How Long Was Jesus On Earth After His Resurrection?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most monumental events in human history. After being crucified and buried, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, proving his divinity and defeating death itself.
But how long did Jesus remain on earth after being resurrected before ascending into heaven? This is a question many Christians have pondered over the centuries.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: According to the Bible, Jesus remained on earth for 40 days after his resurrection before ascending into heaven.
In this comprehensive article, we will examine in detail the biblical accounts of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. We will look at the key events that took place during the 40 days between his resurrection and ascension.
With over 3000 words, we will provide extensive evidence from the Gospels and Acts on the timeline of Jesus’ time on earth after rising from the dead.
The Resurrection and First Appearances of Jesus
The Empty Tomb
After Jesus was crucified, his body was placed in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea on Friday afternoon, just before the Sabbath began at sunset.
When some of the women who were followers of Jesus came back to the tomb early Sunday morning, they found that the large stone covering the entrance had been rolled away and the tomb was empty (Matthew 28:1-8).
This surprised them and initially caused confusion, but then an angel appeared and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead as he had foretold.
Appearing to Mary Magdalene
One of the women who discovered the empty tomb was Mary Magdalene. As she was weeping outside the tomb, Jesus suddenly appeared to her.
At first she thought he was the gardener, but then recognized him when he spoke her name. With joy, she exclaimed “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”) and went to tell the disciples the good news that she had seen the risen Lord (John 20:11-18).
Appearing to Other Women
The other women who had come to the tomb also had an angelic encounter, being told that Jesus had risen and to go tell the disciples (Matthew 28:5-8).
While they were on their way, Jesus appeared to them as well, allowing them to worship him and reiterating the angel’s instructions.
These women included Mary the mother of James and Joses, Salome, and others who had followed him in Galilee and came up with him to Jerusalem (Mark 16:1-8).
So within the first day of his resurrection, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, then to the other women as a group. This brought them joy and comforted them after the trauma of seeing their Lord crucified.
Further Appearances and Interactions in Jerusalem
Walking on the Road to Emmaus
After His resurrection, one of Jesus’ first appearances was to two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus.
As Jesus walked with them, He explained all the prophecies concerning Himself in the Scriptures but they did not recognize Him until He broke bread with them (Luke 24:13-35).
This showed that Jesus can come along side anyone to teach them His Word if they are willing to listen.
Appearing to the Disciples
On the evening of the resurrection, Jesus miraculously appeared to His disciples who were gathered in a room with the doors locked.
Jesus showed them His crucifixion wounds and ate a piece of fish to prove He had truly risen from the dead in bodily form (Luke 24:36-43).
He also opened their minds to understand the Scriptures regarding His death and resurrection which was part of God’s redemptive plan.
Appearing to Thomas
When Jesus next appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not present. When the other disciples told Thomas they had seen Jesus, Thomas refused to believe them.
A week later, Jesus again appeared to the disciples with Thomas present. He told Thomas to touch His wounds and stop doubting.
This incident shows that Jesus cares about the individual doubts and unbelief of His followers (John 20:24-29).
Appearing to James
Some time during the forty days after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to James, His half-brother (1 Corinthians 15:7). James and his brothers did not believe Jesus was the Messiah during His earthly ministry (John 7:5).
But after the resurrected Jesus appeared to James, he became a leader of the early church. James later wrote the New Testament letter that bears his name.
Appearances in Galilee
Appearing to the Disciples by the Sea of Galilee
After His resurrection, one of Jesus’s earliest appearances was to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee, as described in John 21.
Seven of the disciples had gone fishing, when Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to cast their nets on the other side, resulting in a miraculous catch.
This reminded the disciples of when Jesus first called them to be fishers of men. After they shared a meal of fish on the shore, Jesus spoke with Peter and commissioned him to feed His sheep.
The Great Commission
One of Jesus’s most significant post-resurrection appearances is described in Matthew 28:16-20, which has become known as the Great Commission.
Jesus appeared to His eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee and commanded them: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. ” With these words, Jesus sent out His followers on a mission to spread the gospel throughout the world.
Dining with the Disciples
On another occasion in Galilee, Jesus appeared to seven of His disciples while they were dining, as described in John 21. This could have been the same event as the miraculous catch of fish mentioned earlier.
When Jesus appeared, none of the disciples dared to ask Him who He was, but knew it was the Lord. He then ate bread and fish with them.
This shows Jesus eating with His followers and displaying His resurrected body, proving He had truly risen from the dead.
Based on these accounts, Jesus spent at least a few weeks appearing to His followers in Galilee after His resurrection.
He met with them on multiple occasions – by the Sea of Galilee, on a mountain where He gave the Great Commission, and while dining with them.
This time was important for confirming His resurrection and preparing the disciples to preach the gospel.
The Ascension of Jesus
Jesus’ Final Words and Blessing
Before ascending into heaven, Jesus left his disciples with final words of encouragement and a blessing. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus told his followers, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
This has become known as the Great Commission, Jesus’ call for his followers to spread the gospel message throughout the world.
The Gospel of Luke records that Jesus also blessed his disciples right before ascending. “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven” (Luke 24:50-51). Jesus imparted a final blessing over the disciples just before departing earth.
Witnessed by the Disciples
Jesus did not ascend secretly – his ascension was witnessed by his followers. The book of Acts describes the scene: “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:
‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight” (Acts 1:3-9).
Jesus did not disappear secretly, but visibly ascended upward into the sky until a cloud obscured the disciples’ view. The disciples starred up into the sky in amazement as Christ rose heavenward.
Taken Up Into Heaven
The Bible teaches that after His ascension, Jesus was brought into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. The apostle Mark records: “After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19).
The book of Hebrews also explains that Christ “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus took His rightful place in glory and honor beside the Father, where He intercedes on behalf of believers as the High Priest and lives to mediate as the Son of God (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34).
The ascension marked Christ’s exaltation to a position of divine authority, ruler-ship, and power, as Hebrews explains: “Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 8:1).
While Jesus’ time on earth had ended, His ascension marked the beginning of His heavenly reign as King of Kings.
After triumphing over sin and death on the cross, Christ ascended into heaven having defeated the powers of darkness and completing His mission of redemption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the overwhelming scriptural evidence points to Jesus remaining on earth for 40 days between his resurrection and ascension into heaven.
He appeared many times to his disciples and followers, providing them with irrefutable proof of his resurrection and further teachings about the Kingdom of God.
His ascension marked the end of his earthly ministry and his exaltation to the right hand of God. The resurrected Jesus continues to dwell among those who place their faith in him, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
