1 Corinthians 15:5

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

And {G2532} that {G3754} he was seen {G3700} of Cephas {G2786}, then {G1534} of the twelve {G1427}:

and he was seen by Kefa, then by the Twelve;

and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.

and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;

1 Corinthians 15:5 is a pivotal verse within Paul's comprehensive argument for the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, which he presents as the foundational truth of the Christian faith. In this passage, Paul systematically lists various eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ, thereby establishing the historical veracity of this miraculous event.

Context

This verse is part of a crucial section in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, where Paul addresses doubts and false teachings within the Corinthian church regarding the resurrection. He begins by reminding them of the gospel he preached, emphasizing Christ's death for sins, burial, and resurrection "according to the scriptures" (1 Cor 15:3-4). Verse 5 then introduces the first specific post-resurrection appearances, highlighting that these were not isolated incidents but verifiable encounters with multiple individuals and groups. The entire chapter underscores that if Christ was not raised, then Christian faith is futile (1 Cor 15:14).

Key Themes

  • Eyewitness Testimony: The verse provides concrete evidence for Jesus' resurrection by naming specific individuals and groups who saw Him alive after His crucifixion. This emphasis on multiple, credible witnesses was crucial in ancient legal and historical contexts, lending immense weight to Paul's argument.
  • Apostolic Authority: The appearances to "Cephas" (Peter) and "the twelve" affirm the authority and credibility of the apostles as primary heralds of the resurrection. These individuals were chosen by Christ and were foundational to the early church's message.
  • Historical Veracity of the Resurrection: Paul isn't presenting a myth or a spiritualized concept, but a historical event that occurred in time and space, attested by many. This makes the resurrection a central pillar of the Christian gospel, providing hope for believers' own future resurrection (1 Cor 15:20).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Cephas": This is the Aramaic name for Simon Peter, given to him by Jesus Himself (John 1:42). The Greek equivalent is `Petros`, meaning "rock." The fact that Jesus appeared specifically to Peter first (even before the larger group of apostles) is significant, especially considering Peter's earlier denial of Christ (Luke 22:54-62). This appearance likely played a crucial role in Peter's restoration and strengthened his resolve to preach the gospel boldly (Acts 2:14ff).
  • "Seen of": The Greek word used here is `ōphthē` (ὤφθη), which means "was seen," "appeared," or "was made visible." It implies a deliberate, objective manifestation, not a subjective vision or hallucination. This term is consistently used in the New Testament for post-resurrection appearances, reinforcing their tangible reality.
  • "The twelve": While Judas Iscariot was no longer among them, this phrase refers to the core group of apostles, emphasizing their collective witness. Paul uses "the twelve" as a recognized designation for the apostolic body, even if the precise number present at that specific appearance might have been eleven.

Practical Application

The historical evidence for Jesus' resurrection, powerfully presented in verses like 1 Corinthians 15:5, provides a solid foundation for our faith. It assures us that:

  • Our Hope is Real: The resurrection means Christ conquered sin and death, offering genuine hope for eternal life (John 11:25).
  • The Gospel is True: The message we proclaim is not based on fables but on verifiable historical events.
  • Transformation is Possible: If Christ was raised, then transformation and new life are possible for all who believe in Him. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in believers (Ephesians 1:19-20).

This verse encourages believers to stand firm in their faith, knowing it rests on the unshakeable truth of a risen Savior, confirmed by numerous credible witnesses.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 16:14

    ¶ Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

  • John 20:19

    ¶ Then the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.

  • John 20:26

    ¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you.

  • Acts 1:2

    Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

  • Acts 1:14

    These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

  • John 1:42

    And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

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