Luke 24:40 Meaning: What Jesus Meant by Showing His Hands and Feet
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
And having said this, he shewed to them the hands and the feet,
And having said this he shewed them his hands and his feet.
Meaning in one sentence
In Luke 24:40, Jesus shows his hands and feet to prove he is physically risen. This act confirms the reality of the resurrection and his identity.
Context
After his resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples gathered in Jerusalem. They are terrified, certain they have seen a ghost. He greets them with peace, then invites them to look at his hands and feet, the parts that bore the nails. This verse records the moment he shows them. It is not a casual gesture; it is the central proof that he is the same Jesus who died, now alive in a real, physical body. The disciples have heard the women's report and Peter's visit to the empty tomb, but seeing the risen Lord face to face is something else entirely. Jesus meets their fear and doubt with tangible evidence.
Key Words
The Greek verb translated 'showed' is edeixen, from deiknuō. It means more than just pointing, it means to expose to the eyes, to give evidence or proof. Jesus is not merely revealing his body; he is deliberately demonstrating something. The nouns cheiras and podas (hands and feet) are specific: these are the body parts that were pierced by the nails. The Cambridge Bible notes that the mention of feet implies they were indeed nailed, not merely tied to the cross. These words together tell us that Jesus intends his disciples, and us, to see the marks of the crucifixion as proof that he is the same person. The wounds are not erased; they are now a permanent part of his glorified body, a bridge from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
How Christians Read This Verse
Historic Christian teaching holds that Jesus' showing of his hands and feet is a key proof of the bodily resurrection. Protestant commentator Matthew Henry emphasizes that Christ's interview with the apostles was designed to give them full assurance. Baptist expositor John Gill calls these 'infallible proofs' that Jesus showed himself alive after his passion. John Wesley points out that the disciples could see or feel the prints of the nails. The Anglican Cambridge Bible observes that the mention of feet implies they were pierced, confirming the reality of the crucifixion. Across traditions, this verse is understood to affirm that Jesus rose in the same body that suffered, now glorified yet still bearing the marks of love.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse as if Jesus showed his hands and feet only to prove he was not a ghost. That is true, but it misses the deeper point. Jesus is not just saying 'I am not a spirit'; he is saying 'I am the same Jesus who was crucified, and my resurrection body is physical and real.' In fact, the wounds are not just evidence of his identity; they are the enduring sign that his suffering has meaning and that our own bodies will be redeemed.
Living This Out
This week, when you face doubt or fear, remember that Jesus did not hide his wounds. He showed them. He is not distant or abstract. He invites you to see that he is real and that his suffering has purpose. Perhaps you carry a wound of your own, a loss, a disappointment, a failure. Jesus' hands and feet show that God does not waste suffering; he carries it into the new creation. You can ask Jesus to help you see where he is at work, even through pain. The risen Lord is not ashamed of his scars. He uses them to build your faith.
Main takeaway: The risen Christ showed his hands and feet to prove his identity and the physical reality of his resurrection.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
After Jesus came back to life, he showed his friends the marks on his hands and feet. He wanted them to know it was really him. Jesus is alive today!
For ages 9, 12
When Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection, they were scared and thought he was a ghost. So Jesus showed them the wounds in his hands and feet. He even ate food to prove he had a real body. This shows that Jesus really did rise from the dead in his actual body. It means that our bodies matter to God, and he will raise us one day too, just like Jesus.
Questions People Ask
Why did Jesus show his hands and feet after the resurrection?
Jesus showed his hands and feet to prove to his disciples that he was physically risen from the dead. He wanted them to see and touch the wounds from the crucifixion, confirming that he was the same Jesus they had known, not a ghost or spirit. This established the reality of his bodily resurrection.
What does Luke 24:40 teach about the resurrection body?
This verse teaches that the resurrection body is a real, physical body. Jesus' body still bore the marks of his crucifixion, yet it was transformed and glorified. Christians across traditions have seen this as evidence that our own future resurrection will be bodily, not merely spiritual.
Were Jesus' hands and feet pierced during the crucifixion?
Yes. The showing of his hands and feet implies they were pierced, likely by nails. The Cambridge Bible commentary notes that this shows his feet were pierced, not just tied. The wounds were still visible after the resurrection, serving as proof of his identity and suffering.
Why were the disciples afraid when they saw Jesus after the resurrection?
The disciples were terrified because they thought they had seen a spirit. They were not expecting a physically resurrected body. Jesus' showing of his hands and feet was part of a series of proofs to comfort them and build their faith. Their fear turned to joy as they recognized him.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study