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Luke 24: 35-48 Audio Bible KJV | King James Audio Bible | King James Version | Daily Verses
35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
36 ¶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
These verses are as those for Thursday of Easter Week 1.
The disciples who encountered Jesus on their way to Emmaus have returned in haste to tell the disciples in Jerusalem what they have heard and seen. Jerusalem has long been a city special to God. It is the Holy City. The Church of Christ is described, in the New Testament, as the Jerusalem above, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the new Jerusalem. It is here that Christ suffered. It is from here that the Kingdom of God begins to spread.
When Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem, they are in hiding behind locked doors. They are afraid of the Jewish authorities; the threat of death hangs over them. They are also afraid when they see Jesus because they think they are seeing a spirit, no matter Christ’s first words of reassurance: Peace be with you.
Through these verses, we are brought to understand something more about the nature of Christ’s glorified body and of our own resurrection. Christ’s nature is not now incorporeal. He can be touched. He reassures his disciples further by asking them to give him something to eat. And yet he is not bound by the limitations of time and space. His body is totally subject to his soul. He is free to enter within locked spaces. The resurrection is of flesh and spirit.
It is a beautiful scene, as Jesus offers his body to his disciples again, to assist their belief, so that they may recognize the risen Christ as Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, whose hands and feet are pierced. Contrary to all that the disciples have feared, given the shame of death by crucifixion, which indeed was held as a sign of having been cursed by God, Jesus their Lord has returned to them.
Just as he spoke to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, so now Jesus teaches those present to understand the Scriptures anew. He opens the disciples’ minds and they understand. They see now how the Old Testament pointed toward Christ, telling of what must happen to him and of how he would rise. Their minds are illuminated. And, through this, there is the injunction once again to spread the good news, to teach repentance and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus. For the time to come, the disciples are to be witnesses of Jesus’ teaching and of his glorious resurrection which makes our life possible.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Romans 8: 10-11)
Audio Bible KJV | King James Audio Bible | King James Version | Endnotes
How Are We To Understand The Doctrine Of The Physical (Bodily) Resurrection Of The Dead?
The doctrine of the physical resurrection of the dead is grounded in the belief that Jesus himself was resurrected in bodily form. This doctrine has been affirmed by both Catholic and Protestant traditions throughout Christian history.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ in bodily form is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. As the Apostle Saint Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:17: ‘And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.’ Thus, the physical resurrection of the dead is not just a belief, but a fundamental aspect of Christian salvation.
Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22: ‘But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’
The Resurrection is a mystery that has been the subject of theological reflection and debate throughout Christian history. While the precise nature of the resurrected body remains unknown, the reality of the Resurrection serves as a testament to the power of God and the hope of eternal life that is promised to all who believe.
Luke 24: 35-48 recounts the story of the resurrected Jesus appearing to his disciples, and subsequent doubts and amazement of his followers as they struggled to comprehend the reality of his Resurrection.
That Jesus appeared to his disciples in the body is a foretaste of the Christian resurrection to come. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22: ‘But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’
Some have said that the resurrection is to be understood as purely spiritual; others have denied the possibility of bodily resurrection altogether. This is heresy.
One of the earliest articulations of the doctrine of the physical resurrection can be found in the Apostle’s Creed, which states: ‘I believe in the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.’ This statement affirms the reality of bodily resurrection and underscores its importance as a precursor to eternal life.
In the Catholic tradition, the Catechism states: ‘The ‘resurrection of the flesh’ [the literal formulation of the Apostles’ Creed] means not only that the immortal soul will live on after death, but that even our ‘mortal body’ will come to life again.’ (CCC 1016) The Catechism goes on to explain that the resurrection will be a transformation of the body, not a simple reanimation of the corpse. The resurrected body will be ‘spiritualized’ and ‘transfigured’, no longer subject to sickness or death.
In the Protestant tradition, the Westminster Confession Of Faith also affirms the physical resurrection of the dead, stating that ‘At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up, with the selfsame bodies, and none other’ (Chapter 32, Section 2). Like the Catholic tradition, the Confession emphasizes the transformative nature of the resurrection, stating that ‘the bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his Resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body’ (Chapter 32, Section 2).
The reality of the resurrection gives Christians purpose and motivation to live lives of service and love, knowing that our labor is reflected in the life to come.
The Human Body In Christian Thought | I Am My Body And The Body Of Christ
The doctrine of the physical resurrection emphasizes the importance of the body in Christian thought. Unlike some other religious traditions that view the body as a hindrance to spiritual enlightenment, Christianity affirms the inherent value and dignity of the body as a creation of God. The resurrection of the body affirms this belief and emphasizes the importance of caring for the physical needs of others, including the sick and the poor.
In contemporary discussions, some have argued that the doctrine of the physical resurrection is scientifically implausible or outdated. In response it has been said that the resurrection of the body is not primarily a scientific claim, but a theological one. It is a set of theological claims about the nature and power of God, rather than a set of empirical or historical claims.
Orthodox belief is that the resurrection of the body is axiomatic.
Christ calling himself the vine and believers branches reveals the nature of our intimate, organic union with Jesus. This image underscores not mere moral imitation, but ontological participation — we share in Christ’s own life. Cyril writes, ‘[T]hose who are joined to him, as branches are to a vine, share in his own nature.’ [ … ]
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
Caesarius preached in early sixth-century Gaul, a time of political instability and economic hardship following the collapse of Roman imperial authority in the West. The Church increasingly took on roles of social support, particularly in cities where civil structures had broken down. As bishop of Arles, Caesarius was not only a preacher but also a reformer and organiser of practical charity. He established hospitals, supported communal care for the sick and destitute, and redirected Church revenues to the relief of the poor [ … ]
