Luke 24:40

KJV

And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them [his] hands and [his] feet.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when he had thus {G5124} spoken {G2036}, he shewed {G1925} them {G846} his hands {G5495} and {G2532} his feet {G4228}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

Berean Standard Bible

And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.

American Standard Version

And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:40 vividly portrays the resurrected Jesus providing undeniable physical proof of His identity to His astonished and fearful disciples. Following His sudden appearance and their initial terror, Jesus offers tangible evidence of His bodily resurrection by showing them His hands and feet, bearing the visible marks of His crucifixion. This pivotal moment served to dispel their disbelief, confirm the reality of His triumph over death, and prepare them to be witnesses of His glorious return from the grave.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 24:40 is situated at the climax of Luke's Gospel, immediately after Jesus' unexpected appearance to His disciples gathered in Jerusalem. The preceding verses detail the disciples' initial reaction of terror and belief that they were seeing a spirit ([Luke 24:37](/luke/24-37 "Luke 24:37 - Disciples' Fear of a Spirit")). Jesus' question, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?" ([Luke 24:38](/luke/24-38 "Luke 24:38 - Jesus Addresses Their Doubts")), sets the stage for His subsequent actions. Verse 39, where He invites them to "handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" ([Luke 24:39](/luke/24-39 "Luke 24:39 - Jesus' Invitation to Touch Him")), directly precedes and explains the purpose of His action in verse 40. This entire sequence underscores Luke's emphasis on the physical reality of Jesus' resurrection, countering any Gnostic or spiritualized interpretations. The narrative then moves to Jesus opening their understanding of the Scriptures and commissioning them as witnesses ([Luke 24:44-48](/luke/24-44-48 "Luke 24:44-48 - Jesus Explains Scripture and Commissions Disciples")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The disciples' initial reaction of fear and the assumption of seeing a spirit aligns with common ancient beliefs about apparitions and ghosts. In Jewish thought, while resurrection was anticipated (e.g., [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Resurrection of the Dead")), the concept of a bodily resurrection *before* the general resurrection at the end of the age was revolutionary and difficult to grasp. The idea of a spirit without a physical body was a familiar concept, making Jesus' demonstration of His physical form crucial. Furthermore, crucifixion was a brutal and public form of execution designed to inflict maximum pain and humiliation. The wounds in Jesus' hands and feet were not just identifying marks but also bore witness to the violence and shame He endured, a common sight in the Roman-occupied world. The gathering of the disciples in Jerusalem, likely in an upper room, reflects the typical practice of early Christian communities meeting in private homes due to fear of persecution and for fellowship.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 24:40 is central to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the **Physicality of the Resurrection**, a core tenet of Christian theology. Jesus' demonstration unequivocally proves that His resurrection was not merely spiritual but involved His actual body, albeit a glorified one. This counters any notion of a phantom or symbolic resurrection, emphasizing the concrete historical event. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Proof and Assurance**. The visible wounds serve as irrefutable evidence, moving the disciples from doubt and fear to faith and understanding, a process vital for their future mission as apostles. This act of showing His wounds connects directly to the theme of **Continuity of Identity**, demonstrating that the resurrected Christ is the same suffering Savior who was crucified, bearing the marks of His sacrifice. This continuity is essential for understanding the salvific work accomplished on the cross and its ongoing efficacy. The disciples' journey from disbelief to conviction, culminating in their commission to preach repentance and forgiveness ([Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Preaching Repentance and Forgiveness")), underscores Luke's narrative of faith formation and the imperative of sharing the good news.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spoken (Greek, _épō'_):** From G2036, a primary verb meaning "to speak or say (by word or writing)." In this context, it refers to Jesus' verbal address to the disciples, specifically His questions about their fear and doubt, and His invitation to touch Him, preceding the physical demonstration. This word emphasizes the verbal communication that sets the stage for the visual proof.
* **shewed (Greek, _epideíknymi'_):** From G1925, meaning "to exhibit (physically or mentally)." This verb signifies a deliberate act of displaying something for observation. Jesus intentionally presented His hands and feet, making them visible and accessible to the disciples. This act was not accidental but a purposeful demonstration designed to provide irrefutable evidence.
* **hands (Greek, _cheír'_):** From G5495, meaning "the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument)." Here, it refers to Jesus' physical hands, specifically those that bore the marks of the nails from the crucifixion. The hands are instruments of action and often symbolic of power and authority, but in this context, they are presented as evidence of suffering and identity.
* **feet (Greek, _poús'_):** From G4228, a primary word meaning "a 'foot' (figuratively or literally)." Similar to the hands, these are Jesus' physical feet, which also bore the marks of crucifixion. The mention of both hands and feet emphasizes the totality of the physical suffering endured on the cross and the comprehensive nature of the bodily resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he had thus spoken":** This clause serves as a transition, linking Jesus' prior verbal assurances and invitations (e.g., "handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" [Luke 24:39](/luke/24-39 "Luke 24:39 - Jesus' Invitation to Touch Him")) to His subsequent physical demonstration. The phrase "thus spoken" refers back to His words intended to calm their fears and address their disbelief in His physical presence. It highlights the logical progression from verbal instruction to tangible proof.
* **"he shewed them his hands and his feet":** This is the core action of the verse, providing the irrefutable evidence of Jesus' physical resurrection. By deliberately displaying His hands and feet, Jesus presented the visible, palpable marks of the crucifixion. These wounds served as undeniable identification, proving that He was indeed the same Jesus who had been crucified and buried, and that His resurrection was not a spiritual apparition but a bodily reality. This act was essential for validating His identity and the nature of His triumph over death.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's concise yet impactful description in this verse employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Realism**, as Luke emphasizes the tangible, physical nature of Jesus' resurrected body through the specific mention of His hands and feet. This detail grounds the supernatural event in a verifiable reality, countering any abstract or spiritualized interpretations. The wounds themselves function as powerful **Symbols**, representing both the depth of Jesus' suffering on the cross and His ultimate victory over death. They are marks of past agony transformed into signs of present glory and identity. Furthermore, the act of "shewing" implies **Emphasis**, as Jesus deliberately presents this evidence, drawing the disciples' attention to the very parts of His body that bore the most direct evidence of the crucifixion. This deliberate display is a form of **Proof by Demonstration**, a rhetorical technique used to convince a skeptical audience through direct, empirical evidence rather than mere assertion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 24:40 is a foundational verse for understanding the nature of Christ's resurrection and its implications for Christian faith. It unequivocally affirms the bodily resurrection of Jesus, a truth central to the Gospel message. The presence of the crucifixion wounds in His glorified body signifies that His resurrection was not a reanimation to mortal life, but a transformation into a new, imperishable existence that nonetheless maintained continuity with His historical person. These wounds serve as eternal reminders of His atoning sacrifice, demonstrating that the triumphant Lord is none other than the suffering Lamb of God. This physical proof was crucial for the disciples to move from despair and doubt to a confident faith, enabling them to become bold witnesses of His victory over sin and death.

* [John 20:20](/john/20-20 "John 20:20 - Jesus Shows His Hands and Side to Disciples")
* [John 20:27](/john/20-27 "John 20:27 - Jesus Invites Thomas to Touch His Wounds")
* [1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - If Christ Has Not Been Raised")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Luke 24:40 offers profound assurance and a call to faith for believers today. In a world often skeptical of the supernatural and prone to spiritualizing away difficult truths, Jesus' physical demonstration of His resurrected body stands as a powerful anchor for our hope. It reminds us that our faith is not built on abstract ideas or mythical tales, but on a historical event attested by eyewitnesses who saw, heard, and touched the risen Christ. This physical resurrection validates every claim Jesus made about Himself and His mission, confirming His victory over sin, death, and the grave. It provides the ultimate guarantee of our own future resurrection and eternal life with Him. Therefore, we are called to embrace this truth with unwavering conviction, allowing it to transform our fears into faith, our doubts into assurance, and our lives into testimonies of a living Savior.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the physical reality of Jesus' resurrection, as demonstrated in Luke 24:40, strengthen your faith and hope?**
* **What doubts or fears might Jesus be inviting you to bring to Him for tangible proof of His presence and power in your life today?**
* **In what ways can you, as a follower of Christ, bear witness to the reality of His resurrection in your daily life and interactions?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus specifically show His hands and feet, and not other parts of His body?**

Answer: Jesus specifically showed His hands and feet because these were the primary locations where the nails were driven during crucifixion, leaving distinct and undeniable marks. In the context of the disciples' fear and disbelief, these visible wounds served as irrefutable proof of His identity. They demonstrated that He was not a spirit or a phantom, but the very same Jesus who had been crucified and buried. This act directly addressed their doubts by providing tangible, physical evidence that connected His resurrected body to His suffering on the cross, as He had just invited them to "handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" ([Luke 24:39](/luke/24-39 "Luke 24:39 - Jesus' Invitation to Touch Him")). The wounds were not merely scars; they were part of His glorified body, affirming the continuity of His personhood and the reality of His triumph over death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 24:40 powerfully underscores the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, revealing Jesus as the resurrected Lord who conquers death itself. His showing of the hands and feet, bearing the marks of crucifixion, is not merely a historical proof; it is a profound theological statement. These wounds, once instruments of His suffering and death, become the very symbols of His triumph and the eternal testament to His atoning sacrifice. This act directly fulfills Old Testament prophecies concerning a suffering Messiah (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions")), whose wounds bring healing. In His resurrected body, Jesus carries the indelible marks of His work, demonstrating that His victory is rooted in His perfect obedience and sacrificial death. This reality forms the bedrock of New Testament theology, where the resurrected Christ is proclaimed as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), guaranteeing the future resurrection of all who believe in Him. The wounds in His hands and feet are a perpetual reminder of the Lamb who was slain but now lives forevermore, interceding for His people at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Intercedes for Us")). Thus, Luke 24:40 points us to the very heart of the Gospel: a living Savior whose crucifixion and resurrection provide the complete and sufficient means for humanity's reconciliation with God.

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.