Jesus’ Resurrection: Jesus’ Disciples Were Amazed
The women who discovered that Jesus’ tomb was empty and whom angels told He had risen went to the eleven disciples and related their experiences to them (see Luke 24:1-10; also see “Jesus’ Resurrection: The Women Were Stunned”). Yet “these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women” (v. 11; see also Mark 16:9-13). Peter went with John to investigate. They saw the graveclothes in the tomb but not the body (see John 20:1-10). Peter was “amazed at what had happened,” (Luke 24:12). John “saw, and believed” (John 20:8; also see “Jesus’ Resurrection: What John Saw at the Tomb“). The implication is clear that he believed at that moment—not before. Also, “they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead” (v. 9).
It is significant that when Jesus appeared to the Eleven in one place, “the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). Jesus’ closest followers “were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost” (Luke 24:37). Jesus “rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected” (Mark 16:14). He said to them, “Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have” (Luke 24:39). Also, He ate some fish in front of them (see vv. 42-43). Thomas wasn’t present at this gathering, and he vowed never to believe unless he saw and touched the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and touched the scar on His side. Eight days later, Thomas saw Jesus, and the Lord invited him to touch His scars. Thomas, who would become famous for the doubts he had voiced earlier, now believed (see John 20:19-29). The two disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus also were astounded; they didn’t expect Jesus to rise from the dead either (see Luke 24:13-32).
Even later, just before Jesus ascended back to heaven, some of His closest followers still were doubting (see Matt. 28:16-17). Yes, they soon would become convinced Jesus had risen from the dead, but their initial doubts make it clear they couldn’t have fabricated a resurrection tale.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations in SundaySchoolZone.com materials are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
