The destination of the death march was Golgotha, which translates to “The Place of the Skull,” Matthew 27:33-56 / Mark 15:22-4 / Luke 23:33-39 / John 19:17-30. In Latin, it is translated as “Calvary.” It was located outside the city gate, but near the city. Some think it was just north of the city wall near the Damascus Gate.
The upright post probably remained in place, never being taken down. The crosspiece (patibulum) was what was carried by the victim to be crucified. His hands would be nailed to the crosspiece, and then it would be lifted up and attached to the top of the post. From the description given, it would seem the cross was + shaped although there were several types of crosses.
We do not know why the place was called “The Place of the Skull.” There is a hill north of the city that has two caves in it. When viewed from a distance, it appears to look somewhat like a skull with two eyeless sockets.
The cross was invented to make death as painful and lingering as possible. It was of Phoenician origin, although the Romans adopted and improved on its torture. A victim could often linger for three or four days before death came.
Arriving at Golgotha, they stripped Jesus of His clothes. They offered a numbing drink made from sour wine mixed with a mild narcotic, Matthew 27:34. It was offered as an analgesic to deaden the pain.
After tasting the painkiller, Jesus declined to drink it, Matthew 27:34. He refused to have His senses dulled, choosing to suffer to the fullest extent the torture of the cross.
All four gospel writers do not give a detailed account of how the crucifixion was carried out. But from history, we know that the crossbeam was placed on the ground.
Jesus would be stretched out with His arms upon the beam. They used spikes five to seven inches long and tapered to a sharp point. They would be driven through the wrists. This would be a position that would lock the hand.
If the nails had been driven through the palms, His weight would have caused the skin to tear, and He would have fallen from the cross. The wrist was considered a part of the hand in ancient times. Some think ropes were used to hold Jesus to the cross, but there is no evidence of this.
It is important to understand that the nail would have gone through and crushed the median nerve, which is the largest nerve going out of the hand. The pain would have been absolutely unbearable. They had to invent a new word to describe it, the word excruciating. Literally, the word excruciating means “out of the cross.”
At this point, Jesus, being attached to the crossbeam, would have been hoisted so the crossbar could be attached to the vertical post. Then nails were driven through Jesus’ feet. Again, the nerves in his feet would have been crushed, and there would have been a similar type of pain as with His wrists.
Have you ever hit your “funny bone”? It’s extremely painful when you accidentally hit it. Now, just imagine taking a pair of pliers and squeezing and crushing that nerve. This would be similar to what Jesus experienced. The pain was absolutely unbearable. The torture would now begin.
First, His arms would have immediately been stretched, probably about six inches in length, and both shoulders would have become dislocated. This was a fulfilment of the prophecy of Psalm 22, which says, “My bones are out of joint,” Psalm 22:14.
Once a person is hanging in the vertical position, crucifixion is essentially an agonising, slow death by asphyxiation. Stress on the muscles and diaphragm put the chest into the inhaled position; so that basically, in order to exhale, the Lord would have had to push up on His feet so the tension on the muscles would be eased for a moment. In doing this, the nail would tear through the foot, eventually locking up against the tarsal bones.
Then, after managing to exhale, the Lord would be able to relax and take another breath in. Over and over again, He would have to push himself up, scraping His bloodied back against the coarse wood of the cross.
This would go on until complete exhaustion would take place where the person would take place where the person would not be able to push up and breathe anymore.
The breathing would slow down, and He would go into what is called respiratory acidosis. The carbon dioxide in the blood is dissolved, which leads to an irregular heartbeat. Jesus would have known that He was at the moment of death, thus He could say, “Lord, into your hands I commit my spirit,” Luke 23:46.
Actually, Jesus dies of cardiac arrest. In this process, fluid would collect around the heart and lungs. This explains why both blood and water came from the side of Jesus when the soldier thrust the spear into His side, John 19:34. John’s description is consistent with what modern medicine would expect to have happened.
The soldiers assigned to the crucifixion would remain on duty and watch throughout the ordeal of suffering until the victim died. The four assigned to the Lord divided His garments, but gambled for the seamless robe in order not to tear it, John 19:24. Little did they realise they were fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:18, “They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
Seemingly, this is all the Lord owned that He could leave to this world. What a great lesson for us. What will we leave? We learn that the two thieves are crucified at the same time, with one being on the right side and the other on the left side of the Lord, Matthew 27:38. This probably was not by accident but was done to bring ignominy on Jesus. It was to add insult to injury.
Over the head of the criminal was usually a board with an inscription telling who he was and his crime. Pilate wrote, “Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews,” John 19:19.
This was written in three current languages of the day, which were Latin, Greek and Hebrew, John 19:20. The Jewish leaders were enraged when they saw this title, John 19:21. It sounded too much like a factual statement. They protested to Pilate, but he refused to change. Pilate said, “What I have written, I have written,” John 19:22.
The mob seems intent on seeing Jesus crucified. Their only recourse now was to station themselves in front of the cross and spew out sarcastic statements ridiculing Jesus.
We are told that the chief priests, the scribes and the elders mocked Him. No matter how wicked a person has been, as he dies, people usually leave him alone while he dies, if for nothing else than showing respect for the family’s feelings.
They walk back and forth, calling out to him loudly, jeering voices. “Ha, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days.” “He saved others, Himself, He cannot save,” John 19:41-42.
They called on Him to come down from the cross, John 19:42, offering to believe in Him if He would do so. Little did they realise they were fulfilling prophecy. Psalm 22:7-8, “All those who see Me laugh Me to scorn; they shake their head, saying `He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him.”
Solomon in Proverbs 24:17-18 said, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.” Even one of the two thieves who were crucified with him railed on Him, Matthew 27:38-40. Why? What had Jesus ever done to him?
For about six hours, Matthew 27:45, Jesus would suffer agony indescribable by tongue or pen. His utterances from the cross reflect much concerning His sufferings. The first three were spoken in the full light of day before noon, and the last four were spoken after noon in a mysterious darkness.
This was uttered in the midst of the insulting taunts of the mob. Most of us would find revenge a natural reaction. He was thinking of others, not an injured pride. Because of the seriousness of their sin, He could feel pity for them in the midst of the intense agony he was suffering at the moment.
The verb here is imperfect, thus literally “Kept on saying, Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” We are left with the impression that with each indignity, the Lord repeated His prayer on behalf of His tormentors.
There is no greater example of forgiving love. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for their enemies and those who would persecute them, Matthew 5:44. He has never asked us to do anything that He was not willing to do.
We find it so hard to forgive. We carry grudges and anger against others, even fellow Christians. Surely if He could forgive the terrible atrocity that was committed against Him, we can learn to forgive the petty grievances we hold against others.
One of the thieves ridicules Jesus as a false Messiah. The other thief finds himself strangely moved by the dying Saviour. We marvel at the knowledge he has, which is revealed in his reply to the other thief who had been heaping viral abuse on the Lord.
He said, “For we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong,” Luke 23:41. How did he know this? His request to be remembered when Jesus comes into His kingdom is amazing for this thief, Luke 23:42.
Some have suggested he may have heard Jesus teach on several occasions. He could have become a believer at the time, maybe even followed Jesus, but then got caught up in the crime of theft and insurrection.
He may have known Jesus well enough to know He was not a criminal and certainly not deserving death on a cross. Jesus tells him that he will be with Him in paradise, Luke 23:43. When confronted with death, suddenly our whole way of thinking can change. Obviously, this was true of the thief.
However, we cannot use this man as an example of how one is saved today (faith, followed by asking the Lord to save you). Many have used this event to prove that one can be saved without baptism.
We are dealing with a man who lived under the Law of Moses and not the law that we live under today. The New Covenant under which we live requires that one believe, repent of their sins, confess the name of Jesus and be baptised for the remission of one’s sins.
Among the disciples, there is a noticeable absence of men at the cross. It seems that John is the only one who is there, John 19:26-27. He stands in the midst of a small group of women. John mentions four women.
1. There was Mary, the mother of Jesus, John 19:25.
2. His mother’s sister, Mary, wife of Zebedee and mother of James and John, who would be cousins of Jesus, John 19:25.
Then there was Mary, the wife of Clopas, the mother of James the younger and Joses, John 19:25. Finally, there was Mary Magdalene, John 19:25. Jesus assigned His mother to the care of John, John 19:26-27. At this time, Jesus’ half-brothers are not yet believers in Him; thus, they may not have been anywhere near Jerusalem.
Since His hands were nailed to the cross, He must have indicated to whom He was speaking by a movement of either the head or eyes. The human side of Jesus is seen here.
John accepts this responsibility, John 19:27. Tradition says John did take her under his care and eventually took her with him to Ephesus, where both died and were buried.
This cry of anguish is beyond our comprehension. It is too deep for us to fully appreciate. The depth of anguish expressed in this cry indicates the most excruciating suffering. Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1, applying it to Himself as prophetic, Matthew 27:46.
Could it be that Jesus Himself did not fully understand the demands of Divine Love? Jesus had never known what it was like to be alienated from God’s presence.
At some level, which we do not understand, the Father turns His back on Jesus as He becomes the embodiment of sin, 2 Corinthians 5:21 / Romans 3:26 / Galatians 3:13.
Jesus is forsaken by God, left without any of God’s resources or intervention to suffer and die alone. We must let His statement rest without too many assumptions. We also must read Psalm 22 as a whole, where we soon discover that God never turned His back on Jesus.
A sudden mysterious darkness now comes over the city, Matthew 27:45. The Jews had been crying for a sign from Jesus. Was God using His power to add further proof of the divinity of His Son, or was God veiling the dying moments of His Son from the reviling multitude?
Some misunderstood the word Eli, thinking that Jesus was calling Elijah, Matthew 27:47. A swollen tongue and parched lips would have made His speech less intelligible.
Jesus asks for a drink, John 19:27. This shows the utter agony He suffered. It was real, it was excruciating. The vinegar offered to Him was sour wine. It did not contain what had been offered to Him earlier to ease the pain. A reed or pole was used to lift a sponge full of the wine, John 19:29.
Because they had misheard “Eli” for “Elijah”, Matthew 27:47, this provides them an opportunity to mock Jesus. They said to leave Him alone and let them see if Elijah would come to take Him down from the cross, Matthew 27:49.
This is the voice of triumph, not defeat, that His life was finished, but that His work, which the Father had sent Him to accomplish, was finished, John 19:30. He had come unto men, had ministered to them, had suffered on the cross, and now all that remains is His coming forth from the grave. What if Jesus had not conquered? What hope would we have today?
There is complete submission and harmony with the Father. This is a payer of resignation. Having accomplished His work here on earth, He can now commend His soul unto God’s keeping, Luke 23:46.
The Scriptures simply tell us that He gave up the ghost or yielded up His spirit, Matthew 27:50. John says, “He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit,” John 19:30.
Between noon and 3 p.m., darkness covers Judea. This is the first of three phenomena associated with Jesus’ death, Matthew 27:51-56 / Mark 15:38-41 / Luke 23:47-49.
Thallus, a historian of that time, is quoted as saying there was darkness, but explains it as an eclipse of the sun. This could not be an eclipse, for an eclipse does not last for three hours. Neither would it occur during the full moon of Passover.
According to Tertullian, it was a worldwide event, witnessed in such cities as Rome, Athens and other Mediterranean cities. Phlegon, a Greek author, reported that it became as night in the sixth hour of the day (noon), so that the stars appeared in the heavens.
Pontus Pilate wrote Emperor Tiberius that “The moon, being like blood, did not shine the whole night, and yet at this time of the year there would have been a full moon”. This is a fulfilment of a prophecy by Joel, Joel 2:28.
At the moment Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two, Matthew 27:51. This would be the curtain between the holy place and the holy of holies inside the Temple.
Even though this would not have been seen by the general public, it would not have been kept a secret, especially by the priests who were later converted to Christianity, Acts 6:7.
Edersheim says it was sixty feet wide by thirty feet high. It was as thick as the breadth of the palm of a hand. Thus, it was rent by the hand of God rather than by some individual.
This may have symbolised the coming destruction of the temple and the removal of all its sacrifices. Also, it could signify the open access of God’s people to the very presence of God through Jesus as an intercessor.
Seemingly at about the same time, there was an earthquake, Matthew 27:51. Rocks were split, Matthew 27:51, and graves opened, and many bodies of departed saints were raised to life, Matthew 27:52, and after the resurrection, they appeared to many people in Jerusalem, Matthew 27:53. Not only did the earthquake occur in Jerusalem, but as far away as places like Bithynia and Nicaea.
A centurion was one of those assigned to be on duty during the crucifixion. It is said, “When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, `Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54. He seems to say that Jesus did not deserve this. He was the Jewish Messiah that He claimed to be.
The Christian faith rests on the truth of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, Matthew 27:57-66 / Mark 15:42-47 / Luke 23:50-56 / John 19:31-42. If this did not happen, then our faith is vain and useless, 1 Corinthians 15:14. Paul makes these three events the centrepiece of the gospel. It is important that we consider each of these events carefully to determine their validity.
The Sabbath began at sundown. It would be around 6 p.m. at that time of the year. This particular Sabbath was a very special day. Not only is it a Sabbath day, but it was The Sabbath, during the week of the Passover.
Because the Sabbath was approaching, the Jews had asked Pilate to have the legs of the three be broken, and the bodies be taken away, John 19:31. According to their law, the Jews could not allow a body to hang on a tree overnight, especially on the Sabbath day, Deuteronomy 21:22-23. So a delegation is sent to Pilate to ask him to dispose of the three bodies. This involved breaking the legs of the victims, John 19:31.
In this case, six hours would not have been long enough for them to have died. In order to speed up death, they would use a steel shaft of a Roman spear to shatter the victim’s lower leg bones.
This would prevent him from pushing up with his legs so he could breathe, and death by asphyxiation would result in a matter of minutes. This was called crurifragium.
Jesus was already dead, Mark 15:44. Even if a victim was already dead, they would go ahead and break his legs, but for some reason, His legs are not broken. Little did they realise they were fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 34:20, “Not one of His bones will be broken.”
It is interesting that the Passover Lamb was roasted whole so as not to break a single bone, Deuteronomy 12:46. The lamb served as a type of the Messiah, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, John 1:29.
Also, the prophecy of Zechariah 12:10 which predicted that the Messiah would be pierced and that the Jews would eventually mourn when this wicked deed was fulfilled.
A soldier makes sure He is dead by piercing His side with a sharp spear by slipping it under his ribs, John 19:34. Out comes a flow of both blood and water, John 19:34.
In cardiac arrest, which Jesus seems to have suffered, fluid would collect around the heart and lungs. Considering the position in which the spear entered the body, we can see why both blood and water came from the side of Jesus.
There are fewer than three hours since the soldier pierced Jesus’ side and the setting of the sun. So, quick action must be taken to take the body of Jesus down from the cross and bury it.
Joseph of Arimathea, who was a member of the Sanhedrin, took courage and appeared before Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus so that he might give it a proper burial, John 19:38.
Pilate seems surprised that Jesus would already be dead, Mark 15:44. He called a centurion and asked if He was already dead, Mark 15:44. Pilate probably wants to know if the centurion broke Jesus’ legs and watched him die.
The centurion could reply, “I did not have to break His legs. He was already dead, and to verify it, I had his side lanced, and both blood and water came forth.” Assured that He was dead, Pilate then granted Joseph permission to take the body down from the cross, Mark 15:45.
Joseph is assisted by Nicodemus, John 19:39. Nicodemus, like Joseph, had probably believed in Jesus from the beginning. While Joseph provides a tomb, Nicodemus provides the burial materials, John 19:39.
Both the tomb and the burial materials would have been costly. Myrrh was a gummy substance extracted from trees in Arabia. It had a very pleasant aroma to it.
It could be mixed with aloes to make a sort of paste. Strips of linen cloth would be dipped in the mixture. Its purpose was to overpower the stench of the decomposing body. He brought seventy-five pounds, which would have been very effective.
According to Jewish burial customs, they would have first washed the bloody body of Jesus. They would lay the body on a long sheet of linen, which was then folded over the top of the body, John 19:40. This was called the shroud. Then the linen strips would be wrapped around the linen sheet. There was a special cloth used for the head.
The Sabbath (6 p.m.) is soon approaching, so the two men have to work quickly. They carried Jesus a short distance to Joseph’s tomb, which was located in a nearby garden, John 19:41.
The tomb had been cut out of solid rock. It had not been used. The body of Jesus is laid on a rock ledge, which was carved for that purpose. A huge stone, which rested in a grove, was rolled over the entrance to the tomb, Matthew 27:60, which was low enough that the women had to stoop to look into it.
Two of the women, Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Joses, sat opposite the tomb and observed where the body of Jesus was placed, Matthew 27:61. They wanted to pay their respects but kept their distance from the two men. They leave with the intention of returning on Sunday, bringing additional spices to further anoint the body of Jesus.
Saturday morning, the chief priests and some of the Pharisees came to Pilate asking that he provide a guard for the tomb, Matthew 27:62. They remembered that Jesus had said He would arise in three days, Matthew 27:63.
They were afraid some of His disciples would come to the tomb and steal the body and then tell the people that he had arisen from the dead, Matthew 27:64. It seems Pilate gives them a Roman guard, Matthew 27:65. Also, he has his seal put on the stone, Matthew 27:66.
The faithful women who stood at the foot of the cross have busied themselves preparing fragrant ointment for Jesus’ burial, Matthew 28:1-8 / Mark 16:1-8 / Luke 24:1-10 / John 20:1.
Although Nicodemus had already provided some seventy-five pounds of ointment, John 19:39, these women will not be deprived of showing their love and devotion by further anointing the body of Jesus.
To anoint a body was to show honour to the person. Sunday morning, while it was still dark, they set out for the tomb, Matthew 28:1. Suddenly, there was an earthquake, Matthew 28:2.
Matthew tells us that “an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men,” Matthew 28:2-4.
What a sight this must have been. Seemingly, the soldiers are the ones who saw what happened. The women (Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and Salome) have been wondering who would roll the stone away for them. About the time they arrive at the grave, they find the stone has already been rolled away, Luke 24:2.
Two of the women enter the tomb and find that the body is gone, Luke 24:3. Inside the tomb stood two men in white garments, Luke 24:4. The women drop to their knees with their faces to the ground, Luke 24:5.
One of the angels tells them, “Do not be afraid, He is not here! For HE IS RISEN”. He told them to, “Come see the place where the Lord lay,” Matthew 28:5-6. The angels now instructed them to go and inform the men what had taken place, Matthew 28:7.
What may go unnoticed here are the terrified guards at the tomb, Matthew 28:4. Matthew tells us that they went into the city and reported what they had seen to the chief priests, Matthew 28:11. Did the chief priest believe them? Obviously not.
They call a meeting of the elders and discuss the matter, Matthew 28:12. This idea of a resurrected Jesus must be stopped before it spreads around. The guards were given a large amount of money to say that Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body while they were asleep, Matthew 28:12-13.
Now it was a law that stealing a body was a crime punishable by death. Also, a guard could be put to death for going to sleep while on duty. It was also a crime to break a seal on a tomb. Considering the story the guards were told to tell, that the disciples had stolen the body was a “tall one.”
These men who deserted Jesus at His trials and crucifixion suddenly become very brave, so brave that they decide to steal the body of Jesus from a tomb that was well guarded.
They must quietly slip in past the guards; break the seal on the tomb as they silently roll the stone away without as much as a grunt. Then they carefully remove the grave clothes from the body of Jesus, fold them up into a neat pile, John 20:7, and silently slip past the guards again without being detected.
All the time, these men did not even believe Jesus would arise from the grave. They were a discouraged and depressed band of men who hid away in a room for fear that they would be hunted down and punished for being the disciples of Jesus. What would they gain by stealing a dead corpse? At least persecution.
For sure, they would be put to death for the crime of stealing a body from the grave, especially the body of the most hated man of the Jewish leaders. Not a single disciple was ever charged or punished.
What an unbelievable story for these soldiers to tell, Matthew 28:15. Who would believe such? Only the calloused-hearted Jewish leaders would not believe Jesus while alive in spite of all the wonderful miracles He performed.
We are told that at the time the angel appeared and rolled the stone away from the opening to the tomb, the “guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men,” Matthew 28:4. You wonder how long they could tell this false story, especially to their friends. Such an awesome event could not be kept back very long.
It is interesting that on the day of Pentecost, fifty days later, Peter stood and charged the Jews with putting Christ to death, but that God had raised Him from the dead, Acts 2:24. Not one single voice is raised in opposition to what Peter declared. If Jesus were dead, there would have been an uproar of objections.
The resurrection of Christ is His crowning glory, Matthew 28:9-20 / Mark 16:9-20 / Luke 24:12-53 / John 20:3-21:53. The whole battleground of Christianity is over the resurrection of Christ.
Before His death, He had claimed that He would come forth from the grave in three days, Luke 24:6-7 / Matthew 12:40. If He failed, His claim to be the Son of God would have proven false.
If He did come forth, then this would prove that He was truly the Son of God. The proof of His resurrection rests upon the testimony of those who saw, touched and heard Him speak after the tomb became empty.
Sharpe observes: “It is to be noted that Christ appeared only to close friends and followers. Had these Gospel records been faked, had they been written merely by men trying to prove a point, would not the writers have had Christ appearing to Pilate, to the high priest, to His enemies and in most spectacular places and manner?
The naive straightforwardness of the gospel narratives adds force to their strict truthfulness. These men related things as they were, not as they might have wished them to be.” We turn now to the witnesses of His resurrection.
Peter and John visit the tomb (Sunday morning, April 9, A.D. 30). The women who had visited the tomb early on Sunday morning, finding it empty, are in awe.
They are told to report back to the disciples that “He has risen,” Matthew 28:7. The frightened women, confused and at the same time joyful, run to tell the Eleven what had happened, Matthew 28:8.
Both Peter and John head for the tomb. John outruns Peter, arriving first, John 20:3-5. He hesitates at the entrance to the tomb, but bends over to look inside, John 20:5. He sees strips of linen lying there, but does not go in, John 20:6.
Peter arrives, but does not stop. Entering the tomb, he sees both the linen wrappings and the head cloth lying separately, John 20:7. John now entered the tomb and saw the clothes and believed, John 20:8.
Peter, however, is puzzled and will need more time and more evidence before he believes Jesus has risen. Peter and John return to the other apostles to report what they saw, John 20:10.
Mary Magdalene seems to have become separated from the other women. She probably returned to the tomb after Peter and John left. She was devastated as she stood in front of the tomb crying, John 20:11.
She too stoops to look in the tomb and sees exactly what Peter and John saw. Suddenly, two angels (maybe the same ones who were there earlier) are seated on the ledge where the body of Jesus had been laid, John 20:12. They ask Mary, “Why are you crying?” John 20:13.
Now Jesus appears behind Mary, John 20:14. She does not recognise Him yet. She thinks He is the gardener and wants to know where the body of Jesus has been laid, John 20:15. She even offers to take the body herself, John 20:15. Then Jesus calls her name, John 20:16.
Instantly, she recognises Him. You can imagine her excitement upon discovering He is alive. She cries out, “Rabboni,” John 20:16. She grabs Jesus, but he tells her to let go, John 20:17.
There is much to do with no time to waste. She must go immediately and tell the Eleven she has seen the Lord alive, John 20:17. She does; however, they did not believe her report, Luke 24:9-11. It is going to take time for them to fully comprehend what has happened.
So Mary, out of whom Jesus had cast seven demons, Luke 8:2, is the first person to have the privilege of seeing Jesus after His resurrection, Mark 16:9. If we had been writing this story, how differently would we have made it?
The second appearance is to the other women who came early to the tomb to anoint His body with the spices they had prepared. It would seem that while on their way back from the tomb to report to the apostles, Jesus appears to them.
They were so elated at seeing Him, “they held Him by the feet and worshipped Him,” Matthew 28:9. He gives them the same instructions that he had given to Mary Magdalene, Matthew 28:11.
His third appearance was to two of the Lord’s disciples who were walking to the village of Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, Luke 24:13. One of them was called Cleopas, Luke 24:18.
It is Sunday afternoon when a stranger joins them on their walk. They did not know it was Jesus, even though He conversed with them, Luke 24:15-16, teaching them about what the prophets had said concerning Him, Luke 24:27.
When they reached the village, they asked Him to stay with them since it was very late in the day, Luke 24:28-29. While they were eating together, their eyes were opened, and they realised it was Jesus, Luke 24:30-31.
The news was too wonderful to contain. They could not wait any longer and thus returned to Jerusalem to tell the apostles, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Luke 24:33-34. However, they did not believe them, Mark 16:11.
The fourth appearance is mentioned by the two men who returned from Emmaus. They reported to the apostles that Cephas (Peter) had also seen the Lord, 1 Corinthians 15:5. We are not given any information on when this happened, what was said, or what occurred.
The fifth appearance was on Sunday evening in Jerusalem while ten of the apostles were eating. The doors were shut because they feared the Jews, John 20:19.
Suddenly, Jesus appeared and stood in their midst, John 20:19. They were frightened and thought that they were seeing a ghost, Luke 24:37. Jesus rebukes them for their unbelief, Luke 24:38, not believing the reports that had already been made that He was seen alive.
He then showed them His hands and His feet, Luke 24:39. He told them that ghosts do not have flesh and bones, Luke 24:39. Even after observing Him closely, they still did not grasp that it was Jesus, Luke 24:40-41.
He further proves who He is by asking for food, Luke 24:41. He eats a piece of broiled fish that they had been eating for dinner, Luke 24:42-42. They are overjoyed, John 20:20.
Disbelief and doubt no longer linger. This is the Lord. Excitement must have reached a high pitch. Jesus reiterates his commission that He was sending them out into the world, Luke 24:44-49.
There was one apostle missing from this meeting. It was Thomas, John 20:24. We do not know why he was not there. When he is told of the appearance of the Lord, he said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe,” John 20:25.
One week later, on a Sunday, the apostles are locked again in a room. This time, Thomas is with them, John 20:26. Jesus appears in their midst and calls upon Thomas to put his finger on the print in His hands and to place his hand on His side, John 20:27.
So great was the evidence that all Thomas could say was: “My Lord and my God,” John 20:28. This is the first confession that Christ was God. This is the sixth appearance of Jesus.
We are rather hard on Thomas, calling him “Doubting Thomas.” But he was no different from the other apostles, for they too would not believe for some time, in spite of the evidence that was presented to them.
The seventh appearance was to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee. After the Passover, the apostles returned to Galilee, Matthew 28:16. The angel at the tomb said they were to wait for Jesus in Galilee, Matthew 28:7 / John 21:1.
They may have been thinking that even though Jesus had risen from the grave, their work had now terminated. Peter probably returns to the old boat that he had fished from many times and says to the others that he is going fishing, John 21:2-3. Six of the apostles got in the boat with Peter, and they cast out to fish, John 21:3.
However, after fishing all night, they had caught nothing, John 21:3. As they head back to the shore, Jesus is standing on the beach early in the morning as their boat is approaching the shore, John 21:4.
He called out to them if they had fish, and they answered no, John 21:5. He tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, John 21:6. The result was that they had such a great haul that they were not able to draw the net, John 21:6.
John recognises that it is Jesus who is standing on the beach, John 21:7. Peter could not wait for the boat to make it to the shore, so he jumped into the water and swam ahead of the boat, John 21:7.
The others follow in the boat, John 21:8. John observes that there were one hundred and fifty-three fish taken in the net, John 21:11. They must have counted them.
Another wonderful miracle had taken place. Attention to such a detail of how many fish points to the fact that this was no fable. Three times, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him, and three times Peter says that he does, John 21:15-17.
Three times, Jesus tells Peter, “Feed My sheep,” John 21:15-17. This rebuke was to remind Peter of his three denials,, Luke 22:54-62, which must have been very painful for Peter.
The eighth appearance of Jesus took place on a mountain in Galilee. Here, the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-18 was probably given. These instructions would begin a movement that would spread worldwide.
When people begin religious movements, it’s often not until many generations later that they begin to record things about the originator and his teachings. This is conclusive evidence that the Biblical story of Christ is not a myth. It usually takes several hundred years for a myth to develop into a system of teaching.
Many believe this was when the five hundred mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:6 met with the Lord. The book of 1 Corinthians is considered to be one of the earlier books of the New Testament to be written, something like twenty years after Jesus’ death. In 1 Corinthians 15:5-9, Paul appeals to the many witnesses of the resurrection to prove the resurrection of Christ.
His reference to the five hundred brethren, most of whom were still alive, is striking because it was written by one who knew that if it were not true, it could have been easily refuted by any number of the enemies of Christianity. Christians risked their lives to tell this story all over the world. Why would they do this if it were all merely a myth?
The ninth appearance was to James. When Paul listed the resurrection appearances after mentioning the five hundred, he said, “Then He appeared to James,” 1 Corinthians 15:7. This, no doubt, was Jesus’ half-brother James, who would become a respected leader in the church in Jerusalem.
The tenth appearance of Jesus is on the Mount of Olives, located outside the eastern wall of Jerusalem. It is described by Luke, Luke 24:50-52. He also records this in Acts 1:9-11. His ascension takes place in full view of the apostles. Jesus will later appear to Paul on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:1-19 / 1 Corinthians 15:7.
The many witnesses to the resurrected body of Jesus are something that cannot be lightly dismissed by saying the story is nothing but a myth. We accept other historical stories as fact, which had far fewer witnesses than we have to the resurrection of Christ. Truly, we can say, “The Lord is risen indeed.”
Just before His death, Jesus told His apostles that He would go ahead of them into Galilee, Matthew 26:7. After His resurrection, the angels told the women that Jesus was going ahead of them into Galilee, 1 Corinthians 15:6 / Matthew 28:16-20 / Mark 16:15-18.
Still later, Jesus told the women to tell His brethren to meet Him in Galilee, Matthew 28:10. From Matthew 18:16, it is clear that the eleven did go to Galilee to the mountain which Jesus had designated. This was to be a specific meeting at a specific place. Where this mountain was located, we do not know.
Why did Jesus pick Galilee? Probably most of His disciples were from Galilee, and also, perhaps it was easier to find an isolated spot in Galilee. This meeting was not for everyone, only the disciples. Jesus wanted to put some distance between His disciples and His enemies.
Most writers think that the apostles were not the only ones who assembled there. Paul, in listing the resurrection appearances, referred to Jesus appearing to more than five hundred brethren at once, and most of them were living at the time he was writing to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 15:6.
This epistle was written around AD 55 to 57, about twenty-five years after the resurrection. The appearance of this large group of disciples in all probability took place in Galilee.
Such a large group would have attracted too much attention in Judea. Thus, it is at this mountain which Jesus had designated that He delivered one of his last discourses.
It seems that when the disciples had reached the mountain, Jesus was already there. Matthew tells us, “And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted,” Matthew 28:17.
On first reading this account by Matthew, it would appear that only the eleven were present. But we read that “some” doubted. It does not seem that by now any of the apostles would have doubted.
The doubters were probably some of the five hundred who had come to the mountain, who were now seeing the Lord for the first time. There is another explanation for that: at a distance, when they first saw Jesus, they were not sure that it was He.
It seems that it is in this meeting that Jesus gives the Great Commission, as given by both Matthew and Mark. Certainly, Jesus would have much to say to such a large audience and no doubt did.
However, His primary purpose was to give them their marching orders. A reading of the commission given by Matthew and Mark differs in wording. This does not mean there is any conflict.
Jesus no doubt repeated these instructions many times as He preached, and Matthew recorded one of the times Jesus mentioned it, while Mark mentions the wording given at a different place in the discourse.
Today, preachers will repeat points several times during a sermon, which will be worded differently each time. By combining them, we can get the essential facts. There are six outstanding points given.
1. “All authority.”
Jesus tells them He has absolute authority both in heaven and on earth, and this has been given to Him by the Father, Matthew 28:18.
2. “All nations.”
Before the crucifixion, Jesus had restricted their teaching to the Jews. Now the restriction is lifted. The disciples were to go to “all the nations” or “into all the world,” Matthew 28:19.
3. They were to “preach the gospel.”
Before the kingdom was at hand, but soon they could say it had come. There is good news now. Jesus had arisen from the grave. They were to go and preach that the Messiah had come, Matthew 28:19 / Mark 16:15.
He had been put to death on the cross, offering Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world: He was buried, but He had come forth from the grave. Paul makes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus the very heart of the gospel, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3.
4. They were to tell sinners what to do to have forgiveness of their sins and to enter the kingdom of God.
They were to repent by changing their minds and their lives. They were to be baptised by being immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in order to be saved, Matthew 28:19.
5. Each person, after being baptised, was to receive additional teaching which included all that Jesus had commanded His disciples, Matthew 28:20.
6. Jesus promised that He would be with them as they carry out this commission, Matthew 28:20.
This commission not only applied to the five hundred but to all succeeding generations of Christians. Jesus promised them that certain signs would accompany them.
They would cast out demons, Mark 16:17. They would speak with new tongues, Mark 16:17. They would pick up serpents and drink deadly poison without being hurt, Mark 16:18. They would lay their hands on sick people, and they would recover, Mark 16:18.
The apostles had already been casting out demons and healing the sick. The purpose was to confirm that what they were preaching was from God, Mark 16:18.
The book of Acts gives specific examples of most of these signs that accompanied the apostles and others. Later on, various gifts were bestowed on Christians that enabled them to do these things. The deadly poison may refer to later attempts by some to kill some of the Christians.
Final appearance of Jesus to the apostles near Jerusalem. As the day of Pentecost draws closer, Jesus makes His way to the vicinity of Jerusalem, Luke 24:44-49 / Acts 1:3-8 / 1 Corinthians 15:7.
His purpose seems to be to make final preparations for the church to be established in Jerusalem and for the preaching of the gospel to have its beginning there.
He said that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem,” Luke 24:46-47. The Jews had divided the Old Testament into three parts: the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
He says the teachings in these Old Testament books were permeated with teachings concerning Him and His coming, Luke 24:44. Thus, he fulfilled all of those things which were spoken of Him.
It is said that “He opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures,” Luke 24:45. As observed many times, the apostles had been very slow to comprehend His teachings, especially as to the nature of the kingdom He would establish.
They were still struggling with the true nature of the kingdom. To say the least, the apostles still remained somewhat confused as to the future. In opening their understanding, He may have done this in a miraculous way.
Again, He may have done this as he had “opened the minds” of the two disciples that He had joined on the way to Emmaus by taking the time to teach them in detail what they needed to know, Luke 24:31-32.
He also reminds them that as He was sending them out, they had “the promise of My Father upon you,” Luke 24:49. This had reference to the Holy Spirit, which Jesus would send upon them shortly.
He told them, “For John truly baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now,” Acts 1:5. He instructed them not to leave Jerusalem but to remain there “until you are endued with power from on high,” Luke 24:49 / Acts 1:4.
It is interesting that they are still puzzled about the coming kingdom. They asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. This might indicate they were still thinking about an earthly kingdom.
However, some think they just want to know when. They knew it was coming, but when? Since their eyes had been opened to many truths, surely by now they understood that the kingdom would not be an earthly materialistic kingdom. While they may not have known the full nature of this spiritual Kingdom, they looked forward to it with great anticipation. So Lord, when will it come?
The final words of Jesus were spoken on or near the Mount of Olives, Mark 16:19 / Luke 24:50-53 / Acts 1:9-11. It is said that He had led the apostles “as far as Bethany,” Luke 24:50.
No doubt the Lord chose a prominent spot on the southeastern slope of the mountain within the sight of Bethany, a town that had held many memories for the Lord. Luke says, “He lifted up His hands and blessed them,” Luke 24:50.
While He was blessing them, He began to float upward and disappeared as a “cloud received Him out of their sight,” Luke 24:51. Mark says, “He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God,” Mark 16:19. Now He has returned to His former glory, which He so richly deserved. He is now seated at the right hand of God.
Can you imagine the emotions that flooded through the hearts of the apostles as they watched their beloved Jesus disappear into the sky? Then they are aware that there are two men standing nearby in white clothing (angels). They reaffirm the Lord’s promise that He would come again and that He would come in the same way they had seen His leave.
The Ascension is most significant for two reasons.
1. It was the passing on of the mantle to the apostles.
Jesus had told them that He was leaving and that they would have to carry on in His place. He told them, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you,” John 20:21.
2. The Holy Spirit would now come in His place to direct the establishment of the church and its great work of preaching the gospel.
After Jesus ascended back to heaven, the apostles “worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising, and blessing God,” Luke 24:52.
John tells us, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book,” John 20:30-31. In the next chapter, he writes, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose the world itself could not contain the books that would be written,” John 21:25. The work of our Lord was the greatest work ever performed. He did so much, and He did it all in just a little over three years.