The surety that Jesus is “alive for evermore” and has “the keys of hell and of death” (Rev. 1:18) is one of the strongest evidences of the truthfulness of Christianity. The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus testify that He is the Son of God and the Messiah of the world. Here are the appearances of Jesus that are recorded in the Bible that took place between His resurrection and His ascension:
1. Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples with Thomas included, in the upper room, a week after the Resurrection day , the He appeared to Mary, possibly the following Sunday (John 20:26–29).
2. Soon after the close of Passover week, the disciples left for Galilee to meet with Jesus as He instructed (Matt. 28:7; Mark 16:7). The appearances in Galilee came by Friday, Nisan 28, and Sunday, Iyyar 21. The disciples were back in Jerusalem in time for the ascension, Iyyar 25. They remained in Galilee about three weeks where Jesus met with them twice. The first of these appearances was to seven of the disciples as they were fishing on the lake of Galilee (John 21:1–23).
3. Jesus appeared to about 500 believers on a mountain in Galilee at the place and time that were set by Him (Matt. 28:16; Mark 16:7; 1 Cor. 15:6). On this time, the Lord gave the message of Matt. 28:17–20. Jesus’ brothers were also converted at this time (Acts 1:14).
4. Jesus also appeared to James (1 Cor. 15:7).
5. The appearance to the eleven disciples in Jerusalem on Thursday, Iyyar 25, when Jesus led them out to the Mount of Olives, in the vicinity of Bethlehem, and ascended to heaven (Mark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:50–52; Acts 1:4–12). This is probably in reference to 1 Cor. 15:7.
Christ’s appearances after the Resurrection helped the disciples and others confirm the reality of the resurrection and that it was a true event. And because the disciples were convinced of this reality, they were able to preach the Word and witness being empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 3:12–21; 4:8–13, 20; 29–32; 1 Cor. 15:1–23; 1 Thess. 1:10, 17; 1 John 1:1–3).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
