Jesus Christ appeared to hundreds of his followers over the forty-day period between his Resurrection and Ascension, but two specific groups were blessed to see and interact with the risen Christ first. On the morning after his Resurrection, he first appeared to Mary Magdalene and other female disciples at the tomb and then to Cleopas and another disciple traveling on the road to Emmaus. These two groups interacted with the resurrected Savior in varying (although sometimes intersecting) ways that made these experiences uniquely adapted for each group and even for each individual. Some were able to observe the spiritual power of Jesus in his sudden appearance in their midst, while others were able to observe his physical nature through feeling the wounds in his hands and feet. Even though the settings, people, locations, times, and interactions may have been different, the resurrected Savior personally appeared to and communicated with each group, teaching them about his identity as the risen Christ, correcting mistaken information, and providing them with instructions for the future.

Surprisingly, the individuals in these groups, identified as his disciples, did not immediately recognize Jesus when he first appeared to them after his Resurrection. They thought he might be a gardener, a stranger, or a passing traveler, clearly demonstrating that there was, and still is, an important difference between seeing someone and recognizing someone. Mary and Cleopas, along with the other disciples present at these appearances, physically saw and spoke to a man, who was Jesus Christ, with their physical eyes; however, they did not recognize his true identity until he opened their spiritual eyes and minds through visual, audible, and tangible signs and teachings.

The behaviors and actions of these two groups after the death of the Savior indicated that they had certain expectations for the Lord. They expected him to continue to teach them until they understood the fullness of his gospel, they expected him to lead them as the head of his new earthly church, and they expected him to restore and redeem the kingdom of Israel as a warrior-king. However, three days after his Crucifixion, the disciples went to his tomb also expecting to find the body of the deceased Jesus. These conflicting expectations led to feelings of sadness, disappointment, fear, and confusion. It was only through the personal appearance of the risen Christ to Mary and Cleopas, as well as other disciples, that their mistaken expectations were able to be corrected, allowing the disciples to recognize the true identity, purpose, and significance of the resurrected Savior and to react with feelings of joy, hope, peace, and clarity.

As disciples of Christ, we have a lot in common with Mary and Cleopas. We all have certain inconsistent expectations of the Lord and his church, which, when they are not fulfilled according to our own limited mortal understanding can at times hinder our view of the Savior so that even when he is near enough for us to feel his presence and “see” him, we are not able to truly recognize him and the significant role he plays in our lives. If we study the ways that Jesus Christ was able to open the spiritual eyes and minds of his disciples in his appearances to them, we may also be able to correct our own mistaken expectations; recognize his true identity, meaning, and significance as our Redeemer; and react with the same feelings of joy, hope, peace, and clarity.

On the morning after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna, and other female disciples went to the tomb to seek the Crucified Jesus of Nazareth to anoint his body with oils and spices (Matthew 28:1, 5; Mark 16:1–2, 6, 9; Luke 23:56; 24:1, 10; John 20:1). Although they were seeking him with the righteous intent to serve the Lord through this anointing, they mistakenly expected to find his body still lying inside the tomb (Mark 16:3–4). Upon reaching the tomb and finding it empty, their expectations concerning the Lord were not fulfilled, which caused feelings of sadness and confusion, leading them to openly weep and assume that someone had taken or moved his body (Luke 24:4; John 20:2, 11, 13). Angels clothed in shining white soon appeared, sometimes with a countenance like lightning and accompanied by earthquakes, which added fear and panic to the women’s already overwhelming feelings of sadness and confusion (Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:5).

The angels attempted to correct the mistaken expectations of Mary Magdalene and her companions by asking, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5). These women were righteously “seeking” Jesus of Nazareth but were looking in the wrong place! The angels continued, “He is not here, but risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:6–7). The women admitted to remembering those words of the Lord. However, their focus was set on the trial and Crucifixion so that they lost sight of the most important aspect—that he would rise again. The angels explained to the women that Jesus was not in the tomb, where deceased people are found, but instead that he would be among the living in his homeland of Galilee, continuing his work (Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:7). If they looked for him there, in the right place, the angels promised the disciples would see him soon. Although the women still felt fear and apprehension, these feelings were now accompanied by amazement and joy (Matthew 28:8; Mark 16:8).

In the Gospel of John, the personal experience of Mary Magdalene at the tomb is recounted. After her interaction with the angels, she turned and “saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus,” demonstrating that there is a difference between physically “seeing” Jesus and spiritually “knowing” Jesus (John 20:14). The Greek word translated as “saw” (theōrei) in this verse is connected to the word for watching a play at a theater.[1] Mary was a spectator in the audience of this appearance of the Lord, passively watching the man on the stage but not fully understanding the meaning or purpose of what she was seeing. She knew she was near the tomb, where she expected to find a gardener, whom she identified as the man she was watching (John 20:15).

It took only one specific word from the Lord for Mary to truly recognize him as the risen Christ. Jesus said to her, “Mary,” reciting her personal name, causing her to actively turn toward him and call him by his title rabboni, which means “master” or “teacher” (John 20:16). At this moment, Mary was transformed from a passive spectator watching a scene unfold to an active performer participating in a life-changing event. She did not recognize the Lord until she physically turned to him, symbolizing the dynamic change and active transition required for someone to develop a personal relationship with the Savior. Later, when she told the other disciples and Apostles about this experience, she proclaimed, “I have seen the Lord,” with the Greek word for “seen” (heōraka) here referring not only to seeing with physical eyes but also to seeing with a spiritual perception that leads to comprehension (John 20:18).[2] Hearing the Savior call her name and then actively turning toward him allowed her to grasp a divine spiritual truth from a mortal physical level.

However, Mary still identified Jesus according to her own earthly expectations of him as her rabboni, or teacher. She expected Jesus to continue to be physically present in her life, personally instructing her about his gospel until she and the other disciples could reach a full understanding. The Lord then instructed Mary to “touch me not” (mē mou haptou), with the Joseph Smith Translation altering the verse to “hold me not,” clarifying that the Greek word referred not just to touching but the more powerful clinging, grasping, gripping, or clutching (John 20:17).[3] The Savior was explaining to Mary that he will not always be physically present for her to cling to in her learning and understanding of the gospel but instead will be spiritually present as she takes an active position in studying and growing in knowledge herself. The Lord would always be her rabboni and teacher, but she would soon need to take the initiative to seek his presence through the Spirit for further comprehension.

Mary and the Resurrected Lord, by Harry Anderson. Courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus also spoke only one word to the other female disciples that lead to their realization that he was the risen Christ. He called out “greetings!” (chairete) to them, a word connected with the Greek root for “rejoicing” or “gladness” (Matthew 28:9).[4] These disciples then went to the Lord, fell at his feet, and worshipped him, demonstrating the connections between seeing and recognizing the Savior, worship, and rejoicing. These feelings of joy, hope, and jubilation that resulted from recognizing the true identity of the Lord were a major shift from the earlier feelings of sadness, fear, and confusion associated with mistaken expectations. President Reyna I. Aburto has testified that “through the redeeming Atonement and glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ, broken hearts can be healed, anguish can become peace, and distress can become hope. He can embrace us in His arms of mercy, comforting, empowering, and healing each of us.”[5] These interactions with the resurrected Christ led Mary Magdalene and the other female disciples at the tomb to personally share their experiences with other disciples and the Apostles.

As disciples of Christ, we also sometimes have mistaken expectations for the Savior or our spiritual path through life, which can result in disappointment and confusion. Many times we have a righteous intent and purpose, like the female disciples going to the tomb to seek Jesus, but we are looking in the wrong place, or “beyond the mark,” and lose sight of or fail to recognize the real identity of the risen Christ (Jacob 4:14). There are also angels around us reminding us of his words and where to look for him, including seeking him in his home, the house of the Lord. If we look for him there, we will not only feel his presence but learn how to recognize him in our own lives. Like Mary, we must listen carefully for him to call our name, and we must actively turn toward him, not passively clinging like a spectator but carefully listening to the Spirit to become a dynamic participant in our own gospel learning and knowledge. Then we might also experience the rejoicing, hope, and jubilation that results from a comprehension of and personal relationship with our Redeemer, leading us to share our faith in Jesus Christ with others.

Later in the day after the appearance of Jesus Christ to Mary Magdalene and other female disciples at the tomb, two disciples were walking on the road from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus (Luke 24:13). These disciples, one named Cleopas, who may have been the brother-in-law of Jesus’s mother, and the other unnamed, were “talking” (hōmiloun), “communing” (homilein), and “reasoning” (syzētein) over the death of Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 24:14–15, 18; John 19:25).[6] Some of the Greek root words for these types of communication were commonly connected with disputations and arguments, along with feelings of uncertainty and resentment. The disciples clearly had certain expectations for Jesus, whom they “trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel,” but instead of saving or restoring their land and people as a powerful warrior or king, Jesus had been put on trial, condemned, crucified, and laid in a tomb (Luke 24:21). These mistaken and unfulfilled expectations left the disciples feeling sadness, confusion, and bitterness, leading them to publicly deliberate and dispute with each other about how and why this happened.

As they were walking on the road, Jesus came near to them, heard their conversation, and began walking with them, “but their eyes were holden that they should not know him” (Luke 24:15–16). Although they were his disciples, knew of the events of his life, were concerned about what had happened to him, and may have even been related to him, their physical eyes were not able to “know” or recognize his true identity as the resurrected Christ. The Greek word translated as “know” (epignōnai) in this verse expresses the idea of experiential knowledge through a direct relationship and is used to describe the bond between Heavenly Father and his Son, as well as how much the Savior personally “knows” all of us (see Matthew 11:27; Mark 2:8; 5:30; Luke 5:22).[7] Although Cleopas and the other disciple were followers of Jesus, they had not yet fully developed an innate personal relationship with the Savior that allowed them to truly see and recognize him with both physical and spiritual eyes.

Commenting on their sad demeanors, Jesus requested to know what events the two disciples were discussing (Luke 24:17). Cleopas was shocked that the man did seem to not know what had occurred over the past few days and assumed that he must be “only a stranger in Jerusalem” (Luke 24:18). After Jesus questioned further, the disciples remarked that they were speaking of “Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word” (Luke 24:19). Not only had Cleopas and the other disciple misidentified Jesus as a stranger, but they have also now characterized him primarily as a prophet who performed important works, rather than as the Christ. They admitted that they had trusted that Jesus of Nazareth would become a Redeemer of Israel but that his death three days ago had led to confusion and disappointment (Luke 24:20–21). These two disciples had expected Jesus to not only continue his role as a prophet performing miracles and teaching the gospel but also to be physically present to victoriously save and restore the kingdom of Israel from its conquerors and enemies as a warrior-king. Instead, they thought that these same conquerors and enemies had defeated him through death.

Jesus then responded that they were behaving foolishly, remarking that he knew Cleopas and the other disciple had heard and read the teachings of the prophets about the Christ, yet were slow to believe and understand them (Luke 24:25). He reminded them that they had the correct information about what to accurately expect of the Savior through the spoken and written words of the prophets, yet they had not focused on diligently studying and comprehending these teachings. He reminded them that these prophets had distinctly prophesied that the Redeemer of Israel would go through suffering and death as integral components of the plan “to enter into his glory” (Luke 24:26).

Jesus then accompanied the two disciples on their seven-mile journey to Emmaus, while sharing and expounding all the words of the prophets and scriptures concerning the Christ, beginning with Moses (Luke 24:13, 27). Even though Cleopas and the other disciple had not recognized Jesus, had misidentified him as a stranger, had mistaken expectations for him, and had not carefully studied the words of the prophets or scriptures, Jesus compassionately walked with them for hours, listening to their concerns, teaching them about the gospel, correcting inaccurate ideas, and showing them how to properly study and interpret scripture. Nevertheless, the disciples still did not recognize him.

When the group arrived in Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion kindly invited the stranger to come inside and dine with them (Luke 24:28–29). While sitting with them, Jesus took some bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them (Luke 24:30). At that moment, “their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight” (Luke 24:31). These two disciples were finally able to recognize the Lord through participating in the ordinance of the sacrament, which symbolized the vast knowledge they had just been taught about the crucified and resurrected Savior, by the risen Christ himself. They were finally able to “know” him through first having their minds spiritually “opened” (root dianoigo) to the truths found in the writings of the prophets in the scriptures on the road, and then having their eyes spiritually “opened” (root dianoigo) through the symbols and signs of the sacrament in Emmaus (Luke 24:31–32).[8] An act of kindness toward a stranger resulted in a powerful understanding of the Lord’s own compassionate sacrifice.

The Supper at Emmaus, by Rembrandt. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The two disciples admitted that they had felt something burning in their hearts earlier while the man walked and talked with them but did not acknowledge or act on the feeling at the time (Luke 24:32). Although they had spent hours listening to and learning from the Savior and felt the Spirit testifying boldly to them, they had been passive spectators, watching a stranger speak about the scriptures, instead of actively listening to the Spirit and participating in their own spiritual growth and learning. However, the process of learning about the scriptures, joining in the ordinance of the sacrament, and recognizing the Spirit enabled them to attain a higher level of gospel knowledge, even with previously mistaken and unfulfilled expectations. President Henry B. Eyring has remarked, “If we pay close attention to those moments when our hearts ‘burn within us’ (Luke 24:32), our eyes can be opened and we will see His hand in our lives.”[9] This experience with the resurrected Christ lead Cleopas and the other disciple to immediately return to Jerusalem and seek out the eleven Apostles to share what Jesus had taught them about the scriptures and partaking in the sacrament with him (Luke 24:33–35).

While they were speaking with the Apostles in Jerusalem, Jesus suddenly appeared in the middle of them, saying, “Peace be unto you,” but because they assumed he must be a spirit, they became terrified, afraid, and troubled (Luke 24:36–38). Even though they had just interacted with the resurrected Christ in several physical ways, watching him walk, talk, and prepare and partake of the sacrament, they had also watched him abruptly vanish and now reappear among them, even behind closed doors. They believed and recognized that this person was their leader and teacher Jesus, who had been crucified, but expected a deceased man, especially one with inexplicable mobility, to only exist in spirit form. The Savior corrected their mistaken expectations through inviting them to personally come to him and touch his hands and his feet so they could “see” (idete) he had a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39).

They had already spent hours “seeing” the resurrected Christ, yet it took Cleopas and the other disciple the movement of actively going to the Savior and tangibly experiencing him to recognize and comprehend his true spiritual and physical identities. Their leader, teacher, and Redeemer would not always be physically present among them but would always be spiritually among them through the ordinance of the sacrament, which symbolized the broken and resurrected body they had just experienced. He may not remain with them there, but he had provided a way for them to remain with him every time they prepared, blessed, and partook of the sacrament. Jesus connected these teachings to the fulfillment of the law of Moses and the prophecies about him, enabling the disciples to better understand the concepts of repentance and the remission of sins through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Christ (Luke 24:44–47).

Jesus then instructed the disciples to go and preach the gospel in his name, promised them that they would be endued with power from on high, lifted his hands and blessed them, and then ascended into heaven (Luke 24:47–51). The hours spent learning about the scriptures, listening to the Spirit, performing service, partaking in the sacrament, and focusing on the Savior led to spiritual power and blessings for the disciples of the Lord, who felt “great joy” and returned to Jerusalem so they could be “continually in the temple, praising and blessing God” (Luke 24:52–53). The disciples knew they could continue to seek and learn about the Redeemer through visiting the temple and sharing his gospel with others. Their initial feelings of sadness, confusion, and despair that resulted from mistaken expectations had been replaced by the joy, clarity, and hope that comes from a true knowledge of and relationship with the resurrected Lord.

Like Cleopas and the other disciple on the road to Emmaus, we also sometimes feel like our expectations for the Savior, our faith, or our lives are not fulfilled, especially according to our limited mortal understanding. The negative feelings that can result from these unfulfilled expectations occasionally cause us to dispute with others, or even contend within ourselves, instead of feeling the message of peace that the Lord is trying to bring us. These issues can also blind us from “seeing” or recognizing the presence of Jesus Christ, acknowledging the Spirit, and comprehending what his sacrifice and Resurrection really mean to us. Jesus spent hours with his disciples, walking with them, listening to their concerns, explaining scriptures to them, teaching the gospel, and preparing, blessing, and offering the sacrament to them. We can also spend hours with the Savior in much the same ways through reading his words, performing acts of service, studying the scriptures, listening to the living prophets, partaking in the sacrament, sharing the gospel with others, and spending time in the temple. Although he may not be physically present here with us now, he has provided innumerable opportunities for us to personally see him, recognize him, know him, and be near to him.

The disciples Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna, Cleopas, and others were some of the first individuals to see the risen Jesus Christ. Their experiences with the earliest appearances of the resurrected Savior had some similarities, demonstrating that his compassion and gospel are universally for all people, but also had some differences, showing that our Redeemer knows each one of us personally and knows what we need individually. Some of the disciples in both groups were not named. This anonymity allows us to see ourselves as these unnamed disciples, to place ourselves in their positions, examine their behaviors, and learn from their distinct experiences with the Lord so that when he returns we will be prepared to recognize and welcome him. How can we learn from their experiences so that we will recognize him when he is among us?

One of the foremost consistencies among these appearances of the resurrected Christ was the compassion and empathy of the Savior to his disciples. When they were disappointed, confused, and felt lost, he first sent angels to help them, and then personally appeared to them himself, bringing them “rejoicings” and “peace,” calling them by name, and inviting them to come to him. He was misidentified as a gardener and a stranger, yet emphatically listened to their griefs, doubts, and pains, spending hours talking and walking with them. In much the same way, he is consistently a part of our own journeys through life, especially when we are feeling disappointed, lost, or confused. The Atonement of Jesus Christ has given him a perfect understanding and knowledge of our hearts, minds, and spirits, enabling him to help us on an individual and personal level. Like Mary and Cleopas, we only need to listen for him to call our name, actively turn toward him, acknowledge the Spirit, and go to him when we need support.

Jesus used specific teachings and activities to help the disciples understand his true resurrected identity and role as the Redeemer. The angels reminded the female disciples of the Savior’s words and that he would be found in his home, while Jesus spoke with the disciples on the road to Emmaus for hours about the writings of the prophets in the scriptures. We too can seek Jesus Christ in his home, including the numerous temples and chapels on the earth today, as well study the writings of the prophets to learn about the eternal nature of the Savior, beginning with his role in the Creation, guidance as Jehovah, ministry on the earth, Second Coming, and millennial reign. We are also additionally blessed to hear the contemporary words of living prophets, who continually lead and instruct us according to what we need in our own latter days. If we study, understand, and remember these writings and teachings of the prophets and the scriptures, we can be better prepared to recognize Jesus Christ when he comes again.

Performing acts of service and kindness also laid a foundation for Mary, Cleopas, and the other disciples to recognize the Savior. Mary and the female disciples at the tomb came to anoint his body, while Cleopas and the other disciple invited a stranger inside to share a meal. Our own service and kindness to others can help us emulate and truly understand the compassionate nature of the Lord, whose Atonement, Crucifixion, and Resurrection were performed as acts of perfect mercy, charity, and love. We can also serve others through sharing his gospel, as the disciples at the tomb and on the road immediately rushed to do after their experiences with the Savior. While Jesus would always be their (and our) spiritual leader and teacher, he instructed them (and us), to take on the roles of the earthly leaders of his Church and teachers of his gospel. He has promised us that when we are sharing the gospel in his name, he will be with us always.

Some of the disciples were able to experience the Savior tangibly through physical interactions and feeling the wounds in his hands and feet. We have not had these opportunities yet, but he has provided a way for us to remember the sacrifice of his body and blood through the signs and symbols of the ordinance of the sacrament. Preparing, blessing, and partaking of the bread and water enables us to tangibly know him, take on his name, and invite his spirit to be with us. Mary, Cleopas, and the other disciples learned from their experiences that they needed to take an active role in their faith and growth in spiritual knowledge. Mary had to listen carefully for him to call her name and then physically turn toward him, while Cleopas had to listen carefully to the Spirit and then physically go to the Lord. Like the disciples, we must also not be passive spectators in our spiritual journey to develop a personal relationship with the Savior, but rather active participants because he wants us to diligently work to know him as well as he knows us.

Studying the experiences of the first individuals to see the risen Christ has taught us where to seek him, what to look for, who can help us, and why understanding his true identity and purpose is so important. We are on the same journey as the disciples at the tomb and on the road, righteously seeking him in times of sadness, doubts, and despair, and finding him with joy, faith, and hope. Like them, our persistence and diligence can help us grasp divine spiritual truths from mortal physical levels so that we can be prepared to welcome him when he returns, truly recognizing him and knowing him. For now, we might “see [him] through a glass, darkly” because we “know in part,” but someday we will be “face to face” with the Savior and “know even as also [he is] known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Notes

[1] Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, ed. Willliam F. Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich (University of Chicago Press, 1957), 360.

[2] Bauer, Greek-English Lexicon, 581–82.

[3] Bauer, Greek-English Lexicon, 102.

[4] Bauer, Greek-English Lexicon, 881–82.

[5] Reyna I. Aburto, “The Grave Has No Victory,” Liahona, May 2021, 86.

[6] Bauer, Greek-English Lexicon, 568, 783.

[7] Bauer, Greek-English Lexicon, 290–91.

[8] Bauer, Greek-English Lexicon, 186.

[9] Henry B. Eyring, “‘Walk with Me,’” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 85.