Christ Appearing to the Apostles

Rembrandt · 1656
National Gallery of Art, Washington

An etching of 1656, drawn in fine, open lines on almost bare paper, so that Jesus seems to stand inside the light around him. Which of the appearances it shows is not certain; it is usually linked to those behind locked doors in John 20.

Jesus stands in a burst of rays in the middle of the room. Some disciples kneel, one hides his face, others step back, and an old man sits in a chair at the left.

From the text

The doors locked, “Jesus came and stood among them” (John 20:19)

“He showed them His hands and His side” (John 20:20)

Eight days later, again behind locked doors (John 20:26)

The artist’s own

Rays of light around Jesus

A Dutch room with a rush chair and a wooden bench

Details

In the light

Jesus stands in a burst of rays, looking down at the men before him.

Hiding his face

A kneeling disciple bows his head into his hands.

Kneeling

Another kneels at his feet, seen from behind.

In the chair

An old man sits in a chair, hands folded.

Rembrandt van Rijn, Dutch, 1606–1669. National Gallery of Art, Washington (Rosenwald Collection, 1950.1.114) · Etching · NGA Open Access: "Images of these works are available free of charge for any use, commercial or non-commercial, under Creative Commons Zero (CC0)." (NGA open data: published_images.csv openaccess = 1)

The verses

John 20:19–20It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them. After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

John 20:26Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”