Matthew’s description of Jesus’ death and afterlife differs from Mark’s narrative in a number of ways: first, Matthew revises Mark’s story by adding new information, and second, Matthew adds his own story of Jesus resurrection appearances. Examine this issue by comparing the following passages:
- Jesus’ death: Mk 15:33-41//Mt 27:45-56
Mark and Matthew are almost word for word on the events of Jesus’ death, however when reading Matthew 27: 51-53, Matthew has added more to the story:
51- At tear moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.
52- The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
53- After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.
It is interesting that Matthew has added to Jesus’ death with some verses about saints being risen. While I think that by doing so Matthew seems to stray from the focus of Jesus’ death, however I also think that through the emphasis and perhaps exaggeration, it creates and evokes a sense that the death of Jesus was so powerful and caused the earth to shake, rocks to break and even saints were able to rise up from their tombs and appeared to people. I noticed that Matthew tends to use natural disasters to emphasize his point.
2.the empty tomb: Mk 16:1-8//Mt 28:1-15
Matthew again uses a natural disaster for emphasis and exaggeration to intensify the moment. For example, in verse 2 of chapter 28 “And suddenly there was a great earthquake..”
Although the women visiting the tomb receive the message to spread the word to the disciples of Jesus returning to Galilee, in Mark the women flee and don’t say anything to anyone and the gospel abruptly ends. In contrast, Matthew writes in his narrative that the women actually spread the word of Jesus’ resurrection and in verse 9, they are suddenly greeted by Jesus, which is completely different from Mark. Also, this news reaches guards, followed by the chief priests finding out and I believe this creates issues when comparing the texts because both Mark and Matthew seem so different from each other, however Matthew creates more of a sense of closure, instead of an abrupt ending that is found in Mark.
3. Jesus’ resurrection: Mt 28:16-20
As mentioned above, I believe that Matthew is successful in creating a sense of closure to this gospel in contrast to Mark.