[Bible Tales] Newsletter – Jesus' appearances after his resurrection: gospel harmony

Published: Sat, 05/14/22

Hi ,

Two newsletters ago, we considered who saw Jesus after his resurrection and when. This week, we present a harmony of the gospel records of what happened between Jesus' resurrection and his ascension.

News about our latest serial "Daniel, Man of Light" which begins early in the new week is below the article.

Harmony of gospels for Jesus’ appearances after his resurrection

Empty Tomb by aaronforjesus (Aaron Johnson) (https://openclipart.org/detail/23576/empty-tomb). Licence: public domain

The Bible passages which record events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus, the subsequent 40 days during which he met with his disciples and his ascension are as follows:

Matthew 28:1-20
Mark 16:1-20
Luke 24:1-53
John 20:1-21:25
Acts 1:1-12

Parallel records from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (and Acts)

The gospel records can be interleaved with some effort and many have attempted to do so. Here is another attempt. Determining exactly when some of the events took place during the 40 days in which Jesus met with them is impossible. Some of the gospel records summarise these events or some of these events, in a paragraph or two, so the harmonisation of these passages is simply guesswork.

The harmonisation is most easily shown in a table format and is best viewed on a screen that is wider than it is high.

The Bible text is taken from the World English Bible (WEB) which has been released into the public domain.

Matthew Chapter 28	Mark Chapter 16	Luke Chapter 24	John Chapter 20
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week,	1 When the Sabbath was past,	1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn,	1 Now on the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.	Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.	they [the women who had come with him out of Galilee] and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.	Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb,
	2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying amongst themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 for it was very big.
2 Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone from the door and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
	Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.	2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.	and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

	5 Entering into the tomb,	3 They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.
	they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed.	4 While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. 5 Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth.
5 The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.	6 He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him!	The men said to them, “Why do you seek the living amongst the dead? 6 He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”
7 Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”	7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.’ ”
8 They departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy,	8 They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them.	8 They remembered his words, 9 returned from the tomb,
	They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid.
and ran to bring his disciples word.		and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles. 11 These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them.	2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
		12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb.	3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went towards the tomb. 4 They both ran together.
9 As they went to tell his disciples,			The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in.
		Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves,	6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself.
			8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
		and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.	10 So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
			11 But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
			She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.”
	9 Now when he had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons.		14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.
			15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”
			She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
			16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
			She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
			17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
	10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they disbelieved.		18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.

behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!”
They came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers * that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they were assembled with the elders and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept. 14 If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad amongst the Jews, and continues until today.


		13 Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened.
	12 After these things he was revealed in another form to two of them as they walked, on their way into the country.	15 While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognising him.
		17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”
		18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”
		19 He said to them, “What things?”
		They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of us went to the tomb and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
		25 He said to them, “Foolish people, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” 27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
		28 They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.
		29 They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”
		He went in to stay with them. 30 When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. 31 Their eyes were opened and they recognised him; then he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”
			19 When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews,
	13 They went away and told it to the rest. They didn’t believe them, either.	33 They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,
		34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognised by them in the breaking of the bread.
		36 As they said these things, Jesus himself stood amongst them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”	Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
		37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
		38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?
		39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.	20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
		41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered,	The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.
		he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
		42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 He took them, and ate in front of them. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms concerning me must be fulfilled.”

			21 Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
			24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”
			But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
	14 Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table;		26 After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.”
			27 Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
			28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
			29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
	and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. 17 When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted.
			30 Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.





			Chapter 21
			1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.”
			They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. 4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?”
			They answered him, “No.”
			6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”
			They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. 7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”
			So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish. 9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
			11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred and fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.
			12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!”
			None of the disciples dared enquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
			13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. 14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead. 15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”
			He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
			He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”
			He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.”
			He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?”
			Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.”
			Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
			19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
			20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
			22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” 23 This saying therefore went out amongst the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”
			24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. 25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
			Acts Chapter 1
			1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom.
18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.			4 Being assembled together with them,
		45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you.	15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.	47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
	17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
		48 You are witnesses of these things.
		49 Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”	he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.
			5 For John indeed baptised in water, but you will be baptised in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
			6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
			7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
		50 He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
	19 So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.	51 While he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.	9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
		52 They worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,	12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
		53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
	20 They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

New eBook serial: Daniel, Man of Light

Daniel was born in Jerusalem in the midst of King Josiah's religious revivals, a child with royal blood in his veins. While only a youth, he sees the hopes of a nation crumble when righteous Josiah dies in battle – and his revival perishes with him.

Daniel, however, continues to follow Josiah's ways. Then King Nebuchadnezzar attacks the city and carries off captives – including Daniel and his three friends, whose ability he is quick to recognise.

As exiles in a land of strange customs, Daniel and his friends are to be educated in all the wisdom of Babylon. But first, they must decide whose rules come first: God’s or Nebuchadnezzar’s.

Which will Daniel choose? And what will the king do when he finds out?

Before long, Daniel establishes himself as a man the king can’t do without, but jealous rivals ensure that danger is never far away.

This is the first book in a planned series about Daniel, a man held in high regard by God.

The process

Each week, a chapter or two of the book will be distributed to subscribers by email. It's helpful, it's thought-provoking, so why not subscribe to our latest serial Daniel, Man of Light? and enjoy some new Bible-based fiction every week?

This serial will be a little different from all of our earlier eBook serials, since we have decided to see if this book can be published through a traditional publisher. Thus, for this serial, subscribers will have to agree not to pass on to others any of the text or ideas in the story. The subscription fee charged is simply to help cover the distribution costs of the serial. If the book is subsequently published with a traditional publisher, a serial for the second book in the series would follow in the same way if the Lord is willing.

Why not take this opportunity to subscribe to get early access to the story?

Subscriptions are now open and cost only $4 (AUD).

The serial will start, God willing, in just a few days at 9:00am on Tuesday, 17 May 2022 (AEST).

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe this week.

Mark Morgan

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[Bible Tales] Newsletter – Jesus' appearances after his resurrection: gospel harmony

Parallel records from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (and Acts)

Matthew Chapter 28

Mark Chapter 16

Luke Chapter 24

John Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Acts Chapter 1