The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone event in Christian theology, serving as a testament to His divine nature and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The New Testament provides multiple accounts of those who witnessed the resurrected Christ, offering a foundation for the Christian faith and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Biblical Accounts

The Gospels and the Epistles provide detailed narratives of the resurrection and the subsequent appearances of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the first witnesses were Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary," who encountered an angel at the empty tomb. The angel proclaimed, "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said" (Matthew 28:6). Jesus later appeared to them, instructing them to inform His disciples (Matthew 28:9-10).

In the Gospel of Mark, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome visit the tomb and are greeted by a young man in a white robe who tells them of Jesus' resurrection (Mark 16:1-7). The Gospel of Luke adds that Peter ran to the tomb and found it empty, marveling at what had happened (Luke 24:12).

The Gospel of John provides a personal encounter between Mary Magdalene and the risen Christ, where Jesus calls her by name, and she recognizes Him (John 20:14-16). John also records Jesus' appearance to the disciples, where He shows them His hands and side, and they rejoice at seeing the Lord (John 20:19-20).

Post-Resurrection Appearances

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, summarizes the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus: "He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:5-6). This passage underscores the widespread witness to the resurrection, providing a robust testimony to its historicity.

The Gospel of Luke recounts the appearance of Jesus to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, where He explains the Scriptures concerning Himself and is recognized in the breaking of bread (Luke 24:13-35). Jesus also appears to the disciples in Jerusalem, where He eats with them and opens their minds to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:36-45).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus appears to Thomas, who had doubted the resurrection until he could see and touch Jesus' wounds. Jesus responds, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).

Theological Significance

The resurrection is pivotal in Christian doctrine, affirming Jesus as the Son of God and validating His teachings. It fulfills the prophecy of Psalm 16:10, "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay" . The resurrection is also a promise of eternal life for believers, as Paul writes, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Witnessing and Proclamation

The witnesses of the resurrection were commissioned to spread the Gospel. Jesus instructed His disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). The Acts of the Apostles records the bold proclamation of the resurrection by Peter and the other apostles, who declared, "God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses" (Acts 2:32).

The resurrection remains a central theme in Christian evangelism, as believers are called to testify to the risen Christ and the hope of salvation through Him.