The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most widely known events in human history. After his crucifixion, he rose from the dead on the third day, according to the Bible. However, there is some confusion about how long he stayed on earth after his resurrection.
The Bible’s Account of Jesus’ Resurrection
According to the Bible, Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning. Mary Magdalene and some other women went to his tomb and found it empty. An angel told them that Jesus had risen and would meet his disciples in Galilee.
Jesus did indeed appear to his disciples in Galilee, as well as in Jerusalem. He showed them his wounds and ate with them to prove that he was not a ghost or a spirit.
How Long Did He Stay?
The Bible does not provide a clear answer as to how long Jesus stayed on earth after his resurrection. However, there are some clues that can help us piece together an approximate timeline.
In Luke 24:13-35, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus when they encountered a stranger who turned out to be Jesus. They did not recognize him at first, but eventually realized who he was.
This encounter likely took place on the same day as the resurrection, which was Sunday. Later that evening, Jesus appeared to all of his disciples except for Thomas (John 20:19-23).
A week later, Thomas also saw Jesus (John 20:26-29). This brings us to at least eight days after the resurrection.
In John 21:1-14, there is an account of Jesus appearing to some of his disciples while they were fishing in the Sea of Galilee. This event likely took place several days after Thomas saw him.
According to Acts 1:3-9, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples before ascending into heaven. This means that he stayed on earth for at least forty days after his resurrection.
Conclusion
While the Bible does not give us an exact timeline of how long Jesus stayed on earth after his resurrection, it is clear that he spent at least eight days with his disciples and was still appearing to them weeks later. Ultimately, he spent forty days with them before ascending into heaven.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event in the Christian faith, and the fact that he appeared to his disciples after rising from the dead is a powerful testament to his divinity. Regardless of how long he stayed on earth, the impact of his resurrection continues to be felt around the world today.