Jesus Appears to the Disciples
"Peace be with you"
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Story
What happened?
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The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
On Easter evening, Jesus suddenly stood among his disciples and said, "Peace be with you," but they thought he was a ghost. He showed them his hands and feet and ate a piece of fish in front of them, then opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and sent them to preach forgiveness to all nations. Later, near Bethany, he lifted his hands and blessed them as he was carried up into heaven, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Where it is in the Bible: Luke 24:36-53
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. He has risen from the dead.
- The disciples: Jesus's followers, gathered together in Jerusalem. Two of them have just come back from Emmaus.
Setting
- A room in Jerusalem. At the end, near the village of Bethany, on the Mount of Olives.
When
- Easter evening, about 2,000 years ago. The last scene happens forty days later (Acts 1:3).
Before the Story
On Easter morning, the tomb was empty. Angels told the women that Jesus had risen (24:5-6).
Two disciples met Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They didn't recognize him until he broke bread with them. Then he vanished (24:30-31).
They ran back to Jerusalem. They told the others what had happened (24:33-35).
Here's what you know that the disciples are still taking in: Jesus is alive. He is about to show them that he really is, body and all.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Peace be with you" | 24:36-38 | Jesus suddenly stands among them |
| 2. Hands and feet | 24:39-43 | Jesus shows them his body and eats fish |
| 3. Opened minds | 24:44-49 | Jesus explains the Scriptures |
| 4. Up into heaven | 24:50-53 | Jesus blesses them and is carried up into heaven |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4"Peace Be with You"
The disciples were still talking about what had happened.
Suddenly, Jesus himself stood among them. "Peace be with you," he said (24:36).
They were startled and frightened. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
"Why are you troubled," Jesus asked, "and why do doubts arise in your hearts?" (24:38).
Scene 2 of 4Hands and Feet
"Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have" (24:39).
He showed them his hands and feet, where the nails had been.
They were so full of joy and amazement that they still could hardly believe it.
So Jesus asked, "Do you have anything here to eat?" (24:41).
They gave him a piece of cooked fish. He took it and ate it in front of them.
A ghost can't eat fish. Jesus really was alive, in his body.
Scene 3 of 4Opened Minds
Then Jesus said that everything written about him in the Scriptures had to come true: in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
"Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" (24:45).
He said the Scriptures showed that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.
And in his name, repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations, starting in Jerusalem. To repent means to turn back to God.
"You are witnesses of these things" (24:48). A witness tells what they have seen.
Jesus said he would send them what the Father promised. They should wait in the city until they received power from heaven.
Scene 4 of 4Up into Heaven
Later, Jesus led them out as far as Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
They worshiped him. Then they went back to Jerusalem with great joy.
They were in the temple all the time, praising God.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Peace be with you" (24:36) | The first thing Jesus gives is peace, not blame. |
| "Look at My hands and My feet" (24:39) | It really was Jesus, the same one who was crucified. |
| "A spirit does not have flesh and bones" (24:39) | Jesus rose with a real body, not as a ghost. |
| "He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" (24:45) | Jesus helps people understand that the whole Bible points to him. |
| "Repentance and forgiveness of sins... to all nations" (24:47) | The good news is for everyone, everywhere. |
| "While He was blessing them" (24:51) | The last thing the disciples saw Jesus do was bless them. |
| "With great joy" (24:52) | Jesus was gone from sight, but they weren't sad. They were full of joy. |
Back Then
Bethany was a village on the Mount of Olives. It was about two miles (three kilometers) from Jerusalem. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived there (John 11:1).
Luke wrote a second book. In the book of Acts, Luke tells what happened next. He says Jesus appeared to his followers for forty days before he went up to heaven (Acts 1:3).
"What the Father promised" is the Holy Spirit. Ten days after Jesus went up to heaven, the Spirit came at Pentecost (Acts 2).
Literal Reader Alert
Did all this happen on one day? Luke tells it quickly, as if it happened at once. In Acts, Luke says Jesus appeared for forty days before he went up to heaven (Acts 1:3). Luke tells the same events in more detail there.
Did Jesus really eat after he died? Yes. Luke says so. Jesus ate to show them he wasn't a ghost. He really rose, body and all.
Where did Jesus go when he went up to heaven? He went back to the Father. Christians believe he is still with us, in a different way: through his word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper (Matthew 28:20).
Will Jesus come back? Yes. When Jesus went up, angels said he will come back the same way (Acts 1:11).
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The disciples | Frightened | They thought Jesus was a ghost (24:37) |
| The disciples | Joyful and amazed | Jesus was really alive (24:41) |
| The disciples | Worshipful | Jesus blessed them and was taken into heaven (24:52) |
| The disciples | Full of joy | They praised God in the temple (24:52-53) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What would you want to say to the risen Jesus? Tap one.
Are you really alive?
The disciples wondered too. Jesus showed them his hands and ate fish in front of them. He's real.
I have doubts
Jesus asked, "Why do doubts arise?" Then he showed them. He doesn't leave doubters alone.
Thank you
That's how the disciples ended up: praising God with great joy.
Bless me
The last thing Jesus did was bless them. He still blesses his people.
You Might Have Heard
"Jesus rose spiritually, but his body stayed in the grave."
What's true: Jesus's resurrection is more than a nice idea. It changes everything.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus said, "Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones" (24:39). Then he ate fish. Jesus rose with his real body, the one that had been nailed to the cross. That is a promise for our bodies too.
Where Jesus is: Standing in the middle of his frightened friends, saying "Peace." And then lifting his hands to bless them, as he is taken into heaven.
Good News
The disciples had run away when Jesus was arrested. Jesus came back to them with peace.
"Peace be with you" (24:36).
He showed them the wounds he received for them. He sent them to tell all nations about forgiveness of sins. And the last thing they saw was Jesus blessing them.
Jesus rose with a real body. He brings peace and forgiveness, and he blesses his people.
Big Idea
The risen Jesus stood among his disciples with a real body and said, "Peace be with you." He sent them to tell the world about forgiveness, and he blessed them as he went up to heaven.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism, Luther explains the Second Article of the Creed. He teaches that Jesus rose from the dead and lives and rules eternally. He did all this so that we may belong to him and live under him in his kingdom.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Luke 24:36b-48 on the Third Sunday of Easter in Year B. It reads Luke 24:44-53 on the Ascension of Our Lord, forty days after Easter, every year.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Peace be with you.
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Appears to the Disciples.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Third Sunday of Easter Year BGospel, Luke 24:36b–48
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Appears to the Disciples, explained in plain words. The disciples think they see a ghost. Jesus shows his hands and eats a piece of fish. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-appears-to-the-disciples/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church