How do the women, travelers and gathered disciples respond to the risen Jesus?

At early dawn on the first day of the week, devout women including Mary Magdalen, Joanna, and Mary of James bring prepared burial aromatics to the sepulcher, only to discover the stone rolled back and the Lord's sacred body absent. As they stand perplexed, two celestial messengers in radiant attire appear, asking why they seek the living among the dead and reminding them of Christ's Galilean prophecy that the Son of man must be delivered to sinful men, crucified, and resurrected on the third day. Recalling His words, the women report the revelation to the eleven and the broader circle of disciples, who dismiss the announcement as idle tales. Nevertheless, Peter races to the tomb, peers inside to see the burial linens resting abandoned by themselves, and departs marveling at the mystery.

That same day, two disciples, one of whom is Cleophas, journey sixty furlongs toward the village of Emmaus while conversing mournfully over the tragic events. The risen Christ approaches and walks beside them, though their vision is held from recognizing Him. Inquiring about their sorrowful conversation, Jesus prompts Cleophas to recount how Jesus of Nazareth, a revered prophet powerful in word and action, was delivered by the chief priests to capital execution, dashing their hopes for Israel's redemption despite reports from women of the empty tomb and a vision of angels saying He was alive. Others of their company had found the tomb as the women said but had not found Him. They state that this is the third day since the events. Rebuking their spiritual slowness, the Master demonstrates that the prophets had always foretold that Christ must endure suffering before entering into celestial glory, systematically unfolding messianic prophecies throughout the writings of Moses and the prophets. Drawing near Emmaus towards evening, he makes as though to go farther, and they constrain him to stay because the day is far spent; at the dining table, Jesus takes bread, pronounces the blessing, breaks it, and hands it to them, whereupon their eyes are unsealed to recognize Him before He vanishes from their view. Remembering how their hearts burned within them as He interpreted the scriptures, the pair rises that same hour and returns to Jerusalem, discovering the gathered apostles rejoicing that the Lord has truly risen and appeared to Simon, before relating how they recognized Him in the breaking of bread.

While the disciples eagerly discuss these occurrences, Jesus stands in their midst, offering peace and reassuring their terrified hearts that He is not an incorporeal phantom. Inviting them to touch His hands and feet, He demonstrates that a spirit lacks physical flesh and bones, showing His hands and feet and consuming a portion of broiled fish and honeycomb before them, then giving the remains to them. They had still not believed and wondered for joy before he asked for food. He then opens their intellect to comprehend how all things written concerning Him in the law of Moses, the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled, including His suffering and third-day rising and the proclamation of penance and remission of sins to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. Designating them as official witnesses, Christ commands them to remain in the holy city until they are endowed with celestial strength through the descent of the Holy Spirit, the promised gift of the Father. The edition identifies that promise as the Holy Ghost, whom the Father and Christ would send, citing John 14:26 and 17:7 as printed; that reference is preserved without inventing a corrected mapping. Leading the apostolic company outward toward Bethany, the Lord raises His hands in solemn blessing and ascends into the heavens, prompting the disciples to render humble adoration and return to Jerusalem with immense joy, where they maintain continuous praise and thanksgiving within the temple courts.