Do the Gospel resurrection accounts contradict each other?

what does the bible say?

The Gospel resurrection accounts do not conflict with each other. They all agree that Jesus died, was buried, and rose on the third day, with women discovering the empty tomb first (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1–2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). The differences in detail are the kind we expect from multiple eyewitness perspectives. A common question concerns the number of angels. Matthew and Mark mention one (Matthew 28:2–5; Mark 16:5), while Luke and John describe two (Luke 24:4; John 20:12). This difference can be explained by Matthew and Mark focusing on the speaking angel. Another question involves the number of women at the tomb. Matthew mentions Mary Magdalene and another Mary (Matthew 28:1), Mark includes Salome (Mark 16:1), Luke refers to several women (Luke 24:10), and John highlights Mary Magdalene (John 20:1). These accounts are simply complementary, as no Gospel claims to provide a complete list of women. Another concern is the different definitions of the time: “still dark” (John 20:1), “at early dawn” (Luke 24:1), and “when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2). However, all of these describe the same early morning timeframe, expressed in different ways. When read together, the accounts offer complementary perspectives that confirm the main point: the tomb was empty, and Jesus truly rose.

from the old testament

• The Gospel resurrection accounts are not in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

• The question is whether the resurrection testimonies in the Gospels and Acts can be seen as a coherent whole. Ordinary historical analysis recognizes that a partial report is not false, and that divergent details are not contradictory when the facts can be aligned. Luke stated his narrative purpose was “to write an orderly account” and to give Theophilus confidence about what he had been taught (Luke 1:3–4). This goal aligns with what we observe across the resurrection reports: different voices that focus on the same events but with complementary emphasis.
• Consider the women at the tomb. Matthew named Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” (Matthew 28:1), Mark added Salome (Mark 16:1), and Luke included Joanna and “the other women” (Luke 24:10). John focused on Mary Magdalene’s experience (John 20:1), which does not deny that others were present; it highlights the most prominent witness whose movements drive his narrative. Multiple women went, but John zoomed in on one.
• The time statements also align well. Matthew described the visit “toward the dawn” (Matthew 28:1), Luke wrote of “early dawn” (Luke 24:1), John noted it was “still dark” when Mary set out (John 20:1), and Mark mentioned they arrived “when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2). A straightforward sequence explains this: the group left in the dark and reached the tomb as the light appeared.
• Reports of angels are also consistent. Matthew highlighted the angel who spoke (Matthew 28:5–7), Mark described a “young man” in a white robe inside the tomb (Mark 16:5), and Luke recorded “two men” in dazzling apparel (Luke 24:4). The presence of two messengers does not conflict with an account that focuses on the single messenger delivering the message.
• What the women said also aligns. Mark recorded that in the first moments, they fled in fear and “said nothing to anyone,” which explains their initial silence (Mark 16:8). Matthew and Luke reported that they then told the disciples (Matthew 28:8; Luke 24:9). Initial shock gave way to faithful reporting once they reached the apostles.
• The apparent tension about location diminishes when the timeline is traced. That first day included appearances in and around Jerusalem: to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18), to other women (Matthew 28:8–10), to Peter (Luke 24:34), to the Emmaus pair (Luke 24:13–35), and to the gathered disciples without Thomas (Luke 24:36–43; John 20:19–23). Eight days later, Jesus appeared again in Jerusalem with Thomas present (John 20:26–29). Later, as He directed, the disciples met Him in Galilee; Jesus said, “go to Galilee, and there they will see me” (Matthew 28:10, 16–20; John 21:1–14).
• The different perspectives in the Gospel accounts of Christ’s resurrection highlight the credibility of the eyewitness testimonies. People who witness something unexpected often describe the details in a hurried and somewhat disjointed manner as they try to convey the significance of what they saw while processing it themselves. If the Gospel writers or the disciples had been lying, they would have produced a consistent story. Similarly, the same critics who point out contradictions in the Gospels would likely accuse them of “collusion” if there were exact verbal similarities or a single version of the resurrection.
• The below represents a humble attempt to succinctly lay out a reconciliation and timeline of the Gospel account records of Christ’s resurrection and His appearing over the following forty days to various individuals. For a more exhaustive treatment of the details and various explanations, please see John Wenham’s work The Easter Enigma:
• An angel rolls away the stone from the tomb before sunrise (Matthew 28:2–4). The guards are seized with fear and eventually flee.
• Women disciples visit the tomb and discover Christ missing (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1–4; Luke 24:1–3; John 20:1).
• Mary Magdalene leaves to tell Peter and John (John 20:1–2).
• Other women remain at the tomb; they see two angels who tell them of Christ’s resurrection (Matthew 28:5–7; Mark 16:5–7; Luke 24:4–8).
• Peter and John run to the tomb and then leave (Luke 24:12; John 20:3–10).
• Christ’s First Appearance: Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb; Christ appears to her (Mark 16:9–11; John 20:11–18).
• Christ’s Second Appearance: Jesus appears to the other women (Mary, mother of James, Salome, and Joanna) (Matthew 28:8–10).
• At this time, the guards report the events to the religious leaders and are bribed to lie (Matthew 28:11–15).
• Christ’s Third Appearance: Jesus privately appears to Peter (1 Corinthians 15:5).
• Christ’s Fourth Appearance: Jesus appears to Cleopas and companion (Mark 16:12–13; Luke 24:13–32).
• Christ’s Fifth Appearance: Jesus appears to 10 apostles, with Thomas missing, in the Upper Room (Luke 24:36–43).
• Christ’s Sixth Appearance: Eight days after His appearance to the 10 apostles, Jesus appears to all 11 apostles, including Thomas (John 20:26–28).
• Christ’s Seventh Appearance: Jesus appears to 7 disciples by the Sea of Galilee and performs the miracle of the fish (John 21:1–14).
• Christ’s Eighth Appearance: Jesus appears to 500 on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:15–18; 1 Corinthians 15:6).
• Christ’s Ninth Appearance: Jesus appears to His half-brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7).
• Christ’s Tenth Appearance: In Jerusalem, Jesus appears again to His disciples (Acts 1:3–8).
• Christ’s Eleventh Appearance: Jesus ascends into heaven while the disciples look on (Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:9–12).

implications for today

The resurrection accounts remind us how to read the Bible with faith. At first glance, differences in detail can look like contradictions, but closer study shows that they fit together. Just like any eyewitness account, the differences are simply different people paying attention to or highlighting different things. This teaches you that Scripture, like any true testimony, often gives partial perspectives that are meant to be read side by side. When you encounter passages that seem difficult to reconcile, the starting point is to trust in God’s character. He does not lie, and His Word is true. Therefore, treat apparent tensions as opportunities to dig in deeper, asking why a writer chose to emphasize one point over another, knowing that there is a good answer. Reading carefully in context will help you to see the fuller picture God intended. This approach is not only for the resurrection accounts but for all of Scripture. Wrestling with hard texts in faith deepens your confidence that God’s Word is reliable. The Bible proves again and again that its voices are harmonious, and as you trust its truth, you are led to a clearer vision of Christ and a stronger foundation for your faith.

Recap

understand

• Each Gospel highlights different details, but all agree that Jesus died, was buried, and rose on the third day.
• The variations in number of angels, women, or timing reflect multiple eyewitness perspectives, not contradictions.
• When the accounts are read together, the four Gospels form a consistent and powerful testimony to the truth of Christ’s resurrection.

reflect

• How does the consistency of the resurrection accounts strengthen your confidence in God’s Word?
• What can you learn from how God used multiple perspectives to tell one true story?
• How can trusting the truth of the resurrection shape the way you face doubt or confusion in faith?

engage

• Why is it important that the Gospels present unique perspectives, rather than identical reports?
• How do apparent differences in the resurrection accounts reveal the reliability of eyewitness testimony?
• How can studying these Gospel accounts together deepen our faith in Jesus?