The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not the end of the gospel narrative. It is the beginning of a victorious chapter that confirms His divinity, fulfills prophecy, and sets the stage for the birth of the church. What Jesus did after He rose from the dead reveals His mercy, His mission, and His message. For forty days He showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3), and each recorded appearance carries a purpose. Let us search the Scriptures to see what our risen Lord did before His glorious ascension.
Jesus Appeared to Mary Magdalene
John 20:16-17
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” (John 20:16-17)
Mary Magdalene was the first person to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection. He called her by name, and she recognized Him as her Master. This encounter was deeply personal. It shows us that the risen Christ knows His own and calls them individually. Jesus entrusted her with a sacred task: to go and tell the disciples that He was ascending. In doing so, He honored a woman as the first messenger of His resurrection and showed that the gospel message transcends all social barriers.
Jesus Appeared to Other Women
Matthew 28:9-10
“And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.” (Matthew 28:9-10)
Shortly after Mary’s encounter, Jesus appeared to other women who had gone to the tomb. They fell at His feet in worship, a natural response to the risen Lord. Jesus received their worship and commissioned them with the same message: tell the brethren. The resurrected Christ calms their fear and assures them of a future meeting in Galilee. This confirms the care He has for His disciples and the role of faithful witnesses in His plan.
Jesus Appeared to Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus
Luke 24:30-31
“And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” (Luke 24:30-31)
Two disciples walked to Emmaus, troubled and confused. Jesus drew near and walked with them, yet they did not recognize Him until He broke bread with them. This moment of recognition shows the power of fellowship and the Word to reveal Christ. The risen Lord meets discouraged believers on their journey, opens their understanding, and leaves them with burning hearts. Though He vanished from their sight, He remained with them in truth and presence.
Jesus Appeared to the Disciples Without Thomas
John 20:19-20
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:19-20)
That evening, Jesus appeared to His disciples while they were hiding in fear. Though the doors were shut, He came and stood among them. His first words were words of peace. Then He showed them His hands and His side, the marks of His suffering and the proof of His bodily resurrection. This appearance brought joy and assurance. The same Jesus who was crucified was now alive in their midst. He did not rebuke them for hiding. Instead, He brought peace and restoration.
Jesus Appeared to Thomas
John 20:27-28
“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” (John 20:27-28)
Thomas had not been present during the Lord’s first appearance to the group. He doubted their report and insisted on seeing the wounds himself. Jesus, full of grace, returned specifically for him. He invited Thomas to see and touch the very marks of His crucifixion. Thomas responded with a declaration of faith: “My Lord and my God.” The Lord knows how to meet the honest doubts of His followers. His resurrection is not fragile. It invites close inspection and leads the heart to worship.
Jesus Taught His Disciples Over Forty Days
Acts 1:3
“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)
After the resurrection, Jesus did not immediately ascend to heaven. For forty days, He remained with His disciples. He taught them about the kingdom of God and showed Himself alive by many infallible proofs. These were not fleeting visions or strange dreams. He ate with them, walked with them, and explained the Scriptures. He confirmed their calling and prepared them for the coming of the Holy Ghost. This was a season of transition. The disciples were being transformed from fearful followers into bold witnesses.
The Ascension of Jesus Christ
Acts 1:9
“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9)
When His earthly ministry was complete, Jesus led His disciples out to the Mount of Olives. There, He blessed them and was taken up into heaven before their eyes. A cloud received Him, marking the end of His physical appearances on earth. But this was not a farewell without hope. As we read in the next verse, two angels declared that He would come again in like manner. The ascension reminds us that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, and that He will return in glory just as He promised.
Conclusion: A Risen Lord with a Present Mission
Jesus did not rise from the dead and then disappear. He remained, He appeared, He taught, and He prepared. Every action was intentional. Every word pointed forward to the spread of the gospel and the coming of the Holy Ghost. The risen Christ is not distant. He is active, interceding, and coming again. Let us, like the disciples, be filled with joy, strengthened in faith, and committed to proclaiming that He is risen indeed.
To read 12 Bible verses about the resurrection itself, click here.