Who Witnessed the Resurrection of Jesus?
The resurrection of Jesus was not witnessed in the sense that anyone saw the actual moment Jesus rose from the dead. The Gospels are unanimous in their silence about the precise instant of resurrection. Instead, the first evidence of the resurrection was the discovery of the empty tomb. According to all four Gospels, a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to the tomb early on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus’ body (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). They found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
The angelic message to the women is crucial: “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6). The empty tomb, accompanied by the angelic announcement, forms the first public sign of the resurrection. The women, as the first witnesses to the empty tomb, are significant in a first-century Jewish context, where women’s testimony was often undervalued. The Gospel writers’ inclusion of women as the first witnesses speaks to the authenticity of the accounts, as it is unlikely such a detail would be invented in that cultural setting.
Mary Magdalene: The First to See the Risen Jesus
Among the women, Mary Magdalene occupies a special place. According to John’s Gospel, after discovering the empty tomb, Mary remained outside weeping. It was then that Jesus appeared to her, though she did not recognize him at first. When Jesus spoke her name, she realized who he was: “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher)” (John 20:16). Jesus then instructed her not to cling to him, but to go and tell the disciples that he was alive and ascending to the Father (John 20:17).
Mark’s Gospel also affirms that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9). Her role as the first to see the risen Jesus and to announce the resurrection to the disciples has led some to call her “the apostle to the apostles.” Her testimony is foundational.
Other Women at the Tomb
The other women who accompanied Mary Magdalene also encountered the risen Jesus. Matthew records that as they were running to tell the disciples, “Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him” (Matthew 28:9). This encounter further establishes the women as the first human witnesses to the risen Lord.
Peter and the Beloved Disciple
After hearing the women’s report, Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved (understood to be John) ran to the tomb. John’s Gospel records that John arrived first, saw the linen cloths, and believed, though he did not yet understand the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from the dead (John 20:8-9). Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths as well (Luke 24:12; John 20:6-7). While these disciples did not see Jesus at the tomb, their inspection of the empty tomb and grave clothes provided further evidence of the resurrection.
Later, Jesus appeared to Peter (also called Cephas). Luke mentions that “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34). Paul also lists Peter as the first male witness to the resurrection in his summary of the gospel tradition (1 Corinthians 15:5).
The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus
Luke’s Gospel provides a detailed account of Jesus’ appearance to two disciples traveling to Emmaus. As they walked, Jesus joined them, though they did not recognize him. He explained the Scriptures concerning himself, and when he broke bread with them, “their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Luke 24:31). They immediately returned to Jerusalem to report their encounter to the eleven remaining disciples and those gathered with them.
The Eleven Disciples
Jesus appeared to the gathered disciples on multiple occasions. On the evening of the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples (minus Thomas) in a locked room, saying, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19; Luke 24:36). He showed them his hands and side, ate with them, and explained the Scriptures (Luke 24:39-43). A week later, Jesus appeared again, this time with Thomas present. Thomas, who had doubted, confessed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
Matthew’s Gospel records that the eleven disciples went to Galilee, where Jesus appeared to them and gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). These appearances were not fleeting visions but involved physical interaction, teaching, and shared meals, proving the bodily nature of Jesus’ resurrection.
Other Witnesses
Paul’s summary in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 provides a valuable catalog of post-resurrection appearances, some of which are not detailed in the Gospels. Paul writes: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
Paul’s mention of Jesus appearing to more than five hundred people at once is remarkable. While the Gospels do not record this event, Paul’s statement suggests that the resurrection was witnessed by a large and diverse group, many of whom were still alive when Paul wrote, and could be consulted as living witnesses.
Paul also notes that Jesus appeared to James, Jesus’ brother, who became a leader in the Jerusalem church. This appearance is not described in the Gospels but is significant, as James had not been a follower of Jesus during his earthly ministry (John 7:5).
Finally, Paul includes himself as a witness, referring to his encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). Though this appearance occurred after Jesus’ ascension, Paul regards it as a genuine resurrection appearance.
Conclusion - Who Witnessed the Resurrection of Jesus?
Scripture tells us that many witnessed the resurrected Jesus. The resurrection appearances were not isolated or subjective experiences. They occurred at different times, in various locations, and to individuals and groups. The witnesses included women and men, skeptics and believers, individuals and crowds. The diversity and number of witnesses strengthen the credibility of the resurrection accounts.
The witnesses did not expect Jesus to rise from the dead. The women went to the tomb to anoint a corpse, not to meet a risen Lord. The disciples were fearful and doubting. Thomas demanded physical proof. The transformation of these witnesses–from fear and despair to bold proclamation–testifies to the reality of their encounters with the risen Jesus.
Their testimony, preserved in the New Testament, forms the foundation of Christian faith and hope. As Peter proclaimed, “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32). The resurrection was a public event attested by many, inviting all to believe in the living Christ.