This, as we learn from Paul, was the first appearance to any of the Apostles. The time and place are not mentioned. We only know that it was before the arrival of the two disciples. Emmaus[9] was about eight miles from Jerusalem. The narrative seems to indicate that the event had but just occurred.
The two disciples rehearsed the things that had happened. As they spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of the disciples, and said, “Peace be unto you.” But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. He said unto them, “Why are ye troubled, and wherefore do reasonings arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet; and while they still disbelieved for joy and wondered, he said unto them, “Have ye here anything to eat?” and they gave him a piece of broiled fish. And he took it, and did eat before them. (Luke xxiv. 35-43.)
But Thomas, who was not with them, having said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe,” Jesus eight days after stood in their midst and said, “Peace be unto you.” Then saith he to Thomas, “Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered and said unto him, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus saith unto him, “Because thou hast seen me thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.” (John xx. 24-29.)
After these things Jesus manifested himself at the Sea of Tiberias, to Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John and two others. It was on this occasion that he three times asked Simon Peter, “Lovest thou me?” and he signified to him by what death he should glorify God. This is said to be the third time that he manifested himself to the disciples, i. e., to the Apostles when they were together. (John xxi. 1-23.)
Then he appeared (says Paul) to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep. Paul is speaking only of manifestations to Apostles or some of them. The Apostles surely were not absent from this great assembly. All the circumstances indicate that it was the meeting which he had provided[10] for, before his crucifixion, and that it occurred on a mountain in Galilee.
Then he appeared to James. Paul is our authority. Neither time, nor place, nor circumstance is given. It is strong confirmation of the genuineness of our writings that there is no disclosure of the particulars of the interview with either Peter, the first of the Apostles, or with James, our Lord’s brother. Jesus doubtless had something to say to each for himself alone, and none of the sacred writers have lifted the veil.
At the end of the forty days he led the Apostles out over against Bethany, gave them his final charge, and lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. (Luke xxiv. 50-53; Acts i. 1-12.)
Such are some of the proofs of his resurrection. Their sufficiency as evidence of it, and its logical results, remain to be considered.
[A] And hence there is no occasion to inquire whether the Evangelists agree precisely as to the details (as far as given) of his arrest, or trial, or crucifixion. That he was arrested and tried and crucified is admitted on all hands.
[1] Alford on John’s Gospel. Lange, Vol. III., pp. 333, 334. Stroud on the Physical Cause of the Death of Christ. Friedlieb, p. 167. The Last Day of Our Lord’s Passion, by Rev. Wm. Hanna, LL.D., c. 13, and Appendix. Barnes’ Notes, Vol. II., p. 386.