Events from the Resurrection to the Ascension

  • The empty tomb discovered
    • Matthew 28:1 – 10
      • A great earthquake
      • An angel rolled away the stone
      • The guards passed out from fear
      • Angel spoke to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.  They were to tell the disciples to go back to Galilee where they would see Him.
      • On the way back to tell the disciples, they encountered the risen Jesus, who repeated the direction to go back to Galilee where He will see them.
    • Mark 16:1 – 11
      • Salome was with the two Marys.
      • The women brought spices to prepare the body
      • The angel was inside the tomb and gave the same message as in Matthew.
      • Along the way, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene.
      • The disciples did not believe Mary Magdalene’s account.
    • Luke 24:1 – 12
      • Two angels present.  Only one spoke.  They are described as “men in shining apparel.”  But, when they reported the incident (24:23), they described them as angels.
      • The angel also reminded them of Jesus’ prediction of His own crucifixion and resurrection on the third day.
      • Two Marys and Johanna and others were present.
      • The disciples did not believe them.  But, Peter ran to the tomb and found the linen cloths but no body.  He did not yet understand.
    • John 20:1 – 18
      • Only Mary Magdalene is mentioned as discovering the empty tomb.
      • She saw two angels.  Only one spoke.
      • She also saw Jesus there.  Jesus told her not to cling to Him because, “He had not yet ascended.”  Most likely, Jesus meant that they had some time (as it turns out, 40 days), so don’t latch on to Him right now.  They will meet again soon.
      • Both Peter and John ran to the tomb.
      • The face cloth was folded and separate from the shroud.
      • John saw the empty tomb and understood.
  • Report of the guards (Matthew 28:11 – 15)
    • The guards reported to the chief priests, apparently accurately.
    • The chief priests paid them to say that they were asleep on duty and that the disciples stole the body.  Further, the chief priests assured the guards that they would not get in any trouble.
    • The stolen body report was the official position of the government.
  • Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus
    • Mark 16:12 – 13, very concise account of Jesus meeting them on the road, their report to the others, and the disbelief of the others.
    • Luke 24:13 – 35
      • Jesus joined two disciples along the road and struck up a conversation.  They did not recognize Him, probably miraculously.
      • They explained to the stranger that they were sad because they had had hopes that their rabbi was the Messiah, but he had died.  Further, they had been told by the women that the body was missing and that the angels had spoken to the women.
      • As they walked, He explained all the Scriptures about the death and resurrection of the Messiah to them.
      • They invited this stranger to share their evening meal in Emmaus.
      • At supper, when Jesus broke the bread, they recognized Him (probably miraculously).  Then Jesus disappeared.
      • The two, who were not among the Eleven, went back the 7 miles to Jerusalem to report to the Eleven.
  • Before Jesus appeared to the Twelve (Eleven?), He appeared to Peter (1 Corinthians 15:5).
  • Evening after resurrection morning
    • Mark 16:14
      • He appeared to the eleven as they ate supper.
      • He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart concerning the report of the women.
    • Luke 24:35 – 43
      • After the two came back from Emmaus (therefore after supper), Jesus appeared.
      • Suggested handling Him to verify that He was real.
      • He ate a piece of fish, too.
    • John 20:19 – 25
      • Jesus appeared in a “secure” room, at evening
      • He showed them His hands and His side
      • He “sent” them, but no details are given.
      • He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  Sprit and breath are the same word in Greek.
      • Gave them the authority to forgive sins.
      • Thomas was not present.  When told about the visit, he did not believe them.
  • Probably the next Sunday evening after the resurrection (“eight days” is probably a figure of speech for a week).
    • John 20:26 – 29
      • Appears to be in the same place, despite the order to go to Galilee.
      • Again, supper in a secure room.
      • Jesus appeared, perhaps to give Thomas the same chance to examine Jesus as the others.
    • 1 Corinthians 15:5, since the previous week was not to “the twelve,” perhaps this occasion is the one Paul referenced.
  • At the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1 – 25)
    • Finally back in Galilee as instructed, they waited.  Seven were present.  They decided to go fishing (a night task), probably to make money to support themselves.  But, they caught nothing.
    • Jesus, on the shore, called out to inquire if they had any fish.  They replied in the negative.  Jesus, as yet unrecognized, suggested that they cast the nets to the right.  Having nothing to lose and hoping that the stranger had perhaps seen fish breaking the surface, they complied.  They were fantastically successful.
    • John figured out that it must be Jesus and told Peter.  Peter immediately swam to shore.
    • The others rowed to shore, hauling the net as it was too heavy to lift.  Anecdotally, the net contained 153 fish, and the net was not torn.
    • After a meal of bread and broiled fish, Jesus asked Peter:
      • Do you love me more than these?  Peter responded, “You know I like you.”
      • Do you love me?  Peter responded, “You know I like you.”
      • Do you like me?  Peter was grieved.
    • After the love-like series, Jesus told Peter a little about his old age.  Peter asked about what would happen to John.  Jesus told him that it was none of his business.  Unfortunately, the response was misconstrued by others in the group, which John corrected in his gospel.
  • Seen by more than 500 brethren at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6)
  • Seen by James, presumably James the brother of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7)
  • “All the apostles” is separate from “the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15:5 – 7)
  • The Great Commission
    • Matthew 28:16 – 20, The Eleven were ordered to go to the whole world.  Twenty years passed before they figured out that this meant talking to Gentiles.
    • Mark 16:15 – 18 , These instructions included promises of performing signs and wonders, including protection from poisonous snakes and other poisons.
    • Luke 24:46 – 49 and Acts 1:8, These instructions included staying in Jerusalem until they received “power from on high.”
    • The instructions for the rest of the faithful concerning evangelism are in 2 Corinthians chapters 4 and 5.
  • The Ascension
    • Mark 16:19 – 20, Very condensed.
    • Luke 24: 50 – 53, The ascension happened near Bethany.
    • Acts 1:3, 9 – 12, After 40 days, He told them to stay in Jerusalem until receiving power from on high (presumably, this happened in Acts 2, 10 days later).  He was taken up and disappeared into a cloud.  Two angels broke their staring into the sky and reminded them that Jesus would come back.