Matthew 28:16

Verse 16. The eleven disciples went into Galilee, yet not till above eight days after. As to the order of Christ’s apparitions, in the gospels: He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, and to other devout women; then to Saint Peter; next to two disciples going to Emmaus; after that to the apostles that were all together, except only Saint Thomas. These apparitions were all on the very day he rose from the dead. We find also (John 20,) that eight days after he appeared to all the eleven apostles, Thomas being then present, to whom he said, put in thy finger hither, and so forth This is generally thought to have happened at Jerusalem. When the apostles and disciples were gone into Galilee, he shewed himself to seven of them, as they were fishing on the lake of Tiberias. John 21:4. We read also in this chap. (verse 16,) that he appeared to them on a mountain in Galilee: what mountain is was we know not. It may be of this apparition that Saint Paul says, (1 Corinthians 15:6,) Then was he seen by more than five hundred brethren at once. He also tells us he appeared to Saint James. See verse 7. But when or where this was, is not mentioned. In fine, Christ till his ascension frequently appeared to them, and conversed with them. He taught them to understand the holy Scriptures, and all that belonged to their ministry: he gave them power to forgive sins: He sent his apostles as his heavenly Father had sent him. He gave in particular to Saint Peter the charge over his whole flock: He promised to send down upon them the Holy Ghost; and to remain with them himself to the end of the world, that is with his Church. Witham.—It is supposed that then and there took place what Saint Paul mentions, that Jesus Christ shewed himself to more than 500 of the brethren together. V.