Q. How many times did Jesus appear after He rose from the dead?
A. Fascinating question and very timely in this Easter season. As far as I can determine 13 times. They are:
1. Mary Magdalene: Early Easter morning (Jn. 20:11-18)
2. Women at the Tomb: Early Easter morning (Matt. 28:8-10)
3. Peter: Early to mid-day Easter (Luke 24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5)
4. The Emmaus Disciples: Late Easter afternoon (Lk. 24:13-32)
5. The Eleven without Thomas: Easter evening (Lk. 24:36-49; Jn. 20:19-23)
6. The Eleven with Thomas: The Sunday after Easter (Jn. 20:24-29)
7. 500 or More at One Time (1 Cor. 15:6)
8. James and Perhaps Other Family Members (1 Cor. 15:7)
9. Reinstatement of Peter: The Meeting with the Seven (Jn. 21:1-23)
10. 72 Apostles implied (1 Cor. 15:7)
11. Great Commission Gathering (Matt. 28:16-20)
12. Ascension (Ac. 1:1-11)
13. Appearance to Paul (Ac. 9:1-9)
It is very likely that Jesus appeared to many others during the 40-day period between His Resurrection and Ascension.
Another interesting dimension of the post resurrectional appearances is the state of Jesus’ glorified body. The Church teaches that Jesus’ glorified body has four qualities that we will share in when we die. Those qualities are:
1) Impassibility. This means no more sickness or disease. No more worries—ever.
2) Subtlety: This means that our body and soul will be in harmonious unity. We will have a spiritual body (1 Cor 15:44). That is how Jesus could pass through physical barriers like doors as if He were walking through them (Jn 19:20, 26).
3) Clarity: Our glorified body will be free of imperfections, sickness and any shortcomings, never lacking strength and never being tired and not having to be concerned about being overweight! In heaven, none of the effects of Original Sin are in play anymore.
4) Agility. We will be able to move at the speed of thought anywhere and everywhere. No doubt that’s how Jesus was able to appear and then suddenly vanish a short while later to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. (Lk 24:31) In short, for those of us who are older, getting out of bed in the morning won’t be like a part-time job. We will be like we are 21 forever.
A comment on another associated truth of the Catholic faith. There are two judgements: the first is the particular judgement when we die.
At that time our souls will go either to everlasting peace and happiness, that is, heaven or to misery, pain and torment, that is, hell. Or, according to the state of one’s soul at death, we could go to a temporary purification process, state of being or condition which is called purgatory.
St. Paul referred to the bodily resurrection of the just this way: “What is sown in corruption rises in incorruption; what is sown in dishonor rises in glory; what is sown in weakness rises in power; what is sown a natural body rises a spiritual body” (1 Cor 15:42-44).
The second judgement is at the end of time upon Christ’s Second Coming. At that time our bodies will be raised from their graves and join our souls and add to our eternal bliss and peace in Heaven or our bodies will share in the damnation and torture of Hell. In other words, our bodies matter. They will be part of our eternal experience.
Really timely question. Thanks for asking it.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
