While the crucifixion was in progress, (92)Jesus’ executioners gambled for his garments (Acts of Pilate; Justin). (93)Mara Bar-Serapion asserted that Jesus was executed unjustly and that, as a result, the Jews were judged by God. (94)The creed in 1 Peter 3:18 also notes the contrast between a righteous person dying for sinners.
(95)It is reported that darkness covered the land during the crucifixion (Thallus, Phlegon), (96)followed by earthquakes (Phlegon). (97)Jesus was on the cross until evening, (98)after which his body was removed and he was buried (Justin; creeds: 1 Cor. 15:4; Acts 13:29).
The man buried in the Shroud of Turin was also buried (99)hastily, (100) individually, and (101)in fine linen, all of which are uncommon procedures for a victim of crucifixion. Furthermore, (102)Jewish burial procedure sometimes involved sealing the tomb (Nazareth Decree). Even though it may not directly concern Jesus, grave robbing was punishable by death in Palestine (Nazareth Decree). The Resurrection of Jesus
(103)During this time Jesus’ friends left and denied him (Justin), experiencing despair at his death. (104)Then, three days after Jesus’ death, the tomb in which he was buried was found empty (Justin; creeds: Acts 10:40; 1 Cor. 15:4, implied; cf. Toledoth Jesu). (105)The Jews claimed that the disciples stole the body and proclaimed him risen (Toledoth Jesu; Justin), but such a view fails to explain the known facts.
Numerous sources assert (106)that Jesus was raised from the dead (creeds: Luke 24:34; Acts 2:24, 31–32; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30–37; 2 Tim. 2:8; Clement; Ignatius; Justin; Gospel of Truth; Gospel of Thomas; Treatise on Resurrection). Strong evidence for the resurrection appearances comes from the
(107)early reports of this event, probably dating from the AD 30s, and from the eyewitnesses themselves, who reported having seen the risen Jesus personally (creeds: 1Co 15:3ff.; Luke 24:34; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 5:30–32; 10:39–42; 13:28–31).
More specifically, reports indicated (108)that Jesus appeared to Peter (creeds: 1 Cor. 15:5; Luke 24:34) and (109–110)to the other disciples on more than one occasion (creeds: 1 Cor. 15:5, 7; Acts 10:39–42; 13:28–31; cf. Josephus; Ignatius; Justin), (111)as well as to over 500 people at once (creed: 1 Cor. 15:6). (112)Jesus invited them to touch his resurrected body (Phlegon), which they did (Ignatius),
(113)and he even ate and drank in their presence (creed: Acts 10:41; Ignatius). During this time, Jesus also taught his disciples (114)concerning the Old Testament prophecy that he had fulfilled (Justin) and (115)told them to preach the gospel (creed: Acts 10:42). But Jesus did not appear only to believers. For instance, he was seen by two of the best known skeptics in the early church—(116)James, the brother of Jesus (creed: 1 Cor. 15:7) and (117)Paul (creed: 1 Cor. 15:8).
If Jesus is the man buried in the Shroud of Turin and the cloth is not a fake, there are additional evidences here for his resurrection from the dead. (118)There is no decomposition on the shroud, indicating a hasty departure of the body. But further,
(119)the body buried in the cloth was apparently not unwrapped, while (120)the most probable cause for the image on the shroud is a scorch from a dead body.
It is asserted that after Jesus’ resurrection and his subsequent brief ministry on earth, (121)he ascended to heaven (creeds: 1 Tim. 3:16; Phil. 2:6f.; Justin; cf. Quadratus) and (122)was exalted (creeds: Acts 2:33; 5:31; 13:21; Apocryphon of John; Gospel of Thomas). The Earliest Church
