After the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, His disciples were left with a heavy heart and a feeling of loss. However, their sorrow turned into joy when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection. But the question arises – how many days did Jesus appear to His disciples after His resurrection?
The answer is not straightforward as the biblical accounts differ slightly in terms of the number of days that Jesus spent with His disciples. Let’s dive deeper into each account and explore this topic further.
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew’s Gospel records that on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, two women – Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” – went to visit the tomb where Jesus had been buried. There they encountered an angel who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. Later that same day, as the women were leaving the tomb, they met Jesus Himself, who told them to inform His disciples that He would meet them in Galilee.
Matthew 28:16-20 records that after this encounter with the women, Jesus appeared to His disciples in Galilee. However, Matthew doesn’t give a specific number of days between these events.
The Gospel of Mark
Mark’s Gospel records that on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James), and Salome went to visit the tomb where He had been buried. There they encountered an angel who told them that Jesus had risen from the dead and asked them to inform His disciples.
Later on, Mark 16:9-20 records that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene before appearing to two other followers while they were walking in a village called Emmaus. Afterward, He appeared to eleven disciples as they were eating together before ascending into heaven.
Again, Mark doesn’t give us a specific number of days between these events.
The Gospel of Luke
Luke’s Gospel is more detailed about the appearances of Jesus after His resurrection. He records that on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, two followers were walking to a village called Emmaus when Jesus appeared to them. Later that same day, Jesus appeared to His disciples in Jerusalem.
Luke 24:36-43 records that Jesus ate with them and showed them His wounds to prove that He was not a spirit but had indeed risen from the dead. In verse 50, Luke tells us that after these appearances, Jesus led His disciples out to Bethany and blessed them before ascending into heaven.
From Luke’s account, it seems that the appearances of Jesus took place on the same day as His resurrection.
The Gospel of John
John’s Gospel records several appearances of Jesus after His resurrection. On the morning of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it empty. Later that same day, as she was weeping outside the tomb, she encountered Jesus who revealed Himself to her.
In John 20:19-23, we are told that on the evening of the same day (Sunday), Jesus appeared to His disciples in a locked room where they were hiding for fear of being arrested by the Jewish authorities. He showed them His wounds and breathed on them, saying “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
One week later (on Sunday again), John 20:26-29 records that Jesus appeared again to His disciples – this time with Thomas present – and allowed him to touch His wounds so he could believe.
John’s Gospel doesn’t give us a specific number of days between these events either.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while there are some differences in terms of details among these accounts, they all agree on one thing – after His resurrection from death, Jesus appeared multiple times to his followers. The exact number of days between these events is uncertain, but all the Gospels agree that Jesus appeared to His disciples.
As we reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, let us remember that He is alive and that His victory over death gives us hope for eternal life.