The Puzzle of the Empty Tomb

[A_Nony_Mouse]

Each of the four gospels records the discovery of the empty tomb with significant differences.

First version in Matthew: At dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary encounter an angel outside the tomb that tells them Jesus has risen, and they should go tell his disciples they'll find him in Galilee.

Second version in Mark: Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome enter the tomb and saw a young man that tells them Jesus has risen, and they should go tell Peter and his disciples they'll find him in Galilee.

Third version in Luke: Very early in the morning, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them enter the tomb and saw two men that tell them Jesus is risen. They return to inform the apostles. Peter goes to the tomb and sees the burial linens.

Fourth version in John: While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, sees that it's open and runs to inform Simon peter and John that someone has taken to body of Jesus. Simon Peter and John run to the tomb and find the burial linens and cloth.

Only Luke and John say the tomb was inspected and found empty. Matthew and Mark only say some stranger claimed it was empty.

So what really happened?

The folks who invented to stories weren't singing out of the same hymnal.