The morning after the crucifixion, even before daylight, a group of women took additional spices to anoint Jesus' body and headed for the tomb. On the way, they worried about who would move the stone for them when they got to the tomb.

Upon arriving, the women saw the stone had already been moved. The gospel of Matthew tells what happened: "There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men" (Matthew 28:2-4). Now the women entered into the tomb and found it empty, but two brilliant angels told them that Jesus had risen.

The women hurried back to tell the disciples, who were somewhat skeptical. But Peter and John took off running toward the tomb. John was faster, but he stopped at the entrance of the tomb while Peter barged right in. Sure enough, the tomb was empty. Only linen grave clothes lay where the body had been.

The disciples went back home, but Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb, crying. When the two angels asked why she was crying, she said that someone had taken Jesus away, and she didn't know where he was. Then she turned and saw a figure she took to be a gardener. Distractedly she asked him if he knew where Jesus was. He answered her, "Mary!" She looked again. It was Jesus! He told her not to hold onto him "because 'I have not yet returned to the Father'" (John 20:17), but he sent her to spread the word that he was returning to "my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

After this initial sighting of Jesus there were numerous others in many varied places, including:

• To the other women (Matthew 28:8-10)
• To two disciples (not of the Twelve) on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
• To Peter (Luke 24:34)
• To the apostles while Thomas was absent (John 20:19-23)
• To the apostle including Thomas a week later (John 20:24-29)
• To a group of apostles who had gone fishing (John 21:1-14)
• To more than 500 disciple at once (1 Corinthians 15:6)
• To James (most likely Jesus' half-brother) (Corinthians 15:7)
• To a group of disciples who saw him ascend into heaven (Acts 1:3-11)

Jesus was present for 40 days after his crucifixion and before his ascension into heaven (Acts 1:3)