Jesus' Fifth Appearance 

At about fifteen minutes past four o'clock in the afternoon, approximately two hours after his fourth resurrection appearance before family and friends on Sunday, April 9, 30 CE, Jesus made his fifth resurrection appearance in front of approximately twenty-five women believers gathered at Joseph of Arimathea's home. Mary Magdalene had returned to Joseph's house only a few minutes before this appearance. James, Jesus' brother, had asked that nothing be said to the apostles about the Master's appearance in Bethany. He had not asked Mary to keep the incident hidden from her fellow believers. As a result, after promising all of the women secrecy, Mary proceeded to tell them what had happened while she was with Jesus' family in Bethany. And she was in the midst of this thrilling recital when a sudden and solemn silence fell over them; they saw the fully visible form of the risen Jesus right in front of them.

He greeted them, saying: “Peace be upon you. In the fellowship of the kingdom there shall be neither Jew nor gentile, rich nor poor, free nor bond, man nor woman. You also are called to publish the good news of the liberty of mankind through the gospel of sonship with God in the kingdom of heaven. Go to all the world proclaiming this gospel and confirming believers in the faith thereof. And while you do this, forget not to minister to the sick and strengthen those who are fainthearted and fear-ridden. And I will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth.” When he finished speaking, he vanished from their sight, leaving the women to fall on their faces and worship silently.

News of Jesus' resurrection and sightings began to circulate in Jerusalem by evening, causing alarm among the Jewish leaders. The Sanhedrin, led by Caiaphas and after consulting with Annas, convened an emergency meeting. They decided to expel from synagogues anyone who spoke of Jesus' resurrection and even considered the death penalty for those claiming to have seen him, though this measure was not formally voted on. The meeting ended in disarray, with the leaders realizing their troubles with Jesus were far from over, marking the beginning of a new chapter of challenges.