Luke 24:36

¶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.

And {G1161} as they {G846} thus {G5023} spake {G2980}, Jesus {G2424} himself {G846} stood {G2476} in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of them {G846}, and {G2532} saith {G3004} unto them {G846}, Peace {G1515} be unto you {G5213}.

They were still talking about it when — there he was, standing among them!

While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

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

Commentary

Luke 24:36 records a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative: one of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to His disciples. As they were discussing the incredible events of the day, Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst, offering a profound greeting of peace.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse takes place on the evening of the first Easter Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection. The disciples were gathered, likely in an upper room in Jerusalem, a common meeting place for early believers. Their state of mind was a mix of confusion, fear, and burgeoning hope. They had just heard reports from the women who visited the tomb (Luke 24:10) and, more immediately, from the two disciples who had encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus and recognized Him in the breaking of bread (Luke 24:33-35). Despite these testimonies, the disciples were still grappling with the reality of Jesus' return, and likely gathered behind locked doors due to fear of the Jewish authorities (John 20:19).

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Reality of the Resurrection: Jesus' sudden, physical appearance undeniably confirms that He had truly risen from the dead, not as a spirit or ghost, but in a glorified body. This event is a cornerstone of Christian faith and the power of God unto salvation.
  • Divine Presence and Authority: Jesus' ability to appear "in the midst of them" without entering through doors emphasizes His supernatural nature and divine authority, even in His post-resurrection state.
  • Peace Amidst Fear and Doubt: His immediate greeting, "Peace be unto you," directly addresses the disciples' understandable anxiety and confusion. It's a comforting assurance of His benevolent intentions and the new spiritual reality ushered in by His triumph over death. This peace is a central gift of Christ to His followers.
  • Preparation for Mission: This appearance serves as a crucial step in preparing the disciples for their future mission to spread the Gospel, empowering them with the direct experience of the risen Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The greeting, "Peace be unto you" (Greek: Eirene humin - εἰρήνη ὑμῖν), while a common Jewish salutation (similar to Shalom aleichem), carries profound significance from the lips of the risen Christ. The biblical concept of eirene (peace) is far more than the absence of conflict; it signifies wholeness, well-being, harmony, prosperity, and reconciliation, especially with God. It is the deep, spiritual peace that Jesus promised He would give, a peace "not as the world giveth" but a divine gift that transcends human understanding.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 24:36 offers immense comfort and assurance. Just as Jesus brought peace to His fearful disciples, He continues to offer His presence and peace in our times of anxiety, doubt, or distress. His sudden appearance reminds us that He is sovereign and can break through any barrier or locked door in our lives, bringing His calming presence. The reality of His resurrection means that His promises, including that of peace, are eternally valid and available to those who trust in Him. We are called to live in the reality of the risen Christ, finding our peace in Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:16

    ¶ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord [be] with you all.

  • Isaiah 57:18

    I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.

  • 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 20:23

    Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.

  • Luke 10:5

    And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.

  • 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.

  • Revelation 1:4

    John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
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