Skeptics and critics have sometimes claimed that the gospels have a contradiction about when Jesus’ disciples returned to Galilee.

Alleged contradiction:

When did the disciples return to Galilee?
(a) Immediately, because when they saw Jesus in Galilee “some doubted” (Matthew 28:17). This period
of uncertainty should not persist
(b) After at least 40 days. That evening the disciples were still in Jerusalem (Luke 24:33). Jesus
appeared to them there and told them, stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high”
(Luke 24:49). He was appearing to them “during forty days” (Acts 1:3), and “charged them not to depart
from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise … “(Acts 1:4)

When we actually analyze the gospels and Acts, we find that the alleged “contradiction” clears up. 

“The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them.” (Matthew 28:16 CSB). The report does not say the eleven faithful apostles went all the way to Galilee that same day. 

In fact, “that same day”, Jesus’ apostles were still in Jerusalem (Luke 24:13,33 NIV). There was no rush to get to Galilee, which was about 60 miles away, and would take about 2 to 3 days travel time.

Jesus “appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3 NIV). There are eleven recorded appearances in gospels of Jesus appearing to his disciples during this time “period of forty days”. Likely there were also other appearances that Jesus made to his disciples during this time period “which are not recorded” (John 20:30; 21:25). 

Jesus’ telling them, “I am sending on you the gift promised by my Father; wait here in this city until you are armed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 REB), did not occur until near the end of this forty day period of time. It was, “While he was in their company, he directed them not to leave Jerusalem. ‘You must wait,’ he said, ‘for the gift promised by the Father'” (Acts 1:4 REB).

Thus, there is no contradiction about when Jesus’ disciples returned to Galilee.