Luke 24:39 - Printer Friendly

ESV: See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."

NIV: Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

NASB: See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you plainly see that I have.'

CSB: Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have."

NLT: Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

In the Bible, faith and fear do not belong together (1 John 4:18). If Jesus' disciples really believe He is the Son of God, the Messiah, they should not be afraid of storms (Luke 8:22–25), persecution by the religious leaders (Mark 14:50), or even His death on the cross. If He is the one who will fulfill the prophecies of the Old Testament, He will do it, even if He must rise from the dead.

Sometimes, Jesus chastises His disciples' unbelief. Sometimes, He knows what they're witnessing is too much. When they saw Him walking on the stormy Sea of Galilee, they were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. He told them, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid" (Mark 6:49–50).

Now, despite the eye-witness testimony of multiple people and His appearance in a locked room in a new, healed body, some of His disciples are so overcome they still can't believe it's Him. Or, if it's Him, that it's only His spirit (Luke 24:36–38).

Jesus shows compassion on their limitations and gives them what they need: to see the wounds on His hands and feet where the nails went through. To touch Him to affirm this is really a physical body. To watch Him eat fish, which no spirit could do (Luke 24:40–43).

Some teachers think that Christianity requires blind faith. That was never the case. God gives us promises to believe in. The more we believe, the more He gives us. Along the way, He gives proof that His promises are true. It's when we harden our hearts against the truth that we get in trouble (Luke 8:18; Romans 1:18–22).

Jesus' body resembles the glorified bodies His followers will have for eternity (1 John 3:2). He has a physical body, so will we. His wounds are healed, except for those that mark His sacrifice; ours will be, too. Also, our bodies will be spiritual in that they will be animated by choices guided by the Holy Spirit, not our sinful desires (1 Corinthians 15:35–44).

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.