Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances began with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, followed by an appearance to Peter, then to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Eight days later He appeared to them again (Joh 20:26), and then a third time to a number of them at the Sea of Galilee (Joh 21:1-2). He then appeared to over five hundred at one time at a mountain in Galilee (Mat 28:16-17, 1Co 15:6), and to a number of others, including James (who became the head of the church in Jerusalem, cf. Act 12:17, 15:13, 21:18, Gal 1:19, 2:9), “all the apostles”, and Paul (see 1Co 15:5-7). But the appearance that is perhaps most notable from its description in three of the gospels was when He appeared to all but Thomas of His eleven remaining apostles (since Judas had hung himself) on the evening of that first day of the week when He was first resurrected from the dead. Matthew alone, writing an apologia to the undecided Jews at a time when the gospel was first going forth and being received with joy by the Gentiles, didn’t mention it because it was already well-known among the Jews and the testimony of those closest to Jesus who were seen as fraternizing with the Gentiles carried no weight with his audience under the circumstances. For this reason Matthew emphasized Jesus’ appearance on the mountain in Galilee to over 500 Jewish brethren at one time, with whom probabilistically most Jews at the time would have had at least some acquaintance or connection.
Each of the remaining gospels highlight unique aspects of Jesus’ appearance to ten of His apostles on that evening of His resurrection. Mark notes that Jesus reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart for not believing those who had seen Him earlier. He also records His command to preach the gospel to all creation, as well as the signs that would follow those who believe as a testimony of the truth of the gospel. Luke notes the circumstances of when Jesus appeared to them, as the two on the road to Emmaus had returned and were relating their experience, and how startled and frightened they all were at first, supposing they were seeing a spirit, to which He bid them touch Him to see He was real, and ate before them a piece of broiled fish. Luke also records the specifics of the three-part gospel Jesus imparted to them: that the Christ was to suffer, to rise again from the dead on the third day, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins was to be proclaimed to all the nations beginning from Jerusalem, of which they were witnesses.
While also reporting along with Luke that Jesus stood in their midst and said “Peace to you” to allay their fears, what additional fact does John include about the gathering of Jesus’ apostles that night? See Joh 20:19. Besides their fright from Jesus’ sudden appearance behind closed doors so they imagined they were seeing a spirit, why were they fearful of the Jews? See Mat 26:50-51, Mar 14:50-52, and recall that having demonstrated their resolve to stamp out the Nazarene movement by arresting and crucifying Jesus, His followers, especially those closest to Him, could not have helped but be fearful that they too would be targeted. See also Mat 27:66 and recall that Peter, and then John, had entered the tomb to see the empty grave wrappings (Joh 20:4-8, cf. Luk 24:12), which was perhaps observed by the Roman guard, so they had reason to fear that there was a pretext that could be used against them; cf. Mat 28:11-15. Are there circumstances in our own lives that cause us to fear for our safety or well-being? What should we learn from Jesus’ very first words to His disciples after His resurrection, and the fact that He then repeated them in Joh 20:21? Cf. Joh 14:27, 16:33.
Whereas Luke reported that Jesus showed His disciples His hands and feet (Luk 24:40), what else does John say He showed them, which was important for something more he also wanted to share? See Joh 19:33-35, 20:20,25,27. What does John report about the great commission, which both Mark and Luke also note that Jesus emphasized with His apostles that night, and with which Matthew brought His gospel to a close in summary of His apologia to the undecided Jews? See Joh 20:21. What additional point does John’s account add to Jesus’ charge? Notice especially the grammatical construction: “As the Father has sent Me (perfect tense, referring to a past action that has continuing importance to the present), I also send you” (present tense, indicating an action in progress or state of persistence, and so is better translated, I am sending you as in the ESV and NIV). For what did the Father send Jesus, and with what most critical importance as to the laying down of His life? See Mat 1:21, Joh 3:16-21, 8:34-36. What is the typical reaction against those who shine the gospel light and call sinners to repentance by those who love their darkness? See 1Jo 3:11-13. What does this help us to understand about Jesus sending us just as (as the Greek word is better translated) the Father sent Him? Cf. 1Jo 3:16.
Writing perhaps decades after the other gospels and Acts were already in circulation, what two additional things did John say happened on that evening when the resurrected Jesus first appeared to them? See Joh 20:22-23. How are we to understand this imparting of the Holy Spirit immediately after Jesus’ resurrection in relation to that which happened on the day of Pentecost fifty days later (Acts 2)? And what did Jesus mean about forgiving or retaining the sins of any, for which He Himself drew the ire of the religious authorities? To be continued…