An observational thought based on culture of the time

Women's testimony in that time wasn't taken seriously. So to include eyewitness testimony from women would have made you less believable. Why do that if you're trying to deceive everyone?

Wrong Tomb Theory

"They went to the wrong tomb." If that was the case, why would the Romans and Jewish leaders not point to the correct tomb, still sealed and guarded, with Jesus' body still inside?

Grave Robbers Theory

"The disciples stole the body and made up the resurrection story"

Transformation of the disciples

• Cowering band immediately became bold preachers
• None of the disciples confessed or renounced anything
• John 20:9 - disciples didn’t even understand the idea of Jesus resurrecting (before it occurred)
• People will not die for what they know to be a lie
• Michael Grant (agnostic): early followers of Jesus were "utterly convinced" in resurrection

The grave clothes were left neatly folded. Are we supposed to believe that the disciples in the midst of pulling off the greatest scam in history paused for this?

This is the account the Jewish leaders and soldiers agreed on (Matthew 28:13-15). How do you know what happens while you sleep (and soldiers admitting to sleeping on duty = death sentence)?

Hallucination Theory

“Anyone who claims they saw the resurrected Jesus was hallucinating.”

• Too many reported appearances under too many different conditions (Hallucinations are usually very individualistic)
• At least 10 distinct physical appearances to over 500 people total between resurrection and ascension
• And again, no expectation that Jesus would rise.

Swoon Theory

"Jesus didn't die on the cross; He just passed out, revived in the tomb, and escaped."

• Romans were pros at execution. Arguably historically the best (Mark 15:44-45; John 19:33-35 → Romans said He died).
• Blood and water pouring from His side indicate death (Hypovolemic shock → pleural effusion)
• How did the untreated, weakened Jesus topple the stone, (breaking the seal) and then defeat the guards outside in order to escape?
• "It is impossible that a being who had stolen half dead out of the sepulchre, who crept about weak and ill and wanting medical treatment... could have given the disciples the impression that he was a conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of life: an impression that lay at the bottom of their future ministry." - David Strauss

A cross examination of the common objection theories reveals that each fall drastically short in offering a viable alternative to the historical record of Jesus’ resurrection.