The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is an event that has been debated and discussed for centuries. Many individuals have claimed to have seen the resurrected Jesus, but who are these witnesses? In this article, we will take a look at the different people who testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
The Women at the Tomb
The first individuals to witness the resurrected Jesus were a group of women who had gone to His tomb early in the morning. According to Matthew 28:5-7, an angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. The women then saw Jesus and worshiped Him.
The Disciples
After appearing to the women, Jesus also appeared to His disciples. They were initially skeptical, but after seeing His wounds and hearing Him speak, they believed that He had indeed risen from the dead. According to John 20:19-20, Jesus appeared to His disciples in a locked room where they were hiding out of fear.
Thomas
One of Jesus’ disciples, Thomas, was not present when Jesus first appeared to His followers. When he heard about it, he famously declared that he would not believe until he saw for himself.
A week later, according to John 20:26-29, Jesus appeared again and invited Thomas to touch His wounds. Thomas then declared his belief in Jesus’ resurrection.
The Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul was not one of Jesus’ original disciples but rather was a persecutor of Christians before his conversion on the road to Damascus. After becoming a Christian, Paul became one of the most prolific writers in the New Testament and testified to seeing the resurrected Lord himself multiple times (see 1 Corinthians 15:5-8). In fact, Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus was so profound that it completely changed the course of his life.
The 500 Witnesses
In 1 Corinthians 15:6, Paul mentions that Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at once. While we do not have any detailed accounts of this event, it is clear that many individuals saw the resurrected Jesus and believed in Him.
In Conclusion
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is a central event in Christianity, and the testimony of those who witnessed it is crucial to its truth. From the women at the tomb to Paul’s encounter on the road to Damascus, there were many individuals who claimed to have seen and spoken with Jesus after His death. These witnesses serve as a reminder of the power and reality of Christ’s resurrection.