Was Jesus’ Resurrection Body Physical?

Question:  Was Jesus’ resurrected body fleshly or spiritual? When it came to Mary and Thomas it would appear that His body was fleshly, yet there are those who deny this and say he was spiritual? Where do I find the truth?

Answer:  I believe the simple answer to your question is “yes.”  In Luke 24:1-12, we read the resurrection account as told by Luke.  In v. 3, we learn that the body of Jesus could be found when the women arrived early Sunday morning to embalm the body.  In v. 6, the two angels that appeared told the women that Jesus is “not here, but has risen.”  Later in Luke 24:36-49, Jesus appears before his disciples.  The disciples were frightened and thought they were seeing a spirit, but Jesus invites them to touch him and says, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39; emphasis added).  Therefore, the Scriptures attest to the physical resurrection of Jesus, and that in his resurrection state, his body was a physical body.

Now we must understand that his resurrection body wasn’t just a resuscitation of his old, crucified body.  His body was resurrected in a glorified state.  We see that when he was eating with the disciples with whom he travelled on the road to Emmaus.  After breaking the bread and blessing it, he “vanished from their sight” (Luke 24:31).  When these two disciples went to tell the Twelve, Jesus appears before them (Luke 24:36).  While we don’t know the extent of the glorified state, we can at least surmise that in that state, we can appear and disappear at will.

What else can we know about the glorified state?  For that we need to turn to 1 Corinthians 15.  This chapter gives us the fullest treatment in Scripture on the subject of the resurrection.  In vv. 1-11, Paul states the fact of Christ’s resurrection.  In vv. 12-34, Paul lays out the argument for the general resurrection of all bodies based on the fact that Christ was resurrected.  In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul calls the resurrection of Christ the “first fruits.”  This is an agricultural term.  By calling Christ the “first fruits,” he is saying that Christ is sort of the prototype of what we will become when we are resurrected.  You see, Jesus not only redeemed us from the penalty and curse of sin, but he will also redeem us from the presence of sin.  Paul says in Romans 8:23, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”  As Christ’s body was resurrected, so will are bodies be resurrected; and in like manner.

In 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, Paul details what this resurrection body will be like.  He first tells us that the resurrection body will not be like out current bodies (v. 37).  He uses the metaphor of a seed.  When you plant a seed, what grows from it does not resemble the seed that is sown.  Similarly, our resurrection bodies will not resemble the physical bodies that are “sown” when we die.  He goes on to say that “What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).  Our resurrection bodies will be imperishable, glorified, powerful and spiritual (by “spiritual” we don’t mean immaterial or non-physical, but rather spiritual as in powered by the Spirit). Furthermore, in vv. 53-54, we learn that this resurrection body is immortal.

The reason for this resurrection body is that our current corrupt and decaying bodies are not fit for the kingdom of God when it comes in glory at the “last trumpet” (vv. 50-52).  We need bodies fit for eternity, just as Jesus’ body was fit for eternity.  Those who would deny the physicality of Jesus’ resurrection body are not getting that idea from the Scriptures.  Jesus’ resurrection body is a physical, glorified body, just as our resurrection bodies will be physical, glorified bodies based on our faith in Christ.