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 NLT

Then they went home. Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.

To the women at the tomb

Matthew 28:1–10 NLT

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

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 NLT

Still later he appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.

Further appearances of Jesus Christ

To the disciples in the upper room

Other appearances

John 21:1 NLT

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened.

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 NLT

Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.”

Jesus Christ foretold his resurrection appearances

John 16:16 NLT

“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”

Responses to Jesus Christ’s resurrection appearances

Fear and alarm

Luke 24:37 NLT

But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

Doubt and disbelief

Mark 16:11 NLT

But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.

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 NLT

The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.

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 NLT

And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped 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 NLT

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

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 NLT

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.