Lucas 24

1 Pero el primer día de la semana, al rayar el alba, las mujeres vinieron al sepulcro trayendo las especias aromáticas que habían preparado.

2 Y encontraron que la piedra había sido removida del sepulcro,

3 y cuando entraron, no hallaron el cuerpo del Señor Jesús.

4 Y aconteció que estando ellas perplejas por esto, de pronto se pusieron junto a ellas dos varones en vestiduras resplandecientes;

5 y estando ellas aterrorizadas e inclinados sus rostros a tierra, ellos les dijeron: ¿Por qué buscáis entre los muertos al que vive?

6 No está aquí, sino que ha resucitado. Acordaos cómo os habló cuando estaba aún en Galilea,

7 diciendo que el Hijo del Hombre debía ser entregado en manos de hombres pecadores, y ser crucificado, y al tercer día resucitar.

8 Entonces ellas se acordaron de sus palabras,

9 y regresando del sepulcro, anunciaron todas estas cosas a los once y a todos los demás.

10 Eran María Magdalena y Juana y María, la madre de Jacobo; también las demás mujeres con ellas referían estas cosas a los apóstoles.

11 Y a ellos estas palabras les parecieron como disparates, y no las creyeron.

12 Pero Pedro se levantó y corrió al sepulcro; e inclinándose para mirar adentro, vio<***> sólo las envolturas de lino; y se fue a su casa, maravillado de lo que había acontecido.

13 Y he aquí que aquel mismo día dos de ellos iban a una aldea llamada Emaús, que estaba como a once kilómetros de Jerusalén.

14 Y conversaban entre sí acerca de todas estas cosas que habían acontecido.

15 Y sucedió que mientras conversaban y discutían, Jesús mismo se acercó y caminaba con ellos.

16 Pero sus ojos estaban velados para que no le reconocieran.

17 Y El les dijo: ¿Qué discusiones son estas que tenéis entre vosotros mientras vais andando? Y ellos se detuvieron, con semblante triste.

18 Respondiendo uno de ellos, llamado Cleofas, le dijo: ¿Eres tú el único visitante en Jerusalén que no sabe las cosas que en ella han acontecido en estos días?

19 Entonces El les dijo: ¿Qué cosas? Y ellos le dijeron: Las referentes a Jesús el Nazareno, que fue un profeta poderoso en obra y en palabra delante de Dios y de todo el pueblo;

20 y cómo los principales sacerdotes y nuestros gobernantes le entregaron a sentencia de muerte y le crucificaron.

21 Pero nosotros esperábamos que El era el que iba a redimir a Israel. Pero además de todo esto, este es el tercer día desde que estas cosas acontecieron.

22 Y también algunas mujeres de entre nosotros nos asombraron; pues cuando fueron de madrugada al sepulcro,

23 y al no hallar su cuerpo, vinieron diciendo que también habían visto una aparición de ángeles que decían que El vivía.

24 Algunos de los que estaban con nosotros fueron al sepulcro, y lo hallaron tal como también las mujeres habían dicho; pero a El no le vieron.

25 Entonces Jesús les dijo: ¡Oh insensatos y tardos de corazón para creer todo lo que los profetas han dicho!

26 ¿No era necesario que el Cristo padeciera todas estas cosas y entrara en su gloria?

27 Y comenzando por Moisés y continuando con todos los profetas, les explicó lo referente a El en todas las Escrituras.

28 Se acercaron a la aldea adonde iban, y El hizo como que iba más lejos.

29 Y ellos le instaron, diciendo: Quédate con nosotros, porque está atardeciendo, y el día ya ha declinado. Y entró a quedarse con ellos.

30 Y sucedió que al sentarse a la mesa con ellos, tomó pan, y lo bendijo; y partiéndolo, les dio.

31 Entonces les fueron abiertos los ojos y le reconocieron; pero El desapareció de la presencia de ellos.

32 Y se dijeron el uno al otro: ¿No ardía nuestro corazón dentro de nosotros mientras nos hablaba en el camino, cuando nos abría las Escrituras?

33 Y levantándose en esa misma hora, regresaron a Jerusalén, y hallaron reunidos a los once y a los que estaban con ellos,

34 que decían: Es verdad que el Señor ha resucitado y se ha aparecido a Simón.

35 Y ellos contaban sus experiencias en el camino, y cómo le habían reconocido en el partir del pan.

36 Mientras ellos relataban estas cosas, Jesús se puso en medio de ellos, y les dijo: Paz a vosotros.

37 Pero ellos, aterrorizados y asustados, pensaron que veían un espíritu.

38 Y El les dijo: ¿Por qué estáis turbados, y por qué surgen dudas en vuestro corazón?

39 Mirad mis manos y mis pies, que soy yo mismo; palpadme y ved, porque un espíritu no tiene carne ni huesos como veis que yo tengo.

40 Y cuando dijo esto les mostró las manos y los pies.

41 Como ellos todavía no lo creían a causa de la alegría y que estaban asombrados, les dijo: ¿Tenéis aquí algo de comer?

42 Entonces ellos le presentaron parte de un pescado asado .

43 Y El lo tomó y comió delante de ellos.

44 Y les dijo: Esto es lo que yo os decía cuando todavía estaba con vosotros: que era necesario que se cumpliera todo lo que sobre mí está escrito en la ley de Moisés, en los profetas y en los salmos.

45 Entonces les abrió la mente para que comprendieran las Escrituras,

46 y les dijo: Así está escrito, que el Cristo padeciera y resucitara de entre los muertos al tercer día;

47 y que en su nombre se predicara el arrepentimiento para el perdón de los pecados a todas las naciones, comenzando desde Jerusalén.

48 Vosotros sois testigos de estas cosas.

49 Y he aquí, yo enviaré sobre vosotros la promesa de mi Padre; pero vosotros, permaneced en la ciudad hasta que seáis investidos con poder de lo alto.

50 Entonces los condujo fuera de la ciudad, hasta cerca de Betania, y alzando sus manos, los bendijo.

51 Y aconteció que mientras los bendecía, se separó de ellos y fue llevado arriba al cielo.

52 Ellos, después de adorarle, regresaron a Jerusalén con gran gozo,

53 y estaban siempre en el templo alabando a Dios.

Lucas 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

The resurrection of Christ. (1-12) He appears to two disciples on the way to Emmaus. (13-27) And makes himself known to them. (28-35) Christ appears to the other disciples. (36-49) His ascension. (50-53)

Verses 1-12 See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ, after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they found the stone rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians often perplex themselves about that with which they should comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather to find their Master in his grave-clothes, than angels in their shining garments. The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead; is risen by his own power. These angels from heaven bring not any new gospel, but remind the women of Christ's words, and teach them how to apply them. We may wonder that these disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true Messiah, who had been so often told that he must die, and rise again, and then enter into his glory, who had seen him more than once raise the dead, yet should be so backward to believe his raising himself. But all our mistakes in religion spring from ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken. Peter now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately ran from his Master. He was amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us, which would be plain and profitable, if we rightly understood the words of Christ.

Verses 13-27 This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus, happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It well becomes the disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up each other's devout affections. And where but two together are well employed in work of that kind, he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek Christ, shall find him: he will manifest himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they have. No matter how it was, but so it was, they did not know him; he so ordering it, that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though Christ is entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those are strangers in Jerusalem, that know not of the death and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus reproved them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. Did we know more of the Divine counsels as far as they are made known in the Scriptures, we should not be subject to the perplexities we often entangle ourselves in. He shows them that the sufferings of Christ were really the appointed way to his glory; but the cross of Christ was that to which they could not reconcile themselves. Beginning at Moses, the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded to them the things concerning himself. There are many passages throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, which it is of great advantage to put together. We cannot go far in any part, but we meet with something that has reference to Christ, some prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole web of the Old Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and even after his resurrection, he led people to know the mystery concerning himself, not by advancing new notions, but by showing how the Scripture was fulfilled, and turning them to the earnest study of it.

Verses 28-35 If we would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with him, cannot but desire more of his company. He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. This he did with his usual authority and affection, with the same manner, perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave a blessing on every meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. They had found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of Christ, will warm the hearts of his true disciples. That is likely to do most good, which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty of those to whom he has shown himself, to let others know what he has done for their souls. It is of great use for the disciples of Christ to compare their experiences, and tell them to each other.

Verses 36-49 Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the disciples of his peace, though they had so lately forsaken him, and promising spiritual peace with every blessing. Many troublesome thoughts which disquiet our minds, rise from mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which rise in our hearts at any time, are known to the Lord Jesus, and are displeasing to him. He spake with them on their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing had passed but what was foretold by the prophets, and necessary for the salvation of sinners. And now all men should be taught the nature and necessity of repentance, in order to the forgiveness of their sins. And these blessings were to be sought for, by faith in the name of Jesus. Christ by his Spirit works on the minds of men. Even good men need to have their understandings opened. But that we may have right thoughts of Christ, there needs no more than to be made to understand the Scriptures.

Verses 50-53 Christ ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives. There was the garden in which his sufferings began; there he was in his agony. Those that would go to heaven, must ascend thither from the house of sufferings and sorrows. The disciples did not see him rise out of the grave; his resurrection could be proved by their seeing him alive afterwards: but they saw him ascend into heaven; they could not otherwise have a proof of his ascension. He lifted up his hands, and blessed them. He did not go away in displeasure, but in love, he left a blessing behind him. As he arose, so he ascended, by his own power. They worshipped him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from them fresh acknowledgments. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy. The glory of Christ is the joy of all true believers, even while they are here in this world. While waiting for God's promises, we must go forth to meet them with our praises. And nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Ghost. Fears are silenced, sorrows sweetened and allayed, and hopes kept up. And this is the ground of a Christian's boldness at the throne of grace; yea, the Father's throne is the throne of grace to us, because it is also the throne of our Mediator, Jesus Christ. Let us rely on his promises, and plead them. Let us attend his ordinances, praise and bless God for his mercies, set our affections on things above, and expect the Redeemer's return to complete our happiness. Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit., 60 estadios
• [b]. Algunos mss. agregan: y un panal de miel%