← Passion and Resurrection

Post-Resurrection Appearances

  • MIR040 Second miraculous catch of fish after the resurrection

    John 21.1-14 recounts the miraculous catch of fish after the resurrection, when the risen Jesus reappears on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias and advises his disciples about fishing. John recognises him when the net overflows with fish. Overjoyed, Peter swims to him while Jesus prepares a symbolic meal.

    Luke 5.1-11 (King James Version) :
    And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • MIR042 Post-resurrection appearances

    This article presents the ten appearances of Jesus after his resurrection, as recounted in the New Testament. From Mary Magdalene at the tomb to the apostles before the Ascension, including the disciples at Emmaus and more than five hundred brothers, these encounters attest to the reality of the resurrection and establish the foundation of Christian faith. The Gospel authors probably selected from among all these appearances.

    Mark 16.12-13 (King James Version) :
    After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER368 The Reaction of Peter and John

    Pericope 368 examines the reaction of Peter and John after Mary Magdalene's testimony about the empty tomb. The two apostles run to the sepulchre, discover the burial linens and the folded face cloth, but do not yet grasp the reality of the resurrection. The article harmonizes the accounts of Luke 24.12 and John 20.3-12, distinguishes two successive announcements to the disciples, and highlights the initial lack of understanding in the face of Jesus' prophecies about his resurrection.

    Matthew 16.21 (King James Version) :
    From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER370 First Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Mary Magdalene

    Pericope PER370 analyzes the first appearance of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene, on the morning of Sunday, April 3, AD 33, near the tomb in Jerusalem. Reported mainly by John (Jn 20,11-18) and confirmed by Mark (Mk 16,9), this encounter reveals Mary’s initial ignorance of the resurrection, her mistaking Jesus for a gardener, and the distinctive nature of the Easter appearances. The article adopts a rigorous synoptic method by comparing the Gospels.

    Mark 16.8 (King James Version) :
    And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER372 The Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Peter

    The appearance of the risen Jesus to Simon Peter is attested by Luke 24.34 and 1 Corinthians 15.3-5, but no evangelist describes its content. Set on Sunday, April 3, AD 33, after the appearances to the women and before that to the Emmaus disciples, this private encounter appears to be a personal reconciliation between Jesus and Peter after his denial. Peter would thus have been the first apostle to see the risen Lord.

    John 20.24-34 (King James Version) :
    But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.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.Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • PER373 The guards warn the Jewish authorities

    Matthew 28.11-15 reports that the tomb guards, unwitting witnesses of the resurrection, went to the Jewish authorities. The latter bribed them to spread the claim that the disciples had stolen the body. The article analyzes the apologetic value of this testimony from outside the Christian circle and the contradictions of the official version, noting that this episode, found only in Matthew, fits within the Easter chronology of Sunday, April 3, AD 33.

    John 21.1-14 (King James Version) :
    After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Further reading