The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus

The Resurrection – Read Luke 24:1-12

Luke’s account of the resurrection in 24:1-7 follows that of Mark 16:1-8. In the earliest manuscripts, the Gospel of Mark ends at 16:8 with the women at the tomb “trembling and bewildered”, “saying nothing to anyone.” Mark 16:9-20, found in later manuscripts, records the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and others. Versions of this later section also appear in Matthew and John and in Luke 24:8-12.


On the Road to Emmaus – Read Luke 24:13-35

Only in Luke is the full story of the appearance of Jesus on the road to Emmaus given. (A hint of this story appears in Mark 16:12-13.) This is a rather extensive story about Jesus appearing to two followers traveling home after the dramatic events of the Passover and how they did not recognize Jesus until the stopped to eat. Significantly, the two “got up at once” and returned to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples.


Jesus Appears to the Disciples – Read Luke 24:36-49

In Luke 24:36 Jesus appears to the eleven the same day as the appearance on the road to Emmaus. This startled the disciples who act as if they had seen a ghost. Jesus calms their fears by showing his scars, and eating a piece of fish. Jesus then promises to send the disciples “what my Father has promised.” Only in Luke is Jesus quoted as telling the disciples to “stay in the city until you have been clothed by the power from on high.” In Matthew 28:10 Jesus commands the disciples to travel to Galilee.


Other Accounts of the Resurrection

Mark 16:9-11 records the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene at the tomb and again to the disciples later that day. The Great Commission is recorded in Mark 16:15-18, probably on the mountain where he “was taken up into heaven.”

Matthew 28:16-20 records the disciples being directed by Jesus to go to Galilee after appearing to them near the tomb. Matthew also describes how the guards at the tomb were bribed to keep quiet about the rising of Jesus. In Galilee, Jesus meets the eleven on a mountain and gives the Great Commission. Matthew ends his Gospel with Jesus saying “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”.

John records the empty tomb and appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene in the adjacent garden (John 20:1-18). Like Luke, John gives the account of an appearance to the eleven disciples (John 20:19-25) in hiding in an upper room, but adds that Thomas was not among them. John also states that Jesus breathed on them and said to them “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Some 8 days later John records a second appearance - not mentioned by Luke - this time with the doubting Thomas present, where it is proven that Jesus is indeed alive.

Significantly, John records the story of Peter and seven of the disciples who have subsequently decided to return to fishing in the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25). Here Jesus appears to them and asks Peter to “feed my sheep”.

Another appearance of Jesus that is critical to the story in Acts is at the stoning of Stephan (Acts 7:54-56) and to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6). Paul later refers to this last in his letters. In 1st Corinthians, 15:5-8 Paul recaps the various appearances of Jesus.


The Ascension – Read Luke 24:50-53

The Ascension in Luke occurs at the Mount of Olives. The scene is repeated in Acts 1:3-9. Luke records that the disciples returned to Jerusalem “with great joy.” Three accounts of the ascension are given: Luke 24:50-53, Mark 16:19-20 and Acts as noted above.


Links of Interest

A summary of all the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection is here: http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/resurrectionjesus.html


A more detailed description of each post-resurrection appearance, including maps, is here: http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN194-NEW_BEGINNING.htm


Study/Discussion Questions

1. Why are the disciples on the road to Emmaus traveling away from Jerusalem? Why did they return?


2. In the appearance of Jesus to the disciples in the upper room, why does Jesus first say “Peace be with you?”


3. The Gospel accounts all seem to indicate that some of the disciples left Jerusalem after the resurrection. Why would they do this?


4. Luke quotes Jesus as asking the disciples to stay in Jerusalem. Why is this significant?


5. In Matthew 28:10 Jesus asks the disciples to travel to Galilee. Do you think this contradicts the account in Luke? Why or why not?


6. What is the importance of John’s story of Jesus’ appearance to Peter at the Sea of Galilee? What is the significance of Jesus asking Peter three times to “feed my sheep”?


7. How many followers of Jesus do you think there were during his ministry in Galilee? How many at the time of his death?


8. How many Christians do you think there were at the time Jesus ascended to heaven?


9. Luke ends with the disciples “continually at the temple praising God”. Why is that significant to Luke’s story?