About the differences in the stories of evangelists Matthew and Mark about Jesus’ resurrection

Question:

I have found differences between the words of evangelists Mark and Matthew regarding the resurrection of Jesus. Matthew says that Sunday Mary Magdalene went to Jesus’ tomb and on the way an angel appeared and announced them the resurrection of Jesus. Mark, on the other hand, says that women have entered the cave where the body of Jesus Christ was and that Jesus have appeared in different ways both to them and to apostles, trying to bring the news of resurrection. Why these differences? I am sure that I will find others on the following pages of the New Testament. How can we trust the words of the apostles?

At first, let us see both versions as they are written on the pages of the New Testament.

The story according to Matthew

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:1-10)(NASB)

The story according to Mark

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. (Mark 16:1-11)(NASB)

A full picture

Each author of the Gospel or the other books of Holy Scriptures wrote being guided by the Holy Spirit.At the same time, many of them have witnessed the events, or wrote based on the reports of eye witnesses, as in the case of Luke. Miraculously, God has put together all these stories that give us a full picture that is according to the truth.The author of the question has read only the first two Gospels, but when she reads the other two she will learn new details about what happened in the morning of Jesus’ resurrection.

The angel met the women at the entrance of the grave, sitting on the rolled away stone and the same angel invited the women to come and see with their eyes that the body of Jesus was not there. So, the angel invited them inside of the grave.

Jesus appeared to women not in the grave but when they were running to tell the apostles about His resurrection.

Translated by Felicia Rotaru