Yes, Jesus' statement proves His physical resurrection, showing He was not a spirit but had a tangible body of flesh and bones.
In Luke 24:39, Jesus explicitly contrasts His body with a spirit, saying 'a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.' He then showed His hands and feet and ate broiled fish and honeycomb to demonstrate His physical reality. Les Feldick highlights that the omission of blood in this phrase points to the eternal state, where believers will have flesh and bone without a blood circulatory system.
Luke 24:39 — This verse contains the exact phrase and directly addresses the question, showing Jesus' physicality.
The Bible records that after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples, who were terrified and supposed they saw a spirit. To reassure them, Jesus said, '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' (Luke 24:39). He then showed them His hands and feet. To further prove His physicality, He asked for food, and they gave Him a piece of broiled fish and of a honeycomb, and He ate before them (Luke 24:41-43).
Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus' statement 'flesh and bones' deliberately omits blood, indicating that in the eternal state, our resurrected bodies will be flesh and bone but without a blood circulatory system. He points out that this physical demonstration was necessary because the disciples still could not believe, even for joy, that it was truly the same Jesus. The Lord showed them His scars and ate food to convince them, and then He opened their understanding of the Scriptures, fulfilling all things written in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
Jesus showed His hands and feet to provide visible proof of His identity and physical resurrection. The scars from the crucifixion identified Him as the same Jesus who had died, and His tangible body proved He was not a spirit. Les Feldick notes that even with this evidence, the disciples still 'believed not for joy' and marveled, showing their difficulty in comprehending the resurrection.
Jesus eating broiled fish and honeycomb in His resurrected body demonstrated that He had a physical, functioning body capable of eating. This act was proof positive for the disciples, as a spirit or ghost would not need to eat. Les Feldick emphasizes this as 'amazing' and a clear indication that His glorified body was real and tangible.
Les Feldick explains that the disciples were not expecting the resurrection. They had no idea He would die, and even after death, no expectation of rising. Additionally, Isaiah implies that Jesus was disfigured beyond recognition on the cross, making it hard for them to accept that this whole and seemingly healthy man was their Lord. This unbelief persisted even as they rejoiced, and they needed tangible evidence.
Les Feldick highlights that Jesus said 'flesh and bones' without mentioning blood. He teaches that this omission points to our eternal state, where believers will have resurrected bodies composed of flesh and bone but without a blood circulatory system. This is consistent with the eternal state where death is no more, and blood, which is associated with life and sacrifice, is no longer needed.
Physical Proof Over Disfigurement
Les notes that Jesus' disfigurement on the cross made it hard for disciples to believe He was whole, but His physical presence with scars proved it was Him.
Flesh and Bones Without Blood
Les explains that Jesus' words 'flesh and bones' omit blood, indicating that our eternal resurrected bodies will be flesh and bone without a blood circulatory system.
Jesus Ate in His Glorified Body
Les emphasizes that Jesus ate broiled fish and honeycomb in His glorified body, demonstrating His physical reality and ability to eat, which was amazing.
Eating to Prove Physicality
Les highlights that Jesus ate the food given to Him, showing He had a real, physical body that could consume food.
Explicit Reading of Luke 24
Les reads Luke 24:39-40, emphasizing Jesus' invitation to 'handle me' and the contrast with a spirit.
Disciples' Fear and Unbelief
Les describes how the disciples were terrified and supposed they saw a spirit, leading Jesus to invite them to handle Him and see His flesh and bones.
Physical Presence, Not a Fog
Les contrasts Jesus' physical appearance with a 'fog' or science-fiction teleport, affirming He was physically present.
Corresponding Events
Les discusses that Jesus eating before the disciples is a clear event, and he notes that Gospel accounts may describe different events without contradiction.
Luke 24:39: 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.
This is the key verse where Jesus directly addresses His physicality after resurrection.
Luke 24:40: And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
Jesus demonstrates the scars as further proof of His identity.
Luke 24:41-42: And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
Despite their joy, unbelief persisted, and Jesus asked for food, which they provided.
Luke 24:43: And he took it, and did eat before them.
Jesus eating proves His physical body was real and capable of digestion.
Luke 24:44: 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.
Jesus connects His resurrection to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
Yes, Jesus explicitly said 'a spirit hath not flesh and bones' and invited the disciples to handle Him. He also ate broiled fish and honeycomb, proving His body was physical and tangible.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus omitted blood when saying 'flesh and bones,' which points to our eternal state where we will have glorified bodies without a blood circulatory system, as blood is associated with life and sacrifice.
The disciples were not expecting resurrection and were overwhelmed with joy. Les Feldick notes that Jesus' disfigurement on the cross made it hard to accept He was whole, and their unbelief persisted until He gave further proof.
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