Why is the empty tomb so important?
Christians believe Jesus rose on the third day from the tomb in which He was buried and is alive. Why is the empty tomb so important?First, the fact that the body of Jesus was missing is evidence that supports the apostolic teaching that Jesus is alive. Opponents could have easily ended the early accounts of the resurrected Jesus by simply finding His body. Even when Peter preached at Pentecost in Jerusalem fifty days after the death of Jesus, no one challenged his claim that the tomb was empty. The question was what had happened to the body. Matthew 28:11-15 notes the alternative account given by opponents was that the body had been stolen by His disciples. Yet eleven men lacking military training would not have been able to defeat the Roman guards at the tomb.
Second, the location of the tomb was well known to both the disciples and the enemies of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin and well respected in the community. Those who wished to verify the story of the empty tomb could easily visit the location.
Third, all four Gospel accounts note the empty tomb was first discovered by women. This is significant in two ways. One way it is significant is that it highlights the fear of the male disciples. Rather than visiting the tomb, they were gathered together in a locked home. In addition, in ancient times the testimony of a woman counted less than that of a man. If the story of the empty tomb had been fabricated, men would have certainly been the first ones noted as discovering it.
Fourth, the tradition of the empty tomb is early in both biblical and extra-biblical literature. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in the AD 50s, only about twenty years after the resurrection took place. Yet he claimed that 500 people had seen Jesus alive and that most were still living (1 Corinthians 15). Further, he had received the information from Peter, James, and John after his conversion, within three to five years of the resurrection. In extra-biblical literature, Jesus was mentioned by Jewish historian Josephus in the first century as one whose followers believed He was still alive. Several writers in the second century spoke of the resurrection as a key Christian belief.
In legal cases, evidence is generally expected from reputable sources and multiple sources. In the case of the empty tomb, both requirements are fulfilled. Numerous eyewitnesses are mentioned in ancient writings who had knowledge of the empty tomb. Reputable sources, both followers of Jesus and opponents, were well aware that the tomb was empty.
Why was the tomb empty? Opponents claimed the body was stolen, yet many of the men accused of stealing the body held their belief that Jesus was resurrected despite persecution and death. No viable alternative has been supplied for the whereabouts of the body of Jesus. Though belief in the resurrection is supernatural, the evidence points to an empty tomb, a missing body, multiple eyewitness accounts of a risen Jesus, and many changed lives as a result. The evidence all points to the authenticity of the Christian belief that the tomb was empty because Jesus returned to life on the third day, proving Himself as the Messiah.
Who is Jesus Christ?
Why should I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus?
Where was Jesus for the three days between His death and resurrection?
The Jesus Family Tomb - What is it? Has the lost tomb of Jesus been found?
Truth about Jesus Christ
