VMR said:
All I'm saying is, based purely on the data, something very odd happened to Jesus. We know the tomb was empty and there was only one explanation offered by his enemies which was rebutted in Matthew:
Matthew 28 (KJV)
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him
away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
We know this testimony is early because of the following factors:
1. None of the NT text describes the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
2. None of the NT text describes the 3-year siege prior to the destruction of the Temple.
3. Paul was executed in 64 CE in Rome, Peter followed in 65 CE. Neither death is mentioned in Luke nor Acts despite both Apostles playing prominent roles.
4. Luke said nothing about the death of James (the brother of Jesus) who was executed in Jerusalem in 62 CE. He was described in Acts 15 as the leader of the Jerusalem Church.
5. Luke was written before Acts as indicated by Acts' introduction which refers to 'The first account I composed,...'
6. Paul quoted Luke.
7. Paul echoed the claims of Gospel writers and his writings began circulating about 50 CE.
8. Galatians, written by Paul, describes his meetings with James and Peter 14 years prior to it's writing. Approximately 40-45 CE.
9. Luke quoted Mark (and Matthew) repeatedly.
10. Mark's report is primarily to gather/compile evidence, not reconstruct a timeline of events.
All these factors make it reasonable to believe that the Gospels are early eye-witness testimonies to the events in Jesus' immediate vicinity, well-known within a few years of his execution, and authoritative prior to Paul's 'conversion'.
Of course, this is all circumstantial evidence, but purely based on existing corroborative documents from various pagan, Jewish, Biblical and extra-Biblical sources.
