“… But Some Doubted.” (Matt. 28:17) A Re-Appraisal Of Factors Influencing The Easter Faith Of The Early Christian Community. -- By: E. Margaret Howe

Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 18:3 (Summer 1975)
Article: “… But Some Doubted.” (Matt. 28:17) A Re-Appraisal Of Factors Influencing The Easter Faith Of The Early Christian Community.
Author: E. Margaret Howe


“… But Some Doubted.” (Matt. 28:17)
A Re-Appraisal Of Factors Influencing The Easter
Faith Of The Early Christian Community.

E. Margaret Howe*

There is a certain ambiguity in the New Testament Documents concerning the nature of the resurrection body of Jesus and concerning the way in which it was perceived by the early Christian community. In describing the appearance of Jesus to the Eleven in Galilee, Matthew states, without any elucidating comment, “When they saw him they worshipped him; but some doubted” (28:17). The qualification, “but some doubted” is significant. Presumably they doubted that it was Jesus. Why? Were they not sure that there was anyone there at all? Or did they see the form of a man but not recognize that it was Jesus? Or did they simply mistrust their eyes? (They possessed after all no categories which would make a post-resurrection appearance ‘receivable.’) Matthew does not comment that their doubts were allayed, unless he intends the following phrase, “And Jesus came …” to imply that. This phrase itself poses a problem. Did the Eleven “see” and “worship” Jesus before he came to them? The use of the participle (proselthōn) suggests that his “coming” and the commissioning of the disciples took place at the same time. The commission ends, “I am with you always.” Matthew has no “ascension” narrative. The implication of this resurrection narrative is that as the Eleven experienced the presence of Jesus on the mountain in Galilee, so they would continue to experience his presence, until the close of the age.

The element of uncertainty in the recognition of the resurrection body of Jesus features also in Luke’s resurrection narratives. It is most obvious in his account of the appearance to the disciples of Emmaus.1 The reader is persuaded that the stranger who walks with the disciples in the late afternoon is Jesus, but the disciples themselves are under the force of some strange supernatural power which holds them back from active recognition of his presence.2 “Their eyes were kept from recognising him” (24:16). The moment when their eyes were “opened” coincided precisely with the moment when he “vanished out of their sight.” Luke does not say whether their recognition of Jesus came froln viewing his physical form. Their own description of the incident to the Jerusalem disciples is that he was known to them “in the breaking of the

*Assistant Professor of Religion, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky. This paper was read at the South Sectio...

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