Devine Scripture

Luke 24:37

What does Luke 24:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:37 means

Despite His greeting, they are terrified and think they are seeing a spirit. Their fear underscores both the reality of death they had witnessed and the unexpectedness of a bodily resurrection. The disciples are not credulous; they assume the most natural explanation for a sudden appearance is a ghost. Their reaction sets the stage for Jesus to offer proofs suited to their doubts. The Lord meets them where they are, not scorning their alarm but turning it into assurance. He will move them from panic to peace, from supposing to seeing, by appealing to their senses and reason.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But they were full of fear, being of the opinion that they were seeing a spirit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But they, being confounded and being frightened, supposed they beheld a spirit.

Context

Jesus’ sudden appearance and word of peace (v. 36) are met with alarm (v. 37). This honest portrayal of the disciples’ fear enhances the credibility of what follows. Verses 38–40 show Jesus inviting inspection of His hands and feet and encouraging them to touch Him, while verses 41–43 add the sign of eating. The flow counters the idea of a mere spiritual apparition with solid, bodily evidence, laying the groundwork for the authoritative Scriptures lesson and commissioning in verses 44–49.

v.36And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

v.37This passage

v.38And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart?

Cross references

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

  • 1 Samuel 28:13

    And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what seest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth.

  • Acts 12:15

    And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel.

  • Matthew 14:26

    And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear.

  • Job 4:14

    Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones to shake.

  • Luke 16:30

    And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.

  • Mark 6:49

    but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;

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