Luke 24:38

"But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit."

Key Reflection

In Luke 24:38, Jesus reassures his disciples who are experiencing intense fear after his resurrection appearances. The disciples are terrified and assume they have encountered a ghost (spirit), likely due to the suddenness and the supernatural nature of their encounter in the post-resurrection context. This reaction is common given first-century Jewish beliefs about spirits and the unexpected nature of Jesus' resurrection, highlighting how miraculous events can be perceived with fear even by those who should know better.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 38. Why are ye troubled? Why are you alarmed or frightened? And why do thoughts, &c. The word thoughts here means doubts or suspicions. It is used in this sense also in 1 Ti 2:8. The doubts which they had were whether he was the Christ. He reproves them for doubting this; for, 1st. The Scriptures had foretold his death; 2nd. He had himself repeatedly done it; and, 3rd. They had now the testimony of Peter that he had seen Jesus alive, and of the angels that he was risen. After all this evidence, Jesus reproves them for doubting whether he was truly the Messiah.

Related Verses

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