The Bible teaches that Jesus did not always have a physical body, but he will have one for all eternity. Before his birth in Bethlehem, Jesus existed as the eternal, spiritual Word of God without a human form. However, through the Incarnation, he took on human flesh to save us. After his resurrection, Jesus kept his physical body, which means he remains both fully God and fully man in heaven today.
The Eternal Preexistence of the Son of God
To understand if Jesus always had a physical body, we have to look back before the world began. The Bible is clear that Jesus existed long before he was born to Mary. In the Gospel of John, he is referred to as “the Word.” In this preexistent state, Jesus was spirit. He shared in the glory of the Father and the Holy Spirit as the second person of the Trinity. He was not a created being; he was the Creator himself.
While the Old Testament contains stories of the “Angel of the Lord” appearing to people, these are usually described as “theophanies” or temporary appearances. These were not permanent physical bodies. The Son of God was not restricted by bones, skin, or the need for food during the ages before time began. He was purely divine and spiritual in nature.
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. (John 1:1-3)
The Mystery of the Incarnation
The turning point in history occurred when the eternal Son of God chose to take on human nature. Theologians call this the Incarnation. This was not a temporary costume that God wore for a few years. Instead, the Word “became flesh.” This means Jesus added a human nature to his divine nature. He began his physical existence as a tiny embryo in the womb of the virgin Mary.
By taking on a physical body, Jesus became like us in every way except for sin. He experienced hunger, thirst, tiredness, and physical pain. This was necessary because only a human could represent humanity and die as a substitute for our sins. If Jesus did not have a real physical body, his death on the cross would have been an illusion rather than a real sacrifice.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1:14)
The Physical Reality of the Resurrection
Some people mistakenly believe that Jesus ditched his body after he died and went back to being “only spirit.” However, the New Testament emphasizes that the resurrection was physical. When Jesus rose from the grave, his body was transformed and glorified, but it was still a body made of flesh and bone. He even went out of his way to prove this to his terrified disciples.
Jesus invited Thomas to touch the scars in his hands and side. He sat down and ate a piece of broiled fish to show he wasn’t a ghost. This “glorified body” had unique properties—like the ability to appear in locked rooms—but it remained a human body. This is a vital part of the Christian hope because it shows that God intends to redeem our physical bodies too, not just our souls.
“Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” (Luke 24:39)
Jesus Still Has a Human Body Today
The most mind-blowing truth is that Jesus still has a physical body right now. When Jesus ascended into heaven, he did so in his resurrected human form. He did not dissolve into the clouds or shed his skin like a snake. Acts 1 tells us he was “taken up” while the disciples watched him go. He is currently at the right hand of the Father, serving as our Great High Priest.
Because Jesus retains his humanity, he can truly empathize with our struggles. He knows what it feels like to live in a physical world. The Bible promises that when he returns, he will come back in the same way he left. We will see him face to face. He remains the “Man Christ Jesus” for all of eternity, bridging the gap between a holy God and a broken humanity forever.
The Takeaway
Jesus did not always have a physical body, even though he existed before time began. Once the Word became flesh, he joined himself to humanity forever. Jesus rose from the dead in a real, physical body, and he carried that body into heaven at his ascension. Today, Jesus remains fully God and fully man, ensuring that we have a Savior who truly understands our human experience and has the power to give us new life.
