Luke 24:40 (KJV)

What does Luke 24:40 mean?

Luke 24:40 describes how Jesus, after speaking to his disciples, showed them his hands and his feet. This act was meant to prove to them that he was truly present in a physical, resurrected body and not just a spirit or vision.

In this scene, Jesus is appearing to his disciples after his resurrection. The disciples were frightened and unsure if they were seeing a ghost. By showing them his hands and feet—where the wounds from crucifixion would have been—Jesus gives them concrete evidence of his identity and the reality of his resurrection.

The Greek behind Luke 24:40

• "ἐπέδειξεν" (epedeixen, "shewed"): This Greek word means to show or display something clearly. Here, it emphasizes that Jesus made a deliberate effort to let the disciples see his hands and feet, underlining the physical proof he offered.
• "χεῖρας" (cheiras, "hands") and "πόδας" (podas, "feet"): These words specifically point to the parts of Jesus' body that would have borne the marks of crucifixion, highlighting the continuity between the crucified Jesus and the risen Jesus.

Why Luke 24:40 matters

• Luke 24:40 addresses the disciples' doubts by providing physical evidence of Jesus’ resurrection, countering the idea that they were seeing only a spirit.
• This verse connects directly to the surrounding verses, where Jesus reassures and teaches his followers about the reality of his resurrection.
• The detail of showing both hands and feet emphasizes the tangible, bodily nature of Jesus’ resurrection, which was a key point for early Christian belief.