1 Corinthians 15 · Verse 5

1 Corinthians 15:5

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1 Corinthians 15:5, King James Version

1 Corinthians 15:5 in other translations

BSBand that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.
WEBand that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
ASVand that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;
YLTand that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve,
DARBYand that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
BBEAnd he was seen by Cephas; then by the twelve;
WebsterAnd that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve:

What does 1 Corinthians 15:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. seen of Cephas--Peter (Lu 24:34). the twelve--The round number for "the Eleven" (Lu 24:33, 36). "The Twelve" was their ordinary appellation, even when their number was not full. However, very possibly Matthias was present (Ac 1:22, 23). Some of the oldest manuscripts and versions read, "the Eleven": but the best on the whole, "the Twelve."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. And that he was seen of Cephas. Peter. Jn 1:42. The resurrection of Christ was a fact to be proved, like all other facts, by competent and credible witnesses. Paul, therefore, appeals to the witnesses who had attested, or who yet lived to attest, the truth of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and shows that it was not possible that so many witnesses should have been deceived. As this was not the first time in which the evidence had been stated to them, and as his purpose was merely to remind them of what they had heard and believed, he does not adduce all the witnesses to the event, but refers only to the more important ones. He does not, therefore, mention the woman to whom the Saviour first appeared, nor does he refer to all the times when the Lord Jesus manifested himself to his disciples. But he does not refer to them in general merely, but mentions names, and refers to persons who were then alive, who could attest the truth of the resurrection. It may be observed, also, that Paul observes probably the exact order in which the Lord Jesus appeared to the disciples, though he does not mention all the instances. For an account of the persons to whom the Lord Jesus appeared after his resurrection, and the order in which it was done, see the Harmony at the end of Notes on Matthew.

Then of the twelve. The apostles, still called "the twelve," though Judas was not one of them. It was common to call the apostles "the twelve." Jesus appeared to the apostles at one time in the absence of Thomas, (Jn 20:19,24;) and also to them when Thomas was present, Jn 20:24-29. Probably Paul here refers to the latter occasion, when all the surviving apostles were present.

(h) "Cephas" Lk 24:34

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 That he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve - This refers to the journey to Emmaus, Luk 24:13, Luk 24:34; and to what is related Mar 16:14. Then of the twelve - Instead of δωδεκα, twelve, ενδεκα, eleven, is the reading of D*EFG, Syriac in the margin, some of the Slavonic, Armenian, Vulgate, Itala, and several of the fathers; and this reading is supported by Mar 16:14. Perhaps the term twelve is used here merely to point out the society of the apostles, who, though at this time they were only eleven, were still called the twelve, because this was their original number, and a number which was afterward filled up. See Joh 20:24.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Chapter Outline The apostle proves the resurrection of Christ from the dead. (1-11) Those answered who deny the resurrection of the body. (12-19) The resurrection of believers to eternal life. (20-34) Objections against it answered. (35-50) The mystery of the change that will be made on those living at Christ's second coming. (51-54) The believer's triumph over death and the grave, An exhortation to diligence…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 →

1 Corinthians 15:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ὤφθηōphthēHe appearedG3700
Κηφᾷ,Kēphato Cephas,G2786
εἶταeitathenG1534
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
δώδεκα.dōdekaTwelve.G1427

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 15:5

  • Mark 16:14

    Afterward 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.

  • Acts 1:2-14

    Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. …

  • John 20:19-26

    Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 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. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: …

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    Now 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.

  • Luke 24:34-49

    Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. …

  • John 1:42

    And 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:22

    Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

  • 1 Corinthians 9:5

    Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

  • Acts 10:41

    Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
that.
Lu 24:34,35
Cephas.
1:12; 3:22; 9:5; Joh 1:42
then.
Mr 16:14; Lu 24:36-49; Joh 20:19-26; Ac 1:2-14; 10:41

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 15:4

    And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:5

    And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:6

    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.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y que apareció á Cefas, y después á los doce.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et qu’il a été vu de Céphas, puis des douze.
German
Elberfelder 1871		und daß er Kephas erschienen ist, dann den Zwölfen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et quia visus est Cephæ, et post hoc undecim: