The Narrative
Matthew 28:1–10, 16–20; Mark 16:1–14; Luke 24:1–49; John 20:1–29, 21:1–17
The Empty Tomb and the Myrrhbearers
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other women came to the tomb at dawn, bringing spices. They found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. An angel said to them:
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."
— Matthew 28:5–6 (NKJV)
Noli Me Tangere — "Do Not Cling to Me"
Mary Magdalene, weeping at the tomb, turned and saw Jesus standing there, but did not recognize Him until He said her name:
Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"
— John 20:16–17 (NKJV)
The Road to Emmaus
Two disciples were walking to the village of Emmaus, and Jesus Himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were restrained so they did not recognize Him. He opened the Scriptures to them, and at supper:
He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"
— Luke 24:30–32 (NKJV)
Appearance to the Apostles
That same evening, the disciples were gathered behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood in their midst:
"Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
— John 20:19–20 (NKJV)
"As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
— John 20:21–22 (NKJV)
The Doubting of Thomas
THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY
- Jesus appears to Thomas — "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas: "My Lord and my God!" Jesus: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:26-29)
Thomas, called the Twin, was not present. He said, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."
Eight days later, Jesus came again and said to Thomas:
"Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
— John 20:27–29 (NKJV)
The Restoration of Peter at the Sea of Galilee
After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. After a miraculous catch of fish, He took Peter aside and asked him three times — mirroring the three denials:
"Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" … He said to Him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep."
— John 21:17 (NKJV)