Scripture
Luke 24:36-43
The risen Jesus shows his hands and feet, invites touch, and eats before the disciples.
While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit. “Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it in front of them.
Not a mere spirit
Luke presents the risen Jesus as embodied: he is seen, touched, and eats in front of the disciples.
Where this passage comes up
- Jesus rose as a spirit creatureJesus showed his crucifixion wounds, ate, and said a spirit has no flesh and bones; Scripture describes his risen body as changed, not as left behind.
- The bodily resurrection of JesusLuke, John, Paul, and Acts all tie the risen Jesus to the body that died. Paul's "spiritual body" describes a body made new, not a body left behind.
- The resurrection witnessesThe earliest Christian claim was public testimony from named witnesses, and any explanation of it has to cover the whole set of facts historians accept.