Introduction
The resurrection of Jesus stands at the center of the Christian faith. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus performed miracles that demonstrated His authority over sickness, demons, nature, and even death. Yet the resurrection is the moment where all of those signs reach their ultimate fulfillment.
When Jesus rose from the dead, it confirmed everything He had said about Himself. It revealed that death itself could not hold Him and that the power of God had fully vindicated His mission.
The Gospel writers record a series of supernatural events surrounding the resurrection. There were earthquakes, angels appearing at the tomb, and multiple appearances of the risen Christ to His followers. These encounters transformed the disciples from fearful followers into bold witnesses of the resurrection.
The following passages record the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus and the miraculous appearances that followed.
Supernatural Signs at the Death of Jesus
Earthquake and Signs
Matthew 27:50–54 (KJV)
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
The Resurrection
Jesus Rises from the Dead
Matthew 28:1–10 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–18
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him.
And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.
And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
The Empty Tomb
The Angel at the Tomb
Mark 16:1–8 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 28:1–10; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–10
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed.
Angels at the Tomb
Luke 24:1–12 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–8; John 20:1–10
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered his words.
The First Appearances of the Risen Christ
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
John 20:10–18 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Matthew 28:9–10; Mark 16:9
Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?
She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith unto her, Mary.
She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
The Road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13–35 (KJV)
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
Luke 24:36–43 (KJV)
Also recorded in: John 20:19–23
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
And he took it, and did eat before them.
The Risen Christ Appears to His Disciples
Jesus Appears in the Locked Room
John 20:19–23 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Luke 24:36–43
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Jesus Appears to Thomas
John 20:26–29 (KJV)
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.
Jesus Appears by the Sea
John 21:1–14 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Luke 5:1–11 (similar miracle earlier in Jesus’ ministry)
After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
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.
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.
The Ascension
Jesus Ascends into Heaven
Luke 24:50–53 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9–11
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Parallel Account of the Ascension
Mark 16:19 (KJV)
Also recorded in: Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:9–11
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Closing Reflection
The resurrection of Jesus stands as the greatest supernatural event recorded in the Gospels. It confirms everything that came before it—the miracles, the teachings, and the promises that Jesus made during His earthly ministry.
The empty tomb, the testimony of angels, and the many appearances of the risen Christ showed that death itself had been defeated. Jesus did not merely predict His resurrection; He accomplished it. He appeared to His followers, spoke with them, walked with them, and even ate with them, demonstrating that He was truly alive.
These encounters transformed the disciples. Those who had once been fearful and uncertain now became witnesses of the risen Lord. The resurrection became the central message they proclaimed to the world.
Finally, Jesus ascended into heaven, returning to the Father and taking His place at the right hand of God. Yet His departure was not the end of the story. He promised that the Holy Spirit would come and that His followers would continue the work of proclaiming the kingdom of God.
In the next article, we will explore how the supernatural ministry of Jesus was extended to His followers as He commissioned them to carry His message to the world.
Next in the series:
The Supernatural Ministry Given to the Disciples (KJV)
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