How long was Christ on earth after his resurrection?

Only Luke's Gospel and Acts of the Apostles tell us how long Jesus was on earth after his resurrection:

• Luke 24:50-51 tells us that Jesus led the disciples out towards Bethany on the evening of his resurrection, and was taken bodily up into heaven. In this case, he was on earth less than one day after his resurrection. He commanded the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the power from on high.
• Acts 1:1-9, by the same author but written some time after Luke's Gospel, tells us that the risen Jesus was on earth for forty days and was seen by many. Jesus commanded the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the the power of the Holy Spirit, and was then taken bodily up into heaven.