Luke 24:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.

NIV: They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

NASB: But they were startled and frightened, and thought that they were looking at a spirit.

CSB: But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.

NLT: But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

KJV: But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

NKJV: But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.

Very recently, some of the men in this room had joined the women standing at a distance, watching Jesus hang on a cross (Luke 23:49). They saw the nails through His wrists and feet. They watched the blood run down from His body from the wounds He'd received by the soldiers and the temple guards. They watched Him struggle to breathe. They watched Him die. And some of them saw the soldier thrust a spear into His side, water and blood pouring out of the wound when the spear drew out (John 19:34–35).

About twelve hours ago, these same men listened as the women told them Jesus' grave was empty. An angel told them He had risen from the dead. Then, they saw Him! Peter and John returned to verify the tomb was empty. Then Peter saw Him. Then two men who had met Him on their way to Emmaus returned and told their story (Luke 24:1–35).

It's very possible some of these men had seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, but that was different. Lazarus's body hadn't been beaten, whipped, nailed, and pierced. And Jesus had been there to call him from his tomb (John 11). There was no one to raise Jesus.

So, when Jesus appears in a glorified body, cleaned of blood, His expression cleared of pain and anguish, the only thing they can think is that they're seeing His spirit—not unlike when He walked on water (Mark 6:45–52). This time, His appearance is even more startling. How could a body recover from such wounds? How could Jesus be alive again?

Jesus understands and shows great patience. He points out His hands and feet. He eats fish—which no spirit could do (Luke 24:38–43). The disciples' reaction improves—slightly: fear and disbelief turn to joy and disbelief (Luke 24:41).

Luke 24:36–43 explains how Jesus reveals Himself to a group of His male disciples. He's already met with the women (Matthew 28:9–10), Peter (Luke 24:34), and two men traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–31). While the men are discussing these events, Jesus appears in the room. Some think He's a ghost, but He shows them the wounds on His hands and feet and eats some fish to prove He has resurrected. John 20:19–29 adds that Thomas isn't present so Jesus returns later.

After Jesus is executed and buried (Luke 23:52–53), the women who had followed Him from Galilee come to improve His burial condition. They find an open, empty tomb and angels. The disciples are informed. Two of them spend time speaking with a stranger while walking, only to realize it was Jesus Himself. Jesus appears to His followers, eating fish and explaining how His role as Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus then ascends to heaven while His disciples worship.

Luke 24 describes how Jesus' followers learned of His resurrection. Luke 23 recorded His legal trials, crucifixion, death, and burial. Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke, explains how Jesus' followers prepare for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church. Luke 24's theme is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. Once Jesus' followers understand, He returns to heaven. Matthew 28 includes how the Sanhedrin bribed the guards. John chapter 20 adds Thomas coming to believe while chapter 21 records Peter's reconciliation with Jesus.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.