Luke 24:37

37 But they were afraid and aghast, and guessed them to see a spirit.

Luke 24:37 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 24:37

But they were terrified and affrighted
At the sight of him, and at his sudden appearance among them, without being heard, or seen before, and the doors shut and bolted; they could not tell how to account for it, that it should be Jesus himself risen from the dead in his own body, though they had been just speaking of his resurrection, and had had a confirmation of it from the disciples that went to Emmaus: and supposed that they had seen a spirit;
that what they saw was a phantom, or apparition, or a spirit, that had assumed, and appeared in, the shape of Jesus, and was not he himself.

Luke 24:37 In-Context

35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how they knew him in breaking of bread.

36 And while they spake these things, Jesus stood in the middle of them, and said to them, Peace to you; I am, do not ye dread.

37 But they were afraid and aghast, and guessed them to see a spirit.

38 And he said to them, What be ye troubled, and thoughts come up into your hearts [and thoughts ascend up into your hearts]?

39 See ye my hands and my feet, for I myself am. Feel ye, and see ye; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see that I have [as ye see me to have].