Resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ

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Jesus Christ appeared to various groups and individuals on several occasions after his death, prior to his ascension into heaven.

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The resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ on the third day

To Mary Magdalene

John 20:10–18 ESV

Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

To the women at the tomb

Matthew 28:1–10 ESV

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

To Peter

Lk 24:34; 1 Co 15:5

To the two travellers to Emmaus

Mk 16:12–13; Lk 24:13–16; Lk 24:30–32

To the disciples in the upper room

Mark 16:14 ESV

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

Further appearances of Jesus Christ

To the disciples in the upper room

Other appearances

John 21:1 ESV

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.

Jesus Christ appears at his ascension

Mk 16:19; Lk 24:50–51; Ac 1:9

Jesus Christ’s resurrection body

It was different from his pre-crucifixion body

Jn 20:26 This suggests that the resurrected body of Jesus Christ was not restricted by natural laws: closed doors provided no barrier to Jesus Christ’s bodily appearance to his disciples.

See also Mk 16:12 The failure to recognise Jesus Christ may be an indication of his changed appearance but also might emphasise the disciples’ own sorrow and lack of faith; Jn 20:14; Jn 20:19

It was a body of flesh and blood

Luke 24:39 ESV

See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

Jesus Christ foretold his resurrection appearances

John 16:16 ESV

“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”

Responses to Jesus Christ’s resurrection appearances

Fear and alarm

Luke 24:37 ESV

But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.

Doubt and disbelief

Mark 16:11 ESV

But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

See also Mt 28:17; Mk 16:13–14; Lk 24:11–12; Jn 20:9; Jn 20:13–14; Jn 20:25

Belief and joy

Matthew 28:8 ESV

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

See also Lk 24:31–32; Lk 24:41; Jn 20:16; Jn 20:18; Jn 20:27–29

Understanding and worship

Matthew 28:9 ESV

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.

See also Lk 24:8; Lk 24:45–47; Jn 2:22; Ac 2:31–33

The significance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection appearances

They gave proof of Jesus Christ’s deity

John 20:28–29 ESV

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

See also Lk 24:31–34; Jn 20:8; Ac 10:41–42

Christian life and faith depend on the trustworthiness of the witnesses’ testimony

1 Corinthians 15:17 ESV

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.