Les Feldick Bible Study

Why didn't Peter and the other disciples recognize Jesus after His resurrection?

They failed to recognize Him because His resurrected body appeared completely normal and ordinary, not bizarre or distinctive. He looked like just another person, so Peter and the others did not immediately know who He was until circumstances like the miraculous catch revealed Him.

Les explains that Jesus' post-resurrection appearances were very normal. When Mary saw Him in the semi-darkness of early dawn, she thought He was a gardener, not because He looked weird, but because His features were common and ordinary and she could not define them enough to know who He was. The disciples saw Him cooking fish on the shore and asked whether He had any food or meat, not realizing who He was; only after the net came full did Peter say, "It's the Lord!" If Jesus had looked bizarre, weird, and different, Peter and the ten would have understood, but they did not know who He was because He looked like just another person. Les teaches that Jesus ate with them and had all the outward appearances of another human being, yet He was now immortal. He could go through the wall or ceiling and be transported instantly, but He did not look weird or like something from a Hollywood concoction; He looked as normal from all human outward appearances as He did in those 40 days from His resurrection until His ascension.