They were instructed to go quickly and inform His disciples that He had risen and would go before them into Galilee, where they would see Him.
The messages from the angel were shared similarly by all three synoptic Evangelists while only differing in the number of angels and their location of appearance. Matthew and Mark refer to a single angel; Matthew calls him an angel while Mark refers to him as a young man. In contrast, Luke describes two men being present. The differing descriptions of the angel are not crucial to the story. Angels, as spiritual beings, take forms when revealing themselves to humans; thus, because these angels appeared with brilliant radiance that caused the women to bow to the ground (Luke 24:5), it could be that some women perceived the speaking angel as a young man and others as a messenger. Additionally, some women may have only seen the one angel in this way while others witnessed two.
The important aspect of Jesus’ resurrection did not hinge on whether one or two angels manifested; what mattered was the message conveyed by the speaking angel, while the presence of a silent angel was not relevant to the narrative's purpose. Two Evangelists relay an account of a singular angel addressing the women, while the third Evangelist enriches the account by mentioning another angel who was present.
Concerning where the angel spoke, gospel accounts appear to diverge. Luke does not clarify whether the angel addressed the women inside or outside the cave. Mark avows that the speaking angel’s appearance was within the tomb. However, Matthew states that the angel rolled away the stone at the tomb's entrance and sat upon it (Matt. 28:2), but does not specify where he addressed the women. The phrase "Come, see the place where the Lord lay" might suggest the angel spoke outside the tomb, perhaps while perched on the stone. Since the stone was rolled away prior to the women’s arrival, it is likely that the dazzling angel they saw sitting on the stone also terrified the guards, who became like dead men as a result (Matt. 28:4). It’s conceivable that the women first encountered the angel outside and were told He had risen before entering the tomb, where they saw a young man seated on the right (as conveyed by Mark). They could have heard the speaking angel inside the cave, which is why Luke mentions two personages.
Ultimately, it was essential for the Evangelists to convey that the stone was rolled away and the tomb lay empty while being educated that the emptiness was attributed to the resurrected angelic message. The specifics on the number of angels or the exact location of the message held no significant weight for the Evangelists. They were not chronicling an inquisition or drafting meticulous records; they simply reported the pivotal acts leading to the undeniable truth of Christ's resurrection.
### Response to Resurrection Doubts Disbelievers in Christ as the God-Man sought to undermine the testimony of the Evangelists regarding His resurrection. Understanding that if they could dismantle belief in His resurrection, they would simultaneously dismantle faith in Him as the God-Man, Son of God. However, their efforts proved futile. The truth of Christ’s resurrection stands affirmed, and the objections from skeptics have been thoroughly countered.
The first skepticism relates to a careful examination as discussed under Mt. 27:65. Another objection posits that He did not die on the cross but fell into a state of lethargy. This notion falters under scientific scrutiny. As Professor A. Shiltov articulated in ‘Thoughts on the God-Man’, the prior abuse and the crucifixion's tortures would have led to fatal complications, as evidenced by blood and water flowing from His pierced side and multiple wounds on His body. He emphasizes that under such harsh conditions, life couldn't be maintained. Even suggesting He merely fainted, the fatal injury inflicted by the lance would have ended His life, particularly after suffering such brutal tortures that led to excessive blood loss.
If Christ did not die on the cross, it follows that He could not have been resurrected, implying He would simply be an ordinary man. Professor Shiltov notes that a man with severe wounds could not walk until healed, a process that takes a minimum of two weeks. However, on the third day, not only did Christ walk to Emmaus from Jerusalem, but He also returned the same day to appear to ten of His apostles; hence, traversing significant distance under such conditions is conceivable only for the God-Man with a glorious and renewed body.
Moreover, if one receives the claim of His supposed near-death state, it implies that Jesus would have had to deceive His followers regarding His resurrection and then retreat into obscurity, identifying Himself as a deceiver. Yet, no one dares make such accusations, except those clinging to disbelief; even atheists regard Him as morally perfect.
The objection against the resurrection—noting He did not truly die—has even been dismissed by scholars like D. Strauss, who stated, “He who emerged from the tomb half dead, needing healing, could not inspire such transformative faith among His disciples about victory over death.” For how could such resurrection lead to empowering or encouraging the apostles?
Strauss admits that the disciples gained their fearless zeal in preaching only through their firm belief in His true resurrection, not through imagined appearances or hopeful dreams of seeing Him alive. This confirms that their experiences weren't mere hallucination. As highlighted by Professor Shiltov, when individuals are in despair, they cannot perceive hallucinations or illusions; to do so requires a distinctly different state of mind. Additionally, the vision of a double or ghost is only present among those looking for it, so if the apostles might have encountered either, it stands to reason that Christ was indeed among them.
When Jesus resurrected, He manifested physically; He showed His nail-pierced hands and side (the apostles touched Him) and even dined with them, eliminating the notion that He was only a spirit. Thus, anyone claiming otherwise would be in error, as the evidence piled high through the physical body of Jesus was undeniable.
It may appear harsh to criticize the apostles for their wavering faith, yet it reflects a divine plan, guiding them toward a conscious belief in Christ’s divine identity and setting them to share this resolute faith with the world—firm like a rock—to establish the Church of Christ.
When they received tangible evidence revealing Christ had both spiritually and physically risen from the dead, their hearts, long hardened by ignorance, filled with understanding and astonishment. But questions lingered as to why the risen Christ did not immediately reveal Himself as the earthly king of Israel. This confusion encouraged them to collect together in Jerusalem, awaiting further revelation.
On the fortieth day post-resurrection, Jesus led them to the Mount of Olives, where He reiterated promises regarding the kingdom; however, the apostles still believed it would manifest imminently. Therefore, they asked Him directly, “Lord, are You at this time restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Yet, Christ elucidated that His kingdom differed from earthly ones; understanding this truth awaited the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
Upon instructing them to anticipate the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, He blessed them and ascended to heaven (Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9), leaving the apostles wrestling with their dreams of worldly dominion alone. They returned to Jerusalem filled with sorrow, grappling with the reality of their lost ambitions as they waited in prayer.
However, on Pentecost, a miraculous event transpired: the Holy Spirit descended upon them manifesting as tongues of fire, energizing and endowing them for the task. Onlookers marveled as they proclaimed truths in various tongues, leading thousands to embrace belief in the risen Christ (Acts 2:1-47).
After healing a man lame from birth, Peter testified boldly, recalling that it was not by their might but through the authority of the resurrected Jesus that such a miracle unfolded, stirring even more faith in those who witnessed. The Sanhedrin—even while intimidated by public support—attempted to silence the apostles, declaring that they could only speak of what they experienced firsthand.
From being timid followers who doubted even each other’s reports, the apostles transformed into fearless advocates for Jesus Christ after receiving the Holy Spirit’s power. They could no longer align with erroneous notions of a worldly king but began to preach boldly about the true resurrection, bringing healing and miracles in His name.
This drastic change could not stem from their own capabilities; their previous uncertainties and hesitations now exchanged for assurance of Christ’s nature as the Son of God, were attributed solely to the Holy Spirit's transformative influence.
The apostles' belief in Christ's resurrection was no moment of chance; it was an undeniable event followed by a second miracle with the Holy Spirit affirming His message—freeing them of doubts and misunderstandings that plagued their pre-resurrection existence.
In light of all these accounts, skeptics might pose questions about why Christ didn’t appear to His crucifiers. Such queries align with divine wisdom, illustrating His resurrection was meant for those closest to Him, showing them undeniable truths. If even they initially struggled to grasp this reality, how could those distant from Him be convinced without the same tangible interactions?
One must ponder the tenacity of the apostles’ transformation if they suddenly shifted from despair to fervor in proclaiming the risen Christ, indicating that divine energy had ignited their spirits—unmistakably the Holy Spirit empowered them to live wholly different lives filled with faith.
Thus, considering all that transpired, the historic proliferation of faith among early believers marks the critical, catalyzing truth of Christ’s resurrection.
THEOSIS