Were the disciples frightened or glad when they saw Jesus?
Luke emphasizes fear at the appearance, while John reports gladness after Jesus displays his hands and side.
- Textual conflict
- Weak contradiction
- The supplied passages do not establish incompatible claims. Different events, meanings, or conditions may account for the difference.
- Importance
- Major
- A major event or claim with wider implications.
Fear before recognition and gladness after viewing wounds are compatible stages of the encounter.
An editorial assessment of the quoted passages. Importance describes the stakes; it does not increase certainty. Reading order weighs both.
The disciples fear they are seeing a spirit
But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
The disciples rejoice after seeing Jesus' wounds
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.