12. Jesus appears to ten apostles plus some others (Lk 24:33-43, Jn 20:19-25) They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. By that time it was the evening of that first day of the week. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. {Either Thomas left at this point, or (more likely) Luke uses "The Eleven" as a generalization when in fact Thomas was not present.

After all, John 20:19 implies all disciples were present, yet John 20:24 makes it clear he was absent. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 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." When he had said this, he showed them his hands, feet and side, and the disciples were overjoyed.

And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."