The Empty Tomb and the First Witnesses | The Journey of Isa

On the Road to Emmaus 

13 That same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Isa himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognising him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Isa of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before Allah and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Isa.” 25 He said to them, “How slow you are to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Musa and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Isa continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Isa was recognised by them when he broke the bread. 

Two followers are walking and discussing the events. Isa joins them, though they do not recognise him at first. He explains the Scriptures to them. They later recognise him and report what they experienced.

Isa Appears to the Disciples 

36 While they were still talking about this, Isa himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Isa appears among his followers. They are startled and unsure. He shows them that he is not a ghost. He speaks with them and is physically present.

Isa Appears to Thomas 

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Isa came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Isa came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Isa told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

One follower doubts the reports. He insists on seeing evidence himself. Isa appears and invites him to examine the evidence. The response is personal and direct.  

In these articles we have changed the original scriptures so that you can more easily understand who they are talking about.  (For example: Everywhere the Before Books state "Jesus"  we replaced it with "Isa"; "David" with  "Dawud"; and "Moses" with "Musa", etc...) In verse 28 we have left the direct original quote “My Lord and my God!”.  This is a direct response to Isa, using language of worship and recognition from a room full of mono-theistic Jews. This response raises a serious question about how Isa is being understood.