How many times did Jesus appear after his crucifixion?

Answer 1

The story of Jesus appearing to others after his crucifixion and resurrection differs from source to source:

Mark's Gospel

Mark's Gospel was the earliest written record and should therefore be the most accurate account. However, in its original form, it finished at verse 16:8, when the young man told the women that Jesus was risen, and they fled in terror telling no one. Jesus did not appear to anyone after his crucifixion and resurrection.

The 'Long Ending' (there was also, at one stage, a 'Short Ending') was added much later to add the necessary resurrection appearances. Here Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, then to "the two of them on the road" (either the two women of Matthew or the two men of Luke), then to the eleven as they sat at a meal - a total of three times.

Matthew's Gospel

Matthew's Gospel says that Jesus appeared only once, to the eleven disciples at a mountain in Galilee, where he gave a parting speech. In this gospel there was no appearance in Jerusalem, so Jesus only appeared once, in Galilee.

Luke's Gospel

Luke's Gospel says that Jesus appeared to the two men on the road to Emmaeus, then to the eleven at a meal in the upper room in Jerusalem, after which he led them out towards Bethany, where he was taken up bodily to heaven. In this gospel, Jesus appeared two times. There could be no further appearances, because he ascended to heaven on the same day as his resurrection.

John's Gospel

John's Gospel says that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, then to ten disciples in an upper room, then eight days later to all eleven disciples in the same room, then to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee. In this gospel, Jesus appeared four times.

Acts of the Apostles

Acts of the Apostles, by the same author as Luke's Gospel, but written a little later, says that the risen Jesus was on earth for forty days and was seen by many.