1 Corinthians 15:6 – Over five hundred brethren at once

…Thereupon He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the majority are remaining hitherto, yet some were put to repose also…

Paul lists some highlights of appearances of the resurrected Christ. The appearance to “more than five hundred brothers at the same time” should not be missing. Exceptional if only because of the large number of people present.

Only one gathering that is mentioned in the gospels qualifies for this. It is the encounter in Galilee that the Lord had already pointed out before he died (Mat.26: 32). And what the angel also talked about at the grave (Mat.28: 9) and a little later the Lord himself when he appears to those same women (Mat.28: 10). In Galilee he would meet all (Mat.28: 16), apparently on the same mountain as that of ‘the Sermon on the Mount’ (see Mat.5: 1). A significant location: on “the mountain” as an image of the Kingdom and against the background of “the sea”, as an image of the nations.

Here the risen Christ gave “the twelve” “the great commission” (Mat.28: 18-20). With more than five hundred brothers as witnesses. It is now twenty-five years later when Paul writes this, but the majority of them were still alive. In other words: just ask them! Because the historical fact is undeniable!

Delen: