Jesus's appearances after resurrection

John 20:20
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.

John 20:25
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.


John 20:27
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

canadianicon25 said:

Does it say anything in the Bible about whether or not Jesus appeared in the same body, ie: physically looked the same as before he died? Was he recognized by the people he appeared to by physical appearance or because he told them he was Jesus?

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The texts are deliberately paradoxical about that. Summed up in John's: "None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord."

Heres appearing in another form too

Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

Here he wasnt reccognized by Mary till he said her name


John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.


John 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.


John 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say,Master.

canadianicon25 said:

Does it say anything in the Bible about whether or not Jesus appeared in the same body, ie: physically looked the same as before he died? Was he recognized by the people he appeared to by physical appearance or because he told them he was Jesus?

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For Mary, she recognized him through his voice when he called her by name.

My sheep hear my voice: and I know them, and they follow me.

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I would have trouble with any theology that the resurrected body was a different body. Duality between mind and soul is something that makes the body into something like a snakes skin or clothing, rather than an integral part of who we are.

SolomonVII said:

For Mary, she recognized him through his voice when he called her by name.

I would have trouble with any theology that the resurrected body was a different body. Duality between mind and soul is something that makes the body into something like a snakes skin or clothing, rather than an integral part of who we are.

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Of course she already thinks he is the gardener, which, as Tom Wright puts it, is the right mistake to make.

I also wondered about the references to Jesus being in a different form....

Someone once asked me if the disciples could have been mistaken if Jesus looked different after His death.....

However, the disciples saw Him and were convinced enough to preach the gospel to their death after witnessing Him....

canadianicon25 said:

Does it say anything in the Bible about whether or not Jesus appeared in the same body, ie: physically looked the same as before he died? Was he recognized by the people he appeared to by physical appearance or because he told them he was Jesus?

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It was the same body which was resurrected. The body disappeared out of the tomb, and still had wounds from the crucifixion.

Trogool said:

It was the same body which was resurrected. The body disappeared out of the tomb, and still had wounds from the crucifixion.

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And yet it's a body of the new creation, not the old. It is to the old as the plant is to the seed in Paul's metaphor.

So why do you think there are the odd references to Him not being recognised straight away, but only after He revealed Himself? (Asking out of genuine curiosity, here)

Fiona01 said:

So why do you think there are the odd references to Him not being recognised straight away, but only after He revealed Himself? (Asking out of genuine curiosity, here)

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And as I already posted there is John's paradoxical phrase of non-recognition and recognition at the same time. There is something about the resurrection body/encounter that the evangelists simply do not have words for.

canadianicon25 said:

Does it say anything in the Bible about whether or not Jesus appeared in the same body, ie: physically looked the same as before he died? Was he recognized by the people he appeared to by physical appearance or because he told them he was Jesus?

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All I know is, when Christ comes in His glory, His body will not be like it was on earth (meaning it will not be flesh and blood).

What if I told you Christ comes in and with a great cloud of witness?

2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

canadianicon25 said:

what if it was some kind of vision?

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I would say dreams and visions are in line with prophecy.

Joel 2:28-31

King James Version (KJV)

28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

canadianicon25 said:

what do you mean by prophecy? what are some of the ways the person who experienced what I described should interpret or take from that experience?

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It sounds like to me that the Lord is tryin to get someones attention.

InSpiritInTruth said:

What if I told you Christ comes in and with a great cloud of witness?

2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

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It does speak of a great cloud of witnesses and also Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

And says...

Job 37:21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

Thats sorta cute because it speaks of their eyes holden (at one point) and their eyes opening (as he simultanously) vanished from their sight too

Seems to follow in accord with the ability to perceive him (in the Spirit) but not after the flesh by age (and ability to do so) given of him.

Had to cut a bunch out of this for simplication to see the patern more clearly but here

For example (watch the age references, times, seasons, milk meat etc)

1Cr 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

Whereas here...

Luke 24:16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

John 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

Luke 24:31 And their eyes **were opened**, and they **knew him**; and ***he vanished out** of their sight.

Psalm 145:15 **The eyes** of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat **in due season**.

Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Ephes 1:18 **The eyes of** your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know *what is* the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Whereas Paul says in accord...

1Cr 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and **not** with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, **neither yet** now are ye able.


Prov 27:23 Be thou diligent to know **the state** of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

1Cr 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Luke 24:16 But their eyes **were holden** that they **should not** know him.

Luke 24:31 And their eyes **were opened**, and they **knew him**; and ***he vanished out** of their sight.

2Cr 5:16 Wherefore **henceforth** know we no man after the flesh: yea, though WE HAVE known Christ after the flesh, **YET NOW** henceforth know we him no more.

Job 37:21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

Luke 24:16 But their eyes **were holden** that they **should not** know him.

Theres way way more of these but certain of them will speak to you somewhat of your own experience (times, and seasons)

They knew him "after" and "by" the flesh" (as Paul acknowledged, and can also (spiritually speaking) fleshly knowledge (can be shown after that manner) however when it "came to pass" (as it does in our own experience with Christ) the way we know him changes, and the ability (given of Him) is perceive him not after the flesh anymore (by the sight of the eyes) but by the Spirit, the eyes of our heart enlightened.

So we once have known him (one way) and it comes to pass we know him (nor any man) any more in that way. To me, it also speaks to our ongoing experience in Christ which can be seen through the pictures presented in scripture also.