various gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection appearances
reflect a variety of traditions that are not easy to reconcile.
Today’s reading is set “on the evening of that first day of the
week,” but the “disciples” (v. 19; are there more than Eleven?)
gathered together seem unaware of Peter’s, John’s, and Mary
Magdalene’s experiences at the empty tomb “early” on that same
day (as recounted in vv. 1-10). Scholars recognize that the
evangelists received a diversity of traditions which they
proceeded to interpret still further according to the “situation
of the churches” for which they wrote and the particular purpose
each author set for himself (Pontifical Biblical Commission
Instruction on the Historical Truth of the Gospels, 1964, no.
9). John the evangelist reported the tradition of frightened
disciples gathered behind locked doors and added to it a story
he created about “doubting Thomas” (vv. 24-29; see the
reflection on this passage in cycle C for details). This new
composition formed a larger scene to exp