Here's an amazing thing to me, the disciples did not know they were only waiting for the third day. At least some of them did not believe until they actually saw him risen. So these were mourning, for good, the loss of the one they thought would save them. What anguish and sorrow, and fear they must have been feeling. They after all, fled when he was captured. And the couple who followed, John and Peter, saw him brutally beaten and murdered. Perhaps hoping all along that angels would descend to save him...but nothing. And now they were alone and afraid, heartbroken. Can you imagine the joy the unspeakable elation when they heard he had risen, and then when they eventually saw him! No wonder their lives were changed forever. By this they were empowered to preach the Good News for the rest of their lives, some eventually dying horrific deaths themselves, for the cause of Christ.
But all this has come to pass, that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him, and fled.
(Mat 26:19)
And when it was evening, Jesus came and stood among them, and says to them, Peace [be] to you+. But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, Why are you+ troubled? And why do questionings arise in your+ heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit doesn't have flesh and bones, as you+ see me having. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And he said to them, These are my words which I spoke to you+, while I was yet with you+, that all things must surely be fulfilled which are written through the prophets concerning me. Then he opened their mind, that they might understand the Scriptures; and he said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day. You+ are witnesses of these things.
(Luk 24:36-48)