Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 15:6
After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church while cataloging the chronological sequence of post-resurrection appearances to ground his gospel proclamation in historical fact.
The words — ὤφθη (ōphthē) means “He appeared” in the passive voice, denoting a divine manifestation, and ἐφάπαξ (ephapax) translates to “at once,” specifying the simultaneous gathering of the witnesses.
The thread — The account places this event between the witnesses to Cephas and the Twelve and the later appearance to James and the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:5, 1 Corinthians 15:7), while the phrase “fallen asleep” employs the standard biblical idiom for death recorded in Acts 13:36.
Why it lands — The text asserts the physical reality of the resurrection through multiple eyewitnesses and requires the reader to accept the historical credibility of the apostolic testimony without dismissing the passage as myth or isolated vision.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Matthew 28:10 “Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”
- Mark 16:7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
- Acts 13:36 For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep. His body was buried with his fathers and saw decay.
- Acts 7:60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
- 1 Corinthians 15:18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
- 2 Peter 3:4 “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”
- Matthew 28:16 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15 By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.