Luke 24:37

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Luke 24:37 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

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

Free Bible Version FBV

They were startled and afraid, thinking they were seeing a ghost.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But they were abashed and afraide, supposing that they had seene a spirit.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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

World English Bible WEB

But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

They were startled and afraid, because they thought that they were seeing a ghost!

Plain English Version PEV

They were all shocked and frightened. They thought they were looking at a spirit.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Luke 24:37

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Luke 24:37 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK πτοηθεντες δε και εμφοβοι γενομενοι εδοκουν πνευμα θεωρειν

πτοηθεντες ptoeō G4422 to frighten Verb-APP-NPM

δε de G1161 then Conj

και kai G2532 and Conj

εμφοβοι emphobos G1719 afraid Adj-NPM

γενομενοι ginomai G1096 to be Verb-2ADP-NPM

εδοκουν dokeō G1380 to think Verb-IAI-3P

πνευμα pneuma G4151 spirit/breath: spirit Noun-ASN

θεωρειν theōreō G2334 to see/experience Verb-PAN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Luke 24:37

πτοηθεντες ptoeō G4422 "to frighten" Verb-APP-NPM

This word means to scare or frighten someone, as seen in Luke 21:9 and 24:37. It describes a strong emotional response, often caused by something sudden or unexpected.

Definition: πτοέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for חָתַת ni. ;] to terrify. Pass., to be terrified: Luk.21:9 24:37 (WH, mg., θροηθέντες).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: frighten See also: Luke 21:9; Luke 24:37.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

εμφοβοι emphobos G1719 "afraid" Adj-NPM

This word means being afraid or terrified, like the women at Jesus' tomb in Luke 24:5. It describes a fearful or alarmed state, often in response to God's presence. It's used in Acts 10:4 and Revelation 11:13.

Definition: ἔμ-φοβος [in LXX: Sir.19:24, 1Ma.13:2 * ;] __1. terrible. __2. in fear (of Godly fear, Sir.19:24), terrified: Luk.24:5, 37, Act.10:4 24:25, Rev.11:13.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: affrighted, afraid, tremble See also: Acts 10:4; Luke 24:5; Revelation 11:13.

γενομενοι ginomai G1096 "to be" Verb-2ADP-NPM

A versatile word meaning to be, become, or come into being, used in John 1:15 and 1 Corinthians 15:37.

Definition: γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] __1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. __2. Of events, to come to pass, take place, happen: Mat.5:18, Mrk.5:14, Luk.1:20 2:15, Act.4:21, 2Ti.2:18, al.; μὴ γένοιτο [LXX for חָלִילָה, Jhn.22:29, al.], far be it, God forbid: Rom.3:4 (ICC, in l.), 1Co.6:15 and frequently in Pl.; καὶ ἐγένετο, ἐγένετο δέ ([in LXX for וַיְהִי ;] see Burton, 142 f.; M, Pr., 16f.; Dalman, Words, 32 f.; Robertson, Gr., 1042 f.), with indic, Mat.7:28, Luk.1:8, al.; before καί and indic., Luk.8:1, Act.5:7, al.; with accusative and inf., Mrk.2:23, Luk.3:21, al.; ὡς δὲ ἐγένετο, before τοῦ with inf., Act.10:25; with dative of person(s), to befall one: with inf., Act.20:16; with accusative and inf., Act.22:6; with adv., εὖ, Eph.6:3; τ́ ἐγένετο αὐτῷ (Field, Notes, 115), Act.7:40 (LXX); before εἰς, Act.28:6. __3. to be made, done, performed, observed, enacted, ordained, etc.: Mat.6:10 19:8, Mrk.2:27 11:23, Act.19:26, al.; before διά with genitive, Mrk.6:2, Act.2:43; ὑπό, Luk.13:17; ἐκ, Luk.4:23; ἐν, 1Co.9:15; ἀπογραφή, Luk.2:2; ἀνάκρισις Act.25:26; ἄφεσις, Heb.9:22; ὁ νόμος, Gal.3:17; τὸ πάσχα, Mat.26:2. __4. to become, be made, come to be: with pred., Mat.4:3, Luk.4:3, Jhn.2:9, 1Co.13:11, al.; before ὡς, ὡσεί, Mat.10:25, Mrk.9:26; εἰς (M, Pr., 71f.), Mrk.12:1o, al.; with genitive Rev.11:15; id., of age, Luk.2:42; with dative, γ. ἀνδρί ([LXX for הָיָה לְאִישׁ, Rut.1:12, al. ;] see Field, Notes, 156), Rom.7:3, 4; before ἐν, Act.22:17, Rev.1:10, al.; ἐπάνω, Luk.19:19; μετά, with genitive, Mrk.16:[10], Act.9:19; before εἰς, ἐπί (Field, Notes, 135), κατά (ib., 62), with accusative of place, Act.20:16 21:35 27:7, al.; before ἐκ, Mrk.9:7, Luk.3:22, 2Th.2:7, al. Aoristic pf. γέγονα (M, Pr., 52, 145f.; Field, Notes, 1f.), Mat.25:6, Luk.10:36, al. Aor. ἐγενήθη (for ἐγένετο, M, Pr., 139f.; Mayser, 379), Mat.11:23, al. (Cf. απο-, δια-, επι-, παρα-, συμ-, παρα-, προ-.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 637 NT verses. KJV: arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought See also: 1 Corinthians 1:30; Acts 5:5; 1 Peter 1:15.

εδοκουν dokeō G1380 "to think" Verb-IAI-3P

To think means to have an opinion or suppose something, as in Matthew 24:44 and Luke 12:40. It involves having a thought or idea about something, which may or may not be true.

Definition: δοκέω, -ῶ (δόκος, opinion, δέκομαι, Ion, form of δέχ-), [in LXX for טוֹב, נָדַב, etc. ;] __1. to be of opinion, suppose: Mat.24:44, Luk.12:40, Heb.10:29; with inf., Mat.3:9, Luk.8:18 24:37, Jhn.5:39 16:2, Act.12:9 27:13, 1Co.3:18 7:40 8:2 10:12 14:37, Gal.6:3, Php.3:4, Jas.1:26; with accusative and inf., 1Co.12:23, 2Co.11:16; before ὅτι, Mat.6:7 26:53, Mrk.6:49, Luk.12:51 13:2, 4 19:11, Jhn.5:45 11:13, 31 13:29 20:15, 1Co.4:9, 2Co.12:19, Jas.4:5. __2. to seem, be reputed: Act.25:27; with inf., Mrk.10:42, Luk.10:36 22:24, Act.17:13 26:9, 1Co.11:16 12:22, 2Co.10:9, Gal.2:6, 9, Heb.4:1 12:11; οἱ δοκοῦντες, those of repute, Gal.2:2. Impers., it seems, with dative of person(s); __(a) to think: Mat.17:25 18:12 21:28 22:17, 42 26:66, Jhn.11:56, Heb.12:10; __(b) to please, seem good to: with inf., Luk.1:3, Act.15:22, 25 15:23, 34.† SYN. (δοκέω 1): ἡγέομαι 2, νομίζω2, οἴομαι; ἡ. and ν. properly express belief resting on external proof, ἡ. denoting the more careful judgment; δ. and οἴ. imply a subjective judgment which in the case of οἴ. is based on feeling, in δ. on thought (see Schmidt, with 17) (δοκέω2): φαίνομαι; φ., from the standpoint of the object, "expresses how a matter phenomenally shows and presents itself"; δ., from the standpoint of the observer, expresses one's subjective judgment about a matter (see Tr., Syn., LXXx; Cremer, 204). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 61 NT verses. KJV: be accounted, (of own) please(-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow See also: 1 Corinthians 3:18; John 5:39; Hebrews 4:1.

πνευμα pneuma G4151 "spirit/breath: spirit" Noun-ASN

The Greek word for spirit or breath refers to the vital principle or mental disposition of a person, as seen in John 3:8 and 1 Corinthians 5:5. It can also mean a superhuman spirit, like the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:2.

Definition: πνεῦμα, -τος, τό, [in LXX chiefly and very frequently for רוּחַ ;] __1. of air in motion; __(a) wind: Jhn.3:8; pl., Heb.1:7 (LXX); __(b) breath: π. ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; π. τοῦ στόματος, figuratively, 2Th.2:8 (cf. Ps 32 (33)6). __2. Of the vital principle, the spirit (Arist., Polyb., al.): Luk.8:55, Jhn.19:30, Act.7:59, al.; opposite to σάρξ, Mat.26:41, Mrk.14:38, 1Co.5:5, al.; to σῶμα, Rom.8:10, 1Co.6:17 7:34, 1Pe.4:6; to ψυχή, Php.1:27, Heb.4:12; τὸ π. καὶ ἡ ψ. καὶ τ. σῶμα, 1Th.5:23 (M, Th., in l.); dative, τῷ π., in spirit, Mrk.2:8 8:12, Jhn.11:33 13:21, Act.18:25, Rom.12:11, 1Co.7:34, 1Pe.3:18, al.; of the human spirit of Christ, Rom.1:4, 1Ti.3:16. __3. spirit, i.e. frame of mind, disposition, influence: Luk.1:17, Rom.8:15, 1Co.4:21, Gal 6:1, Eph.2:2, 2Ti.1:7, 1Jn.4:6, al. __4. An incorporeal being, a spirit: Luk.24:37, 39 Act.23:8; π. ὁ θεός, God is spirit, Jhn.4:24; πατὴρ τῶν π., Heb.12:9; of disembodied human beings, Heb.12:23, 1Pe.3:19 (ICC, in l.; DB, iii, 795); of angels. Heb.1:14; of demons or evil spirits, Mat.8:16, Mrk.9:20, Luk.9:39, al.; π. πύθυωνα, Act.16:16; πνεύματα δαιμονίων, Rev.16:14; π. δαιμονίου ἀκαθάρτου, Luk.4:33; π. ἀσθενείας (Bl., §35, 5), Luk.13:11; π. ἀκάθαρτον, Mat.10:1, Mrk.1:23, Luk.4:36, Act.5:16; π. ἄλαλον (καὶ κωφόν), Mrk.9:17, 25; πονηρόν, Luk.7:21, Act.19:12, al. __5. Of the Holy Spirit, π. ἅγιον, τὸ ἅ. π., τὸ π. τὸ ἅ. τὸ π., π. (the article as a rule being used when the Spirit is regarded as a Person or a Divine Power, and omitted when the reference is to an operation, influence or gift of the Spirit; see WM, 151:5; Bl., §46, 7): anarth., Mat.1:18 3:11, 16 4:1, Mrk.1:8 (Swete, in l.), ib.10, Luk.1:15, Jhn.7:39, Act.19:2, Rom.5:5, 1Co.2:4, al.; with art., Mat.4:1 12:31, 32 Mrk.1:10 3:29, Luk.2:26, Jhn.7:36 14:26, Act.4:31 5:3, Rom.8:16, al.; (τὸ) π. (τοῦ) θεοῦ, Mat.3:16, Rom.8:9, Eph.3:16, 1Jn.4:2, al.; τὸ π. τ. πατρός, Mat.10:20; π. θεοῦ ζῶντος, 2Co.3:3; (τὸ) π. τοῦ κυρίου, Luk.4:18, Act.5:9 8:39; τὸ π. Ἰησοῦ, Act.16:7; Χριστοῦ, Rom.8:9; Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, Php.1:19; τὸ π. τ. ἀληθείας, Jhn.15:26 16:13, 1Jn.4:6; λείγει (μαρτυρεῖ) τὸ π. (τὸ ἅγιον), Act.21:11 28:25, 1Ti.4:1, Heb.3:7 10:15, Rev.14:13; before τ. ἐκκλησίαις, Rev.2:7, 11 17, 29, 3:6, 12, 22; ἐν τ. π., Luk.2:27; κατὰ πνεῦμα, Rom.8:4, 5; ἐξ ὕδατος καὶ π., Jhn.3:5, διὰ πνεύματος αἰωνίου, Heb.9:14; ἐν ἁγιασμῷ πνεύματος, 2Th.2:13, 1Pe.1:2; ἓν π., 1Co.12:13, Eph.2:18 4:4; ὁ δὲ κύριος τὸ π. ἐστιν, 2Co.3:17; of that which is effected or governed by the Spirit, opposite to γράμμα, Rom.2:29 7:6, 2Co.3:6. SYN.: νοῦς, which in NT is contrasted with π. as "the action of the understanding in man with that of the spiritual or ecstatic impulse" (DB, iv, 612); ψυχή — the usual term in cl. psychology—in NT, "expresses man as apart from God, a separate individual, π. expresses man as drawing his life from God" (DB, 1-vol., 872). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 350 NT verses. KJV: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind See also: 1 Corinthians 2:4; Acts 7:59; 1 Peter 1:2.

θεωρειν theōreō G2334 "to see/experience" Verb-PAN

To see or experience something means to discern or acknowledge it, as seen in John 6:40 and Acts 3:16. This Greek word is about perceiving or understanding something, whether physically or spiritually. It is used to describe a deep level of awareness or insight.

Definition: θεωρέω, -ῶ (θεωρός, a spectator, θεάομαι) [in LXX chiefly for רָאָה, חָזָה ;] (present and imperfect only, exc. Jhn.7:3 (fut.), Mat.28:1, Luk.23:48, Jhn.8:51, Rev.11:12 (aor.); El., § 24); __1. (cl.), to look at, gaze, behold: absol., Mat.27:55, Mrk.15:40, Luk.23:35; before πῶς, Mrk.12:41; ποῦ, Mrk.15:47; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.6:40, 62 12:45 16:10-19, Act.3:16 20:38 25:24, Rev.11:11-12; id. with ptcp., Mrk.5:15, Luk.10:18, Jhn.6:19 10:12 20:12, 14, 1Jn.3:17; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.28:1, Luk.14:29 21:6 23:48, Jhn.2:23 6:2 7:3, Act.4:13 8:13; id. with ptcp., Jhn.20:6, Act.7:56 10:11; before ὅτι, Act.19:26. __2. In popular lang. (Kennedy, Sources, 155; EL, § 24, see word ὁρᾶν), in present and imperfect = ὁράω, to see, perceive, discern: before ὅτι, Mrk.16:4, Jhn.4:19 12:19, Act.19:26 27:10; πόσαι, Act.21:20; πηλίκος, Heb.7:4; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.5:38; id. with ptcp., Act.17:16 28:6; with accusative of person(s), Mrk.3:11, Jhn.14:19, Act.9:7 17:22; πνεῦμα, Luk.24:37; τὸ π., Jhn.14:17; before ὅτι, Jhn.9:8; with ptcp., Luk.24:39. __3. Hebraistically, to experience, partake of: τ. θάνατον, Jhn.8:51 (cf. Psa.89:49); τ. δόξαν, Jhn.17:24 (cf. ἀνα-, παρα-θερρέω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 55 NT verses. KJV: behold, consider, look on, perceive, see See also: 1 John 3:17; John 14:17; Hebrews 7:4.

Study Notes — Luke 24:37

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Context — Jesus Appears to the Disciples

35Then the two told what had happened on the road, and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. 36While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

37But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.

38“Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Samuel 28:13	“Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?” “I see a god coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.
2	Matthew 14:26–27	When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
3	Job 4:14–16	fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder. Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body bristled. It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes, and I heard a whispering voice:
4	Mark 6:49–50	but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghost— for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
5	Luke 16:30	‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’
6	Acts 12:15	“You are out of your mind,” they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

Luke 24:37 Summary

In Luke 24:37, we see that the disciples were frightened when they saw Jesus because they thought He was a spirit. But Jesus showed them that He was physically present by saying 'Peace be with you' and by showing them His hands and feet, as seen in Luke 24:36 and Luke 24:39-40. This reminds us that even when we are surprised or frightened by God's presence, He is always with us and wants to comfort and reassure us, as stated in Matthew 28:20 and John 14:27. By looking at Jesus' example, we can learn to bring peace and comfort to those around us who may be struggling with fear or doubt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the disciples frightened when they saw Jesus?

The disciples were frightened because they thought they had seen a spirit, as stated in Luke 24:37, due to the sudden and unexpected appearance of Jesus after His resurrection, much like the women who saw the angels at the tomb in Luke 24:4-5.

What did the disciples think Jesus was when they first saw Him?

The disciples thought Jesus was a spirit, as mentioned in Luke 24:37, which is why Jesus later showed them His hands and feet to prove He was physically present, as seen in Luke 24:39-40.

How did Jesus calm the fears of the disciples?

Jesus calmed the fears of the disciples by showing them His physical body, saying 'Peace be with you' in Luke 24:36, and asking them to touch Him to see that He was real, as stated in Luke 24:39, which is similar to how He comforted the disciples in John 14:27.

What can we learn from the disciples' reaction to Jesus' appearance?

We can learn that even though the disciples had been told about Jesus' resurrection, they still struggled to believe and understand, as seen in Luke 24:37, which is a reminder that faith is a process and that God is patient with us, as stated in 2 Peter 3:9.

Reflection Questions

What are some times in my life when I have been startled or frightened by the unexpected presence of God, and how did I respond?
How can I, like the disciples, be open to the unexpected ways that God may appear in my life, as seen in Luke 24:36-37?
What are some areas in my life where I struggle to believe or understand God's presence, and how can I, like the disciples, be comforted by Jesus' words and actions?
How can I, like Jesus, bring peace and comfort to those around me who may be struggling with fear or doubt, as seen in Luke 24:36 and John 14:27?

Gill's Exposition on 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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 24:37

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit - the ghost of their dead Lord rather than Himself in the body.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 24:37

Spirits sometimes (by God’ s permission or direction) assumed human shapes. They seeing a human shape, and not able on the sudden to conceive how a human body should come into the midst among them, without any more noise or notice taken of it, were affrighted, as we usually are at the sight of apprehended apparitions. From hence we may conclude, that either the world, and the best men in it, have been in all ages deceived, and a few atheists have been wiser than them all, or there are such beings as spirits.

Trapp's Commentary on Luke 24:37

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. Ver. 37. But they were terrified and affrighted] Tam meticulosa est incredulitas. Ut etiam tutissima et maxime tranquilla timeat, saith Brentius here.

Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 24:37

(37) Supposed that they had seen a spirit.—More accurately, supposed that they were looking on . . . For the use of the word “spirit “in this sense, see Acts 23:8-9; Hebrews 12:23.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Luke 24:37

Verse 37. And supposed that they had seen a spirit.] But if there be no such thing as a disembodied spirit, would not our Lord have shown them their error? Instead of this, he confirms them in their opinion, by saying, A spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have, Lu 24:39; therefore he says, handle me and see me. They probably imagined that it was the soul only of our blessed Lord which they saw; but they were soon fully convinced of the identity of his person, and the reality of his resurrection; for, 1. They saw his body. 2. They heard him speak. 3. They handled him. 4. They saw him eat a piece of broiled fish and honeycomb, which they gave him. In these things it was impossible for them to have been deceived.

Cambridge Bible on Luke 24:37

37. terrified] Literally, “scared”that they had seen a spirit] Rather, that they were gazing on a spirit. See on Luke 24:16.

Sermons on Luke 24:37

	Sermon	Description
	A Spirit Hath Not Flesh and Bones by Tim Keller	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of Easter, which is that by uniting with Jesus Christ, believers will miss out on nothing. He encourages the congregation to rel
	Soaring 3 - Anointing by Gareth Evans	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of facing judgment in a courtroom setting. He mentions a specific internet program called Sermon Index and talks about a young web
	An Ironclad Promise by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes God's unwavering promise to be present in our darkest trials, reminding us that He speaks to us with reassurance, just as He did with the disciples durin
	Christ Willingly Received Into the Ship by Paris Reidhead	Paris Reidhead emphasizes the importance of willingly receiving Christ into our lives, illustrating how Jesus understands our needs and desires to be involved in every aspect of ou
	Consider the Hidden Judgments of God Lest You Become Proud of Your Own Good Deeds by Thomas a Kempis	Thomas a Kempis, in 'The Disciple' sermon, reflects on the awe-inspiring holiness and judgment of the Lord, emphasizing the insignificance of humanity in comparison. He acknowledge
	Jesus Was Tempted as We Are by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying away from temptation and sin. He warns against taking unnecessary risks, especially when it comes to exposing onese
	Let Me Speak, Lastly, to Those Who Do Pray by J.C. Ryle	J.C. Ryle emphasizes the significance of prayer in the life of a believer, urging Christians to approach prayer with reverence, humility, and earnestness. He highlights the necessi