1 Corinthians 15:5
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 7
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
2 of 7
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὤφθη
he was seen
G3700
ὤφθη
he was seen
Strong's:
G3700
Word #:
3 of 7
to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1
εἶτα
then
G1534
εἶτα
then
Strong's:
G1534
Word #:
5 of 7
a particle of succession (in time or logical enumeration), then, moreover
Cross References
Mark 16:14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.1 Corinthians 1:12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.John 1:42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
Historical Context
Peter's special appearance established his leadership in the early church (Matthew 16:18, Galatians 1:18). The appearance to 'the twelve' as a group provides corporate testimony—the church's foundation witnessed the risen Christ collectively, not merely individually.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul list Peter (Cephas) first among the witnesses—what does this indicate about restoration after failure?
- How does the sequential listing of appearances refute the hallucination theory?
- What is significant about Jesus appearing to the apostles as a group, not merely individually?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And that he was seen of Cephas (καὶ ὅτι ὤφθη Κηφᾷ, kai hoti ōphthē Kēpha)—The verb ōphthē (ὤφθη, "he appeared, was seen") is divine passive—God caused the appearance. Paul uses Peter's Aramaic name Cephas (Κηφᾶς), connecting to the earliest Jerusalem church tradition. This appearance (Luke 24:34) restored Peter after his denial and commissioned him for apostolic ministry.
Then of the twelve (εἶτα τοῖς δώδεκα)—Paul uses "the twelve" as a technical designation even though Judas had died, indicating this was the recognized title for the apostolic college. This likely refers to the appearance in John 20:19-23. The sequential listing (eita, "then") indicates multiple, independent verification events, not a single mass hallucination.