Christian Salvation: The Ten Resurrection Appearances of Jesus

Overview

Jesus repeatedly said that he would rise from the dead after three days and the New Testament records approximately ten resurrection appearances of Jesus. Jesus' resurrection appearances varied between individuals, small groups and a crowd of five hundred, and all occurred (with the exception of the Apostle Paul) within forty days of Resurrection Day.

The resurrection of Jesus is significant because of its connection to his death. Jesus' death was the payment for human sin and Jesus' resurrection was the proof of payment and the validation of its acceptance by God. Put differently, Jesus would have remained dead and under God's judgment if Jesus had died for his own sins. However, God raised Jesus from the dead to show that Jesus was without sin and had died for the sins of others. The resurrection of Jesus is therefore the proof that those who are joined to Christ through faith for salvation have been forgiven through Christ's sacrificial and atoning death for sin. This is why the Apostle Paul states: "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification" (Romans 4:25).

The following is an outline of the ten resurrection appearances of Jesus.

1. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:9-11 & John 20:1-18). These appearances occurred in Jerusalem on the early morning of Resurrection Day.

2. Jesus appeared to Clopas and an unnamed disciple (Mark 16:12-13 & Luke 24:13-35). This appearance occurred on the road between Jerusalem and Emmaus on Resurrection Day.

3. Jesus appeared to the Apostle Peter (Luke 24:33-35 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). This appearance occurred in Jerusalem on Resurrection Day.

4. Jesus appeared to ten of the Apostles (Luke 24:36-49, John 20:19-23 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Only Thomas was missing (see John 20:24-29). This appearance occurred in Jerusalem on the evening of Resurrection Day.

5. Jesus appeared to the Eleven Apostles (Mark 16:14-18 & John 20:24-29). This appearance occurred in Jerusalem seven days after Resurrection Day.

6. Jesus appeared to five of the Apostles (Peter, James, John, Thomas & Nathanael) and two unnamed disciples (John 21:1-24). This appearance occurred at the Sea of Galilee within forty days of Resurrection Day.

7. Jesus appeared to the Eleven Apostles and five hundred disciples (Matthew 28:16-20 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). This appearance occurred at a mountain in Galilee within forty days of Resurrection Day.

8. Jesus appeared to his brother James (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). The location of this appearance is unknown and it occurred within forty days of Resurrection Day.

9. Jesus appeared to the Eleven Apostles (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-13 & 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). This appearance occurred in Jerusalem forty days after Resurrection Day.

10. Jesus appeared to the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-19, 22:1-21, 26:1-23, 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 & 15:3-8). This appearance occurred on the road between Jerusalem and Damascus several years after Resurrection Day.

1. Mary Magdalene & The Other Mary

Matthew 28:1-10

(1) After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

(2) 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. (3) His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. (4) The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

(5) The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. (6) He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (7) 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.”

(8) So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (9) Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. (10) Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Mark 16:9-11

(9) When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. (10) She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. (11) When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

John 20:1-18

(1) Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. (2) So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

(3) So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. (4) Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. (5) He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. (6) Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, (7) as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. (8) Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (9) (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) (10) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

(11) Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb (12) and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

(13) 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.” (14) At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

(15) 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.”

(16) Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

(17) 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.’”

(18) 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.

2. Cleopas & An Unnamed Disciple

Mark 16:12-13

(12) Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. (13) These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

Luke 24:13-35

(13) Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. (14) They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. (15) As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; (16) but they were kept from recognizing him.

(17) He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. (18) One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

(19) “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. (20) The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; (21) but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. (22) In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning (23) but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. (24) Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

(25) He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! (26) Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (27) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

(28) As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. (29) But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

(30) When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. (31) Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. (32) They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

(33) They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together (34) and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” (35) Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

3. The Apostle Peter

Luke 24:33-35

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

(3) For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (5) and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. (6) After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. (7) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, (8) and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

4. Ten Apostles (Excluding Thomas)

Luke 24:36-49

(36) While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

(37) They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. (38) He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? (39) 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.”

(40) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. (41) And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” (42) They gave him a piece of broiled fish, (43) and he took it and ate it in their presence.

(44) He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

(45) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (46) He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, (47) and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) You are witnesses of these things. (49) I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

John 20:19-23

(19) On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (20) After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

(21) Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (22) And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (23) If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

5. The Eleven Apostles

Mark 16:14-18

(14) 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.

(15) He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (16) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; (18) they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

John 20:24-29

(24) Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. (25) So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

(26) A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (27) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

(28) Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

(29) Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

6. Five Apostles & Two Unnamed Disciples

John 21:1-24

(1) Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: (2) Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. (3) “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

(4) Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

(5) He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

(6) He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

(7) Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. (8) The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. (9) When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

(10) Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” (11) So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. (12) Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. (13) Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. (14) This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

(15) When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

(16) Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

(17) The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (18) Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (19) Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

(20) Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) (21) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

(22) Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (23) Because of this, the rumour spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

(24) This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

7. The Eleven Apostles & Five Hundred Disciples

Matthew 28:16-20

(16) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. (17) When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (18) Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

8. James, The Lord's Brother

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

9. The Eleven Apostles

Mark 16:19-20

(19) After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. (20) Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Luke 24:50-53

(50) When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. (51) While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. (52) Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. (53) And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Acts 1:1-13

(1) In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach (2) until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. (3) After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. (4) On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (5) For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

(6) Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

(7) He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. (8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(9) After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

(10) They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. (11) “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

(12) Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. (13) When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

10. The Apostle Paul

Acts 9:1-19

(1) Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest (2) and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (3) As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. (4) He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

(5) “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. (6) “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

(7) The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. (8) Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. (9) For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

(10) In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

(11) The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. (12) In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

(13) “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. (14) And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

(15) But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. (16) I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

(17) Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (18) Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, (19) and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Acts 22:1-21

(1) “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”

(2) When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet.

Then Paul said: (3) “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. (4) I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, (5) as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

(6) “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. (7) I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

(8) “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

“‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. (9) My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.

(10) “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

“‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ (11) My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

(12) “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. (13) He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.

(14) “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. (15) You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. (16) And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

(17) “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance (18) and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’

(19) “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. (20) And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

(21) “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Acts 26:1-23

(1) Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: (2) “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, (3) and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

(4) “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. (5) They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. (6) And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. (7) This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. (8) Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

(9) “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (10) And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. (11) Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

(12) “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. (13) About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. (14) We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

(15) “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. (16) ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. (17) I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them (18) to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

(19) “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. (20) First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. (21) That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. (22) But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen - (23) that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

1 Corinthians 9:1-2

(1) Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? (2) Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8