Occupied Tomb Theories:
 
Unknown Tomb Theory

• Contention: common burial pits were used at times & the body was lost.
• Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, the women & the guard knew the right tomb.

• Contention: there were many tombs & Jesus' followers went to the wrong one.
• The Jewish & Roman leadership would have also been mistaken.
• The authorities would have been quick to clarify the proper tomb.

• Contention: Jesus' body decayed & His real resurrection was spiritual.
• In Luke 24:36-43 & John 20:24-31 Jesus noted His physical resurrection.

• Contention: The people saw hallucinations, they thought they saw Jesus.
• It is known from psychiatry that hallucinations are very subjective.
• In contrast, Jesus was seen by many different groups at many different times.
• Hallucinations come from nervous, "high strung," imaginative individuals.
• In contrast, the disciples were characterized by depression.

• Contention: resurrection was a popular belief at that time.
• New Testament eyewitness accounts were circulated amongst other eyewitness.
• The Bible is supported by its manuscript reliability, internal & external evidences.

Empty Tomb Theories:

Theft Theory

• Contention: The disciples stole the body while the guard slept (Mt 28:11-15).
• The guard would not have known it was the disciples.
• Falling asleep & deserting position were 2 of 18 offenses requiring death.
• The guard would have been deaf to not hear the noise of the moving stone.
• Stealing was completely contrary to their lives & ethical teaching.
• Theft does not logically follow from their attitude of depression & fear.

• Contention: the body was moved or stolen by the Jewish or Roman authorities.
• They would be quick to explain its location & likely display it.

• Contention: Jesus did not die but instead fainted & was buried alive.
• Could an exhausted & battered individual unwrap Himself?
• Could He roll away the stone?
• Could He escape from a well conditioned guard of at least four?
• Could He within hours appear to his followers as a conqueror of death?
• The possibility of this occurring is remote.

• Contention: Jesus had a resuscitation plan which failed when he was speared.
• Contention: His body was moved or stolen.
• Contention: An "unknown young man" (Mk 14:51) was mistaken for Jesus.
• This theory has the same problems as the theft or moved body theories.
• 10 eyewitness accounts contradict the "unknown young man" postulate.
• The "unknown young man" never corrected the misunderstanding.