After his crucifixion, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day, an event that is celebrated by Christians around the world as Easter. But how long did Jesus live on earth after his resurrection? The Bible provides some clues, but scholars and theologians continue to debate this question.
One of the primary sources for understanding the post-resurrection life of Jesus is the New Testament. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus appeared to his disciples in Galilee after his resurrection (Matthew 28:16-20). The Gospel of Mark also records appearances of Jesus after his resurrection, including a visit to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12-13).
The Gospel of Luke provides more details about these appearances, including a meal with his disciples and an encounter with Thomas, who initially doubted that Jesus had truly risen from the dead (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-29). According to Acts 1:3, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples after his resurrection, teaching and preparing them for their mission to spread the gospel.
So based on these accounts, it’s clear that Jesus lived on earth for at least forty days after his resurrection. But did he live any longer than that? Some scholars have suggested that there may be additional references to post-resurrection appearances in the New Testament.
For example, in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8, Paul lists several appearances of Jesus after his resurrection, including one to “more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time.” However, it’s not clear whether all of these appearances occurred during the forty-day period mentioned in Acts.
Ultimately, we cannot say for sure how long Jesus lived on earth after his resurrection. However, what we do know is that during this time he continued to teach and prepare his disciples for their mission. He also gave them a commission to spread the gospel throughout the world, a mission that continues to this day.
In conclusion, while we may not have a definitive answer to the question of how long Jesus lived on earth after his resurrection, we can take comfort in the fact that he is still with us in spirit. As Christians, we believe that Jesus is alive and present in our lives, guiding us and helping us to spread his message of love and salvation.