Yes, Jesus said 'Peace be unto you' to calm and reassure His terrified disciples who were frightened by His sudden appearance.
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared suddenly among the disciples, who were terrified and thought they saw a spirit (Luke 24:37). His greeting of peace was meant to calm their fears and troubled hearts. Even after this greeting, they remained frightened, prompting Jesus to ask why they were troubled and why doubtful thoughts arose in their hearts.
Luke 24:36 — This verse directly records Jesus' words 'Peace be unto you' to the disciples after His resurrection.
In Luke 24:36, after His resurrection, Jesus stood in the midst of His disciples and said, 'Peace be unto you.' The disciples were terrified and affrighted, and supposed they had seen a spirit (Luke 24:37). Jesus then asked, 'Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?' (Luke 24:38). He showed them His hands and feet, saying, 'Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have' (Luke 24:39). This physical demonstration proved His bodily resurrection.
Les Feldick explains that the disciples were not expecting the resurrection at all — they had no idea Jesus would die, and no idea He would rise again (Clip 1). When Jesus suddenly stood in their midst, they were terrified, thinking they saw a spirit. His greeting 'Peace be unto you' was meant to calm and reassure them, but they remained shaken (Clip 1, Clip 2). Les emphasizes that Jesus came in a physical body with flesh and bones, not as a ghost (Clip 3, Clip 4). This event occurred during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension, when Jesus appeared with many infallible proofs (Acts 1:3, Clip 6). The disciples' fear shows their humanity, but after witnessing the resurrection, they were transformed (Clip 7).
Les Feldick notes that the disciples had no idea of the resurrection — they were totally blind to that truth (Clip 1). When Jesus appeared suddenly in their midst, without entering through a door, they were terrified and supposed they had seen a spirit (Clip 3). They reacted as ordinary human beings would when someone unexpectedly appears — they were shaken and fearful (Clip 1).
Jesus first greeted them with 'Peace be unto you' (Luke 24:36). Then He asked why they were troubled and why thoughts arose in their hearts (Luke 24:38). He showed them His hands and feet, saying, 'Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones' (Luke 24:39). Les emphasizes that Jesus was physical, not a ghost or a vision (Clip 4).
This appearance was one of many infallible proofs during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3, Clip 6). It demonstrated the physical reality of His resurrection, which later transformed Peter and the other disciples from fearful men into bold witnesses (Clip 7). Les links this to the hope of our own resurrection, as creation will be delivered from corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Clip 0).
What Will Our Resurrected Body Be Like? 1 Corinthians 15 Explained
of Romans, but that's been quite a while ago. So let's look at it again. Beginning at verse 18 in Romans chapter 8, Romans 8. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the manifestation of the sons or the children or the born ones of God.
Disciples Not Expecting Resurrection
Les explains that the disciples had no idea Jesus would die or rise, so when He appeared they were terrified and thought they saw a spirit, prompting His greeting of peace.
Jesus Proves His Physical Body
Les emphasizes that Jesus showed His hands and feet to prove He had flesh and bones, not a spirit, which calmed their fear.
Sudden Appearance Without a Door
Les points out that Jesus appeared bodily in the midst of the disciples without coming through a door, which startled them.
Forty Days of Resurrection Appearances
Les sets this event during the forty days between resurrection and ascension, showing Jesus' physical resurrected body.
Christ's Resurrection Body: What Yours Will Look Like
So always remember that Peter, especially as we'll be going into the Book of Acts, is a totally different person than he was leading up to the crucifixion. And why? Because he had witnessed the power of Christ's resurrection. It was not a figment of somebody's imagination, it was real.
Why the Twelve Apostles Stayed in Jerusalem — Acts 1 & 8
They were anticipating, and so the question was logical because here in chapter 1, go back to verse 3, Acts chapter 1, verse 3, "...to whom," that is, to the Eleven, "...to whom also he showed himself alive after his passion," his death, burial, and resurrection, "...by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining," to what? To the kingdom.
Christ's Resurrection Body: What Yours Will Look Like
But after they dig into it, the more they see, and the more they understand, they come away from it as believers, invariably. The thing that I always have to look at, if I need proof and I don't, I would just look at Peter and these other 10 men. How did they react when they first arrested Christ? What did they do? Why were they scattered like a bunch of quail? They were scared to death.
Luke 24:36: And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
This is the direct verse where Jesus greets His disciples with peace after His resurrection.
Luke 24:37: But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
This verse shows the disciples' terrified reaction to Jesus' sudden appearance.
Luke 24:38: And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Jesus asks why they are troubled, addressing their inner fear and doubt.
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.
Jesus invites them to touch Him, proving His physical resurrection body.
Acts 1:3: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
This verse confirms that Jesus appeared to the disciples over forty days with many proofs.
They were afraid because they did not expect His resurrection — they had no idea He would rise from the dead (Clip 1). When He suddenly stood in their midst, they thought they saw a spirit (Luke 24:37).
Jesus meant to calm and reassure His disciples. They were terrified, and His greeting was a common salutation that conveyed peace and calmness, telling them not to be anxious or disturbed (Clip 1).
Yes. Les Feldick emphasizes that Jesus showed His hands and feet, saying 'Handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones' (Luke 24:39). He appeared bodily, not as a ghost (Clip 3, Clip 4).
Watch the Teaching: What Will Our Resurrected Body Be Like? 1 Corinthians 15 Explained