1 Corinthians 15:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

After that {G1899}, he was seen {G3700} of above {G1883} five hundred {G4001} brethren {G80} at once {G2178}; of {G1537} whom {G3739} the greater part {G4119} remain {G3306} unto {G2193} this present {G737}, but {G1161} some {G5100}{G2532} are fallen asleep {G2837}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and afterwards he was seen by more than five hundred brothers at one time, the majority of whom are still alive, though some have died.

Berean Standard Bible

After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Provides compelling historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, detailing an appearance to over five hundred believers simultaneously, most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthian church. This verse serves as a cornerstone in Paul's robust defense of the bodily resurrection, offering verifiable eyewitness testimony that underscores the foundational truth and historical reliability of the Christian gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's comprehensive argument for the resurrection of the dead in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of Christ and Believers"). Paul begins by reiterating the core gospel message—Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")). He then systematically lists a series of eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ, starting with Cephas (Peter) and the twelve apostles ([1 Corinthians 15:5](/1_corinthians/15-5 "1 Corinthians 15:5 - Christ's Appearance to Peter and the Twelve")). [Verse 6](/1_corinthians/15-6 "1 Corinthians 15:6 - Christ's Appearance to Over 500 Brethren") introduces the largest and arguably most compelling group of witnesses, setting the stage for Paul's subsequent appeal to his own apostolic witness ([1 Corinthians 15:8](/1_corinthians/15-8 "1 Corinthians 15:8 - Christ's Appearance to Paul")) and his theological exposition on the implications of Christ's resurrection for the resurrection of all believers ([1 Corinthians 15:12-28](/1_corinthians/15-12-28 "1 Corinthians 15:12-28 - The Necessity of Resurrection")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church, situated in a major Roman city, was exposed to diverse philosophical currents, including Greek thought that often denigrated the physical body and viewed a bodily resurrection as absurd. Some within the church were questioning or denying the resurrection of the dead ([1 Corinthians 15:12](/1_corinthians/15-12 "1 Corinthians 15:12 - Doubts About Resurrection")). In the ancient world, multiple eyewitnesses were crucial for establishing the veracity of an event, akin to legal testimony. Paul's appeal to "above five hundred brethren" was not merely anecdotal but a powerful, verifiable claim. By stating that "the greater part remain unto this present," Paul was essentially inviting his readers to conduct their own investigation, to seek out and interrogate these living witnesses, thereby grounding the resurrection not in myth or wishful thinking, but in attestable historical fact. This was a direct challenge to the skepticism prevalent in their cultural milieu.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes within [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the **verifiability of Christ's resurrection**, emphasizing that it was not a private vision but a public, attested event. The sheer number of witnesses highlights the **overwhelming eyewitness testimony** supporting this central tenet of Christian faith. This historical grounding, in turn, reinforces the **reliability and truthfulness of the gospel message**, demonstrating that Christian faith is based on objective reality rather than subjective experience alone. Furthermore, the mention of those who have "fallen asleep" subtly introduces the theme of **death as a temporary state for believers**, foreshadowing the hope of future resurrection that Paul will elaborate upon later in the chapter, where Christ is presented as the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seen (Greek, _optánomai'_):** This word, G3700, denotes a deliberate, wide-eyed gaze, as at something remarkable, differing from mere casual observation. It implies an intentional appearance by Christ and a focused, undeniable perception by the witnesses. This is not a fleeting glance or a subjective vision, but a clear, objective manifestation that demanded attention and left an indelible impression.
* **remain (Greek, _ménō'_):** G3306 signifies to stay, abide, or continue in a given place or state. In this context, Paul's use of "remain unto this present" emphasizes that the majority of the five hundred witnesses were still alive and accessible when he wrote the letter. This was a crucial point for verification, allowing the Corinthian believers or any skeptic to potentially interview these individuals and confirm the resurrection account directly, thereby validating the historical claim.
* **fallen asleep (Greek, _koimáō'_):** G2837 literally means "to put to sleep" or "to slumber," and figuratively, "to decease." This is a common biblical euphemism for the death of believers. Its use here subtly reinforces the chapter's overarching theme of resurrection, suggesting that death for those in Christ is not a final end but a temporary, sleep-like state from which they will awaken at the resurrection, offering comfort and hope.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once":** This clause provides a specific, verifiable detail about a mass appearance of the resurrected Christ. "After that" (G1899, _épeita_) links this appearance chronologically to the previous ones mentioned. The phrase "above five hundred brethren" (G1883 _epánō_ G4001 _pentakósioi_ G80 _adelphós_) highlights the unprecedented scale of this event, making it difficult to dismiss as a hallucination or an isolated, easily fabricated claim. The phrase "at once" (G2178, _ephápax_) emphasizes the simultaneous nature of this appearance, reinforcing its objective reality and shared experience among a large group.
* **"of whom the greater part remain unto this present":** This critical assertion (G1537 _ek_ G3739 _hós_ G4119 _pleíōn_ G3306 _ménō_ G2193 _héōs_ G737 _árti_) grounds the resurrection in contemporary, verifiable history. Paul is stating that most of these five hundred-plus witnesses were still alive when he penned the letter (circa AD 55-56). This provides a powerful challenge to skeptics, inviting them to investigate and confirm the testimony directly from living sources, thereby substantiating the historical truth of the resurrection.
* **"but some are fallen asleep":** This concluding phrase (G1161 _dé_ G5100 _tìs_ G2532 _kaí_ G2837 _koimáō_) acknowledges that not all of the five hundred were still alive. "Fallen asleep" is a tender and hopeful euphemism for death, particularly for believers. It implicitly connects their physical demise to the promise of future resurrection, aligning with the broader theological message of [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") that death is not the final word for those who are in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to strengthen his argument in this verse. The most prominent is **Eyewitness Testimony**, which serves as the bedrock of his historical claim. By citing a specific, large number ("above five hundred brethren"), Paul uses **Numerical Specificity** to lend credibility and weight to the event, making it difficult to dismiss as a vague rumor. The phrase "of whom the greater part remain unto this present" functions as a direct **Appeal to Verifiability**, challenging his audience to confirm the facts for themselves, thereby transforming the claim from a mere assertion into an empirically testable proposition. Finally, the use of **Euphemism** in "some are fallen asleep" for death not only softens the grim reality but also subtly reinforces the overarching theme of resurrection, aligning death with a temporary state from which awakening is expected.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Corinthians 15:6](/1_corinthians/15-6 "1 Corinthians 15:6 - Christ's Appearance to Over 500 Brethren") is profoundly significant for Christian theology, establishing the historical and verifiable basis for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The existence of hundreds of living eyewitnesses at the time of Paul's writing provides an unassailable foundation for the gospel, demonstrating that Christian faith is not built on myths or fables, but on a concrete, attested event in history. This mass appearance underscores the objective reality of Christ's triumph over death, validating His divine claims and the redemptive power of His sacrifice. Theologically, it ensures that the hope of future resurrection for believers is not a mere wish but a certainty, grounded in the historical fact of Christ's own bodily resurrection. This verse thus serves as a powerful bulwark against skepticism, affirming the truthfulness of the apostolic witness and the transformative power of the resurrected Lord.

* [Acts 1:3](/acts/1-3 "Acts 1:3 - Many Infallible Proofs")
* [Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confession and Belief in Resurrection")
* [1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - Living Hope Through Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound historical evidence presented in [1 Corinthians 15:6](/1_corinthians/15-6 "1 Corinthians 15:6 - Christ's Appearance to Over 500 Brethren") offers immense comfort and conviction for believers today. In an age of skepticism and doubt, this verse reminds us that our faith is not a blind leap into the unknown, but a confident trust in a historically verifiable event. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a mere theological concept but an attested reality, confirmed by hundreds of living witnesses at the time of Paul's writing. This truth should embolden our witness, giving us courage to share the gospel with confidence, knowing that it is grounded in objective fact. Furthermore, the tender euphemism of "fallen asleep" for those who have died in Christ provides deep solace, transforming our understanding of death from a terrifying end into a temporary rest, from which we, too, will awaken to eternal life with our resurrected Lord. This verse calls us to live with a vibrant, resurrection-powered hope, shaping our perspective on life, death, and eternity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical evidence of Christ's resurrection, particularly the testimony of "above five hundred brethren," strengthen your personal faith today?**
* **In what ways does understanding death as "sleep" for believers impact your perspective on loss and the future hope?**
* **How might the verifiability of the resurrection empower you to share the gospel more confidently with others?**

### FAQ
**Why is the number "above five hundred brethren" significant?**

Answer: The number "above five hundred" is highly significant because it represents an unprecedentedly large group of simultaneous eyewitnesses to a supernatural event. In ancient legal and historical contexts, multiple witnesses were crucial for establishing the truth of a claim. A group of this size makes it virtually impossible to dismiss the event as a hallucination, a conspiracy, or an isolated, subjective experience. Paul's inclusion of this detail ([1 Corinthians 15:6](/1_corinthians/15-6 "1 Corinthians 15:6 - Christ's Appearance to Over 500 Brethren")) serves as powerful, verifiable evidence, inviting scrutiny and lending immense credibility to the resurrection account.

**Who were these "brethren" and why does Paul emphasize that "the greater part remain unto this present"?**

Answer: The "brethren" were fellow believers, likely a diverse group of men and women from various backgrounds who had come to faith in Christ. Paul's emphasis that "the greater part remain unto this present" (meaning most were still alive when he wrote [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians - Paul's Letter to the Church in Corinth") around AD 55-56) is a critical point of historical verification. It means that the Corinthian believers, or anyone else, could have sought out and interviewed these living witnesses to confirm the resurrection account directly. This transforms the resurrection from a mere claim into a historically attestable fact, providing robust, contemporary proof of Christ's victory over death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 15:6](/1_corinthians/15-6 "1 Corinthians 15:6 - Christ's Appearance to Over 500 Brethren") stands as a foundational pillar for the Christ-centered hope of the gospel. The historical reality of Jesus's resurrection, attested by over five hundred witnesses, is the ultimate demonstration of His triumph over sin and death, validating His identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. This bodily resurrection is not merely a past event but the ongoing source of life and power for believers. Because Christ was raised, He is now seated at the right hand of God ([Ephesians 1:20-21](/ephesians/1-20-21 "Ephesians 1:20-21 - Christ's Exaltation")), actively interceding for His people ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). His resurrection guarantees our own future resurrection and transformation ([Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Future Transformation")), and it empowers us with His Spirit to live new lives in the present ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - Resurrection Power in Believers")). Thus, the appearance to the five hundred brethren is not just a historical footnote, but a living testament to the power of the resurrected Christ, the "firstfruits of them that slept" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")), who ensures that death is not the end for those who trust in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 28:10

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Mark 16:7

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

Acts 13:36

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

1 Corinthians 15:18

Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

2 Peter 3:4

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.

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.

Matthew 28:16

¶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.