To help unfold the events between Christ’s resurrection and ascension, below is a chronology of the ten appearances of the risen Christ as recorded in Scripture.
The First Appearance of the Risen Christ
Christ appears to Mary Magdalene and commissions her to tell the disciples about His soon-coming ascension.
The Place: The Garden Tomb
The Time: Early Easter Morning, While It Was Still Dark
The Scripture: John 20:11–18
The Second Appearance of the Risen Christ
On their way to tell the disciples about the Resurrection, Jesus appears to the women and commands them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee.
The Place: A Road Near Jerusalem
The Time: Early Easter Morning
The Scripture: Matthew 28:5–15; Mark 16:2–8; Luke 24:1–11
The Third Appearance of the Risen Christ
Cleopas and another disciple encounter Christ without recognizing Him. When they realize it is Jesus, they go and tell the others.
The Place: The Road to Emmaus
The Time: Easter around Noon
The Scripture: Mark 16:12–13; Luke 24:13–35
The Fourth Appearance of the Risen Christ
Cleopas and the other disciple arrive in Jerusalem and are greeted with the news that Christ appeared to the apostle Peter.
The Place: Unknown
The Time: Easter Day
The Scripture: Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5
The Fifth Appearance of the Risen Christ
Christ appears to Cleopas and the other disciples, eats with them, teaches them the Scriptures, and tells them to preach to all the nations.
The Place: Behind Locked Doors
The Time: Easter Evening
The Scripture: Luke 24:35–49; John 20:19–23
The Sixth Appearance of the Risen Christ
Christ shows Himself to Thomas and the other disciples, providing Thomas the opportunity to see His wounds and believe in Him.
The Place: Behind Locked Doors
The Time: Eight Days after Easter
The Scripture: John 20:24–29
The Seventh Appearance of the Risen Christ
Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, John, James, and two other disciples see Jesus while fishing. There Christ challenges Peter and says, “Follow Me.”
The Place: The Sea of Galilee
The Time: At Dawn, between Easter and the Ascension
The Scripture: John 21:1–25
The Eighth Appearance of the Risen Christ
Christ meets the eleven disciples, and perhaps hundreds of others (see 1 Corinthians 15:6), and gives them the Great Commission.
The Place: An Unnamed Mountain
The Time: Between Easter and the Ascension
The Scripture: Matthew 28:16–20
The Ninth Appearance of the Risen Christ
Christ appears to the eleven disciples as they were eating, rebukes them, and commands them to preach the Good News to everyone.
The Place: Unknown
The Time: Between Easter and the Ascension
The Scripture: Mark 16:14–18
The Tenth Appearance of the Risen Christ
Christ leads the eleven disciples to Bethany on the Mount of Olives, promises them the Holy Spirit and ascends into Heaven.
The Place: The Mount of Olives
The Time: Forty Days after Easter
The Scripture: Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:4–11