1
Introduction
For more than two millennia, the identity of Jesus as the Son of God has been a topic of
discussion and debate among both secular scholars and religious leaders. While Judaism and
Islam acknowledge Jesus’ existence and his ability to perform miracles, they reject the claim that
he is the Messiah, instead regarding him as merely a prophet. One of the most highly debated
aspects of Jesus’ life is his resurrection, with some arguing that his disciples stole his body from
the tomb in an attempt to explain away the miraculous event. This paper will critically examine
the claim that Jesus' body was taken by his disciples and present a compelling case for the
Christian belief in his resurrection, as recorded in the Bible.
The Greatest of All Miracles
Believing in a miraculous event without beholding it firsthand undeniably requires an act
of faith. Additionally, without the Bible as the primary source, historical evidence surrounding
the experiences of Jesus over two thousand years ago is limited.1 Nevertheless, miracles are not
confined to the past—they continue to occur today. The New Testament provides a detailed
account of the extraordinary events that unfolded when Jesus lived on earth. With just a word,
turned water into wine (John 2:1-11, fed the five thousand (John 6:5-14) walked on water
(Matthew 14:22-33) and cast out devils (John 11:41–43).2 This is an essential point to
emphasize: the resurrection of Jesus was not His first miracle. During His three-and-a-half-year
ministry alongside His disciples, Jesus performed countless miracles, and even those who
participated in His crucifixion bore witness to the wonders they had seen.3 The resurrection of
1 Carl Stecher, and Craig L. Blomberg, Resurrection: Faith or Fact?: A Scholars' Debate Between a
Skeptic and a Christian, (Chicago Pitchstone Publishing, 2019), 52.
2 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version.
3 Stecher, Carl, and Blomberg, Craig L., Resurrection: Faith or Fact?: A Scholars' Debate
Between a Skeptic and a Christian, (Chicago: Pitchstone Publishing, 2019), 125.
2
Jesus serves as definitive proof of His claims to be the Messiah, sent by God the Father, the God
of Israel.4 As Gould highlights in the textbook, several key pieces of evidence converge to affirm
this miraculous event. The empty tomb, the numerous appearances of Jesus following His death,
and the unwavering faith of His disciples—rooted in their conviction of His resurrection—all
point to a single, compelling conclusion: "God raised Jesus from the dead." These elements
collectively reinforce the truth of Christ's identity and mission, providing a foundation for the
Christian faith that continues to resonate across centuries.5
The sacred burial ground
The topic of the tomb of Jesus has been at the center of significant controversy, often
accompanied by unfounded theories. One such theory speculated that the belief in the empty
tomb arose because the mourning women who first visited it mistakenly went to the wrong
location, leading others to follow their error.6 However, this assumption lacks credibility. It is
highly improbable that no one, including Jesus’ opponents like the Romans or the Pharisees,
would have realized the mistake. These same authorities, who were responsible for Jesus’
crucifixion, failed to produce His body or identify its whereabouts. This inability to counter the
testimonies of Jesus' resurrection, which began circulating within days of His death, strongly
supports the claim that His tomb was, in fact, empty.7 Another claim suggests that Jesus'
disciples stole His body, hid it, and then proclaimed His resurrection as He had foretold. This
4 Licona, Mike. The Resurrection of Jesus : A New Historiographical Approach. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP
Academic, 2010.
5 Dickinson, and Loftin, Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel, 110.
6 Price, Robert M, and Jeffery Jay Lowder. The Empty Tomb: Jesus beyond the Grave, (Amherst, N.Y:
Prometheus Books 2005), 234.
7 Stecher, Carl, and Blomberg, Craig L., Resurrection: Faith or Fact? A Scholars' Debate
Between a Skeptic and a Christian, (Chicago: Pitchstone Publishing, 2019), 144
3
debate between early Christians and non-Christian Jews persisted into the second century, as
evidenced by the Jewish argument reflected in Matthew 28:11-15. 8However, this hypothesis
encounters significant issues. If it were true, the entire Jesus movement would have been built on
a deliberate lie, making it highly unlikely that the disciples would have willingly sacrificed their
lives for something they knew was false. Furthermore, the practical challenges of such an act
cannot be overlooked. The tomb was secured with guards stationed by both Roman and Jewish
authorities, making the act of stealing the body nearly impossible and extremely perilous.9
The hypothesis suggesting that Jesus' disciples faked His resurrection to inspire faith,
promote His teachings, and portray Him as vindicated by the God of Israel centers on a
questionable premise. For this theory to work, it would require only a small group—perhaps two
or three individuals—within the larger circle of Jesus' nearly one hundred disciples.10 However,
such a theory falls apart under scrutiny. If any followers harbored self-serving motives, they
would unlikely risk their lives for something they knew to be false. It is implausible that anyone
would endure torture and death for a deliberate lie. For example, Peter, who had already denied
Jesus three times out of fear when He was arrested (Luke 22:56-60), would hardly have been
willing to sacrifice his life for a fabricated story. Moreover, fabricating the resurrection and
stealing the body did not offer the disciples a path to wealth or comfort. Instead, they faced lives
marked by poverty, hardship, ridicule, beatings, imprisonment, and even martyrdom. Such
sacrifices strongly suggest their unwavering belief in the truth of Jesus' resurrection.11
Conversely, even if the disciples had noble intentions, they would not have resorted to deceit,
8 Andrew Loke, Investigating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, (Taylor & Francis, 2020), 3.
9 Ibid., 138
10Ibid.
11 Andrew Loke, Investigating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, (Taylor & Francis, 2020), 3.
4
particularly when lying directly contradicted the teachings of Jesus, who explicitly condemned
dishonesty (Matthew 5:37). Their faithfulness to the God of Israel further underscores the
unlikelihood of such an act. Fabricating the resurrection would have been entirely inconsistent
with their commitment to the God they worshiped. Moreover, within the framework of Jewish
beliefs, inventing a false story about Jesus' resurrection would have made them guilty of bearing
false testimony—a serious offense condemned by God (1 Corinthians 15:15). Such an act would
not only violate the ethical standards of their faith but also undermine their credibility and the
very message they sought to share.
Beholders
Jesus’s followers were not merely beholders to His' resurrection; they were also entrusted
with spreading the good news of His victory over death to the ends of the earth—a mission that
cost most of them their lives. The Gospels of John, Matthew, and Luke document encounters
with Jesus after His resurrection. These accounts reveal a risen Jesus who appeared to His
disciples not as a ghostly figure or vision but in a tangible, physical body.12 For instance, in Luke
24:38-39, Jesus reassures His disciples, saying, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise
in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see. For a spirit does
not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” Further emphasizing His physical presence,
Luke recounts that Jesus ate with His disciples (Luke 24:41-43), demonstrating that He was not a
mere apparition or hallucination. Similar accounts appear in John 20:20 and John 20:27, where
Jesus invites His followers to beholders and touch His wounds.13 Additionally, Jesus remained on
12 Matthew Levering, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?: Historical and Theological Reflections, (Oxford
University Press USA - OSO, 2019), 51.
13 Matthew Levering, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?: Historical and Theological Reflections, (Oxford
University Press USA - OSO, 2019), 52.
5
earth for forty days after His resurrection, appearing to more than five hundred people during this
time (Acts 1:9-12; 1 Corinthians 15:6). These appearances included individuals who were not
initially His followers, such as Saul of Tarsus (later known as Paul) and His half-brother James
(1 Corinthians 15:7-8). Both became devout believers after encountering the risen Christ, further
solidifying the authenticity of His resurrection.14
Conclusion
In conclusion, attempts to discredit the biblical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection and
divinity fail under scrutiny. The idea that His disciples stole His body collapses when weighed
against the persecution and martyrdom they willingly faced, which no one would endure for a
lie. The radical transformation of skeptics like Paul and James after encountering the risen Christ
provides further compelling evidence of its truth. Their unwavering faith and sacrifice affirm the
credibility of the resurrection, which remains the cornerstone of Christian belief. As 1
Corinthians 15:57 declares, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ,” offering hope and assurance to all who believe.
Bibliography
Gould, Paul, Travis Dickinson, and Keith Loftin. Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of
the Gospel, (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Academic), 2018.
Levering, Matthew, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?: Historical and Theological Reflections,
14 Stecher, and Blomberg, Resurrection: Faith or Fact?, 149
6
(Oxford: Oxford University Press USA – OSO), 2019.
Licona, Mike. The Resurrection of Jesus : A New Historiographical Approach. Downers Grove,
Ill: IVP Academic, 2010.
Loke, Andrew, Investigating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Taylor & Francis), 2020.
Price, Robert M, and Jeffery Jay Lowder. The Empty Tomb: Jesus beyond the Grave, (Amherst,
N.Y: Prometheus Books), 2005, 234
Stecher, Carl, Blomberg, Craig L., Resurrection: Faith or Fact?: A Scholars' Debate
Between a Skeptic and a Christian, (Chicago: Pitchstone Publishing), 2019.
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New International Version
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
