Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 80:317 (Jan 1923)
Article: The First Easter Day
Author: W. H. Turton

BSac 80:317 (Jan 1923) p. 57

The First Easter Day

Lieut.-Col. W. H. Turton

It is proposed in this paper to arrange the events of the first Easter Day, as recorded in the four Gospels, in a consecutive manner, without omitting anything, or altering the position of anything. The attempt has, of course, been made often before, but I have not seen one that appears quite satisfactory. Whether or not the present is any better, must be left for others to decide.

It will be noticed in my arrangement of the text that on the left hand there is a complete narrative, while the portions of the four Gospels from which this is composed are placed in parallel columns alongside. For convenience the paragraphs have been numbered from 1 to 37. The portions which I have added, and which seem justified by the narrative, are printed in italics. Remarks about these, and various other matters, are given in the subsequent notes.1

I am, of course, aware that the authorship of the Gospels, especially the last twelve verses of St. Mark, has been much disputed. But for this paper I am taking them as they stand in the English Revised Version. The American R. V. is practically the same.

BSac 80:317 (Jan 1923) p. 58

First Visit to the Tomb

1. And when the Sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of James, and Salome, bought spices that they might come and anoint him.

2. And as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, together with some other women, to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow, and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.

3. And when they recovered, they fled away; and the angel entered into the tomb.

4. Soon afterwards Mary Magdalene, and the other women, arrived at the tomb early, while it was yet dark; but the day was just about to dawn, and in a few minutes the sun had risen. And they brought the spices which they had prepared.

5. And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb? And looking up they saw that the stone was rolled away, although it was exceeding great. And they entered into the tomb, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

6. Mary Magdalene, therefore, in a great hurry, and leaving the other women at the tomb, ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said unto them, They have taken away the Lord out...