While they were talking about this, Jesus[l] himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”[m] 37 They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. –The Gospel of Luke
I’m currently reading and reviewing Jewish author Michael Alter’s new book, The Resurrection and Its Apologetics: Jesus’ Death and Burial, Volume I. In the second chapter I came across this very interesting comment:
The two pilgrims [disciples] on the Road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus despite the supposed nail wounds to his feet. [Later that day] Jesus broke bread, blessed it, and handed it to the two travelers. They did not recognize Jesus despite the supposed nail wounds on his hands.
Those of us who grew up Christian probably never noticed this discrepancy. It’s shocking, really. Even if Jesus was wearing a robe that fell all the way to his feet, his feet would still be visible when he walked. If someone has holes in his feet, and he is wearing sandals, the holes should be noticeable to the persons walking with him. Yet, these two disciples of Jesus did not recognize him.
Were Cleopas and the other disciple so engrossed in the conversation that they never noticed Jesus’ feet? Maybe… But how can one sit across the table from someone eating a meal and not notice that his hands contain fresh holes??
The Appearance on the Emmaus Road Story is a tall tale. It was invented for theological and/or apologetic purposes. These glaring discrepancies demonstrate to any reasonable, rational reader that it cannot be historical.
So how many other Resurrection Stories in the Gospels are fiction?
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End of post.
Escaping Christian Fundamentalism 