Luke 24:39

39 see my hands and my feet, that I am he; handle me and see, because a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me having.'

Luke 24:39 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 24:39

Behold my hands, and my feet
The Evangelist John adds, "and side"; that is, the prints of the nails and spear, in his hands, and feet, and side; and the wounds they made there, and the scars they left behind; by which they might be convinced he was not a spirit, and be assured of the truth of his resurrection, and that in the same numerical body in which he suffered; as well as that it might be observed by them how great was his love to them, to endure what he did for them. Handle me and see;
or know by feeling, as well as by sight; so that if the one was not sufficient, the other might confirm; sight might be deceived, but feeling could not: Apollonius Tyaneus, to them that did not know whether he was alive or dead, and who took him for a spirit, proposed himself to be touched, and handled, that they might be convinced ^F26: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones;
nothing but appearance, or air at most; no solid substance to be felt and handled: as ye see me have;
or may perceive, both by sight and feeling.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Philostratus de Vita Apollon. l. 8, c. 5.

Luke 24:39 In-Context

37 and being amazed, and becoming affrighted, they were thinking themselves to see a spirit.

38 And he said to them, `Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do reasonings come up in your hearts?

39 see my hands and my feet, that I am he; handle me and see, because a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me having.'

40 And having said this, he shewed to them the hands and the feet,

41 and while they are not believing from the joy, and wondering, he said to them, `Have ye anything here to eat?'