First time Quote by Bart D. Ehrman
““In this connection I should stress that the discovery of the empty tomb appears to be a late tradition. It occurs in Mark for the first time, some thirty-five or forty years after Jesus died. Our earliest witness, Paul, does not say anything about it.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Forged: The Search for the Original of of Jesus Christ, 2011
The empty tomb story emerged decades after Jesus’ death and is not found in earliest Christian writings.
In simple terms: The tomb story is a later tradition.
Key Takeaway
Recognize later developments in religious narratives.
Themes
historical criticism
early Christianity
tradition formation
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
scholarly
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- theological debate
- biblical scholarship
Key Concepts
textual analysis
historical methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this affect faith?
- What other traditions may be later additions?
A Different Perspective
Early Christian texts do not mention the tomb, suggesting later invention.
