Encounters with Jesus After His Death in the New Testament

The New Testament records multiple encounters with Jesus following his crucifixion and resurrection, which are foundational to Christian faith ^[1]. These appearances served to confirm his victory over death and to commission his followers.

One of the earliest recorded appearances was to Mary Magdalene ^[9]. The Gospel of John describes Jesus appearing to her in the garden near the tomb ^[9]. This encounter is significant as it highlights Mary Magdalene's role as the first witness to the resurrected Christ.

Following this, Jesus appeared to other holy women who had come from the tomb ^[9]. Matthew's Gospel notes that after Jesus' resurrection, some who had died were also raised and appeared to many in the holy city ^[3]. This detail underscores the profound, even cosmic, impact of Jesus' resurrection.

Jesus also appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, though they did not recognize him at first ^[9]. He walked with them, explaining the Scriptures concerning himself, and was only recognized when he broke bread with them ^[9]. This encounter emphasizes the spiritual nature of his post-resurrection presence and the importance of understanding the Scriptures in light of his death and resurrection.

The disciples, as a group, experienced several encounters with the resurrected Jesus. The Gospel of John specifies that Jesus appeared to his disciples three times after his resurrection ^[2]. The first of these collective appearances occurred when ten of the apostles were gathered, and Jesus appeared among them, offering peace ^[9]. A week later, he appeared again to the eleven disciples, including Thomas, who had previously doubted ^[9]. These appearances served to reassure and strengthen the disciples' faith, providing tangible proof of his resurrection.

Another significant appearance to the disciples took place by the Sea of Tiberias, where Jesus shared a meal with seven of them ^[9]. This event, detailed in John 21, includes Jesus' restoration of Peter and his commission to "feed my sheep" ^[2]. This particular encounter is noted as the third time Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after his resurrection ^[2].

Beyond these specific instances, the New Testament indicates broader appearances. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, lists several post-resurrection appearances, including one to Peter, then to the twelve, then to more than five hundred brothers at one time, then to James, then to all the apostles, and finally to Paul himself ^[1]. The breadth of these appearances, to individuals and large groups, is presented as evidence for the resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus is considered a cardinal fact and doctrine of the gospel, with the entire New Testament revelation resting upon it as an historical event ^[1]. The apostles, such as Peter on the day of Pentecost, argued for the necessity of Christ's resurrection based on Old Testament predictions, specifically Psalm 16 ^[1]. Jesus himself had intimated his resurrection in his own discourses, as recorded in Matthew 20:19, Mark 9:9, Mark 14:28, Luke 18:33, and John 2:19-22 ^[1].

The accounts of Jesus' burial also set the stage for these encounters. His body was laid in Joseph's new rock-hewn tomb, located in a garden near Calvary ^[5]. This tomb, like others of the Hebrews, was typically excavated in solid rock or was a natural cave ^[5]. The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee observed the tomb and how his body was placed ^[4].

The significance of these encounters extends beyond mere historical verification. The resurrection of Christ is understood to usher in a new creation for those who are "in Christ" ^[8]. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note on 2 Corinthians 5:17, being "in Christ" means being united to him by faith, resulting in a new nature ^[8]. This newness is not merely recent but implies a fundamentally different existence ^[8]. Matthew Henry, commenting on 2 Corinthians 5:16, links this to regeneration, which involves being weaned from the world and living above its carnal ends and outward advantages ^[10].

The post-resurrection period also saw Jesus continuing his role as mediator. John Gill, in his commentary on Hebrews 9:15, explains that Christ became the Mediator of the New Testament through his death, which served for the redemption of transgressions under the first testament ^[6]. This mediation ensures that those called receive the fulfillment of God's promise ^[7].

The appearances of Jesus after his death were not merely physical sightings but transformative experiences that solidified the faith of his followers and empowered them for their mission. These encounters provided the basis for the apostolic preaching and the spread of Christianity, demonstrating that Jesus, who was crucified, was indeed alive and sovereign.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
John “John 21:14 (BBE) — Now this was the third time that Jesus let himself be seen by the disciples after he had come back from the dead.”
Matthew “Matthew 27:53 (BSB) — After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.”
Luke “Luke 23:55 (YLT) — and the women also who have come with him out of Galilee having followed after, beheld the tomb, and how his body was placed,”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tombs — Of the Hebrews were generally excavated in the solid rock, or were natural caves. Mention is made of such tombs in Judg. 8:32; 2 Sam. 2:32; 2 Kings 9:28; 23:30. They were sometimes made in gardens (2 Kings 21:26; 23:16; Matt. 27:60). They are found in great numbers in and around Jerusalem and all over the land. They were sometimes whitewashed (Matt. 23:27, 29). The body of Jesus was laid in Joseph's new rock-hewn tomb, in a garden near to Calvary. All evidence is in favour of the opinion that this tomb was somewhere near the Damascus gate, and outside the cit”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 9:15: And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament,.... See Gill on Heb 7:22, See Gill on Heb 8:6, See Gill on Heb 8:8. This may refer both to what goes before, and what follows after; for Christ, that he might offer himself to God, and by his blood purge the consciences of his people from dead works, that so they might serve the living God, became the Mediator of the New Testament, or covenant; and also he took upon him this character and office, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they whic”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 9:15: for this cause--Because of the all-cleansing power of His blood, this fits Him to be Mediator (Heb 8:6, ensuring to both parties, God and us, the ratification) of the new covenant, which secures both forgiveness for the sins not covered by the former imperfect covenant or testament, and also an eternal inheritance to the called. by means of death--rather, as Greek, "death having taken place." At the moment that His death took place, the necessary effect is, "the called receive the (fulfilment of the) promise" (so Luk 24:49 uses "promise"; Heb 6:15; ”
2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore--connected with the words in Co2 5:16, "We know Christ no more after the flesh." As Christ has entered on His new heavenly life by His resurrection and ascension, so all who are "in Christ" (that is, united to Him by faith as the branch is In the vine) are new creatures (Rom 6:9-11). "New" in the Greek implies a new nature quite different from anything previously existing, not merely recent, which is expressed by a different Greek word (Gal 6:15). creature--literally, "creation," and so the creature resulting from the creation (compa”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 21:14: This is now the third time - That is, this was the third time he appeared unto the apostles, when all or most of them were together. He appeared to ten of them, Joh 20:19; again to eleven of them, Joh 20:26; and at this time to seven of them, Joh 21:2. But, when the other evangelists are collated, we shall find that this was the seventh time in which he had manifested himself after he arose from the dead. 1st. He appeared to Mary of Magdala, Mar 16:9; Joh 20:15, Joh 20:16. 2ndly, To the holy women who came from the tomb. Mat 28:9. 3dly, To the two disciples who went ”
2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 5:16: In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation. I. Regeneration, which consists of two things; namely, 1. Weanedness from the world: "Henceforth we know no man after the flesh, Co2 5:16. We do not own nor affect any person or thing in this world for carnal ends and outward advantage: we are enabled, by divine grace, not to mind nor regard this world, nor the things of this world, but to live above it. The”

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