"There are contradictions in the resurrection accounts. Did Christ appear first to the women or to His disciples?"

Both Matthew and Mark list women as the first to see the resurrected Christ. Mark says, "He appeared first to Mary Magdalene" (16:9). But Paul lists Peter (Cephas) as the first one to see Christ after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5). Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, then to the other women, and then to Peter. Paul was not giving a complete list, but only the important one for his purpose. Since only men’s testimony was considered legal or official in the first century, it is understandable that the apostle would not list the women as witnesses in his defense of the resurrection here. The order of the appearances of Christ is as follows:

CHRIST’S RESURRECTION APPEARANCES

APPEARED TO: REFERENCES:

1. Mary John 20:10–18

2. Mary and women Matthew 28:1–10

3. Peter 1 Corinthians 15:5

4. Two disciples Luke 24:13–35

5. Ten apostles Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–23

6. Eleven apostles John 20:24–31

7. Seven apostles John 21

8. All apostles Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:14–18

9. 500 brethren 1 Corinthians 15:6

10. James 1 Corinthians 15:7

11. All apostles Acts 1:4–8

12. Paul Acts 9:1–9; 1 Corinthians 15:8