Resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ

The resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ on the third day

To Mary Magdalene

John 20:10–18 NKJV

Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, 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, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

See also Mk 16:9–11

To the women at the tomb

Matthew 28:1–10 NKJV

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came 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 from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren 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 NKJV

Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

Further appearances of Jesus Christ

To the disciples in the upper room

See also Jn 20:26; 1 Co 15:5

Other appearances

John 21:1 NKJV

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:

See also Mt 28:16–17; 1 Co 15:6–7

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 NKJV

Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

See also Lk 24:42–43; Jn 20:20

Jesus Christ foretold his resurrection appearances

John 16:16 NKJV

“A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

Responses to Jesus Christ’s resurrection appearances

Fear and alarm

Luke 24:37 NKJV

But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.

See also Mt 28:10

Doubt and disbelief

Mark 16:11 NKJV

And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

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 NKJV

So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

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 NKJV

And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the 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 NKJV

And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, 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 NKJV

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

See also Jn 20:31; Ac 3:15; Ro 1:4; 1 Co 15:1–58; 1 Th 4:14; 1 Pe 1:3