Alive: 21 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus ChristSample

Reason 16: Jesus’ resurrection was recorded shortly after it occurred

Mark’s Gospel account of the days leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion mentions the high priest without naming him because he expected his readers to know who he was speaking of (14:53, 54, 60, 61, 63). Since Caiaphas was high priest from AD 18–37, the latest possible date for the tradition is AD 37, which is within a few short years of Jesus’ death when eyewitnesses were still alive.

Jesus’ resurrection was celebrated in the earliest church creeds. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul says, “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."

This statement is widely accepted as the earliest church creed, which began circulating as early as AD 30-36, shortly after Jesus’ resurrection. These facts prove that there was not sufficient time between the crucifixion and the report of Jesus resurrection for a myth to become popular. In addition, the resurrection eyewitnesses were still on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

Does it surprise you that we have such ancient reports of the crucifixion so shortly after Jesus' ascension? How does this evidence compel you?