What Happened After Jesus Was Resurrected? A Detailed Look at the Events Following the Resurrection

Published: April 2025 | Reading Time: 7 minutes
Tags: Jesus Resurrection, Christianity, New Testament, Easter, Faith

Why the Resurrection of Jesus Matters

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith. Celebrated every Easter, it represents victory over death and the promise of eternal life. But many people wonder — what exactly happened after Jesus rose from the dead? This blog post walks through the key events after the resurrection, based on the Bible, and explains their lasting significance for believers today.

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1. Jesus Rose from the Dead on the Third Day

According to the Gospels (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20), Jesus was crucified on a Friday and buried in a tomb. On the third day—Sunday morning—He rose from the dead. This miraculous event was first discovered by women followers, including Mary Magdalene, who found the tomb empty.

Key Bible Verse:

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” – Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

Why This Matters:

• Confirms Jesus' divinity.

• Fulfills Old Testament prophecy.

• Validates Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:14).

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2. Jesus Appeared to His Followers Over 40 Days

After the resurrection, Jesus didn’t immediately ascend to heaven. Instead, He stayed on earth for 40 days, appearing to more than 500 people (1 Corinthians 15:6). These appearances were crucial for strengthening the faith of the early church.

Major Appearances:

• Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18)

• Disciples on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35)

• The Eleven Disciples (Luke 24:36–49, John 20:19–23)

• Doubting Thomas (John 20:24–29)

• Breakfast by the Sea (John 21)

Key Takeaway:

Jesus showed His resurrected body, ate with the disciples, and allowed them to touch His wounds — confirming He was physically alive, not just a spirit or vision.

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3. Jesus Gave the Great Commission

One of the most important moments after His resurrection was when Jesus gave His followers a mission:

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20):

“Go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

What This Means for Christians Today:

• Spread the Gospel.

• Baptize believers.

• Teach and disciple others.

This command still fuels modern Christian evangelism and missionary work.

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4. Jesus Ascended to Heaven

40 days after His resurrection, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives. There, He gave final instructions and ascended into heaven in their presence (Acts 1:9–11).

Key Moment:

“...He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” – Acts 1:9 (NIV)

Two angels appeared and told the disciples He would return in the same way — a cornerstone belief known as the Second Coming.

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5. The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

Before ascending, Jesus told His followers to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4–5). Ten days later, during Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit came upon them in power.

Impact of Pentecost:

• Disciples began preaching boldly in many languages.

• Over 3,000 people were baptized that day.

• This marked the birth of the Christian Church.

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Final Thoughts: The Resurrection Is Just the Beginning

What happened after Jesus was resurrected wasn’t the end — it was the beginning of the global Christian movement. His resurrection proved He is the Son of God, His appearances confirmed the truth to His followers, and His ascension pointed to a future return. The coming of the Holy Spirit empowered believers to spread the message — and that mission continues today.

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FAQs

Q: How long did Jesus stay on earth after His resurrection?

A: 40 days, according to Acts 1:3.

Q: Who was the first person to see Jesus after the resurrection?

A: Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18).

Q: What is the significance of the resurrection?

A: It validates Jesus as the Messiah and confirms the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him.

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Want to Learn More?

👉 Check out these recommended Bible passages:

• Luke 24

• John 20–21

• Acts 1–2

• 1 Corinthians 15

What Do Muslims Believe About Jesus? A Detailed Look at Islamic Beliefs

When people think of Jesus, they often associate Him with Christianity. However, Jesus (known as Isa in Arabic) holds a significant and revered place in Islam as well. Muslims around the world honor Jesus as a prophet, a messenger, and a miraculous figure—but their beliefs differ from those of Christians in key theological aspects. So, what do Muslims believe about Jesus? Let’s explore the Islamic perspective on Jesus Christ based on the Qur’an and authentic Islamic teachings.

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Jesus in the Qur’an

In Islam, Jesus is known as ‘Isa ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary). He is mentioned by name over 25 times in the Qur’an and is considered one of the most important prophets in Islam. Muslims believe that Jesus was sent by Allah (God) to guide the Children of Israel with a new scripture, the Injil (Gospel).

Key Quranic References to Jesus:

• Surah Al-Imran (3:45-47) – Describes the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus.

• Surah Maryam (19:16-36) – Provides a detailed narrative of Mary and the birth of Jesus.

• Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:110) – Lists miracles performed by Jesus.

• Surah An-Nisa (4:157-158) – Addresses the Islamic belief about the crucifixion.

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Core Muslim Beliefs About Jesus

1. Jesus Was a Prophet, Not the Son of God

Muslims do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God or divine in any way. In Islam, God is one and indivisible (Tawhid). Associating partners with God, including claiming that God has a son, is considered shirk—the gravest sin in Islam.

"Indeed, the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger of Allah..."
– (Qur’an, 4:171)

2. The Virgin Birth

Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, affirming that Mary (Maryam) conceived Him miraculously by the will of God, without any male intervention.

"She said, ‘My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?’ [The angel] said, ‘Such is Allah; He creates what He wills...’"
– (Qur’an, 3:47)

3. Jesus Performed Miracles

According to the Qur’an, Jesus performed numerous miracles by the permission of Allah. These include:

• Speaking as a baby

• Healing the blind and lepers

• Raising the dead

• Creating a bird from clay and breathing life into it

"...you healed the blind and the leper by My permission. And you brought forth the dead by My permission..."
– (Qur’an, 5:110)

4. Jesus Was Not Crucified

One of the most distinct differences between Islamic and Christian beliefs is the crucifixion. Muslims believe that Jesus was not crucified, nor killed, but rather raised to Heaven by God. Someone else was made to appear like Him and was crucified in His place.

"...they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him..."
– (Qur’an, 4:157)

5. Jesus Will Return Before the End of Time

Muslims believe that Jesus will return before the Day of Judgment to restore justice and defeat the false messiah (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal). His second coming is a major sign of the end times.

“By Him in Whose Hand is my life, the son of Mary will soon descend among you as a just judge...”
– (Sahih al-Bukhari)

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Mary (Maryam) in Islam

Muslims also hold Mary, the mother of Jesus, in high regard. She is considered one of the purest women ever created and is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an. In fact, an entire chapter (Surah Maryam) is dedicated to her story.

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Jesus and Islam: A Bridge Between Faiths

While Christianity and Islam differ in their theological understanding of Jesus, the reverence Muslims have for Jesus is profound. He is a symbol of righteousness, faith, and miraculous signs. Understanding these beliefs can foster interfaith dialogue and deepen mutual respect between Muslims and Christians.

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So, what do Muslims believe about Jesus? In summary:

• Jesus is a highly respected prophet in Islam

• Born of the Virgin Mary through a miraculous birth

• Performed miracles by God's permission

• Not crucified but rather raised to Heaven

• Will return before the Day of Judgment

These beliefs about Jesus reflect Islam’s broader view of prophethood, monotheism, and the continuity of divine guidance. By understanding these perspectives, we can appreciate the shared spiritual heritage and unique theological differences that shape the world’s major religions.

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FAQs About Jesus in Islam

Q1: Do Muslims believe in the resurrection of Jesus?
A: Muslims believe Jesus was raised to Heaven alive and will return, but not in the same resurrection context as Christian doctrine.

Q2: Do Muslims love Jesus?
A: Yes, loving and respecting all prophets, including Jesus, is a core tenet of Islamic faith.

Q3: Is Jesus mentioned more than Muhammad in the Qur’an?
A: Yes, Jesus is mentioned by name more times than the Prophet Muhammad in the Qur’an.