Watchful Eyes

The Quest for Jesus is a mission among New Testament theologians who wish to remove “myths” associated with “the historical Jesus” They argue that the historical Jesus (or the real Jesus) was a simple Hebrew peasant from Galilee who had great zeal for Israel’s God and tried to bring a revolution but failed when he was crucified. His disciples couldn’t accept his death and created “the Christ of faith,” who did miracles, walked on water, fed five thousand, and resurrected from the dead.

One scholar explains Jesus’s resurrection as follows. In the chaos of Passover and crucifixion, the disciples couldn’t remember where Joseph of Arimathea put Jesus’s corpse. While they observed the Sabbath, dogs entered the tomb and ate his body. On Easter morning, the ladies who “witnessed” his burial were confused about where Joseph put Jesus’s body, went to the wrong tomb, and couldn’t find his body. They spread the rumor that Jesus had risen from the dead. Other disciples, wanting to believe this, had a corporate illusion of his resurrection and spread that message worldwide.

Such skepticism arises from disbelief in miracles and pride that the ancient people were ignorant compared to post-enlightened scholars. “We don’t see people resurrecting from the dead; they saw miracles because they were peasants and ignorant,” argue such scholars. They say, “Look – all the first witnesses to his burial and resurrection were women whose word didn’t count in a Hebrew court.” This is historically inaccurate – women’s testimonies were as valid as men’s, provided they were unanimous – and an insult to women.

The Gospel writers, on the other hand, place a high value on the women’s testimony. When Joseph of Arimathea placed Jesus’s corpse in a tomb hewn into a rock and rolled a large stone over the entrance (Mark 15:45–46),

“Mary Magdalene and Mary, the wife/mother of Joseph, carefully observed where Joseph laid Jesus’s body.” (15:47)

In Greek, one’s relationship to another can be indicated by “of” – “Andrew of Lori.” Unless we know their relationship, it’s challenging to decipher whether “Andrew, husband of Lori,” “Andrew, son of Lori,” or “Andrew, father of Lori,” etc. Some scholars clarify this by saying “the husband of” (Matt 1:16) or the “mother of” (Matt 20:20). Mark, however, referred to two Mary-s as “Mary of Joseph” (15:47) and Mary of Jacob” (16:1) leaving us guessing who these Mary-s were. Perhaps “Mary of Joseph” was Jesus’s mother (for her husband’s name was Joseph), the wife of Joseph of Arimathea, or another Joseph’s mother or wife. If it were Jesus’s mother or Joseph of Arimathea’s wife, they wouldn’t have forgotten where they placed Jesus’s body.

The following day, even before sunrise, Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife/mother of Jacob, and Salome bought spices to anoint Jesus’s body and arrived at the tomb as the sun arose (16:1–2). They knew Joseph of Arimathea put Jesus’s body in a tomb and rolled a large stone over its entrance. On their walk to the grave, they wondered, “Who will roll the stone at the entrance?” because it was large (16:3–4). But they didn’t have to worry – the stone had been removed.

Mary Magdalene and Mary of Joseph weren’t foolish women who couldn’t remember where Joseph put Jesus’s body, but people who lost their beloved Jesus. Twenty-four hours of separation would have only made them anxious to get to his tomb early to anoint it for a proper burial. They weren’t mistaken; they truly witnessed something unique and miraculous. Jesus’s body wasn’t in the tomb. He’s risen.