Official source
What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?
Official JW.org summary of Jehovah's Witness beliefs.
What Do Jehovah's Witnesses Believe?, JW.org, accessed June 16, 2026.
Open sourceObjection
Jesus Rose as a Spirit Creature
Jesus was raised as a spirit creature, not bodily in the same body that died.
Luke presents the risen Jesus inviting touch, showing his hands and feet, denying that he is a mere spirit, and eating before the disciples.
Let Luke define the contrast
Jesus says a spirit does not have flesh and bones as the disciples see he has. The text directly addresses the idea that the resurrection appearance was merely spiritual.
Keep continuity with crucifixion
The risen Jesus is the one who was crucified. The apostolic message proclaims continuity between his death, burial, resurrection, and appearances.
Sources
Official source
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Official Jehovah's Witnesses Bible translation available on JW.org.
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, JW.org, accessed June 16, 2026.
Open sourceReference
BibleRef
Reference pages used for BibleRef-first links to Scripture passages.
BibleRef, accessed June 16, 2026.
Open sourceSecondary context
The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus
Secondary Christian apologetics source for historical resurrection arguments.
Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, Kregel Publications, 2004.
Secondary context
Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses
Evangelical response source for Jehovah's Witness claims.
Ron Rhodes, Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses, Harvest House, 1993.