How many times does Jesus appear after the resurrection in the bible?

January 10, 2017Science & Faith

How many times does Jesus appear after the resurrection in the bible?
Before whom, and in what chronological order do these appearances take place?

Matthew two times:
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (28:9)
11 disciples (28:16)

Mark three times:
Mary Magdalene (16:9)
Two strolling followers (16:12)
11 disciples* (16:14)

Luke two times:
Cleopas and another unknown follower. (24:13)
Eleven disciples* “. . . and them that were with them.” (24:33)

John four times:
Mary Magdalene (20:14)
Ten disciples* (Thomas was not there) (20:24)
Eleven disciples (20:26)
Peter, Thomas, the two sons of Zebedee (James and John), Nathaniel and two other disciples. (21:2)

* According to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus made this appearance to all the eleven surviving disciples. Paul has this event take place in the presence of all twelve apostles (Corinthians 15:5) although Judas had long since died, having committed suicide (Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18). Contrary to all this, John’s story places only ten disciples at the scene, Thomas being absent! — John 20:24

Paul contradicts everyone else. Six times in I Corinthians:
1) And that he was seen of Cephas (Peter), (15:5)
2) All 12 apostles. (15:5)
3) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. (15:6)
4) After that, he was seen of James; (15:7)
5) All 12 apostles. (15:7)
6) Paul himself, “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (15:8)

What happened to Mary Magdalene whom both Paul and his follower Luke left out all together? If Jesus showed Himself to 500 people, wouldn’t the other four gospel writers have made note of this?

~Even details on the Resurrection, Paul has no direct knowledge of because he was never there. Paul never met Jesus at all other than his claims of visions in dreams and voices in his head.