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John 19:31–40
Rock-cut tombs
Cut into solid rock
Some were quite extensive
Two types:
End-ways (short tunnel)
Side-ways (bench)
John 20
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.
And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.
Grave cloths
The discovery of textiles in the Jerusalem area is rare due to high levels of humidity that do not usually allow for the preservation of organic material. Insects probably caused the few holes (less than 0.5 cm×0.5 cm). The textiles are carbonized and were also damaged by the relative humidity of Jerusalem and by body fluids.
Because they were arranged in layers (when the body was wrapped) and stuck together, it is impossible to separate them without causing damage. The loculus extended for 1.6 m. Some parts of the body were covered with a number of textile layers. The head of the deceased was also covered with remains of a 16×16-cm2 textile that was found adhered to the hair in one layer and apparently surrounded it.
The Jerusalem factor
Hardly anyone denies that Jerusalem was the birthplace of the earliest Christian preaching
They also agree that it started very soon after the death of Jesus
This would be the least-likely place to teach the resurrection, if Jesus’ grave, a short distance away, was still occupied
A brief walk could solve the matter for any questioning person
1000’s of eye witnesses whose testimony you could compare
Location of the Tomb
Must be outside of the city
Near the crucifixion site
Rock-cut
Bench-type
New (so no other bodies in there)
Closed by a stone
Suggestions
“Gordon’s Calvary” (1882)
Traditional site: Under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Acts 18
Paul stayed on in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching God’s message to the people.
While Gallio was governor of Achaia, some of the Jewish leaders got together and grabbed Paul. They brought him into court
Roman historical records tell us that Gallio was governor for only a year, in 51–52A.D.
1 Corinthians 15:1–9
Timeline
Even the skeptic Bart Erdman says you can trace this to one year after the cross:
Jesus died/raised between 30–33A.D. (from dates of Pilate & Tiberias)
Paul met up with Peter around 35A.D. to make sure they had the same gospel
Paul was preaching this in 51–52A.D.
E. P. Saunders
(One of the world’s leading historians, an unbeliever)
Right out of the gate all of the basic teachings about Jesus were in place
The very earliest preaching was the cross, the resurrection, and the divinity of Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ”That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that he was buried,
and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
What difference does it make?
“That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that he was buried,
and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
Rock of Ages
“Be for sin the double cure
Cleanse me from its guilt and power”
Guilt of sin ➜ his death
Power of death ➜ his resurrection
Most people who don’t follow Jesus have a reason: and it’s not the facts!