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 NIV

Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

To the women at the tomb

Matthew 28:1–10 NIV

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; 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 NIV

Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Further appearances of Jesus Christ

To the disciples in the upper room

Other appearances

John 21:1 NIV

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened 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 NIV

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

Jesus Christ foretold his resurrection appearances

John 16:16 NIV

Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

Responses to Jesus Christ’s resurrection appearances

Fear and alarm

Luke 24:37 NIV

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

Doubt and disbelief

Mark 16:11 NIV

When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did 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 NIV

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with 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 NIV

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped 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 NIV

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; 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 NIV

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