Why does Paul mention that most of the five hundred witnesses were still alive in 1 Corinthians 15:6?
Paul mentions that most of the five hundred witnesses were still alive because, about 30–31 years after the crucifixion and around AD 60, they could have been in their twenties or thirties and were still living. Their remaining presence kept the resurrection eyewitness testimony recent and tied to living people.
Les explains that the statement comes after Paul has said Christ was seen by Peter, then by the twelve, then by over five hundred brethren at once. Les points out that the greater part remained unto that present time, which was about AD 60, roughly 30–31 years after the crucifixion. Since those witnesses could have been in their twenties or thirties, they would still be alive, so most of the five hundred were still living at the time of Paul’s writing. Les then notes verse 7, where Christ was seen of James and then all the apostles, and verse 8, where last of all He was seen of Paul as one born ahead of time.
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
More Questions
Why does it matter that most of the 500 witnesses of Jesus' resurrection were still alive when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians?
The greater part of the over 500 brethren who saw the risen Jesus were still alive when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians (about 60 AD, 30-31 years after the crucifixion), which means they could have been in their twenties or thirties.