After Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected, there were several accounts of sightings of him by various individuals. These sightings are recorded in the Bible and have been a topic of debate among scholars and theologians for centuries. In this article, we will explore how many people actually saw Jesus after his resurrection.
The Women at the Tomb
The first recorded sighting of Jesus after his resurrection was by a group of women who went to his tomb on the third day after his burial. According to the Gospel of Matthew (28:5-10), an angel appeared to them at the tomb and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. The women then saw Jesus himself as they were leaving the tomb.
The Disciples
After appearing to the women, Jesus appeared to his disciples in Jerusalem. According to the Gospel of Luke (24:36-43), he appeared to them while they were all gathered together in a room and showed them his hands and feet, which still bore the wounds from his crucifixion. He also ate with them to prove that he was not a ghost.
Thomas
One of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas, was not present when he first appeared to the others. When they told him about it later, he famously stated that he would not believe unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes. According to John’s Gospel (20:26-29), Jesus later appeared to Thomas and allowed him to touch his wounds, causing Thomas to proclaim “My Lord and my God!”
The Road to Emmaus
According to Luke’s Gospel (24:13-35), two disciples were walking on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus when they encountered a stranger who began walking with them. As they walked and talked together, the stranger revealed himself as Jesus and then promptly vanished.
500 People
The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians (15:6), wrote that Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at once after his resurrection. However, this account is not recorded in any of the Gospels and the exact circumstances of this sighting are unknown.
Conclusion
In total, there are at least five separate accounts of Jesus appearing to people after his resurrection. While the number of individuals who saw him varies depending on the account, it is clear that Jesus did appear to multiple people before ascending into heaven. These sightings serve as a testament to the truth of his resurrection and continue to inspire and inform Christians around the world today.