After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at
once
Not at, or near Jerusalem, for the number of the disciples that were together there, made but about an hundred and twenty, ( Acts 1:15 ) but in Galilee, where Christ, in the days of his flesh, had most chiefly conversed, most frequently preached and wrought his miracles, and where the number of his disciples and followers were very large: here he promised his disciples to go before them, and show himself to them after his resurrection, as he accordingly did, ( Matthew 26:32 ) ( Matthew 2:7 Matthew 2:16 Matthew 2:17 ) . And this being signified by the apostles to the brethren there, it is no wonder that there was such a number of them gathered on that occasion:
of whom the greater part remain unto this present;
and so might be personally applied unto for the truth of this, was it necessary; it being but about five or six and twenty years ago at the writing of this epistle:
and some were fallen asleep;
were dead, as it might be reasonably thought there were among so many, and in such a length of time; though doubtless these had surviving friends, relations, and acquaintance, to whom they had communicated this important case, and who were ready to attest what they had heard them in the most solemn manner declare.