The reported experiences with Jesus after His death happened in various settings, involving multiple people at different locations and times. Witnesses saw Jesus in Judea and Galilee, in town and countryside, indoors and outdoors, in the evening, by appointment and without prior appointment, close and distant, on a hill and by a lake, to groups of men and groups of women, to individuals and in groups of up to five hundred. Throughout these encounters, Jesus was seen standing, walking, and always engaging in conversation ([[Williams2018-tp]]). The appearances of Jesus reported in the Bible are characterized by certain key elements. These elements bridge together to provide a compelling case for the reality of these appearances. Here are some noteworthy aspects of these encounters (The following list is partially taken from [[InspiringPhilosophy2016-ma]]: ## Many People Saw Jesus! > [!NOTE] Jesus Appeared in Individual and Group Settings In various parts of the New Testament, the Bible recounts instances where Jesus appeared to people after his crucifixion. He appeared to the women disciples outside of the tomb, to Peter The Apostle, to 11 disciples, to Cleopas and his companion, James, to seven disciples on the shore, and to Paul the Apostle. One of the most notable of these instances is detailed in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7. Here, Paul lists several appearances of Jesus, including one where he appeared to more than 500 brethren at once. Similarly, the book of Acts (2:32; 13:30-32) features testimonies of Jesus' appearances, emphasizing their collective nature ([[Lake1907-tu]], [[Craig1989-gr]]). > [!tip] Consistency of Jesus' Appearances The Bible reports consistent descriptions of Jesus' appearances to different individuals and groups, including the twelve disciples, Paul, James The Lesser (brother of Christ), the five women at the tomb, and possibly 500 others. These consistent accounts across a wide range of witnesses, who had diverse backgrounds and perspectives, add credibility to the reports of Jesus' appearances ([[Lake1907-tu]], [[Craig1989-gr]]). ## They Were Not Hallucinations > [!success] The Multisensory Experiences of the Appearances According to the scriptures, the appearances of Jesus were multisensory experiences. These accounts include details of the disciples hearing Jesus' voice and seeing his figure (Acts 10:43-43; 22:7-9; 26:12-18). They also mention instances of physical touch, such as when Thomas was invited to touch Jesus' wounds (John 20:27). These multi-faceted experiences suggest a comprehensive, tangible encounter rather than a simple vision or dream. > >##### See More Evidence > - **[[The Hallucination Theory]]** > - **[[The Spirit Resurrection Theory]]** ## Absence of Realistic and Emotional Expectations for Resurrection > [!warning] The Disciples Did Not Expect Jesus To Rise From The Dead > There's significant evidence to suggest that Jesus' disciples did not expect him to rise from the dead. Despite Jesus' own predictions of his resurrection (Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:34), the concept was foreign to their Jewish beliefs and expectations about the Messiah. This lack of anticipation makes it less likely that the reported appearances were products of wishful thinking or hallucination. > >##### See More Evidence [[The Jews Were Not Expecting A Resurrection Event]] ## The Appearances Were Physical > [!Tip] The Early Church's Belief in Physical Appearances > The early church consistently believed and taught that Jesus' appearances after his resurrection were physical, not just spiritual or visionary. J.H. O'Connell in his 2009 study, [[OConnell2009-jk|Jesus' Resurrection and Collective Hallucinations]], explores this topic, reinforcing the view that the early Christians believed in a tangible, bodily resurrection. > > ##### See More Evidence [[The Spirit Resurrection Theory#The First Christian Creed Support A Physical Ressurection|The First Christian Creed Supports A Physical Ressurection]] ## Initial Skepticism Among the Witnesses > [!Failure] Doubting Thomas > Several of those who reported seeing the resurrected Jesus initially expressed skepticism, most notably Thomas (John 20:24-29). Known as "Doubting Thomas," he refused to believe the accounts of the other disciples until he saw Jesus with his own eyes and touched his wounds. These instance of skepticism and subsequent confirmation supports the authenticity of these experiences, demonstrating they weren't just accepted without question or scrutiny. > [!Failure] Doubting The Woman > The disciples did not beleive the witnesses of the resurection - the woman untill Peter and John confimed it with there own eyes. This is aligned with histories view of woman in the 1st century. See [[Cultural And Theological Implications Of Women Being The First To Witness The Resurrected Savior]] and [[Criterion Of Embarrassment]] > ## Conclusion The appearances of Jesus after His death were witnessed by multiple individuals in various settings and times. These encounters occurred in different locations such as Judea and Galilee, indoors and outdoors, and involved groups of people as well as individual witnesses. The appearances were characterized by multisensory experiences, including hearing Jesus' voice, seeing His figure, and even physical touch. The consistency of these accounts among diverse witnesses adds credibility to their reports. Importantly, the early church believed in the physical nature of these appearances, and some witnesses initially expressed skepticism before being convinced of Jesus' resurrection. These elements collectively provide a compelling case for the reality of the reported appearances of Jesus after His resurrection.