KJV: 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.
YLT: afterwards he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain till now, and certain also did fall asleep;
Darby: Then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the most remain until now, but some also have fallen asleep.
ASV: then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;
ἔπειτα | Thereafter |
Parse: Adverb Root: ἔπειτα Sense: thereupon, thereafter, then, afterwards. |
|
ὤφθη | He appeared |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular Root: εἶδον Sense: to see with the eyes. |
|
ἐπάνω | to more than |
Parse: Adverb Root: ἐπάνω Sense: above. |
|
πεντακοσίοις | five hundred |
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural Root: πεντακόσιοι Sense: five hundred. |
|
ἀδελφοῖς | brothers |
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural Root: ἀδελφός Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother. |
|
ἐφάπαξ | at once |
Parse: Adverb Root: ἐφάπαξ Sense: once, at once. |
|
ὧν | whom |
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: ὅς Sense: who, which, what, that. |
|
πλείονες | greater part |
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural, Comparative Root: πολύς Sense: greater in quantity. |
|
μένουσιν | remain |
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural Root: μένω Sense: to remain, abide. |
|
ἕως | until |
Parse: Preposition Root: ἕως Sense: till, until. |
|
ἄρτι | now |
Parse: Adverb Root: ἄρτι Sense: just now, this moment. |
|
τινὲς | some |
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: τὶς Sense: a certain, a certain one. |
|
δὲ | however |
Parse: Conjunction Root: δέ Sense: but, moreover, and, etc. |
|
ἐκοιμήθησαν | have fallen asleep |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Plural Root: κοιμάω Sense: to cause to sleep, put to sleep. |
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:6
Επανω Epanō here is just an adverb with no effect on the case. As a preposition with the ablative see Matthew 5:14. This incident is the one described in Matthew 28:16 the prearranged meeting on the mountain in Galilee. The strength of this witness lies in the fact that the majority (οι πλειους hoi pleious) of them were still living when Paul wrote this Epistle, say spring of a.d. 54 or 55, not over 25 years after Christ‘s resurrection. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:6
From δις dis (in two, divided in mind). Cf. Matthew 14:31. The reference is not to the eleven who were all now convinced after some doubt, but to the others present. Paul states that over five hundred were present, most of whom were still alive when he wrote (1 Corinthians 15:6). It is natural that some should hesitate to believe so great a thing at the first appearance of Jesus to them. Their very doubt makes it easier for us to believe. This was the mountain where Jesus had promised to meet them. This fact explains the large number present. Time and place were arranged beforehand. It was the climax of the various appearances and in Galilee where were so many believers. They worshipped He is now their Risen Lord and Saviour. [source]
Jesus has often spoken of the Father‘s sending him using both αποστελλω apostellō and πεμπω pempō Here he employs both words in practically the same sense. Jesus still bears the Commission of the Father (perfect active indicative). For this balanced contention (as so) see John 6:57; John 10:15. This is the first of the three commissions given by the Risen Christ (another on the mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; 1 Corinthians 15:6), another on the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:44-51; Acts 1:3-11). [source]
First aorist passive indicative of αναλαμβανω analambanō Common verb to lift anything up (Acts 10:16) or person as Paul (Acts 20:13). Several times of the Ascension of Jesus to heaven (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:2, Acts 1:11, Acts 1:22; 1 Timothy 3:16) with or without “into heaven” This same verb is used of Elijah‘s translation to heaven in the lxx (2 Kings 2:11). The same idea, though not this word, is in Luke 24:51. See note on Luke 9:51 for αναλημπσις analēmpsis of the Ascension. Had given commandment (εντειλαμενος enteilamenos). First aorist middle participle of εντελλω entellō (from εν en and τελλω tellō to accomplish), usually in the middle, old verb, to enjoin. This special commandment refers directly to what we call the commission given the apostles before Christ ascended on high (John 20:21-23; Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:6; Luke 24:44-49). He had given commands to them when they were first chosen and when they were sent out on the tour of Galilee, but the immediate reference is as above. Through the Holy Spirit In his human life Jesus was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This applies to the choice of the apostles (Luke 6:13) and to these special commands before the Ascension. Whom he had chosen (ους εχελεχατο hous exelexato). Aorist middle indicative, not past perfect. The same verb (εκλεχαμενος eklexamenos) was used by Luke in describing the choice of the twelve by Jesus (Luke 6:13). But the aorist does not stand “for” our English pluperfect as Hackett says. That is explaining Greek by English. The Western text here adds: “And ordered to proclaim the gospel.” [source]
First aorist middle participle of εντελλω entellō (from εν en and τελλω tellō to accomplish), usually in the middle, old verb, to enjoin. This special commandment refers directly to what we call the commission given the apostles before Christ ascended on high (John 20:21-23; Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:6; Luke 24:44-49). He had given commands to them when they were first chosen and when they were sent out on the tour of Galilee, but the immediate reference is as above. [source]
Or “of whom.” Either makes sense and both are true. Peter claims the whole 120 as personal witnesses to the fact of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead and they are all present as Peter calls them to witness on the point. In Galilee over 500 had seen the Risen Christ at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6) most of whom were still living when Paul wrote. Thus the direct evidence for the resurrection of Jesus piles up in cumulative force. [source]
To the disciples the first Sunday evening (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25), the second Sunday evening (John 20:26-29), at the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-23), on the mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:6), to the disciples in Jerusalem and Olivet (Luke 24:44-53; Mark 16:19.; Acts 1:1-11). Luke uses this verb παριστημι paristēmi 13 times in the Acts both transitively and intransitively. It is rendered by various English words (present, furnish, provide, assist, commend). The early disciples including Paul never doubted the fact of the Resurrection, once they were convinced by personal experience. At first some doubted like Thomas (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:41; John 20:24.; Matthew 28:17). But after that they never wavered in their testimony to their own experience with the Risen Christ, “whereof we are witnesses” Peter said (Acts 3:15). They doubted at first, that we may believe, but at last they risked life itself in defence of this firm faith. After his passion (μετα το πατειν αυτον meta to pathein auton). Neat Greek idiom, μετα meta with the articular infinitive (second aorist active of πασχω paschō) and the accusative of general reference, “after the suffering as to him.” For πατειν pathein used absolutely of Christ‘s suffering see also Acts 17:3; Acts 26:23. By many proofs Literally, “in many proofs.” Τεκμηριον Tekmērion is only here in the N.T., though an old and common word in ancient Greek and occurring in the Koiné{[28928]}š (papyri, etc.). The verb τεκμαιρω tekmairō to prove by sure signs, is from τεκμαρ tekmar a sign. Luke does not hesitate to apply the definite word “proofs” to the evidence for the Resurrection of Christ after full investigation on the part of this scientific historian. Aristotle makes a distinction between τεκμηριον tekmērion (proof) and σημειον sēmeion (sign) as does Galen the medical writer. Appearing (οπτανομενος optanomenos). Present middle participle from late verb οπτανω optanō late Koiné{[28928]}š verb from root οπτω optō seen in οπσομαι ωπτην opsomaiοπτασια ōphthēn In lxx, papyri of second century b.c. (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 83). Only here in the N.T. For δι ημερων τεσσερακοντα optasia for vision, see note on Acts 26:19; Luke 1:22; Luke 24:23. By the space of forty days At intervals In the Gospel of Luke 24 this separation of forty days between the Resurrection and the Ascension is not drawn. The things concerning the Kingdom of God (ευαγγελιον ta peri tēs basileias tou theou). This phrase appears 33 times in Luke‘s Gospel, 15 times in Mark, 4 times in Matthew who elsewhere has “the kingdom of heaven,” once in John, and 6 times in Acts. No essential distinction is to be drawn between the two for the Jews often used “heaven” rather than “God” to avoid using the Tetragrammaton. But it is noticeable how the word kingdom drops out of Acts. Other words like gospel (τα περι euaggelion) take the place of “kingdom.” Jesus was fond of the word “kingdom” and Luke is fond of the idiom “the things concerning” (ta peri). Certainly with Jesus the term “kingdom” applies to the present and the future and covers so much that it is not strange that the disciples with their notions of a political Messianic kingdom (Acts 1:6) were slow to comprehend the spiritual nature of the reign of God. [source]
So here, either the dative, the object of υπηρετησας hupēretēsas if γενεαι geneāi is locative, or the instrumental case “by the counsel of God” which again may be construed either with υπηρετησας hupēretēsas (having served) or after εκοιμητη ekoimēthē (fell on sleep). Either of the three ways is grammatical and makes good sense. Κοιμαομαι Koimaomai for death we have already had (Acts 7:60). So Jesus (John 11:11) and Paul (1 Corinthians 15:6, 1 Corinthians 15:51). Was laid (προσετετη prosetethē). Was added unto (first aorist passive indicative of προστιτημι prostithēmi). See the verb in Acts 2:47; Acts 5:14. This figure for death probably arose from the custom of burying families together (Genesis 15:15; Jud Genesis 2:10). Saw corruption As Jesus did not (Acts 2:31) as he shows in Acts 13:37. [source]
Or, who are sleeping. See on Acts 7:60; see on 2 Peter 3:4, and comp. 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:6, 1 Corinthians 15:18, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:51; John 11:11, etc. The dead members of the Thessalonian church. [source]
Though the light has been increasing, and though he may claim that he has been in the light from the first. The phrase occurs in John 2:10; John 5:17; John 16:24; and is used by Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:6. [source]
His fellow-Christian. The singular, brother, is characteristic of this Epistle. See 1 John 2:10, 1 John 2:11; 1 John 3:10, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 3:17; 1 John 4:20, 1 John 4:21; 1 John 5:16. Christians are called in the New Testament, Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), mainly by those outside of the Christian circle. Disciples, applied to all followers of Christ (John 2:11; John 6:61) and strictly to the twelve (John 13:5sqq.). In Acts 19:1, to those who had received only John's baptism. Not found in John's Epistles nor in Revelation. Brethren. The first title given to the body of believers after the Ascension (Acts 1:15, where the true reading is ἀδελφῶν brethrenfor μαθητῶν disciples). See Acts 9:30; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 John 3:14; 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:10; John 21:23. Peter has ἡ ἀδελφότης thebrotherhood (1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 5:9). The believers. Under three forms: The believers ( οἱ πιστοί ; Acts 10:45; 1 Timothy 4:12); they that believe ( οἱ πιστεύοντες ; 1 Peter 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; Ephesians 1:19); they that believed ( οἱ πιστεύσαντες ; Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Hebrews 4:3). The saints ( οἱ ἅγιοι ); characteristic of Paul and Revelation. Four times in the Acts (Acts 9:13, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41; Acts 26:10), and once in Jude (Judges 1:3). Also Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 13:24. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 1:15, etc. In Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:4; Revelation 11:18, etc.|Until now ( ἕως ἄρτι )|Though the light has been increasing, and though he may claim that he has been in the light from the first. The phrase occurs in John 2:10; John 5:17; John 16:24; and is used by Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:6.| [source]