JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES.
WHILE the women who had visited the sepulchre were hastening to tell the disciples that their Lord was risen, some of the watch came into the city, and told the chief priests all that had happened. "And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and secure you.
So they took the money and did as they were taught, and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."
"And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of-all these things, which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel; and besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done.
Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them, which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women has said; but him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went; and he made as though he would have gone further. - But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and break, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures.
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared unto Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread."
Now this was on the first day of the week at evening. The disciples had gathered together for fear of the Jews, and had the doors closely shut. When the two disciples told how Jesus had appeared to them on the way to Emmaus, the other disciples could not credit what they said. While they were thus talking, Jesus appeared standing among them, and said,
"Peace be unto you." Then he reproved them for their unbelief, and hardness of heart, because they believed not them who had seen him after he was risen. The disciples were greatly terrified at the presence of Jesus, and thought it must be his spirit appearing to them. Then Jesus said, "Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have." After thus speaking, he showed them his hands and his feet; but they could not yet believe, thinking that his being raised from the dead, and appearing to them in this way, was too joyful to be true. Then Jesus said, "Have ye here any meat?" And when they had brought him some boiled fish and a piece of honeycomb, he took the food and ate it.