Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:6

What does 1 Corinthians 15:6 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:6 means

Jesus appeared to more than five hundred believers at one time, most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote. This detail invites verification and dispels the charge of hallucination, since mass, coordinated hallucinations are implausible. It shows that the resurrection was not a secluded event for a few insiders; it was widely witnessed across the early Christian community. Some had “fallen asleep,” a tender way of speaking about believers who died in hope. The living witnesses stood as a living memory of the risen Lord, a safeguard against revision or myth-making within the church’s proclamation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then by more than five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, but some are sleeping;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

afterwards he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain till now, and certain also did fall asleep;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then was he seen by more than five hundred brethren at once: of whom many remain until this present, and some are fallen asleep.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the most remain until now, but some also have fallen asleep.

Context

Paul expands the witness list beyond leading apostles (v. 5) to a large crowd (v. 6), further solidifying the historical basis of the gospel summarized in vv. 3–4. This prepares for appearances to James and all the apostles (v. 7) and to Paul himself (v. 8). The accumulation of testimony sets up the argumentative turn in vv. 12–19: if such a well-attested resurrection occurred, to deny the resurrection of the dead contradicts the very message by which the Corinthians believed and stand (vv. 1–2, 11).

v.5and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;

v.6This passage

v.7then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 28:10

    Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:18

    Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

  • 2 Peter 3:4

    and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

  • Mark 16:7

    But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

  • Acts 7:60

    And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

  • Acts 13:36

    For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

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