Luke 24:37
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
Luke 24:37
In Luke 24:37, the disciples react with terror, assuming they have seen a spirit. This response reveals their confusion after the dramatic resurrection appearances, showing how physical resurrection clashes with their expectations of a purely spiritual phenomenon. The text uses their fear to prepare for Jesus’ subsequent, concrete demonstrations of His risen body.
The verse clarifies the nature of the resurrection: Jesus is bodily raised, not merely spiritually present. This preserves the integrity of the incarnation and the hope of future bodily restoration for all believers. It also engages the theme of spiritual discernment versus sensory perception.
For readers today, this invites honest processing of doubt and fear. Practical steps: examine what you believe about Jesus’ resurrection, seek clarity through Scripture, and ask Jesus to strengthen your perception with evidence-based faith. If fear arises, bring it to Him in prayer rather than suppressing it.
Cross-References: Luke 24:39; 1 Corinthians 15:44-45; John 20:19-20; Hebrews 2:14-15