no ending at all.
What this table does: Robertson draws on Mark 16:9–20 for several resurrection rows. Those rows are flagged, and the other Gospels' witness to the same appearances stands beside them.