They may be arranged as follows:

1. To Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre alone. This is recorded at length only by John (20:11-18), and alluded to by (16:9-11).

2. To certain women, "the other Mary," Salome, Joanna, and others, as they returned from the sepulchre. (28:1-10) alone gives an account of this. (Comp. Mark 16:1-8, and Luke 24:1-11.)

3. To Simon Peter alone on the day of the resurrection. (See Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5.)

4. To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection, recorded fully only by (24:13-35. Comp. Mark 16:12,13).

5. To the ten disciples (Thomas being absent) and others "with them," at Jerusalem on the evening of the resurrection day. One of the evangelists gives an account of this appearance, John (20:19-24).

6. To the disciples again (Thomas being present) at Jerusalem (Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:33-40; John 20:26-28. See also 1 Cor. 15:5).

7. To the disciples when fishing at the Sea of Galilee. Of this appearance also John (21:1-23) alone gives an account.

8. To the eleven, and above 500 brethren at once, at an appointed place in Galilee (1 Cor. 15:6; comp. Matt 28:16-20).

9. To James, but under what circumstances we are not informed (1 Cor. 15:7).

10. To the apostles immediately before the ascension. They accompanied him from Jerusalem to Mount Olivet, and there they saw him ascend "till a cloud received him out of their sight" (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-52; Acts 1:4-10). It is worthy of note that it is distinctly related that on most of these occasions our Lord afforded his disciples the amplest opportunity of testing the fact of his resurrection. He conversed with them face to face. They touched him (Matt 28:9; Luke 24:39; John 20:27), and he ate bread with them (Luke 24:42,43; John 21:12,13).

In addition to the above, mention might be made of Christ's manifestation of himself to Paul at Damascus, who speaks of it as an appearance of the risen Saviour (Acts 9:3-9,17; 1 Cor 15:8; 9:1).

It is implied in the words of Luke (Acts 1:3) that there may have been other appearances of which we have no record.

The resurrection is spoken of as the act

(1) of God the Father (Ps 16:10; Acts 2:24; 3:15; Rom 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12; Heb 13:20);

(2) of Christ himself (John 2:19; 10:18); and

(3) of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).

The resurrection is a public testimony of Christ's release from his undertaking as surety, and an evidence of the Father's acceptance of his work of redemption. It is a victory over death and the grave for all his followers.

The importance of Christ's resurrection will be seen when we consider that if he rose the gospel is true, and if he rose not it is false. His resurrection from the dead makes it manifest that his sacrifice was accepted. Our justification was secured by his obedience to the death, and therefore he was raised from the dead (Rom 4:25). His resurrection is a proof that he made a full atonement for our sins, that his sacrifice was accepted as a satisfaction to divine justice, and his blood a ransom for sinners. It is also a pledge and an earnest of the resurrection of all believers (Rom 8:11; 1 Cor. 6:14; 15:47-49; Phil 3:21; 1 John 3:2). As he lives, they shall live also.