36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:36-49 KJV)
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
Five times Christ was seen on the same day he rose: by Mary Magdalene in the garden (John 20:14), by the women as they went to tell the disciples (Matthew 28:9), by Peter alone, by the two disciples going to Emmaus, and finally at night by the eleven (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19).
As they were discussing the events of the day, Jesus himself stood among them. He appeared just as they were likely weighing whether the evidence for his resurrection was convincing. Those who make the best use of what evidence they have may expect further assurance from Christ, who often confirms our faith when we seek him earnestly.
He greeted them, “Peace be with you.” This was not just a greeting but a word of comfort, showing that though they had deserted him during his suffering, he came to them in love and reconciliation. Though he had promised to meet them in Galilee, he came to them sooner, eager to assure them. His words and manner confirmed that he was still their familiar, loving Master.
Despite his kind greeting, they were terrified and thought they had seen a spirit (Luke 24:37). He had come in silently, and before they were aware, he stood among them. Even though we are bound for the world of spirits, it still unnerves us when we think one appears in our midst.
Jesus asked, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your hearts?” (Luke 24:38). Troubles often give rise to harmful thoughts. Sometimes our fears and sorrows are rooted in our own imaginations. And often, our mistaken ideas about Christ cause needless distress. They thought they saw a ghost rather than their risen Lord. We forget that Christ is near and mistake his dealings with us for judgments instead of love. Jesus sees the thoughts that rise in our hearts, even before we speak them. And he gently rebukes us, as he did his disciples, for entertaining fears that have no foundation.
To settle their fears and confirm their faith, he showed them his body, especially his hands and feet, saying, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!” He pointed to the nail marks as evidence that it was the same body they had seen crucified. He reminded them that a spirit does not have flesh and bones as he did. He did not define what a spirit is but made it clear what it is not. Christ’s body was real, living, and visibly marked by his suffering. He wanted them to be fully convinced—not only for their own comfort but because they were to be witnesses of his resurrection to the world.
He invited them to touch him: “Handle me and see.” He had told Mary Magdalene not to touch him (John 20:17), but now invited the others to do so, so that those who would preach his resurrection and suffer for it might be thoroughly assured of its truth. If there had been no such thing as spirits, Christ could have corrected that notion, but instead he confirmed that he was no spirit. Heretics later claimed that Christ never had a true physical body and only appeared to suffer. But this event shows he had a real body, even after rising from the dead.
Still, when they saw his hands and feet, they were slow to believe—“They still did not believe it because of joy and amazement” (Luke 24:41). Their hesitation proves how unlikely they were to invent a story of resurrection. If they were going to deceive the world, they would not have been so reluctant to believe it themselves. Yet their reluctance was understandable. Like Jacob upon hearing Joseph was alive, it seemed too good to be true.
To assure them further, Jesus asked for food and ate a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb before them (Luke 24:42-43). He had sat at the table with the two disciples at Emmaus but didn’t eat then. Now he did, showing that his body was truly returned to life. Though he would not return to living constantly among them as before, this was enough to demonstrate that he was truly alive. He ate their simple food to show that he remained their Friend and Master, and they would one day eat and drink with him in his kingdom.
Jesus then opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). Earlier he had opened the meaning of Scripture to the two disciples on the road; now he opened their understanding to grasp the truth. Jesus, by his Spirit, works on the minds of all his people. He has access to our spirits and enlightens and strengthens them. Even mature believers need their understanding opened—David prayed, “Open my eyes.” Paul longed to learn more. Christ conquers the soul by helping it understand his Word.
He reminded them of what he had said: “This is what I told you while I was still with you.” He referred them both to his own words and to the Old Testament, which foretold his sufferings and resurrection: “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” All of Scripture must be fulfilled, even its most painful details. The entire Old Testament testifies of Christ.
Then he gave them their commission. Though they had hoped for positions of honor during Christ’s earthly ministry, now they were to begin their real service: “You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48). They were not just sharing news, but giving testimony in the greatest spiritual trial in history—where God’s truth confronts Satan’s lies. They were eyewitnesses and must declare boldly what they knew, and the same Spirit who enlightened them would work through them.
He told them what they must preach: the gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:46-47). The great truths of Christ’s death and resurrection must be shared, not hidden. The gospel calls all people to turn from sin and self to serve the living God. And it offers full pardon—remission of sins—to all who repent and believe.
This message was for the whole world, but it must begin at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). The gospel light must first shine where Christ had been crucified. The same city that rejected him must now hear first of his resurrection. This shows God’s mercy: though they crucified the Lord, the first offer of forgiveness was made to them. Thousands would soon believe.
Finally, he promised them the Holy Spirit: “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). They were to wait until the Spirit came, enabling them to preach with boldness and power. This supernatural power would draw their hearts upward and equip them for the work ahead. The Spirit was the Father’s promise, and its arrival would be the beginning of a new era. They could not go forward without it—but once it came, they would turn the world upside down with the gospel.