Why didn’t people always recognize the resurrected Jesus?

Quick answer

After His resurrection, Jesus was not always recognized right away, whether because of natural circumstances or because God chose to withhold recognition. Jesus revealed Himself in His timing, making it clear that He was truly alive.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Gospels record several instances where people who knew Jesus well did not immediately recognize Him after His resurrection. Scripture shows that the reasons were mostly simple, such as grief, surprise, or pessimism.

For example, Mary Magdalene, overwhelmed with grief, thought He was the gardener until He spoke her name (John 20:15-16). In the dawn light, seven disciples fishing did not realize the man on the shore was Jesus until He provided a miraculous catch (John 21:4-7). In another instance, Jesus appeared suddenly in a locked room, and the disciples, startled with fear, thought He was a spirit until He showed His wounds and ate with them (Luke 24:37-43). In another case, Thomas was unwilling to believe the reports or his eyes until he saw Jesus’ wounds (John 20:24-29).

Besides these natural, human reasons, in one case God actively prevented people from recognizing Jesus. In that instance, two disciples walking to Emmaus were joined by Jesus along the way. God prevented them from recognizing Him until later that night at dinner (Luke 24:15-16, 27, 31).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Why people did not always recognize the resurrected Jesus is found in the New Testament only.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Mary Magdalene’s encounter shows how grief and expectation can cloud perception. Her sorrow and her assumption about whom she was speaking to blocked her judgment. But as soon as Jesus spoke her name, she recognized Him (John 20:11-16). Her tears and desperation at finding the body blinded her to Jesus standing right in front of her, but Jesus speaking to her in a familiar voice finally brought her to her senses.

John recounted another scene by the Sea of Tiberias. “Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (John 21:4). All they knew was that some man on the shore was giving them strange fishing instructions. However, as soon as they caught a miraculous number of fish, they realized who they had been talking to (John 21:7). Although the text is not entirely clear about why they didn’t recognize Jesus, it’s reasonable to infer that the early light and distance from the shore contributed to their slow recognition.

In another account, Jesus startled the disciples by appearing in a locked room. They thought He must be some kind of spirit. It took Him showing His hands and feet, as well as eating fish, to confirm that He was really Jesus (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-20).

The disciple Thomas was not there when Jesus appeared. After hearing the accounts, he refused to believe. Later, when Jesus appeared to Thomas, his skepticism prevented him from recognizing Him. It wasn’t until Jesus invited him to see and touch his wounds that Thomas finally recognized it was truly Him (John 20:26-28).

Luke recorded another cause, this time divine. Two men were walking to Emmaus when Jesus caught up with them and began talking with them. As they walked, “their eyes were kept from recognizing him” (Luke 24:15). That is, God intentionally prevented them from knowing who the man was. However, “When he was at table with them, [Jesus] took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Luke 24:30-31). Scripture doesn’t reveal why God veiled their eyes only that His will was for Jesus not to be recognized for a time.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The disciples aren’t the only ones slow to recognize Jesus. Many people today possess a great deal of knowledge about Him yet still do not confess Him as the risen Lord. Lack of belief is the primary reason they fail to see Him for who He truly is. But Jesus did rise from the grave and sits ready to forgive. His resurrection defeated death and proved that God accepted His sacrifice. It establishes Him as Lord, exalted in glory and worthy of worship. It guarantees that those united with Him will also rise, sharing in His victory over the grave. The resurrection also confirms that history is moving toward a final renewal, when Christ returns to judge and make all things new.

The resurrection is the heart of Christian hope. If you are not yet saved, turn from your sins and trust in the risen Jesus. Your sins will be forgiven, and you will have eternal life. To be part of Him means sharing in His life now and forever.

If you are already saved, then help others recognize Him. Tell them who the Bible says He is. Show them what He is like by living like Him. And pray that God might remove their blindness so they can finally see Him, too.

UNDERSTAND

People often didn’t recognize Jesus after His resurrection due to grief, disbelief, or surprise.

God sometimes intentionally prevented recognition for teaching purposes.

Jesus revealed Himself in His timing, confirming His resurrection and offering hope and eternal life.

REFLECT

How might your own grief, doubts, expectations, or distractions prevent you from recognizing Jesus’ work in your life?

Where have you had moments when you needed to trust God’s timing for clarity in seeing His presence or purpose?

How can you open your heart to perceive Jesus in ordinary or unexpected moments?

ENGAGE

Why does God sometimes allow people not to recognize Jesus immediately?

How do the different reactions of the disciples after the resurrection challenge or encourage your faith today?

In what practical ways can we help others recognize Jesus in their lives?