Objection · Case 02 · Resurrection of Christ

Isn’t the argument from women’s testimony overstated? Women could testify in some circumstances, and if women prepared bodies, women finding the tomb is exactly what you’d expect.

One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.

Suggest a correction

Response

The overstatement is a fair correction. Women’s testimony was not legally void, but it was discounted (Josephus and the Mishnah both say so), and the Gospels themselves record the male disciples dismissing the women’s report as an idle tale. The point only needs women to have been less credible than men in that culture, which is well documented. As for the natural-role argument: a story built for persuasive effect would have women find the tomb and then give the first appearance to Peter or John. Instead John’s Gospel gives the first appearance to Mary Magdalene. That is not the choice a fabricator makes.

About this exhibit

This objection is to Women as the first witnesses.

In all the accounts, women are the first to find the tomb empty. In that culture the testimony of women was given little formal weight (Josephus, Antiquities 4.219, says women should not be admitted…

Under Claim 04: The tomb of Jesus was reported empty.