A comparison of the accounts of events following the resurrection as reported by Luke and John. (John 20 and 21; Luke 24).

In John's account we start with the women at the tomb early on Sunday. The women find the tomb empty and rush off to tell the disciples who come and see from themselves. They then go home leaving Mary alone. She sees two angels who ask why she is crying and explain what has happened. She then sees someone she takes to be the Gardener and when she finally recognises who it is she then takes the news to the disciples (John 20:1-18).

Then we get a meeting at which Jesus appears despite the doors being locked and shows them his hands and his side. Apparently Thomas is not there, though John gives us no clues as to who is. Thomas when told refuses to believe unless he sees the wounds for himself and touches them. (Vv19-25)

8 days later he agains meets with the disciples in a locked rooom and this time Thomas is there, though John gives us, again, no clue as to who else is. Jesus shows Thomas the wounds and tells him to tuch them. (Vv26-31)

Jesus then goes to the Sea of Tiverius whgere at least some of teh 11 are fishing in a boat, and there he spends some time with them talkng and teaching. John's acccount ends there. (Chapter 21).

Luke's account is very different.

Again it starts with the discovery of the empty tomb, though in this account there is no mention of Jesus meeting with Mary. (Luke 24:1-12)

Here the account starts to differ from John's because two disciles head for Emmaus and home. On the way they re met with someone who engages them in convesation, and it is not until he reclines at a meal with them and breaks bread that they recognises them. He then disappears and they rush back to Jeruslaem to meet with the disciples there. (Vv 13-32)

Here they meet with "the 11 and those gathered with them" since they meet with all 11 Thomas must have been at that meeting. At this meeting Jesus again appears and shows them the wounds. He eats some broiled fish, and teaches them. (Vv 33-49)

With no mention of time passing Jesus then leads them out to Bethany where he ascends to heaven (Vv 50-53).

Two very different accounts which cover parts of the same 40 day period. However there is no clue given to us as to exactly how the two accounts mesh together.

There must be gaps where one fits into the next, but where those gaps actually are is not explained.