Harmony of the Resurrection

The accounts of the resurrection of Yeshua recorded in the four gospels can be a bit confusing. That is because no one apostle gives the complete account in its chronological order. Each apostle gives a different piece of the account and when read, it is fragmented. So here is a possible harmony of the narratives of the four gospel accounts of the resurrection of Messiah and His post-resurrection appearances, in chronological order. To save time and space the relevant Scriptures are included, harmonizing the reports and accounts, putting the event into the chronological order they took place. You will have to do the Scripture reading on your own as a personal Bible study.

***The Bible references will take you to the English Standard Version provided by YouVersion)***

1. Yeshua is buried, as several women watch (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42).

2. The tomb is sealed and a guard is set watch (Matthew 27:62-66).

3. At least 3 women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, prepare spices to go to the tomb to anoint Yeshua (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1).

4. An angel descends from heaven, rolls the stone away, and sits on it. There is a violent earthquake, and the guards faint from fear (Matthew 28:2-4).

5. The women arrive at the tomb and find it empty. Mary Magdalene leaves the other women at the tomb and runs to tell the disciples (John 20:1-2).

6. The women still at the tomb see two angels who tell them that Yeshua is risen and who instruct them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-8).

7. The women leave to bring the news to the disciples (Matthew 28:8).

8. The guards, having roused themselves, report the empty tomb to the authorities, who bribe the guards to say the body was stolen (Matthew 28:11-15).

9. Mary the mother of James and the other women, on their way to find the disciples, see Yeshua (Matthew 28:9-10).

10. The women relate what they have seen and heard to the disciples (Luke 24:9-11).

11. Peter and John run to the tomb, see that it is empty, and find the grave clothes (Luke 24:12; John 20:2-10).

12. Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb. She sees the angels, and then she sees Yeshua (John 20:11-18).

13. Later the same day, Yeshua appears to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5).

14. Still on the same day, Yeshua appears to Cleopas and disciples on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32).

15. That evening, the two disciples report the event to the Eleven in Jerusalem (Luke 24:32-35).

16. Yeshua appears to ten disciples—Thomas is missing (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25).

17. Yeshua appears to all eleven disciples—Thomas included (John 20:26-31).

18. Yeshua appears to seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25).

19. Yeshua appears to about 500 disciples in Galilee (1 Corinthians 15:6).

20. Yeshua appears to His half-brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7).

21. Yeshua commissions His disciples (Matthew 28:16-20).

22. Yeshua teaches His disciples the Scriptures and promises to send the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:4-5).

23. Yeshua ascends into heaven (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-12).

Yeshua was crucified and died on the 14th of Nisan and was resurrected three days and three nights later on the 17th of Nisan. These dates correspond this year with April 15th – April 18th 2022. Resurrection Day this year, therefore, is April 18th. Hallelujah, He is risen!