Read here all about who saw Jesus first after His resurrection.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most fundamental beliefs in Christianity, representing the cornerstone of Christian faith. It is the central event that differentiates Christianity from all other religions, and it is celebrated by Christians worldwide as the most significant event in human history. According to the Easter story, Jesus was crucified and buried, but on the third day, he rose from the dead, appearing to his disciples and other witnesses before ascending to heaven.
The Bible records several accounts of Jesus’ resurrection, each providing unique perspectives and details of the event. These accounts vary in the order of events, the number of people present at the tomb, and the individuals who encountered Jesus first after his resurrection. In this article, we will explore the accounts of who saw Jesus first after his resurrection, with a particular focus on the story of Mary Magdalene, the first person to encounter the risen Jesus.
Table of Contents
- Who was Mary Magdalene ?
- Mary Magdalene’s visit to the Tomb on the First Day of the Week
- Mary Magdalene’s Discovery of the Empty Tomb in the Gospel of John 20:1-1
- Other Accounts Of Who Saw Jesus After His Resurrection
- The Similarities and Differences Between the Accounts
- The Significance of Jesus Appearing to Mary Magdalene After His Resurrection
- The Role of Women in the Early Christian Church
Who was Mary Magdalene ?
Mary Magdalene is a significant figure in the New Testament. She is believed to have been one of Jesus’ closest followers and one of the few people who witnessed his crucifixion and burial. According to the Gospels, she was a woman from the town of Magdala in Galilee and was known for her devotion to Jesus.
The Gospel of Luke describes her as a woman who had been possessed by seven demons, which Jesus had cast out of her. Following her healing, she became one of Jesus’ most loyal disciples and accompanied him on his travels throughout Galilee, along with other women who supported him.
In the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene is depicted as a key witness to the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord. She is the first to discover the empty tomb and is the first to see the risen Jesus. This encounter with Jesus led her to become an important evangelist in the early Christian church and a leading figure among the disciples.
Throughout history, Mary Magdalene has been the subject of much speculation and debate, with some scholars even suggesting that she may have been Jesus Christ’s wife or that she had a romantic relationship with him. However, there is no evidence to support these claims, and they are not supported by the biblical accounts of her life. Despite the controversy surrounding her, Mary Magdalene remains a significant figure in Christian history and a symbol of faith, devotion, and loyalty.
Mary Magdalene’s visit to the Tomb on the First Day of the Week
According to the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on the first day of the week after Jesus’ crucifixion. She had brought spices with her to anoint Jesus’ body and was likely expecting to find his body still there. However, when she arrived at the tomb, she found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance, and the tomb was empty.
She was understandably confused and distressed by this discovery; she ran to tell Peter and another disciple what she had seen. They ran to the tomb to confirm for themselves, and upon finding it empty, returned home. However, Mary remained at the tomb, weeping and mourning.
As she stood outside the tomb, two angels came; they were dressed in white, and asked her why she was crying. She explained that she was grieving because someone had taken Jesus’ body away, and she did not know where it was. At that moment, she turned around and faced a man she did not recognize, who asked her the same question.
It was only when this man spoke her name that she realized it was Jesus himself, risen from the dead. She was overjoyed and fell at his feet, but Jesus told her “Noli Me Tangere” that means not to touch Him , or not to hold onto Him, as he had not yet ascended to the Father.
Jesus then instructed her to go and tell his disciples that he had risen from the dead. Mary Magdalene obeyed and became the first person to proclaim the good news of the Lord’s resurrection to the apostles.
Mary Magdalene’s Discovery of the Empty Tomb in the Gospel of John 20:1-1
1 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
3 Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. 4 They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, 7 and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
11 But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”
She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!”* which is to say, “Teacher!”†
17 Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her. 19 When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
Other Accounts Of Who Saw Jesus After His Resurrection
In addition to Mary Magdalene, the Bible records several other accounts of who saw Jesus after his resurrection. These accounts vary in the number of people present, the location of the encounters, and the specific details of what happened.
According to the Gospels, two disciples encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus, but did not initially recognize him until he revealed himself to them. Later, Jesus appeared to the disciples in a locked room, showing them his hands and feet and inviting them to touch him to prove that he was not a ghost.
In another account, Christ appeared to a group of his disciples by the Sea of Galilee, where he performed a miraculous catch of fish and shared a meal with them. He also appeared to his brother James, who became a leader in the early Christian church.
Finally, the Gospels mention that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people at once, although the exact circumstances of this encounter are not described in detail.
While these accounts differ in their specifics, they all share the common theme of Jesus appearing to his followers after his resurrection, strengthening their faith and confirming his divinity.
The Similarities and Differences Between the Accounts
The various accounts of who saw Jesus first after his resurrection share some similarities, but they also have some significant differences. Here are some of the key similarities and differences between these accounts:
Similarities:
- All of the accounts emphasize that Jesus had truly risen from the dead and had appeared to his followers.
- In each case, Jesus’ appearance was unexpected and caused great excitement and amazement among those who saw him.
- Jesus’ followers were initially skeptical or frightened, but eventually came to believe that he had truly risen from the dead.
Differences:
- The number of people present varies between the accounts, ranging from just one person (Mary Magdalene) to more than 500.
- The location of the encounters varies, with some taking place in Jerusalem, while others took place in other parts of Israel.
- The specific details of the encounters are different in each case. For example, Mary Magdalene initially mistakes Jesus for a gardener, while the apostles on the road to Emmaus do not recognize him until he breaks bread with them.
- The reaction of those who see the risen Christ varies, with some falling at his feet in worship, while others are initially frightened or skeptical.
Despite these differences, all of the accounts of who saw Jesus first after his resurrection share a common theme of confirming the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and strengthening the faith of his followers. They also highlight the importance of personal encounters with the risen Christ in the development of Christian belief.
The Significance of Jesus Appearing to Mary Magdalene After His Resurrection
Mary Magdalene being the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection is significant for several reasons.
Firstly, it underscores the importance of women in the early Christian church. During this time, women were often marginalized and their voices were not heard. However, the fact that Mary Magdalene was the first person to witness the risen Christ and was entrusted with the task of proclaiming his resurrection to the disciples is a powerful symbol of the value and importance of women in Christianity.
Secondly, Mary Magdalene’s encounter with resurrected Christ is significant because it shows that He himself chose to appear to people who were not considered to be important or powerful in society. Mary Magdalene was a woman, and at the time, women were not regarded as reliable witnesses. Additionally, she was from a small town and was not someone of high social standing. However, this encounter with Jesus elevated her status and gave her a prominent role in the early Christian church.
Finally, Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus is significant because it underscores the power of faith and devotion. She remained at the tomb, weeping and mourning, until she encountered Jesus himself. Her unwavering faith and devotion allowed her to witness one of the most significant events in human history and become a key figure in the early Christian church.
The Role of Women in the Early Christian Church
At the time, women were often marginalized and excluded from positions of power and influence in the society. Yet, the role of women in the early Christian church was significant, as women played important roles in the life of Jesus and in the establishment and growth of the early Christian church.
Jesus himself had a number of female followers, including Mary Magdalene, who was one of his closest companions. Other women who followed Jesus included Joanna, Susanna, and Mary, the mother of James and Joses. These women provided practical support to Jesus and the disciples, including financial support, and accompanied Jesus on his travels throughout Galilee.
Mary, the first witness of Christ’s resurrection, shared the good news with the apostles. Other women, including Joanna and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, were also present at the tomb and witnessed the miraculous events.
In addition to their roles as witnesses, women also played important roles in the growth and development of the early Christian church. Women were involved in evangelism and teaching, and many of the house churches that sprang up in the early Christian movement were led by women. Phoebe, for example, is described in the New Testament as a deaconess and a leader of the church at Cenchreae.
Despite these significant contributions, women were often marginalized and excluded from positions of power and influence in the early Christian church. However, the role of women in the early Christian church provides an important model for the inclusion and participation of women in religious institutions, and has paved the way for women to take on more prominent roles in Christian leadership in modern times.
Final Thoughts
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of Christian faith, and the accounts of who saw Jesus first after his resurrection provide unique perspectives on this significant event. Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus is particularly significant, as she was the first to witness the risen Christ and was entrusted with the task of proclaiming his resurrection to the apostles.
Mary Magdalene’s role as a key witness and leader in the early Christian church underscores the importance of women in Christianity and the transformative power of faith and devotion. Ultimately, the resurrection of Jesus represents the triumph of life over death and continues to be celebrated by Christians worldwide as the most significant event in human history.
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